✝️⚓ Look - I know it's not the same guy - but I can't help it. Happy feast y'all.

God is doing a new thing - does new things all the time. ✝️⚓ After 10 months of ministering here as the only on-staff clergy person - I get to pray and listen and receive God's sacrament from the hand of this able priest - my new curate. TBTG.

Loving this

Today at #Huddersfield Parish Church we made our door mat true. Great stories of our town and people told - from education, faith and local media. Lovely performance from the kids of #Longwood Theatre. When times feel hard it's a tonic to remember all we have to celebrate.

I was once asked in a sub-set of a job interview what music I would choose for my funeral. I chose sensible things. Now - Stanford's Nunc in B flat allowing - I am mainly planning being carried out to the reprise of "Do you hear the people sing" from Les Mis. youtu.be/N_UGAnxeCEk?...

Watching #lesmiserables It breaks my heart every time. Because the revolutionaries and the soldiers are the same. The women who scrub blood from the streets are the same as the Lovely Ladies (brilliant writing).

I have once again been deceived by the vicarage. Having spent my morning under a blanket because the vicarage is cold, I discover that outside in Huddersfield it is actually quite warm.

Small rosary close up. Huge rosary further away. 🐄 #fatherted ⚓✝️

New Leaf Bookshop are hosting an evening of Music and Words with Joanne Harris this Friday: St James Church, Slaithwaite... tickets here: www.anewleafbookshop.co.uk/events/an-ev... @joannechocolat.bsky.social #Vianne

#evensong ✝️⚓

#festivalofpreaching today

I do love that there London village.

Happy sigh. ⚓✝️

#London feeling delightfully very much like a "go" zone today.

On my way to @southwarkcathedral.bsky.social for the Festival of Preaching tomorrow. It's been a long hard week and I nearly didn't come - but it's good to be on the way in every sense today.

Don't hear this often enough in worship. And we heard it in Morning Prayer today. Happy Monday folks ✝️⚓ open.spotify.com/track/216Ilb...

Wonderful welcome service for our new curate Rev Wayne, with colleagues from the Deanery, friends and family from the Midlands, our Bishop and Archdeacon. I have been treated to proper Jamaican rum cake - there is no going back.

Got to have a flying visit to my happy place this weekend. Joy.

Much as I enjoy watching a stellar cast of Brits having a marvellous time in the English countryside - Thursday Murder Club is absolute utter garbage. I'm sure I'll watch the entire series in the same spirit. Garbage nevertheless.

Thinking of my friend @fatherhilarious.blog as I pray in a public place this morning.

Loving my summer theology read - The Tears of Things by Richard Rohr.

My beloved OH does a sometimes dirty engineering job for a company who make valves for dams. But they tend to be in beautiful places. Today's lunchtime WhatsApp had this attached.

Brilliant to be a guest judge on #Huddersfield BID Urban Artists competition today. Wonderful diverse creations and a worthy winner. Look out for the charity auction of these brilliant creations (and more) in Sept.

During a recent zoom with a CNC team member (part of a consultation) I was told I make town centre ministry in West Yorks sound like a war zone. There are multiple sermons in an adequate reply to that.... however, the war zone has a food hall less than 100 yds from my church's front door. Winning.

My time as Interim Vicar is drawing to a close. They're now looking for a shepherd after God's heart, if you know a Church of England priest seeking a post, I heartily recommend this place. Call @billbraviner.bsky.social or @canonrachel.bsky.social for an informal chat. #ItsGrimUpNorth #CofEPeeps 🥰

Pic 1 - 4pm. Pic 2 - 6.30pm in the same spot. So, so jealous.

What nibbles for the PCC social look like when your oven is bust.

You know when you got think you have the energy to do something - and you do it anyway - and it gives you energy? Gardening at our place in Wales before next guests land. Harvested apples and pears - trimmed the vine - mowed the lawn. Found my long handled edging sheers need sharpening 👀

✝️⚓ Wishing all a fabulous Friday.

I may have mentioned this before - there is much in my life that is not "task and finish". We sow seed when we might never see the harvest. So batch cooking for my mum is pleasing.

✝️⚓ we had some of the many candles people at St Peter's last weekend.

Note left on my desk today by my granddaughter. I'm impressed with her guess at spelling Rachel - but mostly with that apostrophe.

21st Century Folk. Such a brilliant @bbcradio2bot.bsky.social project. Every year such fabulous normal everyday extraordinary stories are told. Light Beyond the Lines - stunning www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

We have taken the same fortnight as annual leave all but one year for the last 17 - since I was ordained. Usually 3 Sundays. So what I have discovered this year (holidayed early) is a gaping hole in my preaching files. Enjoying reading around it.

I am really tired and brain-foggy after a change in medication. Trying to feed myself well (I'm the cook in our house) to improve general wellness. This evening's Greek salad was a win.

Good grief. Keeley Hawes, age 49, is playing a person who is retired to a Greek island. Apparently the proceeds of being an assassin lead to dreamier retirement options than, erm, most things.

Just found "Les Disparus de la Forêt-Noire" on Amazon. Every favourite French actor - from The Missing, Engrenage and more. Winning at Euro-Noir.

Random question Wednesday. When did we stop calling the swimming pool "the baths" in England? (Not making assumptions about other UK nations). We used to go to the baths - now we go to the pool. Linked to rise of the cheap package holidays to places with pools I guess?

✝️⚓ Brené Brown's "Unlocking Us"? pod is brilliant. Listening to ep entitled "Living Beyond Human Scale". What happens when you've got technology that is built to leverage human vulnerability for commercial gain? One of those where I thought "that's interesting" and now need to listen to 8 more eps.

Cute chonky cat. Slightly evil chatty chonky cat.

Post Synod unpleasantness - swollen ankle, historic knee injury back with a vengeance. Have lived Synod in a more student style than my middle age will allow it seems. Ice packs, heat packs, elevation - and fingers crossed.

WeTransfer just changed their TOS giving themselves permission to train AI on any content you transfer and produce derivative works based on content you transfer that they are allowed to monetize and you are not allowed payment for. Stop using WeTransfer.

A bientôt, #Synod members. Thank you all and until next time....

So moving to hear the Archbishop of Jerusalem address the General Synod of the Church of England today.In the midst of increasing violence and intimidation from extremist settler groups in Jerusalem and the West Bank he is a hugely respected faith leader, and determined bridge builder. Pray for him!

What a wonderful moment in #Synod .The terrible "Issues in Human Sexuality" document has been consigned to the recycling bin with huge support across the Synod, in all Houses and constituencies. Glimmers of hope.

Our Diocesan Women’s Ministry Advisors are inviting women across the diocese to an online meeting to discuss the next Bishop of Leeds, as part of our Vacancy in See public consultation. Read more here ⬇️ leeds.anglican.org/who-we-are/n...

On Saturday afternoon, General #Synod debated giving retired clergy, those who have devoted their lives to serving their communities, the support that they need and deserve. We're delighted to see these changes agreed, changes which will go a long way in helping thousands of households in need.

Have come back to parish life for Sunday in the midst of #Synod. There is a particular joy to having ministered in an area for a long time (albeit in several different churches.) I'm not saying it's better than having moved around more - just distinctive. At a Visitation with new Warden,