James Mercer Fulcrum Perspectives: Women Bishops Legislation by James Mercer Some twelve years ago, I attended a conference for ordinands of all types and persuasions, held in Birmingham Cathedral. A friend and fellow ordinand asked the assembled plenary panel, with studied innocence, (the panel included the Archbishop of Canterbury in waiting) as to which of the 'two … Continue Reading
Trust is Risky by James Mercer Eddie was absolutely down on his luck, sleeping rough on the unaccommodating suburban streets of Harrow. A bizarre place for Eddie to be – a shepherd by trade, from Northern Ireland. Out of place; alone; without hope – rendered jobless and penniless, first by foot and mouth disease and … Continue Reading
Fulcrum Book Review:‘Simply Jesus’ by Tom Wright by James Mercer Tom Wright’s new book ‘Simply Jesus’ has been referenced in the ongoing Forum conversation ‘Protest@ St Paul’s. Here James Mercer attempts a thumb-nail synopsis of the book, in the hope that that it will encourage us to engage with Tom Wright’s challenging and fantastically exciting … Continue Reading
Conversations in St Paul’s Churchyard by James Mercer On the first Friday, (which seems along time ago now in the brief history of the protest outside St Paul’s), we walked around the encampment, en route to another destination. We were invited to join a conversation. Wearing clerical collars undoubtedly gave us entrée to the event. … Continue Reading
In the beginning, a meal Humanity’s eyes opened to see – what? Nakedness Innocence lost In the beginning – a poetic exploration of the consequence of humanity seeking to be like God, but instead sharing in deceit – a deceit that will lead to suspicion and, in time, rivalry and death – murder. Personal gratification, … Continue Reading
Suburban Snow Sunday by James Mercer “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”. Matthew 18:20 The 8.00am BCP Communion service on Sunday mornings is a ‘Marmite service’, some love it, some don’t. Those that love it do so for a variety of reasons; familiarity; … Continue Reading
A Fulcrum Book Review by James Mercer ‘Alone in Berlin’ by Hans Fallada Alone in Berlin is the intriguing, dark, tense and yet surprisingly redemptive story of an ordinary Berlin couple’s small act of resistance to the all-pervading Nazi regime during the Second World War. It draws its inspiration from real life events. On learning that … Continue Reading
Hodder and Stoughton ISBN 978-0-340-99548-8 £11.99 I always look forward to Brian McLaren’s writing and to his speaking. He is eloquent and accessible; challenging and a man of great humility. I find him to be one of those fascinating people with the ability to articulate my own thoughts and questions before I even know I … Continue Reading
‘How It Is’ by James Mercer The current commission in the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern is titled ‘How It Is’. Conceived and designed by Polish artist Miroslaw Balka, the exhibit is a giant grey steel structure, enclosing a vast dark chamber. Hovering somewhere between sculpture and architecture, on 2 metre stilts, it stands 13 metres … Continue Reading
Evangelical Relics? by James Mercer The intriguing arrival of the much-travelled mortal remains of an obscure French Carmelite nun at Westminster Cathedral prompted a mischievous memory of two other arcane relics – both evangelical ‘relics’. Both reside (presumably they are still there) within a theological college in Cambridge. To view one of them involves climbing … Continue Reading