Today we commorate The Venerable Bede
Almost everything that is known of Bede's life is contained in the last chapter of his Historia Ecclesias
Julian of Norwich
Posted on by James Woodward
Little is known about Julian of Norwich, a close contemporary of Chaucer’s –not even her name (“Julian” was the name of the church at whic
Ashdown and his Diaries
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The Ashdown Diaries
Volume One 1988-1997
(Allen Lane 2000 £20 642pages)
I have been meaning to read this for some time and finally discovered
Thatchers Inheritance
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Thatcher and Sons: A Revolution in three Acts (Allen Lane 2006)
Simon Jenkins is a clever, insightful and careful writer. I read this volume afte
Spring
Posted on by James Woodward
spring fever
Today, look: another day. Waking, wide open,
Afraid. Don't dive into the library,
Into yet another book! Reach for your guitar,
The Speaker
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The Speaker
(BBC 2 14th April 2009 8 – 9pm)
What makes for a good speech? How do those of us who are tasked to speak become better (more convin
Good Bye to all my friends in Temple Balsall
Posted on by James Woodward
May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the r
Beginnings and Endings?
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What we call the beginning is often the end
And to make and end is to make a beginning.
The end is where we start from. And every phrase
And sen
Do not forget the poor!
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G20 leaders must not forget promises to the poor - Religious Leaders Communiqué
In a communiqué issued in advance of the G20 meeting in Londo
Time Out
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I remember as a student in London buying the weekly magazine Time Out to catch up on films and see where cheap theatre tickets could be bought.
Hugo Young
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Curiosity, Hugo Young argues, is the essential ingredient of the best journalism. The only way to understand any world, especially the ever comp
How are we to understand our Life?
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SO MANY DIFFERENT LENGTHS OF TIME
How long is a man’s life, finally?
Is it a thousand days, or only one?
One week, or a few centuries?
How lo
Obama and the weight of expectation
Posted on by James Woodward
If you had to choose another job I wonder what that job would be? Perhaps the move from being a teacher to a builder? Out of the k
Seamus Heaney
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Dennis O’Driscoll
Stepping Stones: Interviews with Seamus Heaney
(Faber, 2008)
Seamus Heaney is regarded as possibly the finest poet of
In Love
Posted on by James Woodward
Give all to love;
Obey thy heart;
Friends, kindred, days,
Estate, good fame,
Plans, credit, and the Muse -
Nothing refuse.
Leave all for love;
Ye
Regret?
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Do not brood over your past mistakes and failures
as this will only fill your mind with grief, regret and depression
Swami Sivananda
Who would be a Vicar these days??
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I had reason to write to a friend who has recently celebrated twenty years in the ministry. It has given me the opportunity to reflect upon
Saint or Sinner??
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During this November time we have been remembering – and as a colleague of mine said in church recently – we Christians are particularly
From Alice Walker to barack Obama
Posted on by James Woodward
I found this very powerful and challenging and moving..... read on!!
Open Letter to Barack Obama from Alice Walker
Nov. 5, 2008
Dear Brot
The Cross of St Augustine
Posted on by James Woodward
The Cross of St Augustine was founded by Archbishop Michael Ramsey. It was first awarded by him on 19 February 1965. It is a circular medallion beari