On the pilgrim way: ‘What does being generous mean now?’

26/06/2020 | Reform

Sheila Maxey wonders how to be generous in lockdown

A poem by John O’Donohue which has helped me throughout this lockdown is now bothering me. It begins: ‘This is the time to be slow /… until the bitter weather passes’. … Read More

On the pilgrim way: ‘Am I wasting time?’

29/05/2020 | Reform

I am writing this in late April and find myself, not surprisingly, thinking about time. I was brought up with quite a puritanical approach to time: it had to be used well. We offered our talents and our time to … Read More

On the pilgrim way: ‘Spiritually, I am being cut down to size’

24/04/2020 | Reform

In these strange times, what I write in late March may no longer apply when you read this. Nevertheless, I write.

Nature is putting on its very best show. I look out on a magnificent magnolia. My pots are full … Read More

On the pilgrim way: ‘Called by God? At my age? Surely not’

30/03/2020 | Reform

One morning, during my prayer time, I felt called by God – called to be an elder and even a church secretary. Surely not? At my age? (nearly 82). I was well aware of the need: elders’ elections were looming, … Read More

On the pilgrim way: ‘He sings as he never has before’

21/02/2020 | Reform

On a dark, damp, late January day, I briefly nipped into the garden to feed the birds. I noticed, to my surprise, that the garden was full of new growth – green spikes of daffodils poking through, gorgeous Lenten roses, … Read More

On the pilgrim way: ‘January blues have hit’

28/01/2020 | Reform

The January blues hit me early this year – on New Year’s Eve. For the past 30, or even 40 years, we have brought in the new year at my husband’s brother’s home in Lincolnshire. Because the brothers had a … Read More