Julie Bacon

SHIFT WORK The snow is soft and pushed into drifts. A van pulls up with men in black masks ¬— never alone, they bully in shifts. Guns make them bold, hands on their hips; the clouds of pepper and tear gas leave citizens blind, pushed into drifts. Frozen fingers let placards slip but phones are ready to photograph the next assault — working in shifts we follow the Icemen and bear witness when friends and neighbours are kidnapped, pushed into snow, pulled into drifts. If one of us wearies, needs to sit and warm iced feet, no need to ask — others step up, we take it in shifts. It’s scary now, but we'll persist and hold each other; under attack our hearts still beat, pushed into drifts but not alone. Resisting in shifts. ¬¬ NJ Hynes 16 Jan 2026

How rude! 😉

Wasn’t it Fallon? But yes, agreed.

If the attacker is a regular character, it will make it too easy for George never to face up to the consequences of his words and actions - previous behaviour suggests he’ll lean into his victim status #TheArchers

It’s what George says that is at least as awful as what he does. I presume tonight’s crack to Brad about how not everyone can be an ‘alpha’ is a reference to the incel culture which has had such a powerful influence on him? #TheArchers

I decided that over my Christmas break I would re-watch the three parts of The Lord of the Rings. Part 1 viewed today. My, what a great story, and film. Looking forward to the next two instalments.

O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver, the hope of the nations and their Saviour: Come and save us, O Lord our God. #oantiphons #advent #eveningprayer

O King of the nations, and their desire, the cornerstone making both one: Come and save the human race, which you fashioned from clay. #oantiphons #advent #eveningprayer

O Morning Star, splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness: Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. #oantiphons #advent #eveningprayer

O Key of David and sceptre of the house of Israel; you open and no one can shut; you shut and no one can open: Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house,those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. #oantiphons #advent #eveningprayer

O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples; before you kings will shut their mouths, to you the nations will make their prayer: Come and deliver us, and delay no longer. #oantiphons #advent

Christ has always been in Christmas.

Thank you!

‘Empathy that lasts a lifetime’: charity bridges gap between Bradford schools Pupils from schools with differing demographics meet and play under charity scheme set up after city’s 2001 riots

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

This is a brilliant grass roots initiative that helps children get to know others like them from different places, and builds real friendships.

Getting ready to celebrate my daughter’s wedding at lunchtime today - feeling the joy bubbling up!

George may have paid his debt to society via prison, but that’s different from restoring relationships with people he’s hurt. He doesn’t see the difference, or understand that forgiveness cannot be demanded #TheArchers

Bird feeders thoroughly washed and dried, and now refilled.

+Pete providing inspiring teaching on Ephesians 1.3-14 on our calling to live to the praise of God’s glory.

The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE to become 106th Archbishop of Canterbury - The Diocese of Sheffield The announcement has been made today.

In response to the news that Bishop Sarah is to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop Pete and Bishop Leah said:

'We warmly welcome the announcement that Sarah has been appointed to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

First woman appointed to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury The Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Sarah Mullally, has been announced as the next Primate of All England

What a wonderful appointment! Praying for ++Sarah as she takes up this demanding and important leadership role.

www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...

Catching up with the Archers - I wasn’t expecting a Bible study with Soosan, Brine and Justin (and a few silents?), but I am here for it!

With the new Bishop of Doncaster, @leahvs.bsky.social

At Rotherham station, on my way to York for the consecration of Leah Vasey-Saunders, new bishop of Doncaster @sheffdio.org

When I was a child, there was a toy shop that put ‘Only 13 weeks’ in whitewash on its window in September, and then counted down. I couldn’t understand why the adults grumbled so much about it, but now I do.

Usually I would be with you on this. But my daughter is getting married in December, and is planning decorations for the reception, so she’s actually quite grateful for this kind of thing at the moment.

I don’t think you should be expected to for now. You can always do something for them at a later stage as and when you can.

Is there something you could offer them instead of a funeral (thinking particularly of her brothers)?

A lingering psychological/spiritual ache - a kind of raw edge, something left unfinished. I am not sure that‘closure’ is quite the right word, but certainly a lack of something.

As a priest, I have seen pastoral problems if there is no marking of a life, but it can be done in ways other than a traditional funeral (particularly if religious faith isn’t involved).

The funeral (if there is one) is primarily for the living, and what is appropriate depends on your personal circumstances. Will you and those close to your mum miss the ritual marking of her life and death, or will you do it in another way? /1