Empty Hands

“The heart regulates the hands.” 2 Corinthians 8 Ok, I admit it, I’m exhausted. A year of this, even though there may be a little glimmer of hope now, has taken its toll. And talking to friends, family and work colleagues, I’m not the only one. We are keeping going, we know we do not …

Inside Out Outside In

Take a look at the first picture. This is a piece called Square Peg Round Hole and Round Peg Square Hole by Liverpool based artist Brian Jones. A couple of years ago I seriously considered joining the clergy. Having got as far as a talk with the bishop, I realised that if I were to …

Anniversary

“celebrate good times” Kool & the Gang I don’t suppose many people celebrated the 23rd March. A year ago, this day lockdown started in the UK. Unbelievable as it seems, we have now been under covid restrictions one way or another for just over a year. Who would have thought it, a year ago? Around …

Acceptance: mindfulness pillar 6

Each month we explore a different attitude of mindfulness with Tim of Blackbird Mindfulness. This month he teaches us and takes us through a practice of acceptance. This attitude is all about being aware of the present moment, how we are in the present moment and accepting it for what it is. https://soundcloud.com/leedsmethodistmission/acceptance In this …

Best or better

Take a look at the first picture. This is an illustration by my friend and Leeds based artist Si Smith, based on the story of the temptations of Christ in the Wilderness. In this picture, Christ is tempted to turn stones into bread. What strikes you? I like the fact that the speech bubble and …

Finding balance

A guided reflection for anyone who needs to find better balance in their lives. Whether you are overwhelmed by work, health or family pressures or just need some space to process then this is the reflection for you. We created this reflection to help you carefully consider what a balanced life looks like for you. …

Just walking home

Take a look at the first image. It shows an art piece I’m in the process of making. It is a patchwork made from maps of Britain. I am using the quilting technique of tufting using red thread to mark every place where that has been a reported incident of violence or threat to a …

Home school

“May we raise children who love the unloved things…“ Nicolette Sowder Take a look at the two images. What do you see? These are both pictures by Outsider Artists; those who have had no formal artistic education. They are also both highly collectable artworks, not that this should matter. Yet it does, because what we …

Time

A recorded reflection about time: how we use it and why we worry about it. There is a stilling exercise, a time of silence and a spoken reflection on the theme of time. This is inspired by mindfulness and Christian contemplative practices. https://soundcloud.com/leedsmethodistmission/time Please do listen on this page but you may want to download …

The new now

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” (Serenity prayer) Take a look at the first picture. I wonder what you notice? The large fir trees? The snow? The building rising from the mist? The crucifix under the …