DAILY REFLECTION

Friday 22nd November

Let us commit ourselves anew to God’s call to safeguard the vulnerable. Let’s seek forgiveness for the failures of the past in our national church and ask God for the courage and integrity to move forward differently. May our church be a place of healing and safety—a place that reflects God’s heart and honours His call to protect the vulnerable and to love with integrity.

Prayer:

Father, forgive us where we have failed to protect. Heal those who have been hurt, and grant us the courage and humility to do better. May we be a church that reflects Your love and care, where all feel safe and valued. Lead us in Your ways, Lord, and help us to protect those You hold dear. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Revd Peter KIngerslev

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Thursday 21st November 

Walking Humbly

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." – Micah 6:8

We are called to walk humbly, recognizing our own failings and constantly seeking God’s guidance for the future. True humility involves taking responsibility and making things right. As a church, we must be willing to admit where we have gone wrong and commit ourselves to a different path, one that places the safety of the vulnerable at the centre of our mission.

This humility includes listening to survivors, learning from past mistakes, and refusing to tolerate anything that compromises the safety and well-being of the vulnerable. Safeguarding requires ongoing self-reflection, a willingness to change, and openness to accountability. As we strive to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly, we align ourselves more fully with God’s will.

Revd Peter Ingerslev

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Wednesday 20th November

Jesus set a high value of protecting the vulnerable

"If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck." – Matthew 18:6

Jesus placed immense importance on the protection of children and the vulnerable, warning about the consequences of leading them to harm. His words are strong because His love for children and the defenceless is strong. Jesus stands as a fierce protector, and we are called to embody His heart.

Safeguarding is essential to following Jesus. Let this truth drive us to root out any systems, practices, or attitudes that causes harm in our mission community. In Jesus' eyes, everyone is of infinite worth, and to harm them is to attack the very heart of God. We need to stand against anything that makes each other unsafe. In the Mini Messy Church and Open the Story in Forest Church including parents has been important to protect the children. With the elderly there also needs a vigilance of safeguarding as they can be vulnerable too. The training we are asked to undertake in the church helps us to be aware how to keep each other safe. But above it all we remember Jesus’ words love your neighbour as you want to be treated.

Prayer: Lord help us to bring the love of God to everyone we meet this week and to make them safe in that love. Amen

Revd Peter Ingerslev

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Tuesday 19th November

"Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! … You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured." – Ezekiel 34:2-4

The prophet Ezekiel rebuked Israel’s leaders for neglecting those under their care. They acted in self-interest, failing to protect the flock. God's message is clear: leaders who neglect their duty to care for and protect the vulnerable are failing not only the people but also God Himself.

In our churches, we cannot ignore or downplay, cover up harm by abuse, whether physical or emotional. When we fail to give love that God has given us for all people, we betray the mission Jesus has given us. Safeguarding is the culture of love that makes all of us safe from abuse, judgement, neglect or resentment in our community and is the essential part of the message Jesus. We are all injured when we hear harsh words spoken in our midst. We are all blessed when we see selfless love poured out to those amongst us especially to those who need it most.

This is the message of Christmas: Glory to God in the highest. And on earth: peace, goodwill toward men!"

Revd Peter Ingerslev

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Monday 18th November

This coming weekend it will be Safeguarding Sunday, a day when we acknowledge our sacred responsibility to protect and care for the vulnerable. But this year, we also face hard truths about how the church has fallen short in this calling, including a recent resignation at the highest levels over failures to report and address abuse.

We must begin with repentance—a genuine acknowledgment that people have been deeply harmed because leaders and communities sometimes failed to act with integrity and courage. Victims have carried pain, isolation, and trauma that could have been prevented and fear exposure. Our thought and prayers today must be for the survivors.

It reminds me of the women caught in adultery and church leaders using her to test Jesus. John 7:53–8:11 We don’t even know if she was a victim of rape or the circumstances of the situation but the man was not apprehended. The heart of Jesus was love and restoration.

“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, sir.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.

When you are the victim and are then held as the guilty one to be shamed and punished, it is double the trauma with no help or support to recover the trauma.

Please pray that the abused to speak out and be healed with Christ's love and ours.

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