This thought was first published in July 2022 Rabbi Jonathan Romain, leader of a Jewish congregation in the south of England, has been quoted as saying: “I’ve realised that ultimately what draws people to the synagogue is not God, but camaraderie.  What they want most is not promises of the afterlife, but warmth, kindness and…

This thought was first published in October 2020 I have recently been reading “Rewilding the Church” by Steve Aisthorpe, a mission worker in the Scottish Highlands. Taking his cue from recent rewilding initiatives in agriculture & forestry Steve argues that something similar should be happening in the Church. “Rewilding” allows natural forces to “take the…

Rabbi Jonathan Romain, leader of a Jewish congregation in the south of England, has been quoted as saying: “I’ve realised that ultimately what draws people to the synagogue is not God, but camaraderie.  What they want most is not promises of the afterlife, but warmth, kindness and a sense of community in the here and…

How do you pray? An article in a recent Saturday Times by Roderick Strange (Rector, St Mary’s University) reminded us that prayer is individual; there is no correct way to pray. Monsignor Strange highlighted the words of three sages of wisdom. First, Dom John Chapman, a biblical scholar of the 1930s, gave the advice to…

We’re on our way to Bethlehem but who will show us the way? THE WISE MEN Journeys can be long or short, easy or difficult, slow or quick.  You might travel alone or in a group.  You might stop along the way.  You might get lost. You might need help to find your way. In…

We’re on our way to Bethlehem but who will show us the way? THE SHEPHERDS Journeys can be long or short, easy or difficult, slow or quick.  You might travel alone or in a group.  You might stop along the way.  You might get lost. You might need help to find your way. In ADVENT…

We’re on our way to Bethlehem but who will show us the way? MARY AND JOSEPH Journeys can be long or short, easy or difficult, slow or quick.  You might travel alone or in a group.  You might stop along the way.  You might get lost. You might need help to find your way. In…

We’re on our way to Bethlehem but who will show us the way? THE PROPHETS Journeys can be long or short, easy or difficult, slow or quick.  You might travel alone or in a group.  You might stop along the way.  You might get lost. You might need help to find your way. In ADVENT…

I’ve made a bag!  But it’s not just any old bag. It’s a bag full of memories.  Memories of the time spent with our Minister over 7 years.Rev Diane Smith retires today after 7 years of ministry in the Ipswich Circuit, working with 4 churches & the Dock Chaplaincy (which have been embroidered on the…

In the latest Spring 2021 Connexion magazine Revd. David Perry talks about our “Kairos Moment” i.e.” a Godly time of maximum opportunity for change to occur”. Post-pandemic is a “Kairos Moment”. David Perry challenges Methodists to establish “new places for new people” as we decide which path to take when churches re-open. Communities are “fatigued,…