Holocaust Memorial Day Reflection

This is a short video I made in 2012 - seems fitting to add it here:

On the sixth day of Christmas ...

Apple having put aside their Twelve Days of Christmas giveaway this year has given me the chance to get people thinking, praying, learning, listening (to some great music) and finding app's they might not have otherwise done: Day Six ...

The Church and the World
Today all is quiet in the Western Church - but one hundred years ago today things were just a little different and to mark the centenary of the 1914-18 conflict SGM (Lifewords) have created a facsimile of the New Testament that would have been carried by those engaged in the conflict (Active Service  John's Gospel):

SGM Lifewords

This conflict changed the world in so many ways and lasted some 244 weeks - perhaps 2015 might present an opportunity for churches (and individuals) to get hold of some of these and use them as part of remembrance and commemoration where you are. Why not take the opportunity to bring the Church and the World into relationship by looking at the war memorials in your buildings and create some links and mark those who marched away from your home town?


Karaoke and Church Resources

We have somehow developed a couple of traditions associated with New Year in our church. The first is that we pray until early into the next year and some how it has also become a bit of a standard feature for us to engage in the wonderful art of Karaoke. 

I'm about to start producing Christian CDG (music and video files) and wonder how many of you out there would like to experiment with this as a resource. I already have a place where service resources can be found and am happy to extend it to this if it would be helpful.

For what is on offer already, take a look here .

Something to listen to

Following a request for something instrumental:

And for the person who asked for another piece of music by Adrian Snell, here is one of my favourite pieces:

Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us through your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share in our humanity, so we may share the life of his divinity; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

On the third day of Christmas ...

Since Apple have put aside their Twelve Days of Christmas giveaway this year I thought I would have to do something too redress the gap left by them: Day Three ...

The (Western) Church
Celebrates the feast of St John (the Evangelist - the theologian - the Divine)
Him what has a Gospel and some letters and Revelations.
It's Him what (as the Evangelist) has an Eagle as his symbol and this is often said to be the reason for the design of many of the lecterns - as the place from whence the word goes out into the world!

The Western World
Continues generally unabated with its sad affection with crime as the body of Father Gregorio Lopez was found near the Mexican city of Ciudad Altamirano. Fr. Lopez accused the drug gang 'Guerreros Unidos'* of the kidnap and murder of 43 young people (something few see to have been affected by in this country) in September and it is this group that many suspect to be behind the killing. He is the third priest to have been killed this year!

* United Warriors

China
Apparently Christians are still coming in for attention from the state as reports of crosses being torn down and congregations tear gassed. The number of those who have made Christianity a lifestyle is, according to some, as large (if not larger) than the number of those in the Communist party itself - and this is obviously seen as a bit of threat.

So much of a threat it seems that the authorities are enforcing rules forbidding minors from engaging in any religious practice in an attempt to put an end to stop Christian organisations working with those under the age of 18 whilst 'requiring' local legislatures to work with this age group to spread an atheist message.

So Christians are still spreading the word, making a stand for what is right, and being opposed.

Hallelujah or what?

Something to listen to

and for those who like something a little older in style'

Merciful Lord, cast your bright beams of light upon the Church:
that, being enlightened by the teaching of your blessed apostle and evangelist Saint John,
we may so walk in the light of your truth that we may at last attain to the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ your incarnate Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Holocaust Memorial Day Reflection 2021

I made this for a time of reflection in an HMD service a few years back - as valid today as it was then.