“The word ‘priest’ comes from pontifex, which means ‘bridge-builder’. We need to find a language that reassures in the face of fear, isolation, separation, and loneliness, and craft liturgies to respond. It is less about the 16th Sunday after Trinity [and more] about listening where people are engaged already. Creationtide in the midst of the climate emergency, for instance; what is God calling us to do?”

Watch Chris Thorpe’s presentation from the Creativity out of Crisis webinar hosted by Church Times and the RSCM in October 2020.

The Revd Preb Chris Thorpe is Vicar of Shifnal, Sheriffhales and Tong in Shropshire, and the author of liturgy collections including Touching the Sacred, Dreamers and Stargazers, and Ploughshares and First Fruit (Canterbury Press).