Category: theological Page 7 of 8

Christmas and the shortest day

On December 20, 2011

nativity

Christmas is nearly here, 4 days to go! Still time for the last of the shopping to be done, still time for the last of the presents to be wrapped and put under the tree.

On my way to church today I passed a Dad and his son sawing off the bottom of the Christmas tree, making sure it fits inside the house.

And now we have arrived at the shortest day of the year, the darkness is nearly complete. Makes me feel like hibernating!

If you are outside in the evenings take a look at the stars.

Venus is brilliant in the west. The dark night sky is just perfect to think about the brilliance of the star that rested over Bethlehem to show where Jesus was born.

‘All out of darkness there came light, which made the angels sing that night.’

Revd Sue Martin

Curate at Gayton group of parishes

The First Candle!

By faithgoeswalkabout

On December 12, 2011

In church seasons, community, pastoral, theological

ad wreath

Third Sunday in Advent and will our first Advent candle make it to Christmas Day? Seemed to me quite a philosophical question once I had put to one side the implications of burning holly as the candle flame neared the crisp leaves.

We try hard to get everything ready, sermons prepared, carol services arranged, nativity scenes installed, tree festivals organised, ensuring of course that all are happy with their space in the church. And then something unaccountable and unforeseen takes place.

The first Advent candle runs out!! Disaster, wreath loses it’s beauty,flower ladies unhappy!!

‘Who bought the candles this year’ I was asked. ‘ Well I thought they were a good price.’ I answered in defence.

But let’s not lose sight of the main candle in the centre and the main reason why we are celebrating.

Preparation, getting ready…. better to make sure that we’re there, ready in our hearts on Christmas Day.

Revd Sue Martin

Curate at Gayton group of parishes

Questions, questions, questions !

By faithgoeswalkabout

On October 23, 2011

In church seasons, theological

jes What a strange week it’s been! World news, Libya and finding Gaddafii. Events in the city of London, protesters at St Paul’s saw the cathedral closed for the first time since the Blitz.

What is going on?
Whatever you may think about Libya, the country will now face a future, and with determination to get things right. One of the first things they will look at is the laws and rules of the country. More often than once has a country found itself free, but before long civil uprising has started.

Laws and rules are there to make society a better place.
Protesters at St Paul’s, especially interesting. They’re a peaceful group and seem to have done nothing about breaking any laws, they just want the position to be heard. I think you have to give space for people to be able to make a stand.

In Matthew 22:34 – end, Jesus is questioned by a lawyer about the greatest commandments.

“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
Jesus replies immediately, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, this is the first and the greatest commandment. And a second is like it, you shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Even for today, these two commandments form the basis of all the laws. For laws are there to follow and in any society they form the backbone of the moral and ethical rules. They reflect our inner call of love and understanding for others.

Sermon for this week has more….

Revd Sue Martin

St Nicholas Church Gayton

Michaelmass at Ashwicken

By faithgoeswalkabout

On October 14, 2011

In church seasons, community, pastoral, theological

On September 29th as the day turned to dusk, a small group met at All Saint’s Church, Ashwicken by the south tower to celebrate Michaelmass as an Evening with the Heavenly Host.

St Michael is an Archangel and the guardian angel of autumn and he also looks after the element of fire. He helps the farmers with their harvesting. He is the angel of courage and strength. He helps people to reap rich rewards for their labours earlier in the year and to celebrate their achievements.

Often portrayed on churches and in paintings he stands proud in his red clothing, killing the great dragon as we have heard in Revelations. His function also is to be the leader of the heavenly armies and drive rebel angels from heaven.

For a September evening, it was very warm and as we sang our last hymn the sun set behind the hill.

A beautiful end to the day.

Sermon and more details on Faith and Practice.

Revd Sue Martin

It’s Just Not Fair!

By faithgoeswalkabout

On September 17, 2011

In church seasons, Faith goes walkabout, theological

The Labourers in the Vineyard

viney

It’s just not fair is it? Why can’t I have the same as you? I was here first!

Matthew 20:1-16 The Labourers in the Vineyard

Manna from heaven and quails eggs weren’t enough!

How much longer are you going to take us into the middle of nowhere? What are we doing? Exodus 16:2-15

Questions questions, questions!

We have a very good sense of fairness, we should after all be treated in exactly the same way, shouldn’t we? We should all have the same rights to have just what we want. That’s right isn’t it? We should after all have the same money for the work we do, we all work hard don’t we?

What’s the answer? Read more in Faith Goes Walkabout under Trinity about these great stories.

Revd Sue Martin

Curate in the Gayton group of parishes, Norfolk

What do Tiggers and curates have in common?

By faithgoeswalkabout

On August 24, 2011

In community, pastoral, theological

The bishop of London, Richard Chartres, described his work and destiny as ‘ to be tossed about by storms while struggling to resolve the tension between leading and serving his people’

Taken from The Guardian 20.8.2011, A working life The bishop.

At heart do we all struggle with that kind of tension of what we should be doing and what we are actually doing?

