We discover our true colours in the midst of adversity, a time of trial. Or in this case, a ‘time-trial’. I ran through a calf injury, so every other step (left foot) was uncomfortable, my Via Dolorosa. Crossing the finishing line (one of the greatest sights on the historic course!) was victory, triumph, conquest, liberation – “trod all his foes beneath his feet by being trodden down”. The glorious crown for me being a silver-blue disc.And then, like Christ, I sat down. Though in my case, “It is finished!” was due to exhaustion. Jesus’, “It is finished!” led to dominion. The King of the kingdom resting on his throne, sending & empowering us with his Spirit of holiness... of justice... of joy.Praying is SEEING, and I saw our Lord’s Prayer on the Marathon route last weekend. Peaceable community built around individual endeavour and shared purpose. Made up of charitable causes proclaiming faith, love & hope, as well as grief. Beautiful human beings such as Richard, raising awareness as well as monies for the Ruth Strauss Foundation, after his own wife Erica died of Stage 4 bowel cancer.I saw God’s kingdom coming a few days ago in the Leicester Royal Infirmary A&E as I sought advice on my calf injury. Peaceable community built around tender nursing care (thank you Adoni, Olu & Katy!) and human need (bless you J, H & J as you waited, in pain, some distressing).I was able to offer H a red, felt heart leftover in my pocket from a recent act of worship. I felt an affinity, she being the same age as my eldest daughter, and traumatised by her cut. My gift a simple symbol of the love that surrounded her – mum & sister… medical staff… the Divine healer. “You will be my witnesses…” commanded Jesus. So praying is ACTING, “on earth as it is in heaven”. rev’d david
St.Peter's hosts our mid-morning Service on the last Sunday of this month. There are four 5th Sundays each year, which are in addition to our 4-weekly pattern each month. Malcolm and I chose Kirby Bellars as a location because the Church of England celebrates St. Peter on 29th June each year. A simple fisherman, married, living by the Sea of Galilee, Peter threw in his lot with Rabbi Jesus, and things would never be the same again! A companion of Jesus through life and death, the first part of the Book of Acts recounts Peter's story after Easter. He would be martyred for his conviction that Jesus is the Christ, "the Son of the living God!".Do join in this local honouring of our patron Saint, as I lead a service including Communion and Malcolm preaches on 'leadership & followership'.
Rogation comes from the Latin word, Rogare, meaning "to ask". At Rogationtide, we ask for God's blessing on the activity of the land. In the church calendar, it sits between Easter and Ascension. Rogation offers a joyful link between the new life, renewal and resurrection in the natural world and the Christian Church.Rogation Sunday offers the opportunity to connect directly with agricultural activities in rural parishes. Rogation is observed by honouring agricultural activity observed on a walk, providing the focus for prayers and blessings en route.Our farmers participated by offering their explanations of the agricultural activities observed, thereby providing an understanding of and respect for the food grown in the parish's fields.
