An Ezekiel Moment. Dear friends, As Israelis and Palestinians dust themselves off, and see what shape and direction life and circumstances hold for them, separately or together, there is a corporate holding of breath amongst those who care in the international community. Is there a will for peace? Or will the men of violence find a way to shoot the white dove…
The Best Time Dear friends, It is the Eve of the Christ Mass. In this time of noise, and not a little chaos, there is yet, amidst all the shouting and clamour, a still, small voice. The baby’s cry, that can reach a mother’s heart, the whisper of God on the night air. Footsteps across the hillside, a light in the distance,…
Day by Day Dear friends As the winding early road of Advent morphs into a four lane motorway, candles are lit with seeming abandon, and, in this week, the school term comes crashing to an end, (to the relief of teachers, and the possible dismay of parents), I invite you to consider Advent in a fresh way. Most of our contemporary approach…
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…