Sthie [at home] Technical Help
Facebook Watch Party This is a relatively new feature of Facebook and it allows communication in a safe, closed group while we all watch a video together. Joining the watch party Go to the Sthie group in Facebook at the right time. You will see a post which is the watch party. Click on it to make it full screen. Apple iPads don’t seem to … Continue reading Sthie [at home] Technical Help
Seven books that changed my life
I had the privilege of leading a World Book Day assembly last week. I talked about a few books from my shelves that had shaped the way my life turned out. Here goes! Philips’ Concise World Atlas I loved this as a kid, trying to imagine what it would be like in all the different places. And I was fascinated by the section at the … Continue reading Seven books that changed my life
Transfiguration
My painting for March takes the story of Jesus’ ‘transfiguration’ and sets it on Peel Hill. In a rare secretive glimpse of Jesus’ divine nature, some of his disciples accompany him up an unnamed hill and while he prayed, he started glowing white. Then two ancient figures, Moses and Elijah, appeared next to him. It’s a strange story. I wondered what it might look … Continue reading Transfiguration
Bible models
I bought this book from a second-hand bookshop ages ago. I liked the retro cover. Little did I know how useful it would be for finding craft activities for older children and teens. Continue reading Bible models
Love your enemies
At the very start of the Lego Movie 2 the characters are faced with a new arrival in their world. Most of them fight these strange beings, but Emmet implores them to try another approach: love. He makes a heart and offers it to them in a gesture of peace. His gift is promptly chewed up, and the pieces spat out. Without giving too much … Continue reading Love your enemies
Didn’t see it coming
Susie bought me this book by Carey Nieuwhof for my birthday; she thought it might do me good. The central premise is that there are several traps that can knock people off-course in life, and that people are unaware of them before they strike. So by reflecting on them beforehand, we might be able to avert them. The seven pitfalls described are: cynicism, compromise, disconnection, … Continue reading Didn’t see it coming
Blessed are those who mourn
Tonight we reflected on the spirituality of Kurt Cobain, and the gifts that might offer to the church. A few global friends who couldn’t be there asked if I could record it. I haven’t ever done this before, but here we go! We had a discussion part way through and I’ve edited out everyone’s voice apart from mine as they weren’t clear, so I hope … Continue reading Blessed are those who mourn
Nets
Near Peel Castle by the harbour there is an area which, back in the day, the fish would have been gutted and packed into barrels full of salt. Today it is a place where old fishing nets go to die. My painting for February was inspired by these old nets, and the fascinating colours and textures. This month we had a Bible passage about the … Continue reading Nets
Spark Joy
I’ve become a bit of a Marie Kondo nerd. My wardrobe drawers are now full of artfully rolled clothes, some of them in handmade drawstring bags. But I think there is something fascinating about her approach to material possessions that I think harmonises with the gospel. I need to reflect further, but there is something Christlike about receiving joy in all of its fullest, and … Continue reading Spark Joy
Waterfall
There is a beautiful waterfall very close to Glen Maye Chapel. It is in a deep valley and its probably the most lush, verdant place I know. It inspired my painting for January. In the first week we have the story of Jesus’ baptism. The ancients regarded birds as being holy, as they could cross from the heavens to the earth. So maybe a waterfall, … Continue reading Waterfall
Andy Fishburne 