Thursday 24 December 2020

When all is said and done...

Photo by Tim Umphreys on Unsplash

...Christmas has not been cancelled. 

At the end of this dark and often difficult year, today we give thanks for the gift of the Christ Child. 

The light that can never be extinguished continues to shine.

Jesus, Light of the World, shines upon us as we celebrate. 

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)


Saturday 19 December 2020

A merry little Christmas?

Photo by Sarah Johnston on Unsplash

Christmas is coming. After weeks of speculation, in less than a week we will soon find out exactly what a COVID Christmas looks like. Government policy and personal plans continue to change in response to the reality of rising cases and increased rates of infection. The run up to Christmas Day 2020 has been marked by anxiety rather than anticipation. A merry little Christmas seems the best that can be hoped for at such a time as this.

Much has changed in this year of pandemic. Loss of one kind or another has affected every home, every family, every community. Death and disease have been an ever present reality. Loneliness and isolation have touched us all. The world of work has altered beyond recognition. Keyworkers have been stretched to their limits while others have experienced enforced idleness. Merriment seems somehow inappropriate at such a time as this.

Amid the ongoing public debate about what can or should be done about Christmas, churches everywhere are preparing to welcome the Christ Child. Carols may be sung - outside and socially distanced. The Christmas Story will be shared online, at home, and, in church for those able to get out. Nothing will be as it was last year but, one way or another, the Christmas message will once again offer hope, love, peace, and joy to the world in 2020.








Saturday 12 December 2020

Life, light and hope

Photo by Daniel Schludi on Unsplash

On Tuesday this week the COVID-19 vaccination programme got underway. On a damp and dull December morning at the end of a dark and often miserable year hope was born. Leading the way were two elderly patients in the Midlands. The first, Maggie Keenan, described the vaccination as an early birthday present. This special gift will eventually allow Maggie to spend time with her family again. Both she and Bill Shakespeare, the second recipient, expressed their gratitude to the NHS staff who were treating them on this historic day.

Across the world this Christmas the availability of  COVID-19 vaccine brings hope. Lives will be changed thanks to the skill of scientists and medical practitioners. There is light at the end of this dark and difficult year. 

At Christmas we celebrate God's greatest gift to the world. The birth of Jesus is a sign of hope for all time. A week after Jesus was born Mary and Joseph took him to the Temple to give thanks to God. While there they met Simeon and Anna who recognised the tiny child as the fulfilment of God's promises to Israel. These two devout elderly people could see God was at work in their own time. Like Maggie and Bill, they felt privileged to have been present at what was a significant moment in their nation's history. Both gave thanks to God for the hope born in their hearts that day. 

Centuries later Christians continue to rejoice in the coming of Jesus, Light of the World. This year as we celebrate the gift of new life seen in a tiny child we may also be grateful for the gift of a vaccine. With Simeon and Anna, we turn our eyes to the God who is at work in often unexpected ways and give thanks for the gift of life, light and hope in our own time.


Saturday 5 December 2020

Peace on Earth - can it be?

Photo by Luke Stackpoole on Unsplash

Nationwide coronavirus regulations ended this week. In London the transition from lockdown into Tier Two restrictions brought the re-opening of gyms, swimming pools, restaurants and places of worship. Individuals must now make their own decisions about what it is 'safe' to do at this point in the COVID-19 pandemic. While many welcome the changes, others are anxious about the consequences.

Many churches will re-open for services tomorrow. As we light candles on this second Sunday of Advent we will pray for peace. Each year as Christmas approaches we hear again the promise in the words of the angels proclaiming peace on earth and goodwill to all people. In some years the need claim that promise in prayer seems more pressing than in others.

In 2001, my first Christmas as a Christian minister, we prayed for peace three months after the terror attacks in New York. Anxiety was high as the ensuing 'war on terror' began. In 2008, we prayed for peace as the international banking crisis deepened. Anxiety was rising as a global economic collapse loomed. In 2016 Brexit divided Britain. We prayed for peace and reconciliation in a society at war with itself. 

Christmas 2020 approaches. Soon we will hear again the words of the angels in our bible readings and in the old familiar carols. And together we will pray for the peace that passes all understanding to bring comfort and hope to a troubled and grieving world.

Still through the cloven skies they come,
With peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heavenly music floats
O'er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lowly plains,
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever o'er its babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.

From It came upon the midnight clear (Edmund Sears, 1849)

Saturday 28 November 2020

Due to COVID-19...


Planning for Advent and Christmas has been delayed. The pockets of our Advent Calendar have yet to be filled. Shopping for the assortment of small items required has been trickier than usual due to the closure of 'non-essential' shops in November. With just three days to go this year's Advent calendar countdown will begin with a few empty pockets.

For Christians in England the picture is similar. Government announcements this week will allow churches to reopen for services on Sunday 6 December, the second Sunday in Advent. Full guidance has yet to be issued but it seems outdoor carol singing may be permitted during the Christmas period. With less than four weeks to go to Christmas Day, Advent this year begins with questions and empty spaces in church calendars rather than with the frantic activity that is usual in early December.

Despite the uncertainties it is already clear that, in our churches as well as in our homes, Christmas 2020 will be different. Shaping our celebration of the coming of the Christ Child in these unusual times will be challenging. Change isn't easy to accept but focussing on the possibilities rather than the losses could transform our worship and witness forever.

Due to COVID-19, Christmas may never be the same again. 


