Between The Stools

Cambridge - the service

Sat, 16 May 2026 13:33:24 GMT

I'm beginning a new series of services about place, with a broadly spiritual and social justice perspective. As you'll see from the photo I chose, I won't be offering the usual angle of the English university city. Includes a clearing meditation.

Words at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2026/05/17/cambridge-the-service/

We next meet on the Solstice on June 21st, time and topic TBC

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Easter 2026 - a Korean TV lens

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 22:44:09 GMT

We continue our rather alternative trip through Lent into Holy Week via the lens of Korean television drama. I have some honest and uncomfortable questions

Text at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2026/04/05/easter-2026-heavenly-ever-after/

Back on 17th May

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[More] Beautiful Than Heaven

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:20:54 GMT

To mark our 7th Easter and Birthday at Between The Stools, here is a brief post on Table Turning Tuesday continuing our Korean TV theme

Text at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2026/03/31/more-beautiful-than-heaven/ released 1956 31st March

More on Fri https://play.acast.com/s/between-the-stools/good-friday-the-7-sayings-2021

and a new service on Sunday

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Behind Your Touch

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:11:31 GMT

How else to begin Lent than a quirky Korean drama - I expect there'll be more in coming weeks....

Text at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2026/02/22/bts-behind-your-touch/

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Batman and Catwoman

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 22:26:00 GMT

Since the Adam West Batman first aired 60 years ago on Jan 12th 1966 and Halle Catwoman Berry turns 60 this year, this month we look at these antiheroes

Full text with pics and attributions at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2026/01/11/batman-and-catwoman/

Back on 22nd Feb

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Downton & Austen

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 18:44:04 GMT

This Christmas, we look at Downton Abbey and Jane Austen as one ends and the other celebrates 250 this year

Do not expect carols and readings

Do expect critique, insight and proclamation of a New Era

Text at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2025/12/21/downton-austen-christmas-service/

Back on 11th Jan for Batman and Catwoman

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Robin Hood

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 17:58:32 GMT

This Advent, we go to the forests of England for inspiration

Text at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2025/11/30/robin-hood-the-service/

Back on 21st Dec

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Remembrance

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 15:04:04 GMT

An All Saints themed meditative service - no sermon, just space, prayer and music (my own composition)

Music is my own composition with a nod to Jack Lenz and last Oct's theme

Next meeting on the last Sun of Nov (30th)

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Work Rest Play

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 13:18:39 GMT

We continue an alternative look at the topic of work by considering its opposites

Text on elspethr.wordpress.com by 8pm BST on Sun 28th Sept

Back at end of Oct and Nov

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Work

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 17:15:37 GMT

Full text at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2025/08/28/work-service-this-sun-30th-aug/

Next part on last Sun of Sept

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Wonder Woman at 50

Sat, 19 Jul 2025 13:29:05 GMT

We honour Mary Magdalene, whose saints' day is 22nd, with the anniversary of the TV show whose star was born this week: Lynda Carter, focussing on a season 1 story about being condemned or saved by a wise compassionate alien. Sounding familiar?

Text and attributions at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2025/07/20/magdalene-sunday-wonder-woman-at-50/

I'm adding an important coda

Next month is on Aug 31st but it may be written only or with a short trailer

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Charmed: The Power of 3

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 14:46:35 GMT

Following our extended Film and TV themed Year of Wonders, we look at a cult show about a trio of good witches who fight evil as a lens to look at the Trinity

Text, pictures and attributions at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2025/06/15/charmed-the-power-of-three/ from June 15th 8pm BST

Our next service is on July 20th, which is Magdalene Sunday

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Last of the Xenas

Sat, 24 May 2025 22:33:47 GMT

Our final service on the Warrior Princess and her deep themes

Text and attritbution at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2025/05/24/last-of-the-xenas/

Next time is June 15th for Trinity Sunday

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Easter 2025 with Xena WP

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 11:41:58 GMT

Our year of wonders winds with the culmination of the Xena plot, the lens through which we look at Easter

Music by Joseph LoDuca

Text and pictures at elspethr.wordpress.com

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Good Friday 2025 with Xena

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 18:44:52 GMT

We continue our journey through Lent into Holy Week(end) through the lens of Xena Warrior Princess (no affliation with creators of the show)

