Not a name for a new newspaper or charity or a headline but the name of a building at the heart of the regeneration of West Bromwich. It houses a public gallery as well as a theatre, recording studios, creative office space, event space and a cafe bar. The ambition is to provide
Doing Death Well?
Posted on by James Woodward
Susan Sontag was one of the writers who has most influenced my understanding of illness. Her book Illness as metaphor is a classic exporation into the strange world of language and reality that surround this most difficult of human experinces.
What does A good death real
It’s all in the Mind?
Posted on by James Woodward
We all fear losing our minds and memories. One of the reasons why many fear old age is because we believe that cognitive abilities decline. There are many negative images of older people that suggest that they are forgetful and even mentally incompetent.
So what does the evide
Women Bishops?
Posted on by James Woodward
I trained for ministry alongside women during the early 1980's at a time when they were not allowed to be ordained to the diaconate or priesthood. I remember the passion that I felt about the sheer injustice of it all - and how important it was to address the inequality. The
The Common Good?
Posted on by James Woodward
A guy arrives in a village where many are starving. He has a large pot and big stone and he tells them that he is going to make them stone soup. He puts the water and the stone into the pot, and when it starts boiling, he tastes it and says ‘It’s almost ready, but it n
For my American friends
Posted on by James Woodward
Well - I remembered you all yesterday when you celebrated Independence day and here are the folks who did the deed!
and here is what they signed:
I salute this brave and diverse and rich nation and the wonderful people who are proud to be American
Children form us?
Posted on by James Woodward
One of the real delights and privileges of my work in Temple Balsall ( see www.leveson.org.uk) is the weekly service in St Marys for the whole of the school community. Over 170 children and others gather for worship. They are present with grace and expectation. They sing with fee
Frank Lloyd Wright
Posted on by James Woodward
What a genial looking chap - though I understand from his biographer that he was a complete rascal ! I spent a morning in Oak Park exploring the unique style of this architecture. His use of space and light and design are quite extraordinary.
I then discovered that one of hi
Summaries are Best?
Posted on by James Woodward
Getting used to my own space is interesting after so long away. Temple House talks to me - it moves and almost speaks from time to time - a very disconcerting experience especially when sleep is needed! Anyway it didn't matter too much last night because I used the waking hour
Learning to Die
Posted on by James Woodward
It is at this stage that most of us discard the flowers - they are no longer of any use. But look more closely - can you see the beauty and the depth in the sheer fragility?
Tenderness and perception make people attractive and humane - not the outward show of material ac
Back to Work!!
Posted on by James Woodward
Well - nothing good ever lasts forever - and the sabbatical is over! I returned to Temple Balsall yesterday to find everything in good order - mainly thanks to my wonderful colleagues. Some flowers from Sharon and Jen (as I told my American Friends - quite simply the best pe
Free Speech?
Posted on by James Woodward
Should we all be allowed to say what we want, and where, and about whosoever we want? What are the limits to free speech? And who should decide where these limits are set? If we set a limit of freedom of speech then does it follow that there will be an infringement of other hum
The Cambrian Academy
Posted on by James Woodward
Those regular visitors to my weblog will know of my interest and enthusiasm in and for Art. A correspondent friend of mine reminded me of how elitist art can be - and I agree - making art accessible (and affordable) is a moral and social challenge. I would like to see
On forgiving your parents
Posted on by James Woodward
My reading of old age narratives goes on (and on and on)! There is some productivity and much delight in the various way these characters think about the shape of age. I wish I had the capacity to think onto a computer - there is something about the movement of a pen across paper
Plas – Yn – Rhiw
Posted on by James Woodward
I realize that part of the secret of spritual happiness is to nurture contentment with ones' lot - and my lot is a good one - you would be surprised at what a short absence does to the heart's affections! However that doesn't stop me, from time to time, coveting things!
Have you
An American Dream?
Posted on by James Woodward
I know that I am back in this country but part of me, reflecting on my sabbatical, is still in America. I have cards and letters from newly made friends asking when I am planning to return.
If you look back over my sabbatical blogs (March 26th - 30th) you will see my reflections
Endgame by May Sarton
Posted on by James Woodward
On the 17th of May I wrote about a very remarkable book by May Sarton (At Seventy). You can imagine my delight at finding another journal by her entitled Endgame. One of the great things about living in a University area (Hyde Park Chicago) was the wonderful collection of secon
A taste of my Life
Posted on by James Woodward
I thought that I had secured a bargain when I bought for 60p a bag of nuts - just what I need thought I - low fat/high energy food. They tasted OK but I thought were a bit old?? Imagine my horror when I passed the shop two days later to find that they were bird food! Oh well - pe
The Tyranny of Connectivity?
Posted on by James Woodward
I came across this evocative phrase in an article in The New Yorker. What a magazine - another discovery in Chicago (I shall have to put a year's subscription on my Christmas wish list!!). A Japanese writer reflects on our modern world and the multiple ways that we keep in touch.
What makes people tick?
Posted on by James Woodward
If you want to get to know someone - what elements might be important in the process of knowing? Are there things that we feel people misunderstand about us? What accounts for that misunderstanding?
I think that a person's vision is important - and I don't mean their eyesight! A