Chris Swift
@cswift1.bsky.social
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Itâs that wonderful time of year in the garden - the first peony bud to open.
1 day ago
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An early hot air balloon flying overhead this morning- a beautiful day for a view of
@yorkminster.bsky.social
from the air.
5 days ago
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So happy to have seen my first swifts of the season above the garden this evening. Glad they are back in York. Pic is from Spain a couple of years ago.
7 days ago
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reposted by
Chris Swift
The Laurence Sterne Trust
13 days ago
Tristram Shandy - never out of print, and still up there today in the Guardian's 100 best novels of all time. If you're still not sure why, come to one of Patrick's Shandy Hall tours!
#literature
#novels
#ShandyHall
#LaurenceSterne
www.laurencesternetrust.org.uk/what-is-shan...
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Jet lag meaning a very early dog walk
#york
but a wonderful chance to be out with the dog as dawn breaks
@yorkminster.bsky.social
29 days ago
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Farewell to Aotearoa New Zealand - & thank you for a wonderful trip.
about 1 month ago
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Another Shore
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Another Shore
Coming to the end of our time on the other side of the world, a further reflection on culture and difference, self-righteous certainty and the complex path of cultural discovery.
http://chrisswift.blog/2026/04/25/another-shore/
about 1 month ago
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Our final night in Paihia, NZ - and this is apparently the last cruise ship of the season. Beautiful sunset reflected in the bay.
about 1 month ago
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Sunrise through sea mist across the Bay of Islands NZ.
about 1 month ago
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Translation
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Bicultural Theology
Walking alongside the legacy of Empire is a reminder of how enduring (and current) is the failure of human being to learn and the change. There must be a better way.
http://chrisswift.blog/2026/04/19/bicultural-theology/
about 1 month ago
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Roiling seas off the coast of Napier, New Zealand, in the path of Cyclone Vaianu.
about 2 months ago
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The east window
@yorkminster.bsky.social
reflecting the dawn sky on Holy Saturday.
about 2 months ago
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He âhid not his face from shame and spittingâ. âCorpusâ, Catalan, 1250-1300, in the Spanish gallery in Bishop Auckland.
about 2 months ago
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I do enjoy reading the Time Literary Supplement, especially when a letter published in the current issue begins: âRegarding the small matter of the universeâs existenceâ.
2 months ago
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reposted by
Chris Swift
The Laurence Sterne Trust
2 months ago
David Garrick's
#epitaph
for Laurence Sterne, who died
#OnThisDay
18 March 1768 aged 54. Garrick decries the lack of a memorial for Sterne. Depicted by Peter Coates
peter-coates.com
#stonecarver
#OTD
#LaurenceSterne
#memorials
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Human violence shows little sign of abating. The peace and beauty of nature might inspire us or provide balm for the soul. Yet humanity's moral progress appears to be questionable. As we enter the second half of Lent the need to spend time with the final days of Jesus' life on earth remains urgent.
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The Yorkshire Wolds
While studying at the University of Hull in the mid-'80s I often sat in the theology section of the library. The librarian, Philip Larkin, had decided that the best place for the aloof subjects of philosophy and theology was on the seventh and highest floor of the Brynmor Jones Library. Sometimes, during a winter term, I would gaze out of the windows watching snow approach slowly from the direction of the Yorkshire Wolds. As the hills disappeared I knew it wouldn't be long before snowflakes started to eddy around the building.
http://chrisswift.blog/2026/03/15/the-yorkshire-wolds/
3 months ago
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Happy St Davidâs Day - Dydd GĆ”yl Dewi hapus
3 months ago
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A beautiful rainbow behind Ogleforth in York. A dramatic mix of sunshine and dark clouds.
3 months ago
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Some pics around York taken early doors today.
3 months ago
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The Vikings are back - why canât they just leave York alone!
3 months ago
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A mass of snowdrops in Kirby Underdale churchyard; the slightly snowy church; the landscape from Garrowby Hill; and the view down the hill - visibility limited. Quite misty.
3 months ago
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On my way to take a service at Kirby Underdale - in rather wintry pre-Lenten weather.
3 months ago
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@yorkminster.bsky.social
first thing this morning - glad to see the sun.
3 months ago
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A bit wild on the beach at Sandsend this morning - although low tide a strong wind blowing in the waves.
4 months ago
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Tempus Fugit The village churches of Yorkshire possess some exceptional art that has survived across the centuries. They are also surrounded by wildlife protected from modern developments and offer a habitat for nature to thrive.
