What does this mean for me? What does this mean for the world? 

However, to look at these stories as merely a pointer, is to miss the richness and depth of what each of these these stories have to say to us.

I have always liked that Mothering Sunday is also known as "Refreshment Sunday" - it brings to mind images of cake and good coffee.

The encounter with Abraham in Genesis focuses on Blessing. God blesses Abraham, but does that in order that Abraham will be a blessing to others. Like springs of water that start in a very specific place, that then ripple out to form rivers and streams to refresh, sustain and support all other life. 

What follows is that we become uncertain about the truth about ourselves.  Deep down, our self-respect is lessened – and so our respect for others decreases.  It is a long slippery slope.

Dear All Saints and St Marys There is something about how rituals originate and begin that I find really interesting. This week the Feast of Candlemas (or the Feast of the Presentation) is celebrated by the Church. Various rituals and ways of marking this feast have been given to us as a church over the years, mainly to do with blessing and light. St Marys will have Choral Evensong connecting us to some of the traditional canticles and music that has been formed over centurie

Which of these three days is most significant? Advent, Christmas, Epiphany Of course, each one is important.

I reach eagerly, like a hungry child, for these words at the start of 2026. And what a promise it is - The promise of God to sustain us in courage and confidence. 

Dear All Saints and St Mary's This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany, or as the 1662 Prayer Book puts it, the Manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles. This name is used to emphasise that, right from the start, the the gospel tells us that Jesus is for all people. Many artists took up  this theme by depicting Jesus' visitors coming from the three extremes of the known world. One was from Europe, one from Asia or Arabia and one was from Sub-Saharan Africa. Although t

I would like to share with you a poem I am fond of at this time of year from Malcolm Guite - O Emmanuel -  I have always found it helpfully reflective on why we celebrate with Joy, Love and Hope this Christmas.

John the Baptist becomes the focus of our thoughts and attention this week. His ministry was a courageous one of pointing towards a new way. He is perhaps one of the most challenging people we encounter in the Bible.

What is it that this Advent we are willing to ask, brave enough to pray to change in us so that we might be ready?

But what of Christmas? What are we actually encouraged to engage with over the next 4 weeks is the season of Advent?

Many of us carry precious memories passed through generations—stories of those who stood up for what was right, who fought in wars, or who served in quiet, often unseen ways.

Saints are all those who listen attentively for God’s word, who know they won’t get everything right, but who trust in the continuing inexhaustible kindness of God. 

It’s easy to think that we as ordinary citizens have no power, no influence, but we do, and we can enable others to do so. It just needs the spark of one person to start a fire that changes everything.

Is Jesus a god, a human or somehow both? If Jesus is in some way a god, are there two gods or one? If there is one God, how is Jesus connected with God the Father? And what do we think about the Holy Spirit, the church, baptism, and resurrection?

The world Welcome comes from two words - "Wil" which means "desired" and "Cuma" which means "Guest". Its a rather lovely way to think about the word - to desire a guest. To wish for company. 

How do we live well in a world that marks many different life defining moments, almost simultaneously?

What strikes me within the diversity are the contrasts. Perhaps the starkest is between those who can afford to use the artisan and independent cafes and shops and those who sit on the streets begging.  These are the visible ones.