Category: Uncategorized

Mindful Sauntering: the footsteps of St Francis

12th September 2026

There is a suggestion that a saunterer is a person walking to the Holy Land, coming from the French ‘à la sainte-terre’. So let’s consider sauntering to be a form of holy or blessed walking.

4th October is the Feast of St Francis. He is often seen as the environmentalists’ saint because of his love of nature. It wasn’t just that Francis enjoyed the company of birds, it was that he understood all parts of creation to be of equal value. He saw birds and animals, sun and wind, people rich and poor, well and ill, Christian and Muslim, infectious and healthy, as his brothers and sisters – and all therefore children of God. And as much as he treated them with care, love and respect so he expected the, to treat each other in the same way. In this hope I am sure he was often disappointed but never dissuaded. Francis wrote The Canticle of Creatures with this mutual respect in mind. 

Can we show mutual respect for both our fellow human beings and for the vast interconnectedness of all parts of creation? Can we both show repentance for where we have caused harm and be proactive in healing what we have damaged?

Read the Canticle, and then as you walk pay attention to the wildlife, the people, and the seasonal changes around you. 

Can you offer praise like Brother Sun? Can you offer praise like Sister, Mother Earth? 

Can you receive gratefully what the birds and the plants give us as brother and sister? 

Can you give back to them as generously?

Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,

Yours are the praises, the glory,

and the honour and all blessing.

To You alone, Most High, do they belong

and no human is worthy to mention Your name.

Praised be you, my Lord,

with all Your creatures,

especially Sir Brother Sun,

who is the day,

and through whom You give us light.

And he is beautiful

and radiant with great splendour;

and bears a likeness of You, Most High one.

Praised be You, my Lord,

through Sister Moon and the stars,

in heaven You formed them

clear and precious and beautiful.

Praised be You, my Lord,

through Brother Wind,

and through the air, cloudy and serene,

and every kind of weather

through which you give sustenance to your creatures.

Praised be You, my Lord,

through Sister water,

who is very useful and humble

and precious and chaste.

Praised be You, my Lord,

through Brother fire,

through whom You light the night,

and he is beautiful and playful

and robust and strong.

Praised be You, my Lord,

through our Sister Mother Earth,

who sustains and governs us,

and who produces various fruit

with coloured flowers and herbs.

Praised be You, my Lord,

through those who give pardon for Your love,

and bear infirmity and tribulation.

Blessed those who endure in peace,

for by You, Most High, shall they be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord,

through our Sister Bodily Death,

from whom no one living can escape.

Woe to those who die in mortal sin.

Blessed are those whom death

will find in Your most holy will,

for the second death shall do them no harm.

Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks

and serve Him with great humility.

Truth Telling

12th September 2026 

These are the things you should do: Speak the truth to one another. In the courts give real justice–the kind that brings peace. Zechariah 8:16 

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. Proverbs 12:22 

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body. Ephesians 4:25

You Lord, our the source of all wisdom:

We praise you.

You call us to tend and care for your creation: 

May we strive to do your will.

You have made us as brothers and sisters with all that lives: 

May we live together in peace.

A reading from Job 38: 2-14, 42:1-3

Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:

“Who is this that obscures my plans
    with words without knowledge?

Brace yourself like a mortal;
    I will question you,
    and you shall answer me.

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
    Tell me, if you understand.

Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
    Who stretched a measuring line across it?

On what were its footings set,
    or who laid its cornerstone—

while the morning stars sang together
    and all the angels shouted for joy?

“Who shut up the sea behind doors
    when it burst forth from the womb,

when I made the clouds its garment
    and wrapped it in thick darkness,

when I fixed limits for it
    and set its doors and bars in place,

when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther;
    here is where your proud waves halt’?

“Have you ever given orders to the morning,
    or shown the dawn its place,

that it might take the earth by the edges
    and shake the wicked out of it?

The earth takes shape like clay under a seal;
    its features stand out like those of a garment.

Then Job replied to the Lord:

“I know that you can do all things;
    no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
    Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
    things too wonderful for me to know.

Truth telling God

You are the source of all knowledge 

and true wisdom. 

