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/
Oct 11
As part of YMCA Liverpool’s commemoration of World Homeless Day 2019, residents and staff gathered to celebrate the opening of a new Memorial Garden at its headquarters, Hope House. As chaplain for this extraordinary community which offers supported accommodation for people experiencing homelessness, it was my privilege to dedicate the garden to the memory of YMCA members who are no longer with us.
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2019/10/11/gone-never-forgotten-remembering-with-thanks-on-worldhomelessday/
Aug 13
SINCE January 2019, I have worked part-time as chaplain for the community at YMCA St Helens. There I discovered a hidden gem, of which many of the hostel’s residents and staff were unaware. The chapel, on the second floor of the early 20th Century building on North Road, has not been used regularly for more than …
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2019/08/13/everyones-chapel-plans-to-re-open-worship-space-after-20-years-ymca175/
Apr 18
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.
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2019/04/18/would-you-sit-next-to-homelessjesus/
Feb 07
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.
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2019/02/07/every-day-can-be-timetotalk-day/
Dec 11
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 …
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2018/12/11/welcome-into-the-story-a-reflection-for-the-ymca-christmas-carol-service/
Oct 24
LAST MONTH, I spent three days with colleagues from around a dozen other YMCAs at the UK Unify conference, a platform for YMCAs to share and reflect on the Christian mission of what is now the largest and oldest youth charity in the world. I was expecting the conference to be mostly chaplains and managers, …
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2018/10/24/just-do-it-for-gods-sake-reflecting-on-the-christian-mission-of-the-ymca/
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