Author: faithrootsdw

“I think I’ve just shipwrecked the Church”

It was September 2012, we were a week or two away from moving from one Sunday morning service to two congregations and I was sat to the side in our main hall looking across the assembled church family.  Since we had confirmed the decision to make the move I had noticed a drop off in… Continue reading “I think I’ve just shipwrecked the Church”

In defence of the government’s Christmas COVID measures

The UK government has come in for a lot of criticism for its response to COVID-19. Some of it has been spot on, some of it less so and some of it I would suggest completely unfairly.  The reality is that a Global pandemic hitting on the back of a decade of austerity was always… Continue reading In defence of the government’s Christmas COVID measures

“Who are these people?” … “These are our neighbours”

It was meant to be the year of street parties and festival.  We were celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee year. However as is often the case, plans were disrupted by a summer wash out as the heavens opened.  Some events were scaled back others cancelled. But we persisted in our organisation of a “Chapel Street Party”… Continue reading “Who are these people?” … “These are our neighbours”

We are literally broken by our hyperbole

Every year, my wife and I have a kind of traditional conversation. I ask her what she is working on and she tells me that she is preparing the “persuasive writing” class for her students where they will learn about a number of rhetorical devises.  I then respond with a grumble about how that is… Continue reading We are literally broken by our hyperbole

Handover (Deuteronomy 31)

These last few weeks have been slightly peculiar for me.  Anyone who has come to the end of an employment position or even voluntary role will be familiar with this.  I remain employed at the Chapel until the end of the year and part of the eldership. There are lots of things that are happening… Continue reading Handover (Deuteronomy 31)

New Horizons – next steps (Early 2021)

Here’s the next update for our plans. As you will know, I finish with Bearwood Chapel on the 31st December.  We have said that we are open to wherever God leads us and over the past few weeks that has led to some fascinating conversations. We have been challenged and encouraged to hear about both… Continue reading New Horizons – next steps (Early 2021)

He is stronger than the Darkness

We’ve been learning this new song from Tommy and Eileen Walker over the past few weeks. Over the past few years, our Sunday Night Church congregation have grown fond of the worship songs provided by Tommy Walker.  The words that particularly struck me in this song are “He’s stronger than the darkness.”  Although this isn’t… Continue reading He is stronger than the Darkness

Mary did you know?

I love the lyrics to the carol “Mary did you know?”  I particularly love this version by Pentatonix. The Carol sets up an imaginary conversation with Mary asking her questions in order to highlight the contrast between the seemingly ordinariness of a little, fully human baby and the wonder of his divinity and his role… Continue reading Mary did you know?

The year we were given

2020 was not the year we asked for and not the year we expected.  A lot of people had focused on the big number year and its association with vision as a significant milestone to aim for. We all had 2020 visions.  Others also because of the symmetry of the year had planned big wedding… Continue reading The year we were given