Recently I visited the Gardens of Eden. It was a remarkable experience. Leaving behind a cold, wet, dreary Britain depressed…
The Mission of Music and of the Rural Church
In the Great Hall of Crowcombe Court, an eighteenth century country house located in the lee of the Quantock Hills,…
Remembrance Sunday 2019 – Patriotism is Not Enough
‘I wasn’t brave. I was lucky. I was just doing a job…’ These were the words of 94 year old…
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Fed up with Brexit? Look to the Angels.
It’s Michaelmas and it’s an uncertain time. In medieval times, Michaelmas saw the seasons shift from harvest into later autumn. …
Where are Life’s Priorities?
The newly appointed chief executive (CEO) of Black and Decker called a meeting of his management team. He had in…
St. Peter’s on the Quay, Minehead: Refuge, Journeying & Salt-store
If stones can speak, the stones around this harbour can tell us many stories. They could speak of the significant…
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Pentecost 2019
Let me introduce you to Ruby, a guide dog puppy being trained by my wife, Jane. In time, and provided…
Music to die for? Lessons from the Top 10 Music Choices at Funerals
‘Hymns drop off top 10 funeral music choices in favour of Ed Sheeran’ screams the title of an article in…
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Easter Reflection 2019
The Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris has been badly damaged by fire over the last few days. Pictures from…
Walls and Gates. Boundaries and Barriers. Leave and Remain.
Over the coming days, in preparation for Good Friday and Easter, many churches will be echoing to the sound of…
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Brexit: Now is definitely not the time for Reconciliation.
Three years ago, after a long and bruising referendum campaign, voices across the faith and political spectrum were calling for…
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Three Cheers for the NHS – Views from an Intensive Care Bed
It all happened so quickly. A persistent temperature developed into a pain down my right side and I was becoming…
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Wassailing in a Digital Age
At the time when many are taking down their Christmas decorations, groups of people will be gathering in orchards across…
World War 1 Centenary Commemorations – Afterthoughts
We Remembered Well But Who Was Excluded? The Commemoration of the centenary of World War 1 (WW1) caught the imagination…
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Remembering World War 1 Through the Lens of Reconciliation
On Remembrance Sunday at 11am, we shall be celebrating the moment when, 100 years ago, the guns fell silent. We…
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Bishop Brian Castle 