Celebrations play an important part in our lives and as an antidote to the mundane. Seasons come and go and so will this pandemic. For the moment it changes the way we can collectively celebrate Harvest, Weddings, Christenings, Birthdays and the passing of loved ones and the marking of a life well-lived. But Jesus and the Bible encourage us to make celebration a culture and habit. For a good read: John Ortberg 'The life you've always wanted'.

For more information visit https://www.sandyparishchurch.org

Nick Vujicic was born with no arms and no legs. Where does he find the inner strength to get up when he falls down? How does God reveal his grace and strength through our weaknesses? How is it that receiving God's help and grace ourselves allows us to show grace and kindness to others?

For more information visit https://www.sandyparishchurch.org

Monarchy or Republic? In a world so often characterised by un-grace, prejudice and acrimony it is a beautiful thing to find grace. Jesus was described by those who knew him best as "full of grace and truth".

In his books "What's so amazing about grace" and "Vanishing Grace" Philip Yancey challenges Christians to return to the great distinctiveness of the gospel and renew our openness to receiving God's grace so that we might be carriers of it to others.

For more information visit https://www.sandyparishchurch.org

As children go back to school, teachers are concerned for their mental well-being and social integration. Is mindfulness a modern way of applying older techniques of prayer and meditation? Jesus said "Follow me" and he led us into a practice of prayer at the start and end of the day centring on God as our loving Father. For more information visit https://www.sandyparishchurch.org

So what difference does it make? Jesus the image of the invisible God died on the cross for us? Two very different people tell their extraordinary stories of Grace. For more information visit https://www.sandyparishchurch.org

Last session we asked the question "how did the followers of Jesus come to worship him as God and what evidence is there that this is justified. In this session we ask the question "Why did Jesus die on the cross?" So what does that mean in practical terms for you and me?

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Soon after Jesus' death and resurrection a scholar named Paul joined the disciples and became a follower of Jesus' Way. In a letter that he wrote to the christians in a small town in Turkey he described Jesus as "The image of the invisible God". Why did those followers of a dead preacher give him such outlandish titles and accolades? What evidence is there that Jesus was any different to any who have lived before or after him? Why do so many people still live their lives believing Jesus' words "I have come so that you might live life in all it's fulness"?

To explore this question and other Questions of Faith more deeply why not visit www.ALPHA.org and perhaps even join an Alpha course this autumn and meet new friends. For more information visit https://www.sandyparishchurch.org

A new series of Conversations at Sandy Parish Church.

Peter Bennett talks about how holding on to God through his faith and the Bible help him when life can be difficult.

This talk from Sandy Parish church links the common feelings of dis-ease expressed recently by Michele Obama to the hope that comes from a 3,000 year old king and a promise attached to a wall.

In 1996 I was in Wandsworth Prison, previous to that I had been in Risley Prison near Liverpool and Oxford Jail, each time visiting people I knew or working with the Chaplaincy. On one occasion I met 'Mark' who told me the story of how contemplating his fingerprints and DNA led him to a life-changing experience and rescued him from depression and suicide. Winston Churchill referred to depression as the Black Dog, a metaphor that the charity SANE.org.uk has used to get people talking about mental health which during the Covid-19 crisis is under increasing pressure for many.