Fr Ben Thompson SMMS
@bbjthompson.bsky.social
Curate of the Fromeside Benefice in the Diocese of Bristol, UK.
📝 Substack: https://homilia.substack.com
📹 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@homiliauk?si=sqgs5MO2sbD0dU--
⛪️ The Fromeside Benefice: Fromesidechurches.org.uk
📝 Substack: https://homilia.substack.com
📹 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@homiliauk?si=sqgs5MO2sbD0dU--
⛪️ The Fromeside Benefice: Fromesidechurches.org.uk
Has Jesus Gone Woke?
youtu.be/DNaViAvDzpk
youtu.be/DNaViAvDzpk
Has Jesus Gone Woke?
YouTube video by Fr Ben Thompson SMMS
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Has Jesus Gone Woke?
youtu.be/DNaViAvDzpk
youtu.be/DNaViAvDzpk
Today we taught our children about good governance, the role of civil disobedience when the law diverges from the ethical, and the role of the church in opposing state oppression.
Down with all phoney kings.
youtu.be/bCPSgC9LE4s?...
Down with all phoney kings.
youtu.be/bCPSgC9LE4s?...
Robin Hood (1973) The Phony King of England
YouTube video by JCH 007
youtu.be
October 18, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Today we taught our children about good governance, the role of civil disobedience when the law diverges from the ethical, and the role of the church in opposing state oppression.
Down with all phoney kings.
youtu.be/bCPSgC9LE4s?...
Down with all phoney kings.
youtu.be/bCPSgC9LE4s?...
One (of many) thing(s) I find wholly concerning about the House of Bishop’s Statement and various bishop’s letters on #LLF and #PLF is the apparent underlying assumption that liberal and LGBTQ+ Christians won’t split from the CofE, or worse that this wouldn’t be as ‘bad’ as conservatives doing so.
October 17, 2025 at 6:30 PM
October 5, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Enjoying my Bluesky feed today, which is wall to wall reaction to the news about Bishop Sarah election to Canterbury broken up every five posts or so by @mrchrisaddison.bsky.social updates about the cricket with no references to CofE-land. I imagine it’s what looking at two parallel worlds is like.
October 3, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Enjoying my Bluesky feed today, which is wall to wall reaction to the news about Bishop Sarah election to Canterbury broken up every five posts or so by @mrchrisaddison.bsky.social updates about the cricket with no references to CofE-land. I imagine it’s what looking at two parallel worlds is like.
Reposted by Fr Ben Thompson SMMS
Imagine the message it would send if Gary Lineker won 'Presenter of the Year' at this year's National Television Awards
Standing up for compassion & the right to speak out
And, the feathers it would ruffle
My lovely followers, you know what to do:
nationaltvawards.com/vote
🗓️ Deadline: 12th Sep
Standing up for compassion & the right to speak out
And, the feathers it would ruffle
My lovely followers, you know what to do:
nationaltvawards.com/vote
🗓️ Deadline: 12th Sep
Vote | National Television Awards
Choose your winners in this year’s National Television Awards
nationaltvawards.com
September 1, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Imagine the message it would send if Gary Lineker won 'Presenter of the Year' at this year's National Television Awards
Standing up for compassion & the right to speak out
And, the feathers it would ruffle
My lovely followers, you know what to do:
nationaltvawards.com/vote
🗓️ Deadline: 12th Sep
Standing up for compassion & the right to speak out
And, the feathers it would ruffle
My lovely followers, you know what to do:
nationaltvawards.com/vote
🗓️ Deadline: 12th Sep
This is a very sensible proposal
The former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has urged the Government to fund a “war against child poverty” by taxing the gambling industry. His intervention has been supported by religious leaders, including the former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Williams.
Lord Williams backs Gordon Brown’s child-poverty campaign
Raise the revenue by taxing gambling firms, ex-PM urges Starmer
www.churchtimes.co.uk
August 6, 2025 at 6:30 PM
This is a very sensible proposal
This Sunday, the NRSV version of the Gospel has Jesus being gentle with a rude man (who has actually interrupted Jesus talking to his disciples), calling him ‘friend’.
That’s not what’s happening in the original…
Assertive, or meek and mild?
youtu.be/2RgoON6Dmxw
That’s not what’s happening in the original…
Assertive, or meek and mild?
youtu.be/2RgoON6Dmxw
Jesus was not so meek and mild.
