Really wonderful to be at Newport Cathedral this morning to preach on the mixed emotions and themes of Mothering Sunday 💐 ⚓️

Lovely to visit Holy Trinity Pontnewydd in the Cwmbran Ministry Area for the first time today, to celebrate the Eucharist with them on this Second Sunday in Lent (as well as St David’s Day 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿). ⚓️

Lovely to see the snowdrops and daffodils breaking through 😁 Enjoying the afternoon sun while away for a few days on retreat at the Community of the Resurrection in Mirfield. ⚓️

‘In the Church today, it’s easy to focus on principal characters and big personalities… But the real work of being the Church — the stuff that ultimately matters most — is not the work of just a few key leaders.’ My farewell sermon for East Cardiff 👇 ⚓️

Farewell gift from my colleague Marja - an Archdeacon’s Survival Kit. Although I’m really hoping I won’t ever need to use some of its contents! 😂 ⚓️

Happy Shrove Tuesday everyone! 🥞

There are no words to express my gratitude to the wonderful team and people of the East Cardiff Ministry Area for the amazing send off we’ve had as a family this evening. Thank you so much to all who came along. ⚓️

“Christ is where heaven and earth meet. He meets us, in all his divine glory, in all the mess of our human lives. And he says to us, just as he did to the three disciples, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’“ This morning’s homily for Transfiguration Sunday: ⚓️

‘So the question for us, today and every day, is whether we too will present ourselves to God, just as Christ was presented for our sake. Whether we too will set ourselves apart in some way for God’s purpose, rather than our own.’ Today’s homily for Candlemas 👇 ⚓️

'So what was it that changed everything for Paul? What was it that caused such a dramatic transformation? 'Well, the answer — if we will believe St Luke who wrote the book of Acts, and St Paul in his own words — is no more and no less than a powerful encounter with the living God.' ⚓️

‘It’s not always easy to be enthusiastic about our faith. Sometimes, we might feel nervous sharing something deeply personal with others. Or fearful of coming across to others as overwhelming or overpowering. ‘This is where those three simple words of Jesus can be a really helpful model for us…’ ⚓️

Today’s sermon for the Baptism of Christ: ⚓️

Humbled to have been invited by +Cherry to become the new Archdeacon of Newport and Diocesan Director of Ministry & Discipleship. It will be incredibly difficult to leave East Cardiff, our wonderful congregations and fantastic team, but excited for the new chapter of ministry which lies ahead.

‘Three gifts which point us towards one true gift. The gift of Jesus Christ himself... And he invites us to respond through the giving of a gift in return. The giving of our lives.’ Homily for the Feast of Epiphany 👇 ⚓️

One step closer to a final manuscript…

'Christ came to bring freedom... Freedom of an entirely different order to that any earthly empire could conceive. A freedom, which is rooted not in what we can see with our eyes and touch with our hands, but in a glimpse of the world which is to come.' My sermon for the Feast of Ss Peter & Paul: ⚓️

Attitudes towards the centrality of the eucharist have changed over time, and vary in churches today, reports Madeleine Davies

Humbled to have been asked by Bishop Cherry to join the College of Canons at Newport Cathedral. Please do save the date for the installation in November: ⚓️

‘We too can know the same freedom in Christ today… ‘In our prayers, in our singing, in receiving the sacrament, we too can find strength to challenge injustice. To choose the common good over individual profit, to choose love over tribalism, and light over darkness.’ Today’s sermon: ⚓️

'We are Christ’s intended dwelling place. His divine renovation project. And even though we are far from perfect, over time he makes us into a home which is fit for him. Freeing us from our sins, healing our wounds, growing us in holiness.' Today's homily: ⚓️

‘“My sheep hear my voice,” Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel, “I know them and they follow me.” This is a vital part of the spiritual life — learning to hear Christ’s voice. So how can we learn to recognise the voice of Christ, our Good Shepherd, through times both good and hard?’ ⚓️ Today’s homily:

'We can often find ourselves in a similar situation. Working harder, trying to fit more into our busy lives. Yet rather than feeling fulfilled, we end up even more stressed. 'So it’s natural that we ask ourselves: What are we doing wrong? Where is God in the midst of all this busyness?' ⚓️

‘“Mary,” Jesus said to her — turning sadness into joy, greyscale into colour, darkness into light. ‘Today, may you too hear Christ calling you. The one who knows you and loves you, calling you by name. His voice overflowing with love and grace and mercy.’ My homily for Easter Day: ⚓️

‘Sacrifice, service, sacrament. Three signs to guide our way as we begin these three holy days…’ Tonight’s homily for Maundy Thursday: ⚓️

'The thief is us — you and I. Gazing upon the cross, conscious of how far from perfect we each are. With him, we pray, "Jesus, remember me." And receive from Christ the most amazing response: "Today you will be with me in paradise."' Today's short homily reflecting on St Luke's Passion: ⚓️

Hyfryd iawn i fod yn Eglwys Dewi Sant, Beaufort ger Glyn Ebbwy bore ‘ma i dathlu’r Ewcharist yn yr iaith Cymraeg. Diolch am eich croeso.

