New daylight, January-April 2013 - Naomi Starkey

The Editor writes...Wisdom is an attribute that tends not to be widely celebrated in today's world. Stories of talent (especially of the performing arts variety), cleverness (especially of the passing exams variety) and cunning (especially of the political 'spin' variety) are what so often dominate the media. Wisdom, on the other hand, may be far less showy, far more of a back-stage, behind-the-scenes kind of influence - but one that, if heeded, has the potential to transform a situation or relationship.Over this coming year, New Daylight includes an extended series of readings exploring the theme of Jesus' wisdom, as found in Luke's Gospel. David Winter and Stephen Cottrell have written two weeks each in this issue and, as David puts it in his introduction: 'This wisdom... is more than intelligence or knowledge - insight, vision and understanding are its roots.' I hope you find much food for thought as you follow the series; I have certainly gained a lot from editing it.I would also like to welcome a new contributor, Ian Adams, who guides us prayerfully through Psalms 50 and 51. His notes are followed by a very different topic: clothing and hair in the Bible! Far from being a frivolous diversion, however, this topic raises important questions to do with how we interpret scripture, especially in relation to everyday life. Veronica Zundel offers stimulating insights to help us in this challenging process.Our Holy Week and Easter readings are brought to us by Andrew Jones, who invites us to accompany him on an imaginative pilgrimage to some of the places most closely linked to the events of this special season in the Church's calendar. Andrew writes from many years' experi-ence as a pilgrimage leader, both in the UK and abroad, as well as time spent studying in Israel. His readings are a vivid reminder that the events we commemorate happened in real places, at a specific time in history. We may not have had (or ever hope to have) the privilege of visiting the actual sites, but this Easter we can travel there in our hearts and, like any pilgrims, journey onward with renewed energy and God-given hope.About the contributors in this issue:Ian Adams is an Anglican priest, writer, poet, teacher and artist working with themes of spirituality, prayer, culture and community. He is the author of Cave Refectory Road (Canterbury Press, 2010). He is also a director of the StillPoint project (thestillpoint.org.uk).Stephen Cottrell is the Bishop of Chelmsford. He has worked as Missioner in the Wakefield diocese and as part of Springboard, the Archbishop's evangelism team. His latest books are From the Abundance of the Heart (DLT, 2006) and Do Nothing to Change Your Life (CHP, 2007).Tony Horsfall is a freelance trainer and retreat leader based in Yorkshire, with his own ministry, Charis Training. He is an elder of Ackworth Community Church and has written several books for BRF, including Mentoring for Spiritual Growth, Working from a Place of Rest and Servant Ministry (available March 2013).Andrew Jones is Archdeacon of Meirionnydd in the Diocese of Bangor and rector of four churches on the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales. He has led many pilgrimages in the UK and abroad and has also written Pilgrimage: the journey to remembering our story (BRF, 2011).Michael Mitton is a freelance writer, speaker and consultant and the Fresh Expressions Adviser for the Derby Diocese. He is also the NSM Priest-in-charge of St Paul's Derby and honorary Canon of Derby Cathedral. He has written A Heart to Listen, Restoring the Woven Cord, A Handful of Light and Dreaming of Home for BRF.Barbara Mosse is an Anglican priest with experience in prison, university, community mental health and hospital chaplaincies. She is the author of The Treasures of Darkness (Canterbury Press, 2003) and Encircling the Christian Year (BRF, 2012).Amy Boucher Pye is an American who has lived in the UK for over a decade. She makes her home in North London with her husband and young family and enjoys writing for Christian periodicals, including Quiet Spaces, Woman Alive and Christian Marketplace.David Winter is retired from parish ministry. An honorary Canon of Christ Church, Oxford, he is well known as a writer and broadcaster. His most recent book for BRF is Facing the Darkness and Finding the Light.Veronica Zundel is an Oxford graduate, writer and journalist. She lives with her husband and son in North London, where they belong to the Mennonite Church. She has written Crying for the Light for BRF.