Indian priest Anthony de Mello tells this story. .................................. "A rich industrialist from the North was horrified to find a Southern fisherman lying leisurely beside his boat. 'Why aren't you fishing?' asked the industrialist. "Because I have caught enough fish for the day" said the fisherman. "Why don't you catch some more?" "What would I… Continue reading How much is enough?
Category: Social commentary
Why Prince Philip’s death moves us – by Jon Yates
On 17th April, they will put him in a box. And we will stop and slow and pay respects to a man we did not know. They had put him in a box before, of course. A one year old refugee lying where fruit should have been, saved by a British warship, fleeing from home.… Continue reading Why Prince Philip’s death moves us – by Jon Yates
What the Church can learn from addicts
In my last job, I was based in a church building which hosted a huge range of 12 Step recovery groups in its basement. The most famous of these is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), but there were also groups specifically for people struggling with many of the compulsive behaviours that Brand lists above. Disarming In my… Continue reading What the Church can learn from addicts
No one deserves to battle alone – by Hannah Ryland
Hi, my name is Hannah. I’m 16, and recently, I lost my dad, suddenly, to suicide. He suffered with his mental health, from what we’ve discerned it was undiagnosed bipolar disorder, for 35 years, and not once did he receive any proper support for it. He always said that he had too much to live… Continue reading No one deserves to battle alone – by Hannah Ryland
Men and the menopause (and other period-dramas)
I will never forget a trip to the supermarket with my Mum when I was about 12. As we unpacked the trolley, I held up one item and said quite loudly ‘What kind of towels are these? They’re tiny!’ The cashier suppressed a laugh and my Mum looked a bit embarrassed. ‘I’ll tell you about… Continue reading Men and the menopause (and other period-dramas)
‘The Hill We Climb’: a new expression of an ancient message
In the past few months various high-profile ‘Christian Prophets’ confidently predicted a Trump win. Some have apologised, some cling to conspiracies which they believe prove they were actually right. All of this nonsense does the Church no credit. But God works in mysterious ways. And in the heart of the inauguration ceremony, we witnessed a… Continue reading ‘The Hill We Climb’: a new expression of an ancient message
Finding Light in Deepest Dark – by Corin Pilling
After a challenging year, we're all adjusting to new expectations of Christmas. The year has taken its toll and even as we rally for the celebrations, many of us are exhausted. The run up to the end of 2020 has been incredibly hard, impacting our emotional and mental wellbeing as we struggle to respond to… Continue reading Finding Light in Deepest Dark – by Corin Pilling
Tell the truth
Tell the truth to the person you share your life with. About what you think, how you feel and what you want. Tell the truth about what you do when no one is looking. Tell the truth to your children. About the big things and the little things. Help them not to be afraid of… Continue reading Tell the truth
Blokes, beer & banter. But can we talk about things that really matter?
Covid-19 has ruined many things. It has taken loved ones, destroyed livelihoods, damaged mental health, disrupted education and suspended much of the family and community life we hold precious. But there has been some silver linings. And for me, one of these is how much more time I have spent with my oldest group of… Continue reading Blokes, beer & banter. But can we talk about things that really matter?
‘Beware of Pity’: an old story with a timeless message
"There are two types of pity. One, the weak-minded, sentimental sort, is really just the heart’s impatience to rid itself as quickly as possible of the painful experience of being moved by another person’s suffering.” The novel Beware of Pity was first published by Austrian novelist Stefan Zweig in 1939. I have just read the… Continue reading ‘Beware of Pity’: an old story with a timeless message
