iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Simon Cross

Dr Paul Overend @pauloverend.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

March issue of Sofia magazine of @seaoffaithnetwork.bsky.social available online - Łukasz Liniewicz of @iarf.bsky.social Lived Religion with Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social Religion and Worldviews Education @davefrancis13.bsky.social Religious Literacy And more…. sofn.uk/sofia/159-fa...

sofn.uk

159 – Faith in this life | Sea of Faith Network

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Clare Bryden @clarebryden.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

My small offering, for Jyoti and the other peaceful protestors arrested under #Article13 of the #TACT2000, and for environmental campaigners willing to risk the same. Respect. This what it is coming to. #Poetry #Poem Numbers (522/532) and individuals taken from www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

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When I first met Magna Carta I wept—
for it was a weekend in Salisbury March 2014
and after annexing Crimea unmarked Russian soldiers
were stirring up the Donbas in eastern Ukraine
but in the UK there was peace and habeas corpus
and access to Justice or Right by the Law of the land
and it was in gratitude I wept.

This weekend I wept—
for Millicent Fawcett from her plinth in Parliament Square
had witnessed 522 peaceful protestors
carted off by the Met
for the crime of free speech by means of placards
in contravention of Article 13 of the Terrorism Act.

Unlucky for some.
Unlucky for the 50% over 60 or 70 or 80 years old
and the 50% years from claiming their pensions.
Unlucky for the roll call
of the principled Sir former government advisor
and the professor of poetry emerita
and the son of a Holocaust survivor.
Unlucky for the 2.1 starving millions disproportionately
penned in Gaza.

From her grave Hannah Arendt proclaims
the banality of evil is again on the rise.
The Met and soldiers and spies were only following orders.

© Clare Bryden, 10 August 2025

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Helen King @helenking.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

Speaking in this series at St Paul’s Cathedral this lunchtime. Up early to compensate for any travel delays! www.stpauls.co.uk/whats-on/flo...

stpauls.co.uk

Flourishing? Women’s bodies and the history of Christianity | St Paul's Cathedral

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

The story of Jesus' healing at Bethesda is not about an historical 'event', like John's other 'signs' this is part of the wider narrative. Here Asclepius, the god of healing, represents the power of the empire - while John's Jesus represents it's opposite. simonjcross.substack.com/p/progressiv...

simonjcross.substack.com

Progressive reflections on the lectionary #65

John 5: 1-9 The healing at Bethesda

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

No lectionary substack from me this week, but I did record this a few days ago. youtu.be/o04Gz_Fu9-k?...

youtu.be

Episode 156 with Simon Cross for Sunday 4th May

YouTube video by Joint Public Issues Team

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Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · 11/04/2025

We have been uplifted by the incredible reaction to the police raid on Westminster Meeting House. Many Friends have asked us what actions they could now take to push back against the erosion of protest rights in the UK. Here are 7 ideas 👇 www.quaker.org.uk/blog/7-actio...

quaker.org.uk

7 actions to take now to defend our right to protest

After the meeting for worship outside New Scotland Yard, Joe Cox suggests 7 things people can do next.

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

In Luke's story of Jesus' spectacular theatrical protest against Roman occupation there's a cryptic phrase: "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out." What if this one remark is intended to demonstrate that the Jesus way was one of non violence? open.substack.com/pub/simonjcr...

open.substack.com

Progressive reflections on the lectionary #61

Luke 19:28-40 Even Luke can't disguise the skulduggery and theatrics as Jesus pulls an audacious move; (and what 'the stones' really refers to).

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Looking forward to the first of three live #poetry events to celebrate #worldpoetryday - tonight the hilarious Paul Cookson is in Cottingham, East Yorkshire. Tickets available on the door, or book in advance if you want. www.eventbrite.com/e/1244785750...

eventbrite.com

Paul Cookson - poet, performer, average ukulele player

Come see Paul Cookson, the poet with a flair for performance and a knack for playing the ukulele (not too shabby, if we do say so ourselves)

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

All that money for a toilet, and yet still the loo roll is on the wrong way around. Evidently there are still some things that money can't buy.

A picture of a solid gold toilet which was stolen from Blenheim palace.

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

I have a 'go-to' take on the story of Jesus being 'tempted' in the wilderness, but it doesn't necessarily account for the bigger question of 'where does this story come from?' What if this Christian story isn't really a Christian story at all? open.substack.com/pub/simonjcr...

open.substack.com

Progressive reflections on the lectionary #56

Luke 4: 1-13 Lent begins with a retelling of the old temptation story

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Wilberforce Institute @wilberforcehull.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

What is it like to be a woman in Hull? Mark International Women’s Day by attending a panel discussion with Dame Diana Johson and guests. Chaired by Karen Okra, community activist and female and race equality champion. To book sophie.blanchard@hull.ac.uk #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction

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TheoDisc Podcast @theodisc.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

NEW EPISODE! Roger Mitchell talks about how Jesus’ message challenged the empire of his day, and how a 'politics of love' might inform Christian engagement with our present political systems. 🎧 Listen: theodisc.podbean.com/e/roger-mitc... or watch: youtu.be/e92ObQNZVlY #podcast #theology #Jesus

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Good to see that @shibbolethmag.bsky.social have joined the ranks of the tofu eating wokerati over here. I'm pleased to say that I have also got an article in issue 2, which means that I can safely claim to have played my part in their downfall. Peace and love my sweary friends.

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Doral Hayes @doralh.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Book for The Uncontrolling Love of God Conference this coming June. Join @thomasjayoord.bsky.social @simonjcross.bsky.social, Emma Pavey, myself and other speakers from across the churches. #relational #ecumenical Get tickets now. Bit.ly/ort25

bit.ly

The Uncontrolling Love Of God

This three day conference explores ideas offered by open and relational Christian theologies, including process theology.

