Faith Goes Walkabout

Thoughts and reflections

Kalpana in Nepal

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On June 13, 2016

In Faith goes walkabout, Nepal, pastoral

Kalpana in NepalWe have been supporting Kalpana and her family in Nepal for five years now. She is the oldest girl in her family and they live in the countryside and mountains of Nepal.

We were delighted to receive these photos of her with her brothers and sisters, looking so happy and a real family.

We send money to Kalpana’s uncle, Bhim Bahadur Sunawar to help give Kalpana an education. Although recently, the money has been needed just to help with their housing and shelter after the earthquakes.

I journeyed to Nepal in 2010 on the Everest Base Camp Trek. I suffered badly from Altitude sickness 2 days from the base camp at 14,000ft and Bhim was the guide who walked me down the mountains on our own over 4 days.

The link on the photo will take you to the blog.

If we can help in some way to support Kalpana and her family we know this goes directly to making her life better.

We send money, books and clothes and hope one day to visit again with a Books Go Walkabout project.

Revd Sue Martin FaithGoesWalkabout.org

Kalpana in Nepal2

Queen Elizabeth at 90

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On June 11, 2016

In pastoral

Image 2A weekend of celebrations to mark our Queen’s 90th birthday.
We wish her a very Happy Birthday.

Great Britain has seen major changes in her time, the Commonwealth countries many of which have become independent still have links with the Queen, the Church of England has seen many changes and different archbishops, her own personal life has been fraught at times with difficulties, but has shone through as a family.

As an individual she has great character and remains at the head of all of that at 90.

I looked at her coronation speech and in it she says,

‘I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust.’ Taken from the Queen’s Coronation Speech June 2nd 1953

That was 63 years ago. That is some life commitment to your work! No wonder Prince Harry suggests she should take a day off!

A time to share and to celebrate the life and work of Queen Elizabeth the Second.

Rev’d Sue Martin Faith GoesWalkabout

The Pilgrim’s Progress

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On May 19, 2016

In pastoral, theological

The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan was first image1-41.jpg  published in 1678. It is undoubtedly a book that many of heard of and refer to, but I wonder how many have actually read the book?

With that thought in mind, I decided I really must get on and read it. If my reading list had not included A Pilgrim’s Progress, during my ordination training, then now was the time to amend that.

I am enjoying the book immensely, the lessons to be learnt along the way, the characters of dubious intentions, along with characters who just complete the journey as far as they are able, and then fall to the way side, or return to the safety of the begining.

It is not for me, a book which I can read quickly or devour in one energetic reading frenzy. It leaves me with a need to spend time in my own thoughts about the events and of course to reflect and try and learn from my own life experience.

The journey starts at the City of Destruction and we first meet Christian as he leaves his home, his family and the city. He meets Obstinate and Pliable who try to dissuade him from this journey, but he continues with Pliable and directed by Evangelist.

The first obstacle is the slough of despond, in which they both start to sink. Pliable gets himself out and immediately returns home. Christian with his heavy pack on his back sinks further until he is helped.

‘Why did you not use the steps?’ he is asked. Christian replies that he was so frightened that he stepped straight in!

One of the aspect Bunyan uses well is the name of the companions and people on the way. A brilliant way of knowing and understanding the people.

I will continue with A Pilgrim’s Progress and even if I continue to step off my own path from time to time, I know that the eventual journey is leading me in the right direction.

Rev’d Sue Martin

Easter 2016

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On March 27, 2016

In Easter

Easter  March 27th 2016

Alleluia, Christ is Risen!

The Easter story is at the heart of Christianity.

Easter is the most important festival in the Christian calendar. It celebrates the resurrection  of Jesus, three days after he was executed.

The story has some very significant dates and places. In the week leading up to Easter, which is called Holy Week, the pace changes dramatically from the entry into Jerusalem on a donkey on Palm Sunday, followed by Fig Monday, when Jesus finds a fig tree with no fruit, to table Tuesday, when Jesus enters the temple and becomes angry at the tables of the money lenders,the Wednesday when a woman anoints him with oil, and then to Maundy Thursday and the Last Supper.

After Jesus was crucified on the Friday , his body was taken down from the cross, and buried in a cave tomb. The tomb was guarded by Roman Soldiers and an enormous stone was put over the entrance, so that no-one could steal the body.

Easter Sunday marks Jesus’ resurrection. On the Sunday, Mary Magdalene, visited the tomb and found that the stone had been moved, and that Jesus’ body had gone. Jesus himself was seen that day by Mary and the disciples, and for forty days afterwards by many people

He is risen indeed, Alleluia!

