sustain:if:able kiwi

presenting social impact of shared spiritual practices research at Ecclesiology and Ethnography conference 2025

It was really helpful to present my social impact of shared religious practices research at the 2025 Ecclesiology and Ethnography conference in Durham, UK last week.

First, it’s a long way from New Zealand to England and there are geographic degrees of isolation that inevitably result. So it’s always good to be presenting internationally, maintaining connections and developing networks.

Second, the Ecclesiology and Ethnography conference is a lot of fun. There’s live music on the Wednesday. There’s a constructive and encouraging ethos. There are people who remember me from previous years, and I remember them. So it’s simply a great conference to be part of.

Third, I had presented on the research at the biennial International Association for the Psychology of Religion conference in Birmingham a few weeks earlier. So it was good to be able to return to a powerpoint and a presentation I had already worked on, rather than starting from scratch.

Fourth, it was fascinating presenting the same research to practical theologians (Ecclesiology and Ethnography conference) and not psychologists of religion (IAPR). Different audiences, different interests. So it was interesting reflecting on what I wanted to change, and why and what that said about psychologically-engaged theology. It was also interesting to have different questions being asked. The IAPR questions focused on research design. In contrast, several E and E conference questions pushed me to consider further research.

• Could I imagine doing shared spiritual practice online?
• Was there any indication that some participants might struggle with Bible engagement? How might those who are neurodiverse engage with Christian practices like lectio divina?

Several other E and E conference questions suggested further theoretical dialogue partners.

• Had I thought of engaging John Zizoulas and his work on somatic modes of attention?
• Was there any resonance with my work and that of Helmut Rosa’s work on resonance?

These are helpful suggestions and give me food for thought.

Finally, my thanks to the Ecclesiology and Ethnography conference organisors for accepting my paper. My thanks to the John Templeton Foundation, for providing the funding to make possible not only the long haul travel but also the in-country train travel, conference fees and accommodation.

Prayers for others Jeremiah 18:1-12 Year C 2025

It was a privilege to offer prayers for others at the Scots Kirk in Paris on Sunday 7 September. The Old Testament Bible passage was Jeremiah 18:1-12, where Jeremiah watches the potter work with clay, which is then compared to God’s dealings with the nation of Israel. The passage suggests a way of praying as thinking about God the potter putting the world (cities, nations, congregations, individuals) on the wheel.

God our maker, Working at the wheel that is our world,
Moulding, remoulding, making communities of hope and justice,
In our prayers for others, we place on Your wheel this city of Paris
We pray your blessing on town planners and city officials and those who clean our streets
We pray your wisdom for teachers and patience for students returning to school
We pray your compassion for those who support and care for the homeless and isolated
Working at the wheel, Moulding our cities, as places of justice for all; Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer

God who moulds us, working at Your wheel, We bring to you the nations of the world,
We pray for Presidents and Prime Ministers, diplomats and trade negotatiators
We pray your blessing on cities under siege, in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan and the countries of Benin, Ivory Coast and Togo,
We pray for nations in the Pacific, like Papua New Guina celebrating 50 years of independence this week, and Pacific nations still seeking independence
God, mould the nations, as places of hospitality for all
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer

God who moulds us, We bring to you this congregation and the wider Church
We pray your blessing on Scots Kirk, on the ministry of Word and Sacrament here each  Sunday, on the mission of all of us in our apartments and places of vocation
We pray your wisdom for the International Presbytery of Church of Scotland and the moderator Rosie Frew, as she speaks for justice and offers words of hope
We pray your grace and abundance on other Christian communities in this city
Working at the wheel, Moulding our churches, as places of abundance for all;
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer

God who moulds us, We bring to you ourselves and those we know,
We pray your blessing – for health and wholeness for those who are sick and grieving
For clarity for those seeking for the words of eternal life
For courage for each of us to embrace the cost of discipleship,  to let you mould our passions and possessions. Working at the wheel, Moulding each of us through the cost of discipleship;
Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer