Rev. Robin
@hanford.me.uk
Unitarian Minister in Hinckley. Christian. Communist. PGDip in Theology from Oxford. Bi. Autistic. (He/Him). 🏳️🌈✝️ ☭ All views are my own.
My joy today has been receiving the Iona Community Prayer Book in PDF form. I always manage to lose the physical book, but hopefully this year I'll actually be able to keep up with my daily prayers!
January 5, 2026 at 10:28 PM
My joy today has been receiving the Iona Community Prayer Book in PDF form. I always manage to lose the physical book, but hopefully this year I'll actually be able to keep up with my daily prayers!
A liberal “rules-based international order” is meaningless if a state can bomb a capital city and extrajudicially “capture” a sitting President without facing immediate sanctions.
January 3, 2026 at 12:03 PM
A liberal “rules-based international order” is meaningless if a state can bomb a capital city and extrajudicially “capture” a sitting President without facing immediate sanctions.
Am I the only one to grow increasingly disappointed in The Telegraph’s political reporting?
On the advice of my old school English teacher, I've continued to read the newspaper opposite to my politics.
On the advice of my old school English teacher, I've continued to read the newspaper opposite to my politics.
December 31, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Am I the only one to grow increasingly disappointed in The Telegraph’s political reporting?
On the advice of my old school English teacher, I've continued to read the newspaper opposite to my politics.
On the advice of my old school English teacher, I've continued to read the newspaper opposite to my politics.
And with all the Christmas celebrations done, and a glass of parson's punch in hand, the Minister said, “Now, I'll be back in January and before then I'll…” and with that he went to sleep. 💤
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎄🎉
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎄🎉
December 25, 2025 at 3:17 PM
And with all the Christmas celebrations done, and a glass of parson's punch in hand, the Minister said, “Now, I'll be back in January and before then I'll…” and with that he went to sleep. 💤
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎄🎉
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎄🎉
Checking into the #ClergyMaltClub with a Whisky Mac. I've had a relatively light Christmas, with a Carol service on Sunday and no Christmas Eve services. That said, I will be in the pulpit in the morning and will be serving parson’s punch and mince pies after the service!
December 25, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Checking into the #ClergyMaltClub with a Whisky Mac. I've had a relatively light Christmas, with a Carol service on Sunday and no Christmas Eve services. That said, I will be in the pulpit in the morning and will be serving parson’s punch and mince pies after the service!
A gentle reminder (via @maklelan.bsky.social) for those planning to preach on John 1 tomorrow! youtu.be/_4C_yLvioUA
Doesn’t John 1:1 tell us the Word was God?
YouTube video by Dan McClellan
youtu.be
December 25, 2025 at 12:23 AM
A gentle reminder (via @maklelan.bsky.social) for those planning to preach on John 1 tomorrow! youtu.be/_4C_yLvioUA
A question for those criticising people imprisoned on remand for going on hunger strike: If you were due to spend years of your life incarcerated before being able to access a trial, how would you protest your treatment by the state in a more effective way?
I'm genuinely curious…
I'm genuinely curious…
December 17, 2025 at 4:35 AM
A question for those criticising people imprisoned on remand for going on hunger strike: If you were due to spend years of your life incarcerated before being able to access a trial, how would you protest your treatment by the state in a more effective way?
I'm genuinely curious…
I'm genuinely curious…
Is anyone else sick of the fake-apology ads on social media?
“We sincerely apologise…
That our product works so well!
Here is a sale so you can buy more of it…”
No, thank you!
“We sincerely apologise…
That our product works so well!
Here is a sale so you can buy more of it…”
No, thank you!
November 25, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Is anyone else sick of the fake-apology ads on social media?
“We sincerely apologise…
That our product works so well!
Here is a sale so you can buy more of it…”
No, thank you!
“We sincerely apologise…
That our product works so well!
Here is a sale so you can buy more of it…”
No, thank you!
A recent quiz told me that if I were an Anglican, I would be a Matthew Fox kind of Anglican, so I am now finally reading some Fox.
Have I picked the best starting point for gaining a general understanding of Fox’s theology?
Have I picked the best starting point for gaining a general understanding of Fox’s theology?