Friday 20 November 2020

Advent 2020

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Speculation about Christmas in this year of pandemic has been much in the news this week. With five weeks to go the shape of this year's festivities remains uncertain. Planning is still impossible as everything depends on the daily coronavirus figures. Statistics and graphs are studied in the hope of detecting a downward trend in cases, deaths, and that all-important 'R' number.

In the midst of the national anxiety and media hype it seems that at least some of the familiar elements of Christmas will survive. Radio stations have begun using their Christmas playlists early. Food retailers are encouraging customers to book Christmas delivery slots. Despite the uncertainty all around Christmas 2020 has not yet been cancelled.

For Christians, the time of preparation for the coming of the Christ Child will soon begin. Advent Sunday this year falls on 29 November. With churches closed the lighting of the first Advent candle, the candle of hope, will be an online event. As the candle is lit, we will pray for the courage to continue to hope in the midst of uncertainty. 

May the light of the Christ child shine on each one as we begin the Advent journey.

Saturday 14 November 2020

All human life is there


Photo by Rich Smith on Unsplash
News this week has been the usual mix of the good, the bad, and the ugly. On the positive side, hopes were high that a COVID-19 vaccine might soon be available. When we humans put our minds to it and work together much is achieved. By contrast, infighting at Downing Street led to the resignation of two Government advisors. In the volatile world of politics, working together is always a challenge.

Towards the end of the week the death in prison of serial killer Peter Sutcliffe was announced. Old memories were stirred for the families of Sutcliffe's victims. The stories of those who chose to speak to the press when the news broke of the death of the man known as the Yorkshire Ripper were a reminder of dark and very ugly time in Britain's history.

On the day Sutcliffe's death was announced, the son of the killer's first victim gave a compelling interview. In response to the questions asked he agreed that the news of the death would bring some kind of closure. In quiet, measured tones, McCann explained that he had taken a decision some years ago to let go of his anger towards Sutcliffe and took no pleasure in hearing the news of his death. He went on to ask West Yorkshire Police to apologise to the families of victims for the way their loved ones had been described by officers at the time. In response to an official apology later that day McCann tweeted 'Now that's worth celebrating. Thank you.' 

All human life was there in the news this week. One man's grace and courage showed something of the best of which we humans are capable. Thank you, Richard McCann.

You can read Richard McCann's story here   

Saturday 7 November 2020

Remember, remember

 

Remember, remember, the fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.
November is the season for remembrance. One way and another, the first two weeks of the month are a time to pause and reflect. This year, with large gatherings banned and national ceremonies cancelled, the annual focus on remembering has taken on a different form.

Small scale firework displays in back gardens have been a nightly feature in residential areas. In Highams Park, an act of remembrance was held outside the library this morning. Tomorrow similar ceremonies will take place around war memorials across the country. Next Tuesday, a poppy drop over the streets of Bedworth in Warwickshire will mark Armistice Day. Remembrance in 2020 is going local.

In 2020 the season of remembrance takes place in the shadow of COVID-19. This November, amid the fireworks, the bugle calls, and the poppies, many people continue to mourn the loss of those who have died in this year of pandemic. As the noise of fireworks fades and the bugle calls cease, at the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will continue to remember them. 

Saturday 31 October 2020

Dark days and gathering gloom

Photo by Harley Upton on Unsplash
Arise, shine, for your light has come, 
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
 and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you 
and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light, 
and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 

Isaiah 60:1-3

Rain and high winds are again forecast for the weekend. As the storm clouds gather here, parts of Turkey and the Greek island of Samos have been hit by a powerful earthquake. Lives have been lost, homes destroyed and residents live in fear of what may happen next.

Other news is equally gloomy. Across Europe the spread of the coronavirus is headline news. In Britain discussions are underway to decide what measures are needed to manage the second wave of the pandemic. Anxiety levels are rising alongside the daily statistics that show increasing infection rates, hospital admissions and deaths due to COVID-19. 

As the world struggles to contain the virus, the threat of terrorism has again become a reality. Attacks on church goers in southern France this week follow the brutal killing of a school teacher near Paris a couple of weeks ago. The dark days of winter this year bring with them a sense of gathering gloom.

Centuries ago the prophet Isaiah delivered a message of hope to people living through dark times of their own. Christians believe that Jesus' birth several hundred years later was the fulfilment of that prophecy. The dark days and gathering gloom of winter 2020 are not cause for despair. Anxiety and fear need not overwhelm those who put their faith in the One who sent Jesus to be Light for the World.

Saturday 24 October 2020

Christmas unplanned

Photo by Claus Grunstaudl on Unsplash
Photo by Claus Grunstaudl on Unsplash
Clocks change tonight. From tomorrow the evenings will be darker. Winter is on the way.

The countdown to Christmas is as usual underway. In our year of pandemic, media speculation and concerns about the impact of coronavirus restrictions on celebrations are taking centre stage. Christmas Eve is just two months away but in 2020 no-one knows what this Christmas will look like. 

Some two thousand years ago Mary and Joseph faced their own uncertainties. The first Christmas was unplanned in every sense. A government edict and an unexpected journey led to the birth of their son in a stable. With no family to share the event the new parents were dependent on the kindness of strangers. 

The shape of Christmas 2020 is uncertain. Family celebrations may need rethinking at short notice. Church services and school nativity plays will take a different form. With planning next to impossible only one thing seems sure. Whatever the limitations and restrictions, the birth of the Christ Child will be celebrated by Christians across the world whether at home, in church or online. 

Christmas Unplanned could turn out to be the Christmas we have all been waiting for.

Saturday 17 October 2020

The gentle art of letter writing

Photo by Diane Helentjaris on Unsplash
In the early years of the twenty-first century letter writing seemed to be a dying art. The immediacy and convenience of email or text led to changes in communication between family and friends. Mailshots by businesses were replaced by email subscription lists and online advertising. Hand delivered letters, either handwritten or typed, became a rarity rather then the norm.

When COVID-19 took hold across the world the shift towards connecting and communicating online was both inevitable and essential. Home working, home schooling and online GP consultations became a necessity rather than an option. Video conferencing allowed business, community organisations and social groups to stay in touch. Life in 2020, for those with access to the technology, moved online.

The apostle Paul found himself restricted while living under house arrest in Rome. A few close friends were allowed to visit but contact with others was limited. Preaching and public debate were longer possible. Paul adapted using the means at his disposal. Letters were dictated and sent to the churches Paul had earlier helped to establish. Letters that would shape the development of the Christian Church came about when others forms of communication became impossible. 

With restrictions on contact with others likely to continue in the coming months we could do worse than follow Paul's example. Perhaps now is the time to revive the gentle art of letter writing.


  

Saturday 26 September 2020

Forever Autumn




Autumn has arrived. In the middle of last week, the late summer sunshine gave way to rain, wind and low temperatures. At this time of year the arrival of autumn usually brings with it the celebration of Harvest. In a year where nothing is as it should be, there will be no special service, no harvest display and no shared meal in our church. With the national and international news full of the relentless spread of COVID-19, the traditional ways of celebrating God's goodness must be set aside.

In the musical version of H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds, a journalist reflects on the invasion of earth by Martians. Many lives were lost in the war. The post-invasion world proves harsh and inhospitable for humans. The journalist sings of a world that is 'forever autumn' with no hope of change with the coming of spring.

H.G. Wells' story has a hopeful conclusion. The Martian takeover of planet earth comes to an end when the invaders are struck by a virus. Human beings are unaffected but the Martians are wiped out due to their lack of immunity to the pathogen. In due course, earth's people are able to rebuild their lives. The interminable autumn described by the journalist ceases and a new season begins. In the words of the author, the invaders were 'slain, after all man's devices have failed, by the humblest things that God, in his wisdom, has put upon this earth.'

In the midst of all that surrounds us this harvest time, we know that God will not abandon the created world. With the Psalmist, we look upwards to the One that made all things in hope and in trust.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 
Psalm 121


Saturday 19 September 2020

One step forward and two steps back

Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday and today and for ever 
Hebrews 13:8

Change is in the air. Tuesday 22 September marks the turning of summer to autumn. Weather forecasts indicate that the current warm spell will end on Wednesday. The changing of the seasons is reassuringly predictable in these uncertain times.

As summer turns to autumn in 2020, a rise in cases of COVID-19 brings with it concerns that a second wave of the pandemic is beginning. Gradual easing of coronavirus restrictions over the summer has already ended in some parts of Britain. Changes to daily life now seem inevitable. 

Christians across the world have faced significant challenges during this year of pandemic. With church buildings closed, other ways to worship were needed and the church moved online. Over the summer it became possible to gather for services but new ways of worshipping were needed due to the significant restrictions imposed. Each new Government announcement was accompanied by lengthy guidelines. Progress was slow and the process exhausting. Too often, one step forward seemed to be followed by two steps back. 

Autumn 2020 seems likely to be another season marked by constant change for Christians in Britain. At each stage, adaptation and adjustment will be required in all areas of life, faith and worship. Like Moses and the Israelites, our journey may feel like a wandering in the wilderness. In our ever-changing world we walk in confidence knowing that God will guide, sustain, and in time, lead us into a new future.


Saturday 12 September 2020

11 September

I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Nineteen years ago the world watched in stunned disbelief as the city of New York was hit by terror attacks. 2,977 people died that day. The world vowed never to forget. Everything changed following what became known as 9/11.

This September, with the world caught up in a pandemic, remembrance events were scaled down due to restrictions imposed to control the spread of COVID-19. On 11 September 2020, few outside of the USA gave much thought to the anniversary. 

As autumn approaches, concern is growing over the resurgence of the virus that has killed hundreds of thousands worldwide. In Britain, new restrictions on social gatherings will be introduced from Monday. The fear of terror attacks that followed the 2001 attacks on New York have been replaced by fear of an invisible but deadly organism.

Throughout history, Christians have lived through times of fear like our own. Political turmoil, persecution, sickness and death were ever present threats in the world in which they lived. Seeking to reassure the Christians in Rome, Paul reminds them that nothing we face in this world can separate us from God's love. In our anxious times his words encourage us to look above and beyond the days in which we live. 





Saturday 5 September 2020

A year like no other

September 2019 seems a long time ago. So much has changed over the past twelve months. And yet as September 2020 begins a great deal seems much as usual. Education is to the fore as schools and universities resume teaching. Climate protests are again underway. Brexit rumbles away in the background. As one nineteenth century French writer observed 'the more it changes, the more it's the same thing.'

