Licensing at Wyndham

Having finally moved and been licensed there is now much to do in preparation for Christmas below are some of the photos from the licensing. It seems right at this time of transition and change to finish this particular blog at this point. I will however be starting two new blogs.

http://fromthisvalley.blogspot.com/ which will chronicle my personal thoughts and prayers

and http://parishofllandyfodwgandcwmogwr.blogspot.com/ which will chronicle the life, witness and mission and ministry of the parish

Going, going, gone

At long last I have now moved. I have spent many hours on the phone getting things readressed. Hopefully the broadband will be switched on but I am still waiting. After that my blog will change address but more of that later when there is some space and time. I had a wonderful send off from the cathedral and despite the fact that my experience there was one that was mixed given my time over I would have done it again. I am this morning trying to set up our parish website from the library but I need to walk with that before I can run.

Not gone yet!

In fact I have not gone yet from the Cathedral. Not many (well to be honest any!) posts recently due to various hassles but there will be more with photos soon. Preparations are well underway for the licensing in Ogmore Vale so hopefully all will go smoothly!

Resources

Just discovered this website:-http://www.annunciationtrust.org.uk/approaches/index.shtml

Conference!

My own indolence and sense of introspection mean that along with various reasons I have not posted for a long time. Much of my the attention that I have given to writing has been towards my journal rather than blogging in the last month. One delightful weekend was spent recently in the MONOS Conference. Monos is an organisation for the promotion and study or New or secular monasticism. This was the second conference and even bettered last years. It was particuarly interest to gain perspective from a wider variety of participants than from last year. Also good this year to have the perspective of input about Buddhist monasticism as well. Good to have something to think about before I began a retreat in Begbroke before returning to Llandaff for a final month or two before moving on!

Wheat and Darnel!

Tomorrow's Gospel reading is the Parable of the Weeds. There is much in that about our attitude to life this for me is most evident when you consider the nature of darnel. For a long time the darnel is very hard to distingush from the wheat. The fault line of good and evil that runs through us all is a bit like that as well!

Limbo!

Think that I have now hit that state known as limbo ( I have died yet for the hopeful!). At the moment I have no firm plans when to leave but am also unsure of how long I will stay. Went on the first on my leaving dos on Friday at The Mulberry Tree in the High Street Llandaff with the staff from Busy Bees. I was given a beautiful watch as a leaving present for which I am very grateful. Yet although I was told to take it easy and to enjoy this period I am finding it increasingly wearing. The interegnum in Careau with Ely provided many interesting challenges but I feel at the moment that everything is a bit without shape or structure and short term. This seems to have led to a strange sense of apathy and tiredness. However although I have absolutely no regrets about moving on (it is more than overdue) I still feel a strange sense of grief for what I leave behind. Limbo indeed!

Profile!

Sent off my profile to be uploaded onto the website for Cwm Ogwr so one step nearer!

Peer support!

Good to meet on Thursday with two of those who were ordained at the same time as me for lunch and a discussion. One we had discussed and debated the sadness of a church that seems to be tearing itself apart and my liberal tendencies (they think I am a heretic!) we turned to the business of thinking about adult nurture in the faith. I could help but reflect on this and seem to see that wherever the church is growing no matter of what tradition it is because the teaching is clear, firm and grounded with clear boundaries and expectations of the parishoners. Part of the problem of liberalism (apart from the fact that the title has been hijacked and misconstrued) is that in liberal parishes there has been little constructive teaching and the words liberal and sloppy have become mixed up in people's thinking.
The value that we put on things was further highlighted for me on Friday when I met with others from the Spiritual Direction network with which I am involved when we entered the debate about whether you charge for direction. Amongst the Roman Catholics it was taken as a given that you do. Amongst the Anglicans it was taken that you did not especially if you were a stipendary priest yet in our discussion we reflected on how differently people treat things if they value them. There was a predominant feeling amongst those who charged some people and not others that those who paid took more ownership of the process. This goes back to the same point about teaching and nurture if we have high expectation of people we see them develop and work in cooperation with God and grow in love for him, if we model a way of life that treats what we believe as if it has no worth then others will view it in that way as well!

