Faith Goes Walkabout

Thoughts and reflections

Category: pastoral Page 2 of 6

Holy Land Pilgrimage-The Sea of Galilee

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On February 8, 2015

In church seasons, community, Faith and business, Faith goes walkabout, pastoral, theological

IMG 1509This was the start of our pilgrimage, a day full of wonder and awe, a lake so peaceful and calm, a boat trip to remember for ever, a Eucharist by the shore of the lake, serene and full of the Spirit.

We set out, as many do, into the middle of the Sea of Galilee, peaceful and calm, we had prayers we heard the story of the fishermen and the start of the disciples calling, we saw the geography of that place where Jesus began his work.

After the Bishop had said prayers, there were a few of us who started dancing, to the Jewish dance of Hava Nagila, with music from the crew. – Who would have thought it!! But as always dance was brilliant to express emotions and joy.

We held Eucharist by the shores, and to my amazement,the prayers for that day were for the parish were I now serve and first came to church in Ashwicken.

And towards the end of the day we renewed our baptisms in the River Jordan.

A glimpse into this journey of faith, go to holylandpilgrimage on this site to find out more about the journey.

Rev’d Sue Martin Diocese of Norwich

Darkness and Light

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On December 5, 2014

In church seasons, pastoral

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One candle burns at the start of Advent, in St Clement’s Church, Terrington St Clement, a magnificent and pretty church in the Fens, sometimes called the Cathedral of the Fens.

The light shone in to the church as the south windows were filled with the sun’s low rays.

All out of darkness we have light….

A beautiful reminder that Advent is here and Christmas is on it’s way.

So let’s get ready!

Rev’d Sue Martin Diocese of Norwich

Martha Collison and Big Bake

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On November 16, 2014

In church seasons, Faith and business, pastoral

Image 1Martha Collison, famous now for her charm and delicious baking on The Great British Bake Off has a really enchanting interview with Church Times on 14 November. It’s always the page that I read first, the back page!!

Martha has teamed up with Tearfund and their Big Bake Tournament, the interview shows just how dedicated Martha is to following her call and using her baking skills to support other young people across the world.

She is an activist against child trafficking and makes a very strong argument as to why just has to be recognised and stopped.See the Tear Fund Big Bake web pages here...

Martha is taking a year off from going to University to work with Tearfund and, ‘ to make my self useful’.

What a star! And guess what!’ God,’ she says , ‘Has always been a big part of my life’

Rev’d Sue Martin, Diocese of Norwich

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Was Moses a Super hero?

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On September 7, 2014

In church seasons, pastoral, theological

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Moses, leader of the Israelites, led the people out of Egypt, across the Red Sea, when the waters divided, so long in the desert, Moses found them water and manna and quails eggs, he brought down from the mountain the Ten Commandments written on stone, he had a staff which God gave to him and changed it from a snake, his staff did all sorts of wonderful things.

In fact, he was like a modern day Super hero, and I’m going to include, Super man, Batman, Gandalf, Professor Dumbledore, and….well there are many more.

In the story of Moses and the Burning Bush, Moses was quietly doing his work as a shepherd and was wandering in the desert.And there he saw the burning bush.

He could have chosen to walk away and not get involved, but he turned and spoke with God.

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‘There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire, out of the burning bush’.

The bush. Moses noticed was burning and not going out.

And this next bit is crucial…
‘Then Moses said, ‘ I must turn aside and look as this great sight and see why the bush is not burned up.’

Moses in that few seconds had not ignored God and was going to listen.

 

What happens when super heroes and powerful people are ignored?
What about the people in the stories, can they just carry on with their lives just the same or do they need help and do they have to do something to make that help happen? Harry. Bilbo and Frodo?

More reflections in www.faithgoeswalkabout, on Sermon for 12th Sunday after Trinity.

Revd Sue Martin, Diocese of Norwich

Robin Williams by his daughter Zelda

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On August 15, 2014

In pastoral

Robin Williams as Peter Pan in Hook – forever an inspiration and joy.

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“My family has always been private about our time spent together. It was our way of keeping one thing that was ours, with a man we shared with an entire world. But now that’s gone, and I feel stripped bare. My last day with him was his birthday, and I will be forever grateful that my brothers and I got to spend that time alone with him, sharing gifts and laughter.