November 20, 2025 at 12:22 AM
A recent quiz told me that if I were an Anglican, I would be a Matthew Fox kind of Anglican, so I am now finally reading some Fox.
Have I picked the best starting point for gaining a general understanding of Fox’s theology?
Have I picked the best starting point for gaining a general understanding of Fox’s theology?
When you make yourself a cup of tea only to realise the last of the milk is off 😭
November 10, 2025 at 9:21 PM
When you make yourself a cup of tea only to realise the last of the milk is off 😭
Now that everyone has had their opportunity to get their copy of the October issue of The Inquirer, I’m sharing the interview that Laura did with me in full about my attendance at a Stand Up To Racism organised counter demonstration.
November 1, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Now that everyone has had their opportunity to get their copy of the October issue of The Inquirer, I’m sharing the interview that Laura did with me in full about my attendance at a Stand Up To Racism organised counter demonstration.
I'm delighted to be part of a @woodbrooke.bsky.social session on the role of creeds in the relationship between church and state.
In a personal first for me, I'll be offering a critical perspective on Nicaea while in dialogue with a Roman Catholic Bishop!
www.woodbrooke.org.uk/courses/quak...
In a personal first for me, I'll be offering a critical perspective on Nicaea while in dialogue with a Roman Catholic Bishop!
www.woodbrooke.org.uk/courses/quak...
Quakers and Creeds: The Role of Creeds in Church and State - Woodbrooke
In this session, we’ll explore key questions such as: • What should the relationship be between Church and State? • “Thy Kingdom come”? This session is
www.woodbrooke.org.uk
October 24, 2025 at 5:50 PM
I'm delighted to be part of a @woodbrooke.bsky.social session on the role of creeds in the relationship between church and state.
In a personal first for me, I'll be offering a critical perspective on Nicaea while in dialogue with a Roman Catholic Bishop!
www.woodbrooke.org.uk/courses/quak...
In a personal first for me, I'll be offering a critical perspective on Nicaea while in dialogue with a Roman Catholic Bishop!
www.woodbrooke.org.uk/courses/quak...
In case anyone was wondering what the book was, it was ‘Tales of the City’ by Armistead Maupin.
Amazing how an author can make such interesting subject matter so incredibly dull. An absolutely excruciating read.
Amazing how an author can make such interesting subject matter so incredibly dull. An absolutely excruciating read.
Has anyone ever given up entirely on a book you are meant to read for a book group because you find it so frustrating?
I am sorely tempted.
I am sorely tempted.
September 11, 2025 at 9:59 PM
In case anyone was wondering what the book was, it was ‘Tales of the City’ by Armistead Maupin.
Amazing how an author can make such interesting subject matter so incredibly dull. An absolutely excruciating read.
Amazing how an author can make such interesting subject matter so incredibly dull. An absolutely excruciating read.
Palela’s story is so important. I have head many like it during my life and ministry. www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2105...
Preacher's plea for 'Christian compassion' over assisted dying
EXCLUSIVE: Pamela, a terminally ill lay preacher, has shared her view as the Bill faces another hurdle in the House of Lords.
www.express.co.uk
September 10, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Palela’s story is so important. I have head many like it during my life and ministry. www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2105...
I'm watching ‘Dexter’ for the first time. It is excellent, but the opening credits annoy me.
I get why they choose to show coffee beans in a blade grinder for the aesthetics, but I'm sure that anyone meticulous enough to be a Dexter-style serial killer would use a burr grinder.
I get why they choose to show coffee beans in a blade grinder for the aesthetics, but I'm sure that anyone meticulous enough to be a Dexter-style serial killer would use a burr grinder.
September 9, 2025 at 5:18 PM
I'm watching ‘Dexter’ for the first time. It is excellent, but the opening credits annoy me.
I get why they choose to show coffee beans in a blade grinder for the aesthetics, but I'm sure that anyone meticulous enough to be a Dexter-style serial killer would use a burr grinder.
I get why they choose to show coffee beans in a blade grinder for the aesthetics, but I'm sure that anyone meticulous enough to be a Dexter-style serial killer would use a burr grinder.
Has anyone ever given up entirely on a book you are meant to read for a book group because you find it so frustrating?
I am sorely tempted.
I am sorely tempted.
September 1, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Has anyone ever given up entirely on a book you are meant to read for a book group because you find it so frustrating?