Text at elspethr.wordpress.com

Easter Service on Sunday 20th 8pm BST, will appear here

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Xena Intro Lent 2025

Sun, 02 Mar 2025 21:17:11 GMT

This Lent and Easter will be viewed through theTV show Xena, Warrior Princess by Universal

No infringements intended

There will be a written mid week post throughout Lent (which starts on Wed) with our next services at Easter (falling on 20th April)

See ElspethR.wordpress.com: https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2025/03/02/xena-warrior-princess-introduction/

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Even Cowgirls Get The Blues

Sat, 25 Jan 2025 16:16:34 GMT

The Film and Television themed Year of Wonders draws to a kind of close with the book and film about rather an unsual woman and a prophetic cowgirl

(I gave an opportunity to skip to the spiritual bit, which restarts at 15:00)

Text at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2025/01/26/even-cowgirls-get-the-blues/

Next service on March 2nd for Lent

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Superman Christmas service 2024

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 19:32:12 GMT

We end our film and television-themed Year of Wonders with the movie that began it all for me - all about another alien saviour sent to us from above by his father. This one wears his pants on the outside

Text at elspethr.wordpress.com

Next service is the last Sunday of Jan 2025

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Little Mosque on the Prairie

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 23:18:56 GMT

This month of our film and television based year of wonders, we join the Muslim community of Mercy, Canada for a sitcom about their renting a church hall

Text at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2024/11/22/little-mosque-on-the-prairie/

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Good Witch

Sun, 27 Oct 2024 17:53:59 GMT

Our Year of Wonders continues with this Hallmark TV/fi'm franchise. Is Good Witch truly good? What does it teach about the world? Text and attributions at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2024/10/27/good-witch/

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The Truman Show

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 13:40:06 GMT

For our continuing screen-themed Year of Wonders, we look at this 1998 cult classic which is still timely

Text and attributions at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2024/09/29/the-truman-show/

Next month is Good Witch, on 27th October

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Come Sunday

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 15:57:05 GMT

Ministers in movies, mostly one who changed his message

Text at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2024/08/23/come-sunday-2/

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Magdalene in movies

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 23:17:23 GMT

An honest delve into a couple of fairly recent films which draw on the gnostic gospel of Mary

More at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2024/07/20/magdalene-service-2024-mary-in-movies/

Next time is 25th August

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The Karate Kid

Sat, 22 Jun 2024 22:18:11 GMT

Two shows 30 years apart about the same dynamic and teacher. But how spiritual is Mr Miyagi?

Text at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2024/06/22/the-karate-kid-bts-service/

Next podcast 20th July

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Armageddon and the Afterlife

Sat, 25 May 2024 20:43:03 GMT

Continuing our Year of Wonders (Film and TV), we look at three recent comedic TV shows with big themes

Music under fair/religious use

Text at elspethr.wordpress.com

Next service on 23rd June

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Shakespeare In and On Love

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 13:53:40 GMT

As part of the Year of Wonders on film and television, we look at this 25 year old movie about the Bard near his 480th birthday, asking whether the film's central wager should have been won and why Shakespeare is seen as unquestionably popular. Music under fair use. Text at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2024/04/28/shakespeare-service/ Erratum: The town of Stratford Upon Avon has a population of about 30,000

Next service is the last Sunday of May

followed by 23rd June

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The Matrix Resurrection Easter 2024

Sun, 31 Mar 2024 18:56:17 GMT

To mark the 25th anniversary, our Year of Wonders marks Easter by looking at the Matrix movies...although the rabbit hole I found wasn't about plot or philosophy. What is the message of the Matrix and does it match that of a traditional Christian Easter?

Music from the film by Don Davis

Transcript and video link/pictures on elspethr.wordpress.com

Next service 26th April on Shakespeare (they'll mostly be end of month this year)

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In Their End Is Our Beginning: The Henrys Tudor

Sat, 27 Jan 2024 17:10:29 GMT

Our History Year culminates with the two men that began the Tudor dynasty, who share an anniversary today 28th January; what we can learn about God and kingship from them, and how we can subvert their legacy to a new renaissance. Warch elspethr.wordpress.com during Lent for the launch of the Year of Wonders. Easter is March 31st

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Mediaeval Christmas

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 11:26:08 GMT

One carol and several lessons - not the usual 9

See Christmas in at midnight GMT with us!

See https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2023/12/24/mediaeval-christmas-at-midnight/ for notes and music

The song is Cuncti Simus Concanentes

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Walking Into Your Destiny II: Ask Not...

