Faith Goes Walkabout

Thoughts and reflections

Category: pastoral Page 3 of 6

Helicopter Crash in North Norfolk

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On January 10, 2014

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

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On the edge of the North Norfolk coast, US Air Force helicopter crashed killing all four people on board.

The HH-60G Pave Hawk, based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, came down at a nature reserve in Cley next the Sea on Tuesday night.

The aircraft, from the 48th Fighter Wing, was on a low-level training mission and carrying live ammunition.

For many of us, living in Norfolk, the flights overhead of military planes and helicopters is a constant reminder of the work of the armed forces and how the low level flying over the sea is a fundamental part of the training programmes.

It is of enormous sadness that four young men should lose their loves in such a way on the shoreline where there is usually peace and solace.

The Bishop of Lynn, The Right Reverend Jonathan Meyrich said ,

“We have all been shocked and deeply saddened by the loss of the four crew members involved in Tuesday’s crash. Words can be of little help at this time to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives, but in services across the Diocese we will be remembering them in our prayers this Sunday, as well as those in Cley and Salthouse and members of the emergency services, many of whom have been left shaken by this tragedy.”

“Often when a tragedy like this happens, people want to pray but are not sure how. The best prayers come straight from the heart, but the prayer below can be used by any who wish to remember before God those whose lives have been affected.”

“God of all consolation, we pray for all those whose lives have been affected by Tuesday’s helicopter crash. We ask for comfort for those who have been bereaved, courage for the colleagues of the crew, strength for the emergency services, peace for communities of Salthouse and Cley. Grant to all who have been affected by this tragedy your light and hope, for we pray in the name our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.”

Rev’d Sue Martin

Diocese of Norwich

Advent 2

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On December 8, 2013

In church seasons, Faith goes walkabout, pastoral, theological

Posada

Mary Joseph and donkey

The Advent journey of Mary and Joseph and their donkey is experienced more and more in our churches and homes.

The tradition of Posada, which began in South America is now taking root in the UK.

Crib figures, representing Mary, Joseph and the donkey travel around a village or town stopping(by arrangement!) where there is a place for them to stay with a warm welcome.

Night after night, the figures are taken from one host home to another; hospitality, the lighting of a candle and a very simple act of worship are shared. There is time to wonder on these amazing overnight guests and to reflect on what Advent really means.

Rev’d Sue Martin

image courtesy of spiritualchild.co.uk

Voyage of the Dawn Treader

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On November 18, 2013

In pastoral, theological

Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Journeys and destinations

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Where sky and water meet,
Where the waves grow sweet,
Doubt Not, Reepicheep,
To find all you seek,
There is the utter East.

 

 

 

(Chapter 2 Voyage of the Dawn Treader ( Tales of Narnia) by C.S Lewis)

Pilgrimages, like in the Voyage of the Dawn Treader are fraught with mystery, testing and transformation. We can have a pilgrimage of our own faith journeys and not even set foot outside the house.

Or we can embark on an adventure with real travel and set out to journey, to find whatever we do along the way.

The destination or the end point may be a goal, when we first set out, but over time it can change, we can find that what it was that we were searching for is not the right thing at all. Or even that we have it all the time, right back in our own hearts and homes.

Read more in sermons on faithgoeswalkabout…

Rev’d Sue Martin

Norwich Diocesan Conference 9-12th September

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On September 11, 2013

In community, pastoral, theological

IMG 0426Deepening Vocation

Over 200 clergy members of the Norwich Diocese are spending four days at University of Hertfordshire.

The days have been spent in worship, study, listening to speakers and being involved in some very stimulating workshops, along with time to reflect and share together in friendship.

On Wednesday the conference listened to The Rev’d Professor Sarah Cockley from University of Cambridge and Ely Cathedral, on the Christian Priest Today. A straightforward title but a very deep lecture and discussion on the paradox of priestly vocation and sense of spirituality and the conflicting need to be business like and efficient in line with organisational structures.

Speakers have also included The Rev’d Dr Jo Bailiey-Wells on Deepening Vocation and The Rev’d Richard Coles on fiction and film.

Still time for coffee breaks and a chance to catch up with friends.

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Rev’d Sue Martin

Curate in the Gayton Group of Parishes

Climbing the Tower

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On July 14, 2013

In church seasons, community, pastoral

people on towerCelebration for St Mary’s Church,Gayton Thorpe, the large scale building work is finished!