YouTube video by Fr Ben Thompson SMMS
youtu.be
July 31, 2025 at 3:35 PM
This Sunday, the NRSV version of the Gospel has Jesus being gentle with a rude man (who has actually interrupted Jesus talking to his disciples), calling him ‘friend’.
That’s not what’s happening in the original…
Assertive, or meek and mild?
youtu.be/2RgoON6Dmxw
That’s not what’s happening in the original…
Assertive, or meek and mild?
youtu.be/2RgoON6Dmxw
This must be deeply painful for many connected with the Baptist Church’s in the UK. Prayers especially for those in formation for ministry who will be impacted by this.
www.spurgeons.ac.uk
www.spurgeons.ac.uk
Home - Spurgeon's College
Spurgeon’s College Announces Closure After 169 Years of Service London, 31 July 2025With deep sadness and great regret, the Board of Trustees of Spurgeon’s College announces that, the College will clo...
www.spurgeons.ac.uk
July 31, 2025 at 3:00 PM
This must be deeply painful for many connected with the Baptist Church’s in the UK. Prayers especially for those in formation for ministry who will be impacted by this.
www.spurgeons.ac.uk
www.spurgeons.ac.uk
If you’re a fan of horribly pronounced Koine Greek, this one’s for you!
Are we saying the Our Father/Lord's prayer wrong?
youtu.be/t6ZzCUlYbqc
Are we saying the Our Father/Lord's prayer wrong?
youtu.be/t6ZzCUlYbqc
Are we saying the Our Father/Lord's prayer wrong?
YouTube video by Fr Ben Thompson SMMS
youtu.be
July 26, 2025 at 9:44 AM
If you’re a fan of horribly pronounced Koine Greek, this one’s for you!
Are we saying the Our Father/Lord's prayer wrong?
youtu.be/t6ZzCUlYbqc
Are we saying the Our Father/Lord's prayer wrong?
youtu.be/t6ZzCUlYbqc
I watched The Good Place for the first time this week and decided that episode 1's portrayal of Heaven is not really The Good Place.
youtu.be/jkv0YiwqyAk?...
youtu.be/jkv0YiwqyAk?...
A priest watches The Good Place (for the first time!)
YouTube video by Fr Ben Thompson SMMS
youtu.be
July 25, 2025 at 3:25 PM
I watched The Good Place for the first time this week and decided that episode 1's portrayal of Heaven is not really The Good Place.
youtu.be/jkv0YiwqyAk?...
youtu.be/jkv0YiwqyAk?...
So…
I kinda keep forgetting Bluesky exists…
I kinda keep forgetting Bluesky exists…
a man in a purple jacket is dancing on a stage with the words so what did i miss above him
Alt: The character of Thomas Jefferson from Hamilton is dancing on a stage with the words so what did i miss below him
media.tenor.com
July 14, 2025 at 10:23 PM
So…
I kinda keep forgetting Bluesky exists…
I kinda keep forgetting Bluesky exists…
“It’s also true, as the OBR reiterated last week, that the costs of not reaching net zero are considerably higher than the costs of reaching it.”
So good to see the FT finally call out the Conservative Party for its reckless non-sense on climate:
on.ft.com/451lwfr “How magical thinking came for net zero critics”
on.ft.com/451lwfr “How magical thinking came for net zero critics”
How magical thinking came for net zero critics
Badenoch shows the temptation of just putting all this climate unpleasantness behind us
on.ft.com
July 14, 2025 at 9:57 PM
“It’s also true, as the OBR reiterated last week, that the costs of not reaching net zero are considerably higher than the costs of reaching it.”
Reposted by Fr Ben Thompson SMMS
Got a little thank you card from one of the people I prepped for confirmation and I'm not gonna lie... It's the most wholesome thing ever. My grandma was right, we SHOULD be writing thank you cards for everything - it does, in fact, make the world much better.
July 14, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Got a little thank you card from one of the people I prepped for confirmation and I'm not gonna lie... It's the most wholesome thing ever. My grandma was right, we SHOULD be writing thank you cards for everything - it does, in fact, make the world much better.
Reposted by Fr Ben Thompson SMMS
In which a non-fictional, young(ish), tedious, clergyman indulges his pride by watching and passing judgement over a fictional, young, tedious, clergyman whom he is prejudiced against.
