This Advent look for those in need

The frenzy of Christmas shopping can so occupy some of us that it takes a special effort to think of those for whom this time is not going to be very happy.  As we journey towards Christmas, let us try and remember those who need us to bring the Christ light to them. If someone […]

Writing as an Advent practice

One does not have to have a vocation of a writer in order to taste the healing benefits of writing. It has long been known that keeping a journal helps us to be attentive to the inner movements of our soul and to the deep life learning that each season of life offers us. Life can […]

Lodging of the heart

At the present hour of history we are living in God’s darkness; His face is eclipsed, blacked out in the present tragedy where millions of people are without a home or homeland. What can we do? There is something, as Christians, that we believe we can do, which is important and significant. We can pray, […]

Hungry for Peace

We pray for Refugees. We pray for the 60 million people who are either internally displaced or who have fled their countries because of conflict, persecution or natural disasters. We pray for those living in temporary settlements for years on end, in a state of limbo, their lives on hold, hopelessness chipping away at their […]

Prayer Stations at the Vigil for Peace

“There is something in the human spirit that will survive and prevail, there is a tiny and brilliant light burning in the heart of people that will not go out no matter how dark the world becomes.” (Leo Tolstoy) Earlier this month we held a Vigil for Peace in Christ Church Cathedral. We prayed for […]

Hospitality to angels

  It seems we have made little progress since the 1850s when between 1.5 and 2 million people left Ireland, weighing up their options and deciding that going was better than staying. Many of them also risked their lives on unseaworthy ships. In the letter to the Hebrews we are told “Do not forget to […]

A call to pray for the refugees

“You have to understand, no one would put their children in a boat unless the sea is safer than the land,” wrote the Somali-British poet Warsan Shire in her poem about the refugees leaving their home country. But we are well aware that the sea is not safe.  The refugee crisis has escalated to a […]

The change of seasons

As the autumn sun warms our streets, we are beginning to cross a threshold into another season of the year. Sometimes the external seasons point towards the seasons of our hearts, the internal ones. While we encounter moments of eternity in our daily living, moments when God shows us His presence among us, a lot […]

On Record: Lisa Sharon Harper on the Image of God

If you missed Lisa Sharon Harper’s address in June, you may be happy to know we recorded it!

A call to contemplative practice

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) In our very vocal and busy culture it can be difficult, if not even countercultural, to dedicate time for silent prayer. It may appear […]