You only reveal what is true.

May we grow in trust, 

ever seeking your wisdom 

and revealing only your wisdom in this world.

 I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right Is 45:19

Truth revealing God 

May we discern your truth and wisdom 

in the words of scripture, 

in the workings of nature 

and in the example of Jesus. 

May we grow in trust, 

ever seeking your wisdom 

and revealing only your wisdom in this world.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 

Truth loving God, 

May we rejoice in the wonder of your truth, 

the beauty of your knowledge 

and the perfection of your wisdom.

May we grow in trust, 

ever seeking your wisdom 

and revealing only your wisdom in this world.

Surely You desire truth in the inmost being; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Ps 51:6

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Amen. 

Counting on … day 89

11th September 2026

“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rejoice!”

I loved this headline from Ethical Consumer, promoting Second Hand September.

“Climate change and cost of living – if you find yourself caught between two crises, perhaps Secondhand September may help. Buying secondhand is one of the best ways to reduce both your carbon footprint and your monthly outgoings.

“Pre-loved items reduce the water, raw materials and energy associated with their production. And they’re often far cheaper than new, so you can either save money or buy better quality items than your budget would usually allow.”

Their article on second hand clothing is well worth reading – https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/fashion-clothing/ethical-clothing-choices-upcycling-repairing-second-hand

Counting on … day 88

9th September 2026

Green spaces are clearly important for mental health as well as for encouraging physical activity and well being. Research from Fields in Trust reveals that in the UK 5.6 million people do not live with 10 minutes walking access to a green space. 1 in 3 children under 9s do not have access to a playground near their home. Only 6% of green spaces are legally protected. 

To maintain access to green spaces at current levels for our growing population, would mean creating 4000 new parks by 2033. 

https://fieldsintrust.org/insights/green-space-index

Counting on … day 87

8th September 2026

Recently I was listening to an episode from Farming Today about a biodiversity restoration project in Norfolk which joined together the work of multiple farmers to create  a long nature corridor. The work sounded amazing but what really caught my attention was how, in participating and seeing the restoration of natural ecosystems with all their biodiversity, it was helping with the farmers own mental well being. Farming is not an easy profession especially when faced with droughts and floods where crops and livestock re diminished, as well facing the financial crises of rising costs for fuel and fertilisers. It is can also, I think, be quite a lonely occupation. 

https://www.bbc.com/audio/play/m0030x81

Counting on … 86

7th September 

A different aspect of resilience is maintaining good mental health. 

I know I can get over stressed by worrying about the various existential crises that we face – climate change, biodiversity loss, poverty, injustice etc – and I can get into a frame of mind that says that anything I do will not be enough, that anything I do will not make a difference, and I can’t work out what to do. It becomes overwhelming and I can’t escape. 

But what do I know is that there are some things that I can do that will unwind the anxiety. One is  exercise and I do this regularly with a set pattern such that on Tuesdays for example, I will book a swim for 7.30am, then use the gym and then have breakfast in the cafe. The other is to simply go out and pay attention to the natural world – often this is sitting by the Thames, watching the river, the wildlife, the changing tides and seasons, and even just watching the people who are also enjoying the river. 

You could say that I count on nature to keep me sane!

The Feast of Creation in Christ

6th September 2026

Reflection with readings below

Feasts are times for celebration and rejoicing. Therefore the Feast of Creation in Christ should be a day for celebrating the integral relationship between creation and Christ, rejoicing in all the wonder and bounty of which we are beneficiaries.

The Feast of Creation in Christ marks the beginning of the season of Creation which ends 4th October with the feast of St Francis. Creation-tide is, I think, a time to practice a generous and respectful approach to creation. It is to be mindful that it is here in creation that we can encounter God on a daily basis. It is also a time to remember that we are part of and not above creation; that we are partners with all that lives as members of a an intricate set of ecosystems. It is by remembering our co-dependency that we will learn to live within the Earth’s planetary boundaries and in so doing, fulfil our vocation to tend and cherish the Earth.

