General Chat

Hello all.

Amen to your prayer today Cynthia.

May we all have a good night sleep and
wake up tomorrow with new hopes and
a lot of positive energy.

Sweet dreams everybody.

Good morning :-)

Lord, may nothing separate me from You today. Teach me how to choose only Your way today so each step will lead me closer to You. Help me walk by the Word and not my feelings. Help me to keep my heart pure and undivided.

Protect me from my own careless thoughts, words, and actions. And keep me from being distracted by MY wants, MY desires, MY thoughts on how things should be. Help me to embrace what comes my way as an opportunity... rather than a personal inconvenience. And finally, help me to rest in the truth of Psalm 86:13, 'Great is your love toward me.'

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Today, we celebrate Candlemas, the official day of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM ANNA AND SIMEON?

Over the last few days, we have been looking at the story of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. There is a meme which reads “Wise men still worship Him.” Simeon and Anna were two wonderfully wise saints who recognized the Christ Child when most only saw the infant as another Hebrew child born into poverty.

Through Simeon and Anna, we honour all those elderly Christians who have the light of Jesus shining in their eyes. They still recognize the face of Christ in those they gently serve.

A special prayer for Candlemas
Almighty and ever-living God,
clothed in majesty,
whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple,
in substance of our flesh:
grant that we may be presented to you
with pure and clean hearts,
by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I think I should buy a bed just to be used at church. With all that is going on, I seem to be there every day with one thing or another. May get some of my own housework done soon!!! :-D

The Pensioners in the Temple - Anna

We are told that Anna was a widow, and that she was married only seven years when her husband died. She was living in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’ birth and was in the Temple courtyards day and night worshipping God through fasting and prayer. She was longing to see the promised Messiah.

She loved the house of God.
She was a woman of great self-denial.
She had known sorrow, but she had not grown bitter.
She was at least 84 years old, but she never ceased to hope.

Anna was faithful in praying for others. Her great age did not deter her from serving the Lord. She told all who would listen that the Messiah had come. Their searching was over! She conveyed this news wherever she could find an interested hearer. She was quite an evangelist!

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Jesus was received into the Temple by Simeon and Anna – two very old people, but what was so special about these two people?

Simeon lived in Jerusalem and was known for being "righteous and devout”. He had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah.
When Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to the Temple for the rite of purification (which was Jewish law and custom), Simeon recognised the baby as the promised Saviour, took him in his arms, and raised this hymn of praise……….., "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel".

This song is still sung today, especially at evensong and Christian funerals and is known by its Latin name of the Nunc Dimittis.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple………the baby Jesus was recognised as the Messiah by two pensioners.

A past article in the Church Times continues……..

“Churches should listen more imaginatively to older people's experiences and be ready to learn from them. Older people can provide a longer perspective in a time of change. They know about making mistakes and understand human nature, work, and faith.

Some older people are natural evangelists. They have time for people and for spiritual friendship. Their lives often reflect many of the virtues of discipleship: empathy, patience, and compassion. These are attractive resources for mission.”

We give thanks for our older, faithful Christian friends.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Many thanks to kandji for covering for me while I went to a family gathering in Cambridge. It was a lovely break. :-D



When Jesus was taken to the Temple as an act of thanksgiving by his parents, it was two old people who recognised that this was, indeed, the Lord they had been waiting for. Both Simeon and Anna would have been well into their eighties.

Each generation of churchgoers moves through a state of ‘wanting to attract younger members to church’. It’s an age-old problem and yet, the church is still here. An article in a Mothers’ Union magazine stated that, if younger members could not be found, then the organisation would die out. That article was printed in the 1950’s and the MU. still has many thousands of members spread across 84 countries.

An article in a past copy of the Church Times states……“Too many of us in the Church apologise for our congregation with words such as "I am afraid we are all elderly here. Surely, we should celebrate our older members, not be ashamed of them”.

Yes, we should be grateful and thankful for our older members God bless them.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia is well and enjoying a family get together
this weekend. I'm sure she's loving the change.

I think this quote is appropriate.

Relax.... do nothing at all.
Take a moment for yourself.
Enjoy the moment.
Just..... because you deserve it!

Sending a hug for those who need one just now.

Hello all

Continuing Cynthia's Christian Unity theme.........

"Only humility will lead us to unity, and unity
will lead to peace." (Mother Teresa).

Take care everyone.

Good morning :-)


Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

God Bless All Churches
by Caleb Davis Bradlee

We have but one Leader, Christ Jesus, the Lord,
We’ll join in his praises with gracious accord;
May all Churches love the one Guide to proclaim,
And write on their banners the Saviour’s blest name.

With Jesus as Leader, Defender, and Guide,
The other great doctrines we will not decide;
But we’ll leave to each Church its own special plea,
And each one shall speak it as each one shall see.

