This short piece appeared in yesterdays Church Times: There should be, in all of our filing systems, a place for those cards and letters sent by friends and strangers who have managed to express something precious however small. These words may take many shapes: it may often be a word of encouragement. The […]
Blog
Sky, Air, Light
Posted on by James Woodward
sky, air, light A certain day became a presence to me; there it was, confronting me–a sky, air, light: a being. And before it started to descend from the height of noon, it leaned over and struck my shoulder as if with the flat of a sword, granting me honor and a task. The […]
Samuel and Henrietta Barnett
Posted on by James Woodward
Today the Church remembers two important figures of social reform: Henrietta Barnett is, perhaps, best known for the development of Hampstead Garden suburb, but she – with Samuel Barnett – was an important social reformer. Their most notable innovation was the university settlement – but they were also active in other arenas. Dame Henrietta […]
Garter Service
Posted on by James Woodward
Each year in June a procession and service take place at Windsor Castle for the Order of the Garter. This year’s service takes place on Monday 15 June. The Order is the senior and oldest British Order of Chivalry, founded by Edward III in 1348. New appointments to the Order of the Garter are […]
Making Our Home
Posted on by James Woodward
Sermon preached in St Georges Chapel Windsor 14th June 2009 Mattins The Solemnity of St George There are many preoccupations that characterise our culture – one might best be described as Re-designing. You might be familiar with the programmes that promote this Gospel. Alan Titchmarsh will transform a garden in two days, ripping […]
How do we talk about death?
Posted on by James Woodward
Yesterday I told you about the forthcoming exhibition in Birmingham ( Saying the Unsayable). Here is some backgroung to the piece of work taken from the Introduction to the programme guide written by Pauline Smith Saying the unsayable: Opening a dialogue about living, dying and death The Exhibition guide Acknowledgments […]
Saying the Unsayable
Posted on by James Woodward
This is a project that I had some involvement with in the early stages of its birth last year. Put the dates in your diary and be prepared to have your horizons enlarged! More on the project and its images later…..
Taking Time
Posted on by James Woodward
For those of you who know me a little – you will recognize these adjectives: busy on the go energetic active engaged at work active on duty industrious engrossed Well – there is of course in new work plenty to do and see and learn. But what are the oppposites of such adjectives? […]
Mystery and Silence
Posted on by James Woodward
An extract from a sermon for Trinity Sunday: This week I received the Concert programme from Warwick University. It reminded me of the excellent pre-concert talks at where a musician reflected upon their task and the piece they were about to play. A pianist once described their playing of Beethoven in this way: […]
Brown’s Britain?
Posted on by James Woodward
a bit long for a blog but very interesting!! Brown’s Britain is Bankrupt FRANK FIELD MP AND JEREMY JENNINGS Daniel Johnson: Parliament is supposed to be the guardian of liberty, but it seems rather that its members have been taking liberties. The result is a great upsurge of righteous indignation, a demand for equality […]
Thomas Ken
Posted on by James Woodward
Today the Church of England commemorates Thomas Ken Ken was born in 1637 at Little Berkhampstead, Hertfordshire. His father was Thomas Ken of Furnival’s Inn, of the Ken family of Ken Place, in Somerset; his mother was the daughter of little known English poet, John Chalkhill. In 1646 Ken’s stepsister, Anne, married Izaak Walton, […]
Trinity
Posted on by James Woodward
Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth: Set up your kingdom in our midst. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God: Have mercy on me, a sinner. Holy Spirit, breath of the living God: Renew me and all the world. I venerate and glorify you, O most Blessed Trinity, in union with that […]
Prayer for Creation
Posted on by James Woodward
The Archbishop of Canterbury is urging churches to use Environment Sunday (June 7) to pray for the planet and campaign for climate change in the run up to the important UN talks later this year in Copenhagen. Dr Williams said it was vital for Christians and people of all faiths to take a lead […]
From Windsor to Waterloo
Posted on by James Woodward
Here are ten surprises emerging out of the completely ordinary and unspectacular journey from Windsor and Eton Riverside station to Waterloo: It only costs £8 return (and I am not a senior citizen!) It takes just over three quaters of an hour There are 12 stops between Windsor and Waterloo Its a perfect time […]
Time??
Posted on by James Woodward
I read 21st Century parody of Psalm 23 the other day. It goes something like this: The clock is my dictator, I shall not rest. It makes me lie down only when exhausted. It leads me into deep depression. It hounds my soul. It leads me in circles of frenzy, for activities sake. […]
Blueness
Posted on by James Woodward
blueness Reach me a gentian, give me a torch let me guide myself with the blue, forked torch of this flower down the darker and darker stairs, where blue is darkened on blueness. even where Persephone goes, just now, from the frosted September to the sightless realm where darkness was awake upon the dark […]
Justin
Posted on by James Woodward
Most of what is known about the life of Justin Martyr comes from his own writings. He was born at Flavia Neapolis (ancient Shechem in Judaea/Palaestina, now modern-day Nablus). According to church tradition Justin suffered martyrdom at Rome under the Emperor Marcus Aurelius when Junius Rusticus was prefect of the city (between 162 and […]
Pentecost
Posted on by James Woodward
Almighty God, who on this day didst open the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of thy Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who […]
Josephine Butler
Posted on by James Woodward
Let your continual mercy, O Lord, kindle in your Church the Never-failing gift of love, that, following the example of your servant Josephine Butler, we may have grace to defend the poor, and maintain the cause of those who have no helper; for the sake of him who gave his life for us, your Son […]
Water
Posted on by James Woodward
Water If I were called in To construct a religion I should make use of water. Going to church Would entail a fording To dry, different clothes; My litany would employ Images of sousing, A furious devout drench, And I should raise in the east A glass of water Where any-angled light Would […]