This is part of a series that I very much hope to publish. Any advice would be welcomed. Supper The days after the entry and what might have seemed like the desecration of the Temple were fraught with tension, questions and counter-questions ranging from questions about taxes to what would happen at the end of time. I was glad when a sort of cousin offered me some work towards the end of the week.

A letter. Who does not love receiving one? I had never met him. I discovered Jesus through someone that he had left behind. I had been completely bowled over by the discovery of Jesus the Christ. My life had changed more than I ever imagined. I had heard stories of Paul and longed to meet him. Who would not want to?

You never stayed in one place when you followed Jesus. This time it was two days walk from the Galilee to Caesarea Phillipi. There were the ones he called, and others of us who walked with him. Those of us on the fringe, as it were, changed over time. It is with a smile now that I recall we became called followers of the Way.

He was and is the fulfilment of a dreams, hopes, and longings, yet my rabbi had an uncanny knack of seeming to make things harder. We lived with lots of ritual to protect us from breaking the law. Many had forgotten by the idea of publicly enacted ritual was part of the civil disobedience promoted by the Maccabees. It frustrated our enemies.

For seven long days, he had sat alone even when there had been others around him. For hour after long hour, he could not meet their gaze, he was a stranger in the group. They had so many memories to share; they had partied, laughed, worked, questioned, and followed together. Their journey had come to an end together as the clouds had turned black on that Friday afternoon.

A monologue to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Telford Suspension Bridge in Conwy Just like the ancient church which the town has grown up around, so my two neighbours have grown up around me. They can scarcely believe that I was once the thing. I made everything faster ensuring the mail coaches flowed more freely between Holyhead and the rest of the world.

In most families I would have been the miracle baby. But then he came along. It did not matter that for our families and friends my birth was celebrated more than his. That was not strange. The gift of a son to a tired couple who had given up hope made more people smile than of rumours of a different sort of conception and birth.

I just thought I would share this: I hope you like it.

Wes Streeting MP, recently resigned from the UK Cabinet and possible candidate for the leadership of the Labour Party, should there be a vacancy, lamented that nationalism is on the rise and indeed that the devolved administrations all now were controlled by nationalists. This was an existential threat to the the fabric of the United Kingdom. Let me be clear, nationalism can, for me, be a form of idolatry.

It is good to meet here and hold a Welsh service. Conwy is not now known for its use of the Welsh language, although around 20% of the local area are Welsh speakers. Our church schools take Welsh seriously, one is Welsh-medium and the other working towards that. This holy place is the burial place of Welsh princes, even though it is surrounded by a castle built by an English king.

So Wales has spoken. Decisively. But not with agreement. PR would always in all likelihood mean no overall majority. Coalition agreements are quite common place in other countries and do not lead to instability. It would seem clear that Rhun ap Iorwerth will be First Minister, and Plaid Cymru lead the government. Reform do not have the numbers, even if Welsh Conservatives joined them.

I imagine that at some on Friday 8th May we will learn what the composition of the new Senedd will be. I imagine that it will be different to what has gone before. It will tell a story of a variegated Wales. It is a story with many different threads. Sometimes it is dominated by its neighbour. Sometimes it is lost in nostalgia, and at others celebrated in language and cultural distinctiveness.

Clopas and his companion were on their way out of Jerusalem. They were going away from where the action had been, and yet there is no need to condemn them. I find that the See, Judge, Act cycle helpful in interpreting this passage. What I will actually say... will be published after it has been preached.

Mary I am not that Mary or indeed Mary of Magdala. I am married to Clopas. He is the brother of Joseph the carpenter. He was a brave and honourable man. Joseph too. But I am talking about Clopas who stood by his brother when most of the family wanted nothing more to do with him. It seemed right that we decided to stand by his son, and Mary of course, when even Joseph’s other sons wanted nothing to with their brother.

I am not inclusive. I am a Christian. I believe welcome and hospitality are at the heart of what I believe and do. I do not believe inclusivity, without challenge, is at the heart of what I believe and do You can embrace and welcome people you disagree with. When I was in Birmingham as a vicar, Hasan was a Muslim.

