Growing up in Africa our Christmases were way different from the festive fare that I have now become accustomed to. Apart from the odd paper snowflake motifs, I’ve never been into craft making. Yes, I’m that member of the household who quickly changes the channel when an episode of Kirstie Allsopp’s ‘Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas’ comes … Read more …
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10) We love many things. We love certain foods, activities or people. Love is something we feel, and indeed is often dependent on those feelings. But we have turned … Read more …
Have you ever looked out from the top of a tall building or a from a viewpoint and had a wonderful overview of a city or landscape? I lived in Berlin for a while as a student and knew the city from cycling and walking the streets but when I went up the television tower … Read more …
Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh, Immanuel, God with us, has come for all those who are weary and need rest, who are lonely and need friendship, who mourn and need comfort. On Friday 19th December, at our reflective Christmas carol service, Adam led us in three prayers for those who find Christmas hard. They … Read more …
If you think that having 120 ten-year-olds in church getting hyped up for Christmas with a lot of sugar sounds pretty chaotic then you would be absolutely correct. If you also think it would be a whole lot of fun then you would also be correct. This week we’ve had groups of between 30 and … Read more …
If I said that a story about rugby, Jesus and an old man from the Bible equated to a St Mary’s men’s breakfast where the speaker was our previous vicar Will Stileman, then I don’t think that you would be surprised. Will was back at St Mary’s and recounted a story from his rugby playing … Read more …
Jason and Laura Swain recently ran the ‘Where can they meet Jesus?’ training course. Two attendees write about their experiences below. Recently, I enrolled in a course titled ‘Where Can They Meet Jesus?’ led by Laura and Jason Swain. I joined because I wanted practical guidance on having meaningful spiritual conversations, particularly how to transition from … Read more …
A big thank you for your kind messages and generous gift as I stepped down from the staff team in September. Gracy and I feel much loved as I embark on my final year at theological college. I’m delighted to share the news that from next summer I will serve as curate at Trinity Church … Read more …
One of the most beautiful images the Bible uses for the church is the human body (see Romans 12:4-5 for example). Our bodies are made up of many different parts each with a different function. Yet, each part is needed and they work together to make the whole body function. In the same way, our … Read more …
November Musings: The bittersweet start to the Christmas Season (Originally written in November 2024, with reflections added in November 2025) In November, there’s a noticeable change in the air. The streets start to shimmer with twinkling lights, chocolate shops fill their windows with festive treats, and Heart radio starts playing all the classics. The signs … Read more …
