Back a few months back, as the news came in that Queen Elizabeth II had died, a rainbow appeared over Windsor Castle. It was a beautiful symbol of God’s goodness and promises at a time of grief. I’ve frequently talked in terms of “tracing the rainbow” based on the lyrics of the hymn “Oh Love… Continue reading Continuing to trace the rainbow
Tag: grief
What I need for Christmas
Mariah Carey sung: I don’t want a lot for ChristmasThere is just one thing I needI don’t care about the presents underneath the Christmas treeI just want you for my ownMore than you could ever knowMake my wish come trueAll I want for Christmas is you Songwriters: Mariah Carey / Ellis Williams / Robert Allen… Continue reading What I need for Christmas
Saying goodbye to mum: Between joy and grief
On December 2nd at just around 4am in the morning, my mum went to be with her Lord and Saviour. It has been a roller coaster 10 days prior to this. Mum had gone into hospital the week previously for planned surgery knowing that at her age there were risks but confident in Jesus that… Continue reading Saying goodbye to mum: Between joy and grief
Talking to children about death and grief
It is said that the Victorians had a taboo about talking about sex but spoke freely about death and dying. In our age we have reversed that. Yet, life is fragile and death can come at any moment. So, it is important that we should be able to talk about it and this includes with… Continue reading Talking to children about death and grief
Homeward bound: More on a Biblical Theology of death as exile
Yesterday I wrote about the theme of death as exile. In the Old Testament, it is that theme of banishment and exile that most visibly shows the consequences of death for humanity. However, it is important that we remember that this is about how death is the post-fall penalty for sin. Christ’s death on the… Continue reading Homeward bound: More on a Biblical Theology of death as exile
It’s time we learned to talk about death and dying
I wanted to share some thoughts about how we approach death and dying. Our last church, Bearwood Chapel had the full range of ages with plenty of children and young people but also a significant number of people in their 80s and 90s. That meant we saw a fair few deaths and funerals for people… Continue reading It’s time we learned to talk about death and dying
A period of mourning
I just wanted to share a few further reflections on grief and mourning, particularly with reference to the death of Queen Elizabeth II. I’m writing aware that a lot of readers are UK based and so the events of the last day or two have no doubt had a deep affect on many but I’m… Continue reading A period of mourning
Her Majesty … Our Queen
Yesterday evening it was announced that Queen Elizabeth II had died aged 96. I was in the city centre when the official news came through. Even though we knew she had been increasingly frail and even though we had known through the afternoon that there were health concerns for her and her family were gathering… Continue reading Her Majesty … Our Queen
The Fragility of Church Plants
Over the past decade, there has been a renewed interest in church planting. It’s something I write about quite a bit with a particular focus on reaching urban contexts. Since we moved to the West Midlands, we have been linked with an initiative first known as 2020 Birmingham and now as The Birmingham Collective. The… Continue reading The Fragility of Church Plants
The joy and pain of celebrating Mothers’ Day
Today is Mothering Sunday in the UK – or nowadays the British version of “Mothers’ Day.” The original concept was a celebration of the church as mother but it has evolved into a day celebrating mums everywhere and an opportunity for children to buy mum flowers, gifts and cards. Churches still tend to do something… Continue reading The joy and pain of celebrating Mothers’ Day
Faithroots 