This is the abstract for a paper that I will present at the International Autoethnography Conference in July. Better get cracking. We are connected to society, neighbourhood, family, friends, work colleagues, political, social, and sporting associations. The birth of the internet and social media means that we can be connected all of the time. However, do I lose myself in the layers of connectivity?

Everything to do with my brother shocked me to the core. This most of all. Indeed, it is almost unbelievable. Of course, we knew some of the stories and scandals that surrounded his birth, but our parents kept lots of details from us, and to be fair so did he. He was not a dreamer who lorded it over his brothers.

I had longed for some time to take Alex and Rufus, my boys, to Jerusalem for the Passover. The holy city was something that Sophia and I told them about since they were small. In our homeland, we were in a minority as Jews surrounded by people who worshipped many different gods, and it was a melting pot of different cultures.

Peter closed his eyes. But each time he did so he was back there, warming himself by the fire. ‘Surely you were with him’ they had said. He knew his pronounced northern accent gave him away. ‘I have no idea what you are talking out. I don’t *** know the man’. The words were sharp on his tongue, causing him to wince, and open his eyes.

I am an Evangelist. Obviously this is the case for my faith, but also for the Welsh language This article in the Guardian celebrates the fact that adult learning of the Welsh language is enjoying something of a renaissance. Learning Welsh and being in Wales has changed me. This is explored in this interview

This song/chorus was sung at my dad's funeral in 1995 I preached. I ws not a vicar then, I was near the end of my first PhD examining a variety of things. George Ellis was a good man, who I miss even to this day. One story about him. It was in 1992. I went home (Sheffield) with a broken heart.

I have written some stories for Holy Week. I love a little creativity. Stories about Pilate, Mark, Barabbas, Miriam and others. I would like to get them published one day. So, if BRF you are scrolling... get in touch.

I sat on my bed. Looking down at my grave clothes smiling. I had been unwell. I am not sure any of us knew how unwell I was. I remember sending for Jesus. We had been friends for what seemed like forever. I passed in and out of consciousness over those last days. I was worried about my sisters. What would become of them?

This is a 1620 edition of Bishop Richard Parry's Welsh translation of the Bible from the original languages. There are two beautiful things about this photo, well three. In the top right hand corner, you can see the stained glass window of the church the bible is in. The Bible is always read in community. In bottom left, you can see my shadow. The Bible is always read by individuals. Just a little thought on this beautiful day.

Why on earth are you a pirate? It is a good question to ask a vicar. I moved to Conwy in February 2025, and a friend of mine from the Fellowship for Parish Evangelism told me of Conwy's Pirate Festival ( I went and took a look. I enjoyed it. I even got the chance to fire a musket.

Hannah Reading: 1 Samuel 1 How long O lord will you abandon me for ever? When will you visit me with your grace. Day after day these words and other like them fell from my lips. God had chosen not to bless me. The fact that my husband Elkanah is good, gracious, and loving to me did not take away my sense of shame.

This song/chorus was sung at my dad's funeral in 1995 I preached. I ws not a vicar then, I was near the end of my first PhD examining a variety of things. George Ellis was a good man, who I miss even to this day. One story about him. It was in 1992. I went home (Sheffield) with a broken heart.

For someone who when he spoke and acted was the most charismatic man I have ever met, he blended in by the well. I did not notice him when I arrived. I was tired of course being there in the heat of the day, exhausted by being judged by people who did not know my story, and the intense weariness of not being able to change the narrative that people have read about me.

Children across Wales are celebrating World Book Day. As a Christian minister, I wonder what is your favourite book in the Bible. My shortlist is Ecclesiastes John Acts Revelation I am going to say that my favourite book is the Acts of the Apostles.

The title of my autobiography would be: It has all been a glorious accident. This would include My time with the London City Mission (two weeks became two years) Going to university and then doing a PhD Leaving evangelism for the academe Leaving the academe for ministry Moving to Wales or perhaps the title should be: I should have believed a little more...

