I have found myself thinking back often to Winston Churchill’s description of WWII as, “a time to try men’s souls.” It often feels like the world is on trial these days. To make it worse, we can’t physically be in one another’s presence—so this scary time is compounded by profound isolation for all of us. …
Author Archives: nelsonapike
The Unintended Consequences of Praying the Daily Office
My previous experience of daily worship was once daily (a few times a week) when in university. Before coming to Liverpool I had some expectations based on previous worship experiences, I’ve not attended services “as regularly” as I have in Liverpool these past six months (and don’t get me started on how quickly this first …
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A Dusty Vocation
One habit I’ve developed over the years of being a regular church goer is after a major feast, like Christmas for instance, I usually look ahead to “the next big liturgical season”, in this case Lent and Holy Week. Now, fair enough if you’re planning liturgies or coordinating schedules. But when I was growing up …
Young Adult Service Corps Missionary Report
In the US Episcopal Church, each parish holds an Annual Meeting every year to conduct the business of the Church—electing officers, approving budgets, and the like, as required by Canon. As a member of YASC, I am sent and commissioned not only by the Presiding Bishop but also my home parish of St. Mary’s Episcopal …
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So You Wanna Be a YASCer?
So you’ve applied to YASC and been invited to the discernment retreat. I imagine you sitting in your room at Holy Cross Monastery. Sitting at my desk in my room after arriving for the first time at Holy Cross was one of the first times I stopped and asked myself, “What am I getting myself …
Advent and Christmas in Liverpool
Realistically, the thought of not being busy this time of year was dead at least by the time November rolled around, with more and more talk of the things called Carol Services and other activities. It turns out that I ended up at least as busy (and happily so!) as I was at University. And …
Walking Toward Reconciliation
The Partnership for World Mission Conference, or PWM as we always called it, is an annual gathering of folks around the Church of England and around the world to network and learn about some of the latest news regarding mission in the Anglican Communion. The Tsedaqah Community, shepherded by Mal and joined by a few …
The Dignity of Love
When I shut the back door of the van, my hand always gets a little grimy. Not the best feeling in the world, I’ll admit, but it’s a sign that its a well-used vehicle. I’m glad, because I do pray for God’s will to be done, and this van is doing it. The people who …
The British Judiciary, Academia, & the Mission of the Church
The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of activities and meetings geared toward familiarizing myself with the Cathedral and the Diocese of Liverpool. I never realized how busy a Cathedral can be! The visitors who have come to encounter the great building that is our Cathedral are truly only the surface of that business, …
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By the Jacuzzi of Liverpool
I hadn’t fully realized when I was finally on my flight to England (and happily deciding which in-flight movie to watch) that if I didn’t sleep on the plane, I wouldn’t be going back to sleep until bedtime in my new time zone. According to my estimate, I was awake over 30 hours the day …
