Simon Says ...

This post on Heresy Corner should be compulsory reading. It's by Claire Lewis, who provides a disabled person's view of the euthanasia debate that is moving, motivating and challenges the shallow emotivism of most argument around this. She urges that the debate be re-focussed around life rather than death. "I want independence and dignity in life, not to be given drugs to kill myself" Call it homework, call it whatever, but do read it. Thanks to Paul for flagging it up.

Have we reached the end already? Tonight is the final session of the Bible in an Hour and I'm looking at the Revelation to John. I confess that I put this on out of duty rather than joy, but that I've thoroughly enjoyed working on Revelation and want to do more! So come along tonight and find out how Revelation can help make sense of England's ashes win , but not the weather forecast, why Martin Luther thought it should not be in the New Testament, and who described it as the "Judas of the New Testament". It should be available shortly thereafter on virtual theology . Thanks as ever to Mark for the wonderful artwork, which has been a marvellous addition to the summer's series.

A couple of weeks ago The Episcopal Church in America voted to cease their moratorium on ordaining partnered gay people as bishops. This provoked reactions from all over, but most importantly from the Archbishop of Canterbury . As part of his response, the Archbishop speaks of a 'two-track' Anglican Communion. One Track would sign up to the proposed Anglican Covenant. The other Track would not. Both would be Anglican (though it is hard to see how this would be realised in terms of sharing ministry, sacraments and counsel). Archbishop Rowan's remarks were amplified by the Bishop of Durham . Bishop Tom is much more blunt, and sees the Two Track approach as indicating the end to Communion. Today, the Modern Churchpeople's Union (which really needs to change its name) has published a reply to both the Archbishop and the Bishop. In summary, the MCU says: Both blame the American church for rejecting a consensus that homosexuality is immoral. There is no such consensus; t

Last week someone ran into the back of my car. No injuries, just dents to bumpers (actually the car that ran into me came off worse than that). And the driver couldn't have been nicer about it (bar stopping before he hit my car). I went home and made a cup of tea. His insurance company had phoned me to make arrangements for my car to be fixed before I'd finished it. This morning my car was picked up to be repaired, I was taken and provided with a courtesy car for the meantime. And then I had to spend nearly two hours on the phone to my insurance company and their underwriters, just so they could do nothing. Ho, hum ...

Last night was the penultimate Bible in an Hour and the First letter to the Corinthians (or was it the second?) was the subject. I have to say it was one of my favourites, even if it did last 7 minutes too long. Should be up soon on virtualtheology.net for the interested and hard of sleeping. Hmm, talking about sex when your mother-in-law is in the audience ... Update 20.8.9. All talks are now up on virtual theology . Thanks Paul .

This summer at church we are having a series of talks at our main eucharist aiming to help people to pray. My first offering is a short Daily Office, and I thought I'd share it with you: A Morning Office O Lord open my lips and my mouth shall proclaim your praise Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen. Alleluia Lord, be with me this day, within me to purify me; above me to draw me up; beneath me to sustain me; before me to lead me; behind me to restrain me; around me to protect me. Lord, whatever this day may bring, Thy name be praised. An Evening Office O God, make speed to save me. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen. Alleluia Lighten our darkness we beseech thee O Lord, and by thy great mercy defend us

The letter arrived on Tuesday, just in time for staff meeting - "You have been blessed by a visit from The Mystery Worshipper". I won't pretend we didn't wonder which service had been visited (and I was a bit worried that it would have been when we had to explain our swine flu precautions!). Well, the write-up is now on the Ship of Fools website , and we come out quite well. 8/10 for the service and 9/10 for the preaching. The service visited was our annual Rush Sunday service, complete with Lord Mayor and City Council, rushes on the floor and posies in our hands. All good fun, and nice to see it contributing to the glorious collection on board the Ship. Thanks to 'Traveller' for his thoughtful account, it is circulating around folk here with a view as to how we might do it even better next year!