28 Jan January 2026 Digest
Happy New Year! Welcome back to Mucknell Abbey, for a quick look at what we’ve been up to over the past month. As I write, it’s turning into a misty day, and the garden and grounds are still very much in winter mode, with a few small tidying up jobs being done here and there., We’ve been having some more building work done, and have also enjoyed a few trips out to events large and small. Another excitement has been preparing for some filming, for the Church of England’s weekly Online Service. Our contribution will be going out on Sunday 1st March, the second Sunday of Lent, so keep your eyes open for us!
Bishop Hugh’s Installation
On Saturday 17th, some of us made our way to Worcester Cathedral for the installation of Hugh Nelson as the 114th Bishop of Worcester. The cathedral was packed, and it was lovely to see both so many people in general and also so many folk that we know well. The service was a great representation of the diversity of the diocese, and we all enjoyed being there. There is a full write up, and a couple of highlights films, on the Worcester Diocese website, which also includes links to the photo gallery. We’re grateful for permission from the Diocese to use this photo, as proof that we were there!
In case you’re wondering about folk you don’t recognise: the monk next to me is from Douai Abbey, and behind me are our two Alongsiders, Jem and Andrew, who we put in cassocks/habits for the occasion. They’re followed by Br. Adrian and Br. Cassian, then by Abbot Thomas and Br. Stuart. Br. Michaël was already in his place, as the procession route was not entirely wheelchair accesible.
Visiting Brownshill
Those of you who’ve been reading the blog for a while will remember our ongoing friendship with the Bernadine Sisters at Brownshill Monastery, near Stroud. We have a tradition of exchanging visits each year during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and this year it was our turn to visit them. Myself, Abbot Thomas, Br Stuart and Br Adrian braved the rain, and had a lovely afternoon enjoying tea and cake, and exchanging news and catching up with the sisters.
A New Path
In a continuation of our Roundhouse project, work started this month to replace the paths near to it, changing them from tarmac to paving stones, which we hope will react less dramatically to the movement that comes with a very clay-heavy soil. The path work is slightly on hold as the pavers wait for a run of dry days to finish it off; once it’s done we will also be having a ramp and steps installed to make the roundhouse itself more accessible. A few people have used it already, and have found it to be a warm and welcoming space.
Celebrations
We’re always up for a celebration here, especially if it involves cake! This month saw Br. Stuart’s 80th birthday, a day after Br. Jonny’s 42nd. So a joint party was held, with cakes for both of the birthday boys. The gift of a magnum of champagne, with specific instructions that it be enjoyed with cake, was the cherry on top, so to speak.
A new Alongsider
We have another new Alongsider! Andrew moved in on Tuesday 13th, and has had quite a busy introduction to Community life, what with attending Bishop Hugh’s welcome service, and being part of our filming for the Church of England’s weekly service. He is a Northener by birth (hurrah!), but comes to us from Brighton, where he’s been working as a nursing assistant in a hospice. He’s getting settled in, and is always up for helping out with jobs around the place.
Rocky’s Roamings
Rocky continues to live his best cat life, and has been spotted in various places this month, including the laundry:
Rocky’s annual vet visit for his vaccines and health check is due soon; given how last year’s visit went, I’m sure it’ll be entertaining once again. It also reminds me that I need to get a new cat carrier, after he broke the last one with his houdini-like antics.
And finally…
As I write, we’re a few days away from Candlemas, which we keep very much as a hinge moment between Christmas/Epiphany and Lent/Easter. As we give thanks for the light that has come into the world with Christ’s birth, we pray that we may not forsake this light in all that is to come. In our filming for the Sunday service, several of us were asked about the life-giving habits that help us to draw near to God. Cultivating the habit of spending time with God, whether that’s in prayer, in Bible reading, in the natural world or in serving others, is immensely worthwhile, as it becomes something that we just do, not some great anguished effort. Ahead of Lent, each of us here in the monastery writes a personal Lent Rule, usually consisting of three things that we either give up or take on. Some of us follow the schema of having one that is oriented to God, one that is oriented to the Community and our common life, and one that is perhaps more personal. We also, following St. Benedict’s instruction, choose a book to read (and hopefully finish) during Lent. However you choose to keep Lent, I pray that it will be a holy and life-giving time for us all, as we “look forward to the holy feast of Easter with the joy of spiritual longing.” (RB 49) Amen.