Changing seasons

As I write this, there is a definite chill in the air, the rain is (at last!) watering the earth and our small patch of grass is littered with countless conkers and fallen leaves. Monday saw us celebrating the Feast of Michael and All Angels and there is no doubt that we have entered into the autumnal season.

I apologise for the absence of a blog post last month - I am still trying to catch up with myself after a difficult and relentless few months and a blog post for the beginning of September was one thing I had to set aside. In fact, over the past few weeks, I have taken a number of difficult decisions to set aside certain aspects of my public ministry for a time in order to focus on those parts of my work that require my full attention right now. So it was that in mid-September, I stayed for a week in London in order to help with the icon exhibition organised by the British Association of Iconographers at Westminster Abbey. Demanding of time and energy, it was still a wonderful insight into the day-to-day work of the Abbey and its staff and great to see so many visitors (many hundreds each day) taking the opportunity to view the icons and acknowledge this living tradition. At a personal level, there were wonderful conversations, chance meetings with close friends and early morning quietness in the Abbey cloisters to cherish.

Last month also saw the resumption of my studies for a Masters in Fine Art, with the all important practice modules this year requiring my full creative attention and two or three days each week travelling to Oxford. Early sessions have already made clear just what a challenge this is going to be for me, both at a creative level and in terms of time commitment. Add into that my outstanding commissions (acknowledging my very patient clients, to whom I am most grateful for their understanding and forebearance), and I am needing to devote all my time and energy right now to my art practice in one form or another. And that is not a bad thing; in some respects it was expected. Yet it is important to acknowledge this openly and accept it. For when we are deliberate about taking up new things, it is important to recognise that there is often also a corresponding need to set other things down.

Around us in nature, the trees are undergoing a transformation, both in colour and then through shedding their leaves - a sign that these will no longer be needed in the times ahead. The creatures are busying themselves to prepare for a new season, collecting together what they will need for the months ahead as priorities change. And while I am certainly not preparing myself for hibernation (though sleeping through the colder months under a warm blanket certainly has its attractions!), I am aware that when energy reserves are limited, I need to concentrate my efforts and re-evaluate what is essential. So many of us are good at taking up new projects, saying 'yes' to exciting possibilities, and yet not doing the corresponding task of laying down those roles or actvitities whose season has come to a natural end, or saying 'no' to those reqeusts that would drain our energy. It might even be true of our purchases, knowing that each new acquisition should see us evaluate which of our belongings we no longer need and can be rehomed or recycled. I look out my window and recgonise that this cycle of letting go, laying things down, making space for what is to come (whether that is known and predictable or is as yet uncertain) is part of our rhythm of life. While change isn't always easy or comfortable, and giving things up that we have come to rely on, or be comforted by, may be painful or difficult, I am convinced that these cycles are essential to our renewal and growth.

So perhaps take some time over the coming weeks to observe the changes in nature around you, wherever you are, and reflect on whether there are areas of your life calling to be set aside for a time. Where is the Divine calling you to focus your energies and where, perhaps, are the opportunities to lay things down, or embrace rest? God's creation around us is winding down through this autumn season, looking inwards to protect what is essential, diverting its energies towards preparing and the potentiality for new growth. My prayer is that we do the same.

News

I am delighted to say that my summer residency at Tewkesbury Abbey was another great experience and I enjoyed wonderful hospitality from the whole team there as I engaged with visitors across two weeks in August. Their icon commssion, which I was working on while at the Abbey, is now finished and I am waiting for a date when I can present the icon to them within public worship. So, as has become a bit of a pattern here, there is no image to share until they have received the completed icon.

Last month, I shared with you the icon of Julian of Norwich that I completed for the Westminster Abbey exhibition. I am delighted that my printers will soon be delivering two new designs of greetings card, including Julian of Norwich, as well as a giclée fine art print. The Julian print, which includes a single mount for standard frame size 12" x 10", will be available to purchase direct from me at an introductory price of £55 (incl. P&P to UK mainland - normally £65). Click here to drop me a message if you would like to reserve your copy.

The second card is a 15cm square, with my newest icon of Mary, Mystical Rose, and like all my cards, will be available direct from me or via various outlets around the country and online - the first batch has already been set aside for the Pilgrim Shop in Walsingham so will be available there (and online) within the next few weeks:

The originals of both icons are for sale from me - details on my website here.

The coming month also sees me travelling to St Mary's Church in Guildford to run a day workshop on icons as part of their Practical Aspects of Spirituality series of events. The day will be divided morning and afternoon so you can attend either or both parts - Saturday 25 October.

And looking ahead to next 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!