Poor growing conditions for the vicarage plum tree this year means the annual batch of jam is putting the 'tiny' into #TinyJoys

Turns out this actually *was* helpful! Being unable to continue close reading of interview transcripts (and unable to move due to the other cat) forced me to step back and re-examine the bigger picture, which has led to something of a breakthrough. I guess I owe the cats an apology. And Dreamies.

Ruth Harley@ruthh.bsky.social · 2d ago

The cat is, once again, helping with the PhD. Sooo helpful. #PhDlife

In my element this afternoon: crawling across the floor playing giant dominoes with two toddlers, while simultaneously giving a potted history of women's ordination to their grandma, who was very excited to meet a female priest for the first time. #TinyJoys

The cat is, once again, helping with the PhD. Sooo helpful. #PhDlife

#CofEpeeps, I have sustained a liturgical injury! Genuflected and felt a sharp pain in my knee. Checked after the service and found a small but painful and bleeding puncture wound. How??? Turns out the stole I was wearing has hook-and-eye diaconal fastenings and I had knelt right on the hook. Ouch!

"Receive what you are: the body of Christ." I love these words for the distribution of communion, and will be using them tomorrow. And trying very hard to avoid repeating the previous incident in which I somehow managed to come out with: "You are what you eat: the body of Christ."

Finally got properly, deeply engrossed in my research... Just at the moment when what I actually need to be doing is writing tomorrow's sermon. (Priest-theologian problems.)

Day off trip to Durham Fringe: venue down an alley, strong smell of damp, audience barely into double figures, and a very bizarre but strangely moving performance which I'm still thinking about hours later. All the hallmarks of a classic 'fringe' experience! (And closer and cheaper than Edinburgh.)

Have fun learning lino print with me Wednesday 5th August 10.30am - 1.30pm Leicester Cathedral Create your own art to take home All materials and refreshments provided All welcome, no experience required Book at leicestercathedral.org/exhibition-s...

Unexpected ministry moment of the day: sack-racing down the aisle 🤣 Pop-Up Living Room in church was a huge success today, people of all ages hanging out together over board games, crafts, tea and snacks. "Very chill vibe," according to one of the teenagers 😎 Lots of #TinyJoys all round.

At this morning's Newcastle Christians at Pride Service we were invited to reflect on what Pride means to us. My answer has changed over the years, as I have changed and the world has changed. This is part of it now:

First drop-in craft session of the summer holidays, and I can only hope we haven't peaked too soon with this magnificent masterpiece, created collaboratively by people aged 7 months to 83! #TinyJoys

Digging out the playdough recipe given to me years ago by a favourite toddler group volunteer, scribbled on a dog-eared corner of card. So many memories come with it. Looking forward to making some new ones with this fresh batch. #TinyJoys

Me: I will have a bath. That will be relaxing. Cats:

Looking forward to a fun summer! 😍 My little churches don't have the resource for big programmes or events, but we are finding our niche in offering laid-back spaces for local people to get together and connect.

Parish craft group enthusiastically telling me what the plan is for our summer kids' craft activities (all I did was write it down). Pastoral visits. Coffee and catchup in the sunshine with my colleague in the neighbouring parish. All in all, a solidly excellent parish morning. #TinyJoys

Enjoyed my now-traditional quiet and solitary post #Synod lunch before heading home. I love being part of the #GeneralSynod Pastoral Chaplaincy team. It is an honour and a privilege (and sometimes even a joy) to support members and staff. But also it is a lot of people-ing for an introvert!

This morning at church we had cake to celebrate two of our congregation becoming British citizens this week. It's been a long and gruelling process, and many folks at church have helped with filling forms, scanning documents, giving lifts to appointments, etc. Great rejoicing all round! 🎉🎉🎉

New signage at church! Produced (on their own initiative) by our brand new serving team 🥰 #TinyJoys

Essential #Synod chaplaincy supplies:

Preparing to head to #Synod tomorrow as part of the Pastoral Support Team. Prayed tonight at mass for all members of Synod, and for our Newcastle Diocese reps by name.

Clergy conference was an absolute joy. Hanging out with lovely colleagues, plenty of space for conversation and reflection, and I got to meet and talk with one of my all-time theological heroes! Newcastle is a wonderful diocese - and we have vacancies. Clergy friends, come and join the adventure?

Helen-Ann Hartley@helenannhartley.bsky.social · 4w ago

We’ve had a fantastic clergy conference in Hexham over the last two days. A joy and privilege to be joined by the Revd Dr Kelly Brown Douglas who led our sessions and shared with us 🫶🏽🙏

Starting the day with #TinyJoys: kind gas engineers willingly reworking their plans to ensure that access is not blocked for the hearse for the big funeral in church later this week. And offering unprompted to pause their pneumatic drilling for the duration of the service.

"Whatever burdens us, the invitation of Jesus remains the same: come to me and rest." My Reader preaching this morning, and bringing the word this parish needs at the moment. And maybe it's not just us...

Latest in our semi-regular parish Songs Of Praise series. Possibly the best thing I've introduced here: easy point of entry for newcomers, opportunity for regulars to practice talking about their faith in a relaxed setting, almost no effort required from me. And it's great fun! Win-win. #TinyJoys

Look, when I said that this evening I would be "getting my brassicas out", obviously I meant that I would be transferring the last of the cauliflower and sprout seedlings to the vegetable patch. 🤣

Kenneth Williams & Hattie Jacques: Ooh Matron!

Alt: Kenneth Williams & Hattie Jacques: Ooh Matron!

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I really am very much looking forward to Clergy Conference. Kelly Brown Douglas is speaking!!! And I genuinely enjoy the company of (most of) my colleagues. Newcastle Diocese is a wonderful place to minister. And - clergy friends - we have vacancies...

Daria Kinzer: Celebrate Eurovision 2011

Alt: Daria Kinzer: Celebrate Eurovision 2011 GIF "Join us, you'll have a good time."

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Ruth Harley@ruthh.bsky.social · last mo.

Explaining to the Tuesay morning congregation that I won't be here for the next two Tuesdays. Me: Next Tuesday I'm at Clergy Conference. Them: Are you looking forward to that? Me: Yes! And then the following Tuesday I'll be at General Synod. Them: And are you looking forward to that too? Me: Um...

Explaining to the Tuesay morning congregation that I won't be here for the next two Tuesdays. Me: Next Tuesday I'm at Clergy Conference. Them: Are you looking forward to that? Me: Yes! And then the following Tuesday I'll be at General Synod. Them: And are you looking forward to that too? Me: Um...

A new entry into my ongoing collection of overheard mixed metaphors: "they're just rearranging the deck chairs while Rome burns." Other personal favourites include "that's a whole different kettle of ball games" and "it's better than a poke in the eye with a wet fish". 🤣🤣🤣

Do you teach or offer pastoral support in a Church of England school? Would you like a retreat to rest, reflect and be renewed? If so, we offer bursaries of up to £150 for you to do just this... find out more on promotingretreats.org/bursary