Simon Witcombe

Chaplain at the Uni of Gloucestershire

[Archbishop of Canterbury @ArchbishopSarah]

Today we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the ordination of women across the @churchofengland. I am so thankful for the ministry of so many female clergy throughout the years. I pray that God continues to further their influence throughout the Church of England, their dioceses and their local communities.

[WWT @WWTworldwide]

It’s murder on the dance floor, but the great crested grebe won’t be killing the groove.

The elaborate and elegant 'weed dance' performed at the climax of the courtship ritual is a showstopper 🪩

[WWT @WWTworldwide]

Hearts. Stars. Whales. Birds.

You only have to see the shapes created by the swirling mass of birds during a starling murmuration to know you're witnessing one of nature’s greatest spectacles 🎆

[WWT @WWTworldwide]

Cur-leeeeeee, cur-leeeeee! 🎶

The haunting cry of the curlew is a stone-cold classic.

Sadly, it’s heard less and less as this threatened species dwindles in number.

[WWT @WWTworldwide]

Why have we awarded this pile of leaves the award for Best Costume?

Because it’s actually a nightjar.

I know, our jaws dropped too.

[WWT @WWTworldwide]

He’s just a boy, standing in front of a girl 🥹

This pair of kingfishers play the ultimate will they/won’t they with a fish gifted during their courtship ritual.

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll start to crave some fish.

[WWT @WWTworldwide]

Imagine. You’re going about your birdy business, feeding your new chick and you start to realise things seem a little…off.

Cuckoos are brood parasites. They lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, where their chicks can grow to treble the size of the 'adoptive' parent 😱

[WWT @WWTworldwide]

Oscars? Over it. We’re all about the BOSCARS (Bird #Oscars)!

First award goes to this little ringed plover.

Plucky plovers feign injury to lure predators away from their nests and protect their young. Critics are calling it the performance of a ✨ lifetime ✨

[1/9]

[Simon Witcombe @simonwitcombe]

@eckerusla I hope it all goes well Hannah 🙏

[Indigenous @AmericanIndian8]

#INDIGENOUS #TAIRP

[Simon Witcombe @simonwitcombe]

Prayer

You shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen. Exodus 33.23

Hide and seek
God. The closer
I come, the further
you go. Leading me
down into the dark
on hands and knees:
deeper levels,
richer seams.
Mining
my desire
the fire
of unknowing.

[Simon Witcombe @simonwitcombe]

@eckerusla Great photo!

[Steve Chalke @SteveChalke]

The news from Israel and Gaza is agonising, yet the truth remains, no violent act or reprisal is EVER a solution but ALWAYS the breeding ground for more and worse in the future.

[Simon Witcombe @simonwitcombe]

2023#161

For once, I look up.
Your highest leaves, still green,
hide them: goldfinches!

[Steve Chalke @SteveChalke]

I spent last night at the National Diversity Awards. Met so many new LGBT+ friends in the setting of Liverpool Cathedral. It made me reflect again on how sad it is when instead of embracing inclusion, religion causes some to develop a reduced love for the diversity of humanity.

[Simon Witcombe @simonwitcombe]

Indeed...

[Steve Chalke @SteveChalke]

The recent survey of Church of England priests in England by @thetimes found more than half of them now support a change in law to allow them to conduct same-sex marriages, 53.4% were in favour, only 36.5% against. The gentle and gracious tide of inclusion is unstoppable!

[Simon Witcombe @simonwitcombe]

2023#160

Lessons from Greenbelt 1:

Against my instincts
I choose the lower gear. Next,
what about my life?

[Simon Witcombe @simonwitcombe]

2023#159

Sunset: summer's end.
Lone watchers and couples breathe
the grasses' last warmth.

[Revd Fiona Jenkinson💙🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🇳🇵 @RevdSister]

Escaping to @greenbelt to spend 4 days experiencing how the world should be; inclusive, compassionate, inquisitive, questioning, creative and awake!!

[Simon Witcombe @simonwitcombe]

2023#158

Learning from Mum...

Things to remember:
thankfulness, kindness, presence.
Not facts, words, names, stuff.