​As a point of interest one of the quotes I have used has been adapted from the Talmud (The primary source of Jewish law) I have learnt much from my teachers, but much more from my friends, I think maybe Jesus new this as well, he understood that things had to change an example had to be set, he himself was a teacher but his example is to those in legal authority over the populace. 

At the start of the sermon I pointed out the saying from Octavia Hill, she was born in 1838 and died in 1912, the quote was written in 1888, when I first read it I thought how true she was. But my theme today has touched on the voracity of our need for truth in our day to day life. Yes we all want quite, we all want beauty…. We all need space. She carries on to say that unless we have it, we cannot reach that sense of quite in which whispers of better things come to us gently.

To be continued...

Sometimes in the News when we listen to a discussion or debate all that is discussed seems common sense, we then collectively ask why action has not been taken before, but usually things are not that simple. We are all aware of those biased voices out there that tell us what to think & how to act. Some of you may remember that when I last took a service I mentioned that the next two services would focus on “Words”
 
One of my quotes for today was made by Octavia Hill (1883) “We all want quite. We all want beauty….. We all need space. Unless we have it, we cannot reach that sense of quiet in which whispers of better things come to us gently”

To be continued...

Come, pilgrim people. Come too worship the liberator and the peacemaker who rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Come to worship pilgrim people.

​Following are some extracts from my Palm Sunday service, it was intended to be the second of a trilogy based around words.
 
In these uncertain times I felt some of these words are ones we all need to remember.

Kate Brealey writing in Fresh From The Word, children have a knack for picking up words and phrases and repeating them loudly in public. Some children at the temple echoing or mimicking the cry of the crowds as Jesus entered Jerusalem, (v14-15) perhaps re- enacting the events as they play. Do the little ones understand what they are saying? And possibly even of more relevance to the adults, did they fully comprehend how things were playing out.
 
To be continued...

​This morning (Saturday 22nd March) I read a passage from Word for today and looked up where their reading came from. It was 2 Timothy 3. You may wish to read the whole chapter in your own time. Whilst reading the chapter myself it struck me how poignant it was for the position our world is in now. 

Verse 2 starts “People will be lovers of themselves.” This is what we have seen recently in the actions of some selfish people who have hoarded essential items and cleared the supermarket shelves so there is nothing left for anyone else. The media has shown us hard-working nurses in tears because they can’t find anything to eat. A friend of mine in Inner London, who is diabetic, dined on croissant with anchor butter, a Dairy Lea triangle and a Mars bar because he couldn’t find anything else other than salad which he’d had enough of the day before. 

It mentions the people being “Disobedient to their parents” too. This week our parent is the British government giving us daily guidance on how we should behave but if you look at stories on the internet or walk to the shops you will still see people not heeding the advice and standing around chatting in groups and on Friday still going to pubs and restaurants when the Prime Minister had pleaded with them not to because they are putting not just themselves at risk but all the keyworkers too. 

It made me laugh, however, when I read Verse 9 “But they will not get very far because…their folly will be clear to everyone.” Toilet roll jokes have been rife on the internet!

However, it is not all doom and gloom. This week in Havering we have heard of church friends doing exactly as they are told particularly the elderly and vulnerable and our church members are supporting them with regular phone calls and help. We have seen acts of random kindness from total strangers who have helped our church members out. One member at Trinity had her shopping paid for by the woman standing behind her in Aldi after she discovered she had left her purse behind.

So for those of you who are struggling, keep strong and let the result of your faith continue to support and uphold each other.

Anonymous

To the Heath and Havering Group of Churches,

As our magazines go to press, some of our members are confined to their homes,
our children too, are no longer attending their schools and universities….and perhaps most significantly the doors of our churches are closed!

Nevertheless, we will have found time to celebrate ‘Mothering Sunday’; time to stress the importance of the Church and the role of mothers in our lives. Time to show how much their love means to us, and has meant to us, and to recognise the love they show speaks to us of God’s love for all.

Moving on, we will soon be making our way through Holy Week to the Glories of Easter. Whatever problems or troubles may weigh us down, Jesus, through His death on the cross, is able to carry those burdens and so set us free to live life to the full!

In the words of the prophet Isaiah, ‘Surely He has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the punishment that made us whole, and by His bruises we are healed.’ (Isaiah 53:4&5)

There are many astonishing comebacks in our world, but none is anywhere near so amazing or half as wonderful as the resurrection of Christ which we celebrate on Easter Day. Our Bible tells us that Jesus had come back, just as he promised he would! He is alive! Victorious over death and evil,returning to give new life to His followers! Hallelujah, Thanks be to God for the gift of His Son!

This letter would not be complete without saying thank you to all who have shown such wonderful love and concern for their fellow members, friends and neighbours during this unsettling time.Truly demonstrating what the Queen said in her letter to the nation, ‘...Concentrating our efforts on a common goal’.

And Jesus said, ‘Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.’ (Matthew 5:16)

May God bless you and keep you safe.
​
Wishing you every blessing,
Ann