I say to you, what woman, having lost her car keys, does not search the whole house, turning even the furniture upside-down until she finds those keys? Or what man, having lost the TV remote control, doesn’t shove his hand down the back of every armchair, every sofa, into the fluff and the grime and the old biscuit crumbs and rotting apple cores, until he finds and retrieves the precious thing? … More Lost and Found
Monday evening, I was rehearsing with the baptism and confirmation candidates and I was reflecting on the interplay between individual faith and the faith we share as a church … More Turning to Christ
One of the things I ask churches when I’m visiting to take a service is to be very clear about which bits I am leading, and which fall to somebody else. Readings, prayers, welcomes, notices, setting up the altar. It can all get very complicated and confusing, so I like to know who’s doing what … More Confirmation Service September 2019
Like many of the pieces I write about in this blog, I was introduced to this song at a rehearsal of the Manchester Chorale. We were learning it for our summer concert programme in 2018 … More I Will Come To You – M Fairbairn (b. 1986)
Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who pours out his Holy Spirit on us through his Word and Sacraments … More Commentary on Luke 12:49-53
On Friday 5 July our ALM Carol offered a service of prayer and meditation for healing. There is a transcription on Deborah’s blog, and it is offered again here … More Prayers for Healing
We’ve just heard one of the best-known parables of Jesus. It speaks of the sower sowing the seed. Some of the seed was eaten by birds, some choked by weed, some didn’t have enough soil to send down roots. But some produced flourishing plants that themselves produced plenty of grain … More Letting the Word take root and flourish.
Doubt is a word that doesn’t always get a very good press in churches. Take our hymns. “Through the night of doubt and sorrow”, or, from “Take my life and let it be”, “Many a conflict, many a doubt”. Doubt can be seen as a negative, a lack of faith. I would argue that that is not so. … More Doubting Thomas
Hi Jesus. It’s Sue here. I’m sorry I missed the briefing this morning – I was just sorting out the cat sitters. I’ve got you on Bluetooth so I’ll just finish packing as we talk … More Travelling Light
God – we gather in your presence. Father – we long for more of you. Jesus – we place you at the centre. Holy Spirit – come and fill our time together … More Trinity
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 