Angels from the realms of glory,Wing your flight o'er Ukraine's land,Where the battle cries still echo,And the prayers for peace still stand:Come and worship, come and worship,Worship Christ, the new-born King. Shepherds, in the fields now trembling,Watching as the war clouds rise,Still in faith, their hearts assembling,Looking to the distant skies:Come and worship, come and … Continue reading In Ukraine, the Skies are Darkened (Angels from the Realms of Glory)
Peace Shall Bloom Where Love Bestows (Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day)
Tomorrow shall be my dancing day,When peace will come and hearts will pray.Through lands torn by conflict, pain and fear,I bring the light that draws us near. "Blessed are the peacemakers," He said,For they shall find the path ahead.In Israel’s streets and Palestine’s plains,I walk with love to heal the stains. Tomorrow shall be my dancing … Continue reading Peace Shall Bloom Where Love Bestows (Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day)
World in Turmoil (The First Noël)
The first Noël, the angels did say,Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;In Israel’s land, where tensions now rise,A cry for peace echoes under dark skies.Noël, Noël,The world in turmoil calls,Noël, Noël,May peace descend for all.They looked up and saw a star shining bright,Beyond the wars, a symbol of light;In Gaza and … Continue reading World in Turmoil (The First Noël)
Disabled People and the Post-Covid Church: Exiled, Cast Out or Treated with Special Care?
Covid-19 has impacted us all; there is no question about that. Whether you have suffered with the virus yourself, watched as loved ones suffer and possible die, struggled with the uncertainty and restrictions or been revitalised by the change of pace and space from other people we have all touched. In the early days of … Continue reading Disabled People and the Post-Covid Church: Exiled, Cast Out or Treated with Special Care?
Love. Hate. Run?
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..."Matthew 5:43-44 I'll be honest, I don't really have an enemy. There is no one that I know who I really, genuinely hate. The closest are probably those on the … Continue reading Love. Hate. Run?
Changing Seasons
Less than two weeks ago the final post in our advent series of guest blogs launched into the blogosphere and subsequently we welcomed in the first day of Christmas, yet it seems much longer. I awoke recently to the radio and heard a discussion about whether the 5th or 6th January marks the 12th Day … Continue reading Changing Seasons
Love Abides
Written by Dawn Cole-Savidge Love may abide here I will, to abide in loveNot in loves absence I look a my babies overwhelmed by the love I have, literally overwhelmed. It's almost painful. This time last year my world was changed, I remember feeling terrified, unsure, out of my depth. I've watched them grow over … Continue reading Love Abides
Joy
By Matthew Forsyth At the start of my ministry journey at a local church in South London I remember saying at the start of my sermon ‘I am not here for your happiness but for your joy’ The faces of those in the congregation certainly seemed to reflect what is largely misunderstand about happiness vs … Continue reading Joy
Peace
Written by Tolu Awojobi Peace by Tolu Awojobi Tolu 'Teelow' Awojobi is an artist with The JC4Me Collective. This post is part of an advent series. Twenty-Four diverse voices have been invited to share some thoughts on one of four themes (Hope, Peace, Joy and Love) each day during the season of Advent. Each contributor … Continue reading Peace
Hoped For…
Written by Ashley Cooper Have you bought all your gifts yet? I imagine that more of our Christmas shopping will be done online this year than any other year. The internet is amazing, but I do miss going round the stores searching for that perfect gift. And when it’s for someone really special, we take … Continue reading Hoped For…
The Broken Church 