My granddaughter comes out of Mothers and Toddlers exhausted! What with physical activities in a large hall (pedal cars and slides), negotiations and tact needed (to accrue the best doll and pram), creative endeavours (painting, printing and sticking) and the musical challenge of singing and dancing (especially the exaggerated jumping needed to signify the sleeping…
Earlier in the year the famous sycamore tree beside Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland was deliberately and illegally felled. It was a sad act of vandalism but there is the chance that the stump may sprout again, and all may not be lost, even if it is completely different. I first wrote one of these thoughts…
Psalm 92 starts. It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, For several years, I was privileged to work alongside residents and staff in a residential care home for elderly Christians. The words, from the Psalm quoted, formed what was then described as…
This week, our 10 minute service reflects on John 8:12.
December 2023 Preaching Plan
This thought was first published in December 2021 I was writing Christmas cards today. Having lived in many locations I know many people and it seems quite a chore. I remember a conversation with an elderly lady from our Church here. The lady died some while back but I remember so well something she once…
The Second Sunday in Advent. Year B 10th December 2023 Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 40 v1-11 The Lord will rescue his people. Psalm 85 v1-2, 8-13. A prayer for peace. 2 Peter 3 v8-15a. The Lord’s return is certain. Mark 1 v1-8. The preaching of John the Baptist. Leadership In his prayer for…
The Methodist Church has produced resources for Advent entitled “Out of the Ordinary” and Advent 1 centres around a box of Christmas decorations. In our house the Christmas tree generally doesn’t go up until the weekend before Christmas. There is that moment when you get the box or bag of Christmas decorations out. Ours is…
The great plan at the beginning of this year was that I would retire next summer when my appointment at Ipswich comes to an end. Having had a three-month sabbatical earlier this year, I came to the conclusion that I’m not ready to hang up my dog collar yet, so decided to offer for a…
The temperature has dropped and we have been given warnings of snowfalls on their way. I love to look at snow and all the beautiful patterns which it makes. Another of God’s wonderful creations. It’s so clean and bright and white but in my mind it’s treacherous. I’m terrified of walking in the snow when it’s…