As part of our attempts to stay connected as congregations and a circuit in these challenging times, I’m starting a series of daily Bible studies with colleagues today. Each day, we will examine a short text, discuss some context and suggest some points for reflection and discussion. I hope that folks may find them helpful. … Continue reading Home Bible Study: Matthew 8:1-4

As part of our attempts to stay connected as congregations and a circuit in these challenging times, I'm starting a series of daily Bible studies with colleagues today. Each day, we will examine a short text, discuss some context and suggest some points for reflection and discussion. I hope that folks may find them helpful. … Continue reading Home Bible Study: 2 Kings 19

As part of our attempts to stay connected as congregations and a circuit in these challenging times, I'm starting a series of daily Bible studies with colleagues today. Each day, we will examine a short text, discuss some context and suggest some points for reflection and discussion. I hope that folks may find them helpful. … Continue reading Home Bible Study: Matthew 4:1-11

For the first time in hundreds of years, the churches across England will be closed today for public worship. It's a poor substitute but the Richmond & Hounslow Circuit has decided to record a short act of worship each Sunday during the current crisis to help us stay connected. This is the text of our … Continue reading Coronavirus Sunday Worship (22 March)

First, may I wish anyone reading this a happy new year, and may I also apologise for the lack of material on this site for the last few months. It has been a challenging time in our circuit of churches and I found myself suddenly thrust into the role of superintendent minister in November, overseeing … Continue reading Stepping out into the unknown

This sermon is based on the one that I preached today at Richmond United Church, in the Richmond & Hounslow District. The sets texts for the day were: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 and Luke 15:1-10. [The sermon began with a clip from the BBC film version of ‘Cold Comfort Farm’, the comic novel by Stella Gibbons. It … Continue reading Miserable sinners!

This is the sermon I preached today at Putney Methodist Church. The text was Genesis 1:1-2:4, the first Creation story. Introduction In recent years, a new season has been added to the Christian calendar. At the initiative of the Orthodox Church, and others, we are being urged to consider the period from the beginning of … Continue reading In the beginning…

This is the sermon I delivered today at Holy Trinity Parish Church, part of the Ecumenical Parish of Roehampton. The set texts were Hebrews 11:29 – 12:2 and Luke 12:49-56. The lectionary is not always a gift to preachers! Today’s gospel reading seems particularly out of place and unhelpful at this time. All of us are only … Continue reading Do make a fuss!

This is the sermon I preached today at Barnes Methodist Church. I was not using the lectionary but preached on Paul's letter to Philemon. Introduction In June, we studied the book of Colossians together as part of the Bible Month initiative. I have had many positive responses from people about the benefits of looking at one … Continue reading Philemon: making a difference?

This month at the churches I serve we are observing Bible Month. This is an initiative launched by the Methodist Church to foster Biblical literacy by encouraging congregations to focus on a particular book of the Bible during June.  This year we are looking at the New Testament book of Colossians, dividing the whole book up over four … Continue reading Bible Month 4:”Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt”