There is someone in our family of whom we are rather proud – she’s just written and directed a new comedy series on the BBC called ‘The Other One’. The premise is that a man called Colin dies suddenly when it’s discovered that for decades he has actually had two families. And he has two […]
Apostles…
“These are the names of the twelve apostles. Peter… and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Batholomew: Thomas and Matthew the tax collector: James and Thaddaeus, Simon the Canaanean, and Judas, the one who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out..’ There’s a great song in the musical […]
A trinity of stories for Trinity Sunday
I remember that early on in this pandemic people kept saying that what was happening was ‘unprecedented’. I said it too. Because nothing like this has ever happened before – where I live and in my life time. But of course, the more I look across the world or through history the more I see […]
Mothering Sunday, Jesus and Covid 19- a reflection and prayer
A reflection for Mothering Sunday: Jesus said, ……How often have I longed to gather your children, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings; but you would not let me. Look! There is your temple, forsaken by God and laid waste. I tell you, you will not see me until the time when you […]
Mothering Sunday
Mothering Sunday from the minister of Taunton URC We are all having to find new ways of living our lives in so many ways. These are challenging times to live through and many of us will be feeling more anxious than normal, with many of the things that hold us steady in life suddenly […]
Prayer
O God, who is always with us and whose love overwhelms our fear, hold us through these days and weeks. May we find courage to endure and let there be flowers blooming in the wilderness. We place ourselves into your loving hands and offer our lives in your service. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Life transfigured!
The other day I was privileged to read an account of a glorious wedding. It took place in a hospice and the bride and groom were called James and Ellie. The staff of the hospice decorated the room with fairy lights, the local florist gave flowers for free, and a local cake maker a cake […]
Choose Life!
‘I call heaven and earth to witness … that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live.’ Deuteronomy 30:19 Choose life. Life is perhaps the greatest miracle of all. Sometimes it can seem like a burden, even on our worst days a […]
Salt and light in a beautiful world!
I’m sure you all know the song that Louis Armstrong used to sing in his distinctive and beautiful voice… I see trees of green, red roses too I see them bloom for me and you And I think to myself what a wonderful world I see skies of blue and clouds of white The bright blessed […]
Epiphany 2020
The beginning of a New Year might be as good a time as any to renew our faith or to find it somehow made new with some new revelation or ‘epiphany’. Of course, I can’t make that happen – it comes upon most of us as a kind of surprise mostly. But I offer something […]
Christmas day
Christians, as the world knows, are very fond of arguing. And some of our arguments just look ridiculous to the outside world. Just at the moment, the thing that Christians seem to argue about more than anything is sexuality. And some people look at us and shake their heads in dismay. But in different times […]
A virgin birth…
I know that a lot of people these days are fascinated to find out where they come from, who their ancestors were, even what their DNA reveals. You might have seen the adverts on TV encouraging you to treat a relative for Christmas to something called Ancestry.com. Perhaps you watch that TV programme ‘Who do […]