Dr Julie Gittoes
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juliegittoes.bsky.social
Dr Julie Gittoes
@juliegittoes.bsky.social
680 followers 320 following 390 posts
An Anglican priest & theologian who makes time for art, novels, film, politics, and good coffee. Views my own. http://juliegittoes.blogspot.co.uk
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juliegittoes.bsky.social
Have raised this with a couple of folk this week - eg worried re how Christianity gets co-opted. Glad to see a statement by my Area Bishop and Director of Racial Justice. We’re also working with North London Citizens - to help build leadership capacity and listen effectively.
Statement from the Bishop of Edmonton and Dr Lisa Adjei "We are deeply concerned to hear of the planned 'unite the kingdom' march in London this weekend. Though framed as a celebration of free speech, it is inextricably linked to voices and movements that have previously contributed to division and racial intolerance. This is at odds with everything we, and millions of Londoners, stand for, especially the Diocese of London." "We affirm that freedom of speech is a vital democratic right, and at the same time pray for a nation where that freedom is exercised not to deepen fear or exclusion, but to foster compassion and unity. Every day, in our churches and on our streets, we see a very different city to the one that the marchers portray. One where people from all cultures, religions, beliefs and classes can work, worship, and live together. We take pride in a city that welcomes everyone. Now and always, we reject intolerance and division in the utmost terms." "We will hold all marginalised communities in our prayers this weekend, and ask for safety, peace and justice for all." Bishop Anderson Jeremiah, Bishop of Edmonton & Lead Bishop for Racial Justice Dr Lisa Adjei, Head of Racial Justice Priority, Diocese of London
September 13, 2025 at 4:08 PM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
Been a bit absent here one way or another - less time on social media in general, but getting back to some #tinyjoys it’s pick your own dahlias season at Finchley Nursery: carefully wrapped and now on mantelpiece #tinyjoy #dahlias
Some freshly cut dahlias - wrapped in paper: flowers in yellow, shades of orange and red, petals overlapping as they’re held together in a wrapping. Dahlias placed in mug - photo from above on a wooden table. The blooms are red, in the centre, surrounded by yellows, oranges and very pale pink; plus purple and light orange. The shapes and sizes of the petals vary
July 28, 2025 at 6:46 PM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
Having got as far as Kenwood, it was a beautiful day to enjoy a walk across the Heath via Parliament Hill view point (how many generations have stood there as London has changed over centuries!) before heading into Hampstead #hampsteadhealth #parliamenthill #viewpoint #london #tinyjoys
A neatly mown lawn at Kenwood with a park bench in the mid ground to the left - looking down towards a pond with a back drop of trees, shades of green A view from Parliament Hill - looking between the trees across the city of London with St Paul’s and the Shard etc in the hazy spring sun.
May 5, 2025 at 12:16 PM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
A close up of some of the rhododendron - pinks and purples
A close up of orange petals on the individual flowers of a rhododendron against the back drop of green leaves Another close up this time of the smaller pink petals on many individual flowers of a rhododendron A close up of pink and white petals on the individual flowers of a rhododendron against the back drop of green leaves
May 5, 2025 at 12:11 PM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
Last week, I took myself off to Kenwood House because I’d been told that the rhododendron were amazing - absolutely popping with colour #kenwoodhouse #rhododendron #colour #tinyjoys
The rhododendron at Kenwood House - several beds of plants in flower: reds, pinks and oranges. Set against the backdrop of neatly mown lawns, mature trees and blue sky
May 5, 2025 at 12:08 PM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
Obsessed with these rainbow tulips at the moment - bought them reduced price which was a bonus! #tinyjoys #tulips
A mug with pink stripes in various shades on a white shelf - containing some rainbow tulips against a red wall. The tulips are yellow, red, orange and purple.
April 24, 2025 at 5:29 PM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
The glow of light through these windows is aways feels like hope and consolation - knowing that prayer, worship, witness and community life have been nurtured in this place for a 1000 years! #tinyjoys #hope St Mary’s Hendon
The south windows of St Mary’s glowing with light just as it fell dark - windows are plain glass set in whitewashed walls (the tower and flag just visible).
April 24, 2025 at 5:26 PM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
Got home after a run - ready to settle down with MOJO’s interview with Jarvis Cocker whilst listening to the cover CD - and Pulp’s new single “Spike Island” was on radio 2. #EasterMondayTreat #Pulp
A screenshot from BBC sounds - with the Radio 2 logo - Richie Anderson sitting in for Sara Cox with an image of Pulp’s Spike Island single The cover of the latest MOJO magazine with a photo of Jarvis Cocker and a CD entitled “forty odd years”.
April 21, 2025 at 4:50 PM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Five services, two churches, one lunch invitation and lovely walk home. It’s been an extraordinary week: poignant, reflective, encouraging, joyful. Living in relation to love’s risen body (after R. S. Thomas - “The Answer”). #alleluia #easterday #christisrisen
A lit Easter candle with a green wax relief Celtic cross - and white and yellow flowers at the base An Easter garden - three small crosses in the foreground with yellow and white flowers around them. Small vases of primroses are placed next to the tomb, with a stone rolled away. In the background is the white altar frontal with an embroidered image of the risen Christ
April 20, 2025 at 8:31 PM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Vigil, BCP plus two sung masses - great joy & evensong still to come!

#alleluia #easterday #christisrisen
The pascal candle with a Celtic cross - alpha and omega and year 2025 in green wax relief - lit on front of the high altar and stained glass window at Christ Church Hendon
April 20, 2025 at 12:56 PM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
Went for a walk calling to mind these words from Job (and hearing Handel’s setting of them in “The Messiah”.

