Archbishop Sarah

 

Canterbury 2026

Yesterday I watched the Installation of Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury.  It was wonderful to see African dancers, to hear the Gospel read in Spanish, to see Church leaders of many denominations taking part, to watch her being blessed in the Bemba language from Zambia.

It was a marvellous weaving of new music, traditional liturgy.  Her morse on her cope was fashioned from the buckle from her nursing belt but she sat on the ancient Chair of St Augustine.

It was moving to hear her support of all who have suffered because of the actions or inaction of church leaders.  

Celebrations at St Paul's 2024

When the previous archbishop took office in 2013 there were no women bishops in the Church of England.  Two years ago I went to London for the national celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the first ordinations of women to the priesthood.  Bishop Sarah (as she was then) presided at that service.  She thanked those of us ordained in 1994 because without what we did then, she would not be able to do what she does now.  

Archbishop Sarah, I feel proud and humble.  May God bless you.  

A word I knew already!

 

"The gifts of winter" by Stephanie Fitzgerald has introduced me to some wonderful new words but today I want to think about a word I knew already.  Self.

I didn't expect to find Self among her "words of winter" but there it is.  At first I just skimmed past it but I found I had to go back, re-read and think.  

Dr Fitzgerald suggests that winter is the season of the self.  She calls us to consider self-love, self-compassion, self-connection.  It's a time for us to give ourselves permission to focus on ourselves and to permit ourselves to be authentic.  We can get caught up in the busy-ness of life but the slower rhythms of winter give us the opportunity (as I mentioned yesterday) of making sure our bodies and souls are in harmony.

Father, thank you for making me just as I am.

Thank you for my uniqueness and purpose.

Help me to value who you created me to be

and to use my life to honour you.  Amen.

So be it.

I trained for ministry on a course which was run not just by The Church of England but the United Reformed and Methodist churches too, and we shared in the glories of all three traditions  At the beginning of each year we used this prayer from the Methodist Covenant Service.  I still use it now.  

Blessings

 

You're blessed when you're at the end of your tether. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

You're blessed when you're content with just who you are -- no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourself proud owner of everything that can't be bought.

You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being full of cares you find yourself cared for.

You're blessed when you get your inside world -- your mind and your heart -- put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you deeper into God's kingdom.

Not only that-count yourself blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit you. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens-give a cheer, even!-for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always got into this kind of trouble. 

Talking to God

 

I asked God to take away my habit.  God said, No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

 I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.  God said, No. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary

I asked God to grant me patience.   God said, No. Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.

 I asked God to give me happiness.  God said, No. I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.

 I asked God to spare me pain.  God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

 I asked God to make my spirit grow.  God said, No. You must grow on your own! but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

 I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.  God said, No.  I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

 I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.  God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.

 

THIS DAY IS YOURS DON'T THROW IT AWAY

 

May God Bless You, "To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be the world"