“Right justified?”
You who imagine ‘Here Be Dragons’ beyond \ these shores \ to set St George against himself
Justice
“Seeking asylum”
St George stares out of the hotel window. / His ears are filled with sun, / family, orange trees and childhood.
“The long arc”
seek justice
and you hold
a seashell to your ear
“Who shatter upwards”
A poem for International Women’s Day 2026. Women and under-represented minorities are more likely to be appointed to leadership roles during a crisis.
Uncut Poets
Yesterday I read for the first time at the monthly in-person Uncut Poets at the Phoenix.
“Ask the Scarlet Pimpernel”
He sought it here, he sought it there— /
the poor man’s shy barometer. /
Am I in heaven or am I in hell? /
he asked the Scarlet Pimpernel.
“Tiny blue flowers”
Hiking through woodland and over Exmoor seeking the source of the Exe, accompanied by the occasional helicopter or light aircraft.
“Mar-A-Lago lies”
Given what DJT is currently doing to the White House, I think it’s about time I shared this triolet.
“VJ Day 2025” stories
A number of friends responded to the poem with stories from east Asia and Ukraine.
“VJ Day 2025” reading in Exeter
I have the honour of taking part in the civic ceremony hosted by the Lord Mayor of Exeter to mark the 80th anniversary.
“Liberties”
My small, raw offering for Jyothi, Sue, and the other peaceful protestors arrested on 9 August 2025 under Article 13, and for environmental campaigners willing to risk the same. Respect. This what it is coming to.
“VJ Day 2025”
On 6th August 1945, the Allies dropped a “Little Boy” nuclear bomb on Hiroshima. Three days later on 9th August, they dropped a “Fat Man” bomb on Nagasaki. The Japanese Emperor’s announcement of surrender was broadcast on 15th August 1945.
“And the darkness”
Composed on the walk to St Michael and All Angels, Christmas morning 2023.
Tending fig trees
I’m wondering. Who is the man? Who is the gardener? And why hasn’t the gardener been doing his job for three years?
Good Money Week: how to set up a social enterprise
Clare Bryden. Good Money Week: how to set up a social enterprise, Church Times, 29 September 2023.
Churches can express their faith and respond to community needs through social enterprises. Clare Bryden explains how to set one up
Tax for good: Zacchaeus as social reformer
Clare Bryden. Tax for good: Zacchaeus as social reformer. Church Times, 30 September 2022.
Clare Bryden looks at how taxation can be used to make a fairer society
Providing hospitality, receiving hospitality, sharing space
The story of Mary and Martha is a well-worn sermon topic. What might I have said if I had been on preaching duty last Sunday evening?
He sat down
How sitting down among the people was a symbolic or sacramental action that made the Incarnation real.
Good money after bad
Clare Bryden. Good money after bad. Church Times, 1 October 2021.
Clare Bryden suggests ten ways to use personal finance for a better world
Unnamed and unnoticed
This morning in the Cathedral, I got out the mental glasses or hearing aids that I often use while following the readings: I looked and listened for the unnamed and unnoticed characters. My reflections here could be the second in what might turn into a series on ‘were I to have preached’.
Who said it first?
Sometimes during the sermon slot, I catch myself thinking about what I might have said if I were up there in that pulpit. This time it would have been about women raising their voices.
Grieving the future
“In this environment, the task of the prophet is not initially to lead a movement toward social renewal, but to lead the people in creative, artistic, public lament.” – Walter Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination
What have taxes ever done for us?
For Creationtide 2017, Eco Church South West has produced a series of prayers and short reflections on the theme of ‘Inspiring Earth’. You can sign up to a daily email with ideas and resources each morning between the 1st September and the 4th October. I contributed one of the reflections.
“One Fish, Two Fish, RGB Fish”
I created “One Fish, Two Fish, RGB Fish” in response to an invitation from Wool on the Exe and Theatre Alibi to participate in a community project benefiting Knit for Peace.
Notes for a small island
Clare Bryden. Notes for a small island. Church Times, 28 October 2016.
As sterling wobbles, Clare Bryden investigates revolutionary approaches to money and economics
Talks and media – Exeter Pound
Exeter Pound is the city’s own currency, aimed at supporting independent enterprises and promoting a more flourishing local economy. From 2015-16 I served on the Board of the Exeter Pound Community Interest Company.
