The Ponderings of a Meandering Minister…
This past weekend was Autumn Soul, the Irish Methodist event for teenagers that Kathryn and I were involved with at the very beginning (including dodging the name, “October Breakaway”!). It’s thirty years since the first one in 1996, held in the Epworth Hall of Wesley Centenary Methodist Church, Bangor. It has grown and moved over … Read moreA Blessing for Autumn Soul at 30
I returned from Sabbatical a few days ago, following a lovely break away with Kathryn at the end of three months of time with the boys and space to stop, rest, delight and contemplate life and God. I might write more on that. But Sunday was my first ‘preach’ since December last year, and I … Read moreLiving in Three Tenses
I didn’t get round to preparing this before Advent, but Kathryn and I both were missing it. So here for the beginning of my Sabbatical (and the Summer) are the daily lectionary readings through to the end of the church calendar. Give it a wee print, use a paper bible for a change 🙂
I don’t really know what to write here. My last post was over a year ago, and a lot has happened. Most people reading this will know all about it, but telling the story helps. On Tuesday 30 December 2025, Timothy died. Even as I type those words, my brain kicks immediately into action, wrapping … Read moreFrom the dust
This photo was taken by the Methodist comms team at our annual conference in June 2024. It was the third year in a row that we’ve been based at the Assembly Buildings Conference Centre in Belfast, and my fifth as Director of Music (2020 and 2021 were a capella on Zoom!). During the four-day event … Read moreHands High
Oh dear, I haven’t posted here very much this year! It seems my Instagram posts have become the easier place to quickly share a photograph and short reflection. But one thing I haven’t forgotten, is the daily lectionary readings for the new church year. So here’s a PDF of bible readings running from a few … Read moreDaily Lectionary Readings 2025 (Year C)
This morning, Sunday 31 December 2023, we gathered as church in cafe style around tables with coffee and pastries. I knew we would probably be thin on the ground, so meeting in a smaller space and with a different format seemed appropriate – a harkening back to covid distancing days, but with singing allowed! We … Read moreGathering the Stones – New Year’s Eve Reflections
Last year I shared my wee booklet of daily readings gleaned from the Vanderbilt Lectionary website, here’s the one for this year, which begins Thursday 30 November 2023. You’re welcome to view/download and use!
On World Mental Health Day – just a reminder that there is always hope. This piece of art was on digital display in the public library in Oslo last week. I think it looks like a piece of cross-stitching with the messy underside unusually visible. Which is the way I think I’ve experienced hope throughout … Read moreHope – World Mental Health Day
Kathryn and I were invited to lead worship and share about living with family illness under the theme of ‘Beautiful Brokenness’ at Castlewellan Holiday Week in 2018, when Patrick Regan was the main speaker. Patrick had previously spoken at CHW in the youth marquee, and was already known for his work with young people, but … Read moreBrighter Days