Author Archives: Barrie Cran

Reflection for 16th August 2020

by Alan Finch Readings: Genesis 45:1- 15; Romans 11:1 -2a,29-32; Matthew 15:10-28 Theme – To gain a new insight about the God-given preciousness of all people In the second part of today’s gospel reading we find Jesus confronted by a Canaanite woman who was obviously distraught because her daughter was being tormented by a demon, and I guess thatContinue reading “Reflection for 16th August 2020”

Reflection for Sunday 9th August 2020 by Barrie Cran

Readings: 1 Kings 19:9-18, Romans 10:5-15, Matthew 14:22-33 As I sit writing this there is a summer storm going through, the wind is howling, the rain hitting the windows hard and the family have lit the fire and settled down in front of the TV.  But if anyone has been out at sea in a storm,Continue reading “Reflection for Sunday 9th August 2020 by Barrie Cran”

Reflection for the 9th Sunday after Pentecost: Thankfulness

By Sue Berry Readings: Matthew 14:13-22, Romans 9:1-5, Genesis 32:22-31, Psalm 17:1-7,15 The gospel reading today is a very familiar story which appears in all four gospels. If we dig deeper into the story various elements become apparent. It begins where Jesus withdraws to a wilderness place having received the news of John the Baptist’s deathContinue reading “Reflection for the 9th Sunday after Pentecost: Thankfulness”

Curate’s Letter, August: Land Ahoy!

I wonder… have you come across the wonderful art of Kintsugi? This is the Japanese art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold. It embraces the idea in embracing flaws and imperfections, one can create an incredibly beautiful and unique work of art. By highlighting the scars, they become important parts of theContinue reading “Curate’s Letter, August: Land Ahoy!”

Reflection for Sunday 26th July. Acceptance and trust, by Alan Finch

Genesis 29:15-28; Romans 8:26-39; Matthew 13:31-33,44-52 I was really intrigued by the story of Jacob, Leah and Rachel so I went searching about for inspiration for this reflection and found some very interesting views on how to look at this story, and specifically a lady named Mandy Smith (on a website ‘crosswalk.com), who is anContinue reading “Reflection for Sunday 26th July. Acceptance and trust, by Alan Finch”

Reflections for Trinity 5, Sunday July 12th , 2020

Readings: Genesis 25:19–34, Psalm 119:105–112, Romans 8:1–11, Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23 The Parable of the Sower. Or is it? “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil,Continue reading “Reflections for Trinity 5, Sunday July 12th , 2020”

Reflection for Sunday 19th July, 2020

‘The Kingdom of God and the end of the age’, by Sue Berry. Readings: Genesis 28:10-19a Psalm 139:1-12,23-24, Romans  8:12-25 Matthew 13:24-30,36-43 Following on from last week’s story of the sower and the seed. This week’s gospel reading continues the agricultural theme in the parable of the wheat and the tares. A farmer sows seed in his field lookingContinue reading “Reflection for Sunday 19th July, 2020”

Prayers in the midst of a pandemic

May we who are merely inconvenienced remember those whose lives are at stake. May we who have no risk factors remember those most vulnerable. May we who have the luxury of working from home remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent. May we who have the flexibility to careContinue reading “Prayers in the midst of a pandemic”

Reflection for Sunday 5th July 2020 by Barrie Cran

Readings:Genesis 24:34-38;42-49;58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19;25-30 “He’s a nice man, a very nice man”.  That was the catch phrase of an advertisement for breakdown cover a few (probably many) years ago.  The idea that “nice” is something to aspire to is probably quite close to society’s view of the perfect clergy or other church leader.  We don’t wantContinue reading “Reflection for Sunday 5th July 2020 by Barrie Cran”