Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

As I shared with the congregation at the Wednesday Eucharist, it wasn’t until the other day that I discovered in some reading that Brian Blessed (the English actor/comedian) is also actually an intrepid mountain climber and explorer. I only remember him from shows like ‘Black Adder.’ But he has in fact climbed several high peaks in South America, Mt Kilamanjaro in Tanzania, he survived a plane crash in Venezuela and has attempted three times an ascent of Mt Everest without additional oxygen assistance. He is also a fully trained astronaut and on the waiting list to go to the international space station. The comment added that even now being over eighty there is hope for all of us.
A question today and this week might be “What do you thirst for?” Perhaps it is to be overly adventurous like Brian Blessed, or it might be to deepen certain friendships and relationships. It could be about a hobby or a career pursuit. Being in the Season of Lent it might be about being able to slow down, reflect and draw nearer to God.
If you think about it, perhaps there are many things you thirst for in your life and that can be healthy. Especially so, when there is so much happening around us that might otherwise simply dampen our spirits. Perhaps the exercise of thinking through what you thirst for this week might help take our minds in different directions other than whatever the otherwise preoccupying issues of the day are, both good and bad.
What do you thirst for spiritually?
What might be some other things you are thirsting for at this time?
As you contemplate such things may Jesus be with you in your continued journey through Lent.

Fr Ian

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Welcome to worship as we observe the Second Sunday in Lent.
There wouldn’t be a week or even a day go by when some event or events that are reported in the media are profoundly disturbing. I would want to add to that list the panic buying on at the moment due to peoples fears around COVID-19.
The other evening I had to do a little shopping for the misses (no not Allison. She’s the Mrs), but for things we didn’t get when we went shopping. Amongst the list we needed some milk powder (which we use every now and again), SR Flour and cat food (none of which go together). Needless to say at the supermarket there was no flour, no milk powder and hardly any cat food. Just as well we didn’t need toilet paper, rice or pasta (as these were out at the time as well). It looked a little like a store in the 1980’s East Germany, many shelves were pretty bear!
I haven’t yet fully fathomed the need behind this continued panic buying, which contrary to statements made by political and community leaders continues unabated. Have a percentage of people in our community lost all faith and trust in others and rely only on their own understanding of the situation.
The same perhaps can be said about faith in God through Jesus Christ. Perhaps as a people we are forgetting that God’s abundant love is a gift for all of us, even when we don’t deserve it. No one is perfect. We all make mistakes. Whilst it may be hard sometimes for human beings to forgive, God still shows grace and mercy.
Whilst it is important to prepare ourselves for challenging times, there comes a point where we need place more faith and trust in others and especially in God.
Journey well this week.
​Fr Ian