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St Hughs Lent Day 29th March 2025

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 This year instead of offering taize worship through Lent we had a Saturday together to look at two aspects of our life together worship and scripture. It was really good to see 19 people come to the day which began at 10.30 and ended at 2.30pm. With Iona style worship to start the day and finish, a fish and chips lunch and it was all in all a relaxed time. The morning focussed on a simple worship game. Thinking about a Sunday service people were invited in small groups to deal out various cards with words which related to worship. They were invited to explain why they would put that particular word in a certain column, ranging from essential to not necessary. Of course there are no right or wrong answers. The important part was to listen to each other and gain an insight why somethings help one person to worship though not neccessarily everyone. The key thing was to talk, listen and smile, which I'm glad to say occurred, and those who were a little uncertain about the day began to...
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Sunday 16th February Reading and prayer

  Luke chapter 6: 20-26 Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor,      for yours is the kingdom of God.  Blessed are you who hunger now,      for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now,      for you will laugh.  Blessed are you when people hate you,      when they exclude you and insult you      and reject your name as evil,         because of the Son of Man.  “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.  But woe to you who are rich,      for you have already received your comfort.  Woe to you who are well fed now,      for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now,      for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when everyone s...
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A service of prayer for the Nation Homily by Bishop Mariann 22nd January 20225

I believe this is worth a read  A Service of Prayer for the Nation Homily by  Bishop Mariann  |  Jan 22, 2025 O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Jesus said, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, a...
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continuing to reflect on 'Life after Doom' by Brian McLaren

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Brian McLaren paints four possible scenarios for the future of what is now a world wide civilisation. Collapse/avoidance Collapse/rebirth Collapse/survival Collapse/extinction Apologies if my outline is too simplistic.  The first paints the possibility that humanity manages by immediate actions to mitigate the worst of climate change brought about by human activity. It does recognise that the damage already done to the environment will continue to have an affect as the time lag is such that the damage caused builds upon itself.  Then we have the possibility that avoidance is too late and we might best hope for a rebirth of civilisation following on with a lot of re-thinking about how we live.  Thirdly it's all a bit too late, and the best we can hope for, is we and the planet survives in some way, but it will be a very different world.  Finally we don't avoid what we have created and we could in the process of protecting ourselves in a very selfish manner totally des...
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Mama Mia

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This year's Christmas present to our two eldest grandchildren was to take them to see Mama Mia at the Novello Theatre London.  By chance after Christmas, while at church, I was explaining to one of our members over coffee after the service, what we were up to in the next few days.  "Oh when we are back down in London we are off to see Mama Mia with the grandchildren" Well the response surprised me.  "My grandson is one of the performers I bet he will be willing to take them back stage."  By the end of the day she had spoken to her daughter, who in turn spoke to her son Luke, who then texted us to arrange the event.  So Saturday came round. At 1.10 with two excited grandchildren we were at the stage door being let in. Well Luke plays one of the key roles, that of Sam Carmichael (played by Pierce Brosnan in the film). Luke was an overwhelmingly better singer! What a super individual Luke proved to be. He was great with our six and eight year olds. Taken first to h...
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one thing leads to another

An Iona Associate friend asked have you had opportunity to watch and listen to the conversation between the leader of the Iona Community Ruth Harvey and Brian McLaren.  So having a bit of time to hand, I typed into YouTube 'Iona Community and Brian McLaren' (well worth a watch), and now I find myself reading his book  'Life after Doom".  So one thing certainly leads to another. It's not an easy read. By that I mean while his style, as always is accessible, the subject matter gives rise to a variety of very uncomfortable emotions. He paints four possible scenarios as to our future, and to be frank none of them are great.  He is facing up to the greatest threat to human civilisation, namely climate change. This has been brought on by  our consumption of the planet which is unsustainable,  the destruction of the eco systems on which we depend as we continue to pollute our way into the future,  the reality of consumerism on which capitalism depends  ...
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Christingle 2024

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So after a few years break I found myself helping out at our Church leading the Christingle service.  A handful of children, including one grandson, and a good number of adults arrived for our 4pm service.  Turning the church on the side, with the seating almost in the round, enabled a more intimate feeling as everyone could see each other. So with traditional songs, prayers, a story and finally the gifting of the christingles we had a meaningful time.  A time to retell the story of God's love for all of creation, as we await afresh on Christmas eve, the birth of Jesus. The moment of Incarnation when the Christ of eternity becomes fully human in the person of Jesus. Who through his life showed how it is possible to live the life of Love, Hope and Peace. Who revealed that God loves everybody without exception. Now this is good news. And it is for those who answer the call to follow, to show in their own lives, the meaning of Incarnation, as we live out this same life, carr...
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I think it must be getting near Christmas

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 In the space of a few days so much has been happening it must mean something important is about to take place. Saturday saw a gathering of Iona Associates and the Thames Valley Iona Family Group in Oxford, where  I led an Advent gathering with Iona style worship, conversation, prayer writing and renewal of friendships. It's always a joy to be part of such groups due to the open nature of people to be prepared to think outside the box.  After a full day it was time for the strictly come dancing final and it was so good to see Chris McCausland win with Diane. But you know when the strictly season is over its nearly....... Then onto Sunday and with two daughters present (its becoming a bit of a new tradition) we were able to enjoy listening to the Milltown Singers where Jill/mum is part of the choir. After all those years of going to see our children in choirs etc it's now their turn to do the watching. The choir was excellent with over 100 in the choir. Then it was the wee...
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