Join me, At the Ends of the Earth…
At the Ends of the Earth tells stories from the peripheries. You’ll find missional musings from a rural, coastal Catholic community. How can we be intentionally local at a time of civilisational unraveling? How can living in a remote spot - outside the spheres of influence - amplify what is most real amid all that is shallow and fake? And what witness can consecrated life in the world contribute to the redemption of our culture? I’ll share the books, art, spiritual writings and natural beauty that are inspiring me in my quest for life lived to the full.
Introductions…
One year ago, if you’d told me I’d be living in a remote Exmoor village, I’d have told you you’re nuts. And yet, if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.
I’m Hannah, a consecrated virgin living in the world, with a doctorate in sociology of religion, and leading a fast-growing Catholic parish renewal ministry in the UK. My life over the past six years has been fast-paced. Then I moved to Exmoor, where the pace is 2mph. I wrote a little about my decision to move here and my early experiences of village living here.
My work will not stop being fast-paced and probably my travel schedule will not be much less frantic. And yet, already I am finding that, when I stop on the weekends, I fall into the beautiful embrace of the 2mph life - and my body, mind and spirit rest. Switching between the two is going to be interesting but I will share how it goes!
What you should know about me:
In 2019, I was consecrated as a consecrated virgin living in the world - a life-changing moment through which God has blessed me wildly in ways I’d never have expected or imagined. I’ll be sharing about consecrated life and how living it in the world is a particular gift for the Church at this time;
I live one-minute’s walk from the convent of a contemplative community who are dear friends. I have immersed my heart into the living waters of their prayer and liturgical life like a plug into a socket, and that is what keeps me charged for the mission;
I am a nerd at heart… In 2020, I completed my doctorate which explored the role of parish culture in the phenomenon of parish growth and decline. I co-authored a book on Why Catholics Leave and wrote Handbook for Catechists in 2018. Articles I’ve written include, The Impact of Parish Priest Transitions on Evangelisation and Should we be Skeptical about Synodality? I love nerding out on theology, sociology, history, literature and will share what I read here;
My ‘day job’ is leading Divine Renovation UK, a parish renewal ministry that accompanies over 120 British parishes as they move towards mission. One of the greatest privileges of my life is to pray for and walk alongside priests;
Some things I LOVE (in no particular order): hosting friends and throwing big dinners; Dickens, Elliot, Austen and the Brontes; swimming in the sea; Hawaiian poke bowls; precious time with my consecrated virgin sisters; lectio divina projects; sleepovers with my nephews and nieces; local village life, especially when it involves book shops and coffee shops; Texan barbecue; nature journalling; Coldplay; strategically planning my capsule wardrobe; the South West coastal path.