Much has changed across the world in the past year. COVID-19 has forced all of us to adapt and alter our way of life to manage the pandemic. As September begins there is yet more change to absorb. While some would welcome a return to the old ways, others hope to hold onto what seems change for the better in some areas. We are caught between nostalgia for the familiar and a yearning for something new to happen. Time will tell how that tension will resolve at both the personal and the national levels.

Whatever comes to pass in the months ahead, the Christian tradition teaches us that God is always faithful to the whole creation. The tension between continuity and change is embedded in the biblical record. God is both the rock on which we build and the divine power that moves to transform the creation. We watch in anticipation and wait in hope to see what God will do in our lives and in our world in the coming year.

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:19

Saturday 29 August 2020

The Canterbury War Horse

Canterbury Cathedral is the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. It is also a tourist attraction and the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury. In common with all churches in Britain the cathedral closed in March. Services resumed on 5 July and visitors are once again welcome throughout the week. 2020 has been a challenging year for places or worship, whatever their size.

In the Cathedral Precincts stands the Canterbury War Horse. Installed in 2018 as part of the World War I Centenary Commemorations the 20 foot high horse towers over visitors. It stands, head bowed, as a reminder of both the human and animal lives lost in war. 

This year, loss of life has been a daily fact of life. Efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 have brought further loss. No-one has been untouched by the health crisis that threatens our lives and our well being. 

The War Horse is intended to encourage reflection on the human experience of loss. Sited as it is near the main door of the Cathedral, it stands as a reminder that God does not turn away from human suffering and loss. In this historic place of worship, where the resurrected Jesus is worshipped, God's compassion and concern for the whole creation is daily affirmed and celebrated. 

Canterbury's War Horse is not a memorial to lives lost in a war that ended over a hundred years ago. It is a reminder that death does not have the final word. 





Saturday 22 August 2020

Watching and waiting

2020 has been a year for watching and waiting. As the year began, we watched the developing situation in China, hoping that the deadly virus causing sickness and death wouldn't reach our shores. Later, when COVID-19 became an ever present threat in our own country, we watched as the daily death toll rose and waited to see what would happen next. And now, as restrictions ease we continue to watch and wait, hoping that the worst is over but fearing a second wave. 

August 2020 has seen an end to watching and waiting in one area of life this week. With the drama surrounding GCSE and A level results resolved young people are now in a position to plan for the future. For them and their families the anxious time of watching and waiting is at an end. 

There are signs of hope in other areas of our lives. Many churches are already holding services and others will follow in September. We continue to watch and wait for permission to sing but being together as a Christian community once again is encouraging. 

Watching and waiting has always been a part of the life of faith. As we continue to watch and wait this year we look to God for the strength to endure on the journey towards a future filled with hope.

Monday 17 August 2020

What if?

 2020 has been a year like no other. Everyday life has changed in ways no-one could have anticipated. Unfamiliar words and concepts have entered everyday speech. Slogans and public health warnings have shaped the way we live. Freedoms once taken for granted have been curtailed as across the world governments seek to control the virus. Plans, events, holidays and normal social life have all been put on hold. The 2020 we were expecting has been cancelled. 

But what if 2020 isn't cancelled, but turns out to be the most important year of them all? What if  this most unusual of years actually empowers and encourages change? What if, as Christians, we pray for the transformation of our church communities rather than settle for picking up the threads of a life that has ended? 

What if 2020 really does turn out to be not an ending but a new beginning?

Friday 24 July 2020

Pilgrim's Progress

We are pilgrims on a journey
and companions on the road;
we are here to help each other
walk the mile and bear the load.
(Richard Gillard)
7 July 2020 was due to see celebrations in Canterbury to mark the day 800 years ago when the bones of Thomas Becket were 'translated' to a new location. The shrine created is long gone but a candle still burns in honour of the martyred Archbishop.

Although Coronavirus put an end to most of the events planned to mark 'Beckett 800', easing of Government restrictions allowed the Cathedral to reopen just in time for a service to take place.

Canterbury Cathedral is at the end of the old Pilgrim's Way. In Medieval time pilgrims flocked to the city in hope of being blessed by God. Some travelled from Winchester, others from London. While some made the journey alone many, like those in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, journeyed together.

In 2020 Christians have found ways to journey together despite being unable to gather in church buildings. Modern communications systems have enabled us to 'walk the mile' and 'share the load' in challenging times. We have experienced God's blessing through the support of our fellow pilgrims. Our pilgrimage has changed us, as it did the pilgrims of the past. As we journey on we do so in confidence, in company and in the certain knowledge that God will continue to bless, comfort and heal all those who step out in faith on the road that lies ahead.

Friday 17 July 2020

By the rivers of Babylon

By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.
There on the poplars we hung our harps...
How can we sing the Lord's song while in a foreign land?
(Psalm 137)

We live in unusual times. Four months ago the world we knew was turned upside down. Almost everything changed. We have been living in a foreign land.

As the summer holidays get underway this year things are changing again. Businesses, community facilities and churches are gradually reopening. Although the changes are welcome this is no return to the old world. COVID 19 has changed everything. 

Worshipping together in our church buildings will be different. Our harps must be left 'hanging on the poplars' for now. Many will wonder how, without music, we will manage to 'sing' the Lord's song in this foreign land.

When Israel returned from exile in Babylon the people faced similar challenges. During the years in exile the traditions were kept alive in the hope that one day worship would be as it was before. Eventually the Temple was rebuilt and they were able to sing the Lord's song once again.

Christian worship this summer not be as it was before. As we begin to meet together we do so in hope that sometime soon we will be able to reclaim the 'harps' and sing praise once again.