A Church of England Priest Watches (and despairs): Mr Collins in Pride and Prejudice (2005)
youtu.be/hDZ4EpS7-Gg
A Church of England Priest Watches (and despairs): Mr Collins in Pride and Prejudice (2005)
youtu.be/hDZ4EpS7-Gg
A Church of England Priest Watches (and despairs): Mr Collins in Pride and Prejudice (2005)
YouTube video by HOMILIΛ with Fr Ben Thompson SMMS
youtu.be
July 14, 2025 at 4:09 PM
In which a non-fictional, young(ish), tedious, clergyman indulges his pride by watching and passing judgement over a fictional, young, tedious, clergyman whom he is prejudiced against.
A Church of England Priest Watches (and despairs): Mr Collins in Pride and Prejudice (2005)
youtu.be/hDZ4EpS7-Gg
A Church of England Priest Watches (and despairs): Mr Collins in Pride and Prejudice (2005)
youtu.be/hDZ4EpS7-Gg
In which a non-fictional, young(ish), tedious, clergyman indulges his pride by watching and passing judgement over a fictional, young, tedious, clergyman whom he is prejudiced against.
A Church of England Priest Watches (and despairs): Mr Collins in Pride and Prejudice (2005)
youtu.be/hDZ4EpS7-Gg
A Church of England Priest Watches (and despairs): Mr Collins in Pride and Prejudice (2005)
youtu.be/hDZ4EpS7-Gg
A Church of England Priest Watches (and despairs): Mr Collins in Pride and Prejudice (2005)
YouTube video by HOMILIΛ with Fr Ben Thompson SMMS
youtu.be
July 14, 2025 at 4:09 PM
In which a non-fictional, young(ish), tedious, clergyman indulges his pride by watching and passing judgement over a fictional, young, tedious, clergyman whom he is prejudiced against.
A Church of England Priest Watches (and despairs): Mr Collins in Pride and Prejudice (2005)
youtu.be/hDZ4EpS7-Gg
A Church of England Priest Watches (and despairs): Mr Collins in Pride and Prejudice (2005)
youtu.be/hDZ4EpS7-Gg
Was The Rev. Geraldine Granger instrumental in the acceptance of women who were priests by the wider public in the early 90’s?
I don’t actually know, but I’m guessing yes in the second video of me watching clergy on screen. S1Ep1 of The Vicar of Dibley
youtu.be/vAEL3qXHlpE?...
I don’t actually know, but I’m guessing yes in the second video of me watching clergy on screen. S1Ep1 of The Vicar of Dibley
youtu.be/vAEL3qXHlpE?...
Anglican Priest watches the Vicar of Dibley
YouTube video by HOMILIΛ with Fr Ben Thompson SMMS
youtu.be
June 9, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Was The Rev. Geraldine Granger instrumental in the acceptance of women who were priests by the wider public in the early 90’s?
I don’t actually know, but I’m guessing yes in the second video of me watching clergy on screen. S1Ep1 of The Vicar of Dibley
youtu.be/vAEL3qXHlpE?...
I don’t actually know, but I’m guessing yes in the second video of me watching clergy on screen. S1Ep1 of The Vicar of Dibley
youtu.be/vAEL3qXHlpE?...
It's Pupit Swap Day, so I am taking full advantage of the Methodist resources suggesting 'Of the Father's Love Begotten' for today's reading as an excuse to sing it 6 months earlier than normal 😁
June 1, 2025 at 8:28 AM
It's Pupit Swap Day, so I am taking full advantage of the Methodist resources suggesting 'Of the Father's Love Begotten' for today's reading as an excuse to sing it 6 months earlier than normal 😁
This is well worth some attention simply for the close data analysis.
My anecdotal experience is having seen a number of ‘new’ people coming to church over the past year outside of advent/holy week, only a handful of those have return. We have new members but mostly joining from other churches.
My anecdotal experience is having seen a number of ‘new’ people coming to church over the past year outside of advent/holy week, only a handful of those have return. We have new members but mostly joining from other churches.
🚨Confessions of a ‘Quiet Revival’ Sceptic. Why the numbers don’t add up. | New on The Church Mouse Blog 🚨 www.churchmousepublishing.co.uk/2025/05/conf...
