Author: Ian Trimnell

Unbreakable Links By Mary Oliver  I would say that there exist a thousand unbreakable links between each of us and everything else, and that our dignity and our chances are one. The farthest star and the mud at our feet are a family; and there is no decency or sense in honoring one thing, or a...

Jacob and Esau By Pádraig Ó Tuama  One day I repented my resentment because I realised I’d forgotten to repeat it. For a while—no, for a long while—it was like a prayer, rising to the skies, morning after morning, like a siren that wouldn’t quiet. And then I remembered other things: the way I walk lighter...

The Word  by Zaffar Kunial  I couldn’t tell you now what possessed me to shut summer out and stay in my room. Or at least attempt to. In bed mostly. It’s my dad, standing in the door frame not entering – but pausing to shape advice that keeps coming back. “Whatever is matter,must enjoy the life.” He pronounced...

All My Friends Are Finding New Beliefs by Christian Wiman  All my friends are finding new beliefs. This one converts to Catholicism and this one to trees. In a highly literary and hitherto religiously-indifferent Jew God whomps on like a genetic generator. Paleo, Keto, Zone, South Beach, Bourbon. Exercise regimens so extreme she merges with machine....

Good evening everyone, welcome to Friday evening’s prayers. As our country continues to suffer from the devastating effects of coronavirus, we continue to pray for all those we know who are suffering from the disease and all those who have been bereaved. However, I think it is time for us to broaden our view a little...

Good evening friends! Another day comes to an end and as we look forward to presenting our dreams to God and asking him to forgive the wrongs of the day, let us pray together that His Spirit will speak peace to us in our sleep… Pray with me: The day is drawing to an end Lord,...

HOLDING ON IN THE DARKNESS “O Lord the God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and in the night before you. Let my prayer come before You; Incline your ear to my cry!” (Psalm 88:1-2 NASB) This is a Psalm of the sons of Korah. It is an unusual lament in that it...

A Solstice Blessing by Pádraig Ó Tuama As night stretches here, day contracts elsewhere. And in their night, we are bathed in light. In all nights there is light; in long days there can be ache too. For you, we call the sun to stand still a while, and the moon too, and stars, and the...

Good morning to you all. I hope you are keeping well in this winter weather. Psalm 119 verses 169-176 Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your law. Let my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise. My lips shall pour forth your praise, when you have...

This is what was bequeathed us by Gregory Orr   This is what was bequeathed us: This earth the beloved left And, leaving, Left to us. No other world But this one: Willows and the river And the factory With its black smokestacks. No other shore, only this bank On which the living gather. No meaning but...

To Learn From Animal Being By John O’Donohue  Nearer to the earth’s heart, Deeper within its silence: Animals know this world In a way we never will. We who are ever Distanced and distracted By the parade of bright Windows thought opens: Their seamless presence Is not fractured thus. Stranded between time Gone and time emerging,...

Hope, Faith, Love By  Reinhold Niebuhr  Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore we must be saved by hope. Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore we must be saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished...

I Didn’t See It by Prageeta Sharma And I didn’t see that now you were here on the page writing poems too: poems silken with blue, fortified with a metaphor passing through. But I knew this speaker was you and knew there was so much about you that could reach around the metaphor to a personal...

Good evening everyone, welcome to Friday evening’s prayers. How are you feeling today?  Are you really down and wondering how long this will go on?  Are you enjoying a change in your lifestyle? Are you feeling optimistic that we have turned a corner and life might get back to a new normal soon? I expect that,...