Leaders, authorities, experts, campaigners and advocates have this week descended upon Glasgow for the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). As host nations, with a government talking about a need for global action, this reflection invites us to meditate on our impact on the planet.
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Updates from Whirlow
Poetry for All Saints and Souls
Today, we offer a poem about St Francis of Assisi - whose feast day was last month - and another inspired by Psalm 131, a sacred song used at Whirlow this week.
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Please find here some resources for spending a structured quiet day in your own time. With thanks to Catherine Musgrave for producing these for October’s Simple Quiet Day.
A Simple Quiet Day in October →
Readiness is All - facing the winter, the future and eternity with Jesus
Certainty is an addiction for many of us. As British Summer Time wanes, we note the rhythmic cycle of the seasons that is not ours to control. (We try to manage it by adjusting our clocks!) There is tension between anticipated candle-lit cosiness and winter’s potentially chaotic offerings of weather and viruses. In today’s bible story, Jesus talks about being ready for the unexpected as it were a responsibility. What do his words have to offer you?
Read MoreEmbracing the Miraculous ... Accepting the Mundane. A Healing in Mark's Gospel
Some of us are instinctively suspicious of dramatic and emotionally-charged moments in religion (and in life); others are addicted to those times, relentlessly pursuing them and impatient with the mundane. Perhaps drama and routine are needed; perhaps they inform one another. In this reflection, we ask what wisdom we can find when we consider the place of miracles in Jesus’ ministry.
Read MoreMore on Home and Belonging - lessons from Jonah and Jesus.
Last week we considered what Home and Belonging mean to us. This is World Homelessness Week, so we offer more food for thought on that subject - reflecting on biblical texts in the light of ‘homecoming’ and possible human responses to these.
Read MoreWhat Does it Mean to Belong - Home, Heaven ... Heartache?
Home is an emotive word. There is a powerful drive in all of us to belong, to find places where we are welcome. Specific buildings or places often represent encounters with the Divine and feel like spiritual homes. But … Jesus often identified with those who had no home, and staying ‘Home’ can have negative connotations (particularly in lockdown!) Here are some thoughts for reflection.
Read MoreU-Turns Allowed! - rethinking conversion
Labels about belief can be divisive. If we think there there are only two answers to the ‘Are you religious?’ question - and that only one of those is correct - then ‘secular’ and ‘sacred’ are pitted against one another and conversion is a loaded word. In our culture, any change of heart might be scoffed at - politicans making ‘u-turns’ are usually derided. This reflection recommends a different perspective.
Read MoreBroken Bodies - the Cross of Christ and Suicide Prevention Day
Today (10 September) is World Suicide Prevention Day and on Tuesday the Christian church will celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Today’s post incorporates a personal reflection by writer Adrian Scott, as we try to bind these troubling stories together.
Read MoreSeasonal Shift: a mandate for change in Luke's gospel
As summer gives way to autumn and a new term begins for many, are you too thinking about change? Has the pandemic changed your attitudes? Is something changing in your life? This reflection contemplates a radical new vision of society set out by Jesus in a speech recorded in the Gospel according to Luke, that might inspire any changes we make.
Read MoreA Lesson in Facing Hostility - Jesus' assertiveness and boundary-setting
How easy do you find it to remain calm when others’ displeasure or hostility is aimed at you? For many of us, this requires energy and is difficult. (Finding it easy to face others’ animosity may not be a good thing!) Jesus has much to teach us in today’s story from the Gospel according to Luke.
Read MoreMeasuring Up - what 'greatness' meant to Jesus.
It is difficult - if not impossible - to avoid feeling pressurised by cultural expectations. In this age of instant communication and social media influencers, we can become exhausted by invitations to compare ourselves. We want to measure up; to be the greatest in some acknowledged way. This reflection contemplates the word ‘great’ and invites you to ask what it means - to you.
Read MoreGideon's Identity Crisis: Who is God? Who am I?!
Many of us lack confidence and experience Imposter Syndrome. If we claim religious faith, this can deter us from acting on God’s call - we want to be sure we have not misheard. And that is ok. But, sometimes, as Gideon’s story teaches us, our natural feelings of inadequacy and uncertainty are really not the point.
Read MoreOlympians and the Little Children - the powerful vulnerability of Moses and Simone Biles
Many of us have been inspired by the Olympic athletes competing under challenging circumstances in Tokyo. Inspirational performances have sat comfortably alongside visible emotion and openness about mental health that is refreshing. In this reflection, we relate those testimonies to bible stories about human vulnerability.
Read MoreHave Mercy On Us! Accepting the Reality of Who we Are
Those of us who live comfortable, affluent lives can become addicted to safety, certainty, happiness and constant personal improvement - perhaps more than to other ‘quick fixes’. When we think about our weakness, confusion or hardship, we view them as problems to be solved. This reflection invites us, instead, to accept the mess and uncertainty, and walk free of our addiction to perfection.
Read MoreAre These Weeds or Flowers? A parable about the end times.
Jesus warned us against judging others - and this is almost impossible. Instinctively, human beings want to rid themselves of unpleasant news and experiences by categorising them as ‘bad’. Today’s reflection looks at a story from the Gospel of Matthew, in which we are reminded that we do not always know how to distinguish between good and evil.
Read MoreLifechanging Gestures - the Outstretched Hands of Moses and Jesus
Emotions run high as we relax pandemic rules. How do you feel? Perhaps you long for a hand of reassurance on your shoulder. Perhaps you long to comfort others. Today we remember the outstretched arms of two legendary bible characters, which pointed to open spaces just when life was closing in.
Read MoreFinding Rest for the Weary
Exhortations to ‘keep calm’, ‘take care’ or just to rest are all around us. They sound so simple and inviting. But this, too, requires commitment. We invite you to give yourself the gift of taking a step towards - rather than reaching - these elusive places of calm, self-care or rest.
Read MoreWork Hard, Pray Hard - the work ethic of Jacob and Jesus.
Some of us - whether or not we call ourselves religious - grew up in family and community cultures driven by a religious ‘work ethic’. Today’s reflection looks at bible characters who might have something to say to us about both striving and letting go.
Read MoreSeriously spiritual apostles? Finding the funny in Acts Chapter 12
We might perceive scripture and the biblical characters within it as rather solemn. Today’s reflection looks at a funny (?) story about one of Christianity’s greatest heroes - an olden-day Dwayne Johnson - Simon ‘The Rock’ Peter.r.
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