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Tempus Fugit
The village churches of Yorkshire possess some exceptional art that has survived across the centuries. They are also surrounded by wildlife protected from modern developments and offer a habitat for nature to thrive.
http://chrisswift.blog/2026/01/25/tempus-fugit/
4 months ago
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reposted by
Chris Swift
The Laurence Sterne Trust
5 months ago
Delighted to be working this year with the wonderful Kabe Wilson, artist-in-residence at Jesus College Cambridge, who will be creating new Sterne related works to exhibit at
#ShandyHall
.
#LaurenceSterne
#art
#exhibitions
#literature
www.jesus.cam.ac.uk/articles/mee...
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Meet our new artist in residence
A T Kabe Wilson, an artist, experimental poet and archival scholar will be working with the College until March 2026.
https://www.jesus.cam.ac.uk/articles/meet-our-new-artist-residence
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Snittering Language has a powerful way of expressing our visceral experiences in general, and the weather in particular. A memory from Iona in winter is a reminder of the rich vocabulary we have the basic elements in which we live.
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Snittering
Language has a powerful way of expressing our visceral experiences in general, and the weather in particular. A memory from Iona in winter is a reminder of the rich vocabulary we have the basic elements in which we live.
http://chrisswift.blog/2026/01/11/snittering/
5 months ago
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reposted by
Chris Swift
The Laurence Sterne Trust
6 months ago
Glen Baxter (who exhibited at Shandy Hall earlier this year) has interview on Earlier with Jools Holland on BBC Radio 3 at 12.00 - 13.00 this Saturday 22nd Nov
#glenbaxter
#cartoons
#surrealism
#joolsholland
@ianduhig.bsky.social
@constantgardener.bsky.social
@internationaltimes.bsky.social
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York getting some of its first snow this season - but always looking good. Congratulations to all graduating today in York, Sheffield & everywhere else.
6 months ago
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Lovely autumn colours in York.
7 months ago
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The Sun Rising Luke Jerram's 'Helios' installation at Fountain's Abbey brings an extraordinary light into a place once dedicated to prayer.
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The Sun Rising
Luke Jerram's 'Helios' installation at Fountain's Abbey brings an extraordinary light into a place once dedicated to prayer.
http://chrisswift.blog/2025/10/05/the-sun-rising/
8 months ago
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Lovely to be at St Andrew Bugthorpe this morning - my first visit. Grade 1 listed since the 1960s with a central altar created by Lord Halifax in 1937.
8 months ago
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The continuing drought impeded my walk today
#york
.
8 months ago
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The Aftermath of Absence As we near the announcement of the next Archbishop of Canterbury it's time to reflect on the state of the Church of England, and what might arise from the Church's long decline.
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The Aftermath of Absence
As we near the announcement of the next Archbishop of Canterbury it's time to reflect on the state of the Church of England, and what might arise from the Church's long decline.
http://chrisswift.blog/2025/09/21/the-aftermath-of-absence/
8 months ago
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reposted by
Chris Swift
Canon Maggie
9 months ago
Met an amazing woman during a visit to SOWETO today. Mama Sithole - gentle, humorous and forgiving. Standing before the iconic photo of her and her brother on that horrific day 16.6.76
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Tonight's lunar eclipse draws attention to earth's constant companion, and the interplay of human understanding and the vast universe in which we are set.
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Sister Moon
Like many others, Iâll probably make an effort to see tonightâs full moon. Noteworthy not only for its fullness but also, today, for the eclipse which will be at least partly visible from the UK. The âblood moonâ, as it is called, might offer us a spectacular reminder of this strange and beautiful neighbouring globe, held in the earthâs gravity. As a presenter on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme commented, events such as the eclipse somehow serve to put humanityâs woes into perspective. As we agonise about the various crises of our time, earthâs celestial companion is a daily reminder of a strange place to which few humans have ever been.
http://chrisswift.blog/2025/09/07/sister-moon/
9 months ago
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reposted by
Chris Swift
The Guardian
9 months ago
Why are the tabloids so enraged about every aspect of Angela Raynerâs life? | Zoe Williams
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Why are the tabloids so enraged about every aspect of Angela Raynerâs life? | Zoe Williams
Whether itâs her housing, clothes, the restaurants she goes to, or the fact she watches opera and drinks wine, she can apparently do nothing right, writes Guardian columnist Zoe Williams
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/sep/01/why-are-the-tabloids-so-enraged-about-angela-rayner-class-warfare?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=bsky_gu&utm_medium=&utm_source=Bluesky#Echobox=1756740730
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Drastic steps to remove poverty out-of-sight betray a particular kind of aesthetics. One with no interest in the complex realities of poverty and homelessness.
