1st May 2026
In his ‘Thought’ for April 24, John pointedly remarked that we ‘rush our Easter celebrations too much’, simply wanting to get into the alleluia business right away, whereas in the gospels the Easter story is one of mixed bewilderment, doubts and even disbelief, and only then a dawning realisation that something almost inconceivable has happened. Perhaps the stories have become so familiar to us, that we feel we know what’s coming next and let them slide superficially over us, ignoring all they might have to say to us.
By chance, shortly after reading John’s piece I came across a two-verse poem by the Welsh poet and priest R. S. Thomas, who died in 2000. I was brought up short by his twist on the story of the two disciples meeting the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus. In the familiar gospel story, when they get to Emmaus Jesus evidently wants to go further but is persuaded by the disciples to stay with them, for it is evening. Thomas comments:
On a different road it is we
are for going on, but ‘Stay’
you say, contemporary with a future
never to be overtaken.
Here is a warning that today, collectively and individually, we are so anxious to be ‘getting on’, with often destructive results, rushing into ’fix-it’ wars and recklessly damaging creation, wanting to drag Jesus into our headlong rush, hoping to gain the whole world but losing our soul. In this context it is Jesus, not we, who says ‘Stay. Stop. Think. Reflect on where you really want to go.’ The future lies with Jesus, who is already here.
Keith Clements
29th April 2026
Walkers amongst you will be familiar with Trig Points. Some 6,000 remain dotted across the country, each set on the highest point of a hill or mountain. They take the form of a stone pillar about four feet high, with, on top, a triangular metal mount for a surveyor’s theodolite. From each, it is possible to see two other trig points. Using simple trigonometry, the dimensions of the imaginary triangle can be calculated. Using the same system, the exact location of all significant features in the triangle can be recorded, and accurate maps produced. This was how, ninety years ago, the Ordnance Survey produced the maps you and I have relied on to travel safely the length and breadth of Britain.
Imagine travelling without an accurate map; only a vague idea of what you might encounter, or where things might be; not sure of exactly where you are. This is what early non-conformist John Bunyan had in mind in writing ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’, published in 1678. The central character, ‘Christian’, journeys to the Holy City. It’s an allegory of our own journey through life; the experiences, and tests of faith, we are likely to encounter. You can follow the major stages of Christian’s progress in the Bunyan window, beside the organ at Tyndale… an updated guide will be in the church soon.
In 1936, the Ordnance Survey needed three points of reference to help us in our physical journeying. In the same way, I believe that to understand our journey through life – our pilgrimage of faith – we also need three reference points – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
David Bell
Sunday 26th April 2026
Join us in person or online for a streaming service via Zoom at 10.30 am – check your email or contact us for the details.
A recording of the service should be available here this afternoon.
24th April 2024
We rush our Easter celebrations too much. In the gospels, alleluias are not there at the beginning. Early in his ministry Jesus says that just as Jonah was three days and nights in the stomach of the large sea creature, so ‘the Son of Man will be three days and nights in the bowels of the earth.’ No rush here, but rather a time for rest and reflection [Matthew 12: 40].
The resurrection story starts with tears, fears, confusion and doubt. Significantly, the disciples met behind locked doors [John 20: 9, 26], whilst it was still dark when Mary Magdalene made her way to the garden tomb [John 20: 1] – how will she get access? But she does, and resurrection happens in our dark world too.
Women encountering the risen Christ, were charged with telling the disciples what they had seen. However, second-hand experience was not enough, and their testimony was rejected [Mark 16: 6, 13, Luke 24: 11]. Even face-to-face is not sufficient: some saw the risen Jesus as a ghost [Luke 24: 37-43], others as a gardener, and yet others as an ill-informed visitor to Jerusalem, ignorant of recent turbulent events in the city [Luke 24: 13-24].
But significant action brought change: ghosts do not eat food; saying ‘Mary’ was enough for the gardener to be recognised [John 20: 16]; and whilst the Emmaus travellers were not persuaded by Jesus’ explaining the fulfilment of prophecy, breaking bread revealed all [Luke 24: 15-32]. And for Thomas direct encounter – sight, voice and action – turned doubt into believing obedience [John 21: 24-9].
The end of the story is very different from its beginning. It is about a gift and a commission [John 20: 21-2]. The gift is of the Holy Spirit to empower the disciples after Jesus’ ascension, and the commission is to world-wide mission from which all including ourselves may benefit. 1 Peter 1: 3 speaks of ‘God in his great mercy by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead [giving] us a new birth into a living hope, reserved in heaven for you, which nothing can destroy or spoil or wither’.
John Briggs
22nd April 2026
Tomorrow is St George’s Day. Nobody seems to know why St George became the patron saint of England. He was born in Turkey and is popularly thought of as having slain a dragon. I have been to Turkey a couple of times but didn’t see any dragons – so maybe he slew them all!
