IT IS NOT FINISHED It was December, a few years ago; I was standing outside a front door not far from here, looking thoughtfully at the notice beside it. It…

A PILGRIM’S PROGRESS: OPEN EYES “How despicably I have acted!” cried Elizabeth Bennett. “I, who have prided myself on my discernment! I, who have valued myself on my abilities! How…

HOW DID WE GET HERE? The strange thing to me, about the Easter stories in the Bible is that no-one, absolutely no-one is skipping for joy. No-one is running round…

RED CARPET OR ROCKY ROAD? Well? Red Carpet or Rocky Road? As a matter of fact, they are generally one and the same thing. Ask any celebrity who has walked…

BIRTH AND DEATH: THE GREAT MYSTERIES It occurs to me that at Baptisms, Weddings, and Funerals, we always use a person’s full name. In the marriage service it is a…

FACING TABOOS Jesus had been brought up an orthodox Jew. Meaning he was taught that Samaritans were the enemy. There was a history: the Jews originated as a slave race…

COMPANIONS ON THE WAY We learned a lot about Risk Assessments during Covid, didn’t we? What were the risks involved in opening the church; sitting on the pews; wearing or…

A PILGRIM’S PROGRESS: MAKING A STATEMENT Think of the expression “a Statement Piece,” it can be used of an item of furniture, a piece of clothing, a book, a sculpture,…

The Diseased It was the end of a long working shift in his healing ministry. Jesus started by healing a man who was mentally ill in the local synagogue (place…

NATHANAEL: THE SCHOLAR Remember the seven good fairy-godmothers who turned up for the Sleeping Beauty’s christening, each bringing a special gift? Which seven special gifts would you ask for Bethany?…