A Walk in Moreton, Dorset

 

On a recent walk in Moreton, Dorset, I was struck by the way this tree, despite being devasted by some unknown force (lightning? wildfire? disease? vandalism?) still stood solidly with its carved Green Man, such a beautiful hope-filled symbol for the cycle of life, death and rebirth.





Not too far from the tree is the beautiful church of St Nicholas (originally St. Magnus). It was devasted by a bomb from the second world war, has been repaired and rebuilt, beautifully reimagined with etched glass windows, one carved with the hope-filled Chi-Rho symbol, again that cycle of life, death and rebirth in Christ's life.










Poetry, faith and the human experience

A couple of poetry books I've been reading and can recommend; the first is an anthology of sacred poetry from world faiths and the second is a translation of poems written by the Buddhist monk, Stonehouse. 


The Longing in Between, a Poetry Chaikhana anthology - 

Sacred poetry from around the world edited with commentary by Ivan M. Granger


The Mountain Poems of Stonehouse -

translation and commentary by Red Pine




                                                       (Glastonbury Tor, Somerset) 




Winter Solstice and Yuletide 2023

To mark the Winter Solstice, I visited the Chalice Well Gardens in Glastonbury today and picked up a leaflet by Wellesley Tudor Pole called 'God is Love' and was immediately drawn to a particular phrase:

'The more love we reflect and share with one another, the greater will be the supply available to us: a supply that is infinite, boundless, never failing and eternal.'

From God is Love by Wellesley Tudor Pole.




For Advent

 


The image links to a free digital advent calendar I've designed with the Christmas story in mind.

All Saints Day

 


I visited St Mary Redcliffe in Bristol recently and thought this modern intercessional icon featuring St Nicholas, St Stephen, St Mary, St Catherine and St George by the artist Peter Murphy was beautiful.
(Intercession - the act of saying a prayer on behalf of another.)