3 Stimulating talks from Dr Nigel Walter for the Colchester Episcopal Area on 'Buildings for Mission' soundcloud.com/bishcolchest...

As the very last campsite tents come down, what’s left behind is more than clean fields – it’s the love and respect you show for our festival home. Thank you, Greenbelters, for caring for this place – and one another – so beautifully. 🌱 #LeaveNoTrace

Last month the Bishop of Colchester, the Rt Revd Roger Morris, and our Diocesan Rural Adviser and Agricultural Chaplain, the Revd Canon Janet Nicholls, attended the Essex Young Farmers Show. #ChelmsDioLife #LocalChurch #RuralMentalHealth #Wellbeing . . . 📸: The Farming Community Network via Insta

I am so saddened by the death of Mike Peters - and I have been playing non-stop Alarm songs ever since the news broke. I think - as this clip reminds me - that I got my philosophy about music (being by the people, for the people, and of the people) from him. #blazeofglory youtu.be/YfnQRb389jQ

I was so pleased to see this at Colne Engaine School yesterday. I often say that, if I was a vicar with a church school, then I would ask the PCC to provide good coffee for the school staff room and also take out a subscription for iSingPop Classroom Worship. Teachers deserve good coffee!

Bring your open hearts and minds to a field near Kettering for a weekend of artistry, activism and belief this August. Let’s discover new ways of being and belonging. And make a whole bunch of shiny new memories – just like the ones in this film. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lok9...

Brilliant news! Baloo and Mandy won! Baloo is the Kennel Club Hero Dog of 2025. Thank you everyone who voted. A brilliant result for the most lovely dog you could ever meet - there is no malice in her at all - she has triumphed over adversity - and now her character and achievements are recognised!

Brilliant new video from the team at Beacon House Ministries in Colchester. A superb charity that seeks to support people who are homeless - so that their lives are transformed and their situations improved. See www.youtube.com/watch?v=lryZ...

Listen to our newest podcast Stand Up for Jesus and the Stranger I speak with @icapgeorgetown.bsky.social attorney Kelsi Corkran and Pastor Carlos Malave who are suing the Trump Administration over threats of ICE and CBP raids on sacred spaces tinyurl.com/38sn7p8v

Delighted that the beautiful and brave Baloo is up for an award at Crufts - if you have a second then please vote for Baloo crufts.org.uk/whats-on/the...

Wow! www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5Hx...

It is done. I am an ex X'er.

Reading Hosea this morning, I am reminded of this wonderful sketch by Cody F Miller (www.codyfmiller.com). Cody said to me, "I believe the story of Hosea and Gomer is a profound illustration that God will never stop pursuing us, however deep the pit, however dark the shadows, He’s seen it all."

Diolch to All Saints CIW Primary for recording the Lord's Prayer yn Gymraeg! Diolch to Llandaff and Monmouth Diocese for supporting every school with Classroom Worship! We hope you are enjoying it! Gobeithiwn eich bod yn ei fwynhau! @llandaffdiocese @monmouthdiocese

East London duo shortlisted For BRITs Rising Star Award – Good Neighbours are a band to watch in 2025 Their track ‘Keep It Up’ was Number 20 in my #TopSongsOf2024 - see substack.com/home/post/p-... www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqpU...

Brilliant new video from iSingPOP www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSE7...

OK we're in the new year. 2025 and all that If you made one, you might already have failed your New Years Resolution. If you didn't. How about resolving to be actively #PositiveAboutColchester this year? #Colchester, #BritainsFirstCity Needs people -you- to have #CivicPride.

Artists to look out for in 2025: Emily Burns – who told Dork Magazine, “It’s really nice to see my music being listened to further and wider than ever, so I’m excited about the next year and what’s coming.” #Soundof2025 See www.youtube.com/@TheBurnsEmi...

My Top Songs of 2024 open.substack.com/pub/bishcolc...

COMPASS is our Domestic Abuse Helpline for Southend, Essex and Thurrock. The helpline is available from 8.00am to 8.00pm weekdays and 8.00am to 1.00pm weekends. Online referrals can be submitted at anytime. www.essexcompass.org.uk

Don't forget to book your tickets for this Monday's massive sing-along at St Botolph's Church Colchester (just so we know to warm up your mulled wine 🙂) BOOK HERE👇 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/now-thats-...

Have you twinned your loo?

It was devastating to hear of the plight of African cattle farmers as well as how, after months of no rain, when the rain finally comes there are no trees or vegetation to slow the water's progress as surging floods destroy villages and communities.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tfk... This is the brilliant Chris Read (Live at Abbey Road) who will be leading our NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL A CHRISTMAS SINGALONG at St Botolph's Church on 16th December. Book your tickets NOW at eventbrite.co.uk/e/now-thats-...

Some cracking tips and ideas here from @ARochaUK mailchi.mp/arocha/wild-...

40 years since Band Aid's Do they Know It's Christmas 30 years since Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas... Belt out these and other Christmas Hits in a mass Christmas Sing-Along at St Botolph's Colchester on 16 December. Supporting Christian Aid Book Here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/now-thats-...

Doing #prayerspace at #Vocations day in @chelmsdio.bsky.social. Wonderful conversations & reflections. We never stop being #called. @bishcolchester.bsky.social's advice: 1. Aim low (humility), 2. give up (what will you relinquish if God asks?) & 3. have a coffee (because being with others helps).

It starts with men... vimeo.com/1010180076/f...

Here is a brilliant advent calendar that does not involve any single-use plastic: www.chelmsford.anglican.org/uploads/file...

In this mass sort-out of my social media (or, as ELO would say, 'Nothing but BlueSky from now on'), I have started to move my annual Top Songs of the Year lists from WordPress to Substack. Some cracking tracks here from 10 years ago: open.substack.com/pub/bishcolc...