Easter – 31st March 2013

It is said an apostle is one who bears witness to the risen Jesus. Much is made (by recent scholars) of the fact that, as it was the women who first discovered the empty tomb and concluded that Jesus had risen… the women in Luke’s gospel are the church’s first Read More... from Easter – 31st March...
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There is something to be said about the importance of being welcomed at the end of a journey… to see a familiar face in the crowd rather than strangers … the face/s of people who are glad or excited to see you. I am sure that there was an element Read More... from Palm/Passion Sunday – 23rd March...
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In our Homeward bound bible study this week we were discussing the ways in which our congregation had changed over the years. In one group the comment was made that “people used to get dressed in their ‘Sunday best’ for church” and now we don’t. A couple of people suggested Read More... from Let 5C – 17th March...
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Giving and receiving forgiveness is at the heart of what it means to be a gospel people, or members of the family of God. In one of my favorite books “The Return of the Prodigal Son”, Henri Nouwen helps us imagine ourselves not only as the younger son and the Read More... from Lent 4C – 10th March...
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As I was preparing for this service I was struggling in deep turmoil, as our daughter Naomi has been very sick in hospital, and I have torn between staying and going. I have therefore turned to “Words for Worship” for my reflection. Jesus’ lament in Luke 13:31–35 invites us to Read More... from 3rd Sunday in Lent – 3rd March...
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In view of direction in which our Lenten bible study (Homeward Bound) is leading us, I have been contemplating “Home”, listening to others and pondering the meaning of “home” in my life. We are all different, so our experience of “Home” can be vastly different. It is the “place” from Read More... from 2nd Sunday in Lent –...
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This week I have had the honoured, but painful task, of officiating at the funeral of a long term close friend. Stewart was in training for ordination with me at St Johns College at Morpeth in 1991/2. He is, perhaps, the longest term “formation” student I know of, having spent Read More... from 3rd Sunday After Epiphany C- 27th January...
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Over the last year or so we have begun the practice of praying together in small groups, on the last Sunday of the month. This came about as a consequence of the findings of our first NCD survey held at the end of 2010 which indicated that there was little Read More... from 2nd Sunday After Epiphany C -20th January...
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As I write I am also contemplating taking down my Christmas tree, and putting away the Nativity Scene and all of the trappings of Christmas. I know that, officially, the Christmas season concluded after Epiphany but we had a lovely Christmas and I am still savouring the moment, a little Read More... from Baptism of Our Lord -14 January...
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Today we remember the original gift bearers to our Lord and king… Jesus. We are never really told how many were present, but we do know that they gave expensive gifts, befitting a King… Gold and Frankincense and Myrrh! I wonder how many people considered what sort of a gift Read More... from Epiphany – 6th January...
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