Alec Corio

... How the concert got in my dressing gown, I shall never know ...

Archive on 4 - Kenneth Williams: Said the Actor to the Bishop - BBC Sounds Kenneth Williams recorded excerpts from the Bible. They've not been broadcast until now.

For anyone preaching on the Good Samaritan this Sunday, and not planning to just talk about Donaghue vs Stevenson, this is a must listen: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

New initiative from Barnet’s Incredible Edible campaign – a festival to celebrate the brilliance of the humble bean - The Barnet Society A celebration of the joy of growing and eating beans organised by members of Barnet’s innovative Incredible Edible campaign group was a journey from start to finish – from seed to plate.

Nick at the Barnet Society has done a fabulous job, yet again!, telling everyone who didn't come to our Cool Beans event earlier this week what they missed out on. Thanks Nick!

An impeccably (2 bottle) orthodox sermon is ready for Sunday.

Well done, subeditor.

It was a privilege to lead today's very successful Wesley Day pilgrimage, from Wesley's Chapel to St Paul's cathedral.

Involving @methodist.org.uk @stalbansdiocese.org @dioceseoflondon.bsky.social @stpaulscathedral.bsky.social

And we even arrived in time for Evensong.

It's been an honour to prepare the material for the Wesley Day pilgrimage this Saturday.

We'll walk from Wesley's Chapel to @stpaulscathedral.bsky.social with friends from @methodist.org.uk and Barnet deaneries in @dioceseoflondon.bsky.social and @stalbansdiocese.org

Let's hope for good weather!

When the Son of Man comes in glory ... he will say ... "I was a stranger and you welcomed me" ... Then the righteous will answer him ... “when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you?” ... And the king will answer ... "just as you did to one of the least of these ... you did to me.”

Congratulations to the sub editor or writer for that title.

You are fully called It is an important anniversary. Eighty years ago this week, the British Eleventh Armoured Division liberated the concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen. The troops who opened the gates there discovere…

On what it measn to be fully alive, at Easter and a time of complexity and hate.

stmaryseastbarnet.org/2025/04/you-...

A corporal of sacristans?

It was great to show Bishop Jane @stalbansdiocese.org some of the wonderful mission and ministry that is shared between St Mary's Church and School, and to have her preside at the termly school Eucharist we've introduced in this inclusive setting.

stmarysen4-barnet.co.uk/bishop-janes...

I got through a whole lot of ash on Ash Wednesday at St Mary's, our wonderful church school in East Barnet

stmarysen4-barnet.co.uk/ash-wednesday/

It's time for my annual liturgy lecture to those training for ministry to the ERMC on which Common Worship volumes are which, and which of them are actually useful.

Truly, liturgical texts exist in their thousands, but different editions and volumes of Common Worship in their tens of thousands.

I've found it's worth investing in a metal dog bowl to do this, and having a quick chemistry lesson in what different accelerants to use to get the palms burning well, and what happens if you mistakenly mix ash with water (rather than) oil before imposition.

I've been burning last year's palm crosses to create some more ashes before Ash Wednesday.

They'll have cooled down before they are offered then, mixed with a little olive oil, to make the sign of the cross on the forehead of any who wish it.

I got a phishing email this morning from a Mr Jean Calvin.

He must have known I was not destined to click on the link though.

Our churches routinely offer gluten-free bread or non-alcoholic wine at Communion.

Read more at cofe.io/Communion.

I was at St Mary's School talking with reception about what 'goes into' making a church good for the wider community.

The food redistribution work we do with Barnet Collective is a shining example of that. Look at this box - one of about 70 sent out this week - overflowing with generosity.

Yesterday our morning service at St Mary's was an All Age Messy Christingle.

This shows some of the Christingle supplies, before the mess got started.

By the end of the service the whole area was covered in orange juice and silver foil from a confetti canon. Thankfully there were no burn marks.

It was a slightly wet day for a burial service in a local cemetary today, but fortunately we were able to use the order of prayer for burial at sea.

I'd be very happy to help in this way, or if a contribution in another context would be useful. I'll have a look at the form!

I was supporting a parish in vacancy this morning, and at both their services we saw the Wedding at Cana through the story of Whisky Galore.

Figuratively speaking, of course, as I had to drive between churches.

The description for the liturgy module that I teach to ordinands and licensed lay ministers in training for the ERMC now has a bibliography.

It just says '... and the c. 1000000000 other Common Worship volumes.'

What's the weirdest school assembly prop you've used #cofepeeps ?

Leading collective worship at our wonderful Church primary school is usually the highlight of my week.

Today I was helped by a having 210 litre water butt and various curious coloured liquids as props.

I've been celebrating Epiphany through the holy ministry of lugging very heavy chairs around the church building.

The moon is visiting @stalbanscathedral.bsky.social, and moonrise over nave altar is uncannily beautiful.

New year, new account, as I dip a toe into bluesky.

I can already see it's a bit different to twitter. Is it worth setting up a church account here too?