One of the hymns which has been going through my mind recently has been Rock of Ages, cleft for me (StF 434) written by Augustus Toplady.  I was surprised to find it is still in our recent hymn book and was quite prepared for it to have been left out. One saying is that Augustus…

Another hymn which brings back many memories to me is what is known as the Methodist Anthem – And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Saviour’s blood (StF 345). One of the great hymns of Charles Wesley sung to the tune of Sagina. The tune goes back to the early…

Another Thought for the Day of the hymns which are special to me and I hope will be of interest to you all.  It is ‘Dear Lord and Father of Mankind’. This hymn has been special for a number of reasons.  The first being that I just love the sentiments and the tune which seems…

I love singing hymns and if you asked me what my favourite is, I wouldn’t know.  There are so many to choose from.  However, one is number 67 in Singing the Faith: “This, this is the God we adore”, written by Joseph Hart.  This hymn goes back to the 1700s and has really stood the…

I was privileged on Easter Sunday to lead worship at Chantry Methodist Church.  I decided to have an Easter Carol Service which led us through all the resurrection events detailed in the four Gospels with hymns, prayers, readings and meditations. We had a wonderful sing and really needed our coffee afterwards, but it was a…

Lent is often seen as a time when we give up something but at Chantry this year we are looking at what we have and being thankful. Some of you will know what a Lent Gift Calendar is as I know it has been done in many churches.  The idea is that each day you…

 While I was washing up the other morning and looking out of the kitchen window, I was watching the birds eating me out of house and home with the seeds on the bird table.  What a wonderful sight – there were sparrows and our faithful robin and his wife (I think!) and the blackbird and…

On reading William’s Thought for the Day on Wednesday I was thinking how much I miss seeing people smile. I went to the library last week and the Manager, who I know quite well as I go regularly, said I didn’t recognise you for a minute.  In the cold weather I had my coat done…

So that’s it then! We’ve lit all the candles, sung the carols, and put the baby in the manger.  The innkeeper has turned Mary and Joseph out into the stable, the angels have sung: Glory to God in the highest Peace on earth, goodwill to all men. The shepherds have visited and the wise men…

Singing gives me a lift even if we have to sing behind masks.  It is so good to be able to go to Church again and sing amongst other people. At this time of year I find myself humming to the Christmas music being played in our shops.  It is such a shame they just…