QuartzSome thoughts on bells Whilst researching making an early medieval bell (to use at Caerlaverock on Saturday) I stumbled on the Latin for ‘bell’ used in Irish/Scottish texts, which is Clocca. The similarity with “clock” struck me, and I went back to working metal. I then started wondering about ways of telling the time, as […]
Becoming a patron of the arts used to be the privilege of the rich. Perhaps it would be seen as a duty, perhaps an expression of power and social ambition. Sometimes simply a tax dodge, but on other occasions passionate patrons could bankrupt themselves leaving contributions they believed contributed to the good of society at […]
Here is a curiosity to reflect on today. This is a league table ranking countries by what they contribute globally relative to their size. You can read the definition of good which is used, how the rankings are calculated and view a breakdown into categories of contribution. https://www.goodcountry.org/index/about-the-index/ Can you imagine a world where our […]
Gill Swales handed in some resources about this organisation. The map in the picture charts where it is most dangerous to practice Christianity openly. “Our very mission is called ‘Open Doors’ because we believe that any door is open, anytime and anywhere. I literally believe that. Every door is open to go in and proclaim […]
This is a report by the evangelical alliance. It follows on from one in 2015 which you can download here. The questions have been updated slightly for their 2022 report and you can read all about it here: (best viewed on a desktop – click on it to go full screen, press escape to exit […]
“we are held here by all the things I cannot see” some words and music to contemplate today. https://findingthewords.online/index.php/2023/05/16/markerposts/ Click the link for music ans lyrics once you are in a place where you can sit back, listen, and contemplate.
16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: “‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man […]
This article is from 2019, but is shows what an artist (with help from their sponsors and friends) can do. It is a story of finding hope in reforestation. https://www.dw.com/en/in-brazil-photographer-sebastiao-salgado-finds-hope-in-reforestation/a-50877571 This is closer to home, in England and Wales. “A Rocha” work internationally as well. And at a Scottish level this page has some info […]
We have been working on the cocoon this week and gradually transforming it into a chrysalis with hand-made paper. It is becoming a tomb for the hopes and fears written into it by many folk over the past month of Lent. The physical transformation of the cocoon represents our longings for God to be at […]
Lavender Haze and the Struggle for Egalitarian Marriage by Liz Cooledge Jenkins Who defines marriage? This article discusses issues inherited from the 1950’s that are still influencing behaviour. https://wp.me/p1zXM8-gb3 When does liberation become lassez-fair?