Tag Archives: reverend

Oaths, Allegiance, Service and Humility

It is a while since I’ve written, but following the death of the incredible woman who has been such a role model, I felt compelled to put my thoughts down. The Oath of Allegiance I, Lynn Boyle do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her […]

As summer draws to a close…

As I write, our late summer break is drawing to a close. Mick and I have spent the past few days at our son’s home in South Devon. It has been a lovely opportunity to slow down, reflect and recharge our batteries before we embark on the busy times ahead of us. As always, the […]

An unexpected calling…

🖤🖤 ‘Secrets behind the collar’ is my story. It is the account of the traumatic events not only of 2020, but also of the abuse suffered during my childhood and teenage years.  If you are reading my ‘Secrets’ blog for the first time, you may wish to go back and begin reading from where my […]

‘Come to me…’

Tuesday saw us return from a wonderful week long break in Devon. It was everything we hoped it would be. It was a week of total switch off, the first for me in eight months, and I hadn’t realised just how much it was needed. Of course, any busy person returning from a break will […]

Doing things differently

I am currently sitting in the quiet of my son’s home in Devon. It is a lovely barn conversion in a coastal hamlet, only metres from the hotel he manages. It is secluded and it is silent, other than bird song, and I am enjoying the spectacular views and a much needed retreat from parish […]

Beginning difficult conversations

The idea of beginning difficult conversations is being promoted daily by the BBC. The phase can be seen regularly between programmes and follows documentaries where celebrities such as Freddie Flintoff and Nadiya Hussain, who both feature in the advert, have opened up frankly and honestly about their own mental health struggles. For years, mental health […]

What a privilege!

I’ve always believed that walking alongside people and meeting them where they are to be at to be the very core of my ministry. I don’t think this approach detracts from traditional church centred Parish ministry; not at all, I believe it complements it. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I’ve had some amazing conversations […]

Not quite the Easter morning we expected…

This morning began gloriously. There were more people in church than we’ve had so far since conducting ‘live’ worship with so many new ‘regulars’, plus the return of some well-loved faces; those who have not ventured out in months but chose today, after having their vaccinations to return to church. I must say that to […]

Why do clergy need to keep fit?

Did you know that clergy, in general, suffer higher rates of obesity, arthritis, heart problems, high blood pressure and mental health problems and stress than many other professions? Many clergy find it is so very difficult to maintain a work/life balance. I am a Priest for the Church of England contracted to work two days […]

These workouts are not for the faint hearted…but they are for the over sixties!

“These workouts are not for the faint hearted…” says Joe Wicks as I’m putting myself through the first workout of Cycle 4 Advanced, on his App this week. As I tackle press-up after press-up (with variations on the theme and interspersed with the odd Burpee or two) I totally agree with him! Forty minutes later […]