Sat, 25 Nov 2023 17:17:51 GMT

On the 60th anniversary of the death of president John F Kennedy, we take a candid view of his destiny and legacy. Meditation music from solfeggiotones.com (1565hz Body Healing). Next service on Dec 24th. Text at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2023/11/25/jfk-60-walking-into-your-destiny-ii/. Clarification re my last line: the speech is dated 6/6 but was delivered on 10th

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This Is The Lord's Doing And It Is Marvellous In Our Eyes

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 20:51:10 GMT

On the shift in the Tudors 20th Nov 1558

Music from Martin Phipps and Medieval Baebes (except, fair use for worship)

Part 2 of the service is on 26th

Christmas on 24th Dec

www.elspethr.wordpress.com

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Elspeth reads Margery Kempe

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 15:05:27 GMT

To mark Margery's 650th on her feast day, here's a story about when she was on trial in Yorkshire. More about Margery at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2023/11/09/margery-of-lynn/

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King's Lynn You Know You Want To

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 15:00:37 GMT

My jingle for this West Norfolk town. Local marketing, are you interested? My words and pictures will shortly be on elspethsnaughtyguides.wordpress.com

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Some Gripes Nailed To A Church Door

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 20:03:37 GMT

Was Martin Luther really the Good Doktor?

Next services: Nov 9th for Margery Kempe

and 19th for JFK

Christmas on 17th Dec

Text at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2023/10/29/some-gripes-nailed-to-a-church-door/

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I Am Your Queen, I Am Myself

Sat, 09 Sep 2023 11:51:55 GMT

A special service (note the running time) celebrating (or not) Elizabeth I and my journey with her and into history via the 1998 film starring Cate Blanchett

Text and musical listing at https://wordpress.com/post/elspethr.wordpress.com/5047

Our next service is on Sun Oct 29th at 8pm British time (beware clock changes - ours alter to winter time that day) on the Reformation, this time in Germany

betweenthestools@hotmail.co.uk

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A Morbid Taste For Bones

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 14:03:53 GMT

Title taken from Ellis'Peters novel

TV show featured Derek Jacobi and music by Colin Town

Next service 10th Sept

Text at elspethr.wordpress.com from 8pm 20th Aug

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Magdalene Sunday 2023

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 17:28:31 GMT

To honour Mary Magdalene's feast day, we have three remarkable and comparable 16th C English women who embodied her spirit:

Anne Boleyn, Anne Askew and Jane Grey

Transcript at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2023/07/23/magdalene-sunday-2023-anne-anne-and-jane/

Next service 20th August

Sept is a special service

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Etheldreda of Ely 1350

Sun, 02 Jul 2023 22:26:20 GMT

Explore the Isle of Ely, the 7th C in England and a woman, aka Audrey, whose saints say falls today. Is she someone to celebrate, as Ely is this weekend?

Transcript and any pictures of the party at elspethr.wordpress.com from 8pm BST 25th https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2023/06/25/etheldreda-of-ely/

Next service 23rd July

Artwork by Lisa Gifford

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Julian 650 Follow Up 1

Sun, 14 May 2023 20:11:12 GMT

My thoughts at the end of Julian week

These are presented as is without a transcript

Includes summary of Parallel Shewings lecture

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A New King and A Visionary Crone

Sun, 07 May 2023 21:17:41 GMT

This same weekend, the first in May 2023, Britain sees two very different commemorations. One is new history in the making - the first coronation in many people's living memory; the latter is the 650th anniversary of mystic and author's Mother Julian's visions. (She was 30 when she had them, not a crone, but contemplated them until her years of maturity). As ever, this is an alternative take, and an invitation

Next service on 25th June on another East Anglian contemplative woman with a special birthday

The picture is mine: She Is Our Clothing, about Julian's visions

I am seated on what I always thought looked like the Westminster chair

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The Jury In My Mind Act 1

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 22:38:00 GMT

On the 111th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, and the first anniversary of the publication of my novella/play, I offer a recording of the book

This may only be here a short time as otherwise it'll be for subscribers and those who by the book

Act 2 will follow

I hope to be able to offer a full professional recording

https://www.blurb.co.uk/b/11113693-the-jury-in-my-mind-colour

https://www.drivethrufiction.com/product/392318/The-Jury-In-My-Mind

No downloads please - it deliberately has issues to prevent that

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Easter 2023: Esther Not Jezebel

