Anything-but-ordinary time

It seems to be the pattern of things that life through January rushes past so quickly that we find ourselves already into February before I know what has happened. The three-year mark since I left full-time parish ministry did not pass unnoticed by me as we celebrated Candlemas this past Sunday; it was a timely reminder of just how much life has changed in that time and how we are settled here in the south Cotswolds and, after so many years, finally able to feel 'at home'.

Colour wheel practice

Much of January saw me working through my scribbled list of "things I want to get done before term restarts". It was a varied mixture of research, writing a talk, updating my website, having conversations about upcoming commissions, and completing a number of smaller art pieces and creative tasks in the studio. It also saw me respond to a last-minute invitation to exhibit two of my artists' books in Stroud Library, as part of the Stroud Artists' Books group, of which I have recently become a member, and beginning a new assessed course in bookbinding with CLAS (Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society). It has been a strange time - in some ways disjointed as I rushed from one thing to the next - yet as I reflect upon it now, also very productive. Thinking about it more deeply, my "list of things" had a sense of clearing the decks of things that I didn't want to carry over into the New Year, the tasks that perhaps I had neglected, the ones that never made their way to the top of the pile because there was always something else more pressing. And there is always Something Else!

I am not generally one for making New Year's resolutions - I might have offered up a January blog post if I were. However, there is something to be said for mindful preparation for the year, time to put things in order so that we can be ready for what lies ahead. For me, knowing that the new university term was due to begin on 26 January, with its new modules and the requirement to re-engage with a creative research practice that I find challenging and all-consuming, was enough motivation to work through what needed to be completed. For others of us, the first signs of spring and the beginning of Lent on Wednesday 18 February might provide that prompt to revisit tasks that need to be completed in order to make space for all that is new. The changing seasons of the world around us, as well as in church life, remind us of the need constantly to pause, take stock, to prepare ourselves for what comes next. How have you entered this year so far; what have you 'carried over' and, particularly as we enter our Lenten journey, what might you need to set aside? There may be a long-overdue task that needs crossing off your list, or perhaps work of a more interior nature that needs to be addressed. As these early months of the year unfold, the invitation is to make ready, to create space for new beginnings, new potential for growth, trusting that God will indeed bless us through whatever unfolds.

News

Now that our celebrations of Christmas have concluded, there are quite a few updates to share as we progress into 2026. So, here goes...

Three new commission icons made their way to their intended recipients in the run up to Christmas. First, there was St Roch, the patron saint of dogs and dog owners, whose icon reminds us of how St Roch found healing through the ministry of a four-legged friend. In this icon's case, I was delighted to include the family pet (never did I imagine that I would be commissioned for a pet portrait!) as the prayers of St Roch continue to be invoked for this particular family.

Next, I was delighted that my second icon of St John the Evangelist of the year was able to make its way safely to its new home at St John's Church, Jedburgh, in time for the saint's feast day on 27 December. In designing the icon, I was mindful that the icon will be situated directly opposite the entrance, with St John both welcoming whoever entes the church building and directing us towards the altar. The words from St John's Gospel were chosen specifically by the community there to represent this sense of welcome and accompaniment as we journey to meet Christ. There are so many verses that could potentially be chosen for this icon and yet this brief excerpt from John, chapter 12, feels so right for this particular place. It still makes me smile and reminds me not to overlook the oft-forgotten or quieter voice, such that sometimes God can prompt us towards unexpected blessings.

Finally, just a couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of joining the community in worship at Tewkesbury Abbey, for the blessing of their new children's icon, spending some time introducing it to the children during the service. Hearing how the children responded to the icon was a heartfelt reminder of the importance of icons and art in communicating the Gospel. We do not need to be academically learnèd or mature in understanding to be able to know Christ; some of the children's insights as they encountered their icon for the first time were truly humbling. As Christ says, 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.' (Matthew, chapter 18, verse 2). A few days later, it was great to see a number of folk gathering back at the Abbey to hear me offer some reflections on the theme of "Worshipping the Lord in the beauty of holiness", as we considered the correlation between iconography and humankind's innate desire for Beauty. I have also heard how the icon went on its travels to the church school and prompted further discussion there. It is such a joy to know how God is using the icon already to speak to so many people of varied ages.

Since the New Year, I have also completed a calligraphy piece, based on the words of Micah, chapter 6, verse 8. I am thinking about offering this design as a greetings card (£3) and print (with hand-applied 23ct gold) (£110 with mount for a 12" x 12" frame). If you might be interested, please do drop me a message here, as I will only produce prints and cards if they would be welcome.

With Candlemas behind us, we have been invited liturgically to turn towards the Passion of Christ, and my diary has done likewise! Over the next few weeks, I shall be preaching on the first Sunday of Lent, and then you will find me speaking about praying with icons in Lent at two separate events: a Lenten reflection on the evening of Thursday 26 February for the benefice of St Peter's, Leckhampton, and then a quiet day at the House of Prayer in East Molesey on Saturday 28 February.

And my preprarations for celebrating Easter are already well-advanced. As part of my MFA studies, I have been working hard since October on a significant event that is timed to coincide with Easter Day, 5 April. I shall be sharing more details of that in next month's blog so do look out for my post at the beginning of March.

Looking ahead to later in the year, early bird booking has already opened for my next Praying with Icons retreat at the beautiful Launde Abbey, 7-9 September 2026. More details here

If you enjoy reading my blog and wish to support my ministry in a practical way, I have set up a page with "Buy me a coffee". This website, designed with creatives in mind, recognises that a whole load of my time goes into maintaining a website, keeping up with social media and writing blog posts, time that is not then available for income-generating work. Given that my passion for good coffee comes not very far behind my love for God and art (!), if you feel so inclined, you can click here to make a donation towards my ongoing ministry (but without any obligation to do so). Huge thanks to those of you who have bought me a coffee in previous months - please don't feel you have to every time or at all!