Reflections in Strange Times: Recent Episodes
Teddington Clergy
A sermon on the various meanings of the term Paraclete as used to describe the Holy Spirit in John 14.16
Reflecting on HRH Prince Philip’s chosen funeral hymn, and a God who brings life from the deep waters of chaos
A sermon on Luke 24.13-35, when two disciples on the road to Emmaus encountered Jesus in the breaking open of Scripture and the breaking of bread.
Bishop Martin shares his thoughts on the National Day of Reflection and looks ahead to Holy Week.
Joe suggests that the unseen growth of our spiritual roots during lockdown will result in more visible growth as restrictions are lifted.
Bishop Martin reflects on Jesus' response to the woman caught in adultery (John 8.1-11) and how this connects with the themes of Ash Wednesday.
Joe reflects on his visit to Auschwitz in 2017 and on the present genocide of the Uigur people.
Bishop Martin reflects on the topic of free school meals, the feeding of the 5,000 and the virtue of generosity.
A reflection on the Epiphany: what are you looking for, what star will you follow and what gifts will you bring?
Bishop Martin invites us to imagine ourselves as part of the crowd listening to John the Baptist as he appears in the wilderness (Luke chapter 3)
Sermon on Mark 7.1-23. Jesus encourages us to think more about the purity of our hearts than the cleanness of our hands
A sermon by Joe Moffatt on the importance of silent prayer, based on Elijah's experience in 1 Kings 19.9-18 and Jesus' example in Matthew 14.22-33.
Rosamond considers our need to come back together to offer our liturgies - the work of the people
A sermon by Caroline on Sunday August 2nd, based on Matthew 14.13-21, the Feeding of the 5,000.
Bishop Martin makes a distinction between being nice and being kind, suggesting that kindness reflects the nature of God.
Joe's sermon on the Feeding of the 5,000 in John 6:1-14. He reflects on the theme of Gathering as well as Feeding.
The boarding up of Churchill's statue leads Bishop Martin to reflect on some of the other statues around Parliament and Westminster.
Bishop Martin reflects on the prophet Jeremiah and his exit strategy for a people experiencing a national crisis.
Karen makes connections between the story of St Thomas and the need to balance risks as we resume public worship.
Joe talks about the spiritual practice of imagining ourselves in the gospel story and the ethical practice of imagining ourselves in the shoes of others.
Bishop Martin reflects on the recent controversy surrounding the singing of Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Joe reflects on the reopening of our church building for personal prayer and encourages the practice of silent contemplation.
Bishop Martin reflects on the last words of George Floyd, words that echo the cries of oppressed people down the centuries, as well as Jesus himself.
Karen reflects on her experience of circle dancing and how it provides not just a metaphor for the Trinity but also a model for Christian living.
Joe reflects on the way in which the Holy Spirit transforms our faltering efforts at communication.
Bishop Martin reflects on the differences between museums and churches, and talks about the role of the Holy Spirit in the unfolding and ongoing revelation of God.
Caroline reflects on our uncertaint sense of time at the moment and relates it to the experience of the disciples around Christ's Ascension.
Karen reflects on the spaces where the veil between us and God is thinner than normal and suggests ways of finding these closer to home.
Joe reflects on how Christ's work is complete, as reflected in his Ascension which we celebrate on May 21, and on how St Paul tells us to live in the light of this in his letter to the Philippians, chapter 2.
Bishop Martin reflects on the different appearances of the risen Christ and how he might appear to us today.
Karen reflects on VE Day, the current virus and the experience of the Israelites in the Old Testament as they learnt to sing a new song in a strange land (Psalm 137).
Joe reflects on the difficulty of living with a very partial knowledge of what is going on and how that might relate to the experience of the disciples in the days following Jesus' resurrection. He then asks whether that partial experience of Jesus has a purpose, and whether there might be 'purpose in the partial' for us.
Bishop Martin looks at the story of how the disciples ran to see the empty tomb and reflects on how the Church has been running with the resurrection ever since.
Mary considers the strange time we live in and how, according to the book of Ecclesiastes, there is a time for everything.
Caroline reflects on Jesus' offer of reconciliation to Peter in the Gospel of John, chapter 21.
Karen Wellman, the Vicar of St Mark's Teddington, reflects on the patronal saint of her parish on the eve of his Feast Day, April 25th.
Joe admits to his despondency but finds hope in the story of Jesus' appearance to two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24.13-35)
Joe's Easter Day sermon, reflecting on the significance of the first three encounters with the Risen Lord.
A Good Friday Reflection by Bishop Martin, as he looks at the cross and ponders the last words of Christ.
Who was this special woman who was the first to encounter the risen Christ? Jonathan Williams explores.
Jesus was buried in a tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea. Who was this man and why was he drawn to Jesus? Jonathan Williams takes a look.
Jonathan Williams, a historian and member of the congregation at St Mary with St Alban, takes a look at James, the brother of Jesus, and wonders where he was at the time of Jesus' crucifixion.
Joe reflects on another 'minor character', that of the donkey in the Palm Sunday story. Why was the donkey so significant?
Bishop Martin give thanks for the skills of doctors and nurses as he reflects on St Luke, the gospel writer, known as The Beloved Physician.
Over the next few days we take a look at minor characters in the bible, ordinary people who get caught up in extraordinary events. Azariah begins by looking at Cleopas.
Mary Hawes reflects on the conundrum of what to wear when working from home, and what spiritual clothing we put on, as suggested by St Paul in his letter to the Colossians.
Joe Moffatt reflects on how we can hold things together in these difficult times, referring to St Paul's letter to the Colossians.
Azariah continues with our reflections on Psalm 23, and how in strange times like these our God will not abandon us.
Rosamond reflects on Psalm 23, reassuring us that we are never alone but always have the Good Shepherd looking after us.
Joe Moffatt introduces a series of podcasts that will be recorded daily by the clergy team at St Mary with St Alban Teddington.