Category: pastoral-care

Should we sympathise with Dominic Cummings?

On Saturday May 23rd news broke that Dominic Cummings (Boris Johnson’s chief of staff) had allegedly broke the lockdown rules to visit his parents in Durham.   Over the day, the story changed several times. The explanation was given that he went because he and his wife were beginning o show symptoms of COVID-19 and that… Continue reading Should we sympathise with Dominic Cummings?

Good news for the childless

Every morning we’ve been working through a Psalm. We recently read these words in Psalm 113 He raises the poor from the dust    and lifts the needy from the ash heap,8 to make them sit with princes,    with the princes of his people.9 He gives the barren woman a home,    making her the joyous mother of children.Praise the Lord![1] These… Continue reading Good news for the childless

Facing our fear

Here’s our latest #AfternoonTea discussion. Today we were talking about how we face our fears. Here are the main points: Fear is not just about our own well-being but about our desire to protect others. A big factor is our inability to be in control of things. There is a healthy desire for control and… Continue reading Facing our fear

What I want for my enemies (reflections on Psalm 110 part 1)

How do we respond when people falsely accuse us, slander and gossip about us behind our backs, isolate us and attack our characters?  Psalm 109, helps us to give voice to the way that this makes us feel. There is the desperate cry for justice. David utters these words against his tormenters Appoint a wicked… Continue reading What I want for my enemies (reflections on Psalm 110 part 1)

Leaders Repent First

One of my concerns during Coronavirus has been the speed with which some were quick to announce God’s discipline and judgement on various countries, communities and on the church in those places. As I have previously explained, it is correct to say that we continuously experience God’s loving discipline as believers and that this fallen… Continue reading Leaders Repent First

Messy Church in a Messy World

This morning I’m resharing the first ever article from the original faithroots blog. It helps explain some of the assumptions behind what I write. It is also the first chapter in “How do you know?” which is available from the publications page. A dirty word for a messy world This blog is for people living… Continue reading Messy Church in a Messy World

Living through a lengthy lockdown -facing the emotional challenges

Below is our latest Afternoon Tea conversation.  The key points from the discussion were Our experience of lockdown may feel very similar to a grieving process The following 7 stages of grieving have been identified SHOCK & DENIAL- You will probably react to learning of the loss with numbed disbelief. … PAIN & GUILT- …… Continue reading Living through a lengthy lockdown -facing the emotional challenges

When Tragedy Comes

It was about quarter to five on Saturday 11th May and we had just switched on Grandstand to get the final scores. I wasn’t yet attending football games but I had followed my football team, Bradford City’s fortunes with pride that season as they had stormed to the old Division 3 title.  It was the… Continue reading When Tragedy Comes

Coronavirus Interview with a Doctor

We had the opportunity to catch up with Dr Steve Sturman on Afternoon Tea today. Here are some of the things we talked about (watch the interview below) – What is it currently like to be working in hospital? – Is it safe to go into hospital if I’m unwell with another condition? – What… Continue reading Coronavirus Interview with a Doctor