Category: Kindness

Surprising outcasts – Joseph and the Canaanite woman

IN 2021, a Black woman became the President of the Methodist Church In Britain for the first time. In her presidential address at Conference, Revd Sonia Hicks told the story of her Aunt Lize, a life-long Methodist who came from Jamaica to the UK. On her first Sunday in this country, Lize attended the local Methodist church but, although she brought her membership ticket, the minister turned her away.

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2023/08/20/surprising-outcasts-joseph-and-the-canaanite-woman/

A prayer of shelter and shadow – A #CandleOfHope on #NationalDayOfPrayer for #CoronaVirus crisis

Tens of thousands of Christians lit candles in their homes and prayed on Sunday 22nd March in response to a call to prayer initiated by the Presidents of Churches Together in England (CTE). So many participants shared photos of their candles on social media that CTE reports the hashtag #candleofhope became Twitter’s second most trending hashtag in the UK …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2020/03/24/a-prayer-of-shelter-and-shadow-a-candleofhope-on-nationaldayofprayer-for-coronavirus-crisis/

Would you sit next to #HomelessJesus?

AT the close of a conference on homelessness earlier this month, I had the privilege of supporting three members of the YMCA community to reveal a moving tribute to those who sleep rough in our city.

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2019/04/18/would-you-sit-next-to-homelessjesus/

Every day can be #TimeToTalk Day

ON THE FIRST Thursday in February each year, the UK charity Time to Change helps to challenge the stigma around mental distress and promote mental well-being by encouraging everyone to take ‘Time To Talk’ about mental health.

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2019/02/07/every-day-can-be-timetotalk-day/

Seize the day – in memory of Stephen

JUST HEARD that Stephen – my friend and neighbour for almost 12 years – has died suddenly. I was too busy to visit him in hospital the last time he was there – in fact I didn’t even know he’d gone in again this month. He made this great montage of photos for Warren and I a couple of …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2018/12/26/seize-the-day-in-memory-of-stephen/

Welcome into the story! A reflection for the YMCA Christmas carol service

LAST WEEK the YMCAs in the Liverpool City Region gathered for a carol service in the city’s Parish Church, opposite the world famous Liver Building. As the chaplain for YMCA Liverpool, and just starting as chaplain for the YMCA in the neighbouring town of St Helens, I gave a reflection on the Christmas story and …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2018/12/11/welcome-into-the-story-a-reflection-for-the-ymca-christmas-carol-service/

Kindness Calendar – Do Good December

‘Together we can change the world, just one act of kindness at a time’ – Ron Hall Let’s spread more kindness this festive season! This Do Good December kindness calendar from Action For Happiness has daily suggested actions to do throughout December 2018 to help you spread a bit more kindness in the world. The festive season should …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2018/12/01/kindness-calendar-do-good-december/

‘Today you will be with me in paradise’ – Saying farewell to Uncle Simon

ONE MORNING earlier this month, my sister called to say our uncle in Ireland was unwell, and that the hospital which had become his home had advised Mum to come and see him while there was still time. Mum and my sister were booking a flight to Dublin that afternoon, and Mum asked if I …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2018/03/30/today-you-will-be-with-me-in-paradise-saying-farewell-to-uncle-simon/

The Examen: Practicing an attitude of gratitude

As part of St Bride’s Liverpool‘s Lent reflection series on ‘Holy Habits’, I shared my experience of the Examen, an invitation to daily thankfulness: In St Paul’s letter to the Colossians (3: 12-17), he tells the church in Colossae to ‘Always be thankful’ in everything they say or do, giving thanks to God in the name …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2018/03/01/the-examen-practicing-an-attitude-of-gratitude/

Who gives a toss? You can! A Lent reflection

This was what I put on a poster to invite residents of YMCA Liverpool (where I am part-time chaplain) to come and make pancakes last week. The aim was to bring people together for a simple food making activity to mark the beginning of Lent, the time of preparation for the Christian festival of Easter …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2018/02/22/who-gives-a-toss-you-can-a-lent-reflection/

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