Category Archives: Uncategorized

After 54 years the Assad regime in Syria has crumbled. Bashar al Assad has fled. Hundreds of political prisoners have been released from the notorious Sednaya gaol. Locked in underground cells, men, women, children and even a toddler, are now … Continue reading →

Last Friday I spent the day at Bernard Gilpin Primary School in Houghton-le-Spring – now part of Sunderland. Bernard Gilpin, known as the “Apostle of the North”, was a notably caring and hospitable rector of Houghton-le-Spring from 1557 to his … Continue reading →

I drew up behind a car at some traffic lights yesterday and in my headlight I saw it was called an Avensis. I don’t remember the brand of car, but the name stuck with me. I remember reading an article … Continue reading →

Matthew is keen to stress Jesus’ inherited legitimacy. He lists generation after generation of Jesus’ forefathers to confirm his identity. It comes to an end with: “…Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the … Continue reading →

Café Hope is a virtual coffee shop on Radio 4.  Rachel Burden invites a guest to join her for a brew and a fifteen minute chat.  Her guests are ordinary people who have done something which has made the world … Continue reading →

Nearly half a million people visit Galicia each year to walk the Camino de Santiago.  It seems that northern Spain is not the only pilgrimage destination that has become increasingly popular.  In the past couple of weeks I’ve come across … Continue reading →

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” So says the writer of Ecclesiastes. In other words, each aspect of life has a natural rhythm, we may ignore it, even defy it, but it … Continue reading →

How often do you look in the mirror?  Apparently men look more often and women look for longer.  And  when you look, what is reflected back?  Do you see a dearly beloved child of God? A story: “See yourself for … Continue reading →

Some people see a need and get on with things.  Others find excuses not to.  “It’s not my responsibility… above my pay grade… someone will sort it.”  Yes, sometimes we need to set boundaries, or we can end up running … Continue reading →

“Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”  So says St Paul … Continue reading →