The Benefice of Chebsey and Norton Bridge, Ellenhall, Ranton and Seighford with Creswell
THE ONLINE DOOR TO OUR VILLAGE CHURCHES
This evening I want to tell a ‘Tale of 2 Gardens’. One is found in our Old Testament and the second in the New.
The first is a mythical Garden which tells the story of how self-interest prevailed in our world. For it was a perfect Garden where a man and a woman shared life with one another and with their Creator and in which all their needs were provided for. It’s story starts like this .. Continue reading “Maundy Thursday”
Today we celebrate the start of a week when Jesus would let everybody down. The start of a week in which many people would let themselves down through denial and betrayal. The start of a week when Jesus would feel even God His Father had let Him down when He cries ‘My God why have you forsaken me’! Continue reading “Palm Sunday”
Ashes are ceremonially placed on the heads of Christians on Ash Wednesday, either by being sprinkled over their heads or more often by being marked on their foreheads as a visible cross. Words based on Genesis 3:19 are used traditionally to accompany this gesture, “Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris.” (“Remember that thou art dust, and to dust thou shall return.”)
I wanted to take a moment to invest in the idea that we are asked to accept the ashes which will be imposed upon us to start our journey through Lent. I wonder how you feel about being imposed upon? Continue reading “A Reflection on the Imposition of Ashes”
Do you ever feel like life is hard work? I sometimes wonder whether one of the reasons people turn to God or to the Church is because life is such hard work. That in the midst of the struggle and the toil of life we hear the words .. come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest! And in those words we seek comfort and help!
During Epiphany I am asking you to think about what kind of Church God is asking us to be through the message of Epiphany. Last week I suggested the story of the Magi from the East reminds us that we need to be a Church that welcomes people from every kind of background and tradition and perspective … just as the Holy family and Jesus himself welcomed all.
