The Words of Connection Blog
Connecting with Sacred Spaces and Sacred Places
The effects of lockdown are so very challenging, and yet challenge in itself can be rewarding. We find ourselves locked up in our own four walls, and yet within this confinement we may discover moments when we can be imaginative and adventurous, and explore our faith and the faith of others in new ways. The […]
Read more...Inner Peace in a Tumultuous World
This time lockdown seems very much noisier and more chaotic than before. There is traffic, more people outdoors, and the news has been overwhelming… an attempted coup in the US Capital, the pandemic escalating on a scale never imagined, not to mention the uncertainties created by Brexit. So now, maybe, is a good time to draw […]
Read more...Hope… in Tweets, Prayers and Poems
In times of darkness the human spirit fights back, sometimes assertively and sometimes gently and patiently. It’s invariably hope that drives the human spirit when we look into the deep gloom of the moment. Hope is a shining light that we all need right now; my own MP, Caroline Lucas of Brighton Pavilion, stressed the […]
Read more...Words of Reflection and Humour for New Year’s Eve
As we move towards the end of a thoroughly difficult year, it seemed time to include a humorous poem in our latest Words of Connection. But before this, we open with a universal blessing written for those that live in our City, and beyond. This is followed by a New Year’s prayer written by Dr Johnson. […]
Read more...Solstice and Christmas Blessings, Prayers and Poetry
This week’s Words of Connection makes no apologies for being less inclusive than usual. Whatever our faith views, it is impossible to overlook Christmas and the happiness and sadness that so many of us have experienced recently. Many of us were looking forward to being reunited with our nearest and dearest, and now we are […]
Read more...Words and Music Bring Light and Warmth to Winter
We have finally arrived at winter. It’s a moment to honour a season that includes a variety of important celebrations including Chanukkah, Christmas and the Solstice. The latest Words of Connection opens with a universal prayer for the season. This is followed by a diverse collection of quotations and proverbs all about winter from the four corners […]
Read more...Words for City Dwellers – Present and Past
Shakespeare said “What is the city but the people? Michelangelo said “I have never felt salvation in nature. I love cities above all.” Many of us feel we belong to City communities. This week’s Words of Connection is about Cities. 55 per cent of the world’s population occupies cities, and the pandemic has hit this […]
Read more...Discovering Patience, Peace and Portents
The pandemic is a harsh educator. Apart from cruel isolation and challenges to our finances, there are everyday lessons that challenge our patience. Standing in queues outside shops and post-offices is a real lesson in patience, something that many of us find very difficult. We seem to be learning so much about ourselves and others, […]
Read more...For the Love of Our City
Ours is a City with a strong sense of its own identity. It’s a City that wants to look after its own. Most of us live here by choice, and that is a great privilege. But maybe what makes Brighton and Hove so special is the diversity of its citizens. People come here from all […]
Read more...A Pilgrim Spirit in the Lockdown
A pilgrimage confirms one’s spiritual commitment, and is a path to self-discovery, whether the journey is physical and takes one to Mecca, Bethlehem of Char Dham, or whether it’s simply an inspired journey of the mind. Spiritual self-discovery is a bit of a challenge in lockdown, but the human spirit can thrive on challenge. […]
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