Mothering Sunday Dear friends, This Sunday we honour our mothers, and our worship lifts us out of Lenten austerity, for one Sunday at least. Simnel cake, floral posies, music and thanksgiving. There is much to be thankful for, not least the signs of spring in gardens determined to vanquish the cold of winter. And irrespective whether you are one of those being…
Letters and Orders Dear friends, You may not know it, but the above term is church-speak for the papers that a cleric carries to signify that they (a) are genuinely ordained and (b) have the authority of the relevent bishop to minister in a particular place. So, as well as my ordination documents I also have what is known as a “licence”…
Lent Courses Dear friends As February draws to a close and the season of Lent gets under way, may I draw your attention to the Lent study groups that are on offer this year? Both are open to anyone from across the Team. On Tuesday afternoons at 1.30pm you have a chance to meet God “In the Wilderness” with Revd Romey Poston.…
The perfect pancake Dear friends, How do you like yours? Lemon and sugar? Syrup? Chocolate sauce? Fruit compote? Thick, like a waffle, or thin, like a crepe? We like to jazz them up a little, but the pancake on Shrove Tuesday harks back to leaner times, when it was actually possible to clear the larder ahead of the penitential season of fasting.…
Mercy, mercy Dear friends, Once again the creation reminds us that we are not above it, but that we belong to it. At high enough pressure, rock becomes fluid, and behaves in a way similar to the ocean – it ripples and waves. The forces involved are unthinkably large, but perhaps can be imagined by asking what would happen on the motorway…
Joys Dear friends, I always rejoice to see the back of January. Snowdrops are already peeping out, reminding us of better times. Evenings are slowly getting lighter and one knows that February always passes in a flash. Then, March will bring spring. Old friends reappear like flowers, new friends greet one in the lanes and on the footpaths. Life comes again after…
Team Works Dear friends Our team ministry helps our churches in a number of ways: – we share resources, and staff. For example we all benefit from the support provided by the Team office, whether that be in church requisites, printing facilities, or administrative help for the clergy. But we don’t bear the cost alone. Similarly when clergy are on leave, or…
Sleeping garden Dear friends, Sleep is good and necessary for us, and cycles of rest are also essential in the garden. Although, just as our bodies use the oppportunity of sleep to “service” various organs and systems, the same is true outdoors. Winter is important. The garden may look quiet, and almost dead, but there is a lot going on under the…
The lost son Dear friends Jesus famously told a tale of two sons (Luke 15:11-31) which is as much about their eventual reconciliation as it is about the compassion and forgiveness of their father. The younger son decides he has had enough of life on the family farm, and demands his share of it, so that he may do as he chooses.…
Better Times Dear friends, A very happy New Year to you all. I hope your Christmas was blessed, and joyful. Thank you very much indeed for your support for your churches across the festive season in so many ways. It was wonderful to be be able to be together, and celebrate without the restraints of the last few years. A particular thank…