Modern Art and the Gospel

Just a very brief thought there is a connection between what some people think about modern art and what they think about the Gospel. If you do not search for the deeper meaning in either they can both appear to be absolute rubbish! Any thoughts?

Picture

I really don't know about the picture with the beard and glasses any more. I am now clean shaven the first time for a long time and now wear contact lenses so here is a new camera breaking image above!

Back to it!

I am not quite sure why I have not posted for a while. I had two weeks away during which it was announced I was leaving. Preparations for leaving as well as having to keep the day by day going on have meant that there has not been much time. The last four years have certainly been interesting ones weaved as much with pain and sorrow as joy and blessing. I leave a very different kind of priest than I thought I would. Maybe to put it correctly I leave a different priest to how others thought I should be.
It was a great blessing yesterday to preside at the Eucharist in St Timothy's and then St David's Ely. I have done many funerals and weekday masses there but not a Sunday until yesterday. I will forever have a vision of the congregations joining in "Sing it in the Valleys" with gusto. They were delighted with news of a new Vicar Fr Jesse Smith who will I am sure lead them forward and consoldate much of the good work already done. I wonder how different my curacy would have been if it had been somewhere like Ely. But perhaps on reflection much of it has been!

Llandyfodwg and Cwm Ogwr

It has been announced today I have been appointed Priest in Charge of Llandfodwg and Cwm Ogwr. It seem appropriate Random Ramblings will change it's name soon too. Any suggestions?

Too true!

Uplifted!

Several events over the last few days have made me feel a bit more positive. First there was a wonderful Solemn Mass for Ascension Day at St Timothy's Ely followed by a fish and chip supper and for the first time in a long time when preaching I felt I had something to say without having to use notes. I hasten to add that was in the Mass not the fish and chip supper. Then on the Saturday there was the 175th anniversary celebration of the Oxford Movement in Lampeter University. Here about 50 of us joined together for a lecture Solemn Mass and a good lunch followed by Evening Prayer and Benediction. An enjoyable few days all round!

To be Straight with you DV8

On Thursday night I went to see To Be Straight with You directed by Lloyd Newson. The play gives the account of the persecution suffered by homosexuals. Every word that is spoken on stage is one that comes from street interviews in London. They range from the accounts of gay people to those of those who believe it to be morally wrong. The play through dance and drama explores the paradox in religion and sexuality. It shows how those who espouse the way of faith too often espouse the way of hate for those with whom they disagree. I would have to say that I find the intolerance spoken allegedly in the name of Christ very hard to stomach. Those so called Christian organsation that promote reorienation of sexuality and sexual identity do much damage. It is a great sadness that we are not able to view someones God given sexuality whether gay or straight as a gift from God to them rather than convincing them that they are disordered just because they are attracted to someone of the same sex.

I was lucky to get a ticket to see this as they had all sold out and I got a return. A friend who went on Friday night had the same experience. This is well worth seeing so include the link below

http://www.dv8.co.uk/stage/to.be.straight.with.you/to.html

I'll drink to that!

So food for thought in the following clip and article. I wonder do those opposed who see it as a place of worship actually ever go there?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/7361315.stm

Feast of St Mark

Whilst reflecting yesterday on the Feast of St Mark I was struck by the beauty of this icon. Unfortunately it is little small in its reproduction here but I love it the image of Mark holding the manuscript aloft and gazing towards the sky.

Mondays etc

Monday is usually a good day to be off, to recover from Sunday. Having spent some of Friday and most of Saturday at Begbroke and doing the four hour round drip in two days I was suprised how well I felt yesterday. But the gym was hard work yesterday evening and it seems that I just cannot shift the chest infection that I picked up. Anyway enough moaning! The diary for the week proves to have plenty of variety, four funerals, three masses and a cell group meeting in addition to the usual daily round. Yesterday the new head of the Cathedral School Steven Morris was installed during the Cathedral Eucharist. I was struck by the contrast between this occasion and some of the funeral visits I have done in the last week. It was the difference between those who are affluent and have hope in front of them and those who face the devastation of poverty and loss. In the saturday edition of The Guardian there was an article about those left wing writers who have moved considerably to the right. I support change is natural if we are in a period of growth and that as we age our perspective changes. The article is entitled With Friends like these. The conclusions of the article are mixed and link in my opinion the left with secular atheism. The perspective of the Christian socialist is completely ignored but that may be the fault of Christians not having enough influence over politics at the moment!