Friday 10 July 2020

Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs

Music and worship have taken on a new aspect this year. With online services replacing gatherings in church YouTube videos have come into their own. Organists once searched multiple hymn books to find the 'right' tune for favourite hymns. In 2020 we now find ourselves spending hours locating our preferred version of that special worship song or hymn.

Music is an important part of Sunday worship in most Christian churches. The ban imposed on congregational singing will be hard to bear for many of us.

For the next two Sundays, our online church service features songs and hymns chosen by members of the congregation. Those taking part have each offered a brief explanation for their choice. We may not be able as yet to sing together in church but our worship in 'psalms, hymns and spiritual songs' is unceasing.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.

Friday 3 July 2020

Consider the lilies



Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (Luke 12:27)

In our ever changing times there is something reassuring about the way the natural world goes on as usual. Flowers bloom, bees gather on lavender bushes, and when the sun shines as it did last week, everything in the garden is rosy.

We have lived, and continue to live, in the shadow of a global pandemic. Sickness and death have been a daily reality. The lilies in all their magnificent, short-lived glory, cheer and encourage us in the midst of our fear.

As we look to an uncertain future we gaze upon the lilies and wonder at the One who made this thing of such beauty.
 

Tuesday 9 June 2020

Face values

Face coverings or masks will be compulsory from next week for users of public transport. Britain has been slow to introduce this requirement. The British don't take easily to the instruction to cover their faces.

Here, as in much of Europe, the inability to see a face tends to cause unease. Ten years ago the wearing of face veils by Muslim women was a hot issue. Faces covered by burqas or niqabs could not easily be identified. Wearers were viewed with suspicion. Political debates became heated. Britain resisted a ban on face coverings while other countries introduced laws that proved difficult to enforce.

Facial recognition is a key element in identification. Masks and helmets have long been used by criminals to conceal their identity. Photos, ID parades, CCTV and now facial recognition technology are all used by police to identify suspects. Initial identification begins with the recognition of an individual face. From next week that may not be an option.

Christians worship an unseen God who reveals himself in human form. For centuries artists and film makers have created images of the face of Christ. None would help us pick Jesus out in an ID parade. No-one knows what he looked like. Yet for over two thousand years millions of human individuals have trusted and believed that Jesus was just who he said he was.

Faces matter but they don't tell us everything.


Tuesday 2 June 2020

World on fire

Sunday 31 May 2020 was Pentecost Sunday. On the day when Christians celebrate the moving of God's Spirit in fire and wind parts of our world were literally on fire. Anger following the death of George Floyd six days earlier brought civil unrest to the USA. Over the weekend protesters took to the streets in of London, Cardiff and Manchester. In the wake of a killing believed by many to be the result of racial prejudice, frustration and anger led to the flouting of rules and restrictions imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19. While in Britain the protests were largely peaceful, the streets of many American cities continue to burn.

Pentecost Sunday this year was a subdued affair. There were no services of celebration. The Ecumenical gatherings and large events that have become common in recent years did not take place. No visible signs of God's Spirit moving among believers as happened on a distant day in Jerusalem were apparent.

Yet God is still at work. Despite the closure of churches and the banning of larger events Christian communities continue not only to pray but to live out the faith passed down through the centuries. In acts of kindness, in the daily work to which each is called, in family and community life, God's spirit is at work.

Pentecost is just one day. It is what happens next that might just set the world on fire.

Monday 18 May 2020

Ascension Day


Ascension Day is a waymark on the journey from Easter to Pentecost. For the first Christians it was a turning point. With Jesus taken from them for a second time the future of the community of faith would lie in their hands. It was time to begin making plans. Change was on the way.

Across the world there are signs that the crisis created by the Covid-19 pandemic may be easing. In every country it is now time to begin making plans. This is a turning point. The future will be shaped by the response those bearing the burden of leadership. Change is on the way.

Those with Jesus at the moment of the ascension returned from the mountain bearing a heavy burden. Leadership in times of uncertainty is challenging. Politicians, scientific advisers, and public health officials across the world are now responsible for guiding the countries they serve into the next phase. Change is on the way. Our leaders bear a heavy burden as the decisions they take will affect the health and well being of millions.

The Twelve who became Apostles in the early church were part of a praying community. The role of the worldwide Christian community is to continue to pray for those bearing the burden of leadership at this time of change.

God, thank You for the men and women who serve our country in leadership roles and for their families.
Please provide our leaders with reminders each day of why they decided to dedicate their lives to public service, 
and use that commitment to encourage them. Amen


Tuesday 12 May 2020

The next new normal

I do not know what lies ahead,
the way I cannot see;
yet one stands near to be my guide
He'll show the way to me.

I know who holds the future,
and He'll guide me with his hand;
with God things don't just happen,
everything by Him is planned.
So as i face tomorrow,
with its problems large and small,
I'll trust the God of miracles,
give to Him my all.

A.B. Smith & E. Clarke (1947)

Sunday evening's Prime Ministerial address to the British people brought few surprises. In advance of the speech most of the modifications to current arrangements had been anticipated. By Monday morning anxieties emerged due to a lack of clear guidance on the way things might change. Organisations and individuals must now find a way of adjusting to the new regime envisioned by the government.

