Faith Goes Walkabout

Thoughts and reflections

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Palm Sunday

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On April 3, 2023

In Easter, Faith goes walkabout

Following the donkeys into St Mary's East Walton

Palm Sunday April 2nd 2023 at St Mary’s East Walton 

What a delight to follow behind the young donkeys on our way into church on Palm Sunday. Both young donkeys went straight into church and stayed with us for the first hymn, we have a king who rides a donkey!

Donkeys – what do they mean to us? Calm, loving, spirited, friendly.

As we start Holy Week we remember the entry into Jerusalem by Jesus on the young donkey as the crowds shouted ‘Hosanna’ and waved palm leaves before him.

Much was to happen in this week … Read more in Sermons 2023

Rev’d Sue Martin

The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful.

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On February 7, 2021

In Uncategorized

We have good news! Jesus came to dwell among us.

We have good news! The vaccine is a great success and we are leaders in the world, ready to roll out worldwide.

So let us not be glum! Let us not be dreary! Where is the goodness in being despondent?

Easier said than done, I know.

But this week, so many of us, including myself have had the vaccine . That is truly remarkable and will lead to us getting back together at some stage. Wave if you have had the vaccine! Send a wave through chat if you can! And for those who haven’t yet, it is really getting through to everyone now. How amazing is that!

That is good news and beautiful too.

So let’s get the bad news out of the way and then I can talk about the good news of Jesus coming to dwell with us.

Read more on Sermons 2021

Rev’d Sue Martin

Caesarea Philippi

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On August 23, 2020

In Faith goes walkabout, Holy Land, pilgrimage, Sermons

‘On this rock, I will build my church’  Matthew 16,v 17.

Caesarea Philippi is a peaceful place; it is the source of the River Jordan and the rushing streams are clear and pure as they descend from the rocks. It is a true joy to put your hand in this water and feel so refreshed. It is close to the Golan Heights and Syria and not far from the Sea of Galilee.

This beautiful place has springs which are invitingly clear with clean water rushing through toward the Jordan. The old cave and temples of ancient pagan worshippers was the site where Jesus came with his disciples as a turning point in Jesus ministry. He was heading to Jerusalem and Jesus needed to know that his disciples were with him. He asked Peter there if he would look after his church.

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church.

And we have our own life plans, not known to us until we have walked some of that journey. Day by day they become clear and as we all journey along that path we know that Jesus and God are with us, before us, behind us, at our side and above us, carrying us when we need that help.

And so on our journeys let us use the gifts that God has given us.

Read more in Sermons 2020

Rev’d Sue Martin

On the Right Road

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On July 25, 2020

In Faith goes walkabout, Sermons

Travelling in my car with  a very smart Sat-Nav on Friday to my office outside Cambridge, I started thinking about life’s journeys and seeing them is a similar way to any journey using Sat-Nav and changing direction.

We set out on one route, the route that is planned and we are going along nicely and then!! The whole thing is re calibrated and the next thing you know you are changing direction, going a different way. New roads and paths ahead, new view outside the window, could be lots of traffic on a fast road or no traffic on a country lane. Either way you are heading to the same destination.

Sometimes I can see the big picture and sometimes I can only see the road directly around me.

I am comforted in knowing the exact time of my arrival, and where the road works will slow me down. But what if I go off route!! Much re calibration takes place and eventually it finds me again and sets me on the right road.

Does that sound familiar?

Our life journeys have several twists and turns, much re calibration and setting back on the right path again. Other things happen. and events further down the road, not related to us at the time,  have an impact on our journey.

But we are all gathered up, re calibrated and put on the right road.

A slightly deeper theological reflection on Sermons 2020

Rev’d Sue Martin

Zindzi Mandela

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On July 19, 2020

In Faith and business, Faith goes walkabout

I only met Zindzi Mandela once,and in that few hours could feel the depth of love and emotion that she felt for her family and the cause of the Mandela Legacy Foundation. Her parents Nelson and Winnie Mandela were an enormous force in the anti apartheid movement in South Africa and Zindzi followed in her parents footsteps to lead, to make changes and to ensure all South Africans have a chance in life.

It was enormously sad that Zindzi , so full of life, died on Monday 13th July 2020 at the age of 59. Called away far too soon and she will be missed enormously by her family, supporters and by the wider world, where she was continuing to make a difference through determination and love.