Cycles (and I don't mean bicycles)

At the moment some difficult things in my life are making me think of the way life is cyclical. This is shown so well in the life of faith, cross and resurrection, joy and sorrow, losing and finding are all part of the path of discerning God. In a strange way we need these cycles in order to tell us that God is with us even in the things we cannot change.

Light at the end of the tunnel!

At last some hope in what has been a terrible week! First the central heating and hot water packed in, secondly I lost my broadband connection, third yet another answerphone bit the dust! Well I grew accustomed to building real wood fires again which heat about 3ft of the room and I got used to walking round with a dressing gown on. Fortunately today I really enjoyed the opportunity to meet up with some other people interested in forming a spiritual direction network. We had initally tried under the auspices of CYTUN, but their emphasis changed and it was no longer on spiritual direction work. This time we have cast our net wider so it was good to have a smattering of Roman Catholic religious, a Roman Catholic priest, some Anglican Priests and a United Reformed Minister. We share ideas and hopefully have enough energy to take things forward. We all reflected on the fact that we all feel so alone sometimes in our endeavours lets hope at least this can be real mutual support to guide and strengthen us all!

Beautiful Reflection

Below some beautiful words by Henri Nouwen

The Beauty of Shyness

There is something beautiful about shyness, even though in our culture shyness is not considered a virtue. On the contrary, we are encouraged to be direct, look people straight in the eyes, tell them what is on our minds, and share our stories without a blush.But this unflinching soul-baring, confessional attitude quickly becomes boring. It is like trees without shadows. Shy people have long shadows, where they keep much of their beauty hidden from intruders' eyes. Shy people remind us of the mystery of life that cannot be simply explained or expressed. They invite us to reverent and respectful friendships and to a wordless being together in love.

Easter hope

In what has been a very difficult week thus the reason for few posts the picture of the Easter garden as St Timothy's Ely cheered me up no end! It is a reminder that Christ is risen no matter how much at times life can be difficult

He is risen indeed!

Easter Monday always bring the joy of the easter egg hunt in the grounds of the old Bishop's Palace. Always a good laugh with many of our sunday school turning up. A wonderful holy week this year with superb preaching all round. Always wonder on the Monday of Holy Week how I will last but it just carries you along. Anyway fame at last due to Dennis the Donkey who with the Dean and myself appears on the BBC website

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7303888.stm

Good Friday

Maundy Thursday

Food for thought!

http://www.churchinwales.org.uk/monmouth/learning/reading/Bishop%20Chrism08.html

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week

For my Holy Week reading and reflection this year I am using The Hidden Joy by Sister Jane SLG. It is a collection of her Introduction to the Fairacres Chronicle when she was Reverend Mother. Through the writings the reminder is there time and time again about the distinction between true and false religion. She argues that we must never use our beliefs as a defensive shell again the world. This week just through sheer spiritual exhaustion if not anything else I feel powerfully challenged by the question. How well is our faith integrated into all aspects of our lives or is it just something that we do apart? If we retreat into a holy huddle mentality or just seek to compartmentalise our lives and think we have a spiritual side aside and distinct from the rest of our lives then we are surely doomed. I suppose this extract from the Rule of SLG is one that it is worth reminding ourselves of from time to time

"when the whole being is set on God, hidden joy that is beyond all natural attainment will be found"

Palm Sunday

Having presided and preached at 8 o'clock it was good only to have to assist at the 9 and 10.45 am Eucharists. They certainly all had very different flavours this morning. From the quiet beauty of the 8o'clock the joy of Dennis the Donkey joining us for the Family Eucharist at 9am to the reserved dignity of the 10.45. Very large congregations today which is encouraging and I think that Dennis was a firm favourite at 9 all round.

Time

Time where does it go? I have not posted for a while not because of deliberate laziness but just because I do not seem to have had a minute. Or rather my priorities have been elsewhere. Having recently watch the German and Turkish film Edge of Heaven it brought to mind the fact that time is an important thing and that random coincidences often have far reaching actions. Having not come across any of Fatih Akin work before I would say that his films are amazingly produced with wonderful camera work. It was the first film that I have watched in years that has captivated me. What a shame more mainstreams films were not like this. But I daresay that would require much deeper thought and concentration that the average Hollywood Blockbuster requires!

