Daily Reflections for week beginning 20th January

DAILY REFLECTION - 2025

Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th January

Anna Chaplaincy

The wonderful gift of the Candlemas story is that it highlights intergenerational encounter of God - the infant, the new parents, the elders.

It draws our focus back and forth between the old and the young.

The benefice over the past 12 months has moved to bring in training, system and support for elder care and outreach through the Anna chaplaincy. The following is written by Elizabeth Reed, who is co ordinating the Anna chaplaincy in our benefice.

Anna Chaplaincy is named after the faithful older widow in Luke's gospel story of Simeon and Anna. The approach is now central to a national initiative from Bible Reading Fellowship, (BRF) which advocates ways of supporting older people emotionally and spiritually. Such a spiritual focus may express itself in helping people to reflect upon their life's journey - both the joys and the challenges - and where appropriate, enable the healing of memories and the celebration of life-experiences so as to foster hope and resilience. Anna Chaplains and Anna Friends also have a wider role within the community, as advocates and champions of the contribution older people make to society.

Revd Louise Grace and Elizabeth Reed

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Monday and Tuesday 27th and 28th January - combined

Last Sunday at the family communion service, we explored the story of Candlemas, the taking of the infant Jesus to the temple, where the holy family found blessing through the aged Simeon and Anna.

It is always a moving depiction, of all generations - infant child, new parents and aged elders - coming together to praise God and face the future in community.

The prediction of the Christ child's future, however, was far from all rosy - indeed Simeon declared that a sword would pierce Mary's soul, because of the unfolding of her son's destiny.

I wonder always what the Christ child would have pondered about his path ahead, what needs he had that would enable him to grow in strength and wisdom. We hear in the Gospel reading for Candlemas what the adults had to stay, but the child's voice, literally (because he was an infant) stays hidden.

However, we can put at the centre our children's voices - in community we can prioritise that enabling, rather than presuming we know what they need, understand their paths completely before they can even walk.

I asked the children present what they need from us as adults to help them as they find their own way forward. The answers were revealing: 1. Spend time with us. 2. LISTEN (it was said emphatically!). 3. Come and play.

Out of the mouths of children....

Revd Louise Grace

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Friday 24th January

Reading: Psalm 17

1 Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry;
give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.
2 From you let my vindication come;
let your eyes see the right.

3 If you try my heart, if you visit me by night,
if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me;
my mouth does not transgress.

6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my words.
7 Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O saviour of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.

8 Guard me as the apple of the eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,

Reflection: Psalm 17 is a heartfelt prayer from David, asking God to hear his cry for justice. He asks God to look at his life and know that he has tried to live honestly (as we try to, as well). David served Saul faithfully. He must have questioned why God allowed Saul to hound him so that he had to hide in caves.

But David trusts that God will answer him because of His great love. We can trust that God hears us too even when he appears to be silent! He asks God to protect him from all that might harm him. Let’s ask him to protect us as well!

Thought for the day: God hears our honest prayers. When we live with integrity, we can trust that He will be there to protect and guide us, just like He did with David. May you have the reassurance that, as the great hymn says, “ It is well with my soul”.

Have a great weekend even in the forecast storms.

Revd Peter Ingerslev

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