Ruth Harley

I'm happy with or without, really. In previous parish I did a mixture. And I certainly don't stick strictly to the script - but (hopefully) close enough to make it comprehensible for those following along that way.

I enjoy it. But I have folks here who need a copy of the text because they can't hear well enough to follow the sermon, so I always have a full text in front of me on Sundays now. I really had been looking for opportunities to keep my hand in. Although ideally in a more planned sort of way!

It was actually fine. I quite like preaching without notes from time to time. I never do it in Sundays here because I have folks who need a text in front of them due to hearing loss. So I had been thinking I should look for opportunities to keep my hand in... but ideally in a more intentional way!

a close up of a stuffed monkey wearing a green shirt and overalls making a funny face . Alt: a close up of a stuffed monkey wearing a green shirt and overalls making a funny face .

I guess sometimes accidentally locking your sermon in the vestry is God's way of reminding you that you've been meaning to practice your extempore preaching for a while...

Selecting some quotes from my PhD research participants to share in a presentation later this week. Struck again by the exceptional depth of wisdom and insight these women have offered, and the absolute joy and privilege of receiving these stories and reflections. What a gift! #TinyJoys #PhDLife

I was having a similar thought recently while discussing the awfulness of the present situation for trans people with an actual nun. (In fairness, I do know some nuns with some pretty radical views, but this is not among them.)

Wonderful! A beautiful day for it too. I will let the group know next week, they'll be thrilled.

A copy of "Lentwise: Spiritual Essentials for Real Life".

Loving this Lent course in the parish. Lively discussion today about sources of spiritual nourishment: psalms, Catherine Cookson, Rod Stewart, stained glass, knitting, plants, friends, communion, etc. And the group wants to know: does @helenannhartley.bsky.social find running spiritually nourishing?

My favourite ever toddler addition to the dismissal is "Biscuit time!" (followed by a swift dash towards the biscuit tin)

At the end of this morning's mass:
Me: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Congregation: In the name of Christ. Amen.
Toddler: All done!

When it comes to liturgical formation, start 'em young, I say!

#CofEpeeps #Narthex ✝️🕯⚓️

It took a while of them doing this consistently, clearly and explicitly before I believed they really meant it (because of, um, also past experience). But they do, and it's wonderful.

My parish is truly excellent at this. From the outset they made it explicitly clear they wanted a priest who has good boundaries around time off (due to, um, past experience, shall we say). And when I have held those boundaries they respond with "right, good" rather than "but can't you just to X".

My favourite is Shutte's "Rivers of Glory" sung unaccompanied any time I am asperging people (which includes every Sunday during Eastertide). Somehow it just really suits this congregation. Probably my most persistent liturgical earworm since arriving here!

Tbh I think our current repertoire of 3 (People's Mass for ordinary time, Gathering Mass for Christmas/Easter, Santo Mass for Advent/Lent) has got us covered in terms of mass settings for now. Plus various bits of Dan Schutte have made their way into other bits of the liturgy and really work for us.

Well, that would depend which liturgical season we are in!

That's a very fair point. Although, when I say 'together'... not necessarily all in the same key or at quite the same speed or anything. Heartfelt and worshipful, yes. Technically... um... ropey, I think would be fair. But I love it so, so much.

I will give it some thought.

I realise this is a fairly niche liturgical music situation! (They do not realise it is in any way unusual. To the extent that they didn't tell me before I presided there for the first time that they sing a mass setting. They just... did it. Because *obviously* that's what they do.)

I will be very interested in any liturgical bits and bobs which would work for a congregation of about 20 with no musicians and who don't read music, but are accustomed to singing an unaccompanied mass setting together each week and confidently tackle the litany of saints etc.

Oh, this is lovely! I can definitely see us adding it to our repertoire at my church which does a lot of unaccompanied congregational liturgical singing. Thanks for sharing.

It's a system designed by people who all know accountants, lawyers, doctors etc socially, for people who... don't.

My churchwarden was very unhappy that he wasn't allowed to do it for people during the long vacancy before I arrived. And he's right to be, tbh. He's every bit as reliable and trustworthy as I am... but retired car mechanic isn't on 'the list'.

Indeed. It's something I get asked to do a lot in the parish because I'm the most approachable 'professional' (no cost, no appointment booking system, walking distance from parishioners' homes).

On a wooden table top: a cup of tea, and assortment of packets of seeds, a guide to the Northumberland Coast Path, and a secondhand copy of Mary Daly's "Wickedary".

I have the makings of a truly excellent day off. #TinyJoys (Plus, not pictured, purring cat on lap.)

In fairness, numbers 11-19 (odd) were all down the alley. And also numbers 42-56 (even). As I say, there's no logic to it! I have heard of the practice of leaving out 13, but never lived anywhere it actually happened.

Probably my least favourite thing about ministry on a housing estate is ridiculous non-sequential numbering of the houses. Today I was going along the road looking for number 13: 3, 5, 7, 9, um... 184. Huh?!? Number 13 turned out to be round the back, down an alley off a completely different road.

Wonderful news! I'm so pleased for you, and for the church.

Yes, one is plenty.

#TinyJoys Sitting next to my 8 year old niece at the Planetarium involved a brilliant combination of awestruck wonder and extremely deep questions. Lots of "woah... this is so epic" but also "how did gravity come about in the first place?"

Failed to actually eat any because I was so engrossed in leading the pancake-themed games at our church pancake party (occupational hazard!). But apparently they were excellent.