Compassion
This week is Compassion Sunday and Fran reflects on how the church could use this opportunity to become actors and not spectators.
This week Richard and I were attending the London Baptist Ministers’ Conference at High Leigh. As a conference centre it is really beautiful, and the misty sunrises over the landscape just added to the beauty. As we were exploring the grounds we saw a beautiful gate by a tree. As you can see from the picture, the gate is well maintained, artfully painted to protect against rust with attention to detail highlighting the delicate ironwork. But there is a problem.
Look carefully at the picture. The gate is padlocked. Beside it is a ‘kissing gate’. But where is the fence, where is the path, where is the gate leading to? The gate is obsolete, not serving any useful function except to look pretty. No one uses the gate.
Mission specialists point out that sometimes our churches can be a bit like this gate. We spend time keeping everything looking beautiful, preserving things in case they are needed. But while we have been busy the path and the people the church once served have moved on.
This week we welcome a speaker from Compassion UK. Our news has been dominated by the huge earthquake in Syria/Turkey, thousands have been killed, injured, left homeless and hungry. The newspapers report that following the devastating floods in Pakistan last year, many are still without food and shelter.
Compassion requires us to be where the need is, where the people are. Compassion requires us to make a way where there is no way, to open closed gates, to build new paths, to look to see what God is doing and join in. Compassion sometimes means not painting our beautiful wrought iron gates but moving them to where they are needed. Compassion sometimes means change. As we pray for the work of Compassion, we also pray that God will give us eyes to see where that compassion is needed, and the courage to open closed gates
Fran Bellingham
Getting fit?
In her first blog article of the year, Fran talks about getting spiritually fit along with the challenges when you hit a bump in the road.
Advent 4 – Hope
In her fourth instalment Fran talks about the hope that comes from the birth of a boy.
Waste Not Want Not – Advent Reflection 3
This week Fran highlights the parallels between our current climate emergency and Isaiah’s prayer found in chapter 35 of his book.
Advent 2 – A reflection on Isaiah 11:1-9
Sometimes we get given gifts we don’t expect.
Longing for Peace
As we approach Advent, this article looks at the Book of Isaiah and how it reflects the world today where we long for peace.
Stir up Sunday
Fran Bellingham shares a lesson on what it means to be stirred into action and what happens if we get tired and settle.
Things for the kids to do this Pentecost
Looking for ideas to keep the kids busy and entertained this Pentecost? Here are some ideas and links to help you
Meeting our Maker
Ray Brown of Grace Church Brockley gave a sermon on Genesis. He spoke about how the here and now can be traced back to the first chapter in the bible. He went through a list of verses throughout the bible that refer to the first twelve chapters...
Working hand in glove
A quick recap of our all-age service looking at how God’s power works in us. We got all interactive with high vis jackets, water and measuring tape.
Getting through the dark times
Rob’s testimony tells of trying times and trusting in God to get him through the darkness when all around were falling. His testimony is encouraging reading to all those going through trying times.