#LamenttoAction, new insight yesterday ‘by what power, in whose name?’ Lk 4 is clear: unjust power rooted in weaponised politics ordered by racial othering not God’s way in spite of some Christians . Our power is resurrection Gods subversive glory & you already know the name!

So delighted our 1st decision as new Aston Deans & Archdeacon. Prayer! 1 hr, every week, in our places, amongst our people. Without it strategy & structure, visions, care & councils are vanity. We can only run the race when we fall to our knees. #ourfather The Church of England Birmingham

#covidgifts ‘not singing but still playing the song played during ‘in person’ worship’ unites us with: all without song or music; feel no song eases their pain; honour S the lost, alone, or silent. Restraint makes all praise equal signs of God’s grace & love. The Church of England Birmingham

Great to be with St Mary’s Pype Hayes as new & old, traditional & contemporary are weaving together to make something new. Revitalising the best of our Anglican heritage is what TS Eliot once described as defining the word ‘Tradition’. Well I never! Go St Mary’s!

Here goes then. Opening question in my sermon from Acts 10 this morning: Who is the most racist person in the Bible? Any thoughts?

Service Lichfield Cathedral AM R4: beautiful music, sense of hope & ‘we’re nearly over it’ message. But is that Christian enough? Covid rages in India, the effects predicted to worsen for most in the world for 2 ys+. It’s only ‘over’ when it’s over for all. The ‘we’ is always global.

Christians, esp ministers, would benefit from listening to ‘Absence of Exaltation’ BBC Points of View we often assume words of global hope & universal praise have meaning. But how say more than ‘thanks I’m alive’ with true meaning. Let’s listen harder to speak better

Ruth Bushyager New College, Oxford Not ‘secular ethics’?Dawkins is not an outlier, Peter Singer’s utilitarianism has taught infanticide, senicide ++ for 40 ys, & a powerful voice in secular ethics. RD dissembles on challenge (GO RTÉ Radio 1!!), at least PS is horrifically honest about utilities’s logical end 🤔

So BBC Breaking News announce to a couple live they can have as many as they like to the wedding. Why, oh why?! If it’s in church the number is limited to the covid max of the building clergy left to police compliance. Oh good! Thanks Boris & BBC! The Church of England

‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ In The Church of England Birmingham , People & Places offers God’s saving name through Oversight, Context & Local ministry. As we do the detail (NB who gets in there😈!) remember: transformation is not a vain hope, but God’s promise!

Rarely been more thankful for Psalm 57, tackles the crap head on, packs no punches, but still proclaims, 11  For your loving-kindness is as high as the heavens, •    and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.’ Divine perspective amidst earth’s woes!

Always brilliant to be at a Patronal festival in one of our ancient places of faith. Inspiring to see today’s faith building on past prayers for a hopeful future with Christ! Go Coleshill! Coleshill Parish Church with Maxstoke The Church of England Birmingham Learning: Discipleship and Mission CofE Birmingham CofE Birmingham Parish Mission Support Team

Parishes always keep you grounded😅😅 Overheard whisper as the service ended, ‘what on earth was he going on about!’ A good reminder to both president and preacher....oh yes, I was both!! ‘My bad!’

#limitingfactor #LimitingFactors

Amidst the telly ads for ‘pure’ cremation, post pandemic grief, the 14,000 parishes of The Church of England offer local, moving events to remember well, say goodbye and grieve healthily. All are welcome, whatever your beliefs. Great personal service, great value for money!!

Didn’t mean to elevate ++Rowan quite so much!!

So I find myself on Harvey Nicholls drawn on by the word ‘sale’. On the 40% off rail are some nice joggers, plain black no distinctive features. A snip at…..wait for it….£795.00😂😂 Ah! That’s how the ‘other half’ live!! (Or I’m just too old!!!) 😅😳😅

Not a headline you’d wish on anyone, ouch!! bbc.co.uk/news/world-eur…

Great BBC Radio 2 interview with Jess Phillips a brilliant local MP, sense, passion, justice n true Brummie all in one! Our communities are the better for your service and always a joy to hear someone actively seeking to ‘break bread’ across our divides! Go Jess!!