All want their wedding to be personal and welcoming, dignified and humorous, profound and celebratory. Such hopes align perfectly with those of Alan Neale who after hundreds of weddings has constantly been praised and thanked for wedding services as never experienced before. Alan believes that the your wedding should express your hopes and expectations for marriage
“On Nov. 5, 2013, Esmé Weijun Wang came to the remarkable conclusion that she was dead. For almost two months, Wang suffered from Cotard’s syndrome, in which patients think they are dead or somehow nonexistent. Any attempts to point out evidence to the contrary — they are talking, walking around, using the bathroom — are… Continue reading
It must be accepted that the nursing of resentments is a futile and harmful business. Interesting that “nursing” is used as it suggests a kind embrace, a sensitive nourishment of the very thing that will gradually and surely erode our sense of serenity and well-being. It is ironic that the nursing of a resentment has… Continue reading
After more than thirty five years in parish ministry I moved, in July, to part-time ministry. From 24/7 consciousness of parish work to 20hrs/week and this is generally expressed in Sunday morning plus Monday & Tuesday. This, I know, is becoming a challenge for me as all those years of full-time parish ministry prod, urge… Continue reading
Most days I read, almost religiously, pages from a few AA devotional books. I know there must be a “new-agey” word for devotional but I have not time to find it, sorry. The undiscerning, dismissive, prejudiced mind will reject such pages as wildly irrelevant and wholly inappropriate and yet… such reflections come from those who… Continue reading
John Wesley (the ‘founder’ of Methodism) would ask church members to consider three questions about their relationship with God. 1.“How have you experienced prevenient grace?” This may sound theological goobledegook but it reflects upon one’s personal history from birth (maybe even pre-natal). The ways in which, the degrees to which, we have… Continue reading
Of course to talk about human nature is for anyone a matter of process and degree. Much time has passed since positions were taken over whether to be masculine meant to be 100% masculine, and to be feminine meant to be 100% feminine. Now it is generally accepted that we all move somewhere on a… Continue reading
Pope Francis has won the hearts of hundreds of thousands, maybe hearts more so than minds but then the spiritual journey must be one of passion and commitment. Unfortunately, but to this writer not surprisingly, the Pope has not won over hearts or minds of the Vatican Institution. And, I dare to prognosticate, he never… Continue reading
It is without doubt one of the constant first questions I ask an engaged couple, “So, how did you two meet?”. The responses can sometimes spur some little agitation as each person remembers the occasion slightly differently. This temporary hiccup is easily overcome by smiles, fond memories and (I remind them) even the Four Gospels… Continue reading
I have facilitated many pre-marital conversations; at some point the order of service to be used at the wedding is discussed. The order varies from “by the book Episcopal” to multi-faith (Christian/Jewish/Hindu) to seriously spiritual but not sectarian nor denominational. I am always ready to explore with the couple what it is they want and… Continue reading
It’s almost part of my refrain when I’m talking with pre-marital couples… weddings are truly minefields. Remember people are attending a wedding who have had relationships recently ended (not always at their request) and some attend who are still hoping for a long-term relationship of love and commitment. Now, mix all this alcohol and the… Continue reading