Sun, 09 Apr 2023 18:03:34 GMT

Seeing the heart of the Christian faith through the prism of Anne Boleyn, who we met during Lent and Holy Week

https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2023/04/10/easter-service-2023-esther-not-jezebel/

***My Titanic play performance available here from next weekend 14/15th April 2023 to mark the 111th anniversary****

Please email betweenthestools@hotmail.co.uk for details

See https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2022/04/10/the-launch-of-the-jury-in-my-mind/ - also on this show

Next service is 7th May on Coronation and Julian of Norwich

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O Death, Rock Me Asleep

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 19:37:24 GMT

Our Tudor season continues as we look at Easter 2023 through the lens of Anne Boleyn. Mostly quiet, it has a little music based around Anne's last poem

I felt Jesus. Anne and the other women say: sit with us because we’d like to sit with you so you feel the loving presence of God and those that have gone before

Text at www.elspethr.wordpress.com (goes live at 930pm BST)

Join us for our Easter service at 8pm BST - please email for link ASAP

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A Queen and a Duchess

Sun, 19 Mar 2023 18:05:32 GMT

In our second service of the history year, we look at two 16th century royal women who share a name and ask what we learn about their king and their God - it may not be the one with a capital G

Next services are Th 6th and Sun 9th of April for Easter - see end of below for more details

Transcript and pictures at elspethr.wordpress.com/2023/03/19/a-queen-and-a-duchess/

A 111th anniversary of the Titanic performance is also coming up - check above blog for more details

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Mary, Queen of Scots

Sat, 11 Feb 2023 21:42:06 GMT

On the anniversary of 4 16th C royal deaths, I introduce my view of history and take a spiritual view of Mary Stuart's life and her two greatest rivals

*Correction: Annet House in Linlithgow is no longer a museum and was not the site of Moray's murder

Includes a prayer for healing

Text at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2023/02/11/mary-queen-of-scots-service-a-lady-in-a-tower/

Next service on March 19th

with weekly Lenten reflections from 22nd Feb

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Job and Elvis service

Sat, 07 Jan 2023 13:08:00 GMT

A full but radical Bible study on the book of Job (read aloud by me in the previous post) on the birthday of Elvis Presley...but how can I link them?

I do!

Next service on12th Feb: a Lady In A Tower

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The Book Of Job

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 21:35:02 GMT

The whole biblical book with different voices for use with the service on Jan 8th 2023

Forgive the rustles - it's mostly pages of the Bible

I used the New International Version

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King of All Time

Sun, 18 Dec 2022 18:16:54 GMT

My own composition

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Creature Christmas

Sat, 17 Dec 2022 17:01:42 GMT

Between The Stool's 2022 alternative Christmas service...don't expect carols and cute critters

Words at www.elspethr.wordpress.com

Video at https://www.brighteon.com/channels/elspethr

No downloading please, streaming only

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Edmund, King and martyr

Sat, 19 Nov 2022 13:03:19 GMT

Celebrate an 1000th birthday

Meet king, martyr, former national patron saint who gave birth to England’s greatest abbey and inspired its greatest charter...and me

Next service on 18th December: Creature Christmas

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Lennon

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 14:37:37 GMT

We mark John Lennon's birth and peace messages with a Bed-In, asking what his life might mean from a spiritual perspective

The text (not exactly what was broadcast) is here

https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2022/10/09/lennon-service/

The guitar is me, improvising and with part of my own song

Next month is Nov 20th, on Edmund

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Rustic Rebels

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 15:54:35 GMT

Four and a bit East of England (ish) rebels with common ground - literally

Text and pictures at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2022/09/04/rustic-rebels/

Next service on Oct 9th

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Self Service and Self Sufficiency

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 11:48:17 GMT

From footpaths to work ethic, Elvis to parables, this challenges the growing trend of facelessness and what we see as independence

Text at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2022/08/15/self-sufficiency-and-self-service/

No video this month

Next month's service is on 4th Sept

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Diana

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 13:43:37 GMT

What was the late Princess of Wales' role on Earth? Might it be more than co-incidence that she's named after a goddess? What would Diana's religion be?

