For thirty years I have been taking funerals and have been privileged to tend the grief of thousands of hurting families. Too many of those funerals have been for teenage boy suicides whom their families thought were just ‘going through a phase’. So they left them to fend off the wolves of despair and depression,… Continue reading It’s gone quiet
Looking Forward to Looking Forward The best way to begin to get ready for Christmas Those of you who, as I did, attended a particular kind of English boarding school, will know that we are not in the Autumn Term of the school year but are in fact in Michaelmas Term. It should not surprise… Continue reading Looking Forward to Looking Forward
Marrows and Crêpe Paper Boxes Whatever happened to Harvest Festival? How old were you when you last wrapped a cardboard box with brightly coloured crêpe paper, filled it to the brim with home grown vegetables, and then struggled to carry it up the aisle of the church to lay in front of the altar for… Continue reading Marrows and Crêpe Paper Boxes Whatever happened to Harvest Festival?
The Kingdom of Heaven is like…. among you Sermon for Trinity 7 – Sunday 30 July 2017 – St John the Baptist Felixstowe Text: The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, yeast, hidden treasure, a pearl of great value, a net, a storehouse. (Matthew 13:31-33,44-52) God give you peace my sisters and brothers.… Continue reading The Kingdom of Heaven is like…. among you
Much to the delight of the many children who come to visit our town and parish during the long summer holiday it looks as if the refurbishment of the Pier Head and further work on restoring the beach shelters along the promenade will be finished ahead of schedule. This gives me an excellent opportunity to… Continue reading Of Piers and Promenades …or why the Vicar has a secret stash of 2p coins
If Jesus sowed in Suffolk – on becoming good soil. Sermon for Sunday 15 July 2017 – St John the Baptist, Felixstowe – Text: Matthew 13.23 God give you peace my sisters and brothers. If Jesus were to farm in Suffolk, or at least tell the parable of the sower today, would he tell it differently?… Continue reading If Jesus sowed in Suffolk – on becoming good soil.
Sermon in the Octave of the Nativity of John the Baptist – Sunday 25 June 2017 – St John the Baptist Felixstowe (Delivered on the day after the priestly ordination of Penny Brinkley at a service where she was the president) Text: They began motioning to his father to find out what name he… Continue reading Signs of God – A Priest is Born
What does it mean to be a Real mayor? The task of the First Citizen Address for Felixstowe Civic Service, St John the Baptist Felixstowe Sunday 18 June 2017. [With apologies to Margery Williams…and also Nick Barber the new mayor of Felixstowe and his guests, those wonderful servants of our towns affectionately known as ‘the… Continue reading What does it mean to be a Real mayor? The task of the First Citizen
How Can this be, Since I am not a Virgin? (A Reflection on The Annunciation) Such familiar words. Fear not! Greetings, favoured one. Nothing will be impossible with God. and Let it be with me according to your word. For a virgin girl child In the footsteps of a barren old woman Nothing is… Continue reading How can this be, since I, am not a virgin?
In troubled times we turn to God for help. However God’s answer sometimes means we are called to go and help others so bring God’s love to everyone.
Suffolk Vicar 