Natasha Woodward

Pretty raw stuff here from the Dean of Canterbury: viamedia.news/2025/10/22/w... #CofE

Just because it’s published… “I’m on the rota for the children’s group at church tomorrow,” said my friend Louise, one Saturday evening when we were round for supper. “I’d better have a look at the scheme and see what I’m mean…

How critical are we of the published material that we use with our children's groups and in schools? Three cautionary tales (all from a C of E context!) #CofEPeeps meristemweb.wordpress.com/2025/10/19/j...

16 September 1963

Shocked parishioners in Kent have complained because the local vicar, Reverend Donald Lugg, wore an open-neck shirt and his wife, Dorothy, wore slacks at a church bazaar.

Photo of Dr Emma Swai, Associate Supervisor at Westcott House. Text: 'Disability, as embodied experience, is a lens not often factored into academic study. I believe that it should be and, therefore, I offer students the opportunity to consider research from a perspective that specifically aims to recognise potential embedded prejudice in the issues or area they are examining. I see my job as a supervisor as supporting my students to find confidence in their own voice. I will never tell students what to think, but I might challenge them: not necessarily because I disagree, but because I want them to strengthen their own position.'

Dr Emma Swai is up next in our intro series. An educator for over two decades, her research interests look at the portrayal of disability in New Testament writings, linguistic analysis of ecclesiastical texts and positionality & interpretation. More info about Emma’s research in bio: buff.ly/kNk2CXB

Having a season = in heat?

Hard to see past Thames tideway tunnel

Scientists find link between genes and ME/chronic fatigue syndrome Large study suggests people’s genetics could ‘tip the balance’ on whether they would develop the illness Scientists have found the first robust evidence that people’s genes affect their chances of developing myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), a mysterious and debilitating illness that has been neglected and dismissed for decades by many in the medical community. Early findings from the world’s largest study into the genetics of the condition pinpointed eight regions of the human genome that were substantially different in people with an ME/CFS diagnosis compared to those without the illness. Continue reading...

Scientists find link between genes and ME/chronic fatigue syndrome

Graphic 1 of 4. DecodeME: The Results graphic. At the top in bold lettering, it says ‘Main Findings’. Beneath this it says ‘Your genes contribute to your chances of developing ME/CFS. Other key findings are on the following slides.

Graphic 2 of 4. DecodeME: The Results graphic. The slide says ‘People with an ME/CFS diagnosis have significant genetic differences in their DNA compared to the general population’. Beneath this is an image of a DNA helix and a magnifying glass.

Graphic 3 of 4. DecodeME: The Results graphic. The slide says ‘These lie in many places across the genome, and do not impact just one gene’. Beneath this is an image of a DNA helix and graphs.

Graphic 4 of 4. DecodeME: The Results graphic. The slide says ‘Eight genetic signals have been identified. As DNA doesn’t change with ME/CFS onset, these findings reflect causes rather than effects of ME/CFS’. Beneath this is a blue magnifying glass with a DNA helix.

(1/2) Key genetic differences found in people with ME/CFS > Swipe to find out more.

These findings reflect the lived experience of thousands of #pwME.

Thanks to all our participants & supporters who made this possible!

Read a summary of our results: shorturl.at/pgsjk

I’ve long said that a lot of the resistance to adequately funding research into MECFS and long COVID is that a lot of medical professionals are ideologically opposed to the idea of a condition where exercise makes you worse.

Well done! Any Anglican London priests who want to have a go but that isn't the tradition of your church I would be delighted to guide you through in a friendly and forgiving parish. And we can throw in incense and a whole lot more singing if you like.

Read our joint statement here: tr.ee/TsXPjMdu1A

#pwME
#pwLC
#MyalgicEncephalomyelitis
#FundThePlan
@ashleydaltonmp.bsky.social
@rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social
@joplatt.bsky.social
@eddavey.libdems.org.uk
@tessamunt.bsky.social

a white background with the words thank you and amen written on it Alt: a white background with the words thank you and amen written on it

Shout-out to all involved in church music this week. It's a phenomenal ministry

The music and singing at @mancathedral.bsky.social has been exceptional so far this Holy Week- moving us into a much deeper place of worship and prayer

Incredibly grateful for all they do

#music #church #holyweek

Bats were flitting in my garden last night. In central London. #tinyjoys

For some I reckon it's because they don't know whether to look after you or to defer to you (or whatever their default approaches to men or women are). But I am sure you know that and your guesses are nicer so I would go with them!

Been catching up on General Synod of the #CofE where each speaker says their name and three digit id. I wonder who 007 is?

#CofE

Save the date!
Churches Count on Nature returns June 7th-15th - what delights of nature are in your churchyard?
#CofE #ARochaUK #GodsAcre #ChurchinWales

www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/churches-cou...

🌿 We’re Hiring! Join the Hazelnut Community Team! 🌿
We’re looking for a Network Project Coordinator and a Young Eco Champion to help grow our community. We’d love to hear from you! For the right person these roles can be combined.

📌 Learn more & apply here: hazelnutcommunityfarm.com

Depending on levels of engagement we might switch livetweeting here in July.

O God, you know us to be set
in the midst of so many and great dangers,
that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright:
grant to us such strength and protection
as may support us in all dangers
and carry us through all temptations;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.

Today's Collect, especially for anyone who, like me, sometimes needs to sit when it is traditional to stand.
#CofE

Restructuring and lack of restructuring can both lead to roles that clergy are unwilling or unable to do.

Add me please if I am not already there, thanks. Acclimatising to how all this works.

At least 114 clergy posts advertised in a recent edition of the Church Times. This seems a lot. #CofE

In a similar vein I once heard a sermon on keeping Sabbath specifically on Sunday preached in a country where Friday was the day of rest and most people clearly had no choice about their day off. I still don't understand what the preacher thought people would do.

I agree. If there is capacity for reflection during the vacancy I would focus on values.

Wow. Just seeing this has created an expectation in my taste buds for some sweet north american popcorn snack which I guess I last had while playing pac man as a kid.

Hi folks. Great to see everyone arriving on bluesky. I hear it's a good idea to post something so y'all know I'm a real person. So here are some of my works in progress.