News (Page 4)

The gift that keeps on giving

In March I went to the funeral of a very good friend who died after a 6-month battle with cancer. She was clearly loved and had touched the lives of many people judging from the numbers who attended. As we left the church we were all given a packet of wildflower seeds and bulbs. I…

Lectionary Reflections – Sunday 11th October 2026

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time                    Year A                                     11th October 2026. Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 25 v1-9; Psalm 23; Philippians 4 v1-9; Matthew 22 v1-14.                      Actions have consequences. Matthew’s telling of the great banquet story contains some verses that are difficult to reconcile with a God of love. “Many are invited, but only a few are…

Catch and carry

I was recently reading about a young woman by the name of Kayla Montgomery.  I’d not heard of her before, but I found her story moving.  Kayla is an American distance runner.  She became widely known for competing at a high level after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis as a teenager. She was good!  So good that she was given…

Where’s Your Focus?

Today’s thought for the day is brought to us by Tanya Person www.ellel.uk Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on…

Are you strong?

Read Psalm 8:2(b) ‘You have founded a bulwark because of your foes’. Reflect Different translations of this verse give us different words to ponder. The New Revised Standard Version says, “You have founded a bulwark”; the New International Version speaks of “a stronghold”; the English Standard Version says, “you have established strength”; and the King…

Thomas Clarkson

Earlier in the year I wrote about slavery after I had visited Bristol, where the subject comes up so often when looking at the city’s history. If I were to ask you which figure did most to bring about the abolition of slavery, I imagine many would reply  ” William Wilberforce”. A very prominent figure…

HEAVEN

A recent social media article referred to the inevitability of death, but for the Christian, the prospect of heaven. I recall growing up in a church that had a weekly communion service lasting over an hour, with lovely contributions that encouraged the singing of a phrase from a hymn. “If such a glimpse of love…

Lectionary Reflections – Sunday 4th October 2026

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time                   Year A                                                4th October 2026. Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 5 v1-7;         Psalm 80 v7-15;         Philippians 3 v4b-14;         Matthew 21 v33-46.                     “Are you receiving me? Over” In today’s gospel reading, Jesus is asking his listeners, (Chief Priests, Temple Leaders, Teachers of the Law and Pharisees) if they understand…