Many congregations these days are suffering because of a dearth of practical gifts available from the people. When asked in Church Membership classes what their gift is, folk often say they haven’t got one. So at Church Meeting we had a look at Paul’s first letter to the Church in Corinth. Paul used to spend […]
Why Go to Church?
A churchgoer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. “I’ve gone for 30 years now,” he wrote, “and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can’t remember a single one […]
Wonderful Windermere
In June this year some of our church family made a return visit to the Lake District, following a very successful church holiday there last year. The group were led by minister Stephen Thornton, and were based at the Windermere Centre, the national training centre for the URC. Those who went were asked for their […]
97 Years!
On Sunday 5th July we celebrated our 97th anniversary. Our guest preacher, Rev Dr Susan Durber (Principal of Westminster College, Cambridge) reminded us not to think in terms of bricks and mortar – we, the people, are God’s building, and Jesus Christ is our foundation stone. A time of fellowship and refreshment followed the service, […]
Are we sitting comfortably?
“There it is again,” I thought, looking up from the pages of ‘Reform’ magazine. By ‘it’ I meant the admonition, often found in Christian writing and addresses these days, to leave our comfort zone. Often the expression ‘comfort zone’ refers to the everyday life of the church family and is used in a rather derogatory […]
The Storm
One night of heavy heat the rain began And peal on peal of angry thunder rolled. When all was quiet again, surprised I saw A butterfly – quite still and dazed it seemed – Which in our house sought refuge from the storm. Finding a cloth, I silently drew near; Gently I picked it up […]
Our Growing Family
Sunday 17th May was a wonderful celebration for our church family when five new members were welcomed by transfer from other churches. Mrs Meg Nicholson has joined us from the Methodist Church in Fleet. Saju Kadeckal Matthew and Mary Saju Matthew have come from the Indian Jacobite Church, and Sisan Chacko and Susy John from […]
We are all Beggars
In May we received five new members into our Church, four of whom are from Kerala, a State in India. This reminded me of a famous Indian Christian – D T Niles (1908-1970), who wrote two hymns in our hymn book (Rejoice and Sing, 28 & 105), and who famously said that evangelism is ‘one […]
My Trip of a Lifetime
From 18th to 25th April I experienced and enjoyed God’s World in Sinai Egypt – trekking high into the Sinai and St Catherine protectorate each day for five days. High in the mountains there are wild donkeys and groups of Ibex goats. I was fortunate enough to sight the bright blue lizard, the geeko lizard, […]
Blessings
After much rain and longing for the light Sadly I watched the sullen day begin. But God, who has unlooked-for gifts in store, Parted the heavy cloud banks with his breath Till, like great bergs, they moved majestically. Then the Eternal Artist dipped his brush, Laying a wash of orange light between. His delicate touch […]