Colourful Dreamer

Part Three Bright and early, Tim and I set off for Bangor, and the trains back down to London. Once in London we met up with John Wotherspon from the TSSF Central Fund. I met John about 7 years ago, when he was in NZ with his wife. They came to St Georges for church on Christmas Day. Over the last few years we have been talking regularly and emailing, but it was good to meet up in person. We then found where the Central Fund meeting was to be held. It was a pretty standard meeting, but it was good to be together in the same room. The last time was four years ago. I was supposed to come over for one in 2020, and strangely that did not happen. Once the meeting was finished Bishop Martyn returned to the other bishops at Lambeth, and the others scampered off to their trains, and I checked in into Premier Inn Euston. And is was time for some more shopping. At least that was the plan. I could not find linen trousers anywhere. So much for that plan. But it was fun getting lost on the undergro...

Canterbury My two and a half days in Canterbury were delightful. Staying with Br Austen was such a gift. Joining him for morning prayer each morning. Gently walking into Canterbury.  The hospitality was not rushed off our feet. The conference people did not include it in the publicity. Br Christopher John did try to tell people about it. On Wednesday some maintenance people parked a cherry picker over the door. Not very helpful. But we had some good conversations with the Bishops who did find us. On Tuesday night the Community of Saint Anslem - a community of young adults from around the communion living and ministering at Lambeth Palace came and chatted. It gives me hope being with such a diverse group of people, including a young TSSF man from Sri Lanka. Talking to the young man from South Sudan makes me again realise how small my problems are. Austen was in the Greyfriars chapel, part of the original building complex from when the first friars came to England in 1224, 2 years be...

I was a little worried abut the flight over, being in a full plane all masked. But so far so good. Lets face it, having access to the lounges makes flying much more pleasant. I got to watch some good movies, got some sleep, and read some of Hirini’s book, and my dragon book. And Heathrow was a breeze really. It took a while to get through the e-gate, but not too long. And my bag awaited me on the luggage thingy. I had arrived with my bag. What more could I want? I have had 2 and a bit days to enjoy London. Saturday I cleaned up and chatted with Sr. Sue, then had a wee nap. Later in the day I ambled down to Black Friars Bridge, and walked along Southbank towards London Bridge, and then back the other way towards Westminster Bridge, supping on a cup or two of nice lagers and enjoying the vibe. I went over the bridge to see the Houses of Parliament, which are now uncovered and gleaming. And through the deserted streets around the back of the Abbey crossing Lambeth bridge and ambling back ...

I will not be posting reflections on te readings for the coming Sunday, or a sermon, for the next few weeks. I am off to the UK to enjoy sweltering heat waves and how to not deal with Covid. And I am there for a number of Franciscan obligations including meeting with some of the bishops at the Lambeth conference. And I am spending some time in North Wales, if the trains let me get there. If all goes to plan I will offer reflections about what I am in the UK for and life on the other side. Or I might not.  We shall see.  If you could keep me in your prayers. And if you want you could pray for Lambeth as well.

                                 Gate Pa – 16 th Sunday in OT - 2022 Readings: Hebrew Scripture:     Amos 8:1-12 Psalm:                       Psalm 52 Epistle:                        Col 1:15-29    Gospel:                      Luke 10:38-42                                   What I want to say: Explore the story of Mary and Martha as about what takes us away from what is important, rather than reading this as saying that listening to Jesus being more important that offering hospitality. What I want to happen: What might be the real thi...

Luke’s story of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42) is a little bit of a mine field, especially for nay male trying to preach on it. Maybe I should stick to the prophet Amos who has some straightforward things to say about the priorities of the wealthy and powerful and the not good consequences of those priorities. Too often this story of Mary and Martha is used to again devalue the hidden work of women around the world keeping families, households, and communities going by providing food and hospitality and doing most of the cleaning, resulting in women remaining invisible and their contribution unacknowledged. Yet none of that fits with how Jesus treats women just about anywhere else in Luke’s gospel. So how might we read this. Luke is writing for small house churches struggling to life the way of Jesus. In this part of the Gospel, we are travelling with Jesus to Jerusalem, and a constant question is what pulls us away from this journey. And maybe one of things is being so preoccupie...

You can listen to this sermon here Gate Pa – Year C 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time, 2022 Readings: Psalm                          Psalm 30   First Reading:              2 Kings 5:1-14  Second Reading:         Galatians 6:7-16  Gospel:                        Luke 10:1-11, 16-20     What I want to say: Explore what Luke and Galatians might offer us as we seem to spiral down with so many issues dividing us What I want to happen: What do we offer all this? The Sermon 1.      Introduction: As I read the newsfeeds on the internet, and am bombarded on Facebook and Instagram, it feels like our ...