community matters - the bell-ringers

The bell-tower of our church is accessed by a metal spiral staircase.  As I climb up I listen to the ringers practice in the loft above. Such a beautiful sound.

There are eight bells in all. The oldest dates back to 1565 and the most recent to 2002.

During the week a single bell rings every hour to mark the passing of time and then on Thursdays, Sundays and special occasions the bell-ringers gather to weave their magical peals. They provide the beating heart of our little community.

ladies and gentlemen we are floating in space

 a perfect accompaniment

glass ceiling

this is the sound of freedom

a strong woman

in fluid motion

defiant

as she breaks through

can you hear her?

community matters - the box of eggs

We exchanged pleasantries across our garden hedge.  And then Kate said, 'Hang on a second'.  Our neighbour returned with a carton which she threaded carefully to me through the hawthorns. What a delight!

The eggs are so beautiful I'm going to find it difficult to crack them open, even though I know they will be the best I've ever tasted.

Thank you, Kate, for welcoming us into our new community. Thank you for sharing.

community matters - rev. cathy

Being a full-time member of the clergy is not an easy calling - there's Sunday working for a start! But that belies the immense amount of work done each and every day by the dedicated souls who seek to help us, both as individuals and as a community, to walk together in the right direction.

Meet Rev. Cathy.  She's a Yorkshire lady who walks the walk as much as she talks the talk.  In keeping with her Yorkshire upbringing she keeps things simple, short and to the point. Wish we had more clergy like her!

in the night garden

in the night garden

once more

padding the soft moss lawn

which floats in the dying winter light

purple-headed hellebore 

breaks ground

and sharp leaves

pierce the growing gloom

as a church watches over

the path leads home

community matters - the drop-in

'Truth of the matter was, everything was stories and stories was everything. Everybody told stories. It was a way of saying who they were in the world. It was their understanding of themselves. It was letting themselves know how they believed the world worked. The right way and the way that was not so right'

Harry Crews (1935 - 2012)

These words introduce one of my all-time favourite films, 'Searching for the wrong-eyed Jesus'. Twice a week our sister church down the road opens its doors for a 'drop-in'.  There's tea and cake, but more importantly an opportunity to share stories - some mundane, others deep, sad and challenging. 

Stories of struggles in faith. Stories of sewing shopping-bags and riding bicycles. Stories of dementia, death and despair.

Today's world is so busy. Emails, tweets and social media messages zing this way and that. But listening to stories is worth so much more.  True community is built on story - yours and mine.