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The Geography of Poverty
During research into the London hospitals at the Reformation, I discovered their role in policing the streets. Following the dissolution of the monasteries, each of the five re-founded hospitals maintained beadles, part of whose job was to patrol the streets around the institutions, retrieving the sick and poor into them, with the power to "expulse" sturdy vagrants from the City. This was done in response to concerns by city leaders that the city was looking disheveled. In the politics of reformation, this was an unwelcome development. In the document re-founding the London hospitals it was stated:
http://chrisswift.blog/2025/08/24/the-geography-of-poverty/
9 months ago
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Whatâs Theology Ever Done for Us? A debate has been initiated by Sarah Coakley about the place and value of theology in the life of the church. This sees a much more significant place for theology, and a broader range of people involved in creating it, and debating it.
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Whatâs Theology Ever Done for Us?
A debate has been initiated by Sarah Coakley about the place and value of theology in the life of the church. This sees a much more significant place for theology, and a broader range of people involved in creating it, and debating it.
http://chrisswift.blog/2025/08/17/whats-theology-ever-done-for-us/
10 months ago
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Church keys have a character all of their own - and are still in use.
10 months ago
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Thought Forgery I have begun experimenting with artificial intelligence. Using the available free programmes I am exploring how AI might be used, and what risks or concerns need to shape my approach. It is fascinating - if a little disconcerting. For example, last week I resurrected the toweringâŠ
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Thought Forgery
I have begun experimenting with artificial intelligence. Using the available free programmes I am exploring how AI might be used, and what risks or concerns need to shape my approach. It is fascinating - if a little disconcerting. For example, last week I resurrected the towering Anglican Archbishop of the 20th century, William Temple. I asked ChatGPT what Archbishop Temple might say to the Church of England today. At lightening speed, after presumably trawling all available Temple content in cyberspace - and assessing the state of the Church of England today - the headline answer emerged as follows:
http://chrisswift.blog/2025/08/03/thought-forgery/
10 months ago
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Language-bearers Our capacity to create story & express it in ritual is perhaps the continuous defining characteristic of being human.
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Language-bearers
Our capacity to create story & express it in ritual is perhaps the continuous defining characteristic of being human.
http://chrisswift.blog/2025/07/27/language-bearers/
10 months ago
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Good to hear one of the
@yorkminster.bsky.social
ringers speaking on the Sunday programme on Radio 4 this morning.
add a skeleton here at some point
10 months ago
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Faith and the City This year marks the 40th anniversary of the publication of Faith in the City, begging the question as to what the Church is doing in our cities in 2025.
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Faith and the City
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the publication of Faith in the City, begging the question as to what the Church is doing in our cities in 2025.
http://chrisswift.blog/2025/07/20/faith-and-the-city/
10 months ago
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reposted by
Chris Swift
The Laurence Sterne Trust
11 months ago
Glen Baxter has arrived! Meet him tomorrow, 1pm at Shandy Hall for the opening of 'Glen Baxter - Prints and Drawings' Signed books to buy too
@yorkshiredays.bsky.social
@yorkgin.bsky.social
@theartnewspaper.bsky.social
âŹ
@stephenclift.bsky.social
@tonyfoth.bsky.social
@northyorkmoors.org.uk
âŹ
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War with Trolls Not discussing theology is not the same as an absence of theology. The Church in particular always makes decisions - for better or worse - that are theological in nature. Discussing this adds value and understanding, even though it may not make life easier for the institution. ItâŠ
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War with Trolls
Not discussing theology is not the same as an absence of theology. The Church in particular always makes decisions - for better or worse - that are theological in nature. Discussing this adds value and understanding, even though it may not make life easier for the institution. It is obliged to do theology if it doesn't wish to dance to other agendas and influences.
http://chrisswift.blog/2025/06/29/war-with-trolls/
11 months ago
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Do we need theology and, if so, what kind?
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Monstrous Theology
How do we account for the value of a library of books which has both legitimated terror and inspired some of the most compassionate deeds in history?
http://chrisswift.blog/2025/06/22/monstrous-theology/
11 months ago
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The cathedral of Trondheim.
11 months ago
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Power & Glory? Power isn't all it's claimed to be - and theology offers alternative ways of understanding its purpose.
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Power & Glory?
Power isn't all it's claimed to be - and theology offers alternative ways of understanding its purpose.
http://chrisswift.blog/2025/06/01/power-glory/
12 months ago
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#sunrise
on the east coast on the final day of May.
12 months ago
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