I spent the past of days on a ship! We had an indaba to reflect upon, and be inspired for environmental justice, with Archbishop Thabo Makgoba and colleagues from various faiths and institutions around the world. It was inspiring!
Today is earth day! Here is a lovely liturgy
commonprayer.net
The Netherlands is so incredibly beautiful!
These tulips 🌷 are blooming along the roadside near our home. There are many patches of beautiful flowers planted by people all over the place!
They are even more beautiful with my yellow Vespa in the photo! 🛵 Ha ha!
On Friday we were privileged to welcome His Grace, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba and Mrs Lungi Makgoba to the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Archbishop Thabo will spend approximately 3 months with us in School of Religion and Theology as a visiting researcher.
We are very grateful!
So, if I have been quieter this last week or two, it is not because I am in an intensive teaching time, it is because (apparently) I was a member of the Artemis II crew (2nd from left! Ha ha! According to my friend, Rudolf for sending me the joke! Ha ha!) 🤣👆Space Theology!
He is risen!
"The Good News of the resurrection is not that we shall die and go home with him, but that he is risen and comes home with us…"
- Clarence Jordan, co-founder of Koinonia Farm
This is going to be a wonderful service to kick off the sabbatical visit of Archbishop Thabo Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) - I will be there! I hope you can join us!
www.linkedin.com/posts/jan-jo...
Happy April Fool’s day!
‘What is the sense of our small effort? … God will take them and multiply them…’
- Dorothy Day
How wonderful that the Margaret Fell's 'Women's Speaking Justified', an important historical text in Quaker feminist political theology, was gifted to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Revd Sarah Mullally.
I was grateful to write one of the endorsements for this new edition, thanks to Paul Anderson.
My thanks to Julie Clague for inviting me to teach on how Africa and Africans shaped Christianity throughout history. And also to Doug Gay for a deeply meaningful Eucharist service with Trinity College, Glasgow. It was a stunning day with colleagues and friends! I am grateful!
It is such a joy to be visiting my dear friend Prof Scott Spurlock at the University of Glasgow. Scott has been a close friend for many years! Yesterday I read a paper, had meetings with colleagues, and toured the campus. Today I will teach and attend a Eucharist service. I am very grateful!
Spring is springing! We went for a beautiful little walk after work!
Much wisdom, many blessings, for my Dutch siblings who will vote today!
Cast your vote for a safer, more sustainable, more peaceful, more inclusive society.
In the end, love wins! It is a strong and durable political force.
Today I give thanks for the life and witness of a mentor, and dear friend, Prof John de Gruchy.
It is his 87th birthday today! Happy birthday John! You are a gift!
It is important that we name the genocide in Gaza for what it is.
We have heard the lived experiences from Palestinian siblings for more than two years now. It is devastating. Continue to pray, support, and act for justice and true peace. Do what you can.
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026...
Today, there is mourning in the public sphere. A great tree has fallen.
www.nytimes.com/2026/03/14/b...
Last night Megan and I attended a beautiful Iftar dinner hosted by the Centre for Islamic Theology from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
The friendship, food, and the lecture were wonderful! We are very grateful! See more about CIT here:
vu.nl/nl/over-de-v...
I believe in the separation of Church and Hate…
The promise of spring in Amsterdam! It was so beautiful on my ride home from the office this evening! Flowers everywhere!
You cannot love your enemies by killing them.
Prince of Peace, raise up women and men who will wage peace, and not war. Give us courage to join them.
Imagining Lent… Let us prepare well.
“The nation needs Christians to believe killing is necessary; the church exists to produce people who cannot believe that lie.”
- Stanley Hauerwas
Just about as Dutch as it gets! 🇳🇱 Wow, the promise of spring! Sure it was only 3 degrees, but +3 instead of -3 🤣 and the birds are chirping! Stunning! 🤩
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was born on this day (4 February 1906).
What can we do today, that can secure peace, justice, and flourishing for coming generations? Here are a few ideas from Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Steve Biko.
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
‘More than ever before in our history, we need a new kind of personal and social fuel. Not the spirit of hostility, but the holy Spirit of hospitality.’
- Brian D. McLaren, We Make the Road By Walking
Today my darling Megan Forster and I celebrate 32 years of marriage!!! Please join us in giving thanks! Wow! What an immeasurable blessing!!
Megie, thank you for being my best friend, my co-adventurer, and the most wonderful partner anyone could wish for! I love you SO much! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Sunrise 🌄 So beautiful, sure it is 8.20 am! But Ja! Any sun is a blessing! 🤣😆🙌🔥
Off to Church 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶 -2 C! The train will be warmer!
My last day at Wesley House, Cambridge started with an early morning run.
Then a discussion with my dear colleague Dr Jonathan Chaplin about last night’s lecture, and my scholarly focus and journey. After that we had worship in the chapel - a perfect day of scholarship, fellowship, and worship.
