Simplicity in Advent
The crumpet is a simple little thing. Just water and flour and a rising agent. It is little more than a formed pancake and yet with some butter and…
thistles
The thistle is one of my favorite flowers. Its cup of green surmounted by its crown of purple is architecturally interesting. It is not classically beautiful like the rose or…
Thanksgiving Day
Wandering from a the churchyard of a medieval church on land which had once been the summer residence of the Bishop of London, this door opens from one garden…
Som Tam Thanksgiving Prayer
When I was living in the mountains of northern Thailand, the days were long and hot. The elephants had to be found (they wander at times) led to take their…
the stewardship of our death
The planned giving committee met today. It set me thinking a bit about death. This image from a church tomb reminded me of my own resistance to the conversation around…
Savior and savor
Bread. I had a dinner party last night with friends. The house was full of warmth and laughter while we ate simple dishes, one course at a time, and one…
the fire of rest
Today is my sabbath day. Waking up to it is like waking up on Christmas morning as a child. For a moment there is a lack of recognition. Thoughts stream…
How a nave was supposed to be used.
For so many centuries, cathedrals were built with many purposes. Designed to be without chairs, the floors had grand designs in them and the space was open, so that…
the stewardship of our love
These emblems are stitched along the top of the Saint John's banner in the cathedral nave near the pulpit. I wonder at the wonderful women who must have labored over…
the stewardship of our reflection
The phoenix is a mythical bird which seems to emerge from within many religious and spiritual traditions. Its adoption by early Christianity came as a result of the mythology around…