Dumfries may seem far removed from the recent rioting in England, but did you know that there have been people delivering far right anti-immigration leaflets through doors in the area? This article in Christianity Today ask some questions about the practice of Churches in the UK sending missionaries abroad. They also highlight some of the […]
Author: Simon Lidwell
Metal Methodist
What makes you feel at home? Jesus says that there are many rooms in his fathers house, I’m hoping that in some of them I’ll be able to settle down and listen to sludge metal and let the deep peace of the soundscape wash over me. Here is a welcome from the Metal Methodist Church […]
Drawing is like breathing
This discussion about drawing was sent in by Alison. https://www.phaidon.com/agenda/art/articles/2021/january/21/tania-kovats-why-i-draw/
Jesus Vs Racism
If most racists, homophobes, and general bigots are nice people – how do you know you are not one? Privilege blinds us. The good news of Jesus is good news for the downtrodden, despised, and excluded. It is usually bad news for those of us privileged to have done well at school, have good jobs […]
Wild
Domination, Paternalism, or Participation? How do we relate to the land, and how should we relate to it? In the theme of rewilding ecological science and the theology of forest church come together, if you are willing to risk being described as a little mad. There are a lot of links you can click on […]
Light
“Light” is used frequently in the Gospels, especially in the good news as told by John. I chose this theme for my final assembly with the Dumfries High School year group I have been chaplain to since they started secondary school during lockdown. As they gather I usually run a video which introduces the theme […]
Building Church Creativity
Sharing experiences of God in creation and creating A way to encourage creativity in people is to create an environment where it is normal to express yourself creatively. This might seem like a simple statement, but how many people stop making art after bad experiences in childhood, or as adults don’t feel that their creativity […]
QFC May 19.05.24
After a busy weekend it was a pleasure to slow down and relax in the beautiful environment of the Crichton. This was complemented by refreshments and conversation. We have been exploring the Crichton estate for several years now but every time we return the green, the growth and the subtle changes inspire. Perhaps that is […]
Glorious things
I met Diana Greenfield over 10 years ago, at a conference where I first learned about the “Forest Church” name. It was a delight to hear this interview with her, and so here is the opportunity for you to listen as well. https://www.gloriousthingspodcast.com/podcast/episode/25a9760d/30-fairy-goth-vicar She is building the Church creatively and holding spaces open for discussions.
Sea Change
Things can change for the better, and Jesus reveals that change. This post is about prophesy, the gift given for building up the Church. Prophets reveal things, and in the stories when people respond things get better – or at least the calamity that approaches is averted. When the religious authorities (whose role it was […]
