Christmas Day Address 2019: The Source that Beckoned
‘The Nativity at Night’ (1490) by Geertgen tot Sint Jans READINGS: ‘Lines written a few miles above Tintern Abbey, on revisiting the banks of the Wye during a tour, 13 […]
Mary ponders and a muddy pond clears—that for which, in Advent, we await (a post-election Advent address)
The nativity scene in the Cambridge Unitarian Church READINGS The Shepherds and the Angels (Luke 2:8-19) In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their […]
The great mutual blindness darkened that sunlight in the park—A Remembrance Sunday memorial address and prayer for all those killed in war, including those who were, or still are, our enemies
Blue skies and sun in the park opposite the church this week To see a pdf copy of the order of service please click on this link. OPENING READING Matthew […]
In this cockeyed world there are shapes and designs, if only we have some curiosity, training, and compassion and take care not to lie or to be sentimental—Some reflections following the discovery of the 39 men and women found dead inside a refrigerated lorry on an industrial estate in Essex.
The Mann Gulch fire, 1949 Luke 12:54-57 Jesus said to the crowds: ‘When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, “It is going to rain”; and […]
What porcupines can tell us about loving our neighbour who is also our enemy
An Old World Procupine (Photo: Andrew Butko) INTRODUCTION After last week’s address I had a very interesting and helpful conversation with C about what might any actual attempt to follow […]
The subjunctive of potentiality—a meditation on some words by Robert Musil pushing against the rhetoric and reality of nationalism
READINGS Matthew 5:43-45 NRSV [Jesus said:] You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies […]
Short-circuiting the parable of the mustard seed—a harvest meditation giving thanks for all the children involved in the School Strike for Climate movement
Jan Luyken from the Bowyer Bible. Photo: Harry Kossuth INTRODUCTION Today is our Harvest Festival, a time when, as the author of Exodus in Tyndale’s memorable English we give thanks […]
Not the beginning of a new religion (re-ligio) but its end (de-ligio)?—A new-materialist reading of Pentecost
READINGS: Poem No. XXII in “A Shropshire Lad” by A. E. Housman From far, from eve and morning And yon twelve-winded sky,The stuff of life to knit me Blew hither: here […]