In celebration of St George’s Day, we share this short film about the patron Saint of England. It features people from churches with the name of St George around our Diocese. It includes our own Rev John and Rev Laura and St George’s Westcombe Park which is in our parish.

As we enjoy a break to celebrate Easter, it is right to consider what brings us JOY.

As we celebrate the journey Jesus took to the cross and the resurrection, we find JOY in his words of eternal life and the love of God willing to do everything for us.

As we have joined together to worship and have given thanks, we take JOY from the fellowship we belong to and the faith that we share.

And as we journey towards Easter, may we find JOY in the little things - the sometimes unseen - as well as those seen by all. 

Lent began on Ash Wednesday. 

And some people will try fasting. 

Fasting is about giving things up in order to focus more on better ways of living. 

As we journey through Lent, maybe there are some life changes you want to make. To feel better, to do better, to think more clearly, to pray more regularly. 

Pope Francis suggested this as a list of ways of fasting that didn’t require anyone to give up eating:

• Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
• Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
• Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
• Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
• Fast from worries and have trust in God.
• Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
• Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
• Fast from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy.
• Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.
• Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
• Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.

As we try these things, we come closer to God and feel his presence. In these moments, the world feels less scary and unpredictable and our lives feel more valuable - as we see our worth is valued by the God who sent his Son for us to live full lives with him. 

Lord Jesus,

As we walk through times where the world feels unsettled - grant us your peace.

As we seek to get through our days - may your spirit bring us hope and joy. 

As we look to the future - may we see brightness and blessing in our path with you our God. 

Amen. 

New Year is a funny thing – at least for me.

It’s one of those things that feels like it is big. But is it?

It feels like we have so many new years…

September when school starts, Advent for the church calendar, January for parish finances and April for the tax year.

And maybe – if you don’t have an old fashioned paper calendar hung up at home like us - you don’t even notice the passing of the time if you rely on a google calendar or something similar. (For us - last year was endangered animals, this year is a Bristol based artist for a change)

At Church yesterday we spoke about Epiphany and the visit of the Wise Men to Jesus and the Holy family.

We took it as a moment to reflect on the year gone by and think about what we learned, what epiphanies we had - wow moments, learning experiences, moments of clarity.

We thought about the stars or signals we might be waiting for in our lives at the moment.

And we considered where we have followed God in our lives and where God might be leading us next.

We prayed this prayer:

God our Father, by whom we are called to ventures of which we cannot see the ending and by paths as yet untrodden; give us faith to go out always with good courage, knowing that in the power of your Holy Spirit we are made strong and that your love will never fail us. Amen.

My prayer is that your New Year brings you new blessings, that it brings joy and peace to you and your family.

Happy New Year everyone.

From time to time I am drawn back to consider the IMPORTANT things in life.

Watching the Remembrance parade on the TV at the weekend, taking part in the Remembrance service at Church on Sunday; these all motivate us to reflect.

A number of years ago I remember reading about a lecturer who held up a jar in their class. In it they placed large rocks that represented the important things in life. The rocks reached the top. They asked the students – is it full? Yes, they replied. The lecturer then got some small stones and scattered them in and they went in the gaps between the rocks. This represented things that were quite important but not priority. Is it full now? Yes, they replied. They then poured sand in and the sand filled the spaces – this represents the normal everyday things we do all the time. Is it full now? Yes, they replied. Finally the lecturer emptied a jug of water into the jar and put a lid on. The lecturer helped them reflect that the important things would never fit if we fill our days with the ordinary and everyday, the extras, and everyone’s expectations first.

Take some time this week to consider what the important things are for you.

Reflect and give thanks for the people in your life that are the most important to you. Give them some of your time, your attention.

Consider the things in your life that take up your time – are they good for you, are they a distraction, could you look at it differently.

Pray for yourself. When we feel full and overwhelmed, ask for peace and perspective. When we need someone or something, pray for God’s provision and for the presence of the Holy Spirit. And when we feel able to, maybe consider and pray for those around you that you might help in times of stress.

May God bless you and all those who are dear to you.

May his love fill your life and show you your worth is more than you might think or believe.

May his peace, that passes all our understanding, keep your heart and mind in his love. Amen