Christopher West
@christophernwest.bsky.social
PhD candidate in Practical Theology at the University of Aberdeen. Researching how the performance of symbolic actions in liturgy impacts the espoused theology of participants. Opinions are my own, except where they are not. He/him.
For those who might be interested, here is my slightly belated tribute to the late Phyllis Trible, just published in the December edition of the ⚓️ Church of Ireland Gazette. Memory eternal.
December 3, 2025 at 9:52 AM
For those who might be interested, here is my slightly belated tribute to the late Phyllis Trible, just published in the December edition of the ⚓️ Church of Ireland Gazette. Memory eternal.
Janet Soskice: “We are still called to name God newly.” I can think of no one more creative in taking up this challenge than Bryan Wren with this hymn: 🕯️📕
November 25, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Janet Soskice: “We are still called to name God newly.” I can think of no one more creative in taking up this challenge than Bryan Wren with this hymn: 🕯️📕
Your last saved meme is your moral philosophy.
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November 15, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Your last saved meme is your moral philosophy.
😬
😬
This was my initial design, but decided it was much too ominous and quite exorcist-coded. In the spirit of a more family-friendly version, I got my little cousin to help me chuck paint at and put handprints on a neep 😂
October 31, 2025 at 9:35 PM
This was my initial design, but decided it was much too ominous and quite exorcist-coded. In the spirit of a more family-friendly version, I got my little cousin to help me chuck paint at and put handprints on a neep 😂
Can’t wait to read this chapter by the wonderful Bridget Nichols…!
October 18, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Can’t wait to read this chapter by the wonderful Bridget Nichols…!
More good news!
October 18, 2025 at 2:03 PM
More good news!
You can read the full #callforpapers here:
October 17, 2025 at 8:27 PM
You can read the full #callforpapers here:
The SSCE Postgraduate Conference 2026 invites abstracts (up to 250 words by 6 Feb 2026) exploring pilgrimage, neighbourliness, and ethical encounters in Christian thought and practice. Email: pg-convener@ssce.org.uk. Please share and register here. #callforpapers #cfp #theology #ethics
October 17, 2025 at 8:21 PM
The SSCE Postgraduate Conference 2026 invites abstracts (up to 250 words by 6 Feb 2026) exploring pilgrimage, neighbourliness, and ethical encounters in Christian thought and practice. Email: pg-convener@ssce.org.uk. Please share and register here. #callforpapers #cfp #theology #ethics
Surely this is true freedom, or at least a gesture in the right direction: ‘Where do angels fly… how many can dance… Well, I don’t care about that pin dance; what I know is that they rest, sometimes, in the tops of the trees’. 4/6 ⚓
September 23, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Surely this is true freedom, or at least a gesture in the right direction: ‘Where do angels fly… how many can dance… Well, I don’t care about that pin dance; what I know is that they rest, sometimes, in the tops of the trees’. 4/6 ⚓
I find myself with far more ‘edges called Perhaps’ than when I was first admitted to the presbyterate, and with ‘almost nothing you can call Certainty’. We can’t get fully inside other people’s heads; and which of us can truly claim to understand even ourselves? 2/6 ⚓
September 23, 2025 at 2:54 PM
I find myself with far more ‘edges called Perhaps’ than when I was first admitted to the presbyterate, and with ‘almost nothing you can call Certainty’. We can’t get fully inside other people’s heads; and which of us can truly claim to understand even ourselves? 2/6 ⚓
I have been reflecting as Michaelmas (29 September), the anniversary of my ordination to the ministerial priesthood, approaches. It is a bittersweet horizon, for reasons some of you may know. 1/6 ⚓
September 23, 2025 at 2:54 PM
I have been reflecting as Michaelmas (29 September), the anniversary of my ordination to the ministerial priesthood, approaches. It is a bittersweet horizon, for reasons some of you may know. 1/6 ⚓
The order of petitions in the prayers ‘for the whole state of Christ’s Church militant here in earth’ (here from CofI HC order one) is instructive:
September 19, 2025 at 1:36 PM
The order of petitions in the prayers ‘for the whole state of Christ’s Church militant here in earth’ (here from CofI HC order one) is instructive:
I wrote to my local council and other relevant public authorities last week to express my horror at the display of Israeli state flags in my hometown. The text is attached below for anyone who might find it useful. Alt text is available on request.
