THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK - From Alan – 17th April 2026 - Coming together and embracing our differenceThis week we have had the pleasure of witnessing Geoff’s licencing with the AAA churches by Bishop Flora, and Amy’s commissioning. A further step on what is proving to be a long journey on the road to a single Ministry Unit. As I looked around the assembled congregation it was great to see so many gathered across the spectrum of our churches, to see the Church of Christ in full bloom filled with many brothers and sisters, many of whom I have met and many I have yet to meet.Many of you who know me or know of me will know that I am not a traditionalist, some may even describe me as non-conformist. It would be true to suggest that the service was not fully to my preference, but that should not be a matter of contention or of interest. What matters was that we were there to bear witness and to celebrate both Geoff’s licencing and Amy’s commissioning. In both these activities we saw evidence in progress towards achieving the goal of the Great Commission.The service gave me opportunity to reflect on our ever growing closeness into a Ministry Unit on the differences that we have, which should be celebrated. The Church of England is a broad church and is something to be celebrated not challenged or hidden. It is not a one-size fits all offer, but centres on a relationship with Jesus that transcends boundaries. As we grow in our relationship as a Ministry Unit with our different traditions, we should welcome that diversity as a group of churches that brings Jesus to our village communities, assured in the knowledge that we have a range of services and opportunities for everyone, whether that be traditional or of a more contemporary nature.In last week's ABC communion service Daniel highlighted that to be a living church we needed to be a loving Church. Brothers and sisters in Christ let us love and embrace our differences, just as Jesus loves us and our individual differences. Let us continue to value each other, move forward with a new found vigour and celebrate the Lord Jesus Christ, his resurrection and the promise of eternal life.This week, I leave you with a single verse: 1 Corinthians 1:2 ‘To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:’ [sic]
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK - From Alan - Residing in ChristA couple of weeks ago during my Oasis talk I asked the question of whether we were residents in Christ or tourists in Christianity. The main focus of my talk was really about how Christlike are we? As we come to the end of Holy Week and we focus on the death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, I continue with that theme.Easter, both the run up to it, and the events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday, are the basis of our faith. Fundamentally without Jesus’ death and resurrection our faith is on shaky ground at best. However, the reassurance of Jesus’ resurrection and the promise of eternal life gives us a solid foundation for what we believe and how we should live our lives. But I ask the question, do we? Do we truly, live a Christ-like existence? The answer is probably not, but how hard do we try? We know that as human beings we are flawed and prone to sin, but do we try to do as we should? Do we try to live in the Spirit; to follow Jesus’ commands and live in a way that puts God first?I would be the first to say that I am a failure, but I try. I fall short of those expectations, but thanks to Jesus’ death and resurrection, I know I am forgiven. I don’t need to overly castigate myself and fall into despair, as Jesus died for my sins. But that does not mean I can just continue with sin, no it means I learn, ask Jesus for forgiveness and try to be and do better.Easter is a time to remember and reflect, that it was my failings and my sin that held Jesus to that cross. That he died for me. And so I pray at this time that I will increasingly live in Jesus and he in me, that I would truly reside in Christ, and that you will join me there. May we know a true relationship with Jesus, may his death be a reminder of what he gave for each of us, and his resurrection be a reminder of the promise of eternal life.Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK - From Michael Sargent – 27th March 2026I write this thought during Passiontide but more particularly I am writing it on March 25th and some will have thought that it nine months to Christmas. It is, but ...... As far as the Church Lectionary is concerned we mark this day as “The Annunciation of our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary.” The alternative name that is used both in a religious sense and a commercial sense is “Lady Day.” Commercially it is (or maybe was) the first Quarter Day when taxes and rent was due but like most things, the religious significance was changed to the end of every three months.Be that as it may the ‘Lady’ that we are most concerned with is the one who was chosen by God to be the mother of his son, what a responsibility! There were times that the role of women was undervalued and though there is a greater respect for them nowadays there are some who are not as respectful as they could be.Our Jewish and Muslim neighbours hold their wives in high regard: a Jew can only become a Jew if he/she is born of a Jewish mother and likewise a Muslim wife is wholly responsible for the household!It is significant that this very day that I am writing there is another woman within the Christian community who will publicly take up the role as leader of the worldwide community of Christians. I refer, of course, to ...The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally ...who assumes the role of Archbishop of Canterbury, and what a task she has.Almost certainly during the Enthronement of +Sarah there will be one person who voices his objection to women being ordained. It is his right but his argument, if it the same, has little or no substance to it.Those who are against the ordination of women must realise that for more than 30 years it has been legal and the church would be on its knees if women had not been given the right to ordination.But to +Sarah herself, she will have prayerfully weighed up the options of accept/reject her calling and she will realise the great responsibility that now rests on her shoulders. Jesus once said, “my yoke is easy (i.e. well fitting) and my burden is light” but in the world as it is Sarah will need the prayers and support of the worldwide communion of Anglicans to make her burden bearable.As we approach Palm Sunday and Holy Week, we are reminded of what suffering Christ went through for our sakes and it is only right that we should be prepared to shoulder some of that burden by taking part in the Services that are available to us.It will be comparatively easy to join with the crowds on Palm Sunday and cheer and wave palms, but will we put ourselves out when it comes to the Friday after his arrest and join with those who are baying for his life or will we dare to join those fighting for justice who are trying to out-shout those whose aim is to kill him!Hopefully you will be seen on all three days at which ever church you are involved so that we will know, as well as God, that we have walked the Via Dolorosa and come through rejoicing at the end of his Passion and share with him in his acknowledgement ‘it is accomplished’.Michael Sargent.Pray forA reflective Holy WeekVicar Geoff as he prepares to officially be licensed at the AAA churchesOpportunities to share our faith with othersGive thanks forAmy, our children, youth and families worker and her work in our villagesVicar Geoff, as he takes on 3 more churchesThe school holidaysWe pray for all who live and work in the following streets in our communities:In Copmanthorpe - Flaxman Croft, Gardeners Close, Faber CloseIn Bolton Percy & Colton - Vine Cottages, Vine CourtIn Askham Bryan - Askham Bryan Lane and Nurseries Caravan ParkIn Acaster Malbis - Darling Lane, Acaster Lane, Pleasant Avenue - Mount PleasantIn Appleton Roebuck - Main Street (from Hill Crest to Ashlea)In the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