More tea? Yes, and do take your time
Clare Bryden. More tea? Yes, and do take your time. Church Times, 11 September 2015.
A quick coffee might suit some, but there is no substitute for ritual, Clare Bryden discovers.
“Where have we put our treasure?”
I explore where our treasure lies in today’s world for the Bright Now Blog run by Operation Noah.
#BAD14 #Inequality
Today is Blog Action Day, and in 2014 the theme is Inequality. I’m afraid I’m going to cheat, and post stuff I’ve written earlier. Some is a bit dated (anyone remember Michael Gove?), but I think the core message is still relevant…
A Spirit of Our Time
Clare Bryden. A Spirit of Our Time. Resurgence Magazine online, September/October 2014.
Clare Bryden introduces Simone Weil, whose life and philosophy were one and the same.
Sign of the Nazarene
Many of my Facebook friends have changed their profile picture to the Arabic letter N. It stands for ‘Nazarene’, or Christian. ISIS is drawing it on the houses of Christians in Iraq, to indicate who to target.
IT, the internet and social media: implications for spirituality and the church
On the 3rd Sunday of each month, Holy Trinity Church Exmouth runs a Hard Questions Café, where tough life questions can be explored in a frank and non-judgemental way. Here are the stories and questions I used.
Ethics on hold?
Clare Bryden. Ethics on hold? Third Way Magazine, November 2013.
Is the smartphone in your pocket fuelling violence on the other side of the world? Clare Bryden asks some uncomfortable questions about our complex relationship with gadgets – and investigates new ways to connect more ethically.
Far more than two’s company
Clare Bryden. Far more than two’s company. Church Times, 11 October 2013.
Crowdfunding is one way of raising finance which can benefit church and community projects, and offer ethical projects for donors and investors, Clare Bryden discovers.
Maslow’s hierarchy
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is 70 years old. Here’s my version reflecting the hierarchy in the UK and US.
Response from Hugo Swire MP
Finally, on 3 September I received a letter dated 21 August in response to mine of 2 August. But I have some comments…
An appeal to inner values
Clare Bryden. An appeal to inner values. Church Times, 30 August 2013.
Good causes will get further by emphasising their intrinsic worth rather than external rewards, argues Clare Bryden.
No response from Hugo Swire MP
I’ve not yet received a direct response from Hugo Swire MP to my letter about the family from Clyst St George needing to walk 11 miles to Exeter Foodbank and back.
Letter to Hugo Swire MP
How is it that in a country as wealthy as the UK, more than 500,000 people are reliant on food parcels? Please represent your constituents, and do something to address food poverty, injustice and inequality.
As if people mattered, 40 years on
Clare Bryden. As if people mattered, 40 years on. Church Times, 24 May 2013.
E. F. Schumacher’s ideas still need to be reckoned with, argues Clare Bryden.
A Guardian reader in the making
Like many, one of my most vivid memories of infant school was the ritual of drinking our morning third-pint of milk.
Synod and the unengaged majority
The Women Bishops Measure was lost in the House of Laity, by six votes. It might not be a rejection of women bishops, just the enabling legislation, but it sure feels like a rejection to me.
The Power of We: Congo Calling
Blog Action Day falls within Congo Week, and “The Power of We” is beautifully exemplified by the Congo Calling campaign.
Peril of eating all the pie.
Clare Bryden. Peril of eating all the pie. Review of “The Price of Inequality” by Joseph E. Stiglitz. Church Times, 12 October 2012.
Clare Bryden studies an analysis of the economic crisis.
It’s the equality, stupid
Clare Bryden. It’s the equality, stupid. Church Times, 30 July 2012.
Measures of wealth and poverty are complex and subtle; but there is one simple factor, argues Clare Bryden.
Review of “Sharing Possessions”
Clare Bryden. Review of “Sharing Possessions” by L.T.Johnson. Modern Believing, Volume 53:2, April 2012.
Inside and outside the Cathedral
What it means to be the people of God, and the Occupy camp on Exeter Cathedral Green.
The Big Society meets the Great Vowel Shift
The Tories dropped the Big Society into their 2010 Manifesto, but have never explained satisfactorily what they meant. Here are some possible interpretations…
Values going viral
People don’t make decisions based on rational assessment of facts; they make decisions according to how they fit with their values and identity. Psychologists classify values as either extrinsic, which concern status and success, or intrinsic, which concern relationships and benevolence. How can we make intrinsic values go viral?