Books referred to: Diana - The Making of A Media Saint ed Linda Woodhead et al

Diana- The Last Word Simone Simmons

Music (not included for copyright) Sue Rinaldi Promise Land

Next month's service is 14th August

Do reach out if you'd like and need to betweenthestools@hotmail.co.uk Elspeth

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Jubilee

Sun, 05 Jun 2022 23:06:28 GMT

Although we’ll be thinking about Elizabeth II, this service is not a patriotic, bunting strewn hagiographic remembrance. We’ll be asking questions about monarchs and monarchy, relevant to wherever you are in the world. And in the second half, I’ll explore with you a different meaning of the word jubilee, and a biblical one.

Transcript at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2022/06/05/jubilee/

Video at https://www.brighteon.com/channels/elspethr https://www.brighteon.com/e6f3b229-be73-43d7-8620-1dd48faea9bc

The picture is mine. "The Colours of Democracy" - see the full picture and description at the above wordpress link

Music is my own based on the chords of Jo Boyce's Magnificat - it's meant to sound crackly to sound like a 70 year old analogue recording

Next service is on Sun 24th July, 8pm BST (and then it's 14th August)

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The Jury In My Mind trailer

Mon, 30 May 2022 17:19:19 GMT

On the 111th anniversary of the launch of Titanic's hull comes the trailer version of the full launch of my novella/play last month

A video teaser, different to this, with music, will be posted to https://www.brighteon.com/channels/elspethr

You can purchase the novel, and my previous one (on offer today) from https://www.drivethrufiction.com/browse.php?author=Elspeth%20Rushbrook

You can also buy it from Apple and Blurb

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A-ha: Soundtrack To Our Lives

Thu, 26 May 2022 10:01:37 GMT

I composed this as A-ha split up last time, and have finished and put it out to mark the release of A-ha the movie

The title comes from the T-shirts on some German fans at their supposed farewell concerts of 2010 "You wrote the soundtrack to our lives"

You hear the start of an early style concert; Scoundrel Days for the verse and chorus, and then the very different sounds to show their departure in style, ending with I Call Your Name into Memorial Beach.... back (after their first split) to what they were like pre 1994, and then the long outro of the 2010 Royal Albert Hall orchestral concert and Shadowside on their 10th studio album

I'll put the words on my blog https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2022/05/23/a-ha-and-other-movies/

I hope to make a video and a commercial download for their 40 year anniversary

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Friendship

Sat, 07 May 2022 17:09:59 GMT

Exploring the building block of human relationships.... what it is and isn't, and how we might redefine 'toxic'. Also, encouragement for those who feel lacking in friends

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Easter 2022 sermon: Titanic - Death is not the end

Sun, 17 Apr 2022 21:35:57 GMT

Culminating our Titanic theme

Some short pieces will shortly be removed

https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2022/04/10/the-launch-of-the-jury-in-my-mind/

https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2022/04/17/easter-2022-evening-service-titanic-death-is-not-the-end/

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Sacrifice: or, Why I'm Cross With The Cross

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 19:00:56 GMT

Half an hour of preaching and some music as the Son sets, following our Titanic theme

More blog posts tomorrow, Sunday morning, and a live servic in the evening (probably actually an hour or less of service)

Meeting link: https://meet.zoho.eu/RR1fL5oW56

Meeting ID: 1294525879

Password: x5BGDX

8pm BST

betweenthestools@outlook.com

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Watchnight service outro

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 11:24:13 GMT

At this moment 110 years ago, Titanic disappeared beneath the waves

This concludes our watchnight

but we are back on Fri (728pm), Sat, and Sun

Please see elspethr.wordpress.com - pinned post - for more

Thank you for joining me and for your prayers - they make a difference

Music played and arranged by me

Picture by Ken Marschall

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Titanic Watchnight service - intro

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 22:39:36 GMT

To mark the 110th anniversary of the sinking of Titanic in real time, and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane this Maundy Thursday, this starts our 2 hr 40 min silent vigil.

