Author: stuart

  • Eco-Church: Story, Myth and Theology

    (almost) as presented to the Governing Body of the Church in Wales.  With thanks to the good folks at Hope for the Future from whom parts of this have been gleaned. It is not without a small amount of irony, that I titled the guide to Eco-Church “Treading Lightly on Holy Ground.” The Eco-Church project…

  • Coda 2018 Cywain Gobaith

    At Coda 2018 in Llanidloes 27th – 29th July: We are gathering hope. If only the gleanings are brought together as a basket of bread not left to go stale but shared out enough to feed the inspired small things that we do together. If only the gleanings; gatherings of potential, a momentum of hope…

  • Post Greenbelt 2017

    Last weekend was Greenbelt Festival. In spiritual terms, for me at least, a time to stretch, to get up and be enriched once again. Not because I attended a long list of learned talks by significant theologians. I didn’t. And certainly not because I made a note of everything honourable that was said and done…

  • The Green Man of Ffynnon Mair – sleeps

    Ffynnon Mair is not hidden from view, but facing Enlli. Yet a visitor must approach her down a rugged cliff edge not made for humans passing by. No casual tourist turns up here for a sympathetic blessing. This is a hard place appropriate for Mary. The sea is caught on the rocks beneath, thrown up…

  • Lammas Bread

      Our table is covered in crumbs. I feel your disapproval growing as an unwelcome guest in our midst. Yet there are none such at this table. Even the disapproving are welcome to gather the crumbs under this table. Not untidy but loved. Much bread has been broken around it. As we say ‘Blessed are…

  • grief

    I have seen a glimpse of a place not yet, covered as if with glistening dew in the morning sun, being prepared for me to dwell in. I am not yet there. I am but a sapling learning how to grow in a new clearing when a tree falls. Emptiness around beckoning like an early…

  • Three Pillars of Anglicanism.

    If I were going to preach a traditional sermon, then I might tell you that  Matthew 13. 1-9, 18-23 displays the three pillars of Anglicanism. Scriture. Tradition. Reason. But I don’t often preach traditional Sermons. I do want to talk about seed, soil and roots which are I suppose the same thing as Scripture, Tradition…

  • Seed and Soil and Root

    Church Closed. Graveyard Open. Are only the dead welcome now? Standing in the quiet hills life around begins to emerge, or perhaps I being still of heart become aware of its presence. Amongst the flourishing grasses unknown wild flower seeds have come and put down their roots over which the occasional visitor treads. The walls…

  • humble feast day for new servants

    humble feast day for new servants

    As Terry Wogan was wont to say, most years as I recall, Nights are drawing in – soon be Christmas. And before we all groan at the use of the ‘c’ word before advent or even autumn has begun. He had a point and was reflecting the solar calendar. That at midsummer we are half…

  • Walking on

    As we begin the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way… Take off your shoes and walk a mile in mine Walk in step unknowing beside companions Walk slowly alongside those we nurture Walk with an offer of hospitality and sanctuary to those we meet Walk with the inspiration to take a lighter journey Walk with joy in…