@jameshenley.bsky.social
‘A blend of ecclesiastical insight, Welsh pride, and a dash of humour…’ - Bluesky Roast Priest in the Church in Wales • Leader, East Cardiff Ministry Area • Continuing Ministerial Development, Diocese of Monmouth • he/him 🔗 homilies.substack.com
‘Real, biblical faith, is not about strength, because the strong don’t need God’s help. But it is about courage, at least a different kind of courage. The courage to be vulnerable before God. Trusting that it is in God’s power, not human power, that all things are possible.’
Full sermon 👇
Holy Trinity Pontnewydd - External Shot
Holy Trinity Pontnewydd - Internal Shot
Lovely to visit Holy Trinity Pontnewydd in the Cwmbran Ministry Area for the first time today, to celebrate the Eucharist with them on this Second Sunday in Lent (as well as St David’s Day 🏴).
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Snowdrops with church and house of the Resurrection in the background.
Daffodils with monastery in the background.
Lovely to see the snowdrops and daffodils breaking through 😁 Enjoying the afternoon sun while away for a few days on retreat at the Community of the Resurrection in Mirfield.
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‘In the Church today, it’s easy to focus on principal characters and big personalities… But the real work of being the Church — the stuff that ultimately matters most — is not the work of just a few key leaders.’
My farewell sermon for East Cardiff 👇
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Box containing Archdeacon’s Survival Kit
Contents: yes/no signs, Diet Coke, merit stickers, book: how to become a people magnet, burn cream, bandages, icebreaker cards, whistle and others…
Farewell gift from my colleague Marja - an Archdeacon’s Survival Kit. Although I’m really hoping I won’t ever need to use some of its contents! 😂
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Happy Shrove Tuesday everyone! 🥞
17.02.2026 20:58 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Clergy in Anglican choir dress plus church wardens
Cutting the cake
Personalised cake - inscription: farewell Canon James best wishes from ECMA
There are no words to express my gratitude to the wonderful team and people of the East Cardiff Ministry Area for the amazing send off we’ve had as a family this evening. Thank you so much to all who came along.
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“Christ is where heaven and earth meet. He meets us, in all his divine glory, in all the mess of our human lives. And he says to us, just as he did to the three disciples, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’“
This morning’s homily for Transfiguration Sunday:
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‘So the question for us, today and every day, is whether we too will present ourselves to God, just as Christ was presented for our sake. Whether we too will set ourselves apart in some way for God’s purpose, rather than our own.’
Today’s homily for Candlemas 👇
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'So what was it that changed everything for Paul? What was it that caused such a dramatic transformation?
'Well, the answer — if we will believe St Luke who wrote the book of Acts, and St Paul in his own words — is no more and no less than a powerful encounter with the living God.'
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‘It’s not always easy to be enthusiastic about our faith. Sometimes, we might feel nervous sharing something deeply personal with others. Or fearful of coming across to others as overwhelming or overpowering.
‘This is where those three simple words of Jesus can be a really helpful model for us…’
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Humbled to have been invited by +Cherry to become the new Archdeacon of Newport and Diocesan Director of Ministry & Discipleship. It will be incredibly difficult to leave East Cardiff, our wonderful congregations and fantastic team, but excited for the new chapter of ministry which lies ahead.
08.01.2026 11:51 — 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
‘Three gifts which point us towards one true gift. The gift of Jesus Christ himself... And he invites us to respond through the giving of a gift in return. The giving of our lives.’
Homily for the Feast of Epiphany 👇
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Anglo-Catholic Discipleship Today: Encountering Christ, Embodying the Church Revised Draft
One step closer to a final manuscript…
19.07.2025 16:16 — 👍 6 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
'Christ came to bring freedom... Freedom of an entirely different order to that any earthly empire could conceive. A freedom, which is rooted not in what we can see with our eyes and touch with our hands, but in a glimpse of the world which is to come.'
My sermon for the Feast of Ss Peter & Paul:
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Attitudes towards the centrality of the eucharist have changed over time, and vary in churches today, reports Madeleine Davies
13.06.2025 07:33 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Humbled to have been asked by Bishop Cherry to join the College of Canons at Newport Cathedral. Please do save the date for the installation in November:
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‘We too can know the same freedom in Christ today…
‘In our prayers, in our singing, in receiving the sacrament, we too can find strength to challenge injustice. To choose the common good over individual profit, to choose love over tribalism, and light over darkness.’
Today’s sermon:
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'We are Christ’s intended dwelling place. His divine renovation project. And even though we are far from perfect, over time he makes us into a home which is fit for him. Freeing us from our sins, healing our wounds, growing us in holiness.'
Today's homily:
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‘“My sheep hear my voice,” Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel, “I know them and they follow me.”
This is a vital part of the spiritual life — learning to hear Christ’s voice. So how can we learn to recognise the voice of Christ, our Good Shepherd, through times both good and hard?’
⚓️ Today’s homily:
'We can often find ourselves in a similar situation. Working harder, trying to fit more into our busy lives. Yet rather than feeling fulfilled, we end up even more stressed.
'So it’s natural that we ask ourselves: What are we doing wrong? Where is God in the midst of all this busyness?'
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‘“Mary,” Jesus said to her — turning sadness into joy, greyscale into colour, darkness into light.
‘Today, may you too hear Christ calling you. The one who knows you and loves you, calling you by name. His voice overflowing with love and grace and mercy.’
My homily for Easter Day:
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‘Sacrifice, service, sacrament. Three signs to guide our way as we begin these three holy days…’
Tonight’s homily for Maundy Thursday:
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'The thief is us — you and I. Gazing upon the cross, conscious of how far from perfect we each are. With him, we pray, "Jesus, remember me." And receive from Christ the most amazing response: "Today you will be with me in paradise."'
Today's short homily reflecting on St Luke's Passion:
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External photo of St David’s Church, Beaufort
Photo of Welsh order of service and readings booklet.
Hyfryd iawn i fod yn Eglwys Dewi Sant, Beaufort ger Glyn Ebbwy bore ‘ma i dathlu’r Ewcharist yn yr iaith Cymraeg. Diolch am eich croeso.
12.04.2025 14:04 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
'While Mary anoints Jesus ready for his death, Paul invites us to join Jesus in his death. To live no longer for ourselves alone, but for Christ. To walk day-by-day, with him, the way of the Cross.'
Here's my homily for today, Passion Sunday:
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'The more we’re aware of our own human inadequacy, the more we find ourselves relying on God’s grace. Christ, who like the persistent gardener continues to tend to us. To persevere with us. To refuse to give up on us.'
My homily for today, the Third Sunday of Lent ⚓️
City I like: Bristol
City I love: Florence
City I think is overrated: Pisa
City I think is underrated: Birmingham
City I feel most myself in: Cardiff
City I still need to visit: Barcelona
City I dream of living in: Rome
Most inspiring city today: Kyiv
Favorite city of all time: St Davids
