![]() What a shame that the large-print hardback format favoured by the publishers and the hefty price of £18.99 may well cut against the book’s appeal to the casually curious seeker or reader. Throughout, Bottley explains how her faith has developed to become more inclusive and questioning, and shares her frustrations with a Church that sometimes feels infernally clueless, needlessly exclusive, and increasingly irrelevant. The chapter on confidence feels, at times, to be the most personally revealing, while those on loneliness and grief are reassuringly compassionate. Through vivid stories, her own collection of celebrity encounters and faux pas, quiet insight, and a gently persistent love of Christ, she challenges preconceptions, strips out “churchy” language, and attempts to show how even the slenderest thread of belief can be beneficial when it comes to dealing with the muck and mess of life.Īlthough some of us in parochial ministry (described here as “old-school vicars”) may squirm a little at Bottley’s lithe discussion of individual success, beginning with her own appearances in the TV series Gogglebox, among other media engagements, there are many aspects of the book, including the “Three Good Things” to think about or do at the end of each chapter, which are practical, thoughtful and encouraging. So, after initially placing herself soundly in the context of her own upbringing, belief, priestly vocation, and media ministry, Bottley gets straight down to addressing topics such as success, love, strength, conflict, confidence, loneliness, and grief. The author’s encounter with someone who asks, “What’s a bishop?” reminds us that the Christian world that Church Times readers inhabit daily is not even a blip on the radar in most people’s lives.Ī little faith can, indeed, go a long way, however. There was a huge turnout for Oli.PART testimony, fizzing through a catalogue of mildly self-deprecating anecdotes, part a series of life lessons, this first book from Kate Bottley is unlikely to win over anyone who isn’t already in tune with her effervescent media persona but her energy and chatty, sometimes giggly, and occasionally lightly saucy style allows her to open up conversations, potentially connecting with those who might not normally consider that the Christian faith, or the Church, has anything positive to offer them. Posting on the Facebook page “Oli’s fight against Jerry” which documented the brave teenager’s two-year journey with cancer, his family wrote: “ would like to thank everyone for coming today and to everyone who logged on online. ![]() The mother added a family friend had told her the tributes were “poignant, funny and emotive” and praised her, Oli’s sisters, girlfriend and family for “bravely” standing up and sharing a “glimpse of OIi’s life and personality so beautifully”. Then more than 1,000 people joined the webcast online to watch Oli’s send off.” ![]() “The church was packed, so we also had the church hall with a projector which was also full and people stood outside. “The funeral was led by Dawn the vicar who captured Oli perfectly, and was directed by Haddaway and Denton who were amazing,” Mrs Ross-Duffield added. Picture: The Life Narrator Oli Ross’ mum, Claire Ross-Duffield, says the flowers were fabulous. Picture: The Life Narrator His cortege was led by a friend’s green Lamborghini, who had taken Oli on several bucket list trips in it before. They made a special contribution on the day and provided a floral tribute for the family. Oli was a huge fan of The Sidemen – a group of YouTubers – and used his ‘Make a Wish’ to meet them which his mum said he described as “the best day of his life”. “Then an Ashford fire engine followed from the station where Kev, Oli’s stepdad works.” “His cortege was led by a friend’s green Lamborghini, which had taken Oli on several bucket list trips in it before. Oli Ross from Ashford was laid to rest earlier this week following a battle with cancer Flowers of Oli’s favourite things have been laid by his grave.
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