Jul 05
St Martin of Tours is remembered for sharing his cloak with a beggar, but his story has much more to teach us about vocation, ministry and recognising Christ in our neighbour. Reflecting on his life again while preparing to preach, I found fresh encouragement for the call to follow Christ in everyday life.
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2026/07/05/where-vocation-begins-st-martin-and-the-origin-of-a-calling-chapels-and-chaplaincy/
Mar 02
What does it mean to practice Christian unity today? Drawing on my own journey across Christian traditions and the story of the Open Table Network, I explore unity, grace, and the courage to stay at the table – especially when we don’t agree on everything.
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2026/03/02/grace-before-agreement-what-living-ecumenically-has-taught-me/
Nov 01
Every church has them – the quiet heroes. The ones who turn up early, serve faithfully, and never seek attention. In a world that prizes recognition, Paul’s letter to Timothy and Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector remind us of something different: that God values faithfulness and humility, even – and especially – when no one’s watching.
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2025/11/01/faithful-and-humble-living-the-gospel-when-no-ones-watching/
Aug 31
TEN YEARS AGO today (as I turned 42) I began this blog. I wrote a brief retrospective after five years. Here’s an update on the next five: having ‘come out of the Catholic church‘ in 2011, then authorised as a lay leader in Church of England, I have now become a Methodist thanks to its commitment …
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2022/08/31/an-introspective-retrospective-10-years-of-blogging/
Sep 11
Father Mychal Judge was a little-known Franciscan friar ministering humbly to the disenfranchised and unloved on the streets of New York City… until September 11, 2001, when he suddenly became a global figure. As chaplain to the city’s Fire Department, he rushed to help first responders at the World Trade Center but was killed by …
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2020/09/11/keep-me-out-of-your-way-fr-mychal-judge-chaplain-casualty-of-9-11/
Jan 09
While I don’t usually take part in social media trends, this one seemed worthwhile, as this past ten years has been particularly significant for me.
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2020/01/09/enjoy-your-achievements-as-well-as-your-plans-what-i-learned-from-the-10yearchallenge/
Dec 13
TODAY 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 YMCA St Helens, I gave a reflection on the Christmas story and what it means for the people the YMCA supports
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2019/12/13/will-you-welcome-homelessjesus-this-christmas/
Nov 11
As the chaplain at YMCA Liverpool and YMCA St Helens, I am often asked this question by residents.
Rather than get into complicated church jargon with people whose experience of church may be limited or negative, I have found it helpful to share a story that is often told to illustrate the origin of the word ‘chaplain’ and an example of chaplaincy in action.
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2019/11/11/so-what-is-a-chaplain-then-inspiration-from-st-martin/
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