REVISITING AND INCREASING OUR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHURCH Dear Church Over the next few weeks, the PCC and the whole church leadership are inviting all of us who consider ourselves to be a part of St Mary’s and the Heath, to join together and to increase our giving to church funds. Many of us already make a […]
GIVING TO OUR SHARED MISSION Read More »
So, my journey into Lent fasting as an act of repentance, mourning and contrition, is deepening. And I am learning that it has a strong heritage, even if it’s been generally forgotten or overshadowed by other messages in our current day. A few days ago, in preparing for Ash Wednesday I came across a liturgy
A NEW (OLD) LITURGY | A COMMINATION Read More »
So, I have something on my heart that I feel I need to share with you about the season of Lent coming up. I am wondering if this Lent things need to be a bit different, for me, and perhaps us as a church. Have a think and a pray to see what resonates with
A CALL TO FAST TOGETHER THIS LENT Read More »
RICHARD’S TALK | CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT Grace and truth. Living in grace is beautiful, healing, and powerful… And when we see it, or feel it, it’s like water on desert ground. The grace of a mother holding a child that’s fearful, tearful, or angry… or the grace of a child who puts their hands in
FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH Read More »
The plane touched down in Israel and we joined the long queue to get through passport control. Each of us were interviewed by different polite, but serious staff, dressed in black. “Why are you going to Israel? Have you packed your own bags? Are you taking anything for anyone out there?” Our Passports were taken
Now that I’m of a certain age I wear glasses all day every day, only taking them off to sleep. Without them on life is vague, unclear, and frustrating. I spend most of my time guessing. But when wearing them everything is just fine. Things make sense. I can see things as they really are.
A NEW WAY OF SEEING Read More »
Longing… That’s what was being expressed as we chatted together. Deep, heartfelt longing. Longing for a better life, for restored relationships, for a clarity for the way forward, for a sense that life had a purpose and wasn’t simply random, haphazard, meaningless, chaotic, fractured. There was a deep longing for restoration… for all of it
THE GLORY OF GOD APPEARS Read More »
LOOK TO THE LORD AND HIS STRENGTH, SEEK HIS FACE ALWAYS | 1 CHRONICLES 16.11 Today, to all of us who are reading this, I want simply to encourage us to pray. I want to urge us all to seek God’s face. It’s not uncommon for church leaders to do this. It’s familiar ground, so
Remembering and walking forward Today and over the weekend, as we look back as a nation and remember the pain, cost, and sacrifice of past wars, we commit ourselves once again to work and pray for reconciliation, peace, justice, and renewal especially where there is violence and war. These are important moments of corporate contemplation.
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He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. Colossians 1.28 As Tory and I celebrate the four-year anniversary of our move to Reigate, this verse is a good summary of the calling we carry for the years ahead. In this
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