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

A Sky full of Angels!

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On January 14, 2023

In Diocese of Norwich, Faith goes walkabout

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

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On January 8, 2023

In Diocese of Norwich, Epiphany, Faith goes walkabout

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

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On December 24, 2022

In Christmas, church seasons

 

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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas is Coming!

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On December 20, 2022

In Christmas, church seasons, Faith goes walkabout

St Mary’s East Walton, West Norfolk

The last of the shopping, the final decorations, how many more lights can we have?

Watching the night skies when it has been so cold and the night skies have shimmered with stars have been amazing. Jupiter has been shining bright in the evening sky. How much brighter it would have shone on that Christmas Eve before Jesus was born as it moved towards an alignment with Saturn and the star Regulus.

A time for awe and wonder, a time to experience how large is the universe and how small our part plays, but yet for each one of us we are important to God.

Mary and Joseph would have been approaching Bethlehem so many years ago, the city would have been seen under the same sparkling sky.

Let’s journey together under the same starry skies.

Rev’d Sue Martin

Harvest Services with Schools

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On October 19, 2022

In church seasons, community, Diocese of Norwich

Harvest services from our schools have filled the churches. Way beyond our expectations. Churches bursting at the seams. Food donations piled high at the font and the altar. All ready to be taken to the town food bank.

Children’s voices raised the roof. Prayers read and stories told.

What more could I add than just the biggest thank you from the depths of my heart for bringing back the love, laughter and joy to church.

Rev’d Sue Martin

St Michael and All Angels- Michaelmass

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On September 30, 2022

In Faith goes walkabout, Michaelmass

St Michael is seen as the chief of archangels, a defender, guardian, protector of Israel and the faith. He is shown in Daniel as a warrior and of course in Revelation he is the slayer of the dragon and the angel who cast out the Satan from the heavenly thrones.

The to angels is said to be:

First Order are Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones,

Second order Dominions, Powers and Virtues

Third Order Principalities, Archangels and Angels

Terms also to describe angels are sons of God, ‘holy ones’, Angels are mentioned in the divine council of God as members of a heavenly chorus,

St Michael is  gentle and brave, gallant and bold.

From the hymn by Jan Struther,

Let faith be my shield and let joy be my steed

‘Gainst the dragons of anger and the ogres of greed:

And let me set free, with the sword of my youth,

From the castle of darkness, the power of the truth.

Michaelmass, September 29th is the time we remember St Michael and also celebrate the changing seasons of the agricultural world.

Read more in Sermons 2022…

Prayers at Lent 2022

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On March 8, 2022

In Lent

Time for Reflection… Sunset at Old Hunstanton beach, West Norfolk, Feb 2022

Lent is a time for reflection and making some changes to lifestyle.

Generally, for me that means giving up chocolate. But I don’t actually eat that much chocolate anymore, so it seemed like the easy way out!

Instead of or as well as I have returned to a project that I did a few years ago.. adding a prayer for every day of Lent. In 2022, this seems the least I can do or rather the most I can do to have any real benefit to this strange time in 2022.

On Prayers page I am adding prayers for us all, prayers for reflection and prayers for peace in Ukraine.

Spend a moment and read one or two of the prayers, or maybe it will lead you to write and share a prayer of your own.

Rev’d Sue Martin

Help and Pray for the People of the Ukraine.

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On March 2, 2022

In community, Diocese of Norwich, Ukraine

…dreadful and devastating crisis emerges before our eyes

The dreadful and devastating crisis emerges before our eyes as the Russian military invade Ukraine.

This is something we have not experienced for over eighty years. Hundreds of thousands of children and adults have been affected. The evacuation of so many people on the roads with their suitcases, travelling away from their homes to places of safety, such as Poland, Moldova, Romania, and Hungary. Europe is united in support of these people who need our help now.

What can we do? Firstly, we can pray. We can pray for the people and for peace. In our schools, in our churches and in our homes. We can pray on our own or join in with others to show solidarity, united in faith.

Secondly, we can give. It may be online donation or actual clothes and food and medicines. There are places in every town where these can be sent to depots to reach the Ukrainian people, wherever they are.

There are many large charities where your money will be well used. UNICEF is focussing on children and families.

Donate to our Ukraine Appeal for Children in Crisis

A Prayer for Ukraine

Dear Father,

We pray for peace and for the leaders of the countries as they try valiantly to open talks and prevent further fighting and use of weapons.

We pray for the people in Ukraine, those who have stayed and those who have travelled away from their country, in fear and desperation for their lives. Children and families have been separated in the fight for the freedom of their country. Help us to do what we can to help, by giving and praying.

Father, hear our prayers and calm our fears. Be with us and with our neighbours of Ukraine.

Amen.  Rev’d Sue Martin, Diocese of Norwich

 

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

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