At Blackwater Pond the tossed waters have settled after a night of rain. I dip my cupped hands. I drink a long time. It tastes like stone, leaves, fire. It falls cold into my body, waking the bones. I hear them deep inside me, whispering oh what is that beautiful thing that just happened? […]
Blog
God: some conversations – final reflections.
Posted on by James Woodward
It has been a very busy and intensive 10 days as clergy have gathered at St George’s house for a consultation designed to engage us all in a process whereby we might consider how we speak – and perhaps more confidently – about God.We have been blessed with some very skilled and knowledgeable speakers and […]
End of Summer Term – the College of St George.
Posted on by James Woodward
I have already indicated something of the rhythms and patterns of the College – and this is very self-evident at the moment as we draw the summer term to a close.The school has started its summer holiday and the choristers are enjoying a well-deserved rest.Today the lay clerks sing their last services and change and […]
SICK VISITS
Posted on by James Woodward
They keep me sober, The old ladies Stiff in their beds, Mostly with pale eyes Wintering me. Some are like blonde dolls, Their joints twisted; Life in its brief play Was a bit rough. Some fumble With thick tongue for words And are deaf; Shouting their faint names I listen: They are far off, […]
so shining
Posted on by James Woodward
Conjure something glowing Take this day You were born with hands for spinning Talent for dreams and making them real Roll the hours like yarn Spin something that makes you feel full And big and open to talk Make this day your own square In your own life quilt So shining it brightens […]
outburst
Posted on by James Woodward
EVERYONE suddenly burst out singing; And I was fill’d with such delight As prison’d birds must find in freedom Winging wildly across the white Orchards and dark-green fields; on; on; and out of sight. Everyone’s voice was suddenly lifted, And beauty came like the setting sun. My heart was shaken with tears; and horror […]
Saying Goodbye – articulating the significance in transitions!
Posted on by James Woodward
I guess that all of us need some kind of help and friendship and encouragement as we negotiate the inevitable ups and downs of life are particularly some of the transitions that come our way. In my previous Ministry I had the privilege of working in a Church of England primary school for nearly 11 […]
tristesse
Posted on by James Woodward
sadness, goodbye but hello again you are the writing on the ceiling you are the writing in her eyes sadness, sadness, you’re not that bad I can eclipse and cloud you with a smile welcome, again you are the body of love you are the power of love love’s uprising beyond the body […]
a crack in everything
Posted on by James Woodward
You can add up the parts but you won’t have the sum You can strike up the march, there is no drum Every heart, every heart to love will come but like a refugee. Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, a crack in everything […]
The Pleasures of Ageing?
Posted on by James Woodward
JAMES HILLMAN: “Suppose we all lived to be 125, or 185; how would we live? It’s a frightening idea, because it’s a deep denial of something fundamental to the human experience… Life extension isn’t even enough as a goal. [Scientists] want to prevent dying, to say that dying isn’t really necessary to the […]
Sunday
Posted on by James Woodward
I’m not, I think, a signer up to campaigns! I think there is an activist streak to me – as I hope there is to many of my friends and colleagues – but perhaps early middle age has brought both a wider (and perhaps even wiser) perspective combined worryingly with a pinch of complacency.I really […]
the scarlet sky
Posted on by James Woodward
when a child leaves the breast for solid food it does not look back it grows the seed is nourished by earth then spreads towards the sun so: taste the scarlet sky open towards wisdom hide no longer in yourself you came here like a star that had no name enter the night […]
Christian theology in Practice
Posted on by James Woodward
Christian Theology in Practice Discovering a Discipline Bonnie J. Miller –McLemore Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2012 I have had a rather frustrating time of late due, in part, to a paucity of stimulating reading in the area of the theory of pastoral and practical theology. Most of the […]
morning rain
Posted on by James Woodward
The dawn light. A light rain. I hear it on the treetop leaves. Then, the mist. The morning wind blows it and the clouds away. Now colours deepen, and a sense of grace: the presence of water. And then, across the landscape the smell of morning rain. Du Fu (712-770 AD)
The Right to Die?
Posted on by James Woodward
Sometimes life moves at such a busy pace that it’s easy to think of it as just one thing after another. I think we probably spend too little time processing things, though I was glad to be warned by a friend that too much self-introspection is not entirely healthy! Last weekend I spent two […]
The Solemnity of St George 2012: Garter Day
Posted on by James Woodward
The organisation that goes into Garter day here in Windsor Castle is quite extraordinary.There are the rehearsals, careful planning of time, consideration of the unpredictable nature of our English weather, organisation of security, music, military bands, processions, guards of honour, press, allocation of seats in the Chapel and the organisation of many hundreds of people […]
luminous
Posted on by James Woodward
the day is remarkable luminous, joyful so easy, to live with the taste of colour love makes me laugh and, at the last moment, I open my eyes. Paul Eluard, Serie
Go straight to terminal one! Further musings…
Posted on by James Woodward
I think that some of you know that for much of last year I was involved in the Falconer Commission on assisted dying.Itwas a fascinating year and one not without its measure of controversy.Much is made about my dissension from the main recommendations to change the law to allow a very restricted group individuals in certain […]
steel
Posted on by James Woodward
Lay me on an anvil, O God. Beat me and hammer me into a crowbar. Let me pry loose old walls. Let me lift and loosen old foundations. Lay me on an anvil, O God. Beat me and hammer me into a steel spike. Drive me into the girders that hold a skyscraper […]