We’ll all look to Heaven as a right blessed home,
We’ll all do our best whilst on earth we shall roam;
We’ll love one another forever and aye;
And “God bless all Churches” we daily will pray.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

God of life, You have created us to have life, and life in all its fullness. Help your wounded Church to be a source of hope and healing. As we follow Jesus’ way with determination, may we lead others to you. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

God of love, who writes love in our hearts, instil in us the courage to look beyond ourselves and see the neighbour in those different from ourselves and to be the unexpected neighbour, that we may truly follow Jesus Christ our brother and our friend, who is Lord, for ever and ever. Amen

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

It’s been interesting for me to read that our Bishop, is very involved in the work of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.

This organisation acknowledges that the churches are of different traditions and theologies, but are, nonetheless, committing themselves to a journey towards full visible unity. How lovely that our traditions and differences are respected whilst we are all travelling the same road.

Lord, give us the grace to know you deeply, in order to love you entirely. May the gift of your Holy Spirit enable our eyes, ears and minds to receive the unconditional love with which you love us. Purify our hearts that we may always be ready to love our neighbour, however different, as ourselves. Through the self-giving life of Christ our Lord. Amen

Cx :-)

Hello all

I'm blessed to have friends who hold Atheist, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist and Pentecostal views.

In this week of Christian Unity it's good to come together in prayer. Unity doesn't mean sameness, it means a oneness of purpose in our chosen faith.

"Whatever our age, capacity,
church calling or location,
We are as one,
Called to the work to help Him
In His salvation of Souls,
Until He comes again."
(President Henry B. Eyring."

Stay safe during the strong winds everyone.

Good morning :-)


Many of us have friends who belong to other denominations -Methodist, Roman Catholic, Baptist etc. and we get on well. There are many different Christian churches and denominations throughout the world, but all have the same basic calling – to worship God, to share the good news about Jesus Christ and to work for the good of all people.

This week is known as the Week of Christian Unity, so churches have the opportunity to work together in all ways, maybe sharing and explaining worship traditions, organising events for the community and simply loving each other.

What a fantastic witness this could be and all to the glory of God.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The Collect (special prayer) for today:
Almighty God,
whose Son revealed in signs and miracles
the wonder of your saving presence:
renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness
sustain us by your mighty power;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

Cx :-)

Thank you for another interesting week Cynthia <3

Good morning :-)

Church looks brilliant!!!!! We have some very willing workers thank God. <3

Vestments add colour and atmosphere to a service and their history is a fascinating part of our heritage. Many churches have a history where there was once a tradition of the clergy to wear vestments and were probably fortunate and blessed to have so many that have been donated, in gratitude for some person's life or event, by faithful parishioners.

In recent years. however, rules have been relaxed about what the clergy should wear. We thank God for the spirit of generosity in which the vestments were given and for what they represent within our faith.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Been busy cleaning church this week.........brrrrrrrr

In answer to a question asked last week, we continue:
What are vestments? ‘Behind every detail in what the clergy wear is reasoning and wisdom’.

The Christian Year celebrates different parts of the Christian faith during the course of twelve months - dividing the year into a series of seasons. Each season has its own theological significance and colour and the vestments change accordingly.

White symbolises purity and joy. It is used during the most joyful times in the Church calendar, such as Christmas and Easter. It is also worn at baptisms, weddings, and funerals to symbolize the Resurrection.

Green is the default colour and symbolises growth and maturation in our faith, much like a plant grows in the natural world. Green signifies this hopeful, unfolding journey of discipleship.

Purple is used during Advent and Lent, seasons of waiting and preparation for the celebrations of Christmas and Easter, respectively. The colour is traditionally associated with penitence and fasting, as well as royalty, reminding us that we are preparing for the coming of the King.

Red symbolises The Holy Spirit and Martyrdom Red is the colour of fire and blood. It is used on Pentecost, when we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. It is also used for the feasts of martyrs, who shed their blood for the faith. Red brings to mind the Holy Spirit, who gives us the courage to witness to our faith, even to the point of sacrificing our lives.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


In answer to a question asked last week, we continue:

What are vestments? ‘Behind every detail in what the clergy wear is reasoning and wisdom’.

Today: The Cope
The cope, like the chasuble, was originally an outdoor garment worn by laymen, monks, and clergy. Its history is quite fascinating. Isidore of Seville is the first person that mentions it, in A.D. 620. In A.D, 1250 Durandus, a French Bishop, gave an account of its symbolical meaning as follows: “It is embroidered with fringes, which are labours and cares of this world. It has a hood, which is heavenly delight. It is long, reaching to the feet, which signifies perseverance to the end. In front it is open, to denote that eternal life is open to men of holy life, and that the wearer’s life ought to be an open example to others.”

Copes are usually worn in processions and on ceremonial occasions.

A cope may be worn by any rank of the clergy and can be used for special occasions and add that little bit of eye-catching wonder to the proceedings. Think of the recent Coronation with all the splendour that it entailed. The clergy robes added to the whole scenario, they caught the eye, lifted the spirits and reminded us of the Glory of God. How disappointing and boring it would have been if the clergy had worn suits or casual wear.

The work and craftsmanship which go into these vestments is amazing – the designs, the sewing, and the sheer skill of making these garments is, indeed, a God-given talent.

Cx :-)