BOOK REVIEW-The Curious World of Samuel Pepys & John Evelyn by Margaret Willes

Margaret Willes’ book provided my first introduction to the life of John Evelyn, weaving aspects of his life alongside that of his friend and (the now arguably more famous) Pepys. The title is a nod to the ‘insatiable curiosity’ that the author states they both shared.

Grace for The Clothworkers' Livery Dinner

The Caged Bird's Song, Chris Ofili

A grace given at a Livery Dinner of The Clothworkers Company at The Drapers Hall on Wednesday 1st October 2025, drawing on the season, the historic roots of the Company in the Fullers & Shearmen and the Company motto. 

As we gather this Michaelmastide, let us pray;

Generous God, in whom alone we trust,
Bless these fruits of the harvest, and all who laboured to bring them forth.

As we show the fullness of our thanks and praise in our enjoyment of them,

Clothe us in your grace,
Drape us in your peace,

Shear from us all that dulls compassion,
And weave our lives ever closer to another, and all to you.

Amen.

Different Livery Companies and Guilds have different traditions. In this case I was asked to write a short (30s) prayer in English not in a rhyming style. It was such an honour to attend the dinner and to meet so many inspiring people. 

Thought for the Day-Visions of Peace

Mount Zion and the Church of the Dormition, Jerusalem, 1923 by David Bomberg

A Thought for the Day given during Holy Communion at St Olave Hart Street on Tuesday 30th September 2025 based on the texts of Zechariah 8.20-23 & Luke 9.51-56

BOOK REVIEW-Walking Pepys's London by Jacky Colliss Harvey

Written during the Covid lockdown, when many of us living in Central London gained a new appreciation for walking in the car-free streets and of the cityscape around us, discovering or rediscovering hidden gems on our doorsteps, Jacky Colliss Harvey’s book offers five walks around “Pepys's London”.

BOOK REVIEW-The Joys of Excess, extracts from the diary of Samuel Pepys

Part of a series of twenty short paperbacks celebrating historical writing on food, “The Joys of Excess” offers selected extracts from the diary of Samuel Pepys that mention food and its effects (particularly excessive quantities of it). The book is arranged into ten chapters each covering one of the years from 1660-1669 that Pepys kept his (first and most famous) diary, every Chapter title a nod to one of the more obscure or eventful entries contained therein.

Radio 4 Daily Service-Now in the Lord you are light

The earliest Morris & Company windows in Christ Church Southgate

It was a great privilege to present the Daily Service on Radio Four Extra on Wednesday 10th September 2025 as part of a week of programmes on the subject of Art and Spirituality. If you are in the UK you can listen to the recording on the BBC IPlayer at this link. The script of my reflection is below. Thank you to the producer, Andrew Earis. The photographs in this blog post are by Christine Matthews and John Salmon.

Thought for the Day-A Matter of Perspective

"The Class System" from The Frost Report

A Thought for the Day given during a lunchtime service of Holy Communion at St Olave Hart Street on Tuesday 9th September 2025 based on readings from Colossians 2.6-15 and Luke 6.12-19.

Announcement - New Rector of St Olave Hart Street

From The Churchwardens of the Parsish of St Olave Hart Street and All Hallows Staining with St Catherine Coleman, City of London:

We are delighted to announce that The Reverend Phillip Dawson has been appointed as the next Rector of St Olave Hart Street. A service of institution and induction will take place on 8th January 2026 at 6pm.

Thought for the Day-Texts of Healing

The Great Fire of London, with Ludgate and Old St Paul's, Yale Centre for British Art

A Thought for the Day given at a lunchtime service of Holy Communion at St Olave Hart Street on Tuesday 2nd September 2025 based on the text of 1 Thessalonians 5.1-6, 9-11 and Luke 4.31-37 and the anniversary of the start of the Great Fire of London.

Sermon-"I am what I am"

Douglas Hodge as Albin in the 2010 production of La Cage aux Folles (photo by Joan Marcus)

A sermon given at a service of Holy Communion (BCP) on Sunday 31st August 2025 at St Giles-in-the-Fields based on the text of 1 Corinthians 15.1-11 and Luke 18.9-14.

Thought for the Day-All the World's a Stage?

Actor’s Mask, Paul Klee, 1924, Museum of Modern Art, New York City

A Thought for the Day offered at a lunchtime service of Holy Communion at St Giles-in-the-Fields on Wednesday 27th August 2025 based on the text of Matthew 23.27-32