The Resurrection The religious and cultural background, out of which the story of Jesus’ resurrection comes, is an interesting one. It’s clear that there was a Jewish belief in resurrection at the time of Jesus. It was pictured as a final physical resurrection at the end of time, an event for the just, on the…

Mother Church On Sunday 11th March, we will be celebrating Mother’s Day. In my research for this piece, I found a helpful website that said, “Mother’s Day is the day to shower your mother with cards, flowers, jewellery and luxurious clothing and to treat your mother to a spa day or a fun outing!” What…

‘Create in me a clean heart,’ It is no coincidence that Psalm 51 is appointed for Ash Wednesday, the day that marks the beginning of Lent. The psalmist’s words capture the depth of meaning of the 40 days leading up to Easter. Lent is that time of self-reflection and confession and acknowledging our need of…

Covenant Sunday As is our tradition, early in the New Year we meet to renew our covenant with God. This is a distinctively Methodist practice which can be traced back to the first covenant service held by John Wesley in 1755. That first service took place in August, but it soon became the custom for…

                                                        Advent The Christmas rush to get everything organised is on – card’s written, gifts decided upon bought, food prepared, plans about whose turn it is to bring…

Autumn Leaves I think one of my favourite times of year is the autumn, when the leaves turn and start to fall. Autumn’s an oxymoron really, as it’s the ‘end’ of a ‘never-ending’ circle of life, as we await the spring and the new life it brings. For us too, life can sometimes seem to…

Reformation 500 The 31st October 2017, will mark 500 years since Martin Luther nailed his “95 These,” to the door of All Saints Church in Wittenberg Germany, so triggering the process, that would lead to The Reformation. Not that he set out to do this in the beginning. He was a Catholic priest and Augustinian…

Harvest Home and Fidget Pie Harvest celebrations are one of the worlds oldest festivals, predating Christianity and celebrated by the both the Ancient Greeks and the Romans. In Britain the first corn was cut at Lammas Time, on the 1st August. It was originally a pagan festival, but gradually it developed into a Christian one,…

RETUNING Dear Readers, I write this on the hottest day of the year, reflecting that this is weather for the beach and not for dog collars and work. Still, not long now until a week away in France and an opportunity to recharge the batteries after a full and eventful year. Though in terms of…

The Coming of the Spirit   The feast of Pentecost comes 50 days after the Passover and, due to the favorable June weather, Jerusalem was filled with pilgrims. The disciples were there; huddled together in one room, back to the number 12, having replaced Judas with Matthias. They were doing what Jesus has asked them…