Very moving ceremonies were held on Monday to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp in occupied Poland.  Some 1.3m people were sent to Auschwitz during the Second World War, of whom some 1.1m died, including 960,000 Jews.  The scale, horror and sheer evil of this camp, and other similar ‘facilities’, are beyond imagination.…

We will be studying this morning the account in John 13 of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet.  It is stunning to consider the Son of God kneeling to wash the dirty feet of the Twelve, including Peter and Judas Iscariot. The event is remarkably multi-layered.  Clearly Jesus is giving here a wonderful example of humble service of others which He expects all…

We are again within the annual week of prayer for Christian unity and everyone is welcome to attend this afternoon’s special service at Church on the Heath. The concept of Christian unity is, somewhat ironically, the subject of much argument (and even worse).  Some will talk of seeking unity on the primary doctrines of the Christian faith, whilst allowing differences of understanding…

In the 1890s author Oscar Wilde was asked why he thought American society was so violent.  Wilde replied simply, “Because you have such ugly wallpaper.”  There are numerous ways of interpreting Wilde’s response but many understand him to be drawing a link between self-loathing and violence.  The idea is that humanity, as it has expanded its cities, chopped down the trees, and…

You may be aware that tomorrow, 6 January, is the feast of Epiphany which, in Western Christianity commemorates the visit of the Magi (wise men) to the infant Jesus.  (It is also the date by which all Christmas decorations must be taken down – woe betide any not meeting this deadline!). The word Epiphany means appearance or manifestation and may be used…

We were discussing the meaning of Immanuel with a resident of Campbell Place last Monday.  She was struggling to grasp the concept of “God with us” but during our debate a very simple, but highly significant, addition emerged which assisted her understanding – i.e. Immanuel means “God is with us”. I believe that this simple addition is both profound and powerful (and,…

Whilst living as a Christian today it is easy to feel lonely and confused when it comes to considering the nation in which we live.  What’s worse is when Christians themselves become so divided over political issues that brothers and sisters in Christ end up at war with one another.  This isn’t good.  But the idea of God’s people struggling to understand…

If you’re anything like me you send out several emails every day, and most seem to disappear into the ether.  Sometimes it is discouraging, not to mention a little annoying when people don’t respond, although am I perfect in this regard?!  But when I thought about it, I realised that so often this is what praying feels like.  Whether you’re praying as…

We begin again today the wonderful season of Advent.  It’s a great time of preparation and expectant / exciting waiting.  But what for?  Clearly we’re looking forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus but this is also a particular period to think about His return. In the concluding verses of 1 Corinthians 16 Paul suddenly writes “Come, O Lord” (v22).  He is…

Gill and I have recently read the excellent book “The Life You Never Expected” by Andrew and Rachel Wilson.  The sub-title is “Thriving while parenting special needs children” and with great honesty and Biblical insight the Wilsons describe life with both of their children (at the time of writing) having severe autism. Rachel begins one chapter with these simple, yet profound words:…