iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 19h

New delivery on my desk has me once again asking in shock 'where has the year gone?!?' #CofEPeeps

Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Hi everyone, I convene a Climate Book Group and the next one is planned for THIS THURSDAY 8th October at 7pm GMT online We are going to chat about The Wilder Path by Deborah Tomkins If you are planning to attend please email canon.missioner@manchestercathedral.org for the link

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Homily writing in the darkness of the Welsh hills, before the sun rises

A dark room, with a fireplace to the left and a window in the top centre

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

How it's started..... .....how it's going 30 years of motherhood ❤️

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

It's my son's 30th birthday today, and therefore the only sensible way to start the day is with cake

Large white mug of tea and a small chocolate cupcake

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Took this a few days ago One of our sunflowers at Manchester Cathedral being enjoyed by a bee

Close up of a sunflower. A bee can be seen in the top centre

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

My dear 'big' sister A force for nature A beautiful human being Fiercely intelligent, funny, compassionate Deeply faithful Two days ago I anointed her, blessed her and said goodbye Rest gently, Maya

Photo of me on the right wearing a gold cope. Maya is beside me on my left in a black jacket and orange scarf

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

This morning's service @mancathedral.bsky.social was beautiful. All credit to our precentor for putting together a truly spirit filled service It was the first time the Church has marked the new festival of Creation in Christ and we had many comments about how meaningful it had been Very thankful

The creation window at Manchester cathedral

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

The cathedral beehives -an endless source of fascination Our beekeeper told me there was one hive where the bees were always angry. She realised it was the hive she would tend to last, at her most tired, and the bees were reacting to her mood When she changed her routine, they were no longer angry

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I know these are very common, but loved the gorgeous bright white wood mushrooms making themselves known on our walk this morning

Several bright white mushrooms among leaves and soil

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I convene a very informal Climate Book Group for people interested in reading more eco-related books and talking about them Thurs 8th Oct at 7pm online -we are going to chat about Deborah Tomkins' The Wilder Path All welcome - email canon.missioner@manchestercathedral.org for the link #booksky

Cover of The Wilder Path by Deborah Tomkins

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Deep hiraeth today 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

A view from the mountain road between Llanidloes and Machynlleth. Taken today, cloudy skies green hills, road runs through the centre

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Love it when provocative eco feminist discourse presents itself in such a short and punchy book I certainly have questions about some of the arguments, but am nevertheless appreciative of the challenge presented Making Kin not Population, edited by Adele Clarke and Donna Haraway #booksky

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Yesterday I climbed the 170 steps up to the top of @mancathedral.bsky.social tower - great views of Manchester and our beehives!

Selfie at the top of the tower with Manchester city centre behind me

The lower roof of Manchester cathedral. Bee hives can be seen to the right of the photograph

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

How good it was to preach about the Blessed Prophetic, Courageous, Faithful Mary this morning

Image of Mary with words of the magnificat around (cast down the mighty , send the rich away)her by Ben Wildflower

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

The loveliest thing about watching the eclipse in the park this evening was sharing it with so many others - the whole park was full of people having picnics and watching the skies in awe People were sharing eclipse glasses with strangers and it very much felt like a communal moment Good times

Photo of our picnic rug on the grass in the park

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

In the midst of a busy day yesterday, I co-led a wedding A thing of pure joy, especially when my colleague happens to be the groom's mum #CofEPeeps #Weddings #LoveDoingWeddings

Selfie of me with Jean, Grooms mum, in our red copes

Front of the nave, below the organ, decorated with flowers and candles

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Honestly, this book is such a healing read right now #BookSky #HumanKind

Front cover of Human Kind A Hopeful History by Ruter Bregman

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

We think we have made history today- the first time the main Sunday service at Manchester Cathedral has been led by three women

Selfie of me in green chasuble with a female colleague at either side in robes

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Just finished this book. Loved it! And it's one of those rare occasions where the film is as brilliant as the book - obviously some changes made, but nevertheless an excellent interpretation of the story #ProjectHailMary #Booksky

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

It's been a bit of a week already, but each evening I have come home to a little gift from my daughters #SmallThings #TinyJoys #Grateful

Two bars of chocolate - a Galaxy and a Tony's chocolony

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Home now after an incredible three weeks of travel through Northern Europe. Visited 12 cities, saw so many beautiful sights, travelled by train, coach and ferry and came home with a backpack full of memories Slow, flight free travel has so many benefits #Interrail #FlightFree #Trains #SlowTravel

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

How it started....how it's going Twenty five years ago today we got hitched!

