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The Transfiguration – seeing Jesus as He is From the Vicar The Beatitudes: ‘Blessed are the merciful’ Saintly Fifth Columnists? Too high a price? Lost at sea September 11th – 18 years on ** Editor:   The Rev Paul Hardingham considers the miracle of The Transfiguration, which is remembered by the Church on 6th August. The...

Clare (1194 – 1253) was the famous virgin foundress of the Minoresses or Poor Clares.  Born at Assisi of the Offreduccio family, Clare grew up to hear the teaching of St Francis of Assisi, and at 18 she renounced all her possessions and joined him at the Portiuncula, where she became a nun.  Soon Francis...

Washed away A grandmother took her little grandson to the beach.  They were having a good time until a huge wave came in and swept the boy out to sea!  The grandmother fell on her knees and cried to the heavens: “Please, Lord, return my grandson!  Please! PLEASE!” Lo and behold, a wave swelled from...

The National Gallery at Trafalgar Square in London houses one of the finest collections of European paintings in the world, with some 2,300 works spanning the centuries.  During this year we are journeying through the gallery to explore one of those treasures each month. By the Revd Michael Burgess. “We can never know the secret...

The title of Bob Geldof’s autobiography, ‘Is That It?’, will resonate with us, when we’re looking for more in life. On a deeper level, we want to see and hear more clearly what God is doing in our circumstances. Jesus’ transfiguration, which we remember this month, helps us to consider this (Luke 9:28-36). Jesus was...

Some people’s lives seem to epitomise the suffering of millions, but also to shine with a Christian response to it.  One such person was Maximilian Kolbe, 1894 – 1941, a Franciscan priest of Poland, and publisher extraordinary. Maximilian was born at Zdunska Wola, near Lodz, where his parents, devout Christians, worked in a cottage weaving...

Could you champion mission in your church? ‘Shall we not love thee, Mother dear?’ Mothers’ Union – changing women’s lives for the better Bible stories for school children UK church attendance – by ethnicity Churches in Bulgaria breathe sigh of relief A million bricks of answered prayer ** Editor:  We are offering the same article...

The title of Bob Geldof’s autobiography, ‘Is That It?’, will resonate with us, when we’re looking for more in life. On a deeper level, we want to see and hear more clearly what God is doing in our circumstances. Jesus’ transfiguration, which we remember this month, helps us to consider this (Luke 9:28-36). Jesus was...

The Rectory St. James the Least of All My dear Nephew Darren Since your church is a former cinema, I suspect that were the floor to be removed, cigarette ash, sweet wrappings and tickets for the last Charlie Chaplin film would be revealed. Our marble flooring in the chancel was raised last week to try...

Have you done something bad which haunts you?  Does the memory of it still follow you through each day – and keep you awake at night?   If so, then Laurence Loricatus (c. 1190 – 1243) is the saint for you.  He was born at Facciolo (Apulia) and as a youth he killed a man. After...

HOPE Together is recruiting Mission Champions who will inspire and equip fellow church members to reach out. Each Mission Champion will be resourced by HOPE Together to inspire others. Here’s the ‘job description’: Encouraging fellow church members to be involved in serving others in their community and making Christ known through their love and practical...

‘One difference between grace and mercy is that grace is getting what we don’t deserve (favour), and mercy is not getting what we do deserve (justice).’ (R.T. Kendall). Jesus calls us to show mercy in our everyday relationships: ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.’ (Matthew 5:7). How are we to show...