I was recently invited by the Dean of Liverpool to blog on prayerforliverpool.com on the theme of American Independence Day. I’d like to share this blog with the readers of this blog as well. To see the post on Prayer for Liverpool, Liverpool Cathedral’s prayer blog during lockdown, look here: https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/blog/on-july-fourth-reflection-by-nelson-of-the-tsedaqah-community. On July 4th, 1776, …
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Forget-Me-Not
I’ve never had to be the gardener before. Sure, I’ve laboured in a garden before, but at other people’s instruction and in their garden. When the lockdown came into effect, I was in a house with some desk work to do and to help pack parcels for MICAH once a week, but not too much …
You’ll Never Walk Alone
Dean Sue has said repeatedly in her posts on prayerforliverpool.org that the current pandemic is a “long Good Friday.” Having recently undergone Good Friday during the pandemic, I can attest to the veracity of Dean Sue’s theological claim. Good Friday does feel long. The liturgy of this day—when we can observe it—demands long minutes spent …
Christ’s Stable Order
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. …
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 …
