Here comes the sun! Dear friends, A little optimistic, perhaps, but nevertheless true. The passing of the vernal equinox means that from now on the northern part of planet earth will be tilting more and more into the sun’s rays. Things will get brighter, and warmer! There are certainly bright things to rejoice in across the Team ministry right now, irrespective of…
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”…
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.…
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…
Wooden figures and eagle eyes. Dear friends In her first service at Checkendon, curate in training the Revd Romey Poston reminded us about the challenge of Advent in the midst of the world’s pressures. Her words prompted me to belatedly recover our own Advent calendar from the loft. It is a wooden, brightly painted Columbian affair, bought many years ago from Traidcraft.…
In Christ Alone Dear friends, It has been a year when we have seen the government implode, not once but twice. We are faced with the bill, a figure beyond most of us, and to meet it we will likely as not have to sell our children. Please, don’t think I am being partisan. I am not. I am old enough to…
The last jar of marmalade Dear friends It is the time of the year (in our household at least) when the marmalade runs out. By which I mean that the vast stocks created in the jam pan in January have all been consumed. The cupboards have been scoured for the final jars, but now it is all gone. We have to wait…