Category: Uncategorized
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How Then, Do We Grieve?
There are some days which begin entirely ordinarily, and yet end with the dates engraved in hearts, minds and history books. Thursday 8th September became one of those days when it was announced that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had died, peacefully at Balmoral. People from across the spectrum of politics and position have expressed […]
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And Yet Reflections: Rejoicing
The tomb is empty – and nothing has ever been the same since. And yet. We live in the tension of victory of Jesus over death – but the reminders of our frailty, our sin and our grief. The call to “rejoice always” that we see in Philippians is one that can feel impossible when […]
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And Yet Lent Reflections: Hoping
I wonder what hope looks like for you? Perhaps you see it in the bluebells beginning to pop up, or maybe when you get some good news pop up on your phone, for a change? I’d hazard a guess that most of us wouldn’t expect our hope to come through tears and scars? We tend […]
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And Yet Lent Reflections: Lamenting
Lament is one of those words which can all too easily lose its meaning. We might understand it in the context of the book of Lamentations and in the voices of the prophets, but what does it look like in the world we live in? Put simply, lament is bringing what hurts before God, or […]
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And Yet Lent Reflections: Grieving
The world feels heavy with grief right now, doesn’t it? As war rages, bills rise and we survey the wreckage of the covid-19 pandemic. It can be hard to hope amidst the grief, and we can struggle to know how or even if we are allowed to grieve as people of hope. Sometimes, we can […]
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And Yet Lent Reflections: Celebrating
The world feels like it’s on fire right now, doesn’t? You don’t need me to repeat the litany of bad news and despair, I’m sure. Talking about celebrating when the world is on fire feels wrong somehow, doesn’t it? And yet we are, undoubtedly a good news people. Our bibles recount the story of Jesus’ […]
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Advent Reflections Week Four: Love
If I’m honest, I’m not entirely sure how to write this last Advent reflection in the wake of the news of Tier 4 and tightened restrictions. We are weary, aren’t we? And we might not feel like rejoicing. But I have a feeling that’s the reason we must rejoice – not to escape what is […]
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Best Books of 2020
What a strange year! But amidst there have been some incredible books launched. I’ve actually read more this year than last, partly due to lockdown and partly in preparation for writing my second book which comes out in 2021! These are a snapshot of some of the best – but there are many more so […]
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Advent Reflections Week Three: Joy
“Joy is nurtured, not by pretending everything is fine, but by holding our hope together with our grief, the good news with our sorrow, and naming both as reality. We practice joy because we are clear-eyed about our realities.”Sarah Bessey Advent is a strange time which both waits for joy expectantly and seeks the joy […]
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Advent Reflections Week Two: Peace
“Advent recognises the absence of peace, yet the exquisite certainty of its coming.” Kate Bowler I sometimes think that peace is one of those words we’ve got wrong. It is deeper and wider than the images of still waters or pure white doves, it is not meekness – it is shalom – wholeness in mind […]
Rachael Newham 