Today we remember Saint Bartholemew; one of the twelve Apostles known to us as Nathanael, he is reputed to have suffered the most barbaric death of all the martyrs, being flayed alive. Bartholemew’s ‘great crime’ was introducing the King of Armenia to Christianity. Now we think of him as the patron saint of tanners, tailors,…
We use many words in church but are not always sure quite what they mean. I found this in my old files and it made me think. God’s Love Opened up and Reaching out for You G – going through life L – loved by Jesus O – open to God R – ready to…
This week our 10 minute service reflects on Isaiah 40:31.
My wife and I recently enjoyed a two-week visit, from the USA, by our favourite granddaughter (the other grandchildren are male) and her daughter – our first great-grandchild. Miss P is referred to as our “miracle baby” as she was born at 24 weeks weighing only 14.5 ounces. Now approaching her fourth birthday she has…
21st Sunday in ordinary Time Year A 27th August 2023 Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 51 v1-6; Psalm 138; Romans 12 v1-8; Matthew 16 v13-20 The Invisible Mentor The person of God not mentioned explicitly in today’s readings is the Holy Spirit. Jesus implies that the Holy Spirit is at work in the mind of…
On a recent cycle trip in France the plan was to cycle along a waymarked cycle route – the VeloMaritime, following the coast east from Morlaix. All was well until we got to a small fishing village where we turned off the main road onto a small minor road. The road then appeared to lead…
The MSC Loretto, one of the world’s largest container vessels docked at Felixstowe in June this year, the ship is a massive 400 metres long and 61 metres wide and can carry a staggering 24,346 standard containers. I am sad enough to have calculated that if the entire contents of the ship were loaded onto…
My holiday recently to Warwick has given me quite a few thoughts for the day and here’s another one. On the day we were in Coventry we visited St. Clare’s church, which is where James and Jess worship. It is tucked between the old and new cathedrals and has a lovely Fairly Traded goods shop…
Apparently, ‘Flutz’ is a skating term, but to me, it is and always has been something completely different. Flutz are white and circular and defy gravity by ascending from the earth. They also have the power to discriminate between foolishness and wisdom. I was introduced to Flutz in Sunday school when I was three and…
I wonder how many times I have sat in meetings over the years…church, choir, school governors, work, and other things too. For someone who does not really like meetings it feels bizarre that they have been so much a part of life ever since I left school. That leads me to the next musing which…