Pray for the world, your own concerns, and think on these events; and ask for peace, understanding and healing

Another piece will appear at 219am to close our time

Feel free to just sit on this site, or join me silently (audio only) on a call for any length of time

Meeting link: https://meet.zoho.eu/Vsk2uJx3bA

Meeting ID: 1238505047

Password: 138yn1

We meet again tomorrow at Sundown (728pm BST) and on Sunday at 8pm - see elspethr.wordpress.com on the home page

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The launch of The Jury In My Mind

Sun, 10 Apr 2022 19:43:42 GMT

This is the audio of a live video call of a BTS event, following a series on the Titanic

Between The Stools continues its Titanic theme for Holy Week 2022 and beyond

See https://elspethr.wordpress.com/ for details, and for links to buy this book

https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2022/01/20/the-jury-in-my-mind/

https://www.blurb.co.uk/b/11113693-the-jury-in-my-mind-colour

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Jury final piece - Rocky Requiem/Postmortem to an Immortal Lifeform

Sun, 10 Apr 2022 19:10:00 GMT

Part of the launch of my book

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The Jury In My Mind - Reprise

Sun, 10 Apr 2022 19:09:20 GMT

The other piece of music to go with the launch

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The Jury In My Mind - overture

Sun, 10 Apr 2022 19:05:34 GMT

Especially for those on the video call pf the book launch lest the sound doesn't work

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The Wisdom of Anne of Green Gables

Sun, 13 Mar 2022 20:13:48 GMT

What can Canada's best loved orphan teach us about the world and God?

Please go to https://www.sullivanmovies.com/portfolio/anne-green-gables and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7jtG0T1qTg to hear the music

Next service is a special one on10th April 8pm GMT - don't forget we've changed our clocks by then

Updated audio

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The Wisdom of the Smurfs

Sun, 20 Feb 2022 18:57:21 GMT

Can these little blue creatures teach us anything about the world and how to live?

As the Smurfs themselves sing: yes, yes yes!

next service March 13th - The Wisdom of Anne of Green Gables

do introduce yourself to me, Elspeth, on betweenthestools@hotmail.co.uk

I may reload an improved audio, I'm aware this has issues

Text and pictures at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2022/02/20/the-wisdom-of-the-smurfs-20th-feb-2022/

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Debt

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 20:36:47 GMT

A two part sermon on debt in all its forms, and its opposite

Text at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2022/01/30/debt/

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Celestial Christmas

Sun, 19 Dec 2021 20:00:00 GMT

Alternative Christmas - Earth and Heaven. This was also broadcast live by video on zoom

Music, meditation and words.... and spaceships. Nothing traditional here except the story itself!

https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2021/12/19/celestial-christmas-2/

Next service is the last Sunday of January on debt

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Is There No Queen In You?

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 00:24:30 GMT

What happens if you cross the festival of Christ the King with Mary the Mother... what if she really is the Queen of Heaven, and not just in the Catholic sense?

Picture is David Wynne's statue of Mary at Ely Cathedral (from my guidebook)

Text at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2021/11/24/is-there-no-queen-in-you/

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Vibrating at the speed of Love

Sun, 24 Oct 2021 18:24:18 GMT

Overture: More Love (my composition based on the chords of the hymn by Jude del Heirro)

Welcome to Between The Stools service for Sunday 24th October 2021

The title is a quote from Elayne Kalila Doughty of Priestess Presence

There is no sermon today, thus no written text: it’s about music and being

Meditation and Community Chat

Music – improvised guitar and piano (NB the former gives me pain to play)

Closing prayer and remarks

https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2021/10/24/vibrating-at-the-speed-of-love/

Outro: Love Divine instrumental (tune: Blaenwern by William Penfro Rowlands b1860)

played and arranged by me

and my own composition: Perfect Love (from 1 John 4:18)

Please do make yourselves known – email me (Elspeth) on betweenthestool@hotmail.co.uk

As an experiment, comments are allowed (but will be moderated first)

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Fossils and The Flood

Sat, 18 Sep 2021 23:06:21 GMT

Service on fossil finders and exploring differing views of the story in Genesis 6-9. How can a good God destroy the world?

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L-Lion

Sat, 07 Aug 2021 18:56:46 GMT

A service about lions for the powerful 8.8 portal today

Text at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2021/08/07/l-lion-a-bts-service-for-the-8-8-gate/

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Whosoever (or, Mama Wants In)

Sat, 24 Jul 2021 12:13:10 GMT

This year's Magdalene Sunday is celebrated via a sermon for what would have been my Mum's 70th, using John 3:16 as her text. It goes somewhere surprising

The composer I mentioned is Charles Gounod

Text at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2021/07/24/whosoever-or-mama-wants-in/

Picture is Mum and I in Bristol's New Room (oldest Methodist chapel).

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It's Judgement Day - yea! In a good way

Sat, 12 Jun 2021 20:45:36 GMT

How do we call to account the very worst being done in the world in a way that befits the new era of light and love?

