In a recent text message, a friend of mine who is a church organist and keen musician vented her frustration at the ongoing restrictions in place as regards church services; congregational worship being permitted but only if social distancing is in place and with no singing to be included because of the risk of transmitting… [Continue Reading]
Reflections from a Welsh Valley
Ah, my dear Lord, the church is locked, But let my heart be open to your presence
Ah, my dear Lord, the church is locked, but let my heart be open to your presence. I recently came across these words on the gate of a local church which, like most others at this time, is closed due to the Coronavirus outbreak. The words form the first two lines of a poem entitled… [Continue Reading]
‘I passed the hour of retirement in my garden and was melted into tears by the divine goodness.’ Charles Wesley, writing in his diary in 1749.
Several times on my pilgrimages I have come across gardens affiliated to the Quiet Garden Movement, notably at St John’s Church at Ulverston in Cumbria and also at the small parish church in Holcombe near Dawlish in Devon. Both these places were an absolute delight to discover, with their restful planting schemes and somewhere peaceful… [Continue Reading]