Jesus' disciples found themselves in a similar predicament following the events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Over a period of just three days their lives had been turned upside down. The resurrection of Jesus brought not just comfort but also the hope of a return to normal. Anticipation turned to anxiety as the Risen Christ proved elusive. There were appearances, conversations and interactions but instead of a return to work Jesus spoke of leaving once again. Over a period of just under six weeks the disciples began to realise the need to adjust to a new normal. Nothing would ever be the same again.

As Britain moves towards the next 'new normal' Christians continue to wait in anticipation of the time when it will be possible to gather for worship. In the meantime we draw on the resources of our shared faith to ease our anxiety. We continue to adapt and to rejoice in the knowledge that in due time God will lead us into our new future.

Tuesday 5 May 2020

Signs of hope

On 8 May 1945 the streets of London were packed as crowds celebrated the end of the war in Europe. Peace had yet to break out in the Far East. Wartime restrictions would continue for some time. VE Day 1945 was a sign of hope but it would be some time before things would really change for the better.

Friday 8 May 2020 will be a quieter affair. Plans to commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of VE Day have been modified. The event will be marked online or at home. London's streets will lie deserted as the country awaits signs of hope that sometime soon things might really change for the better.

Four weeks ago Christians marked Easter. With churches closed millions of people found different ways to worship and celebrate at home or online. The events of the first Easter Sunday offer the greatest sign of hope the world has ever known. As we contemplate the resurrection and encounter the reality of the the risen Christ we know that, by the grace of God, things can always change for the better.

Tuesday 28 April 2020

Can't help but wonder where we're bound


It's a long and dusty road, it's a hot and a heavy load
And the folks I meet ain't always kind
Some are bad and some are good
Some have done the best they could
Some have tried to ease my troubled mind
And I can't help but wonder
Where I'm bound, where I'm bound
Can't help but wonder where I'm bound

Tom Paxton
Long ago a couple met a stranger on the road from Jerusalem to the village where they lived. Filled with sorrow at the death of a friend they walked and talked. As later they shared a meal with their companion their world turned upside down. They hurried back to the city with news that would bring both joy and the promise of a new future. The journey had only just begun. 
This Spring, Britain waits anxiously for news that may change the future. A population weary of staying home longs for news that will bring hope in our troubled times. The longed for announcement, when it comes, may bring some joy but the future seems likely to remain uncertain for a while. The journey to the 'new normal' is only just beginning.
From where we stand today we can't help but wonder where we are bound. Anxiety about what comes next is rife as national and international debates rage. As the journey continues look out for the stranger on the road. Walk, talk, and eat with him. He has the power to turn everything upside down, bringing joy to those willing to trust him and offering the promise of a future filled with hope. The journey is only just beginning.

Tuesday 21 April 2020

Faithful living in difficult days


What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms.
I have blessed peace with my lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms. 
(E.A Hoffman, 1887)
Few people were surprised by last week's government announcement that current restrictions on daily life in Britain will continue until at least 7 May. The decision was widely anticipated and seemed inevitable. As much of the country settles into the new world of social distancing, home schooling,  and remote working, modern communications technology grows ever more significant.

At the same time many in the the Christian community are drawing comfort from the familiar. Psalms remind us that in difficult times God is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46) and that as we live in the shadow of death we have nothing to fear (Psalm 23). As a musician and a Baptist, I've been drawn back to hymns remembered from teenage years. Many express the same kind of confidence in God that comes from tragic experiences and lives of hardship. Images accompanying YouTube videos are often a moving reminder of the struggles faced by faithful believers living through the challenges of their own time.

Faithful living in difficult days remains a challenge in our Coronavirus afflicted world. In scripture and in song we have a wealth of resources on which to draw for strength and comfort. With the aid of Google and YouTube it is easier than ever before to access treasures of the faith both ancient and modern. And, of course, many of us now have all the time in the world to fill.


Tuesday 14 April 2020

Signs of hope

Toby's Easter Picture
Rainbows have enjoyed something of a renaissance during the coronavirus crisis. Walking around our often deserted streets there are pictures in many windows. The sign of hope given to Noah seems to resonate during this season of anxiety and fear.

In the weeks after Easter Sunday the reality of the resurrection begins as little more than a sign of hope yet to be fulfilled. First Mary Magdalene, then others who knew Jesus encounter the risen Christ at different times and places. Their lives continue much as before for several weeks. Not until Pentecost will the early signs of hope bring transformation.

With our world still in the grip of a pandemic people across everywhere are now beginning to see signs of hope. Countries affected early on are seeing fewer cases of Covid-19. Across Europe tentative moves are being made to lift some restrictions on daily life. Britain's Prime Minister is recovering at Chequers. In time these early signs of hope will bring transformation.

In the weeks after the first Easter Jesus' followers were anxious and fearful. The transformation of this small group of faithful disciples at Pentecost changed the world for ever. Christians today are living through a season of anxiety and fear. Encountering the risen Christ in our daily lives is the first step towards taking our place among the ranks of those who, by the power of God's spirit, could be agents of transformation in a world in need of hope.

Friday 10 April 2020

Rising up from griefs and tears

Christ is risen! Alleluia!
Risen our victorious head!
Sing his praises! Alleluia!
Christ is risen from the dead!
Gratefully our hearts adore him
as his light once more appears,
bowing down in joy before him,
rising up from griefs and tears.

