I am amazed how frequently I read things which make a real impact upon me - anything from obituaries (it’s the parson in me), letters, postcards, reviews, exhibitions, catalogues - and that is before we get to politics.

Eye To Eye

For several years I have been attracted to images of women who cover their faces and have had it in my mind to explore this phenomenon with a carving.  The current debate, sparked off by Jack Straw, rather than quickening my interest has had quite the opposite effect.  However, my theological disposition remains interested but puzzled.  I have an uneasy sense of manipulation – manipulation coming from more than one direction.  

When groups of people are poles apart in their thinking and also distanced socially, raising one’s voice does not appear to be of much use.  The effort involved is both exhausting and unrewarding.  Perhaps the opposite is necessary - learning how to ‘whisper’ out loud which I presume is the art of diplomacy.

When I lived in Bradford I got to know Dave Bowen - a genuinely gentle man and softly spoken.  He excelled at communicating across cultural divides.