Dear Friends  -  I had the day all worked out!…. 

After an earlier than usual start to allow me the time to complete my chaplaincy duties at the YMCA, I had picked up my Cambridge students from their house, in good time to make the 10am mid week communion service at Holy Angels Salford. After visiting a church further afield in Clifton, before then making our way back to hear a presentation on the Heartedge movement at Sacred Trinity Church, I drove the students back. A free 20 minutes in the late afternoon allowed me to mow their front lawn (don’t ask!), before setting off home, to prepare for that evening’s PCC. However, en route, I popped into Lidl Salford, which as well as stocking loose almonds (unlike its Longsight counterpart), was also going to be the shop whereby I could use my 10% off coupon which was due to expire at the end of the day. The trolley was loaded higher than usual (well… I do like to make the most of any discount!), but there was room to add some ice cream for Jed, so I phoned him to find out his favourite flavour. And then… disaster! In the midst of our conversation, my phone died: no power, no coupon to redeem, no saved bank cards to use. My phone, devoid of power, previously my diary, planner, wallet, communicator and computer (and so much more), was no longer any use to me.

In our Sunday sermons at church, we’re now approaching the end of a series spent in the first half of Paul’s letter to the Romans. From Pau’s perspective and experience, it was clear our lives do have purpose, have immense use, and are equipped with the power of Christ’s spirit. As he writes (and echoing similar sentiments expressed in Ephesians 1):
If the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from death, lives in you, then he who raised Christ from death will also give life to your mortal bodies by the presence of his Spirit in you. 

Things indeed may not always be straightforward for us, despite our best intentions or pre planning. However, be assured that we are provided with all the power and support that we require!

Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.

Simon

Dear Friends  -

Over a large part of yesterday, I was glued to my computer screen. It wasn’t as though the subject matter was initially enthralling (although to my surprise, as the hours went by, it became more so). Indeed to be truthful, I entered the Zoom meeting both grumpily and reluctantly, questioning as to whether this enforced requirement of 3 hours of my time was both justified and necessary, and was it indeed going to positively impact me in the future.

My mood wasn’t helped by the leader of the meeting who threatened dire consequences for anyone who was tempted to look away from the screen with their attention elsewhere, even for a second. However, 180 minutes later, as I pressed the 'leave' button on the screen, (as recently a number of high profile politicians and even the Archbishop of Canterbury have also done), I was glad I had attended and completed my on-line Speed Awareness course! A means by which the prospect of points on my driving license was removed, and where also I was further equipped for the task of being a better driver in the future.

Over the course of the last few weeks, the adults in our congregation have been spending time in Paul’s epistle to fellow Christians in and around Rome. We’ve been thinking through the means by which their (and our) past, current and future failings can and have been settled through the death and resurrection of Jesus. No fine paid, no course forcibly attended; simply a required acknowledgement that we find our forgiveness and new life only in Christ, with a cleansed license, to start and indeed continue our journey with Him.

Of course on that journey there are new things to learn and discover. Just as I with 40 years or so of driving experience still had new things to learn yesterday, as Christians we never have got things totally worked out, and there are always  new challenges, encouragements and insights to receive. Paul’s letter to the Romans (as we will continue on Sunday in chapter 8) moves on to share how the Spirit is there to equip us. May we indeed be open to all that God has for us, in our journey through this life He has given us.


Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.

Simon

Dear Friends

Last Sunday, as we commenced on a new series looking at Paul’s letter to the Romans we reflected the promise of God; that one way outstretched offer to everyone. For us it comprises of the offer of a new life life with Him, not as a reward for us dutifully keeping his law (in our strength we never could), but given out of grace through Jesus (we’ll be thinking a bit more about this next Sunday).

Our service ended with a new song (to us) that we learned together (appropriately titled “This is Amazing Grace”). If you wish to listen to it click here, the words and sentiments are indeed amazing (although if I’m honest I preferred our band’s version!).

May we indeed live under the promises God has for us, as we continue this week along with Him.

Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.

Simon

Dear Friends

At PCC last night, in response to a water pipe leak we had experienced in the building earlier, I reflected “streams of living water” a theme and promise of the spirit of God that crosses over from Old to New Testament, right through to the book of Revelation, where in chapter 21 we read;

Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost."

Today the global church remembers the events of the visit of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, as recorded in Luke’s gospel, the occasion for Mary to sing her great hymn of praise in honour of her Lord and God. Just as Luke sees John the Baptist as the last of the prophets of the old covenant, he uses John’s leaping in Elizabeth’s womb as the first time John bears witness to Christ as the promised Messiah. Thereby he links the old covenant with the new. He seems to be saying that just as the old covenant clearly points to Jesus, so does its last prophet, yet to be born. Again, there is consistency in the journey from old to new.

Amusingly, over the last week week, within our community, I picked up rumours of my impending retirement, which was indeed news to me! Whilst looking forward to an extended break over the final quarter this year, I can assure you that I have no current plans to move on, or indeed retire. However we always need to be looking to the future and to others to whom we can pass the baton, to ensure continuation from the old to the new (as again we talked about in PCC). Having stood in front of the congregation with Millie, and marvelling at her own confidence and eloquence when speaking, it’s once again a reminder that that the things of God continue to move from the old to the new.  

Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.

Simon

Dear Friends  - Happy Ascension Day!

As Helen and myself are gearing ourselves up for the emotional waving off our eldest in a couple of weeks, as she embarks on her South American adventure (if you’re interested check out her page) I’m always struck by the accounts of Jesus’ departure from his disciples at his ascension. This occasion, with no hope of seeing Jesus until a reunion in heaven, is recorded as one of great joy and not (as I would have assumed) sadness. Luke’s account in chapter 24, closes with the words:
Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.  And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Indeed this experience the disciples shared, was clearly the ultimate validation that God was in charge, and rather than be separated from Jesus, the whole earth could now connect with him. As a former Bishop of Manchester eloquently describes it:

The Ascension of Christ is his liberation from all restrictions of time and space. It does not represent his removal from earth, but his constant presence everywhere on earth.
William Temple

So may we at this ascension-tide, equally rejoice that we have direct access to God our Father through Jesus, wherever on the earth we may be, and perhaps out of our joy, commit to to pray for others who we know, who as yet don’t hold this hope. Do please consider using the helpful resources of Thy Kingdom Come, between now and Pentecost Sunday.

Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.

Simon