Sharing some thoughts

  Harvest is one of the great occasions in the church – in years gone by some of you may remember walking into churches and literally being able to smell the fruit and the flowers…  Today harvest is often a little bit different, we often now see tins or packets being offered which are much easier to distribute or other donations requested, but what hasn’t changed is the importance of recognising the gifts we’re given and saying thanks to God for them. Through harvest festivals we’re able to provide some of the necessary things to be able to offer facilities such as the foodbank.  Surrounded by the gifts of God, we may remember the great harvest festivals of the past, and the trees changing colour for autumn – the slow onset of winter and the anticipation of advent and the festive season… It is true isn’t it, that as soon as harvest is gone, Christmas only seems a very short time away !  But today, through the readings, the hymns, the gifts here, and the trees outside, we can pause and

  The news at the moment is pretty full of things about the forthcoming American election. The election may be happening thousands of miles away but will have an effect on us all. This comes at a time when the Middle East is once again in a state of turmoil and where tragedy and pain are all too evident every day.   Even in this country where things are relatively stable, political posturing on all sides is something that we witness often. The desire for power, in some cases even control, is all too clear on the political stage, and, if we ’ re looking around, in so many areas of life.    The story in today ’ s gospel  ( Mark 10:35-45) has  two brothers, James and John, jockeying for positions of power in the Kingdom of God . The account   happens  just five days before Jesus' crucifixion. Four days before his betrayal and trial. One day before the clearing of the temple, and a few hours before the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.   If the Disciples were going to start prac

  Our gospel reading today (Mark 10:17-31) is a little uncomfortable for any of us with any money or possessions. Jesus is approached by this man who asks him what he must do to get eternal life... It seems that the man is looking for a checklist he can complete, but Jesus of course doesn’t give him a simple answer.  Instead, he says about keeping the commandments, and the man says he’s done that, but then Jesus adds, ‘... go, sell what you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come and follow me.’ This isn’t the answer the man wanted, but perhaps Jesus was pointing out the very thing that was stopping the man from really being willing to follow Jesus. This reading is often used in stewardship talks, when we’re asked to consider what we are giving to God. It is really important that we consider our giving, whether that be in money or time or anything else, in relation to what God has done and does for us, in relation to the love that was display

  Our gospel reading (Mark 9:30-37) describes a great journey – Jesus had been in the north of his country in Caesarea Philippi and was now travelling south through Galilee. It was a journey he would have done before but this time was special as he went to Jerusalem to die.    We are told that this was to be a quiet journey, he didn’t want crowds of people – in many ways his public earthly ministry was nearing the end… But Jesus did have things to do, and most importantly of all was to try and prepare his followers for what was to come, and so he told them that he was going to be arrested and killed, that he would die but on the third day would rise again… And the disciples didn’t understand.  And, on the journey, we are told the disciples argued but when Jesus asked them what they argued about, they wouldn’t say because they were ashamed to say that they had been arguing about who was the most important of them… As Jesus spoke of his arrest and death and resurrection, they argued abou