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

"Do to others as you would have them do to you" emerges from this week's lectionary gospel reading not just as a cornerstone of Jesus' teaching, but as a core 'axial ethic' underlying 1000s of years of thinking, across continents & cultures, about living together. open.substack.com/pub/simonjcr...

open.substack.com

Progressive reflections on the lectionary #54

Luke 6: 27 - 38 The Axial Ethic

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Every week (ok, most weeks) I write a reflection on one of the lectionary texts for the week ahead. It's for people who, like me, talk about the Bible a lot, and anyone who wonders why on earth anyone still bothers with it at all. Here's the most recent one. simonjcross.substack.com/p/progressiv...

simonjcross.substack.com

Progressive reflections on the lectionary #53

Luke 6: 17-22 Blessings and woes

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Extraordinary to think that we* can look at the Thatcher years and mutter: "Aaaaahhhh, the good old days." Which makes me wonder if, in three or four decades time we'll be looking back at the skip fire we're in now and mutter: "Aaaaahhhh, the good old days." *Granted - not all of us.

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Excited to share this collaboration with @plsoc.bsky.social - the marvellous & mega talented poet and broadcaster Stewart Henderson will be exploring the legacy of #PhilipLarkin for World Poetry Day here in Hull. "There is an evening coming in..." #worldpoetryday www.eventbrite.com/e/a-celebrat...?

eventbrite.com

A celebration marking 70 years of Philip Larkin's 'The Less Deceived'

For World Poetry Day, poet, lyricist and broadcaster Stewart Henderson presents a celebratory assessment of Hull's most famous librarian.

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Reposted by Simon Cross

Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

In partnership with PLS, this Hull church is putting on a Larkin themed event on World Poetry Day, March 21. Details will follow! Great initiative which came from the church itself.

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

We're getting poetical over here in Hull. Words on the poster are courtesy of the city's most famous librarian and hint at an event that we're holding in March to celebrate Larkin's legacy - in association with the Philip Larkin Society - featuring the wonderful Stewart Henderson. Details to follow.

A Church noticeboard in front of a short hedge. On it a poster with black text which reads: "What will survive of us is love." Philip Larkin: "An Arundel Tomb" and a red heart.

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

The story of the miraculous catch is one of Luke's big hits - he had a knack for memorable stories. But what was it about? Why would Jesus, a builder from the hills, be hanging about by the lake anyway? And who lurks in the background in this well known tale? simonjcross.substack.com/p/progressiv...

simonjcross.substack.com

Progressive reflections on the lectionary #52

Luke 5:1-11 The miraculous catch (this is where the trouble really starts)

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Reposted by Simon Cross

Dr Robin Douglas @robincdouglas.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

A lost ancient text implying that Jesus was gay is discovered in the 1950s... but is it genuine?

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Today's "Side Ways" presented by Matthew Syed on BBC R4 is a great introduction to the idea of decay leading to creation, a key underpinning of #process thought. Syed talks about William Basinsky's 'Disintegration Loops' & the power of seeing everything as impermanent. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

bbc.co.uk

Sideways - 69. Memento Mori - BBC Sounds

Matthew Syed confronts the passage of time and the inexorability of decay.

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

I don't know much about the skulduggery of American politics, but isn't it possible that the #Bidenpardons of today (Fauci, Cheney et al) are just part of an agreement with the incoming regime which allows them to play to their base/save face on the pledge to prosecute without any real consequences?

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

I'm excited to tell you about a conference that @thomasjayoord.bsky.social and I are co-organising, it will be of interest to anyone in the UK who's interested in #processtheology or other open and relational theologies. Line-up and programme announcements coming soon. Get tickets now. Bit.ly/ort25

bit.ly

The Uncontrolling Love Of God

This three day conference explores ideas offered by open and relational Christian theologies, including process theology.

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Reposted by Simon Cross

Alastair McIntosh @alastairmci.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Respect for military who break the omertà when faced with evidence of colleagues in arms committing atrocities: "If we don't believe this, then no one else will and when the next WikiLeaks occurs then we will be dragged down with them." www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

SAS had golden pass to get away with murder, inquiry told

In a closed-door hearing, a former senior UK Special Forces officer tells a public inquiry he believes the SAS

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

Most weeks I write a short reflection on the lectionary gospel passage set for the coming Sunday - I've just had a Christmas break and am back this morning with this one which is about the baptism story in Luke 3... simonjcross.substack.com/p/progressiv...

simonjcross.substack.com

Progressive reflections on the lectionary #48

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Baptisms and big main character energy

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

My two favourite R4 progs collide: The Media Show AND When it Hits the Fan. My cup brimmeth and ove floweth.

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Greenbelt Festival @greenbeltfestival.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

Both our ticket price deadlines are tied to the *other* two big festivals of the year - Christmas and Easter. So you’ve got until Jan 6 to save money on tickets (you could say we've had an Epiphany). Use the interest-free monthly payment plan to spread the cost of your tickets.

Two girls enjoying a concert, excitedly looking at the camera with a sign about ticket prices increasing after Christmas.

Colorful weekend festival poster displaying prices and event details, inviting attendees to join the fun and festivities.

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Today is not a perfect day to hang out laundry to dry. However, if you only hang out laundry on perfect days you won't get much laundry dry.

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

So here's a starter pack, then, for folk interested in process/open and relational theology - not intended to be exhaustive... it's a work in process after all. go.bsky.app/LitdKPG

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Simon Cross @simonjcross.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

I'm interested in building up a starter pack of folk who work out of a #processtheology or #processphilosophy way of thinking - or indeed folk who consider their theology to be 'open and relational'. @thomasjayoord.bsky.social and @trippfuller.bsky.social would be in there ofc. Who else?

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