In today’s Whirlow blog for Shrove Tuesday, we reflect on making room for the things that bring us alive, by letting go of the things that don’t.
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Updates from Whirlow
The Jesus Jigsaw - puzzling our way through life
As all who enjoy them know, jigsaws are absorbing. The mental release of completing one can be a joy! This Whirlow blog reflects on the process of jigsaw building in the light of New Testament accounts of Jesus’ life.
Read MoreCosmic feedback: biblical invitations to listen well
We cannot disentangle biblical texts from our assumptions as readers, made within our social context. A deeply entrenched view today might be that Christian faith requires an attitude of self-loathing and judgementalism - particularly impossible to escape when reading ‘fiery’ excerpts. In today’s Whirlow blog, we consider a Psalm, a passage from James’ letter and a reflection on climate change - invitations to approach things differently.
Read MoreGrappling with scarcity - a difficult story from Mark's gospel
In this Whirlow blog, we look at a story by the Apostle Mark and wonder what it has to say to us; about this Jesus’ who called himself the Bread of Life - and yet had a limited amount of time and energy. We are invited to respond.
Read MoreChrist's Radical Power - get collaborative, not competitive
Jesus the Christ exercised power differently. He was a person who chose to become like others, rather than insisting on holding territory; who refused to instruct or ‘save’ by exerting will or using charisma; who chose humiliation and death over winning control. Radical. In this reflection, we wonder what the writer of Hebrews might be saying about Christ, power and our own vocation.
Read MoreMidwives for Change: rethinking repentance
This blog chips away at centuries of dirt that weigh down the word ‘repent’, inviting us to gently assist people (including ourselves) who hear the call to change our thoughts and behaviour - and become vulnerable as a result. Inspired by Saul’s conversion in Acts 9, the work of Ananias and midwives everywhere.
Read MoreTime travel - a pastime for eternal souls in January?
Poetry, faith and imagination can all help us time travel - or capture within our experience moments outside the present. This Whirlow Spirituality Centre blog opens up such ideas, which may be helpful when things are tough or wearisome - a common trial for many in January!
Read MoreSeason of Celebration - Mary and Hannah invite us into a joyful 2022
Two Biblical women celebrating a pregnancy inspire today’s Whirlow blog, which looks for good news, reasons to be joyful and connect at the start of 2022.
Read MoreTo Make an End is to Make A Beginning - final Whirlow blog for 2021
2021 is drawing to a close. As it ends, many will give a sigh of relief. Others will sigh for sadness - even remorse - as a year can end with tinges of regret and of loss. Some will look upon the dawn of a new year optimistically, with a sense of anticipation or even excitement. Where do you find yourself?
Read MoreSpiritual 'knowledge' - or Christianity's power in vulnerability.
December is - among many other things! - spiritual literacy month. It invites us to read one book on spirituality, believing in something bigger than ourselves. Strangely, this can be empowering. Knowledge of a truly spiritual kind is not a way to gain power over a subject, but rather a way of radical empathy with the Other. A way that honours the vulnerability of creation. Today’s blog explores these ideas.
Read MoreWinter Solstice: A Meditation
Since the height of the summer season, we have been heading in one direction: to the deepest, darkest, coldest moments of winter. This week, we arrive. The summer sun has long since set and here we are at the Winter Solstice. Today, we invite you to ask what that brings up, for you.
Read MoreKeep Crying and Carry On - Psalm 34 in Advent
What are you crying out for? Are you able to express your depth of feeling or hear it expressed by others? This week, Psalm 34 provides a framework for sitting with our deepest longings and calling out to God, the Divine or the Universe to hear them - uninhibited, as we were unconcerned with saving face!
Read MoreSeason of sheep and shepherding - Christ's call to safe pasture this Advent.
In the deepening winter, shepherds would need to watch their flocks by night. This week, we consider a seasonal bible reading and books by a modern-day shepherd as we listen for the pastoral voice calling us and wonder where it leads.
Read MoreSafety Nets - Old Habits - New Opportunities: Jesus' invitation to the fishermen.
What associations come to mind when you hear the word net?
Fish? Safety? A trap? A great goal? Net worth? The world wide web? …
Today’s reflection is inspired by a reading that features fishing nets. We invite you to use them as a symbol; let them represent whatever best fits.
Read MoreI thirst; I long - using Psalm 42 and learning to be be human
Yearning is a universal human experience. We each try to walk a path that lies between our being engulfed in and denying this profound longing. Today we reflect on Psalm 42, which depicts longing - beautifully - as a thirst for pure water.
Read More"Only Connect!" - (holy) invitations to listen and attend this Remembrance Weekend
We ponder an invitation to connect with others and with deep truth today, as we engage with stories from the bible, face the emotional demands of Armistice weekend and continue to grapple with responsible social distancing.
Read MorePeople and Planet - reflecting on COP26
Leaders, authorities, experts, campaigners and advocates have this week descended upon Glasgow for the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). As host nations, with a government talking about a need for global action, this reflection invites us to meditate on our impact on the planet.
Read MorePoetry for All Saints and Souls
Today, we offer a poem about St Francis of Assisi - whose feast day was last month - and another inspired by Psalm 131, a sacred song used at Whirlow this week.
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Please find here some resources for spending a structured quiet day in your own time. With thanks to Catherine Musgrave for producing these for October’s Simple Quiet Day.
A Simple Quiet Day in October →
Readiness is All - facing the winter, the future and eternity with Jesus
Certainty is an addiction for many of us. As British Summer Time wanes, we note the rhythmic cycle of the seasons that is not ours to control. (We try to manage it by adjusting our clocks!) There is tension between anticipated candle-lit cosiness and winter’s potentially chaotic offerings of weather and viruses. In today’s bible story, Jesus talks about being ready for the unexpected as it were a responsibility. What do his words have to offer you?
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