Welsh apparently is still in a vulnerable position. The reality is of course it has persevered and survived when surrounded by the language of Empire (English). The story of its survival is one that should be celebrated. Enabling every child of primary school age to be educated in Welsh, as has happened in Catalonia, would be a good place to begin.

Daily writing prompt What are three objects you couldn't live without? View all responses I have been asked the question, what three things could I not live without. My answer would be coffee, my dogs, and my bible I wonder what your answer would be?

If I ever write an autobiography it will be called a bumbling presence I believe much of my life is taken up my bumbling. I live and minister in Conwy. I am here by happenstance. Certainly I ended up in Wales by bumbling through study at St Deiniol's Library in Hawarden. I have never been one for a grand plan. I never intended to stay in London for two and a half years when I went for three weeks.

The clutch appears to have gone of my dog mobile. I was delighted that some friends offered to tow me to the garage, navigating the church yard gates and the town walls on the way. I would prefer to drive than be towed. The problem it seems was that I like to be in control. I was steering of course, but nothing else.

Caspar is my name. it is not often that our cave is shared with humans. i am a golden jackal and live in the desert planes. It is not the most hospitable place. I survive my eating berries and carrion, and there is a little brook in the ravine, which only rarely runs out. I am watchful and wary and immediately hid in the shadows when he arrived.

(Matthew 17:1–13, Acts 12:1-2) As I sit here in this dark and dank place, awaiting the dawn, I would not have had it any other way. He called me by the sea, my brother and I, and Andrew and Simon. We went with him at once leaving our father to continue running the business. I was often asked to go with him, and my John and Simon, sometimes known as Peter.

Romans will probably be my last letter. I hope to get to Rome, but I probably will not. I feel my age. My body has been through so much, as you know, beatings, stoning, fights, and imprisonment. This is not to mention that I have pushed myself to excess at times. well, I had no choice. I was the least among the apostles and wanted to prove myself worthy of him.

It was 60 years since I came here, when my dear Caleb died before his time. many might say that so long in prayer was a not quite I life. i would beg to differ. Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me praise his name. i had learnt to worship God as I live Israel's song book.

The dawning light crept through the window, and my old eyes adjusted to the shades. The truth to be told my eyes saw light darker now, and I ached as pulled off the sheet and sat still on my bed. Blessed are you, O Lord, King of the universe The ancient words tumbled from my lips had sunk deep within my heart, as my face felt the cold water once again, as I washed and prepared to break my fast before going to the Temple, the centre of our world once, more.

Luc | Luke 2. 33-35 Yr oedd ei dad a'i fam yn rhyfeddu at y pethau oedd yn cael eu dweud amdano. Yna bendithiodd Simeon hwy, a dywedodd wrth Fair ei fam, "Wele, gosodwyd hwn er cwymp a chyfodiad llawer yn Israel, ac i fod yn arwydd a wrthwynebir; a thithau, trywenir dy enaid di gan gleddyf; felly y datguddir meddyliau calonnau lawer."

Why on earth are you a pirate? It is a good question to ask a vicar. I moved to Conwy in February 2025, and a friend of mine from the Fellowship for Parish Evangelism told me of Conwy's Pirate Festival ( I went and took a look. I enjoyed it. I even got the chance to fire a musket.

I was enveloped by the darkness as I fell to the ground. The light of the one who stood before me penetrated the scales in front of my eyes. Nevertheless, I could hear and recognise the voice who said, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ I asked who the voice belonged to. But I knew. We had never met but the rich timbrel of his voice matched the love and devotion that I had seen in the lives of his followers and I had made it my life’s mission to extinguish.

( a draft sermon for the Conversion of Paul): 25 January 2026 I am a fan of the Apostle Paul – and his writings. They are sometimes provocative, often robust, but always rooted in his pastoral commitment that the church should reflect Jesus Christ. But often we are uncomfortable with him He is forensic in pointing things out that should not be…