Clare M. Dowding's Avatar

Clare M. Dowding

@claredowding.bsky.social

Welshwoman in London. University administrator. Independent researcher (medieval anchorites). Anglican Reader (lay minister). Warden of Readers Diocese of Southwark.

1,329 Followers  |  492 Following  |  1,412 Posts  |  Joined: 14.11.2024  |  2.0141

Latest posts by claredowding.bsky.social on Bluesky

I hope you're able to deal with the nerves, and that all goes smoothly.

09.02.2026 09:54 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

As a former colleague of mine used to say, the best advice he received when starting in ministry was "always accept resignations, never accept pianos".

07.02.2026 19:59 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

Sorry, that was in response to the alt-text on the photo - I've just realised it looks odd as a reply just to the wording in your post!

07.02.2026 19:23 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I can't remember, but I do know that a friend of mine, when a child, had a tortoise with that name (her father was a priest).

07.02.2026 19:21 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

"Welcome to Italy, Mr Vice-President, my name is Lucrezia and I'll be looking after you during your stay here."

07.02.2026 18:00 β€” πŸ‘ 18    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I'm keeping half an eye on the score ...

07.02.2026 17:31 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

In case anyone wonders, I'm not watching the 🏴󠁧󠁒󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 game as I have to write a homily for Evening Prayer tomorrow on the theme of 'Wisdom' - so focussing on that seemed to be, um, the wisest thing to do.

#ENGvWAL #6Nations

07.02.2026 17:19 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 0

Now that I would watch!

06.02.2026 21:45 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Paging @jayhulmepoet.bsky.social, who I think was keeping a running tally of denominations joined (and left).

06.02.2026 21:05 β€” πŸ‘ 9    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

Life as a Franciscan Sister or Brother… could this be for me..?
Date: Saturday 14th March 2026
Meeting on Zoom: 9.30 am – 1pm
Booking essential (by 12th March please)
FIND OUT HOW TO BOOK HEREπŸ”— https://ow.ly/V2Ag50Y9X3k

06.02.2026 15:30 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Singing it isn't easy, but it's so satisfying!

06.02.2026 08:33 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

OK, so in the long and noble tradition of the reverse jinx, I'm taking credit for both of the Ireland tries. You're welcome.

#FRAvIRE #6Nations

05.02.2026 21:34 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Moot point now, anyway!

05.02.2026 21:28 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Out of interest, when was the last time Ireland got nilled?

#FRAvIRE #6Nations

05.02.2026 21:20 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 1

I am really having to remind myself that tomorrow is not Saturday ...

05.02.2026 21:01 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

I'm now wondering which will be less annoying: the ITV commentary, or the fact that the BBC radio commentary is about 30 seconds behind the TV pictures.

05.02.2026 20:10 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

That's the bunny! And I see that he died just before John Paul II, so Karol obviously managed to keep going until he'd seen off "Pope St. Gregory XVII the Very Great" 🀣.

05.02.2026 16:55 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Sorry to hear that you're having to retire from that particular role, Rachel, but I hope that not having all the Archdeacony things to do allows you to continue to flourish in other ways as God calls.

05.02.2026 13:15 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Possibly, although he's rather before my time, and I definitely remember there being someone who died around the same time as John Paul II who had had delusions of Popery (as it were).

Or at least I definitely remember that I definitely remember, but I could be wrong ...

05.02.2026 11:39 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

I seem to remember that there was a chap who thought he should have been selected in 1978 instead of John Paul II, although he may not even have been a Cardinal at the time (I think he was a priest). He therefore set himself up as anti-Pope, and to complete the bit, he died about a week after JPII.

05.02.2026 10:28 β€” πŸ‘ 19    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Lip Sync Battle - Tom Holland
YouTube video by Comedy Central LatinoamΓ©rica Lip Sync Battle - Tom Holland

You know the rules. See it, share it.

05.02.2026 04:58 β€” πŸ‘ 16    πŸ” 16    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

Would it in any way be linked to the thread of cathedrals off which bits have fallen at various times ... ?!

03.02.2026 10:16 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Safe journeys!

02.02.2026 15:49 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

The Nunc from the Gibbons Short Service is one of my all-time favourite pieces of music generally, not just for Candlemas.

02.02.2026 10:55 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Morning all ...

02.02.2026 10:50 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

But when we crave power over lifeβ€”endless wealth, unassailable safety, immortalityβ€”then desire becomes greed. And if knowledge allies itself to that greed, then comes evil. Then the balance of the world is swayed, and ruin weighs heavy in the scale.

01.02.2026 21:30 β€” πŸ‘ 62    πŸ” 24    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

NCIS had the spouse of one of the main characters die of Covid, but it was off-screen (between seasons, I think), and I don't know how/if they followed that up as I stopped watching around the same time.

01.02.2026 17:37 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Sign the Petition Oppose the WRU's Proposed Reduction in Elite Teams

The Ospreys, Dragons and Cardiff Supporters Trusts have launched a joint petition to oppose the WRU's culling of a team, fanbase, and future for rugby in that region.

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30.01.2026 19:00 β€” πŸ‘ 35    πŸ” 12    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 1

Chilling drinks is useful!

Although I'm reminded of Arthur C Clarke's observation, in his book about the making of 2001 (film and book), that he reckoned Kubrick used a tame black hole as a filing system ...

30.01.2026 14:54 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Um - on TVs in the loos, or just the soundtrack?!

30.01.2026 14:50 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

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