The reading from Isaiah is rightly full of praise and joy. Yet note, it is not humans who are doing the celebrating but the landscape and the vegetation. Throughout the Bible there are many other examples of non-human beings praising and worshipping God. When we praise and worship God, we do so not alone but in union with the rest of creation. Deborah Colvin, who led last Wednesday’s Green Christian talk on living waters, encouraged us to simply listen to the sounds from creation and in silence join our prayers with them. It is so easy for us to slip into attitudes that ignore creation. Spending time in nature whether that be sitting in a garden, walking under trees, standing by a river, staring up at the clouds, and simply paying attention to what is around us, is a way of joining in the worship of God. Such attentiveness will likely also make us aware of where and how we are mistreating creation and causing God to grieve.

These sentiments are re-echoed in today’s psalm.

Both New Testament readings explore the relationship between Jesus and creation. Here we hear that Jesus being both fully God and a distinct facet of God, was integrally part of the totality of the divine will that created all that exists. Here we also hear that Jesus in becoming fully human, has become the head of the body – the community – of the people of God – also known as the Church. And is the first born raised from the dead, and the first to lead us by the way of the cross, unfolding for us the gift of salvation.

We often talk of being one in Christ when talking about baptism, or belonging to church, or taking communion. I don’t think we so often say this when we’re gardening, feeding the cat, walking in the park etc. Yet if “all things have been created through him and for him … and in him all things hold together” then all things are ‘in Christ’. This should once again reinforce for us the need to see ourselves as one with the rest of creation and not superior to any part thereof, to be willing to join with the rest of creation in worshipping God, and being eager to care for creation as both our love of neighbour and as our love of God.

Realising a new our relationship with creation and therefore with God through Christ is a time for celebration and feasting!

Isaiah 55.12−end

You will go out in joy

    and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and hills

    will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field

    will clap their hands.

Instead of the thorn bush will grow the juniper,

    and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.

This will be for the Lord’s renown,

    for an everlasting sign,

    that will endure forever.”

Psalm 96

Sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
    proclaim his salvation day after day.

Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvellous deeds among all peoples.

For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
    he is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.

Splendour and majesty are before him;
    strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering and come into his courts.

Worship the Lord in the splendour of his holiness;
    tremble before him, all the earth.

Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
    The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
    he will judge the peoples with equity.

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
    let the sea resound, and all that is in it.

Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
    let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.

Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,
    he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
    and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Colossians 1.15−20

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

John 1.1−14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Rejoice in the living waters!

5th September 2026

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3

You Lord, our the source of all wisdom:

We praise you.

You call us to tend and care for your creation: 

May we strive to do your will.

You have made us as brothers and sisters with all that lives: 

May we live together in peace.

A reading from Ezekiel 47: 1, 8-12

The man brought me back to the entrance to the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east).

He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh. Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea. But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”

Praise God and rejoice,

for the living water of creation 

will make fresh our stagnant water, 

And God’s Spirit  will make fresh 

our stagnant lives.

Praise God and rejoice, 

for wherever the living water flows, 

it will restore the life of our rivers, 

bringing back fish and birds, 

mammals and insects.

And God will renew our love for them.

Praise God and rejoice, 

for wherever the living water flows, 

it will restore the life of our lands, 

bringing back birds and creatures,

plants and insects.

And God will renew our love for them.

Praise God and rejoice, 

for wherever the living water flows, 

it will restore the life of our towns and villages, 

bringing back places for leisure and opportunities for work, 

places for contemplation and opportunities for healing.

And God will renew our love for each other.

Amen. 

Counting on … day 85

4th September 2026

Resilience* – readiness to cope with small emergencies – might also include a small collection of tool kit such as  and  screw drivers and hammers, a craft knife, screws and nails, string, gaffer tape and glue. Equally useful would be a sewing kit, and in both instances some knowledge about to use either kit. 

This would allow you to carry out small repairs in a temporary basis. 

  • This continues a theme I was exploring on August

Resilience 

How would – how will  – we cope with an emergency? 

The increasing scale of the climate and biodiversity – and the crisis in social injustice – means we may well be faced with any number of different and probably overlapping emergencies.

This series will help explore how we as individuals and as communities can cope with emergency situations – ie how we can become more resilient.