Author: Ian Trimnell

Shards of Light By Brian Doyle  We’re only here for a minute. We’re here for a little window. And to use that time to catch and share shards of light and laughter and grace seems to me the great story. Good evening and welcome to Evening Prayers That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,...

Winter Blessing By Paula Kirman As the snow covers, the ground stays moist and insulated, ready for the next season’s sowing, growing and harvest. This is a time of preparation, a time of stillness and quiet. Even the creatures of the ground sleep in their dark, silent homes. This is an ending, and a beginning, an...

The Blessed Uncertain By Alfred K. LaMotte  In the time of the blessed uncertain, we become the community we needed to be all along. Entwined in solitude, we widen the space of compassion to heal dis-ease with ease and quench our thirst at the well of grieving. Tears are never false. Trust in your tears. Yet...

The Way of Pain By Wendell Berry  1. For parents, the only way is hard. We who give life give pain. There is no help. Yet we who give pain give love; by pain we learn the extremity of love. 2. I read of Abraham’s sacrifice the Voice required of him, so that he led to...

I Refuse to Report Bugs to Their Creator by Brayan Salinas  During roll call a black beetle wanders to the sink, near my toothbrush, and I say, “Poor thing, I better let you go.” My father says, “You better smash that thing before it multiplies.” I think he says the same about me. I lie awake...

A New Year.  A fresh start?  This has been a New Year like no other that I can remember.  While some of us have appreciated slowing down, I know others are struggling with isolation, and others, working in key services and understandably exhausted.  Most of us miss seeing our friends and family, even if we are...

Good morning on this cold and grey Friday at the end of a rather cold and grey week. There’s not even any snow to turn the dirty street – briefly – to a pristine white. There are no snowdrops yet on my walk through the park and the fallen leaves have turned to sludge. At this...

Good evening friends? God is good? Welcome to this Thursday evening prayers. As you will know, Pat and Robin Kyd would be bringing us our prayers. Sadly, they are still poorly. Let us continue to hold them in our prayers… Opening prayer: Merciful God, hear our evening prayer of praise, and let our hearts never waver...

LIVING HOPE IN THE MIDST OF ADVERSITY “I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm16: 7-8 NIV) “In Psalm 37 vs.7, David asked, “And now Lord, What do I...

Not Saying A Word Today By Mary Oliver Today I’m flying low and I’m not saying a word I’m letting all the voodoos of ambition sleep. The world goes on as it must, the bees in the garden rumbling a little, the fish leaping, the gnats getting eaten. And so forth. But I’m taking the day...

Good morning good Cornerstone people. I hope that you are safe and ready to join in some thoughts and prayers for the day. The news is still urging us to stay indoors apart from exercise and essential travel for food or medical appointments. We have to be hermits so let us contemplate on some scripture readings...

I don’t want to live a small life. by Mary Oliver I don’t want to live a small life. Open your eyes, open your hands. I have just come from the berry fields, the sun kissing me with its golden mouth all the way (open your hands) and the wind winged clouds following along thinking perhaps...

Invictus by William Ernest Henley Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this...

In-between the sun and moon By Pádraig Ó Tuama In-between the sun and moon, I sit and watch and make some room for letting light and twilight mingle, shaping hope and making single glances last eternity, a little more, extending love beyond the doors of welcoming, while wedding all the parted people, even sons to violent...

Wherever You Are Is Called Here by David Wagoner Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here, And you must treat it as a powerful stranger, Must ask permission to know it and be known. The forest breathes. Listen. It answers, I have made this place...