At almost 40 I can still turn a pretty decent cartwheel (and will do, given half a chance). Although I do sometimes regret it the next morning nowadays.

Alice Sheppard@penguingalaxy.bsky.social · 2d ago

Quote this with something you can do that is funny or impressive, but absolutely useless. I do a really good imitation of a pigeon.

Suddenly realised in the middle of my sermon that I had lost the attention of almost the entire congregation... but for the best possible reason: the littlest member of the congregation had just pulled himself up to standing for the first time! Intergenerational church as it should be 🥰 #TinyJoys

What a rare and precious gift it is in pastoral ministry to get to hear what has happened next in the life of someone you didn't expect to see again. Especially when things are (surprisingly) looking up for them. #TinyJoys

What an inspiring launch event for "Church of the Empire" ed. Sanjee Perera. Great input from the contributors, and lively conversation before and after. This book is such an important contribution to the ongoing development of anti-racist theology and practice in the Church of England (and beyond).

Cuthbert and I have done our Harvest Festival school assembly three times today! We will be singing Cauliflowers Fluffy in our sleep 🤣 Cuthbert is an excellent colleague, and rapidly becoming something of a local celebrity. 🥰

An even more eclectic selection of refreshments than usual after mass today: Church 1: chicken drumstick, mini pizza, chocolate cupcake. Church 2: Werther's Originals.

The problem with being in local FB groups for the purpose of advertising church events etc, is that I accidentally read some of the absolutely batshit opinions expressed therein. Today, in response to an Orange March in town: "it's so lovely to see something positive that brings everyone together"

Snowball: I'M SORRY... WHAT!?!

Alt: Snowball: I'M SORRY... WHAT!?!

static.klipy.com

There have been a number of "I can't believe I get to do this and call it work" moments this week. This was one of them 😍 #TinyJoys #PetBlessing

Our first ever 'pet blessings to go': we blessed 13 dogs, 2 cats and 2 guinea pigs, the majority of them accompanied by people with little or no prior connection with church. A very fun way to spend a sunny afternoon! #TinyJoys

I try very hard to resist spurious Monty Python references in work contexts, ever since the unfortunate incident in which a colleague thought I was comparing the Deanery Mission Action Plan to the *actual* Spanish Inquisition.

Stephen Bush@stephenkb.bsky.social · 2w ago

What's the stupidest joke you most have to fight the urge to tell? Mine is not replying to questions about whether I have any allergies with 'we'll find out together, I guess'.

Today's episode of unexpected moments in parish ministry: Someone has brought in a huge fruit platter for Harvest. How kind! On closer inspection, one of the 'fruits' is... sausages 🤔

When, in the course of The Great Vestry Clearout, someone announces from the depths of a cupboard "oh, there's a massive pooh here", it is quite a relief to see this chap emerge! 😂

Had a surprising amount of fun doing a thorough sort and tidy of the vestry this morning. "Does anyone know what this is?" was a frequent phrase 😂 (all liturgical items eventually identified by the combined efforts of the group, one small box of miscellaneous cables etc remains)

Thrilled to see this write-up of our summer holiday activities in the diocesan magazine! One of the many joys of ministering in the Diocese of Newcastle is that the ministry of small churches is valued, supported and celebrated, and not just the big, shiny stuff. #TinyJoys #CofEpeeps ✝️⚓️🕯

A year today since Daphne arrived to live at the vicarage. (Pictured here in a box, like the gift she is.) #TinyJoys

A full and varied Saturday: queer theology with @charliebelllive.bsky.social and the Newcastle Diocese LGBT Chaplaincy this morning; harvest hymns and homemade apple pie in the parish this afternoon. Both excellent, in very different ways!

I wrote this piece a while ago, and then totally forgot it was being published over the summer, until somebody told me they'd read it! A pleasure to be part of the @feministtheology.bsky.social collaboration with Practical Theology Hub. practicaltheologyhub.com?p=2271

“Hearing to speech”: holy conversations in pastoral ministry and qualitative research - Practical Theology Hub

Pastoral ministry and qualitative research have more in common than I had expected. For me, as a priest-theologian, examining these resonances between these two facets of my experience and identity ha...

practicaltheologyhub.com

Two years today since I was licenced to these wonderful parishes. Being their parish priest is a daily delight. I am very thankful, and looking forward to many more years to come.

For those in the Church of England: To find out who's standing in this year's #Synod elections who is committed to equality in our Church (not just limited to equal marriage) do check out the Inclusive Synod candidates here and share with friends and colleagues togethercofe.org.uk/elections/

Walked into my study this afternoon and found that there was already a meeting in progress. These two were definitely plotting something!

Among the things I have learned at this evening's General Synod election hustings: I really do not have enough of a poker face for doing this on zoom! (I did also learn some useful things about the candidates and their views and priorities, which will inform my vote.)

Me, to elderly church member whose birthday is tomorrow: And if you don't mind me asking, how old will you be? Her: I don't mind at all, but I can't remember! Fortunately her lifelong friend sitting next to her could remember: 92 🥳🎉🎂

The ebook of Being Interrupted by Al Barrett, @ruthh.bsky.social is on sale here: scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/978033...

Being Interrupted Reimagining the Church’s Mission from the Outside, In by Al Barrett, Ruth Harley, Rachel Mann - Paperback / softback - 9780334058625

Buy Being Interrupted Reimagining the Church’s Mission from the Outside, In by Al Barrett, Ruth Harley, Rachel Mann Paperback / softback from SCM Press - ISBN: 9780334058625

scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk

SCM Press@scmpress.bsky.social · last mo.

Many of our ebook versions of textbooks and key texts are also on sale here, from Ethics to Preaching, Bonhoeffer to Biblical Hermeneutics: scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/features/aca...

Unconventional church growth metrics: buying a larger box of fudge than last year to bring back from my holiday for the congregation.

Hang on, why does my shoulder ache so much? Oh yes, that's right, I took a fearless and adventurous 2 year old nephew to soft play. (Worth it though, so much fun!)

Paddling in the sea as the sun goes down = #TinyJoys

Doing some of my favourite things with some of my favourite people = holiday perfection 👌 #TinyJoys

It's a long time since I called this corner of the country 'home', but this elicits a surprisingly strong visceral response. First protest I ever attended, age 14, was a counter-demo against a BNP march (or it might have been NF) on Dover seafront, so maybe that has something to do with it.

HOPE not hate@hopenothate.org.uk · last mo.

🚨 BREAKING: Patriot Platform, a new far right group launched by Tommy Robinson’s right hand man Daniel Thomas (AKA Danny Tommo) has blockaded the port and several roads in Dover. The masked men are from subgroups of PP, including Sussex, Essex, and South East Patriots Here’s all you need to know.

Do not be saying feminism is over or got overturned or women are worse off when it comes to rights than they used to be if you're talking about the bad old days before second wave feminism. Thread below:

Rebecca Solnit@rebeccasolnit.bsky.social · last mo.

That's very untrue. Steinem once told Terry Gross that she didn't marry until her sixties because "first I had to reinvent the institution of marriage." Women had no economic equality in the workplace, no equal access, no right against marital rape, sexual harassment...

3 days of busy fun with small niece and nephew (and their grown ups), and now starting 10 days of holiday with this gorgeous sea view 😍 #TinyJoys