The round church tower was open for viewing and the brave or foolhardy braved the ladders on the way to the top. Even braver were those who stood up, as the wall was only 12 inches high!

An amazing view of the countryside on a beautiful summer’s day… the ancient path of the Icknield Way(which claims to be the oldest route in Britain) stretching through the trees and fields.

Cakes, teas and glasses of bubbly were available and provided by Sarah and Zoe, who have worked so hard to ensure that the church will remain open and alive and the cheerful and warm service, led by Rev’d Jane Holmes meant that the church will now be open once again for services and for those walking past it’s doors.GT service

Our small churches are a joy to have and even when we are small in number, they remain a place for prayer and space and quiet.

Rev’d Sue Martin

Curate of Gayton Group of Parishes

Faithgoes walkabout.org

Peace I Leave with you

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On May 6, 2013

In church seasons, Faith and business, pastoral, theological

Himalayan ridgePeace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.

 

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid.

John 14:23-29

Sixth Sunday in Easter and a great message.

Three years ago I was in Avila in Spain on a diocesan retreat. A week of warmth, sunshine and friendship. And on the way we met the words and life of St Teresa of Avila. Her most famous words;

‘Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you
All things pass away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
He who has God
Finds he lacks nothing,
God alone suffices.’ Solo Dios Basta

And, you know, these words help a lot when times get tough and those you love seem far away.

Full sermon at Easter on Faith Goes Walkabout

Reverend Sue Martin

God and the Jet Stream

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On April 11, 2013

In church seasons, pastoral, Uncategorized

Image 2Have you ever wondered what is happening with the weather this year?

Day after day of cold, bitter northerly winds and a Spring that just seems to refuse to happen.

Snow at Easter, the northern hills still covered in the white stuff, lambs already in need of their warm and wooly coats.

The Atlantic Jet Stream, it seems is too far south! Leaving us above the warm and westerly winds an in direct line for the easterly winds from the Urals.

What does God think about the jet stream and could he just not give it a casual blow from the south, please?

I wonder if he sits in heaven and maybe thinks that along with austerity goes a very cold wind indeed!

On searching in the Bible the main reference to the weather is in Job, 37: 22- end

‘When the wind has passed and cleared them, out of the north comes golden splendour.’

Maybe we should just hope that in time the weather will change and become warmer…. and like all difficult things, with time it will pass.

Rev’d sue Martin

Kalpana in Nepal

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On January 13, 2013

In community, Nepal, pastoral

Kalpana on her journey to school...

 

Kalpana, aged 7, in Nepal on her way to school.

We support Kalpana and make regular contributions towards her school costs, from our children’s books website Dolphin Booksellers. We put aside monies to send to Kalpana for her education.

 

 

Her family live several villages away and Bhim and Kalpana walk for a day to stay with her aunt during school time. Bhim, her uncle, is a Himalayan guide, and communicates with us regularly when he is back from trips around Everest.

Our connection was started over two years ago when I went to Nepal, on a walk to Everest Base Camp. Two days from the Base Camp I developed altitude sickness and had to make a very long and hasty retreat down the mountain. There’s more info on my Faith in Nepal page. Helping me to get down was Bhim, an experienced guide. We talked a great deal on the 5 days down and I learnt all about Kalpana.

Sue Martin

The Christmas Story – one more time…

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On January 3, 2013

In church seasons, pastoral, theological

Christmas told in the Antipodes

How children ‘down under’ interpret the Christmas Story…

 

Women Bishops

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On November 24, 2012

In community, pastoral, theological

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What happened to the vote, how does 72% overall in favour mean that the legislation was defeated?

 

Everyone is reeling this week with the news that General Synod, the top section of the Church of England’s structure, have seemingly voted against the position of women bishops. In brief there are three houses and each has to have a two thirds majority. All had gone fine until the House of Laity, who did not return this majority.

What a disaster!

In 2012, with a church that has women priests, the common sense and equality approach, would see no reason why women are not treated the same as men!

Theological, a minority of people including conservative evangelicals, feel that it is not right.

If we are all working in the affirmation, love and welcome of God through the world, then surely it must be time for us all to have an equal position and worth.

There is much anguish, frustration and disappointment.

The Bishop of Norwich has written to all across the Norwich Diocese and expressed the need, now, to be more united as a church, to work and pray for a resolution.

In the meantime, women and men together in ministry continue to bring the good news to all in the parishes and beyond.

Rev’d Sue Martin

Curate in Gayton Group of Parishes

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