Journey

In what has been a frantic week in the journey that is life I just offer up the photo above!

Escape to the Country

I headed out yesterday to Llancarfan to preside and preach for the 11am Mothering Sunday Family Eucharist. I have presided intermittently over the last three years. It is always a joy to go back there. I was especially pleased today to see many new faces and not an inconsiderable amount of children in the congregation. It was the first time I have used the Seventh Eucharistic Prayer and I was impressed with it. I claims to have been written for Key Stage 2 Children but I think it would useful to use in any Eucharist. A real joy to give out flowers at the end to the congregation. A blissfully sunny day in comparisson with the terrible weather at the moment!

Some wall paints have also been found in the church underneath the limewash. They are also in the pictures but because they were taken on my mobile phone I do not know if the detail stands out enough!

Funerals and Secularism

Having had My Way several times over the last fortnight at funerals it does give you pause for thought. Very often the first choice that comes over when putting the liturgy together is the secular music that the family would like played. That is not a criticism but an observation. Being one of those who is happy to have secular music at funerals it causes me no problems, often it is the Bible reading that the family are the least interested in and are quite happy to have me pick the reading. I have become more and more convinced the much of the traditional Prayer Book funeral liturgy is completely unsuitable and so instead now I have resorted using combinations of the Joint Liturgical Group Funeral Service and some of the Common Worship Church of England material. I believe that the Church in Wales it due to revive its funeral liturgies soon and hopefully the revisers will come up with something that is more accessible for those who are not church goers. Does anybody else have any thoughts along these lines? Comments please!

Journalling.- Death and Resurrection

Having been rather a hectic week I have only posted once. I have tried to take some time out amongst all the chaos to try and return to some journalling. On reading some of what I wrote last year I noticed that some of the themes come up time and time again. The Christian life is I suppose one of moving forwards and backwards. It is hard to measure what one would term as progress in faith and sometimes it can feel not only that we are getting nowhere but that we are falling backwards at a rate of knots. But in the good times I always seem to come to the conclusion that God is faithful to us even when we are not so good back to him. In Lent I am reflecting on this in my thoughts of death and resurrection using Lectio Divino on some of the Passion narratives. Sometimes these give me feelings of hope, sometimes not. Whatever it is challenge to us all to understand that cycle of death and resurrection not least because it shows us the fact that when we are reconcilled to loss and pain in our own lives we can experience growth in healing and wholeness and experience that resurrection life for ourselves.

Mission and Evangelism

In the February edition of New Directions Fr Scott Anderson has an excellent article about congregations and how the balance of the type of people in a congregation determines how far a church will grow if at all! Well worth a read! The link is below

http://trushare.com/0153FEB2008/13congregation_growth_scott_anders.htm

Random shots on a typical Friday!

Yesterday was a day of great variety, an early morning mass, some funeral visits and a hospital visit took various shots throughout the day as a sort of reflection so I just offer them above.

Who is my neighbour?

After coming back from Mass in St Timothy's Ely last evening I settled down for the Dispatches programme My Street, it showed a typical street in London (if there is such a thing!) It charted the joys and many sorrows of those who lived in the street. Having reflected on the reading about Lazarus (Luke 16: 19-31)at Mass and it provided much food for thought about the question who is my neighbour? Living in a city asking that question for many people can be a difficult one. It reminded me of the sadness of some of the funerals that I take where there a very few distantly related family members yet no one from the immeadiate neighbourhood. Of course there can be many reasons for that and we cannot simply dismiss it as mere human selfishness there is also a fair bit of fear of other people involved as well. I suppose it may well have been a measure of fear as well as revulsion and fear of catching disease that kept the Rich Man from extending compassion to Lazarus. Let's hope that is something we can overcome when we ask ourselves the question Who is my neighbour?