For I know that my Redeemer lives… and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God!
One of the gravestones in St Mary’s church yard - a Celtic style cross design with intricate carving. It stands under a yew tree A cluster of “forget me not” flowers - tiny, delicate blue petals with a yellow centre. The light shining through new leaves on a tree - branches reaching towards, bathed in vibrant green
April 19, 2025 at 8:56 PM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
In between, broke my Good Friday fast with chips and onion rings in my local chippie. They usually play radio 2… on Friday it was radio 3 and Bach’s Matthew Passion. I told them appreciated it; they said it was important that day.
A plate of chips and some onion rings - instead of fish - the vegetable option for breaking Good Friday fast.
April 19, 2025 at 8:51 PM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
#HolySaturday
God of compassion,
you regard the forsaken and give hope to the crushed in spirit; hear those who cry to you in distress and bring your ransomed people to sing your glorious praise, now and for ever. Amen.
The altar of repose in the sacrament chapel - empty apart from the now extinguished candles on the altar itself.
April 19, 2025 at 8:48 PM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
#GoodFriday at Christ Church before stations of the cross & liturgy at St Mary’s. Praying for those for whom the world is unsafe/threatening

Reproach has broken my heart; I am full of heaviness.

For the Lord listens to the needy, and his own who are imprisoned he does not despise.

Ps 69:22, 35
The figure of Jesus on the cross with Mary his mother and the beloved disciple on either side - carved in dark wood with halos and details in gold.
April 19, 2025 at 8:46 PM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
After the watch on #MaundyThursday remembering the last supper and the command to love one another; watching and waiting to the point of sleep, arrest and desertion.
St Mary’s church illuminated only by candles burning on the votive stand. Arches framed by light with the outline of chairs in a now empty building
April 19, 2025 at 8:42 PM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
#HolyWeek in images.

From Friday’s performance of “The Messiah”, to #PalmSunday liturgies and “Time for Jesus” in the evening: moving and intense start to Holy Week.
The high altar at St Mary’s with a red frontal with palm branches in front of it - a cross with a purple robe draped over it and a crown of thorns stands on the foreground
April 19, 2025 at 8:39 PM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
Taken after evensong last night. The glow of candles in the stillness and beauty of this ancient place where we add our praise & prayer to those which have echoed down the centuries. Our stories held within God’s story. This is precious. There is consolation in this #sacredspace #tinyjoys
The inside of St Mary’s church in Hendon taken after evensong. The lights have been turned off so it’s lit by the glow of candle light alone. You can see the outline of the pulpit and chairs, the medieval arches and the small windows above.
February 24, 2025 at 2:55 PM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
Playing with light, shadow, cloud and darkness - Anthony McCall exhibition at Tate Modern. It was playful and contemplative #tinyjoy
Me standing in the middle of the Anthony McCall installation: two arcs of bright white as the projected light casts shadows; there is darkness and beams of light outlining my figure
February 2, 2025 at 12:14 AM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
The view leaving Blackfriars looking back across the Thames to St Paul’s - seen through the metalwork of the bridge on a grey drizzly day. A familiar sight with lots of memories
The girders of Blackfriars Bridge framing the river Thames and St Paul’s cathedral with its famous dome seen through a smudgy window on a grey day
February 2, 2025 at 12:11 AM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
The joy of catching up with a friend for lunch - no hurry just enjoying food and company and hearing how life has been. The restaurant had a lot of candles creating day time cosy ambience #tinyjoys
Two large containers with open metal work on a wooden floor with a large candle on each. The flame casting light and patterns across the wall
February 2, 2025 at 12:08 AM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
My tangle of cats - Ceridwen & Briallen - having their post food snooze by cuddling up together. They are content with themselves #tinyjoy
Two white cats on a blue spotted cat bed. The one with grey markings has her paw across the one with black markings - and rests her head on hers
February 2, 2025 at 12:05 AM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
The quality of light in one of my churches - radiant - this ancient holy place rooted in community for centuries. We’re just joining this flow of life faith and love #tinyjoy
Sunlight shining through clear glass windows at the west end of the church casting light on the walls above the arches which reflect the pattern of the lead work and shape of the windows (lance windows with diamond lead work)
February 2, 2025 at 12:02 AM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
There’s a lot going on at the moment at every level. Trees are so literally grounded, rooted that it helps renew
hope and stability to appreciate them #tinyjoy
A cluster of trees in sunny hill parklooking magnificent despite the lack of leaves in winter - the sky is grey but the grass bright green Some of the trees at the end of my garden as the sun rises over rooftops. The sun is low as the shades orange filters through the branches - across pale sky
February 1, 2025 at 11:58 PM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
Stopping for lunch one day and struck by the colours of plant pots and a mini vegan breakfast on toast. Pausing. Reflecting. #tinytoys #tinyjoy
Two bright orange plant pots suspended with rope/hessian tied in knots with a false below. One pot has a small plant barely visible the other a spiky green plant A colourful mini vegan breakfast on toast with roast tomatoes and cauliflower, courgettes and peppers with falafel on humous with some guacamole. Served on black plate
February 1, 2025 at 11:54 PM
juliegittoes.bsky.social
Some moments from this week - #tinyjoys if you will. I saw my spiritual director and spotted this apt linocut: “A Kind of Prayer” by David Frazer. It kinda reminded me of my dad who used to kneel at his bed to pray before sleep
A Kind of Prayer by David Frazer. It depicts a man kneeling on what looks likes pebbly beach. We see the soles of his feet - his clothes baggy and head bent forward. Lots of horizontal lines make up the sea or sky
February 1, 2025 at 11:49 PM