I am sorely tempted.
I am sorely tempted.
It is always wonderful to be back at @hmcoxford.bsky.social, and it was great to meet Lisa Smars and catch up with all she is doing for the college!
We were delighted yesterday to welcome alumnus @hanford.me.uk back to the College. Robin was taking a break from his Ministry in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and met with our new Development Director Lisa Smars.
August 6, 2025 at 3:20 PM
It is always wonderful to be back at @hmcoxford.bsky.social, and it was great to meet Lisa Smars and catch up with all she is doing for the college!
‘Apocalypse Working Group’ would be a great band name.
This week I'm speaking at the inaugural public event of the Warwick Apocalypse Working Group, on "Apocalypses Expected, Imagined, Dreaded". Come join us: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/apocalypse...
June 23, 2025 at 1:30 PM
‘Apocalypse Working Group’ would be a great band name.
If there is one thing joining a book group has done, it has freed me from the shackles of attempting to finish every work of fiction I begin to read.
June 22, 2025 at 9:38 PM
If there is one thing joining a book group has done, it has freed me from the shackles of attempting to finish every work of fiction I begin to read.
My fiancée has finally twisted my arm into reading one of her favourite book series. However, I'm finding it hard going as one of the main characters is so annoying as to be completely insufferable.
I've never hoped so eagerly for a literary character to be killed off!
I've never hoped so eagerly for a literary character to be killed off!
June 19, 2025 at 11:37 AM
My fiancée has finally twisted my arm into reading one of her favourite book series. However, I'm finding it hard going as one of the main characters is so annoying as to be completely insufferable.
I've never hoped so eagerly for a literary character to be killed off!
I've never hoped so eagerly for a literary character to be killed off!
Even as a Christian who operates largely outside the bounds of Nicene-Chalcedonian orthodoxy, I agree with @leedshewitt.bsky.social on this!
The implications of Nicaea on church history and doctrine simply can't be overstated, and folks in the pews should be well informed about it.
The implications of Nicaea on church history and doctrine simply can't be overstated, and folks in the pews should be well informed about it.
I wish churches at a grassroots level were doing more to mark the anniversary of Nicaea. Similarly I wish more Christians were clear that what Nicaea had to say really, really, matters.
May 21, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Even as a Christian who operates largely outside the bounds of Nicene-Chalcedonian orthodoxy, I agree with @leedshewitt.bsky.social on this!
The implications of Nicaea on church history and doctrine simply can't be overstated, and folks in the pews should be well informed about it.
The implications of Nicaea on church history and doctrine simply can't be overstated, and folks in the pews should be well informed about it.
If your church is marking 1700 years of the Nicene Creed this year and is looking for someone to give a talk, I'll be happy to do it (from a critical perspective, of course).
May 11, 2025 at 7:34 AM
If your church is marking 1700 years of the Nicene Creed this year and is looking for someone to give a talk, I'll be happy to do it (from a critical perspective, of course).
I just discovered that Dr Sollereder brews her own beer at home!
This is an excellent appointment by @hmcoxford.bsky.social!
www.homebrewedchristianty.com/2022/01/29/b...
This is an excellent appointment by @hmcoxford.bsky.social!
www.homebrewedchristianty.com/2022/01/29/b...
May 9, 2025 at 2:30 PM
I just discovered that Dr Sollereder brews her own beer at home!
This is an excellent appointment by @hmcoxford.bsky.social!
www.homebrewedchristianty.com/2022/01/29/b...
This is an excellent appointment by @hmcoxford.bsky.social!
www.homebrewedchristianty.com/2022/01/29/b...
Reposted by Rev. Robin
The moment the penny drops for former Tory minister Simon Clarke...
April 25, 2025 at 1:07 PM
The moment the penny drops for former Tory minister Simon Clarke...
The fact that people led by this ignoramus are running for positions that would put them in charge of local SEND policy is frankly terrifying. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Farage sparks furious backlash over children’s mental health jibe
The Reform UK leader claimed GPs are over diagnosing adults with mental health problems and children with special educational needs
www.independent.co.uk
April 25, 2025 at 12:40 PM
The fact that people led by this ignoramus are running for positions that would put them in charge of local SEND policy is frankly terrifying. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...