Messenger, sentinel, steward ... these three words have been used to describe the work of a priest in the Church of England since Cranmer wrote the original ordination rite in 1550. Two more, servant and shepherd, were added in 1980. Taken together, these five metaphors provide a rich and resonant set of ideas through which to explore the nature of Christian ministry.In this short, lyrical book, Bishop Stephen Cottrell explores each one; based on actual addresses given to ordinands...

In the Gospel of Mark's account of the Passion narrative, Jesus calls out from the cross 'Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?' which is the Aramaic for 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' - the first line of Psalm 22. It's an anguished expression - traditionally ascribed to King David - of defeat, failure, abandonment and despair.This series of reflections, written for Lent and Holy Week 2023 by the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, ponders the significance of these w...

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell argues that the first two words of Christianity's most famous prayer - the Lord's Prayer - encapsulate the radical heart of the Christian faith: that we belong to each other, and that we all have access to God. And if we could understand both these ideas they would truly change our lives - and the world.Unpacking each clause of this ancient prayer both for those who want to encounter it afresh and those beyond church circles, this is the Lord's P...

'Stephen Cottrell writes about Christ as if he were here now. As if redemption were possible for all of us, as if the void that threatens to engulf us all could be filled by a personal relationship with Christ in the present. He is a compelling writer.' - Russell BrandInspired by a conversation with a barista who asked him why he became a priest, this is the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell's extended answer to that question - as well as the letter he'd...

'A movingly personal book ... the fruit of much deeply meditated sharing of the good news with people of all sorts. Reading it is a real discovery of the fresh waters of faith.' - from the foreword by Rowan Williams'After this, when Jesus knew that all now was finished, he said, "I am thirsty."'Jesus' words from the cross - a picture of God sharing the world's suffering, experiencing our humanity - can be a window onto God's purposes, leading to a ...

As you explore the Christian faith, you will soon encounter some challenging words: Trinity, Sacrament, Reconciliation, Sin, Incarnation, even the word 'Christ' itself. It isn't Jesus's surname! It is a title with a meaning and history.Sooner, or later, these words, and the ideas behind them, must be addressed and understood. It is simply not possible to be a Christian without understanding sin and forgiveness, knowing what a sacrament is, or accepting Jesus as the Christ.T...

'Cottrell has a gift for inhabiting the most diverse perspectives . . . All are rendered in glorious physical language, a strange but apt mix of Scripture and modern idiom. The result is revelatory.' The TabletWalking Backwards to Christmas gives you a new and grown-up perspective on the Nativity story you first encountered in school and church Nativity plays. Stephen Cottrell gets you back into the real meaning of the childhood story simply by telling it backwards...

Stephen Cottrell brings home, vividly and poignantly, the physical reality of the passion story.The narrative of Holy Week is powerful and painful, and because we know how the story ends it's easy to gloss over the difficult details, and stay in the comfort zone of our understanding. The Things He Carried is a book to stimulate thought, provoke discussion and create space for contemplation.'In order to understand the cross you need to stand under it . . . w...

'In less than seventy words, Jesus gives us a prayer to learn by heart and a prayer to get inside our hearts, shaping the way we live.'This book is for beginners of all ages: Whether you know this simple prayer already, or this is your first encounter, be inspired to learn more about how and why we pray these words in this simple guide.Each phrase and page is illustrated with original lino print artworks from Jack Seymour

Imagine you hold in your hands one of the nails used to crucify Christ. Do you accept responsibility for your part in his death, or do you blame another?The Nail makes you part of the Passion. Moving, first-person accounts from eye-witnesses and active participants place you right in heart of events leading to the crucifixion and beyond.Each account can be used as a personal reflection, a focus for group discussion, sermon base or even performed as a monolo...

'[Cottrell’s] love of the work of the artist Stanley Spencer (1891-1959) has relentlessly deepened over 20 years, and he expresses it here with a spiritual breathlessness that is infectious and transformative.'MARK OAKLEY, CHURCH TIMESIn this devotional book, Stephen Cottrell reflects on five paintings from Stanley Spencer's Christ in the Wilderness series.These paintings give us startling insight into Jesus' own voc...