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Yesterday was the eightieth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. We reflected on four repeated themes Remember: The story… elderly survivors reminded us of the horror, the suffering, the gas chambers, the systematic murder of six million Jews, together with disabled people, L.G.B.T. folks, political prisoners, Roma… Re-member – again-memory… It’s not a single commemorationContinue reading “Auschwitz… Four Thoughts and a Response”

Yesterday minister-Lou talked about Jesus’ story that starts, ‘Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed…’ He describes how seed fell on the path, in rocky places, in the weeds and on good earth… Jesus says it’s four different pictures of the way we ‘hear the Word’… When my wife Rachel speaks to me…Continue reading “Listening in Three Dimensions”

‘This Little Light of Mine’ was written a hundred years ago as an African-American children’s song. It’s a simple tune, easy words that children in churches and schools continue to enjoy. It gained new meaning in the 1960s as a traditional folk song, recorded by many artists as a song of joy and hope. ItContinue reading “This Little Light Of Mine”

Dan Snow tells me that today, 25th January, is the anniversary of the death of Al Capone, a gangster famed for his violence in the world of organised crime. He died in 1947 when he was just forty-eight. ‘Capone’s rise as a gangster in the United States coincided with the era of Prohibition, in whichContinue reading “Bootlegging”

I’m reading Everett Swanson’s biography. In 1953, working with army chaplains in Korea, he saw starving, freezing, suffering ‘orphans of war’: ‘Preteen girls cowered in hovels, clutching younger siblings to their sides. Malnourished kids fought over scraps in the army garbage piles…’ It’s an image we’re so familiar with today. Swanson’s response was to formContinue reading “Just Ordinary Children”

Yesterday I read about ‘a nine-foot man-eating tiger and a 19-foot python’. I paused. It could have read ‘a nine foot man, eating tiger and a 19-foot python’. Choice of punctuation is important. On Monday we heard President Donald Trump’s inauguration speech. He announced that there were only two genders; he launched an immigration crackdown,Continue reading “When Choice is Important.”

Yesterday I was chatting with Jacquie, a colleague from my school-teaching days, about the staff we used to work with… our differences and strengths. Young enthusiastic teachers brought energy and freshness… experienced professionals with their wisdom and knowledge… the invaluable contribution of caring support staff. All were good adult role models to the children. TheContinue reading “Side by Side, Hand in Hand”

I’m reading ‘What are you going to do?. In the 1950s Everett Swanson, seeing the plight of starving orphans in South Korea, was confronted with the question: ‘What are you going to do?’ The book tells of his response… Four recent conversations… Sunday… two fourteen-year-olds deciding on their options for their GCSEs… whether they’ll doContinue reading “What Are You Going To Do?”

Yesterday at our (Baptist) church I was reminded… How many Baptists does it take to change a lightbulb? At least 15. One to change the lightbulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the cake. For Balance…How many Anglicans does it take to change a lightbulb? None. They always use candles.Continue reading “Changing a Lightbulb”

I’m no longer a slave to fearI am a child of God At church this morning we shall sing these words repeatedly stating that our relationship with God takes way our fear. It’s simple yet profound message, speaking of my identity as God’s child that brings freedom and strength. You unravel me with a melodyYouContinue reading “No Longer Slaves”