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

When I meticulously planned the tour of Northern Europe that my husband and I are now 2/3 through, I managed to omit 'get up in the early hours of your silver wedding anniversary to watch England in the World Cup' But here we are, folks. 4am in Berlin on our 25th wedding anniversary #WorldCup #ENG

Selfie of me looking tired with window behind me showing Berlin skyline

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Yesterday, we met up with some clergy friends in Tampere, Finland- a @manchester.anglican.org link diocese The Dean of Tampere Cathedral arranged a tour and both he and Terhi, a training leadsl in the diocese, showed us around the city Brilliant to have such connections across the continent

In Tampere cathedral with Tina, our guide

Stained glass window in Tampere cathedral - circular with cross in centre

Blue and red stained glass window casting beautiful light into the cathedral

A selfie of the four of us in the forest near Tampere centre

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Gorgeous service at the Church of St Peter and St Sigfrid in Stockholm today. Lovely congregation and chaplain, and good fika! @dioceseineurope.bsky.social Said a prayer for all being ordained @mancathedral.bsky.social this weekend

Interior, with stained glass widows behind the altar and a crucifix hanging from the ceiling

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Since Weds I have been leading the Derby Diocese ordination retreat. Such an amazing group and Launde Abbey has been fabulous Tomorrow we travel to Derby Cathedral for the first of two ordination services. Please do pray for them, and all who are being ordained soon

Firepit where we had compline each night

The grounds of Launde Abbey in the morning sun. Blue skies, large green lawn and trees

A statue called the welcoming Christ. Jesus is depicted with his arms wide open

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Quite moved to be preaching at this shortly- hard to believe it's 30years As with every Manc, I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news A way marker in the history of Manchester

Order of service for a special Choral Evensong to mark the 30th Anniversary of the 1996 Manchester Bomb

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

For a time I rest in the grace of the world and am free (from Wendell Berry's The Peace of Wild Things)

Wild overgrown field with trees in the background

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Wow, what a treat last night was, going to see Even These Things. A brilliant play that begins and ends on Angel Meadow and, through poignant storytelling, recalls the events of 15th June 1996. Big recommend

Graphic for even these things. Two women sitting in front of the Arndale centre

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Another section of the GM Ringway done today with the cathedral walkers. Saw deer, crossed bridges, had great conversations @gojauntly.bsky.social @mancathedral.bsky.social

Two of the group waking over Warburton bridge

A group standing outside St Werburghs - a 13th century church

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

It's out now! The Canterbury Preacher's Companion 2027. It's quite a thing to be among such stellar company in the list of contributors! #Booksky #Preaching #Sermon #Theology

I am holding a red book with the title the Canterbury Preacher's companion 2027. On the front cover are a list of contributors, including me!

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Manchester+ Sunshine + Whit Walks + Brass Bands + Kate Bottley= perfect Bank Holiday Monday

Kate Bottley preaching at the service in St Peter's Square

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

The final of Race Across The World is one of the few things I watch as it is broadcast, rather than on catch up It's such great television in so many ways. The relationships, the travel, the competition Time to lock in! #RaceAcrossTheWorld

TV screen with race across the world title on it

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Working in churches means I have a lot of jumpers However today is the first time I have been called a 'knitwear aficionado'!

Selfie of me in a multicoloured striped jumper

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Love this picture, left in our prayer corner A smiling, welcoming God, arms wide open, drawing us in

Children's drawing on a prayer leaf. A person is smoking in a purple robe with arms wide open. Above is written 'god'

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Covering a different church in the diocese today. Fascinating building and very impressed that their organist, who plays superbly is in Year 6 (last year of primary school)

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

A great day The lovely people of Clitheroe URC, a Gold Eco Church, hosted a group from @manchester.anglican.org to tell their story and offer advice and support The energy was palpable, as people reflected on how to work together in the missional calling to cherish creation #Climate #Creation

A screen showing images of creation care action , in a church, with a speaker at a lectern to the left

A crowd of people looking around inside the church

A crowd of people outside the church, being shown the eco work being done

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

'If there is anywhere on earth a lover of God who is always kept safe, I know nothing of it, for it was not shown to me. But this was shown: that in falling and rising again we are always kept in that same precious love.' Julian of Norwich

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Took youngest to vote for the first time today

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Nothing like practising what you preach Evening talking to participants on the Foundations for Ministry course about self care Followed by a gorgeous cycle home at sunset

Paper saying self care, what's it all about. In front of a screen

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Penultimate session @lutherkingtheology.bsky.social for this year, looking at global and decolonising perspectives Grateful for the opportunity a few yrs ago to contribute a chapter on Eve in Hannah Malcolm's 'Words for a Dying World' which I will be drawing from today #EcologicalGrief #Climate

Book entitled words for a Dying world in front of a screen with the title Sustaining the world

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

On my last walk I met an Emu, today I saw Thomas! Did half of GM Ringway Stage 13, meeting up with the family (who sensibly stayed in bed this BH Monday) for a pub lunch Grateful for the @gojauntly.bsky.social app which gives me the confidence to do solo hikes, as it details the routes with photos

A sculpture of three people sitting together looking at a book

Strava map of my walk from Bury to a pub in Ramsbottom

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