It seems that hardly a day goes by without there being some headline or other telling us of how a Christian – whether it`s ordinary folk like you and me or some high-profile person like a Member of Parliament – ought to be drummed out of polite society for expressing their adherence to what we…
Many years ago, the American writer Henry David Thoreau wrote about a journey he made a place called Walden Pond. He said, “I went out to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately. To front only the essential facts of life; and see if I could not learn what life had to teach …….and…
“Well Vicar”, he said, “We all know what your politics are”. He glanced down at my Newspaper ….. and I smiled and changed the subject because I simply couldn`t be bothered to tell him that whatever assumptions he was making, my choice of newspaper wouldn`t help, because I quite deliberately don`t buy the same newspaper…
In our journey through Matthew`s Gospel we`ve been reflecting on several of the Parables which Jesus told. Last week you might recall we were presented with the Parable of the Sower. This morning we heard what`s sometimes called the Parable of the wheat and the weeds. (Matthew 13.24-30, 36-43) My invitation to you last week…
A few moments ago, we heard St. Matthew`s account of what we call the Parable of the Sower. This parable appears in three of the four Gospels which tends to indicate that it`s rather important. In fact when you look at it in Mark`s Gospel Jesus makes this very point; he tells the disciples, ”Do…
One of the most frequent observations people make about this building is “What a lovely ceiling”. And what they often assume is that the work on the ceiling was done at the same time as the re-ordering; largely, I think because it`s such a good match. But I have to tell them “No, the ceiling…
Last week saw the publication of the annual survey of what are referred to as `British Social attitudes`. It was an attempt to provide a snap shot of where public opinion lies on a range of social and political issues and to see if it`s possible to discern any particular trends or changes. This always…
I look at our Gospel reading this morning (Matthew 10.24-39) and it seems that we`re faced with some pretty pointed and challenging stuff. If we`re going to be like Jesus, he seems to be saying then just as they called him `a son of the devil` then we will be in for same kind of…
I sat by the man`s hospital bedside with a strange mixture of emotions. “You know, Vicar”, he said. “I`m not sure I really believe any of this”. The man was within days of dying and here was an invitation, you might think, to get into a theological discussion. I warmed to his honesty but he…
A few years ago, one of our Bishops hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons. He had been to a lunchtime reception and had become somewhat merry. On his way home, he was restrained by the police for his somewhat erratic behaviour and when asked for his name he allegedly replied, “I`m the Bishop…
One of the most moving moments in the Gospels is that scene in the garden on Easter Day where Mary stands weeping outside the entrance to the tomb. (John 20). I say, `moving` because there are few of us who haven`t or won`t experience that same sense of loss, standing by a graveside. But it`s…
Jean Clarkson (1942-2017) Today (11th May 2017) in a service at St. Bees Priory, Cumbria, we said farewell (for now) to our good friend Jean Clarkson- Churchwarden at St. Mary`s Windermere. Following family Tributes I offered the following homily: I realise that standing here I`m playing a little imaginative game with myself. Sunday by Sunday…