September 19, 2025 at 9:07 AM
I wrote to my local council and other relevant public authorities last week to express my horror at the display of Israeli state flags in my hometown. The text is attached below for anyone who might find it useful. Alt text is available on request.
Also very much looking forward to facilitating the Postgraduate Forum on genAI and its impact on research, teaching, and ministry with the other PG Co-Conveners – especially to hearing insights from Prof Esther McIntosh (York St John) and Prof Esther D. Reed (Exeter).
September 1, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Also very much looking forward to facilitating the Postgraduate Forum on genAI and its impact on research, teaching, and ministry with the other PG Co-Conveners – especially to hearing insights from Prof Esther McIntosh (York St John) and Prof Esther D. Reed (Exeter).
Finishing touches have now been put to my paper for #SSCE25 and very much looking forward to presenting – attempting to problematise the Disestablishment 150 strapline, “Free to Shape Our Future,” wrt the ethics of institutional memory, liturgical revision, church governance, and ecclesiology.
September 1, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Finishing touches have now been put to my paper for #SSCE25 and very much looking forward to presenting – attempting to problematise the Disestablishment 150 strapline, “Free to Shape Our Future,” wrt the ethics of institutional memory, liturgical revision, church governance, and ecclesiology.
📢 Delighted to play a small part in this new chapter of the Church of Ireland Gazette 🕯️ (which maintains full editorial independence), with its new look and new editor, by reviewing an exceptional volume of essays on the long seventeenth century, edited by Patrick Little.
August 29, 2025 at 5:51 PM
📢 Delighted to play a small part in this new chapter of the Church of Ireland Gazette 🕯️ (which maintains full editorial independence), with its new look and new editor, by reviewing an exceptional volume of essays on the long seventeenth century, edited by Patrick Little.
Brian Wren’s hymn, ‘Great God, Your Love Has Called Us Here,’ is one of the finest reflections on this IMO:
August 3, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Brian Wren’s hymn, ‘Great God, Your Love Has Called Us Here,’ is one of the finest reflections on this IMO:
Or you could just roll with it as is 🤪 In all seriousness, though, have you read this? So timely, very useful, and widely applicable. It seems obvious, but all great insights do in retrospect. I think Qoheleth would approve…
July 31, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Or you could just roll with it as is 🤪 In all seriousness, though, have you read this? So timely, very useful, and widely applicable. It seems obvious, but all great insights do in retrospect. I think Qoheleth would approve…
🎉 CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS 🎉
Have you attended a Church of Ireland ordination service? Share your experience for a PhD study at the University of Aberdeen! Participation involves an online survey and an optional follow-up interview. Scan the QR code for the survey or touch base. Please share!
Have you attended a Church of Ireland ordination service? Share your experience for a PhD study at the University of Aberdeen! Participation involves an online survey and an optional follow-up interview. Scan the QR code for the survey or touch base. Please share!
July 23, 2025 at 2:52 PM
🎉 CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS 🎉
Have you attended a Church of Ireland ordination service? Share your experience for a PhD study at the University of Aberdeen! Participation involves an online survey and an optional follow-up interview. Scan the QR code for the survey or touch base. Please share!
Have you attended a Church of Ireland ordination service? Share your experience for a PhD study at the University of Aberdeen! Participation involves an online survey and an optional follow-up interview. Scan the QR code for the survey or touch base. Please share!
I also order note cards from artists I like directly, either from their websites or Etsy stores. Daniel Bonnell is a favourite artist of mine, especially his Emmaus Road. I used his depiction of the Good Shepherd (with his kind permission) on my Ember Cards.
July 19, 2025 at 6:01 PM
I also order note cards from artists I like directly, either from their websites or Etsy stores. Daniel Bonnell is a favourite artist of mine, especially his Emmaus Road. I used his depiction of the Good Shepherd (with his kind permission) on my Ember Cards.