J.S.B Monsell (1811-1875)

Easter this year has a very different feel. There will be no church services to attend (or to prepare!). Christian worship in all traditions will however continue in other ways. Online services have been put together by many churches and can be freely accessed. Services of worship will be broadcast on television and on the radio. In our increasingly connected world there will be no shortage of ways to celebrate the resurrection. All who choose to connect will have the opportunity to hear the Easter story and to experience the hope it inspires.

As Easter Sunday dawns in 2020 our world of 'griefs and tears' is in much need of hope. As the light of Christ appears our hope is reawakened. He is not dead! He has risen, as he said! God has not abandoned the world he created but reaches out to make all things new. In our uncertain times the  resurrection of Jesus shows us that death does not have the final word. There is light for our darkness, hope in the face of fear. The daily news makes our hearts heavy but the glorious news of the resurrection brings joy.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!






Tuesday 7 April 2020

Maundy Thursday


In the Middles Ages kings washed the feet of beggars on the day before Good Friday. Over the centuries the foot washing was replaced by the giving of alms to the poor. Today the annual distribution is symbolic with the Queen presenting specially minted coins to pensioners who are recognised for acts of service in their local communities.

Medieval monarchs took their mandate for symbolic acts of service from Jesus. Maundy Thursday derives its name from the Latin mandatum (mandate). At his final meal with friends Jesus knelt and washed the feet of his companions. It was an act of love and service that he encouraged them to emulate.

All around us at the present time we find individuals who are doing just that. Paid workers and volunteers alike are doing whatever they can to help the sick and vulnerable at this time of crisis. Our political leaders and their medical advisers are working hard to guide the country through the health emergency. News last night that Prime Minister Johnson is now being cared for in a London hospital was a reminder of the personal cost of a commitment to public service. There will be no Royal Maundy Thursday service this year. In our time of need the symbolic gesture has been replaced. Real love, real action, and real service are the order of the day.

Friday 3 April 2020

Palm Sunday 2020


Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!


Palm Sunday 2020 will have a very different feel. There seems so little to celebrate as we look ahead to Holy Week. COVID-19 daily claims more lives in Britain and across the world. Normal social contact is suspended. Our lives are on hold. How then can we rejoice with the crowd in Jerusalem?

The events of the first Palm Sunday took place just before the Passover.  In Jewish homes, then as now, this feast is the annual remembrance of the events of the Exodus. For Moses and his people the escape from Egypt was truly something to celebrate.Their descendants continue to give thanks for their deliverance each year. Jesus and his friends arrived in Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday where they planned to share in the meal that is central to the festival.

The story of the Exodus does have a dark side which is little acknowledged. As the Hebrew slaves fled, Egypt faced widespread sickness and death. Like people across the world in 2020 they lived through dark days as life became uncertain and precarious. This year, perhaps as never before, the suffering implicit in the Passover story resonates with our own situation.

As we begin the journey through Holy Week this year we recognise that before experiencing the joy of liberation God's people have always known the reality of suffering and death. Jesus faced that challenge bringing hope and peace to those who follow him. In the midst of all that we see around us  we echo the words of the Palm Sunday crowd, trusting in God who raised Jesus from the dead.





Tuesday 31 March 2020

A meal with friends

Jesus and his disciples were on their way to Jerusalem for Passover. On the way they stopped at Bethany for a meal at the home of friends. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were happy to welcome Jesus and his companions. They had much to celebrate together since Jesus had recalled Lazarus from death. With good food and good company on offer this gathering was set to be one full of joy.

In Britain and across the world at the moment the prospect of a shared meal with friends seems a distant dream. As we learn to live with limited social contact and the need to hold ourselves at a distance when outside the home, gathering to eat has for the time being become impossible. Online dinner parties and other social gatherings may help to keep people connected but can't really make up for the lack of real human company. For many of us this is a great loss and a source of sadness.

The meal at Bethany was the last that Jesus shared with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. After the meal Mary anointed Jesus' feet with precious perfume. Her actions that night proved both prophetic and controversial. The reaction of Judas to her loving gesture exposed the tensions that would eventually lead to his betrayal of Jesus. After that evening in Bethany nothing would be the same again.

Come close with Mary, Martha ,  Lazarus
So close the candles stir with their soft breath
And kindle heart and soul to flame within us
Lit by these mysteries of life and death.
For beauty now begins the final movement
In quietness and  intimate encounter
The alabaster jar of precious ointment
Is broken open for the world’s true lover,
The whole room richly fills to feast the senses
With all the  yearning such a fragrance brings,
The heart is mourning but the spirit dances,
Here at the very centre of all things,
Here at the meeting place of love and loss
We all foresee, and see beyond the cross.

(Malcolm Guite)


Friday 27 March 2020

Health and hope

At 8pm yesterday the people of Britain united in thanking the caregivers of the NHS and beyond. COVID-19 has made us all acutely aware of our vulnerability to disease. None of us knows when we might need help from those who work in our hospitals or local surgeries. Following current advice to restrict our daily activities is essential to ensure that those services are available when we most need them.

Around 2000 years ago Mary and Martha stayed home caring for their brother Lazarus. The help they hoped for didn't arrive in time. Jesus was delayed in getting to Bethany. By the time he arrived Lazarus was in the tomb. Jesus was dismayed and he wept for the loss of his friend. He prayed before calling Lazarus to come out of the tomb. God answered the prayer and Lazarus was restored to his sisters.

