Devices and Desires Dear friends, No, it’s not a shorthand for a Christmas list, but a pithy reminder that we “follow our heart” sometimes to our own peril. The devices in this instance being those schemes of selfishness that can be found coiled like a dragon in the darker corners of our person, – rather than the electronic “devices” held in our…
Waiting to be lit Dear friends, It is the opening week of Advent. The first candle of the Advent ring was kindled on Sunday, and we prayed for the light of the world to come into our darkness. The expectation is heavy, and there is much to be done to be ready. Like our hearts, most of the Advent ring remains unlit,…
Walk in the light. Dear friends, In the days when he was just a simple “Parish Development Advisor” in the Oxford Diocese, Stephen Cotterell, (now Archbishop of York) came to speak to a Henley Clergy Quiet Day. Advent was underway, and he took as his theme the “four last things” – of heaven, hell, death and judgement. I still remember the…
Scars and bruises Dear friends We each of us bear the marks of our existence, both in our spirit and in our flesh. The longer the time we are granted on this earth the more of these testimonies we accrue. Some are given to us – like war wounds – and some we choose to carry ourselves. Everyone’s story is unique and…
All change Dear friends, Wherever the Conservative Party has been sent, it seems they are being joined by the Democrats from across the water. Mr Trump and Mr Starmer can soon look at each other across the table, each from strong positions of popular support, although the polarities that they represent may well make real communication or any kind of collegiality rather…
Lest we forget Dear friends In our services this Sunday, we’ll be remembering all who serve, and all who still suffer because of war. At Checkendon we are holding our annual Remembrance parade service, with the brownies, cubs, and scouts taking part. Revd Romey is preaching, and there will be a new name on the honour roll of the fallen from Checkendon…
Useless Friends Not that any of us need any of these, but you’ll find some in the Old Testament. The expression “Job’s Comforters” means exactly this, the word “comfort” being used in an ironical sense rather than a literal one. The book of Job (pronounced “Johb”) is a philosophical study disguised as a play or drama. It is a reflection on the…
Pencil Pot Prayers Dear friends, Even in these electronic times I still have need of a pencil pot. It is a cheap, plastic, multi chambered affair which acts as a repository for, yes, pencils, but also highlighters, thumb drives, and the increasingly precious loose change. A couple of palm crosses from last Lent tower over the whole edifice, reminding me of the…
Suicide in Scripture Dear friends, There are two instances of suicide in the Bible. The death of Saul, Israel’s first king, is recounted twice, the first time at the end of the book of 1 Samuel. A great battle on Mount Gilboa is coming to a terrible end, with the defeat of Israel, and the routing of her armies by the Philistines.…
Harvest Thanksgiving Dear friends, By the time you have finished your breakfast you will have depended upon half the world. Coffee from Africa, or Latin America, Tea from India, bread using strong flour from Canada, an orange from Spain – every breakfast table will be different, but it will have this common thread. We all depend upon a global harvest, every single…