Text at https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2021/06/13/its-judgement-day-yea-in-a-good-way/

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Victorious Virgin: a service on Joan of Arc

Sun, 09 May 2021 18:57:06 GMT

To celebrate the 592nd anniversary of the freeing of Orleans, here is an improvised service with a JAW prayer and some music at the end

For a transcript of my pledge and said prayer and other comments, please go to https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2021/05/08/victorious-virgin-a-service-on-joan-of-arc/

If you're listening, please introduce yourself on betweenthestools@hotmail.co.uk. I'd love to meet you

Rain noises on music are deliberate

"I am not afraid. I was born for this" Jehanne, la Pucelle d'Orleans

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Easter 2021

Sun, 04 Apr 2021 19:00:29 GMT

Our first birthday service, with a sermon, community chat, readings, prayer and original music

Order of service on blog and sermon text on https://elspethr.wordpress.com/2021/04/04/easter-2021/

Please introduce yourself on betweenthestools@hotmail.com

Next planned service is on May 9th - Joan of Arc (8pm, British time)

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Good Friday The 7 sayings 2021

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 18:11:08 GMT

Original music for Jesus's words on the cross

Imagine a hilltop... or better yet, be on one yourself. Let the sounds tumble down the hill.... from electronic to blues, orchestral to other wordly

Each piece is created around the phrases in it with a brief verbal explanation inbetween

This year, I took out the readings and introduction and let the pieces speak on their own

I do feel that Good Friday can be an awkward, heavy day, focussing on horror, guilt, and sorrow... and I didn't want that

Back on Sunday at 8pm GMT for a service (note we changed our clocks forward 1 hr last weekend)

Pray with me at dawn (whenever that is for you)... outdoors if you can. (No service online, let's just join in spirit)

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Loving Judas - a sermon for Spy Wednesday 2021

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 17:25:00 GMT

In Holy Week by tradition, this is the day that Judas agreed to betray Jesus. This is a radical, positive view of Judas and those who can seem our greatest challenges are our greatest catalysts, and can also be our greatest source of love

More at sundown Friday (7.12pm GMT) and Sunday at 8pm

It's the BTS community's first birthday!

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Easter Sermon 2020

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 22:54:45 GMT

Mentions Veronica Roth, Even Cowgirls Get The Blues, Xena Warrior Priestess - and of course, Jesus and Mary Magdalene

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Green pastilles, blue clothing: in remembrance of Mum's 10th anniversary

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 22:48:19 GMT

Commemorating Mother Julian - whose had visions 646 years ago this week - and my Mother, who died 10 years ago. See the paintings this inspired on elspethr.wordpress.com

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Will the real God please stand up? A sermon on Korah for Petertide

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 22:39:25 GMT

Can the God in Numbers 16 really be the True God? And what does this tell us about the Peterine apostolic succession, on this day of most ordinations into the priesthood?

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On Sovereignty: a sermon for Independence Day

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 22:32:33 GMT

From priestesses to archbishops, we're asking: what is sovereignty and why are we being asked to give it away?

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Wonder Women: a sermon for Magdalene Day

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 22:27:26 GMT

Wonder Woman and Mary Magdalene in the same sermon? Of course!

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A Sermon for Truth Telling Sunday 2020

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 22:23:04 GMT

Sept 11th is truth telling day! Romp through British History

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When The Peach Preached and the Equinox Expressed

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 21:48:41 GMT

featuring Barsham Equinox

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Stand Down! A sermon for Remembrance 2020

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 21:27:45 GMT

Poppy Day and Guy Fawkes, and V for Vendetta

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Announcing the coming of the Light Bearer

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 21:12:48 GMT

She-Ra and Mary the Mother

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Cosmic Christmas 2020

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 20:55:37 GMT

Our first full length service which explains about me and the community I'm building

Words and images at elspethr.wordpress.com

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Epiphany 2021: of Mice and Magi

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 20:01:37 GMT

Our second full service and first in the Age of Aquarius, featuring a British cult children's show

Text and pictures on elspethr.wordpress.com

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Satanic Soliloquy

Sun, 14 Feb 2021 20:00:00 GMT

To kick off Lent, BTS presents a monologue to and about Satan, inspired by the novel Lolly Willowes

Text is at elspethr.wordpress.com

Back on 31st March, same time, for Loving Judas: a sermon for Spy Wednesday of Holy Week; Good Friday and Easter Sunday

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