The Joy of Reading

When the essential things had been done and several phonecalls made Saturday opened out in front of me like a wide expansive space. Beautiful weather that was too good to waste meant that I decided to escape for a few hours. Luckily the post came early a rare joy in itself. It brought with it the Peter Owen Jones book Small Boat Big Sea - One year's journey as a Parish Priest. I have read most it already because I was unable to put it done. He charts well the joy of being a priest as well as the constant sense of battle that you feel. What Peter Owen Jones is able to do well is to find God in the everyday and to make the point that we need to connect with the world around and join in what God is doing in the world. This book would certainly make me want to read more of his writings. Thank God for priests like him they point out the folly of those who take themselves too seriously or become obsessed with the institutional church.
The weather again today looks very promising so time to do some work on food today rather than in a car. This is of the great luxury of ministering in a densely populated city rather than the country, sometimes I need to remember that more!

Place and Inspiration!

Each Wednesday evening in Lent in addition to the regular Wednesday night Mass there is also a Lenten address. This year it is focused on different parts of the Cathedral and how they inspire prayer and reflection. Last night we began with the Rev Mari Price speaking about the David Chapel and how the architecture and the memorials reminded us of the suffering that takes place in the world and how this reminds us of the suffering of Jesus. For my talk in I am focusing on the Epistein's Majestus the stunning sculpture intended to be a modern rood screen. So at the moment I am seeking inspiration for that, but often find that I write best either in coffee shops or when travelling on the train. I can remember reading extracts about the broadcaster and author Rev Peter Owen Jones who wrote his book Psalm whilst travelling on a train. Thinking about preaching on a certain aspect of the cathedral makes me very tempted to say that I often find God more when out and about rather than just in the confines of particular buildings. There is always the danger that we rest our faith too much in buildings and confuse being impressed with the grandeur and beauty of buildings. Of course that is not to deny their important role in mission and sometimes in inducing awe and wonder but it is important that we acknowledge that the whole of the world is holy and all that particular buildings and objects can do is to point us to the wonder of that.

Suprise in Silence

It was a great suprise last night to be joined by a group of French schoolchildren on a trip at Evening Prayer. Fortunately many of them had such good english they were able to join in and to understand much of the service. I wonder what they made of it as it must seem a little strange to some of them. On enquiring I found that some of them were Roman Catholic (at least nominally) so it provided quite a different experience for them.
The Psalm for the evening was Psalm 139 a beautiful psalm which is one of my favourites (well save the last two verses!) it speaks of the knowledge that God has of us. The Psalmist displays an profound awareness of being surrounded by God and see that God understands their motivation and action. Sometimes in life day to day it is easy to forget that intimate love and knowledge of us that God has. I suppose in many ways it is easy to forget that because life just rolls on and sometimes spiritual awareness just becomes dulled. At the moment I find that I reconnect best with this by very simple silence and opportunity for meditation and reflection. All too often our liturgies seems so crammed with imagery and ideas that there is little pace to pause to stop in worship and just to be. Maybe for those visitors to Evening Prayer last night it marked a time in their day when they had an opportunity to stop and to be suprised. Let's hope so!

Meeting and Priorities

Had a very difficult and frustrating meeting about the Spiritual Direction Network that a number of us were in the process of setting up. We were hoping to do with through the auspices of CYTUN (Churches Together in Wales) but sadly Sion the Assistant Chief Executive is leaving and those staff who are left in CYTUN would rather focus on liason with the Welsh Assembly Government and invest their time and energy there rather than on Spiritual Direction work. This is sad because it was a wonderful opportunity for Spiritual Ecumanism and we had a wide variety of people from across the denominational spectrum involved. Fortunately as a group we have decided to meet again to decide the way forward. Although it is good to carry on as an independent venture this will make the administration and other elements more difficult. It makes me think about what priorities Church based organisations set themselves and surely the basis of the Church and indeed Church Unity should be about development and spiritual growth in lives of faith.

Healthy Debate? I think not!

