Following the leadings of love and truth, to joyful action in the world
Sauchie Home Farm, Stirling 8th-10th August 2025 The multiple existential threats to our world seem worse every time we look at the news: species going extinct, plastic polluting the oceans, rising war and authoritarianism, ice caps melting at an unprecedented rate, the industrial growth economy spiralling out of control. The temptation is either to sink … Read more
#MonthofMinstry Day 21 I search for the languagethat is also yoursalmost all our language has been taxed by war Allen Ginsberg, Witchita Vortex Sutra So many of the commonplace words and expressions we use have their origins in military language: What others can you think of? Can you think of creative alternatives for any of … Read more
#MonthOfMinistry Day 14 How do we find balance between “surrender” and “intention”? The latter sounds like a focussed act of will, the very opposite of “Give over thine own willing, give over thine own running…” as Isaac Pennington put it. This morning, Janine was speaking about the Hindu concept of tapas, the spiritual power that … Read more
#MonthOfMinistry Day 12 War is a crime against humanity. I am therefore determined not to support any kind of war, and to strive for the removal of all causes of war. War Resisters’ International Declaration Much of my activism is working for peace, and an end to all wars, opposing the arms trade and military … Read more
#MonthOfMinistry Day 11 “Surrender” is another word I find very difficult: it clearly has military origins. It seems to be about giving up the struggle, ceding control of our lives and our society to the brutal forces of power over. It seems very clear right now that we can’t afford to do that. The forces … Read more
Another powerful song that feels fitting for the times. This is Bertolt Brecht’s “Easter Day” set to music by Hans Eisler. Brecht wrote this in 1938 on a small island in Denmark, having fled Germany after Hitler came to power. This is the version sung by Robyn Archer (I’m not sure who made this translation): … Read more
Lead with Love, a song for today, by African American singer/songwriter and activist Melanie DeMore. We sometimes sing this uplifting song in Protest in Harmony. I think it’s going to be needed in the time to come. Lead With Love – Melanie DeMoreYou gotta put one foot in front of the otherAnd lead with lovePut … Read more