Confessions of a Quiet Revival Sceptic | The Church Mouse Blog
www.churchmousepublishing.co.uk
May 29, 2025 at 7:22 AM
This is well worth some attention simply for the close data analysis.
My anecdotal experience is having seen a number of ‘new’ people coming to church over the past year outside of advent/holy week, only a handful of those have return. We have new members but mostly joining from other churches.
My anecdotal experience is having seen a number of ‘new’ people coming to church over the past year outside of advent/holy week, only a handful of those have return. We have new members but mostly joining from other churches.
Reposted by Fr Ben Thompson SMMS
… and this series of videos about church ritual using the modern ‘western’ rite. There’s a few more to come.
They’re intended to be the sort of videos I was desperate for when I was preparing for ordination to the priesthood. I hope they are useful to someone!
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
They’re intended to be the sort of videos I was desperate for when I was preparing for ordination to the priesthood. I hope they are useful to someone!
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Church Ritual using the Modern Western Rite - YouTube
Have you ever sat in a church with lots of ritual and wondered what the priest is doing? Maybe you’re preparing to be ordained, and want to find some short v...
youtube.com
May 27, 2025 at 7:08 AM
… and this series of videos about church ritual using the modern ‘western’ rite. There’s a few more to come.
They’re intended to be the sort of videos I was desperate for when I was preparing for ordination to the priesthood. I hope they are useful to someone!
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
They’re intended to be the sort of videos I was desperate for when I was preparing for ordination to the priesthood. I hope they are useful to someone!
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Reposted by Fr Ben Thompson SMMS
I’ve done a thing (or started doing a thing)!
I’ve started a YouTube channel under the HOMILIΛ banner I’ve used for creative projects in the past. The plan is to make this a space for education and entertainment videos about Christianity and church. To start with, I have this ‘reaction’ video…
I’ve started a YouTube channel under the HOMILIΛ banner I’ve used for creative projects in the past. The plan is to make this a space for education and entertainment videos about Christianity and church. To start with, I have this ‘reaction’ video…
An anglican priest watches... - YouTube
Priests (including vicars, and other types of ministers) are always popping up on TV and in films. If you've ever wondered what an actual priest in the Churc...
youtube.com
May 27, 2025 at 7:08 AM
I’ve done a thing (or started doing a thing)!
I’ve started a YouTube channel under the HOMILIΛ banner I’ve used for creative projects in the past. The plan is to make this a space for education and entertainment videos about Christianity and church. To start with, I have this ‘reaction’ video…
I’ve started a YouTube channel under the HOMILIΛ banner I’ve used for creative projects in the past. The plan is to make this a space for education and entertainment videos about Christianity and church. To start with, I have this ‘reaction’ video…
I’ve done a thing (or started doing a thing)!
I’ve started a YouTube channel under the HOMILIΛ banner I’ve used for creative projects in the past. The plan is to make this a space for education and entertainment videos about Christianity and church. To start with, I have this ‘reaction’ video…
I’ve started a YouTube channel under the HOMILIΛ banner I’ve used for creative projects in the past. The plan is to make this a space for education and entertainment videos about Christianity and church. To start with, I have this ‘reaction’ video…
An anglican priest watches... - YouTube
Priests (including vicars, and other types of ministers) are always popping up on TV and in films. If you've ever wondered what an actual priest in the Churc...
youtube.com
May 27, 2025 at 7:08 AM
I’ve done a thing (or started doing a thing)!
I’ve started a YouTube channel under the HOMILIΛ banner I’ve used for creative projects in the past. The plan is to make this a space for education and entertainment videos about Christianity and church. To start with, I have this ‘reaction’ video…
I’ve started a YouTube channel under the HOMILIΛ banner I’ve used for creative projects in the past. The plan is to make this a space for education and entertainment videos about Christianity and church. To start with, I have this ‘reaction’ video…
Sometime last week, in a village not terribly far away…
🤔 😉
🤔 😉
May 26, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Sometime last week, in a village not terribly far away…
🤔 😉
🤔 😉
Cooking with an ‘Eco’ disposable BBQ…made up of what I can only describe as ‘quick-lite’ incense charcoal with holes in!
May 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Cooking with an ‘Eco’ disposable BBQ…made up of what I can only describe as ‘quick-lite’ incense charcoal with holes in!