In reality he was probably a Roman soldier who converted to Christianity and was martyred for his faith at the time of the Emperor Diocletian in the fourth century.
Then we have the flag of St George, with its red cross, as the flag of England. Writing in The Times last Saturday, the Archbishop of York pointed out that the red cross signifies sacrifice and the white background signifies purity and love. As it is flown over many churches and public buildings to mark this day, it will be misunderstood by many. In recent years this flag has been hijacked by people protesting against immigration and, in the more extreme cases attacking immigrants and the hostels where many of them live. And again this has been taken even further by some who attack people of certain races who are perceived as unwanted incomers to this country.
I see this evil as being embodied in the figure of a dragon, so perhaps we should see the St George’s flag, not as a symbol of misplaced ‘patriotism’, but as a reminder that the ‘dragon’, an evil thing, needs to be slain.
David T Roberts
Sunday 19th April 2026
Join us in person or online for a streaming service via Zoom at 10.30 am – check your email or contact us for the details.
A recording of the service should be available here this afternoon.
17th April 2026
The return of the Artemis II crew last Friday following their record-breaking flight to and from the Moon was surely a source of satisfaction for many of us. Apart from some minor difficulties with the on-board toilet, the mission seems to have gone rather well. By coincidence, fifty-six years ago today, the world was celebrating another safe return from space, but that happy outcome had been far from certain.
Commander Jim Lovell’s famous words, ‘Houston, we’ve had a problem,’ announced to NASA that the Apollo 13 mission had suffered damage to an oxygen tank, meaning that the planned moon landing wouldn’t take place and that the priority was now to get the three-man crew back to earth. The technical ingenuity of the scientists and engineers on the ground, matched by the skill, courage and fortitude of the three astronauts, eventually turned a near disaster into an against-all the-odds success, the three men safely recovered using the lunar module as an improvised lifeboat.
Nothing short of a miracle, some might have said, and, in truth, many around the world had no doubt been praying for those men to be swiftly re-united with their anxious families. But were such prayers necessary? What part, if any, did they play in that remarkable rescue? Prayer alone surely wouldn’t have saved Lovell and his two companions, but who can tell what difference it might have made to the sum total of human effort, determination and hopefulness underlying the eventual achievement of the goal? The moral for me is that in all our endeavours we give our utmost best, while trusting in the God who always gives us his.
Ken Stewart
15th April 2026
Finding God in the Stillness
In the busyness of life, it’s easy to move quickly past the quiet invitations God places before us. Yet again and again, scripture reminds us that his presence is not found only in the dramatic or extraordinary, but in the stillness, when we pause, listen, and trust. Often in the small everyday things of life. Perhaps this week you might consider where God might be gently calling you to slow down. It could be in a moment of prayer, a kind word to someone in need, or simply resting in his promises.
Faith is often built in these small, unseen moments. When we choose patience over haste, grace over frustration, and trust over worry, we reflect the heart of Christ in a world that deeply needs it. You may not see immediate results, but God is always at work, shaping us and working through us for his purpose.
A Prayer
Great God, help us to recognise your presence in the everyday moments of our lives. Teach us to slow down, to listen, and to trust you more deeply. Give us hearts that reflect your love and patience to those around us. Strengthen our faith, even in the small things, and guide us in your perfect will. Amen.
Sam King
Sunday 12th April 2026
Join us in person or online for a streaming service via Zoom at 10.30 am – check your email or contact us for the details.
A recording of the service should be available here this afternoon.
10th April 2026
At Easter we recall the story of Jesus, risen from the dead, joining two of his followers walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Last month the new Archbishop of Canterbury undertook an 87-mile, 6-day walking pilgrimage from St Paul’s Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral in preparation for her installation. BBC TV has just aired the latest series of “Pilgrimage” – yet more walking. What is it about walking and perhaps especially walking in company … that can sometimes turn a simple activity into a profound experience?
It’s been suggested that walking slows us down, and can strip away life’s complexity and busyness, somehow making the bare essentials clearer to see. Do we sometimes have more open and meaningful conversations as we walk alongside one another, rather than perhaps sitting across a room from each other? Walking together makes it easier to leave space for silence and thought between the words.
Travelling through the beautiful North Yorkshire and Northumbrian countryside (as seen in the Pilgrimage series) adds another inspirational dimension – how can the heart fail to soar confronted by such beautiful landscapes? There were lovely moments when these TV “pilgrims” spotted dolphins from their walk, and when they crossed the causeway to Lindisfarne in the stunning early morning light. In such wonder-full surroundings, we can find ourselves pondering what we really value in life.
Researchers are discovering that a sedentary lifestyle is bad news for our health. Just as movement is good for our health, a preparedness to journey on in our faith is surely good for us too. The journey can change us – whether that be a physical one or a virtual one.
Ruth Allen