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.
Kalpana, brothers and sisters in the Himalayas. We support them.
Lent is a time for reflection and for giving things up. But why can’t it also be a time for joy!
This year as part of a Lent Reflection I will be posting about joy.
Joy can be seen all around us, it is infectious and children share it very easily.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy. It is for all the people“. Luke 2, verse 10.
What better news could there be.
Joy, happiness and blessings in abundance.
Rev’d Sue Martin
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
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
Poppy at King’s Cross London
I think myself as lucky for being part of a generation that has not known war close at hand. But I have know the effect on lives of people close to me, through injuries, illness and often very long term effects of all aspects of war.
Many have experienced war, both in the past and in recent times.
Nowadays we are always reminded about wars in different parts of the world.
Our toll of lives lost across the world goes on, more soldiers and air personnel killed, more people back home having lost someone very close to them.
But today is about remembering, Remembrance Service, held every November to mark Armistice Day, the marking of the symbolic end of the First World War on November 11th 1918. And special today as we are here on November 11th.
The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
The armistice was signed between the Allies and Germany at Rethondes in France for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front. Although hostilities continued in parts of the Russian Empire and in parts of the old Ottaman Empire.
The cruelest of wars which lasted from 1914 – 1918. A war fought in the most abysmal of conditions and with such an enormous waste of life.
If we remember we hope it will not happen again.
More in Sermons 2017
Rev’d Sue Martin
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