Emma Webber

'Heart of the Dragon, Socotra, Yemen' by photographer Beth Moon on her fourteen-year quest to photograph ancient trees of the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa #WomensArt

Written English has barely changed in 300 years. If you can read Harry Potter, you can read Robinson Crusoe (1719). The Spelling of our Tongue was in the main ſettled ere the eighteenth Century, & the Grammar has ſuffer'd but little Alteration ſince. Yet before this happy Settlement, things were exceeding ſtrange. In Shakeſpeares dayes, ſpelling was much more variable, & you ſhall finde notable differences in the grammar: "thou" could bee intimate or inſulting, depending vpon whom you ſayd it to; to chooſe amiſse had conſequences. Wende we now tuo hundred ȝeer bifore, to Chauceres tyme. It seemeth ȝit as Englisshe, but it nis nat esy to reden withouten greet connynge. Yet tuo hundred wintre er, sone after þat the Normans comen to þis londe, is Englisch on muchel wandlunge. Þe tunges work is tobroken, Frensce wordes comeþ in, and þe writunge is al totwemed. Þy furðor þu underbæc færst, þy gelicor biþ Englisc gesewen þære Deniscan spræce. Englisce bec þæs m. geare ne mæg nan mann rædan buton he sundorlice geleornad sy.

#MorningPrayer As we journey through Lent, Lord Jesus, fix our gaze upon you, and the way that you call us to follow; take from us desire for that which cannot satisfy; rather help us to use what we have, our time, talents and treasures, our power and presence, to show your love.

Here are some interesting information about dandelion. 🌼🌼🌼 With its deep taproot, it helps loosen compacted soil and brings up minerals that enrich the ground naturally. Every part of the plant is edible: young leaves are packed with vitamin K and other nutrients, the root is rich in prebiotic inulin and can be roasted as a caffeine-free coffee substitute, and the flowers are full of antioxidants and can be made into syrup or wine. Dandelions were intentionally brought to North America for food and medicine. They are also vital for pollinators, providing one of the first food sources in early spring. Their seeds travel efficiently on delicate parachutes, and many reproduce clonally, ensuring strong survival. Rather than a lawn enemy, the dandelion is a pioneer plant, a soil healer, and a free, resilient gift from nature.

@Rgt71Robert @TogetherforCofE @SherriffCentre @parishnw6 We will miss you, but take care, get well soon xx

So @TogetherforCofE big launch of Together London is still happening in my absence, tomorrow at St James’ @SherriffCentre Sadly I have a wee emergency medical procedure. But the @parishnw6 people who I am so blessed to serve will set all things up with the Together exec peeps. Our theme is: A Church that does not ration dignity: where welcome becomes belonging, truth leads to repair, and justice is shared. All are welcome: across sexuality and gender, disability and mental health, poverty and power, race and ethnicity. Come as you are. Make us one body in Christ.

A medieval Christmas hedgehog to put the finishing touch on your holiday 🎄🦔 This little guy dates from around 1302 and can be found in Verdun, Bibliothèque Municipale MS 107, fol. 8

#clergymaltclub with husband who has been working hard in the service too!

This evening I took a sunset bike ride with my youngest foster son. There’s something restorative about being out in creation — the greens and blues, the steady rhythm of movement, the shared silence that doesn’t need to be filled. Nature has a wonderful way of helping us breathe again. But if I’m honest, what restores me even more is watching this young man grow — seeing his confidence strengthen one pedal-stroke at a time. Fostering teaches you that transformation rarely arrives with fanfare. It comes through the quiet consistency of ordinary moments: showing up, listening well, choosing patience, offering safety. On that ride tonight, I found myself reflecting on how these small acts of love can slowly dismantle the long shadows of fear and uncertainty. As the sun set, I was reminded we weren't born for hate. Hate shrinks us. But love and kindness expands our hearts and minds. We were made to love and to be loved.

#MorningPrayer Make us ready, Lord Jesus, to respond to a world that needs so much to know you, to know your mercy and justice, to know your love and peace. May the world that needs to see you, see your Spirit and your love in us, and may we see your image in each person we meet.

This week is Transgender Awareness Week — two reminders: 1. Respecting someone’s name and pronouns honours the person God is calling them to be. 2. Respecting someone’s name and pronouns can save a life.

Amen!

#MorningPrayer Lord Jesus, you share your bread with us, yet we betray your love in so many of our attitudes, actions and aspirations. In your love, you offer us forgiveness, mercy, healing and peace, and welcome us back to your table. Draw us close; mould us to be more faithful.

Happy Feast of Ss Simon and Jude, patrons of lost causes and stubborn hope. I love these two because they remind the Church that God works through the obscure and the overlooked, and that’s how it always has been. #StSimon #StJude

@augustineihm @churchofengland 🙏🙏🙏

Today, I had my 35th rejection letter for an Anglican role. Each rejection had made me process and reflect. It’s a hard reality but also one to bring to God about. I finish my curacy on the 31st of December. @churchofengland

When’s the last time you saw a hedgehog? 🦔 Their numbers are falling, so I just signed a petition to make hedgehog highways - tiny gaps in fences to help them - mandatory in ALL new builds. Please consider signing: 38d.gs/tzpx

‘The book of Acts make it plain that (Christian) confidence is not confidence in a human leader, an institution or a programme but in a life-giving memory of God’s love.’ (+Rowan at the Kingston Episcopal Area lay conference, Confident faith in a Changing World) @SouthwarkCofE

'Californian Morning' (mid 20thc) by US artist and printmaker Emmy Lou Packard (1914-1998) #WomensArt

There’s been a huge overreaction to a temporary artistic installation in Canterbury Cathedral. I’ll be honest — it’s not to my personal taste. But I value what the Cathedral is trying to do. Through a series of workshops, groups were invited to collaborate around a simple but profound question: “What would you ask God?” The resulting installation, created by poet Alex Vellis and curator Jacquiline Creswell, gives voice to the spiritual curiosity and honesty of those who took part. Among the questions displayed are: “Why did you create hate when love is by far more powerful?” and “Does everything have a soul?” Rather than seeing this as an act of provocation, perhaps we could see it as an act of invitation — a call to listen, to engage, and to recognise that even our hardest questions can be part of our search for truth. I have seen US commentators claim this is the fall of Britain and some claim this is sacrilege. Wait till they read the Psalms where the scriptures give voice to some even more outrageous prayers.

"The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to..." Watch to catch up on all the news from the announcement of today's peace prize. #NobelPrize #NobelPeacePrize