<![CDATA[Blessed Imp

<![CDATA[Blessed Imp - Blog]]>Sun, 05 Jul 2026 21:45:29 +1000Weebly<![CDATA[Imps in bliss]]>Tue, 05 May 2026 04:19:12 GMThttps://www.blessedimp.org/blog/imps-in-bliss

The iconic Lincoln Imp in the Cathedral's Angel Choir with Lincoln City FC shirt (after LCFC's extraordinary 2025-2026 season)

What an extraordinary last season Lincoln City Football Club has had - beyond anyone's expectations! :-) For faithful Red Imps wherever we are, it has been staggering. Few supporters can remember Lincoln City in tier two of the English Football League, as (and, as an English football fan, I make no apology for this pronoun) we were relegated when I was just one year old. Of my immediate family, only my now late father could remember former glory days, and the last promotion to tier two (in 1952). He introduced me to our local club when I was a small child, and I still remember the sights and sounds and smells and everything connected in those early visits, just as so many kids like me do when they are first introduced to what is so much more culturally than a pastime or a business. I recall however terrible times in the 1960s, including applying for re-election several times in the old system (only Hartlepool applied more times) and then, of course, we were the first ever club to be relegated out of the English Football League when the system changed. Now, this year, we are not only promoted (and automatically) but as champions, with 103 points, with 29 unbeaten games, and a host of other records and achievements. All this on the back of one of the smallest budgets in the division, thanks to a superb coordinated effort across the club at every level of operation. Not for nothing is Lincoln City now even more a model of how to succeed in the treacherous waters of modern football.
There have been some glory days before in my life - not least the fabulous record breaking 'Taylor's Team' season of 1975-6, which so illuminated my youth; and the wonderful achievements of Colin Murphy's times, including 'that night' I was part of at Fulham which almost took us back to the second tier; and, of course, the Cowley years Much however has been a struggle, so in recent months it has been a delight to follow the team as we have danced our way along. So many memories cluster around this and hopes too (though we know how tough next season will also be). Sometimes even the Lincoln Imp themself is taken aback with joy however, wearing the shirt with pride - it is a soul thing. With the warmest blessings as ever to my family in the city and surrounds, and to all my fellow Imps everywhere - halleluia!~

]]><![CDATA[Holy God, I am tired]]>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 23:45:50 GMThttps://www.blessedimp.org/blog/holy-god-i-am-tired

The prayer 'Holy God, I am tired' is one that was used recently during the regular prayers of the Anglican Peace and Justice Network (APJN) and its sentiments reflect the feelings of so many people in our day, struggling in supposedly 'civilised' societies with the outrageous betrayals of love, truth, justice, and basic humanity we experience daily. I have been pleased to share in the APJN prayers in recent months, linking in with people from across the world holding space and light for justice with peace, and reconciliation in so many places and on various levels. I have long believed that the various international Networks of the Anglican Communion are at the heart of contemporary Anglicanism's gift to the world and they certainly help make connections and nurture a spirit of solidarity in our trying times. This prayer, with its appropriate Lenten tone, is one of a number written by Deon K. Johnson, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri. A Barbadian, Deon is also the first out gay black bishop in The Episcopal Church

]]><![CDATA[blessing for a wedding]]>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 23:36:30 GMThttps://www.blessedimp.org/blog/blessing-for-a-weddingThis week I am rejoicing with a friend, one of whose sons is getting married this weekend, at a wedding that will incorporate Filipino and Ukrainian elements of tradition, together with input and food from Aboriginal friends. In our trying times, it is a delight to affirm the gifts of Iove, joy, trust, diversity, and commitment to things that truly matter and which build up rather than destroy, I wrote my own little blessing too (see below), which was kindly appreciated and which others may like to use or adapt.

]]><![CDATA[realising queer history]]>Sun, 22 Mar 2026 05:02:44 GMThttps://www.blessedimp.org/blog/realising-queer-historyDue to family circumstances, I have been spending a good deal of time in Canberra recently . Bonuses in this have been (re)discovering some beautiful places and people. Recently this included a visit to Canberra Museum and Gallery, partly to see the 'A Loving City: Queerberra Revisited', which, revisits the theme of 'Queenberra' in the 2017 book recording the life and progress of queer Canberrans. That in itself holds personal significance, as my wife Penny and I were in Canberra (at the time of an annual theological colleges' conference), at the gathering in Braddon's Haig Park, for the announcement of the results of the 2017 postal vote on marriage equality. I was also delighted however to find that the Canberra Museum and Gallery was hosting the exhibition entitled LOVING: Photographs of Men in Love 1850s-1950s. This shared some of the remarkable discoveries of Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell, after they first found an old photograph of two men in love at an antique store in Dallas, Texas, 25 years ago, which inspired them to a global journey, taking them across the United States, Canada, Europe, the UK, Australia and Asia in search of photographs capturing men in love. This moving and often poignant revealing of hidden history is a lovely encouragement in our trying times to keep on loving and to trust that the whispers (and more) of queer and other suppressed peoples' life, beauty, and joy will out.

]]><![CDATA[on not improving social cohesion]]>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 14:00:00 GMThttps://www.blessedimp.org/blog/on-not-improving-social-cohesion

The murderous attacks on the Jewish community at Bondi Beach before Christmas were truly abhorrent and shocking. Questions have rightly been raised both about security practices and addressing anti-semitism. Especially, it has also been vital for State and Federal leaders to seek to bring comfort to those so horribly bereaved and affected. However, it seems that such official responses have over-balanced in both legislation and police actions regarding protests and the form of inviting guests from Israel to Australia. In the case of the former, it is clear that the current NSW Government leadership remains set in a control mentality, despite legal setbacks in its efforts to exercise such an approach excessively in the past. Inquiries are now happening into what appears to be very aggressive policing, but this, as the Premier has clearly stated, is also specifically linked to the Government's policy approach.

I was out of Sydney during the visit of the President of Israel, but joined in the protest at Parliament House when he and his entourage arrived in Canberra. Like so many others, I believe the Australian Prime Minister's invitation to be repellent in the face of the State of Israel's genocidal actions towards the Palestinians, and also particularly unwise as a State visit. Perhaps a case could possibly be made for a private visit to traumatised Jewish communities in Australia, particularly those directly affected by the Bondi massacre. However, making this a public State occasion, with Israeli flags hanging outside Parliament House, is another thing. Comments about protestors undermining 'social cohesion' therefore ring weirdly, when such an approach to bringing comfort inevitably brought distress and outrage to others. Definitions of antisemitism as including reasonable humanitarian critiques and opposition to Israeli State actions and personnel do not help, nor diminish rising Islamophobia and other divisive evils of our time.

]]><![CDATA[liberty to protest]]>Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:00:00 GMThttps://www.blessedimp.org/blog/liberty-to-protest

Good to see sanity is being restored thanks to our independent Australian judiciary. With thanks to everyone who worked hard to reverse the moral panic. I’m glad to have played a small part. We badly need more civil conversations and relationships, especially with resurgent religious and ethnic tensions, but restricting due rights to liberty is not the way forward. Hopefully NSW and other governments might now stop over-reacting and renew civil partnerships which can help us all flourish, even under strain.

]]><![CDATA[modern Australian liturgies]]>Sun, 14 Sep 2025 14:00:00 GMThttps://www.blessedimp.org/blog/modern-australian-liturgies

Congratulations to all involved in putting together this book which has just been published - including a breadth of liturgical materials (with several LGBT+ related, such as my edited version of the Rainbow Christians Together 'Pancake Pride' liturgy as part of resources for other celebrations, and a copy of a blessing before trans surgery written by myself).
(see here for orders)

]]><![CDATA[Wear it Purple with Gosford Anglicans]]>Sat, 13 Sep 2025 14:00:00 GMThttps://www.blessedimp.org/blog/wear-it-purple-with-gosford-anglicans

Such a delight, on occasions recently. to see and share with old friends and new in the Anglican Parish of Gosford (our first Anglican parish in Australia after emigration) - photo from this 'Wear it Purple' Sunday, on the visit of Bishop Peter.

]]><![CDATA[fires, faith, and futures - MCC Sydney at 50]]>Thu, 11 Sep 2025 14:00:00 GMThttps://www.blessedimp.org/blog/fires-faith-and-futures-mcc-sydney-at-50

It was a huge honour to be asked to preach (a few weeks ago) on the 50th anniversary weekend of MCC Sydney (a full half century of wholly celebratory Christian faith and ministry ) - may the church and community continue to flourish and may its pioneering example encourage others.
(My address can be found here.)

]]><![CDATA[rainbow life still shining]]>Fri, 15 Aug 2025 14:00:00 GMThttps://www.blessedimp.org/blog/rainbow-life-still-shining

It has been/continues to be a too 'interesting' year personally and otherwise (a long story with significant illness and family stresses), but there have been some recent wonderful highlights - including the opportunity to share again with Rainbow Christian Alliance (10 years old this year - Congratulations!!) and the great folk at Tuggeranong Uniting Church. With many thanks for shared love and encouragement.

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