He was always warm, even in his darkest moments. While I’ll never, ever understand how he could be loved so deeply and not find it in his heart to stay, there’s minor comfort in knowing our grief and loss, in some small way, is shared with millions. It doesn’t help the pain, but at least it’s a burden countless others now know we carry, and so many have offered to help lighten the load. Thank you for that.

To those he touched who are sending kind words, know that one of his favorite things in the world was to make you all laugh. As for those who are sending negativity, know that some small, giggling part of him is sending a flock of pigeons to your house to poop on your car. Right after you’ve had it washed. After all, he loved to laugh too…

Dad was, is and always will be one of the kindest, most generous, gentlest souls I’ve ever known, and while there are few things I know for certain right now, one of them is that not just my world, but the entire world is forever a little darker, less colorful and less full of laughter in his absence. We’ll just have to work twice as hard to fill it back up again.”

Zelda Williams

Revd Sue Martin – Faithgoeswalkabout

Hope for the Future

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On July 6, 2014

In community, pastoral, Uncategorized

hopeAcross the world, women and girls who are caught up in political battles, in the name of religion.

They are kidnapped, held hostage, taken away from their families and living in impossible situations.

Where is the logic that girls are not allowed to have an education? How does it work for anyone not to allow their daughter to be able to read? Let alone being unable to marry a person of their choice or unable to walk without a chaperone.

In so many ways we value our freedom in the UK and that equality issues are not so basic and so dire as in many places, not saying however, that suffering by girls is not taking place in the UK.

Fear can work in so many ways, faith does not use fear as a justification.

The Longest Day

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On June 24, 2014

In church seasons, pastoral, theological

This was the view from home on June 21st 2014 at 21.25,just as the sun disappeared over the horizon. The longest day was coming to an end and it wasn’t over yet as the daylight and twilight continued until well past 22.00.

What an amazing experience and wonderful to have so much sunshine on the longest day.

IMG 0802Most of the information available relates to the Summer Solstice and to the druids at Stonehenge, rather as if they were and still are the only ones who find this a special time.

 

Solstice’ literally means the stopping or standing still of the sun. It is used as a name for the longest day of the year – 21 June – when the sun is at its highest point in the northern hemisphere.
The sun reaches its highest position in the sky twice a year as seen from the north or south pole. This is when either hemisphere is tipped towards the sun more than on any other day of the year.
The day of the solstice has the longest period of sunlight in the calendar year (16 hours and 38 minutes in London). The only exception is in polar regions, where daylight can last for days or months.

Light is powerful, and that our relationship with our star, the sun, is crucial to our planet.

Being filled with light gives us hope and joy and a real lift to our souls.

Rev’d Sue Martin

Lord of the Dance

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On April 20, 2014

In church seasons, pastoral, theological

EasterHappy Easter!

Alleluia, He is Risen!

Dance then, wherever you may be;

I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,

And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,

And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

They cut me down

And I leap up high;

I am the life

That’ll never, never die;

I’ll live in you,if you’ll live in me:

I am the Lord of the Dance, said he:

Rev’d Sue Martin

Chaplain at QE Hospital, Diocese of Norwich

Jesus as a Revolutionary…

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On February 8, 2014

In church seasons, Faith goes walkabout, pastoral, theological

Jesus walkingJesus was a revolutionary.

He was stirring people into action, making them change, showing them what they should have been doing.

What happens to revolutionaries now? Don’t we all sit back and say things like,

‘I don’t see why I have to change. ‘
‘There’s nothing that I should be doing is there?’

But, “You are the light of the world…” says Jesus
So how can we sit back and do nothing?

We can’t all be revolutionaries but we can speak out when injustice does take place.

Don’t hide your light under a bushel!

See more in sermons on Faithgoeswalkabout.

Readings for 4th Sunday before Lent

Isaiah 58:1-9, 1 Corinth. 2:1-12 and Matthew 5:13 – 20

Rev’d Sue Martin

Follow Me…

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On January 26, 2014

In church seasons, community, Faith goes walkabout, pastoral, theological

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Follow me. The words of Jesus for the fishermen and for us too.

No excuses, like…well I’ll just take the dog home first and then I’ll be back.

Or…Can I make it next year, I have so much on at the moment..

Or… I will follow but it’s going to have to be later this week,. Can you come back next Sunday?

Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John were one day normal Galilean fishermen and the next, they were disciples and later apostles of Jesus, Son of God. Pretty impressive that!

We can all do it too, if we really want too. Follow Him!

See Epiphany on Faithgoeswalkabout

Rev’d Sue Martin

Norwich Diocese

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