Rev’d Sue Martin

The Stations of the Cross on Good Friday

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On March 25, 2016

In church seasons, Easter, Faith goes walkabout, theological

Via Dolorosa

Station 1

Last year on pilgrimage to the Holy Land we walked along the Via Dolorosa.

The Via Dolorosa, or the Way of Sorrow, winds along the narrow streets of Jerusalem’s Old City. It is the traditional route and follows the way of Jesus as he carried his cross from Pilot’s Judgement Hall to Golgotha, the site of the crucifixion.

Along this route are the Stations of the Cross, where each station or place, marks an event as Jesus walked along the way.

 

Saturday 31st January, we walked along the Via Delarosa, entering Jerusalem through St Stephens’ gate and stopped a while by the Pool of Bethesda. The day was sunny and bright, it was remarkable to feel so close to that day over two thousand years ago. But in the midst of walking along this route, there was a discovery of ourselves, our belief and our Christianity.

Through the streets we walked, in a group at times, and at times as individuals, with other people, tourists, local people, shop sellers. What had happened here to Jesus, could just have happened yesterday. It was in the midst of this life of a busy, bustling city where crowds gathered that saw the mood of Jerusalem change from a welcome to Jesus who had healed and performed miracles to the scourging, agony of carrying the cross and to the crucifixion.

Lost for words I walked the streets, I saw the sights, the people and the gifts for the tourists who cared to stop and to buy. The readings that we shared together at each of the stations are shortened and held as memories of that time, in that place and on that day. At some of the stations we hear about those in the crowds who helped, who are reminders of our own humanity for others who are suffering.

At each station Bishop Graham read a passage from the Bible and prayers were said at each place using www.oremus.org.

First Station

Jesus is condemned to death.

‘ Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium‘ John 18:28

Second Station

Jesus takes up the cross.

‘Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him.’ John 19:1,

‘Then they handed Him over to them to be crucified.’ John 19:16

‘ Give us courage to take up our cross and follow you.’

Third Station

Jesus falls for the first time.

‘He would console me, and give me back my life, is far from me.’ Lamentations 1:16

Fourth Station

At the corner of 2 streets. Jesus meets his mother.

‘All you that look and see; is there any sorrow like the sorrow that afflicts me?‘ Lamentations 1:12

Let us never fail to call out for all those who suffer.

Fifth Station

Simon the Cyrenian carries the cross.

‘ They enlisted a passer by, Simon of Cyrene, father of Alexander and Rufus, who was coming in from the country, to carry His Cross. Mark 15:23

Those who come after me, take up the cross. My yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Sixth Station

Veronica wipes the sweat from Jesus face.

‘ May the Lord’s face shine upon you.‘ Numbers 6:25

Nothing is too big or too small for us to give or offer.

The chapel of the Little Sisters of Jesus is now thought to be on the site of Veronica’s house.

Seventh Station

Jesus falls a second time, at the place of the death notice.

‘With their affliction, He was afflicted. In His love and in His pity He redeemed them.‘ Isaiah 63:9

Help us to turn from our ways that suffering may cease.

Eighth Station

Jesus meets the women.

‘ Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me. Weep rather over yourselves and your children’.

Luke 23: 28

Help us to know when to grieve and when to act.

Ninth Station

Jesus falls for the third time.

‘ I have come to do your will, O God.’ Psalm 40:8

When the shouting dies, we may still walk beside you.

Tenth Station

At Golgotha Jesus is stripped of His garments and the soldiers cast lots for his clothes.

‘From the sole of the feet to the head are bruises and sores and bleeding wounds.’ Isaiah 1:6

Help us to remember there is nothing in all creation that can separate us from your love.

Eleventh Station

Jesus is nailed to the cross and he was numbered with transgressors.

‘They crucified Jesus there with criminals, one on his right and one on his left.‘ Luke 23:33

Clothe us in your spirit, that we may bring love to those who do not know you.

Twelfth Station

Jesus on the cross. Mary, his mother and Simon Peter, his friend were at the foot of the cross…

 

Palm Sunday

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On March 20, 2016

In church seasons, Easter, pastoral, theological

Image 2

Palm Sunday
Mark11:1-11

Turmoil, Trouble and Triumph

 

Palm Sunday is a real marker in the church year. We go from Lent and within a week are at the cross. A week full of downs and ups, but it starts on a high note.
A day of triumph, a welcome into the city of Jerusalem.

Palm crosses remind us today and through the year about this very day.

You know what it’s like before a Bank Holiday, people travelling everywhere, more shopping, rushing around, bit of panic buying or in our case panic petrol buying….
Well, Jerusalem would have been a bit like that. The Feast of the Passover was at the end of the week, a big event for Jewish people then and now.

