At some point, it crossed my mind, that we might start to think about taking down the rainbows from our windows, just like we stopped clapping, I know friends who already have, and their words about this have shaped some of what I have tried to convey here. For what the rainbow symbolises feels nothing like the promise, the hope, and the reality of the … Continue reading Is it time to take the rainbows down?
The sunshine had gone yesterday, a storm hit the barriers of the sea walls of Hartlepool. Waves crashed. I used to be afraid of storms. But not anymore. On Storms Storms are there to help you realise what caused them, To shift dead air, To force change To reveal protection. To ride, To use their energy, To propel. To change direction, To cleanse To uproot … Continue reading On Storms
Forgive me for a moment, and this is a plea and not a rant or a moan, honestly. But as a I walked around the coast this evening, in Hartlepool, I wanted to say something, to the people of this town, though it applies everywhere. As a write this, there are still less than 40 confirmed deaths of this virus in this town, of over … Continue reading Lets give hugs a chance
A few of my friends have recently asked me whether I would do a follow up to this piece that i wrote a few years ago: Trying to survive after falling off the evangelical cliff. I think looking back on this piece, and time, part of me was in a place of trying to survive even in the current situation of that time, yet placed … Continue reading Continual Reconstruction
The red kites soar overhead in the early hot summer sky. The sound of geese hooting from the lake, the chime of an ice cream van from a distant estate, the creaking sound of the wooden poles of the yurt holding strong in the breeze. I am just back from the FYT movement gathering held at the same venue as last year’s, the rock UK … Continue reading Prosecco, Pizza and Pebbles – The FYT movement gathering 2019
I took a leaf out of the book from our FYT weekend away (see previous post) and took a risk today. This is how it went; So, i was walking down to the shop this morning to the DIY store to get a new washing line and outside the local old peoples home was this box with pictures in it going free to a good … Continue reading A tale of two free pictures
For the best part of the last 6 years, I have had this quotation on my desk. I originally got it when I attended two days training on Mental Health Recovery, run by Perth & Kinross council, and at the time there was alot of free training available. As a detached youthworker, I have always found validity in learning from other disciplines and thinking as … Continue reading Developing Hope Inspiring Relationships
Since I gave up hope I feel alot better! This was a lyric in one of Steve Taylors songs back in the 1980’s. It was christian satire set to music, and performed with flamboyance. More details of his can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Taylor. The Song itself pokes at the academic education system within the USA, and a humanist belief that a person can achieve and have … Continue reading Losing Hope in Youth Ministry
This was in my reading this morning from the Northumbria daily prayer. If I chose to hide you away, it is for a reason. I have brought you to this place. Drink in the silence. Seek solitude. Listen to the silence. It will teach you. It will build strength Let others share it with you. It is little to be found elsewhere. Silence will speak more … Continue reading Encouraged by silence.
Ive got to admit, the last two football seasons have been a nightmare in our house. We have 2 1/2 Middlesbrough fans (I’m the 1/2), two seasons of hovering around the play off places all season, or being nearly at the top, every game is important, every game is tense, every game means something, every game support is required and either I or members of … Continue reading Being part of church to change the local world
