Let me tell you about a woman born in 1194. She was a young woman from a wealthy, possibly aristocratic Roman family. She was well educated and well read. She is known as ‘Clare of Assisi’ and was an early...

Have mercy on me, O God, in your great goodness; according to the abundance of your compassion blot out my offences. Cast me not away from your presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Give me again the...

In the Church's year events move along. Two weeks on from the wonderful celebration of the birth of Jesus, and one week after imagining New Year's Eve and the arrival of the wise men, we fast forward 30 years to...

O Lord Jesus Christ, who at your first coming sent your messenger to prepare your way before you: grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts...

Earlier this month I had a surreal experience. I was visiting my son and his wife in a small village near Bristol. Having enjoyed a frosty walk over misty winter fields we were sitting drinking coffee warming ourselves in front...

There is a poem by Rowan Williams, much used in Advent Services and quoted in Advent reflections.  You can read the poem here: Rowan Williams: Advent Calendar The poem is so evocative of the Advent season - with its sense of...

Last Saturday I had the joy of doing five ‘shoppers’ carol services at Bath Abbey. The Abbey is situated in the heart of our city. Shoppers’ carols are put on when the Christmas Market is open. For three weekends, we...

I think we are living through a very unsettling time. It does not matter where we look there appears to be disharmony, disunity and uncertainty. Our society and so many of its institutions are chaotic and shambolic. Truth and decency...

Hi, my name is Katy, I’m a curate in the Church of England (trainee vicar) at a church just down the road in Combe Down. This last week I have been on placement here at the Chaplaincy and here is...

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” Matthew 5: 9 It is impossible to avoid the events unfolding in Israel and Gaza. Horrific pictures and accounts of violence and suffering dominate our screens. This can...