The Woman who touched Jesus, Healing of the Woman with a Haemorrhage.  Mark 5: 21-end  

Who touched me?

In a crowd of people, Jesus asks who touched my clothes?

Have you ever been in a crowd of people, with people getting far too close, squashing in from all directions, crowds can be very unsettling anyway.

The disciples said to Jesus, “You see the crowd pressing in on you, how can you say, who touched me?”

How often do we sense that feeling of connectedness? But do ever do anything about it? Not that we ever have the power to perform such miracles. But every day occurrences leave us with a chance to make a difference.

Extract from Sermon on 1st July.

Rev’d Sue Martin

I was ordained priest 9 years ago on 4th July 2009 at Norwich Cathedral. My first celebration of the Eucharist was at All Saint’s Church Ashwicken. Today, 9 years later I celebrated Eucharist on 1st July 2018, at All Saint’s Church with a wonderful group of people. Amazing!!

Time for a celebration drink and prayers for all the blessings received and the places I have been in the last 9 years.

And the journey and adventure just keeps on going…

Rev’d Sue Martin

Diocese of Norwich

The image is of the foot of the cross in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, which was built over the site of the crucifixion and Golgotha. We visited the church on our pilgrimage in 2015 and a fellow pilgrim took the photo of me, I was unaware at the time.

Arriving at Good Friday, the story of Jesus takes its inevitable twist into suffering and the passion of our Lord.

If we had been there would we have acted any different to the crowd? Maybe at best we would have walked away.

We know that Jesus was left by his disciples and followers as they hid from the soldiers and the baying crowds. But what would we have done?

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died.
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were an offering far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Isaac Watts(1674-1748)

Golgotha

Rev’d Sue Martin

And his name is Jesus!

Palm Sunday with donkeys, Jimmy and Timmy.

On a warm Spring afternoon in the depths of Norfolk countryside, Jimmy and Timmy led our congregation from Abbey Farm to St Mary’s in East Walton.

Watching us from the chancel Jimmy had a quiet word with Timmy.

A beautiful reminder of the welcome given to Jesus as he rode in majesty into Jerusalem.

A wonderful way to start Holy Week in the Gayton, Grimston and Great Massingham benefice in West Norfolk.

Rev’d Sue Martin

Reflecting on a pilgrimage to Papua New Guinea in 2015 with Norwich Diocese UK, Rockhampton Diocese, Australia and Waiapu Diocese, New Zealand.

Meeting so many people of strong Christian faith, real joy.

Video of traditional greeting at Kimbe airport in West New Britain island, expresses the pleasure in dance and in greetings of welcome on to their land.

Scene  from Mt Tabor

Three years ago I come back from the Holy Land where I had first-hand experience of Mount Tabor, seeing and walking  in in the place where the Transfiguration happened.

What was it that Jesus was asking his disciples here? Why once again, did he just take Simon Peter, James and John? How amazed were they as they stood and watched Jesus transform into dazzling brightness, how unbelievable that as the cloud descended there beside Jesus, stood Elijah and Moses?

Mt Tabor is a mountain that stands clear above the plain of now farmed land, it’s a proper mountain shape and as you ascend to the top, it feels very much like being on the top of the world.

And Jesus took the three there to try to open their eyes to what was happening.

Often in Jewish scriptures we hear of the ‘veil of ordinariness that normally prevents us from seeing the inside of a situation. This is a view and an insight into God’s kingdom, Jesus really did appear as the Messiah. The disciples were transfixed. They could see with their eyes wide open, the veil was removed.

There is now the magnificent Church of the Transfiguration on Mt Tabor and you can see more on my Holy Land blog.

Rev’d Sue Martin

When the presents are unwrapped and the food is all eaten, what happens next?

In recent traditions Boxing Day and the days of holiday time, are spent in doing things, going for a walk, taking the dog and the children to the beach,visiting friends, visits to the cinema, planning the holidays ahead.

We were a little ahead this year and made the annual visit to the pantomine before Christmas, But such good fun and sharing time with family and friends is just the best thing.

But in all of that time, let’s not forget Jesus, he is  Christmas. And then let’s go out into the world and journey on.

When the song of the angels is stilled
When the star in the sky is gone
When the Kings and princes are home
When shepherds are back with thei flocks
The work of Christmas begins.
To find the lost
To heal the broken
To feed the hungry
To release the prisoner
To rebuild the nations
To bring peace among people
And to bring love to the heart.  Prayer – Anon

Rev’d Sue Martin

A time of festivity, of giving, a time of love and laughter, of friendship and togetherness.

Twinkling lights in the midst of darkness, presents and gifts, trees brought in the house and traditions to mark this special time.

Christmas, the time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, Son of God into the world.
Christ among us.

The story of the Nativity, the journey of Mary and Joseph, the manger and the stable, the shepherds on the hillside, the wise men traveling from afar.

The brightest of stars marking the place where Jesus lay in Bethlehem.

Read more on pages of Christmas at Faith Goes Walkabout

Rev’d Sue Martin

Advent – The Messenger

All out of darkness we have light

Which made the angels sing that night

Glory to God and peace to men

Now and for evermore.

Amen

The messenger! And who sends the messenger?

An important message, in fact a very important message, probably the most important message in the world!!

A message from whom?

Who is it that is calling out to us in the time of darkness, nights getting longer and days getting shorter, it’s getting closer and closer… Read more in Advent

Rev’d Sue Martin