Lent the time of preparation for Easter if used seriously can stimulate deep thought for some people about the way in which they live their lives. I am always suprised by people on the street who have no interest in religion who talk about giving up things for Lent. I suppose on a surface level this is at least somewhere to begin some sort of debate. What has been most frightening in the last few days is the terrible misinterpretation of the words of Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury about Sharia law. Watching the details unfold on Sky News in the gym on Friday morning I was horrified to see what was termed a debate between a moderate Muslim Imam and the shock jock James Whale. Whilst what the imam had to say was well thought out and reasonable, he was treated with some considerable distain and rudeness by James Whale who merely resorted to platudes and the sort of narrow minded propaganda that should have no place on any reasonable news programme. Both the television and newspaper coverage of the lecture have been appalling and especially the citing of "British" values whatever they are supposed to be. Many people too have used this opportunity to attack Archbishop Rowan in order to defend their own very British or perhaps I should say English approach to what they percieve Christianity to be. These are the sort of comments of those who hide behind the label of tradition to cover views that are all together more suspect and sinister. So amongst all this despair it was good to read of the launch of Affirming Liberalism in the Diocese of Oxford who aim is to rescue liberalism from being labelled "wooly" www.affirmingliberalism.org . It was their first day conference yesterday and I wish I had the opportunity to attend.
We prayed for Rowan in the intercession at the 12.15 Mass at which I presided today and several people thanked me for doing so. It is good to know that there are reasonable thinking people there. Perhaps Rowan's mistake is to assume that all people are as reasonable as him. So food for thought indeed and there is much need for a truly healthy debate.

Manic Monday

Having spent most of the last week relaxing and chilling out there were quite a few things to sort out on my return to work before I could begin enjoying what is left of my day off. I was quite pleased with the feedback on by sermon at 9am yesterday, particularly the postive feedback about the case on Ana Sumai the women from Ghana who was deported despite being on kidney dialysis. After a funeral visit in the afternoon to a very nice Roman Catholic family (the deceased was the only Anglican) and leading Compline that was very much yesterday done and dusted. Having contended with a ringing phone for most of the day I am heading off for some relaxation. Tomorrow is one of those day I wish like Padre Pio I could bi locate as it is rather busy! Never mind I have laid everything out for the funeral and the sick communions tomorrow so hopefully the preparation will help it all go well!

Candlemass

Having been off for the week and the Cathedral not observing candlemass with the tradition catholic ceremonies I headed off last night for the Evening Mass and Blessing of the Candles at All Saints Llandaff North, here amongst the peace and space the Christmas season once again drew to a close. It made me think of how much I miss the catholic ceremonial of the modern catholic parishes I have been used to before being in Llandaff. I was glad I went and thought of how suddenly the mood with now turn from that to Lent which begins next Wednesday.

Porthkerry Park

Yesterday was finally a day when it was not raining had the option of carrying on with my MA essay or going for a walk. The walk won out I have never been to Porthkerry Park before but I will certainly be going again. What a fantastic walk on a beautiful clear day!

Exercise Day Two

Plucked up the courage have been awoken by the phone at 8am and headed off for Day Two at the gym. Was quite impressed by the fact that I managed the running machine and cycling machine without minor heart attack! Relief by the time that I managed to get into the pool and do a bit of cycling. To be honest feel very out of condition and overweight but there is at least home. All things withstanding maybe I will give it a try again tomorrow and make the most of it before the week's free membership runs out.
After sorting out a pastoral matter when I came home I then settled down to do a bit more of my MA essay.I cannot believe how long this has taken me a further expression of how out of condition everything has become really. Look forward to getting more shape and structure to it but with a 1000 of the 5000 words needed that is at least a start. Anyway all that exertion is quite enough for today so I am now off to relax with some well deserved television!

A weighty problem!

Well after all the cycling (all two days of it!) I weighed in at a mighty 14st 4lbs not good for someone who is only 5 ft 7in. Worse than that when the doctor took my blood pressure the results were not good. Anyway it transpires that this situation has got be checked regularly now and I cannot put off exercise any longer. After discussing this and my other general woes over lunch with a friend I was resolved to join a gym and to at least make a start. So I finally plucked up the courage got some kit, got a week complementary membership and headed for the swimming pool for what must be the first time in twenty odd years. Well I've lived to tell the tale but realised just quite how unfit I am. Time I think to do something about it and be serious about it too!

Taff trail

Finally the rain seems to have stopped so it was good this morning to get on the bike for the first time in months and cycle around Llandaff fields, Bute Park and the Taff trail

Stop and Stare, Read and Reflect

I was lucky on Tuesday morning to be able to grab two hours just to relax and enjoy a good quality coffee and read the paper. In a world of what can seem to be unending busyness there seems to be less and less time to do this. But this is not just sheer idleness but an opportunity for recreation to read the news and inform oneself and ones prayer life of what is going on in the world. Quality time in the best sense of the word!

