Thought for the Week from Alan Johnston, CW & LLM 10th June 2026.God’s loveMany of you will know that we the Licensed Lay Minister (LLM) group (myself, Daniel and Rachel) were away at Wydale (the Diocesan Conference Centre) last weekend on further ministerial development. I had hoped that during the weekend I would get some inspiration for this week's Thought. And sure enough as we sat there during the first session on Friday evening it hit me, that this week I should write around the topic ‘God is love’. Then on Saturday, I had a further inspirational thought come clear in my mind based around the term collaborative ministry. It was clear I needed to write on that topic instead. Then lo and behold on Sunday morning the word “normal” jumped out and hit me with a power.So I had three terms or ideas to write about, to reflect on and to think about which was the most important to write about in this week's message. After giving this a bit of thought over the last couple of days I realised it wasn't three different ideas, it was one clear message the God was telling me to reflect on. That message, which I believe I am asked to convey to you this week, is that God loves you. Not that God loves you because of what you do, but God loves you. Full Stop. No ifs, no buts, no conditions. God loves you for the person you are, as well as the person he knows you can be.Being around my fellow LLM group, it always amazes me how different we are, how we all come from different backgrounds and we have all experienced life in different ways, yet we come together as a community of Christ’s children with the same passion for being more Christlike. Every one of us acknowledges that we are not worthy, yet each of us is steadfast in that shared belief that we are loved by God as individuals, regardless of the past.It therefore struck me, that these three key inspirational concepts were given to me in isolation to think about and reflect upon, while at the same time bringing me to understand the connections and connectedness of God's love. Therefore, I ask you to receive that love that is offered to you, by grace, and to be thankful we have such a loving God who gave his son that we might have eternal life. We as individuals may not fit the secular perception of a ‘perfect’ person, but we should be reassured by turning our gaze towards Jesus and reflect on the clear message of God’s love. I ask, who is normal, what is “normal”. We are all unique, as people, as Christians. God made us unique as such we do not need to conform to a societal perception. In that way the only normality is difference.‘See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are’ 1 John 3:1At the same time we have a clear purpose, to show Christ to the world and spread that love. We have a collaborative ministry to share that love together and to share it with the world around us. At the end of most services we say the words ‘Go in peace to serve the Lord’, so with one final request I beseech you – Go in peace and love to serve the Lord. 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 Churches Leadership Team and individual PCCs as they guide us forward in our missionGive thanks for …The continued commitment of our church communitiesThe work of our Children, Youth and Families worker, Amy, and the work she is doing, and those in the individual groups who volunteer and support herThe Reverand Geoff Mumford, for his faith, commitment and tireless efforts to support the demands of our individual churches and communities
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