We know that the Jewish leaders were getting worried; lots of people would be coming to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, crowds expected everywhere. The last thing they wanted was this new prophet/teacher causing a problem, they really couldn’t be doing with it.

Today he would have been called a disruptive influence.

Read more in sermons…

Rev’d Sue Martin

Welcome, Warriors and Worship

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On March 6, 2016

In Lent, Papua New Guinea

m_Image 1Papua New Guinea is 0.6 degrees south of the equator. It is an Oceanic country just to the north of NE Australia, with offshore islands in Melanesia in the South West Pacific Ocean.

It is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world with 848 languages. It’s 7 million people live in mainly rural populations and in the few towns and cities. The country is situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire and there are earthquakes and active volcanoes. It is surrounded by coral reefs and in the highlands there are dense rainforest and a rugged terrain across the mountains, the highest of which is Mt Willhelm at 4,509 metres.

Our pilgrims in 2015 came from 3 countries and 3 dioceses. Norwich Diocese in the Uk, Waiapu in New Zealand and Rockhampton in Queensland Australia.

We journeyed together as pilgrims in anticipation of what was ahead in this far away place, certain that we those we would meet, would share our love of God.

How would it work with warriors? How would we be worshiping and what kind of welcome awaited us?

Rev’d Sue Martin

Faithgoeswalkabout.org/papuanewguinea

Diocese of Norwich

Lent 2016

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On February 5, 2016

In Lent

m_IMG_0378Lent is a church season after Epiphany and marks the time when Jesus went into the wilderness before returning to Jerusalem and eventually into the Easter story.

The time for Jesus to be alone, with only God by his side. He faced many difficulties and problems, he met with hunger and thirst, he met with the devil at his back, he knew what lay ahead for his time on earth.

But still he continued and lay down his life for us.

So, what do we do today to mark Lent, to acknowledge the season and be at least aware of all that we are given. There are many Lent courses, which can lead you into a path of understanding and a journey towards Easter.

This year our Diocese of Norwich has a Lent Appeal to raise money and awareness of Papua New Guinea and specifically to raise money for a school called Christ the King in 8 Mile Settlement in Port Moresby.

In September last year I was fortunate to be part of a pilgrimage to Papua New Guinea and it was a life changing experience. A country where 98% of the population are Christians, mainly from Anglican, Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches. The Norwich Diocese has strong links with Papua New Guinea through their first bishop and subsequent bishops.

For now, please look at the Lent Appeal in Norwich and also visit my blog on faithgoeswalkabout.papuanewguinea.It will give you some initial information.

My intention is that I will write a blog entry every week about Papua New Guinea and a prayer for every day. I hope you enjoy reading this and understanding the links with Lent, in reflection, in wilderness, and in dreams for mankind.

Rev’d Sue Martin    Norwich Diocese

Happy Christmas

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On December 26, 2015

In Christmas, church seasons

nativity sceneChristmas Day and all is well.

Stockings and presents full to bursting, happy children with new gifts and surprises.

Families united and back to their homes.

A joining together of family, friends and those we love.

But above all the arrival of Jesus born to Mary over 2000 years ago, Son of God, born for us. Shepherds, angels and the Magi arrive at the stable and bring their welcome to this new King.

Not what they were expecting at all.

But then life is seldom what we expect. We can all have that great joy by taking into our hearts, the lives and souls of all those we meet this day and every day.

Happy Christmas

Rev’d Sue Martinbauble

Advent 3

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On December 17, 2015

In Uncategorized

The Way to Bethlehem

Mary and JosephLuke Chapter 2 verses 1-6

Matthew Chapter 1, verses 20-21

So, Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, he town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was carrying a child.

Joseph reluctantly takes Mary with him to Bethlehem and they travel by day and rest by night. One night Joseph awakens quickly from a dream, an angel has appeared to him in the dream and tells him that Mary is carrying the Messiah.

But on waking he refuses to believe and will not accept that Mary does know the truth.

The wise men have gathered in Judea and decided not to approach King Herod. They have seen that the stars are aligning to be over Bethlehem and are aware that the predictions from many years ago are coming true and the Saviour will be born in the city of David.

They journey on secret across Judea to Bethlehem, leaving their servants to return to Persia straight away.

In the fields the shepherds are watching there sheep and talking amongst themselves about having to pay taxes and if one day a Saviour will come for them.

The alignment is starting to be closer and the journeys of Mary and Joseph, the shepherds in the fields and the travels of the wise men are all leading to Bethlehem , along with the alignment of Jupiter, Saturn and Regulus.

Rev’d Sue Martin – Diocese of NorwichPurple scarf

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