A place at the top of the episcopal ladder is surely a daunting place and it was good to hear that eve with the work load that he has, his zeal for his ministry has not been zapped.

And as he says,” If I’m feeling weary, one morning, and encounter with a Tiggerish curate will cheer me up!”

How refreshing to know that a bit of Winnie the Pooh is alive and well and enchants us all. Must remember to remain like Tigger…

Revd Sue Martin

Curate at Gayton group of parishes

Oscar’s Baptism

By faithgoeswalkabout

On July 25, 2011

In community, pastoral, theological

Baptism Oscar {1} Welcome to Oscar Whales, aged 8 weeks, baptised at All Saints Church Ashwicken.

To my surprise this was my 12th baptism and so far so good. No tears, no cries, only some who tried to drink the water. Not so sure with Oscar how it was going to turn out?

Our tiny church in the fields was packed, family and friends, parents and godparents, Lots of laughter too.

After a short delay for Oscar in the vestry we started the service of Morning Prayer and Baptism. Baptism, the start of a Christian journey a welcome and the naming ceremony. Oscar is just a tiny baby and can’t possibly know what he is being let in for. But his parents and godparents take on that role for him and a promise to be there at his side.

Made me think of all the people who play an important part in our lives. People who have been such a help and have given the benefit of the doubt at difficult times.

As it turned out, Oscar seemed to enjoy the whole water effect and good as gold he was safely returned to Nicola, his Mum.

After the last hymn and more talk and laughter the family left for a celebration in their house across the fields.

Full sermon under Trinity

The Reverend Sue Martin

Freedom and Liberty

By faithgoeswalkabout

On July 9, 2011

In community, pastoral, theological

I was drawn to listen to the the Reith lectures by
Aung San Soo Kyi or as she is called in Burma, The Lady.

Her freedom taken away from her for many years and most recently under house arrest since 2006, now released but still in a situation whereby she has to do the lecture in secrecy, for fear of recrimination.
When her husband was dying in England she did not dare to request to visit or indeed to see her children. She feared that she would not be able to return.

In the first of the Reith lectures she talks about Liberty and the dedication of her life to gain freedom for the people of Burma. Living under a military dictatorship for so many years people are not free, they live in fear, they cannot communicate with others freely, they cannot move around the country or journey like other people can.

Her political party is the National League for Democracy, they are not asking for a huge amount in our eyes. We who live comfortably in a democratic country may have some grumbles but it is nothing to living under a dictatorship. She argues that the politics of dissent are a difficult place and need people who have passion, responsibility and a sense of proportion but also to have the strength to stand up against those who wish to determine your life for their own good.

Freedom is as given, not for those to seek to take it away.

Freedom is the greatest boundary, for although we are free to be our own masters, we are bound by our own inner laws and codes.

Taking away a person’s freedom is taking away that spirit. In the case of Aung San Soo Kyi and others the freedom is taken away because it is feared by those who issue the laws.

A stronger theological case is under Trinity on Faith Goes Walkabout given for my sermon, 2nd Sunday after Trinity.

And if you have chance download and listen to the Reith Lectures, it is given by Aung San with confidence and in truth.

Revd Sue Martin

The Season of Trinity

By faithgoeswalkabout

On June 28, 2011

In church seasons, pastoral, theological

green stole

The church year and the liturgical calendar are steeped in history.

The different times in the year have their own colours and green is the colour for Trinity.

The picture of the stole is taken from the collection by Juliet Hemingray, Church Textiles.

Trinity Sunday marks a significant time as the fulfillment of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

After Trinity Sunday falls another eighteen Sundays until we get to October 30th as the fourth Sunday before Advent.

This time is also called ordinary time, which means the counted weeks or the weeks through the year.

There is a new section -Trinity, on Faith Goes Walkabout. Although it does have reference to the Holy Trinity, it will include other postings and sermons to reflect aspects of our own lives.

In the meantime, I have finally purchased the stole from Juliet Hemingray, I will at last have the correct colour in a beautiful shade of green, with fishes and waves.

Sue Martin

Wind and flames

By faithgoeswalkabout

On June 12, 2011

In church seasons, community, theological

sunset Pentecost Sunday 12th June 2011

The best gift of all!

The Holy Spirit

Someone said the other day, what would have happened if Jesus had been born into our time, do you think he would have used emails, the internet, gone on long haul flights?

I’m sure he would, but the fact is that he can work wonders without electronic and technical communications, just wait and see.

Pentecost, the start of the church.

Jesus had been taken to heaven and now his gift, as promised, the Holy Spirit came in flying style to the disciples.

The church and Christianity started here!

At the feast of Pentecost there were a group of about 200 followers, the disciples, and Mary, mother of Jesus and his brothers. A sound from Heaven, like a strong wind appeared and tongues like fire rested on them.

If it happened today just imagine the scenes it would have caused.

It could have been used on a scene for Dr Who, but there are things that even a Time Lord can’t do.

A brief address is under Faith and Practice.

Sue Martin