Author: stuart

  • Shedding illusions

    Many have asked if I had a good sabbatical.  The short answer is yes, thank you.  Even in that short expression there is much to elaborate on!  I was told before I went that a sabbatical would be disruptive to me personally. He wasn’t wrong. I think the best way of describing my time away…

  • On returning

    On returning an ancient door spills light onto the space within. Quietness envelops those who tread here. It is a step back to where no troubles have occurred. No death only transition. Mismatched glass seems strangely unbroken in an alcove eastward window atop hangs a sacred heart for the love which moves us beyond our…

  • On generosity and Coronovirus to lighten our darkness

    No wonder Jesus taught in parables, in stories about the Generosity of the kingdom of God.  Because for the most part we just don’t get it. Jesus likes to provoke his listeners to expand their imaginations about what they know and understand to make a serious point. For God’s generosity outstretches our simple imaginations and…

  • The Gleanings are (probably) not for you

    Written for BBC Radio Wales’ ‘Celebration’ 20th Sept – harvest thanksgiving The earth is full of the things you have made. Grass for cattle, vegetables for the people. You make food grow from the earth. You give us bread that gives us strength. [Psalm 104:13-15 (adapted)] Psalm 104 is a song of praise to God…

  • A painful truth

    Take a ticket.  Stand (masked) in line, on the dotted line, or in the circle two meters away. ‘Would you like a receipt with that?’ the checkout operator asks? And because of climate change and using less resources and waste paper littering the floor I suppose, they expect you to say no.  Would you think…

  • y gwir trwy’r gwyll

    A dark fear grips. Masks of  pain and suffering hidden  from view distanced.  Thin cloth, veils, separates. Barely visible, breath  becomes lost confidence  in setting out emerging  unfolding unraveling  the tangle of tied up lock  downs within ourselves to  undo the stepping back  withdrawing of past hurts.  Time to heal, forgive,  allow the letting go,…

  • William Morgan – Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant

    Will Tŷ Mawr, not William Morgan but the former custodian of the house that saw William Morgan (Esgob) to birth: As we sat in his kitchen at Wybrnant he recalls ‘they keep bringing us bibles – what do we want with them here? And I’m, taken to the old parlor where a large cupboard stands; it…

  • What are you looking for?

    Jesus said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. (John 1:29-42) What are you looking for? Well, I could write a list and it…

  • Solstice Pilgrims

    Emmanuel, come. Mary. Emmanuel. This fourth Sunday of Advent at the solstice, the shortest of days in the year when we yearn for the the light to return as others suffer the dire consequences of too much heat. The injustice of it all. And I feel like switching it all off and not knowing, but…

  • Time to let go

    “Pour out, I will pour out my Spirit. Earth shall be much more that it seems. Both sons and daughters shall prophesy. Young and old shall dream dreams.” Arrangement by John Bell of the Prophet Joel, quoted in Acts Pentecost is when the church story suddenly gets messy. Our church year has been very ordered…