Sermons And Gubbins

There's something a little bit odd about our Gospel reading today. I wonder if you noticed it? Maybe not. After all, 'odd' these days is really rather a relative concept isn't it? A bit like time.  They say that time flies when you're having fun. I think we need a new saying for what time does when you're in lockdown. 'Time melds together in a conglomerate mess when you're staying home, staying safe, and saving lives'. Perhaps I need to work on the catchiness of that.  I remember reading a meme on facebook the other day that renamed the lockdown days of the week. No longer are we subject to the linear confines of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and so on. Instead, until further notice, the days of the week are now called Thisday, Thatday, Otherday, Someday, Yesterday, Today and Nextday. I say I read it the other day, it might have been two months ago for all I know. I guess that proves the point. (Nextday, by the way, is the mythical day long...

This story was written in lieu of a sermon for our Zoom service on Sunday 26th April; the second Sunday after Easter. The gospel story was Luke 24:13-35 - The Road to Emmaus . In the story, only one of the disciples is named - Cleopas. In this reimagining of the tale, I have assumed the other to be his wife - the same woman mentioned who was present at Christ's crucifixion in John's gospel . I have tried to find parrallels between that initial time after Jesus' death, and the situation in which we all find ourselves today. I hope you enjoy reading it. A statue of St Mary Cleophas I t was a much nicer day than it should have been. You’d have thought given everything that had happened, the sky would be dark and the rain would be lashing down – you know, the kind of rain that stings you as you try to rush your way through it, trying your vainest best to make your way home before you are almost literally soaked to the bone, and your skin is red and cold from the ...

This poem was written for Easter 2020, and released in two parts; Part I on Easter Saturday, and Part II on the morning of Easter Sunday. It was inspired by Matthew 26:31, and, fairly obviously, the current coronavirus situation in which we all find ourselves. Hope you enjoy it! Part I The entrance to the nave is locked  This Easter, none are gathered. The Shepherd and his church are struck  And now the sheep are scattered. The sacraments are locked away, The doors and windows battened. The organ will not, cannot, play, For now the sheep are scattered. And Christ is strung, high on his cross, His body scarred and tattered. But his disciples keep no watch  Not now the sheep are scattered. And I do not know if we can cope, Our mortal lives so shattered. We are dried up; we have no hope  Now the sheep are scattered. Part II But Christ does not stay on his cross  And all I once thought mattered Now all else, I count as loss E'en though the sheep are scattered. For i...

I wrote these words for a hymn a few years ago now. I found it an interesting exercise, trying to write something that could be sung communally. It's quite different to writing a poem (as a spoiler, by the way, I'm hoping to upload a new poem towards the end of Holy Week, so, if you like what I write, keep an eye out for that!)  When I wrote these words, I did have a specific tune in mind, but, really, I'd love them to have their own tune. If you're that way inclined, perhaps you'd like to have a go at composing a hymn-tune to fit? (All guesses as to the tune I had in mind are welcome in the comments, by the way!) Hope you enjoy. O, teach us to follow Your Way, Lord, as we go  Through life as we're working and resting. Your life - our ideal, and your words ever real; May we be to those 'round us a blessing. Let us take your love to those around us; To our family, colleagues and friends, May our care for creation surround us And ...

This sermon was given at our Sunday morning service on 29th March. Obviously, due to Covid 19, there was no opportunity to meet in person, so we have been experimenting with doing a mixture of pre-recorded and live services - you can check us out on Facebook - St Michael's, Flixton . If you'd prefer to see me deliver this sermon instead of reading it, there's a youtube link directly below. If you'd rather not turn your speakers on just now, then please read the transcript instead. Peace be with you!   There’s been a good deal of advice around recently about looking on the bright side of this strange situation we all find ourselves in. Sometimes, if we’re unable to find time ourselves, it is good to be forced to take a step back and evaluate, with time to sit, and think, and reflect and pray. I hope, for you, this time of self-isolation and social distancing is a time in which you have been able to do some of these things. For me, so far, it has not been. ...