Author Archives: fluff35

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About fluff35

I blog on a range of subjects arising from various aspects of my life. On https://theretiringacademic.wordpress.com, I focus on my reactions to early retirement and think about aspects of teaching and research which I hope will be stimulating to those still working in higher education. On https://shared-conversations.com, I blog as an authorized lay preacher in a pretty standard parish church of the Church of England, who needs to write in order to find out what she thinks. I took part in the Oxford/St Albans/Armed Forces C of E 'Shared Conversations' in March 2016, worked on the Living in Love and Faith resources from 2017 and was elected to General Synod in October 2021, and continue to try to reflect on some of the issues. On https://mistakinghistories.wordpress.com I share my thoughts on various aspects of the history of medicine and the body. I have also written for The Conversation UK on https://theconversation.com/profiles/helen-king-94923/articles

Rediscovering “Good Disagreement”

Posted on March 2, 2016 by fluff35

The Right Revd David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, blogging on Good Disagreement: and see the comments for the issue of whether good disagreement is impossible, being inherently biased towards the powerful. Source: Rediscovering “Good Disagreement”

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Sex and power in the spotlight

Posted on February 28, 2016 by fluff35

People lie to themselves and the church about their abstinence from sex. They become accustomed to not telling the truth. Continue reading →

Posted in Church of England and gender, Shared Conversations | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Bishops, for beginners: on diversity and change

Posted on February 21, 2016 by fluff35

Is it about what we believe, or what we do? Why can you pick a bishop to match some of your views, but not others? Continue reading →

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Reform, renewal, so many questions.

Posted on February 20, 2016 by fluff35

Reposting this because it made a lot of sense to me: concerns about the renewal and reform programme This in particular: “One of the consequences of this (and this is my biggest fear in relation to the Green Report) is … Continue reading →

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The gender of tears

Posted on February 14, 2016 by fluff35

‘Mourn with those who mourn’. Just try and stop me. Continue reading →

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Walking the road

Posted on February 12, 2016 by fluff35

‘You know what, the thing that breaks my heart is that there’s no way I can answer it without hurting someone on either side.’ Continue reading →

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University Isn’t For Men?

Posted on February 12, 2016 by fluff35

Source: University Isn’t For Men? A very perceptive take on the wider issues of gender. Now reprinted on the Times Higher Education blog, so I’m not the only one who thought so!

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Fruit or chocolate?

Posted on February 6, 2016 by fluff35

Did the fruit people think the chocolate people were gluttons? Continue reading →

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Glad to be lay

Posted on February 1, 2016 by fluff35

… it was rather like asking me ‘Do you feel a vocation to be a rock?’ Continue reading →

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And so it begins

Posted on January 31, 2016 by fluff35

… unless we know the person with whom we disagree, how can there ever be real respect for their position? Continue reading →

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