Article in Stretton Focus December 2020 There are three stages in our relationship with Father Christmas. Stage one – we believe in Father Christmas; stage two – we don’t believe in Father Christmas; stage three – we become Father Christmas. In the first stage of childhood, we revel in the excitement of make-believe, with Santa […]

Article in Stretton Focus November 2020 Opening and Questioning Worship is not there because God demands it: it is there for man. If the lockdown did nothing else, it showed us that the world still goes around without collective worship. The world doesn’t fall apart if praise, confession, absolution, sacraments, ceremony and all their trappings […]

Article in Stretton Focus September 2020 I suspect that many parents and grandparents and teachers will be very glad that their children are back to school. Home schooling is not for the faint hearted. But there will be changes for both the children and teachers – all the right notes, but not in the familiar […]

Article in Stretton Focus August 2020 The title of my piece usually refers to the time when young people reach a stage of maturity where we ‘cut the apron strings’, and move into adulthood. Before that, we were more like sheep being led, and fed and guided: but in coming of age, we accept the […]

Article in Stretton Focus June 2020 The practice of religion is built on two ships, Worship and Fellowship. These two vessels normally sail together through the sea of life. Now storms have blown them apart and, separated, their essential characteristics get highlighted. Worship is at sea, moving into a new ocean. It has moved out […]

Article in Stretton Focus July 2020 What has been the greatest influence for change in recent years? Politics? Religion? Philosophy? No! Shopping!! According to a recent article in The Week home delivery is reshaping the world. Take John Lewis as an example. They used to sell through department stores but in the 10 years 2006 […]

Article in Stretton Focus March 2020 After the most devastating forest fires Australia has known, the signs of new life and growth are well underway. Spring does come again. Life renews itself, not necessarily in the same way. New species or mutations emerge. For faith communities this is full of meaning and expectation and all […]

Article in Stretton Focus, January 2020 I will lay my cards on the table. I believe that ‘believing’ is an overrated and even dangerous religious practice. Overrated, because saying that you believe something or other doesn’t make it true. At one time people said they believed that the earth was flat, or that the earth […]