The Fifth Sunday of Lent
When it comes to thinking about death, we have a straight choice: either we can pretend our death will never happen; or we can face our death head on. Our gospel reading sees Jesus coming face to face with what awaits him. His hour has come.
The Fourth Sunday of Lent / Mothering Sunday
On Thursday this week, which was International Women’s Day, a message tweeted from the women on hunger strike at the Yarls Wood immigration detention centre included the words: “We feel voiceless, forgotten and ignored. We needed a voice and more importantly we needed someone to listen…”
The Third Sunday of Lent
How do we know the right way to behave in any given situation? Rules or commandments, including the Ten Commandments, often seem to be the answer and every society or organisation, including our schools, needs a set of rules as a baseline for acceptable behaviours.
Time to Talk
A few years ago I was asked to take the funeral of a woman whom I hadn’t known but who’d lived in the parish where I was vicar at the time.
The Second Sunday of Lent
Our Gospel today begins with Jesus’ prediction to his disciples that he will undergo great suffering and be rejected. Rejected. Think about that word for a moment.
The First Sunday of Lent / Giving Sunday
I want to tell a story about money and church. It’s a story that I believe makes sense of what it means for a church like St Martin’s to ask the members of its congregation to reflect on whether they might be able to consider giving a little more of their own money to enriching the quality and breadth of our common life.
The Second Sunday before Lent
The Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has spent four years making a film called Human Flow. In order to make it he visited 23 nations and 40 refugee camps.
The Fourth Sunday of Epiphany / Homlessness Sunday
To be street homeless – to be a person who sleeps outside – is to face many challenges every day. The day probably begins early: the patch on which you’re sleeping is likely to be needed as an access door, or your presence is challenged by a park attendant or security guard.
The Third Sunday of Epiphany
Out of the blue a couple that were married here at St Martin’s 7 years ago, got in touch this week. Amy shared news that they now have two young children and described where work had led her and her partner. She also wanted to ask if her parents, who were also married here over 40 years ago, could renew their wedding vows in a simple service.
