DAILY REFLECTION

Thursday 19th December

As a change of pace - whether we are frazzled from preparations for the festivities; from navigating national news and events; or whatever our own personal challenges might be, here is a lovely poem that encourages us to slow down, breath, and get ready to enter into the mystery of the Incarnation: 

 Walk Slowly by Danna Faulds 

 It only takes a reminder to breathe,

a moment to be still, and just like that,

something in me settles, softens,

makes space for imperfection.

The harsh voice of judgment drops to a whisper

and I remember again,

that life isn’t a relay race;

that we will all cross the finish line;

that waking up to life is what we were born for.

As many times as I forget,

catch myself charging forward, without even knowing where I’m going,

that many times I can make the choice

to stop, to breathe, and be,

and walk slowly into the mystery.

Revd Louise Grace

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Wednesday 18th December

Following the latest round of high profile revelations around safeguarding failure within the church, below is a link to survivors voices. Until we truly become a victim/survivor focused church, the cycle will not be broken. Any who need to be heard, I am available to you.  [email protected]  -  07779585908. Also, Katie Gray, our lead safeguarder, is available to you [email protected]  -  https://survivorsvoices.org/faith-and-abuse/ 

Dear God,

Help us to be a church that:

Loves, welcomes, protects.

Listens, learns, serves.

Repents, restores, transforms.

Values, cares, believes.

God of Justice and compassion, hear our prayer.

Help us, heal us, guide us, we pray.

In Jesus name.

Amen.

Revd Louise Grace

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Tuesday 17th December

 More resources as we journey towards Christmas together, following the star Click Here

Revd Louise Grace

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Monday 16th December

 For all those who are looking after children and grandchildren these weeks around Christmas, here is a signpost to some activities to help connect and engage (including online nativity): Click Here

Revd Louise Grace

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Thursday 12th and Friday 13th Combined

Angels were sent to comfort as well as challenge. Many many people are going through grief, sickness, loneliness, all sorts of vulnerabilities, and the bonhomie of Christmas time can seem to magnify their pain. The 'do not be afraid' greeting of the angels, then, can have a dual meaning: yes, your life is changing and it brings with it pain; but do not be afraid, for God is closer to you than you can ever imagine. Jesus himself confirmed this in what is often called his manifesto speech - the sermon on the mount, which has the Beatitudes central: Blessed be the poor, the persecuted, the grieving....We have been saying the beatitudes during the 10am Eucharists during Advent; hopefully we hear echoing behind the greetings of the Christmas angels: Do not be afraid.

For those who need this type of comfort, compline on Monday evenings, on zoom, is a steady beat of drawing close to God's heart while also being present, through sharing and prayer, to the difficulties of life, communal as well as personal. Within the compline liturgy, there is again a wonderful line of angelic assurance: He shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.

Revd Louise Grace

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Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th Combined

The nativity story is full of angels: the annunciation to Mary, the dreams of Joseph, the glorious appearance to the shepherds.

A common theme is that the angels preface their messages with 'do not be afraid '.

Of course they came to bear tidings of life changing importance, and their audience were often in danger or much was being asked of them.

Also, in the culture of the time, angelic appearances were startling rather than twee, underlining that this was a moment of great awe and divine challenge.

'do not be afraid ' would be precisely the encouragement needed to step forward onto the holy ground, the way, that the angels beckoned to.

Revd Louise Grace

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Monday 9th December

One of the themes that is being studied by folks across the benefice this advent is 'Angels'. Here is one of the most popular carols at Christmas that reference angels Click Here

Revd Louise Grace

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