Many projects are underway through Zindzi,  an anti- apartheid protester from an early age, and her ability to engage and make things work, like her father, Nelson who said ”

It always seems impossible until it’s done” – Nelson Mandela.

In 2018 we met Zindzi Mandela at South Africa House, Trafalgar Square, London at the publication of her book with her great grandchildren.  What a special day and invited through our work based organisation Books Go Walkabout,  and one which I will remember as a great honour.

“Grandad Mandela “by Zazi, Ziweli and Zindzi Mandela, with illustrations by Sean Qualls, published by Frances Lincoln Books

Rest in peace Zindzi and rise in glory.

Rev’d Sue Martin

On this day…

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On April 9, 2020

In Easter, Faith goes walkabout, Holy Land

Six weeks ago I was one of a number of pilgrims from Norwich Diocese on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We stopped in the Garden of Gethsemane and looked over the valley to Jerusalem. We visited the house of Caiaphas, the High Priest where Jesus spent the night in his dungeons. It was a dark and dismal place.

Today is Maundy Thursday, and amazing that we are all, in some ways contained in our own houses with the Corona virus pandemic.

We hope soon to be able to journey away from our homes and get back to some kind of normality, whatever that will look like, but I strongly suspect that for so many of us life will not be the same again.

The events of the crucifixion and Easter happened over 2000 years ago. Jesus lived among us and died for us. Life can change for us all, His resurrection meant that life would never be  the same again.

Amen

Rev’d Sue Martin

Places and travels

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On March 15, 2020

In Faith goes walkabout, Holy Land, pilgrimage

At the end of my travels to the Holy Land we found these beautiful anemones at Abu Gosh, the site of Emmaus.

But lets start with the travels of Jesus. His own pilgrimage, in a sense, places he walked to, he didn’t have a coach or a car or a bike. He  used a donkey from time to time, but generally he walked. Places where he performed miracles, gathered his disciples, went into the wilderness, and places where he met with God. Travels in the wilderness, travels into towns and villages.

In our own pilgrimage to the Holy Land 2020, we followed in his footsteps and walked in his ways. And now challenged to bring back to others the sights, the sounds and the knowledge we have gained.

Sermon for 3rd Sunday in Lent follows our journey and also relates to the Samaritan woman at the well; John 4: 5-42.

Rev’d Sue Martin

Holy Land Pilgrimage 2020 – Thoughts and Experiences

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On March 6, 2020

In Faith goes walkabout, Holy Land

We arrived back in the UK from the pilgrimage with the Norwich Diocese on March 2nd, pilgrims together, full of thoughts and experiences that would stay with us forever. For many it was the first and possibly only visit to the Holy Land, and incredibly special. My second visit and still a deeply significant place of holiness… The Holy Land.

Where did we go?  Walkabout Jerusalem 2020 Blog has all the places we visited. We travelled to Galilee, Jericho, the Dead Sea, Jerusalem and Bethlehem, with each day packed with places and services.

Forever in my mind will be the Sea of Galilee, The Dead Sea, and the roads to Jericho and Jerusalem. But I would also never be able to forget Bethlehem, the wall and manger Square, the River Jordan, the Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

A special thank you to Hanna, our guide, The Very Reverend Jane Hedges, Dean of Norwich Cathedral and The Right Reverend Jonathan Meyrich, Bishop of Lynn, Diocese of Norwich and Pilgrimage People.

Rev’d Sue Martin

Happy Christmas

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On December 24, 2019

In Christmas, church seasons, Ely cathedral


When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and the princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their 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,
To make music in the heart.

Howard Thurman 1899-1981

Happy Christmas!

Rev’d Sue Martin

Hoi An, Walkabout Vietnam

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On February 24, 2019

In Faith goes walkabout

Hoi An in Central Vietnam – a place of transforming light, colour and peace.

In October 2019 I travelled to Hoi An in Central Vietnam for a short stay. A time to find some peace and relaxation, time to off load a little. My own cycling adventures in Hoi An were not so overloaded as the girl with the bike, but somehow she reminded me of myself… valiantly carrying with a smile on her face.

The Vietnamese people are very peaceful, determined and friendly. Couldn’t resist the lady offering boat rides for £2.oo.

It has taken me a little while but I have included in Faith Goes Walkabout sections with a new style presentation.

 

Central Vietnam is a great place to visit if you have the chance.

Rev’d Sue Martin

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