Reflection: Sunday 26th September and for the week ahead:Scripture :“Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another”. (Mark 9.50)Reflection :What do Jesus’ words mean to you? What need do you have of ‘salt in yourself’? In what sense might the salt have ‘lost its saltiness’? Is it about flavour? Is it about purity? Salt as an antibiotic? Salt as a preservative? The idea that we would be more at peace with one another if we make sure we have salt in ourselves perhaps connects with all of these associations – inner health, tasteful thinking, the capacity to enhance a meeting… David Harmsworth
Services Sunday 26th September8am Holy Communion at St George's - led by Revd Ylva Blid Mackenzie10am HARVEST Holy Communion Family Service at St Nicholas - led by Revd Rosemary Kobus van Wengen
Reflection: Sunday 19th September and for the week ahead:Scripture :Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. (James 3:13-17)Reflection :James speaks in his letter about wisdom from above. Elsewhere in the Bible wisdom is described as a female presence, often equated with the Holy Spirit. The Book of Wisdom describes her in similar terms to James; she is gentle, peace-loving, graceful.James contrasts this wisdom from above with earthly wisdom. To be worldly shrewd is not a road to peace and happiness. It may make you gleeful in the short term, but sows the seeds of discord.It is important that every decision we take is born out of love and takes the longer perspective, God’s perspective.This week, use your imagination and find ways to serve those around you, not because they might do you a good turn in return, but because God loves them, just as he loves you. Revd Ylva
Reflection: Sunday 12th September and for the week ahead:Scripture :If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. (James 3.2-6)Reflection : It has been horrendous, these last months, to see the devastating fires that have raged in many parts of the world. Once they take hold it is almost impossible to control them.James compares the tongue to a starter of fires. One unkind remark, one unfounded accusation, one malicious rumour, can start a wildfire of gossip, often untrue or deliberately aken out of context. As it spreads it takes on a life of its own, accepted as ‘true’ because so many people believe it.As Jesus said, ‘The mouth speaks what the heart is full of”. It all starts in the heart. And so we pray: ‘Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name’. Revd Rosemary
