Thought for the week – from Alan Johnston LLM – 3rd June 2026.Christian symbolismSitting in church recently I started looking around the building and couldn't help but notice the volume of symbolic items that surrounded me. As I looked, I stopped and considered the purpose, value and intentions of the symbols we see all the time but perhaps take for granted, or perhaps do not give too much thought to.As a starting point I looked at the building I was in and realised that in many cases, the building is the representation of the church for many in society. Now don't let me confuse you, that is not to say the building is the church but rather for many it is the initial manifestation of the church. I reflected back on that moment in my journey as a Christian, back to Preston in 1990, when I looked up at that bright red illuminated cross that was on top of Emmanuel church and uttered the words “OK, Jesus, if you exist, prove it?”At the time, that building and that cross, symbolised Jesus for me. Thirty-six years on, I have come to know Jesus more deeply and personally, than I had considered possible that evening, but my reflections made me think about how important symbols are in how we view our world and our faith. It made me think about what is important and why! I suppose, I see the symbols through two lenses: [1] a feature for me to focus on – the cross and the communion table as examples which provide a focal point in my life and worship, and [2] a means of displaying my faith. Many Christians wear a cross, a badge or a bracelet as a means of displaying their faith.However symbolism is not just physical tangible artifacts, they are also evident in acts, the things we do and say, the love and support we show. These are symbolic of our faith and give us the opportunity to be more like Jesus. As such we are a symbol of the church! We are the reflection of Christ that people see, and I ask what do we reflect? What do we symbolise? So my brothers and sisters I ask you to think of yourself as a symbol of Christ, a reflection to the world and that we all live our lives accordingly. AmenAlan.Pray for …A growing closeness of our Churches and the villages we serve (Acaster Malbis, Appleton Roebuck, Acaster Selby, Askham Bryan, Bolton Percy, Colton, Copmanthorpe) and all that God has in store for us, moving forward together.Christians in our communities and around the world engaged in continuing the work of Jesus, however big or small the deed.Our Licensed Lay Ministers as they continue their development at Wydale this weekendGive thanks for …The commitment of our brothers and sisters in ChristThe opportunities we have to meet across our parishes throughout the week, to engage in worship and share our Christian lives.The Reverend Geoff Mumford, for his faith, commitment and tireless efforts to support the demands of our individual churches and communities
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK - From Vicar Geoff – 27th May 2026TransformedOne of the most wonderful things about meeting Jesus and responding in faith to his invitation is that we are transformed. Now you might be thinking, I am happy as I am. I don't want to change. That is a legitimate response. But if we are honest with ourselves there are always ways we can be better, and by better I mean more like Jesus. You see, Jesus is the example of what it is to be perfect, and while there is no way we can ever be perfect in this life we can always be better. I'm thinking of those little things like when we respond in an unhelpful manner, when we make that comment with can come across as somewhat hurtful when we have those thoughts that we are so glad no one else knows about - except God, of course! The kind of transformation that God is about, is about becoming more like Jesus. In other words we begin to live in the way that Jesus would. We see lots of examples of this in the New Testament. Jesus was generous, compassionate, loving, kind, sensitive and so on. The way this can happen for each of us is to submit ourselves to God's rule in our lives, which then allows him to begin transforming us. You see when we submit ourselves to Jesus we are saying, Lord Jesus, I can't do this on my own, I need help. I think of submitting myself to Jesus as similar to learning to drive in a dual controlled car. When you first start the instructor is doing most of the pedal work, but over time we begin to do it, until we are ready for our test.Submit yourself to Jesus and let Him begin to transform you by His Spirit.GeoffPray for ...• A growing closeness of the wider ABC Churches (Acaster Malbis, Appleton Roebuck, Acaster Selby, Askham Bryan, Bolton Percy, Colton, Copmanthorpe) and all that God has in store for us, moving forward together. • Christians in our communities and around the world engaged in continuing the work of Jesus, however big or small the deed.• That each of us be open to following God’s will and move forward in faith.Give thanks for ...• The commitment of our brothers and sisters in Christ• The opportunities we have to meet across our parishes throughout the week, to engage in worship and share our Christian lives.• The Reverend Geoff Mumford, for his faith, commitment and tireless efforts to support the demands of our individual churches and communities.We pray for all who live and work in the following streets in our communities:In Copmanthorpe - Tadcaster Road, Tadcaster Mews, Weavers Park, Weavers Close, Smithson CourtIn Bolton Percy & Colton - Oak HouseIn Askham Bryan - Bog Lane In Acaster Malbis - Brocket View, Airfield Lane, Beech Avenue - Mount PleasantIn Appleton Roebuck - Briar Court, Briar DriveIn the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thought for the Week – From Rachel Reid, LLM – 20th May 2026Pentecost Don’t you just love a festival? Pentecost concludes the season of Easter, fifty days after Easter Day. It’s been a wild ride for the disciples. First, their leader is crucified, and with his death, all their hopes died. Three days later he is risen! From misery and despair to joy, celebration and hope in just three days! Then follows forty days of encounters with the risen Christ – the Road to Emmaus, appearing in a locked room to a bunch of scared (and sceptical) disciples, and my favourite, a barbecue on the beach. Finally, many of them witness his ascension – he disappears in a cloud – awesome, scary and kind of shocking. A couple of angels casually mention that it’s all fine, he’ll be coming back some day, and will they just stop gawping. I wonder how they felt after that? What were they supposed to do? Yes, they prayed, but they also kept themselves busy selecting and then casting lots (from which we get the word Lottery) to replace Judas. It was the feast of Shavuot, the celebration of the wheat harvest and commemoration of the giving of the Law to Moses, and Jerusalem would have been packed out with pilgrims from many nations. The Apostles and Jesus’s other followers, men and women, and I imagine children as well, were gathered in a house when something amazing happened. Once more the foundations of the world shift, and the promised Holy Spirit arrives like rushing wind and flames of fire. The house can’t contain them, and they spill out on to the streets, and the pilgrims are astounded to hear in their own languages the glorious praise of Almighty God. Three thousand became believers on that day, and it was catching! They ate together, shared everything, devoured the teachings of the apostles and gossiped the gospel. There were miraculous healings and people flocked to the Apostles just like they had to Jesus, bringing their sick and suffering loved ones to be restored. It must have been a bit like heaven on earth, for a while. Even the persecution, which followed, could not destroy the Church, because it doesn’t run on fossil fuels or even solar power, but on the power of the Holy Spirit, a deep well, a burning flame, a mighty wind, a still small voice, a white dove, the spirit that hovered over the waters of Chaos at the dawn of Creation. Friends, it is this Spirit that is still at work today, empowering the Church, teaching us what to say when we share our faith, changing hearts and turning people towards Jesus. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to come! Let’s sing out with that great Salvationist, William Booth, Send the Fire!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kNXZzPX1rw&list=RD6kNXZzPX1rw&start_radio=1 Rachel
