Re Beeching, again
The ‘Railway Problem’ is not new and I have an extensive library on the matter including ‘The Train that ran away’ (Stewart Joy) and ‘I tried to run a railway’ (Gerry Fiennes) both of which point to the problem of central planning and political interference.
Colonel H.F. Stephens and his collection of quirky branch lines that were not grouped into the Big Four in 1923 but soldiered on using a mixture of second-hand rolling stock and idiosyncratic operational methods, the last being the Ffestiniog, which of course is now a model for the preservation movement.
If 4,000 churches are closed, how many congregations will declare UDI and run independently, perhaps forming a Federation of Churches, since all denominations are in a similar plight? And the Methodists did just that in 1778!
(Professor) Lewis Lesley
Liverpool
5th February 2021
DO YOU SPEAK FRENCH ?
"What about something on Black lives Matter and why the church is not saying more about it? "
David Sent from my iPhone 20 June 2020
Thank you for your comment. See the postings 'Summer of discontent' and 'Statues good and bad'. St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and other churches are reviewing their policy on monuments in the light of current developments. JK
MOTHER TONGUES:
" ta mate in my Tilbury vernacula We used to say Southend - on - Sea but Tilbury -on - mud. We lived in a prefab but my primary school still stands."
m 27 May 2020
ABOUT DOGS:
"I'd rather be a bird than a dog. Plenty in our back garden - my friends - especially the jackdaws.
m" 18 May 2020
LOCKDOWN MINUET:
"The introduction to Lockdown Minuet had me musing about sit down sports. The more I thought about it I realise that the sit down sport involves an object to sit on! As when taking part in any sport, balance is a necessary component. Whether riding a horse, a bicycle, a racing car or any kind of vessel that goes on water there is an interdependence of one upon the other. Even a wheelchair sports person needs to trust in the vehicle. So it is with dancing, a couple dancing a tango, a ballerina being lifted high in the air or a roomful of people dancing the Gay Gordon’s, both balance and trust in others is essential.
In this time of lockdown we need to trust in Him alone, through our dependence on Him, we can maintain balance in our lives, giving our fears and worries to our Lord in the certain knowledge he always hears us.it is the relationship that God desires, he does not mind if we are sitting or even dancing.
Liz, 9 May 2020"
ALL ABOARD!
"You mention American sects but how about Africans in Sudan worshipping under trees and Indians worshipping on top of Hindu temples in Vijaywada ? Wonderful that Tim and Peter are both helping.
blessings, Martin & Jenny"
SADDLE UP, HUMPTY:
"Thanks for your latest blog. You refer to that somewhat amazing – but up to late unwanted and uncared for structure at Markham Moor.
Just like the Church – it needed some new life bringing to it – and that has happened! – Costa Coffee have purchased the property and completely renovated it – so – from the tired and unused Little Chef that it once was, it has been re-born – into something new – modern – and more importantly – what people want!! The Church can sometimes learn much from those in the commercial world – they can only survive by providing the world with what they want – so we have to find a way of making the Church into something the world wants – rather than giving them a ‘package’ that many today see inappropriate – and definitely not what they want!!" Tim, 2nd May 2020
HERE TODAY, GONE TOMORROW:
"I read this blog and realised that having more time has given me more space to exercise my thoughts about death. It is weird, but as soon as we can reason you would imagine that one would turn dying over in ones mind. After all, we are uncertain as to whether we will be here in this life in the next second, let alone minute, hour, month or year!!! However, unless one is of a melancholic mindset I don’t think we give it much thought when we are young. Maybe, our attention is drawn to death because someone dies unexpectedly, for example a miscarriage, Princess Diana or a person we love. As a Christian our thoughts are drawn to the death of Jesus and the certain knowledge of eternal life is reassuring. Jesus suffered and that is my fear. The point of actual death will be inevitable, but it’s the journey to death which may include suffering that is frightening. We can cling on to the promise 2 Timothy 1:7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control. In those few words that verse gives me much to ponder. Now that I am in the Autumn years of my life I do wonder what the future holds. Will I remain physically and mentally healthy etc etc. The pandemic has brought us face to face with an unseen enemy and sharpens the mind to use time and not waste it. You are so right John, life is short and we thank our God that He is faithful at all times." Anon
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