SIMON PHIPPS

I am a terrible dancer; literally. My signature move is called the ‘crazy octopus’. I invented it. But I love dancing, especially when no one is looking. I have always wanted to take dancing lessons, so that I can look better on the dance floor, but also because dancing with someone is such a beautiful thing to behold. In the ancient Orthodox tradition, the Trinity is viewed as a dance. The son moves around the father and spirit, the spirit moves around the father and son, and the father moves around the spirit and son. Each one complementing the other, each one equal. The dance itself breathing life into creation. We are called to join in this dance with God, to move in rhythm with Her. I guess that this is what they call discipleship, what they call ‘being the church’. When I think of the dance, what kind of music are we dancing to? What do the steps look like? I imagine it has to start with love, seeing as God is love. The scriptures paint the picture: Justice, mercy, peace,

I both love and hate lent. I hate giving up stuff; hate that I cant do whatever I want. I love all that it stands for. I love the way that it challenges our hedonistic consumerist mindset and creates a space for something that we rarely do: sacrifice . For me, Christ is the greatest example of sacrifice .  He laid down his life for us. He didn't want to, He didn't have to, He chose to.  As His disciples, we are also called to a life of sacrifice, to walk along the narrow, difficult path. One thing that you learn in life is that some people choose a life of sacrifice, whilst others have sacrifice thrust upon them . This can happen through sickness, experiences, circumstance and many other ways.  The picture that is painted of God in the scriptures is one of a God who comes along side us, comforts us, cares for us.  The same is called for us as the Church.  We are called to walk alongside those who are already walking the difficult path. To make sacri