Category: relationships

To be rather than to seem: The moral compass I want to carry

A colourful coat of arms on a white background. A gold-edged shield is divided into two scenes: on the left, a communion table with a cloth, small goblet, bread and grapes stands above a six-colour Pride rainbow path, on which purple and dark-green figures hold hands; on the right, a white dove carries an olive branch above a sunset landscape, while hands hold a bright flame. Above the shield is a flaming red Sacred Heart with a cross and golden rays, and below is a scroll bearing the words “ESSE QUAM VIDERI“

What would my moral compass look like? An unusual Christian Ethics assignment led me from family history and an old Latin motto to a coat of arms representing four themes that shape my writing, ministry and faith: authenticity, inclusion, peace and kindness.

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2026/08/11/to-be-rather-than-to-seem-the-moral-compass-i-want-to-carry/

Grace before agreement: What living ecumenically has taught me

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.

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2026/03/02/grace-before-agreement-what-living-ecumenically-has-taught-me/

‘All Are Welcome!’: How a surprising witness is inspiring a national church

Members of the Wesley Church Centre and Open Table Chester marching in the Chester Pride parade past the front of the church where more community members are standing on the ramp to show support for everyone in the parade. PHOTO: Tim Macquiban.

FEBRUARY is LGBT+ History Month, an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and non-binary history. This year the Methodist Church in Britain asked me to connect them with a minister who could tell the story of a church that had walked the sometimes difficult journey to becoming truly inclusive and hosting an Open Table community.

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2026/02/22/all-are-welcome-how-a-surprising-witness-is-inspiring-a-national-church/

Listening to the music of the soul: The grandest and rawest outcry

‘LISTENING to the Music of the Soul’ by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters inspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to ‘have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs… to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you’. Here’s my eighth and final musical moment.

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2025/12/24/listening-to-the-music-of-the-soul-the-grandest-and-rawest-outcry/

Listening to the music of the soul: I wanna see you be brave

‘LISTENING to the Music of the Soul’ by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters inspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to ‘have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs… to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you’. Here’s my seventh.

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2025/12/23/listening-to-the-music-of-the-soul-7-i-wanna-see-you-be-brave/

Listening to the music of the soul: True Colors

‘LISTENING to the Music of the Soul’ by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chaptersinspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to ‘have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs… to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you’. Here’s my fourth.

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2025/12/20/listening-to-the-music-of-the-soul-3-true-colors/

Listening to the music of the soul: Canon in D

Musical staff notation divided into sections, showing short melodic patterns written on treble staves. Each melody is color-coded (pink, orange, green, blue, and black) to distinguish different parts or voices, illustrating layered musical lines, representing variations in a canon.

INSPIRED by 8 pieces of music, Listening to the Music of the Soul by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters. The author invites us to ‘have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs… to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you’. Here’s my third.

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2025/12/19/listening-to-the-music-of-the-soul-3-canon-in-d/

Listening to the music of the soul: Don’t give up

‘LISTENING to the Music of the Soul’ by Guli Francis-Dehqani is divided into 8 chapters inspired by 8 pieces of music. The author invites us to ‘have a go at creating your own Desert Island Discs… to help you better understand yourself and the things that are important to you’. Here’s my second.

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2025/12/18/listening-to-the-music-of-the-soul-dont-give-up/

Make time for peace: A call to action

SEPTEMBER 21st is the United Nations International Day of Peace, created in 1981 as an opportunity for ‘commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.’ Two decades later, in 2001, the UN General Assembly designated the day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire. The World Council of Churches …

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2025/09/21/make-time-for-peace-a-call-to-action/

Encouraging words build community spirit

LAST MONTH, as part of my training as a Methodist minister, I shared this reflection about the inmportance of sharing encouragement when we can, not waiting until someone leaves or has died to say how we really feel.

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Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2025/08/04/encouraging-words-build-community-spirit/

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