I’m sure many of us, in all kinds of areas of life, can relate to that need to warn others — whether that warning is heeded or not. In today’s gospel passage, we find Jesus given a warning by the pharisees, to turn away from the treacherous path he is walking. What can we learn from Jesus’ response to help us live faithfully today as God’s Church?

Amongst our readings for Creation Sunday, this morning’s gospel tells the famous story of Jesus and his disciples in the boat on the lake. How might this episode in the life of Jesus and his disciples be a metaphor for our lives today? And how might we learn to trust God in stormy times?

Today, perhaps more than any other time in history, we are surrounded by choices — this brand or that brand, this option or that option, remain or leave, deal or no deal (don’t worry this isn’t a sermon about Brexit!) At times the sheer amount of choices can paralyse us, unable to do anything for fear of making the wrong choice. Scientists call this the choice paradox — that having more choices actually makes us more anxious rather than more happy. So, in this age of choice where it is so difficult to tell right from wrong and good from bad, how can our faith in Jesus inform our decisions and help us to live well?

Today’s gospel reading is one of those often used to talk about evangelism — sharing our faith with others. So, how are we called to share our faith with others? And how should we go about sharing our faith in today’s complex and sophisticated world?

In today’s gospel reading, we find Simeon and Anna encountering God in the infant Jesus in a dramatic way. What can we learn from their encounter? And what might it mean for us to encounter Jesus in that same personal way, in our lives today?

Fourth Sunday of Epiphany Readings: Nehemiah 8. 1-3, 5-6, 8-10; Psalm 19. 1-6; 1 Corinthians 12. 12-31a; Luke 4. 14-21 (view all) One of my favourite and least favourite times of the week growing up was football practice. I loved playing football, having a kick around, but the first half of the practice was full of drills and exercises which I just found boring. I couldn’t wait until the excitement of the practice game at the end. Whether it’s football […]

Third Sunday of Epiphany Readings: Isaiah 62.1-5; Psalm 36.5-10; 1 Corinthians 12.1-11; John 2.1-11 (view all) Well, 2018 has flown by, and we now find ourselves meeting for the first time as a Ministry Area family in the new year. We’re now into my second year as Ministry Area Leader, and the first has had plenty of ups and downs, lots of challenges, but also plenty to celebrate as well. One of our big jobs over the last year has […]

The Baptism of Christ Readings: Isaiah 43. 1-7; Psalm 29; Acts 8. 14-17; Luke 3. 15-17, 21-22 (view all) I’m in the rather unusual position for an Anglican of being able to remember my baptism. I wasn’t baptised until I was fourteen, and again unusually for an Anglican church, St Michael’s in Aberystwyth, where I was baptised has a full sized adult baptistry. So I was baptised in my Manchester United football shirt — I remember that vividly — by […]

Second Sunday of Advent Readings: Malachi 3. 1-4; Benedictus (Luke 1. 68-79); Philippians 1. 3-11; Luke 3. 1-6 (view all) Well I wonder how far you’ve managed to get so far with your Christmas preparations? Are your decorations up yet? Is your tree sorted? Have you bought all the presents you need? Have you sent out your Christmas cards? I would say we’re in the process in the Henley household. We’re working our way through our present list, and last […]

2nd Sunday of the Kingdom Readings: Jonah 3. 1-5, 10; Psalm 62. 5-12; Hebrews 9. 24-28; Mark 1. 14-20 (view all) At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month the Armistice was signed, bringing to an end the First World War. The four years and three months of the Great War were characterised by brutal trench warfare and near constant bombardment. During this time somewhere between 750,000 and 1 million British soldiers gave their lives, with a […]