Mary, Martha, and Lazarus experienced a miracle that day. The account in John's gospel of this unique event presents it as a sign pointing to the resurrection of Jesus. Tradition has it that Lazarus was either assassinated by the religious authorities soon after his miraculous return to life or, alternatively, that he lived on for another 30 years and became a bishop. Either way, he eventually died as all human beings must.

Centuries later the Christian church recognises the raising of Lazarus as sign of God's power over life and death. Sickness and death are closer to us at present than we would wish. Like Mary and Martha  we live in hope that help will arrive in our moment of need. And, as Jesus did in his distress, we pray:

God of all consolation and compassion,
your Son comforted the grieving sisters, Martha and Mary;
your breath alone brings life
to dry bones and weary souls.
Pour out your Spirit upon us,
that we may face despair and death
with the hope of resurrection
and faith in the One
who called Lazarus forth from the grave. Amen.

Wednesday 25 March 2020

Watching and waiting

Picture the scene. Mary sits quietly at the front of the house in Bethany that she shares with her sister Martha and their brother Lazarus. Martha is busy in the kitchen. Lazarus is most unwell and has not left his room for several days. Yesterday the two sisters, anxious and fearful, agreed it was time to get word to their friend Jesus about their brother's condition. Now, each in their own way, is watching and waiting.

Across the world many today find themselves alone at home. Some, like Mary and Martha, have someone in the family who is currently unwell. In Britain an increasing number of people are either self isolating or have been instructed to stay home both for their own safety and for the greater good. Anxious and fearful, the world is watching and waiting.

In the Christian calendar this coming Sunday is known as Passion Sunday. This is the moment when we turn our eyes to Jerusalem and prepare to tell once again the events of Holy Week. In confidence, and with hope, we watch and we wait.

Saturday 21 March 2020

Bread of heaven

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty,
Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,
Feed me now and evermore;
Feed me feed me now and evermore.

William Williams (1717-91)

 Tomorrow will be the fourth Sunday of Lent. We are halfway through the time of preparation for Easter. Over the past three Sundays we have thought about the wilderness experiences both of  Jesus and of Moses' people after the Exodus. In Britain Lent 2020 seems to be turning into something of a wilderness experience as we face the challenge of limitations on our activities and concerns about getting the food we need.  

Two weeks ago we sang the old Welsh hymn Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah. As we make our way through the remaining weeks of the Lent the words of this hymn remind us of the 'bread of  heaven' that is available to those who trust in God. The people Moses led in the wilderness were literally fed with manna from heaven. They survived forty years of wandering sustained by the daily provision of a faithful God. 

These are uncertain and anxious times but God remains faithful. This Easter nothing will be as we expected when we began our pilgrim journey through Lent.  In common with the people of Moses' time we must learn to live day by day trusting God to sustain us spiritually, emotionally and physically. We journey both individually and as a Christian community held by the powerful hand of God who will not fail us.

Wednesday 18 March 2020

Light a candle

Due to the concerns about the spread of COVID-19 in Britain churches have been asked to cancel services and activities for the time being. Christian leaders of all denominations have responded to the new situation this will create for our churches with a call to prayer and action this coming Sunday.

At this challenging time we are asked to pray for our Government and nation, for each other and especially for those working in our health and emergency services.

As a sign of solidarity and hope in the light of Christ that can never be extinguished Christians are asked to place a lighted candle in their window at 7pm on Sunday March 22. As we take our first steps towards learning to 'be the church' in our changing times this seems a good way to express our desire to be together while unable to gather for worship.


Saturday 14 March 2020

Patrick's Prayer


St Patrick's Day will be a rather muted affair this year. Cities across the world have taken the decision to cancel their parades due to the spread of the Coronavirus. For the Christian community the shift of focus away from excessive consumption and noisy celebration could be a welcome change.

In these troubled times St Patrick's prayer for protection could be a good place to begin praying for ourselves, our local communities and for the wider world. The words of this modern version are from the Northumbria Community.



Christ as a light illumine and guide me.
Christ as a shield overshadow me. 
Christ under me; Christ over me;
Christ beside me on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all powerful.
Christ as a light; Christ as a shield: 
Christ beside me on my left and my right.


Monday 9 March 2020

A taxing business


Four weeks in post. Budget six months overdue. Financial markets in turmoil due to the coronavirus outbreak. Rishi Sunak's promotion to Chancellor of the Exchequer might seem something of a poisoned chalice. Whatever the proposals it contains Wednesday's budget statement will be a triumph over adversity.

Budget Day has a long tradition in Britain. Images of the Chancellor of the Exchequer leaving 11 Downing Street for the house of Commons with red box in hand are standard. The parliamentary event has traditions the origins of which are lost in the mists of time. All this to inform Parliament and nation of the plans the Government has to spend tax revenue in the year to come. Budgets are an exercise in public accountability.

Taxation is a hot issue. It was no different in the time of Jesus. Tax collectors were seen as greedy and dishonest. Working for the Roman authorities made them unpopular with their own community. They were treated with suspicion and contempt simply because of the work they did. Zacchaeus was shunned by the people of Jericho. In Capernaum, Pharisees took exception to Jesus eating at Matthew's house. In the eyes of the religious establishment tax collectors were sinners to be avoided at all costs. Jesus saw it differently, meeting them where they were and calling them friends.

Twenty-first century finance and fiscal policy is a complex business. Those who work with other people's money are often treated with same suspicion and contempt that first century tax collectors met with. Are we, as followers of Jesus, willing to meet them where they are and learn to call them friends?