Sunday's coming!

Joshua 24: 1-2a, 14-18;  John 6: 56-69  & Church Anniversary. For 210 years people have worshipped in this place. As part of my preparation I re-read John Morgan’s history of Tabernacle Chapel,Tiers Cross.   The story here begins with Arnold Davies – was born Wolfscastle, self-educated, former farm labourer, teacher & traveling preacher. In 1803 came to be minister at Rosemarket and encouraged Christians in Tiers Cross to think of building a chapel here.   In 1814 the members raised funds and did much of physical work themselves of building this chapel.  They named the chapel ‘Tabernacle’ – recognising it as a place to meet with God.   I visited John Morgan this week and we were reflecting on the faith of those early members – they were so sure that God wanted there to be a chapel here –  and for 110 years they only had the land as a leasehold. Yet they worked hard to build and maintain and improve this building.   Then in 1924 the people ...

 Proverbs 9: 1-6;    John 6: 51-58 This week at the Pembrokeshire County Show provided a great chance to think about how, as churches, we reach out to people. For the first time, this year, the Church in Wales contributed to the cost of the tent and we were blessed with a great mixture of different ministers of all denominations dropping in.  Together, we were able to welcome people from churches and chapels across the county and beyond, coming into the tent to enjoy refreshments, conversation, a chance for prayer, communion together – and on Thursday shelter from torrential rain!   I managed a few quick walks around the show and as ever alongside the stock, crafts and horse competitions, the Show stalls showed a great variety of shapes and sizes (and wind – resistance). There were large and small marquees, trailers, gazebos, horse boxes, and at least one bus and one boat!  But in every case the approach was the same - to offer a sense of ‘welcome’. We all ...

1 Kings 19:4-8     John 6:35, 41-51   This last week Susan & I have been at the Wales Synod Summer school at Llangasty Retreat House, overlooking Llangorse Lake. The views were spectacular, the weather was mostly kind, and it was good to relax and learn with colleagues across the Synod. A really striking part of the week was the welcome and hospitality offered to us by Janet and her very small team of two in the house. The food and drink was freshly prepared, a lot of it local, and arriving at regular intervals, yet the staff were flexible enough to fit our programme of sessions. The large dining table became a place of not just food, but conversation and laughter as we shared together in what was given to us so happily.   No wonder Jesus spent so much time eating at table with people – and used the image of the banquet to describe the kingdom of God.     And that is why, regularly, we share a communion meal together. Here we remember that this is the t...

  Exodus 16: 2-4, 9-15     John 6: 24-35 I’m sure we have all been struggling with our reactions to the story of the attack on a children’s dance class in Southport this week, and the death of three young girls - Bebe, Elsie and Alice.   We know a 17 year old boy has been arrested. We’re told that he moved to the Northwest from Cardiff, and that his parents were from Rwanda. Stories are emerging that this lad had communication issues and is living with an autism disorder.    But we are left with so many questions, including: -         What can make a young man want to attack children in this way? -         How can we keep children safe in future ? -         Why do terrible things like this happen to innocent children?       And some have turned to violence – attacking the mosque in Southport, rioting in central London, and a...