This week’s reading from the First Letter to Timothy celebrates Saint Paul’s remarkable transformation from “a man of violence” to a servant of Jesus Christ. Paul admits, more than once in the New Testament, that he had tried to destroy the new faith with the utmost brutality. But - in a moment of blinding light and a call from Jesus - he changed completely and devoted his life to spreading the Gospel. We can take great encouragement from this. If he could become a faithful servant of Christ, then so can all of us, whatever our inner struggles, faults, and past and current failures! We just need, like him, to recognise our frailty and open ourselves to the “grace of our Lord” overflowing “with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”Rev Richard
I’ve just returned from three days of walking the final stretch of the Norfolk Coast Path with a couple of friends. Having started in Felixstowe last year, it was a significant moment to reach the border at Sutton Bridge and celebrate having two counties under our belt, but now looking on to what Lincolnshire brings. It takes a degree of physical and mental stamina to walk long distances, and it made me think about the apostles and saints who committed their lives to walking literally thousands of miles to share the good news of the gospels as widely as possible. The most dangerous creatures we encountered were cows and mosquitoes, but they would have had to fend off far worse. In our gospel reading, Jesus makes clear the kind of commitment needed to be a true follower of his. Everything else is to be laid aside. It’s a time to ask ourselves if we are ready and have what it takes to make that commitment.Rev. Liz
On Tuesday we had our first Art Explorers Day in collaboration with Pro-Community CIC. The doors opened at 10am, offering many different activities for individuals to enjoy. These included: Knitting, crochet, and pom-pom making; Junk modelling and painting; Binoculars/Telescopes made from loo rolls and people made from wooden spoons; Colouring and origami; Weaving boards, yarn wrapping animals for the younger ones and people made with loo rolls and yarn, fairy wands and stitching; Collage using mixed media; Pyrography; Selection of nature trails; Community canvas; Lego; Games.Free knitted teddies for the children. 26 volunteers staffed these tables. The day was an immense success with over fifty individuals taking part. Tea and coffee were available throughout the day for a donation provided by our own tea ladies from The Minster. An Italian vegetable stew with a pesto drizzle and a roll was served for lunch for donations provided by the Bakehouse. Activities were made available until 3pm when the doors were closed. On reflection this was a delightful day had by all. Looking forward to the next event.Rev. Jassica
This week, the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle, one of the Twelve chosen by Jesus. Though the Gospels tell us little about him, tradition holds that Bartholomew is the same person as Nathanael and carried the Gospel to foreign lands and gave his life as a martyr for the faith. When Jesus first met him (John 1:47). Bartholomew was recognized for his honesty, openness, and purity of heart. Because of this, he was able to recognize Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel.The life of Saint Bartholomew reminds us that discipleship begins with a willingness to be transparent before God. Jesus sees us as we are—our doubts, struggles, and weaknesses—but He also sees our capacity for faith, hope, and love. Like Bartholomew, we are called to be without guile, to live authentically, and to allow Christ to transform us into witnesses of His Kingdom.Bartholomew’s quiet but faithful witness encourages us to live with courage and integrity, trusting that even if our names are little-known, our lives can proclaim Christ to the world.Fr Simon
