Thoughts and reflections

Tag: faithgoeswalkabout Page 1 of 7

Alaska and Tidewater Glaciers

A trip of a lifetime ! In search of  tidewater glaciers.I have been interested in glaciology since I studied geography and geomorphology as a student.

On a visit to Vancouver to see the sights and meet with cousins and friends,  it seemed the perfect time to add on a 3 hour flight north to Alaska. On August 27th 2024, Emily and I flew first to Vancouver and then onto Anchorage, Alaska on 30th August.

In Anchorage we joined the Alaska Railroad train to Whittier, Prince William Sound on a scenic route along the coast and into the mountains.

At Whittier we embarked on a smallish boat with 80 other people and sped along College Sound until we came in sight of hanging glaciers and then the tidewater glacier of Harvard Glacier.

Amazing sight, had everyone in silence as we gazed in awe at the sight of this spectacular glacier, blue ,white and grey, serene and  full of power.

Harvard Glacier is 20 miles long, 200 ft tall at the waters edge and over 30,000 years old.

As we gazed in silence we heard the sounds of the ice groaning or like a gun shot as the ice then fell into the sea.This glacier is still advancing and gaining in its size unlike so many.

More to follow….

 

Rev’d Sue Martin


 

Pilgrimage… looking beyond

Sticky post
Dead Sea, Rev'd Sue Martin

The Dead Sea… is it an angel or a cloud overhead? Rev’d Sue Martin

A sense of adventure and an abiding faith have led me to many different places. Journeys beyond home beckon with intrigue and desire. Travelling across borders, known and unknown are full of awe and wonder.

Plans are developing to bring those pilgrimages into homes, a ‘sofa pilgrimage’.

In October 2024 I will start with Assisi, as it is now, and following in the footsteps of St Francis. More info will follow through the summer.

In the meantime  take a look at the Walkabout pages to get a sense of my journeys.

Rev’d Sue Martin

Basilica of St Francis of Assisi

Basilica of St Francis of Assisi

 

St Martin’s Funchal Madeira

Image: a view to the horizon and the ocean...

Image: a view to the horizon

Peace in the early morning whilst gazing out in the Atlantic Ocean.Time for some relaxation, reading and walking at the start of a short break in February.

Rev’d Sue Martin

Ermita de Betlem Mallorca

A wonderful view across the Bay of Alcudia from Ermita de Betlem

A journey to my favourite place in Mallorca. Following a steep and  bending road, with the sharpest of hairpin bends,we made it safely in our little hire car to the Ermita de Betlem. A tiny sacred space,once  home to a larger monastery similar to Lluc in Mallorca. Now it stands lonely and quiet, far from tourist eyes and coaches.

A ten minute walk along the sheep track led us to this magnificent view at the top of the Bay of Alcudia. So blue, so quiet and tranquil on a warm and gentle day.

Rev’d Sue Martin

The Easter Story

Telling the story…

 

In the week before Easter I visited our three schools for their end of term Collective Worship. I had prepared a short talk, some additional props to help this incredible and yet, such a hard story. To be honest, I was feeling a little daunted.

Each of the three schools were so well prepared, in different ways, but the amazing thing that bound them all together was their understanding and ability to explain  the whole story by writing, pictures and actions.

Sometimes we should just leave the story to itself and not over-complicate things. Too much theological interpretation is not always a good thing!!

Rev’d Sue Martin

Only two days away!!

Martha had sent a message to Jesus to come quickly as her brother Lazarus was seriously ill. But Jesus stayed away for two days, why?

Some different thoughts on time keeping are…

Nice and early, Always on time, Just in time and Running late!

Nice and early. I have to admit to hardly ever fitting into the first one, nice and early. As much as I would love to be that organised I never really am.

Always on time is not for me either, hand on heart. I am now better but I have to really work at it!

Just in time fits me nicely. Gathering things together, having a last cup of tea and then getting to the right place.

Running late – can still be said of me occasionally now. I don’t like it as it means that you may be letting people down, so I do try hard!

And so Mary and Martha were distraught, Lazarus, their brother had died, They had sent word to Jesus who was only two days away, so why didn’t he come then?

Read more… Sermons 2023

Earthquake in Turkey and Syria

Earthquakes in Syria and Turkey…

Earthquake in Turkey and Syria has caused massive destruction and loss of life. The first 7.8 magnitude quake struck near Gaziantep in the early hours of Monday, followed by a 7.5 magnitude tremor hours later. The quakes were all shallow which increased the possibility for damage.

The devastation is too horrendous for words. Rescuers were on the scene immediately, listening for the tiniest of voices in the rubble. Finding people left alive is now becoming less likely as time goes on.

Words are not enough, please donate now to charities involved. My money is going to Unicef.

In haste

Rev’d Sue Martin

A Sky full of Angels!

Sky Full of Angels

In the depths of our winter, 2nd January was a bright and sunny day. Gazing westwards across the Norfolk fields I saw a sky lit up with  angels (disguised as clouds)! There is certainly one who is shining so brightly!

Christ Whose Glory Fills the Skies!

Rev’d Sue Martin

Epiphany

Baubles in Advent

Epiphany – the realisation that Jesus is in the world with us all!

And so the good news continues. Epiphany is the time when the Magi arrived at Bethlehem,

We know the story, we know why the Magi brought the gifts they did, they were gifts for a king. Melchior from Persia brought gold, Caspar from India brought myrrh and Balthazar from Ethiopia brought frankincense.

This the real celebration, we have all the story, we have the light of the world come to live with us, and he will be with us forever.

Read more in Epiphany page.

Let’s move forward into 2023 in the light, it has dispelled the darkness and will never be put out! Alleluia!

Rev’d Sue Martin Diocese of Norwich

Christmas

 

Christmas and so many years ago Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem. The shepherds on the hillside were the first visitors. The Magi came from the east as they followed the star. Why didn’t he appear amongst wealth and fortune like other kings?
He was born to be amongst us, to be with all people, and especially for those most in need.
And one of the best things to do this Christmas is in some way to remember and help people where life is hard.
So turn on the lights, eat the mince pies, deck the hall with bows of holly but don’t forget what it’s really about. Happy Christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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