Slow start

Made a slow start to work today having been out on the Llandaff Cathedral Stewards annual dinner last night. This managed to give me indigestion for most of the night and meant that I slept poorly. Nevertheless by about 9am I managed to get up and at it finishing off my sermon for St Brides-super-Ely where I am Presiding and Preaching at the Eucharist tomorrow. Off then to get some shopping. One thing I know for sure is that the harder I hit my body as I get older the more it seems to effect me. So as far as eating healthily goes now is the time! So I stocked up on plenty of green veg, some antipasta and plenty of cous cous. There has to be hope or very soon I will be getting back up to 14st again. Following that and trying at least to begin to be healthy I lunched on some spinach and tomatoes and cous cous and plenty of mineral water. This has at least meant that I feel a little more human again. Glad yesterday despite quite a busy day I was able to make good progress on one of my study skills assignments for my MA just need now the determination and the peace to stick at it.

Begin at the beginning.

So far most of this week has been taken up by schools work. As well as the usual parish prayers at the Bishop of Llandaff High School and the regular Junior School assembly at our local church primary school I went into to talk to Year 4 about Baptism and to perform a mock baptism. It was good that all this took place in the context of us thinking about the Baptism of Jesus on Sunday, I do not know if this was coincidence or whether it was carefully planned. I encouraged them to think about what baptism was really about, what it meant, and what degree of commitment it meant that they should have. I was please to bring up the subject of commitment as it is something I have found that people lack. Perhaps it is because we no longer make enough emphasis about it, but I am convinced that if perhaps we taught it more would see greater results of the fruit of our labour. The response of a life of faith must be commitment, that does not mean at times that is not severely challenged, but it should if we have any seriousness about the concept of God be something that we are faithful in discerning.

Meditation and Prayer

For about the last year I have been using the method of meditation set out by the World Community for Christian Meditation founded by John Main. It is based on meditating for 30 minutes each morning and evening on a mantra, WCCM recommends the use of the word Marantha. I have decided for the moment to use this as my morning office along with the Jesus Prayer. Saying the morning office on my own each day I am finding it increasingly difficult to use one of the fixed forms. Over the last four years I have tried many : - The Divine Office. Celebrating Common Prayer, The Mirfield Offices, and the Short Offices of the Episcopal Church of Scotland but none of them seem to be able to sustain me at this time. So beginning this morning I am using the John Main method accompanied at the beginning by reading one of the homilies from Word into Silence - A Manual for Christian Meditation by John Main. I will try that for a month and see how I get on.

Back to my roots

Good fortune meant that I had a Sunday off. Having dropped Rhodri back in Carmarthen yesterday and staying over in our other home in Neath I decided to go back to my home parish of Port Talbot St Theodore. http://www.st-theodores.org/ There was a United Parish Mass for the Feast of the Epiphany. St Theodore's is a parish of the Forward in Faith integrity and staffed by members of the Society of the Holy Cross. http://www.sscwales.org.uk/ It was an unlifting experience an Eastward facing Concelebrated Mass with Fr Colin Amos the Vicar as the principle celebrant and preacher. The sermon looked at the gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh and how their different qualities could apply to our own lives. The sermon was a dialogue one done with the Sunday School. A brave attempt indeed! St Theodore's is looking in fine condition the inside stone chemically cleaned and a new reredos installed having been moved from the redunant church of St James the Great in Newport Road, Cardiff. The church too seemed fuller than I remember it as a child and it was good to catch up with some people I have lost touch with. All in all quite an inspiring occasion.

Inspiration in activity!!

Perhaps a strange title for a day that has been taken up in part by writing an article for the Franciscan Teritary newsletter for solitaries and contemplatives!!! Today has been one of those days that has been both steady and busy. Quite a few phone calls, some letters to answer and two sick communions and other visits and a trip to give blood on the way. But I was inspired when going to celebrate the Eucharist at the home of Mary Morris by her Crib and so we used the table that the Crib was on as the altar and I presided on that. What a wonderful experience and different than what I am normally used to when presiding at the Eucharist