Generosity is not always easy to accept.

On holiday earlier this year, Cath and I stayed in Cornwall, near where I grew up. For a week we stayed in what can only be described as a 5-star cottage. It had a conservatory, it had a beautiful garden complete with decking and flower beds. It had a TV with a BOSE sound system. It was peaceful, quiet and the weather was perfect. It was amazing. And the best thing? It was completely free…

by Reader Christopher Ward.

If I had to give a theological name to this Sunday, it would be BOGOF (Buy One Get One Free) Sunday, because, in our Gospel reading, we have not one, but two, magnificent passages of teaching from Jesus, both full of rich imagery and deep nuance.

The background is that Jesus is initially in Gennesaret, where his fame has spread, and many have come to him and been healed simply by touching his cloak…

by the Reverend Matt Harbage

During these lockdown times, many of us across the country have discovered (or rediscovered) gardening. Whether it’s tending to a garden or allotment of our own, or helping neighbours care for their patch, or growing pot plants: there can be real delight in seeing something grow. In our Gospel readings last week and now this week, Jesus draws inspiration from things growing…

Such a wonderful collection of readings this morning, all drawing from the everyday miracle that is creation. I know for many of us, and for me too, spending time in nature can lead to profound encounters with God. That’s not the way most of us would put it though; standing on the top of a mountain, often it’s more of a feeling of just how small we really are, and that feeling of our breath being taken away. Or walking in a forest and being overwhelmed by the variety of colour: More shades of green and brown than we could articulate…

by Reverend Matt Harbage Readings: Zechariah 9:9-12; Psalm 145:8-15; Romans 7:15-25a; Matthew 11:16-19,25-30. “Come to me,” Jesus says, “all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” I think...

Sometimes the Bible really comes alive, and a passage like our Gospel today does so for me. Maybe it’s the challenging talk of Jesus bringing a sword. As a pacifist such imagery makes me uncomfortable, as I think the only good sword is a broken one…

A few weeks into the lockdown, Catherine and I sat down to watch a documentary about a pro surfer called Bethany Hamilton. You may have heard of her. She competes at the very highest level all around the world.