Meeting two guy friends for lunch. we greeted each other in the way most natural to us: we hugged. Connection is key. It stops things getting between us. You can make someone’s day with a simple touch, or, if it’s possible and appropriate, a warm hug.
Read MoreThis week my church waved off 21 teenagers to join thousands of others in a national Christian youth festival. As I waved my teenagers off, I was so grateful for all youth providers in our city investing their time and wisdom into the next generation.
Read More“What are you doing this weekend?” “Oh, I’m mountain-biking from Chatsworth to Sheffield.” You guessed it, we’ve hit the peak charity fund-raising season. What motivates a person to raise money, or volunteer previous time and energy, on behalf of others?
Read MoreI flicked through the pages of The Sheffield Star this week, and if I’m honest, my heart sank. But a newspaper that only printed good news stories wouldn’t be telling the whole truth.
Read MoreA bible Proverb implores God’s people to “speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” That’s easier said than done, isn’t it? Most of us are passionate about a fairer society, but we probably take very little action towards building one.
Read MoreDo you fancy a new neighbour? Or a road trip to Poland to collect an unlikely cargo? This week I chatted to a local friend from my church who is preparing to receive a Ukrainian refugee family to live with them, for however long or short it may be necessary.
Read MoreAnything else lasting? A cultural change means a new kind of behaviour becomes normal.
Read MoreI have a water bottle on my desk with the slogan ‘half full / half empty’. It helps me to keep perspective and choose to count my blessings, rather than get stuck in every day’s woes. The prophet Isaiah in the Bible paints a picture of the effect of God’s good news coming into apparently baren places and people.
Read MoreChocolate and Christmas. What a great combo. Last week my family thought about chocolate differently.
Read MoreAsk any Sheffielder over a certain age about Whitsunday, it was one of the highlights of the year. in 2021 one church threw a party like the old days, for the local neighbourhood whether they had a faith or not.
Read MoreAs the COVID19 pandemic unfolded there developed a loneliness epidemic. Zoom or Whatsapp provide incredible connection, but they are no substitute for human contact. I believe this pandemic has taught us again the lesson that we really need each other. As Christians, community is at the heart of our theology.
Read MoreThis week a friend of mine who is a practice nurse in a GP surgery told me a heart-warming story. The Covid19 vaccination offered hope that 2021 could be the start of a new chapter.
Read More“How are you?” is a classic British conversation starter. It is also often the question we don’t want to answer. We need to get hold of the truth that you and I don’t have to have it all together. It’s ok not to be ok. And its vital that we share those feelings with others who care.
Read MoreLast week at The Well we celebrated Harvest Festival, giving to our local foodbank. In the midst of hardship and uncertainty comes the call to count our blessings because there is always something to be thankful for.
Read More‘Keep calm and carry on’ is perhaps the mantra of 2020. But 6 months into COVID hitting the UK, it is really testing my patience! This week as the sun shone I felt more like banging my head against the wall and giving up, until I got a new perspective.
Read MoreIn times like these its natural to want to look out for ourselves, to become inward looking. Will we also be brave enough to lift our eyes and look to the needs of our city and our wider world?
Read MoreSmall acts of kindness are taking over our local communities, and that can only be a positive consequence of this challenging situation.
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