The next crisis - the Primates meeting

The next crisis - the Primates meeting

The most immediate event confronting the C of E is the special meeting of the primates of the Anglican Communion in Canterbury from 11-16 January to discuss key issues face to face. According to the Lambeth Palace media statement, issues to be discussed include a review of the structures of the Anglican Communion and their approach to the next Lambeth Conference, and are likely to include the issues of religiously-motivated violence, the protection of children and vulnerable adults, the environment and human sexuality.

The Existential Jesus

The Existential Jesus

The guest editor on BBC radio 4’s Today programme this morning, 28th December, was the actor Michael Sheen. In a segment at 07.20 (1.20.30 into the programme) Sue Lawley asked the question which he wanted to put: ‘What power does the Bible have in our secular world?’. I’ve spent the rest of today researching the two people who were interviewed by Sue Lawley and Michael Sheen.

Contemplation and Truth

Contemplation and Truth

I’ve been reading Simon Small’s brief but rich book, From the Bottom of the Pond: The forgotten art of experiencing God in the depths of the present moment.

I was tempted, reading the Prologue, to post it in its entirety here, but that would contravene the publisher’s rights. Simon’s first sentence in the Prologue is:

“I rest at the centre of space. Unimaginably vast space everywhere I look, disappearing into the distance, seemingly without end.”

The Vision - a new paradigm

In my experience, a paradigm change is taking place in the Church of England, difficult though it is to discern if you look at the central structures of the Church. Change is happening at parish level and in the many friends I have and networks I am part of. Many of my friends have abandoned attendance at or involvement with the Church, despairing of its teaching, worship and leadership and finding it no longer fit for purpose.