What’s in a name? Some people like the names they have been given, some don’t. Sometimes names are given to babies to remind us of people that we love, or because we like the meaning. Grace, for example, can evoke either graceful movement, or the grace of God in all its generosity. Faith speaks for itself … More What’s in a name?
Once more I am dipping into the chorister’s staple, “100 Hundred Carols for Choirs”, usually given out at rehearsals some time in late October, and collected in for storage in early January. As I have mentioned previously though, not all carols are for Christmas, and this is another. The original “Heer Jezus heeft een hofken” is set to a traditional Dutch melody. It was later translated by Rev George Woodward (1848-1934) and harmonised by Charles Wood (1866-1926) … More King Jesus Hath a Garden – Trad., tr. Woodward (1848-1934)
This is essentially a Native American prayer set to music by legendary jazz composer Bob Chilcott. I had to learn this piece thoroughly (and quickly) for a weekend of conductor training with Sing for Pleasure … More Give Me Strength (Sioux trad., arr. Chilcott)
Thomas gets a rather bad press as “Doubting Thomas”. Nevertheless he is one of my favourite saints. Here are some reasons why … More Faith and doubts
Today we hear how Isiah and Simon are called to serve God, both in very different ways, but both confessing that they are or have been sinful people. Their sins are forgiven and they are chosen to answer God’s call.
There is very little hesitation in their response and with Simon there are quite a few witnesses to his particular calling … More Answering God’s Call
Good morning and a warm welcome to our service of Holy Communion for Sunday 30 January, during which we remember the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. Rev Sue presides and Rev Deborah will preach … More Candlemas 2022
Many of you will know that I have spent a few days recently at the Hotel Christie due to a little cocktail mix of chemo, flu jab, COVID booster and a drain procedure compounded a low immune system. I am fine now! … More Gaudete Sunday
I don’t know whether any of you have seen the film Pleasantville. It’s an American film from 1998 about a teenage boy, David, and his sister Jennifer. They are very different. Jennifer is a party girl – David is obsessed with a black and white 1950’s sitcom set in a Midwest town called Pleasantville. One evening, alone in the house they fight over the remote control and break it … More Pleasantville
Around the world, the Christmas story has been adapted to fit the indigenous climate and culture: traditional Canadian carols tell of tribal leaders taking beaver pelts to the infant; in Argentina the kings take a white poncho made of the finest white alpaca wool; we sing of a Christmas set “in the bleak midwinter” in which “snow had fallen snow on snow”. It rarely snows in Bethlehem! … More Navidad Nuestra: El Nacimento Ariel Ramirez (1921-2010)
‘I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah’ … More Rev Deborah’s Christmas Message
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 