Sunday's coming!

For these worship suggestions this week I have used a Catholic pattern which was introduced by St Ignatius Loyola . Presence God is with us –whether we are together or apart.  Pause for a moment and become aware of God with you. Freedom Although we cannot live our ‘normal’ lives, we are free to use this time to draw closer to God. Give thanks to God for this moment of worship. Consciousness Where in the last week have you found hope, mercy or peace? When has life been harder than usual? Thank God that God is with us in these positive times. Ask for God’s strength in the negative times. Word of God John 20:19-31 Conversation This story come almost at the end of John’s gospel, and perhaps is the ‘sign’ of Jesus Christ the Lord which can touch us today, as we continue to be isolated by the Covid19 virus. The disciples are locked away in fear – what changes their lives is the presence of the risen Christ, with his words “Peace be with you”. Jesu...

This is what I have just written for our Synod newsheet: It is Holy Week. I’m reminding myself that, because at the moment it’s hard to keep track of what day it is, let alone what week it is. Holy Week without waving palm crosses in church, without a version of the ‘last supper’ with friends around the table, without hoping for warmer weather for the Good Friday walk of witness, without the anticipation of the joyful service on Easter Day as we tell each other “he is risen”. Instead, a week of minimal outside contact and trying to find ways to support other people so that isolation does not tip over into loneliness or even desperation. What kind of Holy Week is that?  I think it must have been on the radio that I heard someone mention the  increasing isolation of Jesus  in Holy Week. It’s worth thinking about as we reflect on the familiar story: The disciples falling asleep in the garden of gethsemane, as Jesus prayed alone. The betrayal by Judas Iscariot...

When my daughter, Ellie, was at the stage of life to be contemplating university courses and a possible “life path”, she was studying biology, chemistry and maths. Not surprisingly, some of her teachers wondered whether she might consider a career in medicine. Very wisely she said to me “It’s not for me, mum, I know I couldn’t save everyone, and I wouldn’t be able to cope with that”. Our current NHS staff are certainly facing the truth that they cannot save everyone who contracts the Covid 19 virus. My heart goes out to those who run the risk of ending the day either feeling useless and sick-at-heart, or else physically sick -  contracting the virus themselves. Those of us who are not in the health service still have to face a sense of uselessness. The father who cannot calm the fears of their frightened child; the teacher who is furloughed or self-isolating; the minister who cannot visit a bereaved family, or conduct a normal funeral. We feel useless, adrift, and lost....

Have not had nearly as much time as I expected to write on this blog. Perhaps that will change in the next weeks, as so much is changing , so quickly . Here is what I've just written for our Synod Newsletter: "“The church is closed”....no -  “the building is closed”. We are the church. The speed with which things have changed in the last week has been dizzying. We are now far more restricted than we ever thought possible and of course our church buildings are closed. We may be feeling isolated, confused, uncertain. But now more than ever we need to dig deep in our faith and ask how, as Christians, we can face the future with hope. We are still able to follow Jesus It is hard to come to terms with the loss of the ability to gather together in church, but Jesus said ‘follow me” not “go to church”. I am trying to use some of this strange time to read, pray and reflect more and be more deeply aware of God’s presence in my home.. since I cannot go to church. Even from o...

Life is suddenly very different. Yesterday we asked all Synod Office staff to work remotely and I sent out a letter to all local churches in the SW Synod recommending the closure of church buildings for hirings, to protect the public, and that church communities should think hard about whether to gather for worship. Most are now closing their doors. We don't know for how long and we don't really know what church life will look like when this is over. Instead of posting sermons here (which Ive been really bad at lately anyway!) I have decided to post some thoughts about theology and church as the situation in the UK changes and evolves. I begin by posting the close of my letter to churches in the South Western Synod: "Being a church is about more than just gathering for Sunday worship. We can continue to pray together: you might like to join me in prayer each evening at 19.00 to pray for all those affected by Corvid 19; there will be news of ‘streamed’ service coming...

Matthew 11: 2-11, James 5: 7-10 How great it is to stand on the brink of a great new chapter for our world. A new start, a new government, a time of peace and prosperity and goodness for all people. Not a reference to Thursday’s General Election result – but a reflection of what our Bible readings have to say about the kingdom of God. However we feel about the new government, we can all agree that through the human decisions that are made at Westminster we want to see a country – even a world – where God’s will is done, where the values of the kingdom are honoured, where God is in charge, for the good of all God’s children. But how do we know what God’s kingdom looks like, and how do we become part of it? The passage we heard from Matthew comes from a time right at the start of Jesus’ ministry, when John the Baptist, who has been put into prison, is wondering about God’s kingdom . Specifically, John asks whether Jesus is here to bring in God’s kingdom. “Are you the o...