'While Mary anoints Jesus ready for his death, Paul invites us to join Jesus in his death. To live no longer for ourselves alone, but for Christ. To walk day-by-day, with him, the way of the Cross.' Here's my homily for today, Passion Sunday: ⚓️

'The more we’re aware of our own human inadequacy, the more we find ourselves relying on God’s grace. Christ, who like the persistent gardener continues to tend to us. To persevere with us. To refuse to give up on us.' My homily for today, the Third Sunday of Lent ⚓️

City I like: Bristol City I love: Florence City I think is overrated: Pisa City I think is underrated: Birmingham City I feel most myself in: Cardiff City I still need to visit: Barcelona City I dream of living in: Rome Most inspiring city today: Kyiv Favorite city of all time: St Davids

‘Lent, then, is a time of allowing ourselves to be gathered in by Christ. Being drawn close to the love that gives us life. To the grace which makes us whole…’ My homily for today, the Second Sunday of Lent ⚓️

Here’s the thing: I love the Anglican tradition. I love the beauty of traditional music and liturgy. But I also want to feel like I’m worshipping the living God, not observing a museum piece. ⚓️

'Forty days spent meditating on Christ’s time in the wilderness, which can also help us to empathise with those stuck in a wilderness landscape in their own lives. The apocalyptic ruins of Gaza. The ongoing war in Ukraine. The trials and challenges we each face in our own lives...' Today's sermon ⚓️

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: create and make in us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect forgiveness

'Through the kindness of others. Through the wonder of creation. Through our reaching out for help from somewhere, God comes to us and ministers to us — even in the midst of the thunderstorm.' Today's homily to celebrate the Feast of St David, patron saint of Wales: ⚓️

It occurred to me rather too late to add to the sermon that Jesus calmed the storm on the sea or lake called by some the Sea of Tiberias. Emperors and kings can move populations around, create new towns, rename lakes. But neither king not Caesar can calm the sea nor control the weather.

‘The rise of populism. The cult of celebrity leaders. The breaking down of conventions. All of these are symptomatic of an ever more desperate search for a trustworthy authority… ‘Today’s scriptures invite us to place our trust somewhere entirely different. To trust, not in mortals, but in God.’

A thought for the day… When all is said and done, what will matter most for those of us who are ordained, is not how much we have achieved in terms of our own ministry, but how well we have enabled the ministry of others - the ministry of all God’s people.

Hopefully this brings to an end the most ridiculous storm in a teacup over the past few days… 🙄

A bit later than usual typing up this Sunday’s homily for Substack, but here it is - Street Preachers, Bad Fishermen and Sharing the Good News:

Today's homily for the Feast of Candlemas, as Epiphany draws to a close... ⚓️

Ethics of this aside, it would almost certainly be a breach of charity law in the UK. Are there not the same regulations around use of restricted funds in the US?

“The Gospel is a word of compassion; it calls us to exercise charity, to forgive our neighbour’s debts and to be generous in serving others. Let us not forget that the Lord is close, merciful and compassionate. God’s style is one of closeness, mercy and compassion.” Pope Francis - January 26, 2025

Merry Sixmas everyone! 😁🏉🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

1 YEAR OF 20MPH There were around 100 fewer people killed / seriously injured on 20/30mph roads. Casualties from July-Sept was the lowest Q3 figures in Wales since records began. Over the year the number of casualties on 20/30mph roads is 28% lower than the year before. Good policy making.

It's nearly Candlemas. I know most of you neither know nor care about Candlemas (a feast celebrating the presentation of Christ) but you know what you do need? Something to celebrate in this bleak stretch between Christmas and actual daylight. So light a damn candle and have dinner with your friends

Nessa, Smithy and the Wedding at Cana - my sermon for today, the Second Sunday of Epiphany... ⚓️

“Above all, it is the beauty of Christ that summons us, calls us to be brothers and sisters and urges us to take Christ out into the streets, to bring him to the people, so that everyone can contemplate his beauty.” — Pope Francis contemplativeinthemud.com/2025/01/07/t...

⚓ #cofepeeps

"A church that does not provoke, a gospel that does not disturb, a word from God that does not irritate, a word from God that does not touch the concrete sin of the society in which it is proclaimed: What kind of gospel is that?" #SaintOscarRomero

'The wisdom of the ancients. The beauty of music and poetry. The wonder of creation. All on their own are just small kernels of truth. 'But all are designed to point towards Christ. The one in whom all the pieces of the jigsaw fit together. The one in whom it all, fully and finally, makes sense.'