Brilliant article in this weeks Radio Times from Mr Motivator MBE including his experiences of racism and his positive outlook. Love this quote he mentions: People may forget what you said, they may forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel. - M Angelou

Apparently trees can communicate with each other through their roots or something. I wonder if that fig tree (Luke MP reading) was all alone and that’s why it was struggling. We can cope for so long on our own but there’s nothing like being part of an actual physical community...

16yo just came rushing in looking really upset and told me that a spider in the conservatory was wrapping up a bee in its web! It was so satisfying to rescue the bee by flicking it out with a biro and watch as it eventually managed to clean itself off and fly away free...😁

Just got my first “Feasting on the word” commentary, including 4 essays for each of the 4 readings every Sunday. That’s sermon support for 16 Year A sermons. If I buy years B & C that’s the next 48 years of preaching covered - the equivalent of my entire life so far!! Crazy!!

Just reflecting on a glimpse I saw of a televised football match last night and the bizarreness of hearing crowds cheering even though there was no crowd present. I can see how it creates atmosphere and connection. Can we learn from this for virtual church services?

I just plucked up courage to call my amazingly talented embroidering Aunty who I haven’t spoken to in ages to ask if she would help with my ordination stole (2 yrs away but I like to be organised!! ) & I made her cry. And I made myself cry. But I think she’s going to do it! 😁

I’m enjoying trying to learn “The Canticle of the Turning” on my ukelele to enrich my evening prayer. Just as well it’s only God who’s listening!!

And so it starts... A young relative and his wife have built up large debts and now are both to be laid off. They have a one year old child. Our debt charities are going to become very stretched. Let’s keep Christians Against Poverty (CAP) UK in our prayers at this difficult time.

Are there any debt charities you can recommend other than Christians Against Poverty (CAP) UK ? Or can places like CitizensAdvice help when you get into massive debt ? I’m speaking to my relatives tomorrow - would love to have some advice for them!!

My incumbent sent out an email yesterday asking what opportunities we have for change when we move our worship back into church. I’m sure these conversations must be happening across all parishes. What will we do differently in our churches as we come out of lockdown?

“You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope” - Thomas Merton

I had to do a double take at zoom evening prayer tonight as I thought an old shelled creature had appeared when the leader said “as our Saviour Tortoise”... Seriously!! 😂 😂 😂

For sometime soon...🙏 Have yourself a merry church re-opening Let your heart be light From now on your troubles will be out of sight Here we are as in olden days Happy golden days of yore Faithful friends who are dear to us Gather near to us once more...

“We need to be angels for each other, to give each other strength and consolation. Because only when we fully realize that the cup of life is not only a cup of sorrow but also a cup of joy will we be able to drink it” - H Nouwen

I need an “unputdownable” novel!! Any suggestions?

Random question: does anyone have an order of evening prayer from the Anglican Church of South Africa?

I’ve noticed that almost everyone seems to pronounce the service of “compline” differently. I say “kom plynn” others say “kom pleen”. Having googled, apparently the correct pronunciation is “kom-plain”. Is that really true? I think that is the one pronunciation I’ve never heard!

I’m looking forward to the @ERMCCambridge #quietmorning and am hoping to go for a walk at the lodge RSPB England if it’s not too windy. There’s plenty of benches to rest on in between for some quiet reflection too.

If you get a chance, take a listen to “Covering religion for news” on today’s Radio 4 Sunday programme on BBC sounds app. Really good material for the inter-faith module @ERMCCambridge!

“I will listen For your whisper In the silence May you be the only voice I hear” Love these lyrics from Speak into the silence by David Lion.