Following a fad, or reinforcing foundations? Toddler groups bring more families into contact with churches than almost anything else, except perhaps food banks. Beyond grasping gratefully at the offer, does anyone wonder why churches provide them? Are they an outlet for nostalgic public-spirited housewives? Does the church think that coffee, toys and a chat will … Continue reading Into the Woods! Church toddler groups and forest school
Earth Day on Friday was a reminder that many centuries ago (it feels), during COP26, schools and communities around the world were urging on corporations and Governments to make difficult choices for the sake of the next generation. There is a widespread expectation among activists that planetary well being should come before profit or political … Continue reading Earth (day) on the EDGE – the unsung potential of the PSA
Bought in Kiev, 2003. Photo from my kitchen, March 2022, How on earth do you hold world-shaking events in your mind, as you continue daily life and deal with tiny domestic preoccupations? Do we shut out the world and focus on the immediate? Rendered powerless by the sheer scale of the crisis, do we seek … Continue reading A Crisis of Insight
When dear friends and family go through hard times it is so difficult to know how to respond and acknowledge its awfulness, whilst carrying on with everything you need to do as well. This is my attempt at expressing it. FOR A FRIEND IN NEED Let me help me carry your load, my friend,For the … Continue reading Compassionate Friendship through thick and thin
With my growing allergy to the proliferation of 'stuff' disguised as Christmas presents, I braved some scepticism and ventured into gift membership of two Wildlife Trusts. The enthusiastic reception more than made up for my discovery that had I waited until January they could both have joined at half price. So I'm now championing their … Continue reading What lies between – the worlds of the Wildlife Trusts
Taken on a market stall in Spetses, July 2017 The message of joy and peace in the nativity story can ring hollow for many given the state of the world. A couple of years ago I wrote a poem addressing this. Here is a revised version: "Joy to the world!", sang the angels that night;"Peace … Continue reading What happened to the promise of the Angels? (revised)
Apparently, despite the best efforts of Blue Peter, my children still think climate change is primarily about animals. So, I puzzled about a childrens and families activity around this year's Harvest Festival - happening as it is in the run-up to the Leaders' gathering on Climate Change in November. How do you bring home in … Continue reading Helping Small People handle Big Issues: Harvest Festival, Inequality and Climate Change
New term. New opportunities and challenges. New relationships to navigate. I think one of life's epiphanies is realising that that how people treat you is much more about what's going on for them than anything particularly to do with you. But as a school child it's hard to hold onto that. This story has no … Continue reading The Bimble-berries
I didn't expect to cry today. Worry and irritation, I expected, and exhaustion I knew would appear - all the normal emotions associated with taking two children to London in a pandemic (I have a hair chewer and a finger nibbler). But nothing prepared me for the sheer wall of emotion I felt within minutes … Continue reading Moved to tears
When something important ends - a friendship withering through distance, a career abruptly terminated, or even a bereavement that tragically ends a relationship, it is hard to put words around their enduring value when they cease to be a daily reality. My daughter once described colouring a picture as 'bringing it to life' and that … Continue reading Etched in Eternity
Grain of Sand 