Sermon Blog 2026

Our recent Benefice Service was a day packed with joy, marking not one, but three incredible celebrations, all beautifully connected by the Great Commission from Matthew 28.16-20.

Firstly, we celebrated the formal birth of a new, self-governing parish at St Mark’s, Ten Mile Bank. We’ve seen this worshipping community grow and mature, actively answering Christ’s call to 'Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’. This step forward is a testament to the community's readiness for its own destiny.

Secondly, we celebrated Heidi’s authorization as an Authorised Lay Minister (ALM). This reminds us how crucial lay ministry is to the future of the rural church. A single priest cannot be expected to carry the entire load; we need a wider ministry team to grow the church and make disciples. If you’ve felt a call to lay ministry, please come and chat with me—we are working with the Diocese to make training more accessible locally.

The third celebration was Alfie’s Baptism. Baptism should be one of the most joyful events in a church’s life, particularly when an older child or adult makes that decision themselves. The core truth is that Baptism is an external sign of an internal transformation. It is a public declaration that God has already transformed your heart, that you have repented, and that you are ready for a new life in Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit.

The act of immersion powerfully symbolises washing clean from sin, burial from the old life, and resurrection to a brand-new life in Christ. Baptism is available to everyone; you don’t have to wait until you are perfect—it is simply the start of a new journey.

Whether you are considering baptism, looking to confirm the baptism vows made for you in childhood, or wondering about becoming part of our lay ministry team, you can know that God’s call is open. Let us continue to celebrate these new steps of faith in our community throughout the Ouse Valley Benefice.

Today, we celebrate Pentecost, a pivotal date in the liturgical calendar, marking the dramatic coming of the Holy Spirit. While the initial part of our year—Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter—moves quickly towards the Ascension and then Pentecost, we must actively resist the temptation to view the rest of the year as a spiritual "hiatus". Pentecost is not a conclusion, but a timely reminder that the following months are when we are called to live daily in the power of the Spirit.

Theologian Henri Nouwen beautifully described Pentecost as the moment the Spirit "alight with his fire, fills the universe... signifying the birth of the church. A season of joy, hope and mission". This birth was explosive, accompanied by the sound of a rushing wind. The same word for Spirit in both Hebrew and Greek is also translated as breath. The Holy Spirit is the very breath of God—essential to our spiritual life, just as our own breathing is essential to physical life, even when we are unaware of it. Without this power, we are utterly powerless.

Without Pentecost, the life and saving work of Jesus remains merely a distant, historical memory. But with this empowering gift, we are equipped so that Jesus can continue his transformative work through us here on earth today. We are called, as the disciples were, to be his witnesses "to the ends of the earth," and that mission continues today.

The spectacular miracle of the first Pentecost shows the unity of God’s expansive plan. Nations gathered in Jerusalem heard the apostles proclaiming "God’s amazing power" in their own languages. It reversed the effect of the Tower of Babel, where language confusion separated people. Here, God used miraculous speech to unite all who heard, bringing great blessing to all nations.

We, too, are invited to live a radical Spiritual life, trusting that everything we touch will be affected by the Spirit’s presence. The message Peter preached to the perplexed and amazed crowd still calls us today: accept the evidence of truth, repent, and be baptized to receive forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit that descended that day is available to us now. Let us respond to this essential gift, so that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved".

If you’ve ever travelled on the London underground, you know the warning: ‘Mind the Gap’. It’s a call to attention, a reminder of the sudden void between the platform and the train. In a similar, but far more profound way, the Ascension leads us into a gap.

One moment, Jesus, the risen Christ, was standing with his apostles, and the next, he was majestically lifted up into the clouds. The apostles were once again left in a void, stepping into the unknown.

This is not the first gap they experienced. The three-day gap between Good Friday and Easter Sunday was one of gut-wrenching emotions, turned to joy by the Resurrection. Now, 40 days later, a new gap develops—the 10-day period between the Ascension and Pentecost. Liturgically, that is where we are right now.

Waiting is hard. Whether it’s waiting for a delivery or waiting for a major life change, it can cause frustration. For the apostles, they were told to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit—a void full of anticipation and uncertainty.

But what if these moments are not just something to 'mind'? What if, instead, we are called to embrace the gap and use it for a purpose?

We all face gaps in our lives—gaps caused by grief, heartbreak, or loss. In those moments, we might long for an instant fix, looking up into the sky towards heaven.

The apostles show us the way to fill the void. They returned to the upper room and joined together, 'constantly in prayer'. Prayer is what supports us, helps us focus on Jesus, brings comfort and healing, and ultimately closes the gaps.

Jesus’ physical withdrawal was not about his absence; it was about highlighting the apostles’ presence and calling them to recognise him in a completely new way. God is asking us to do the same: to fill the gaps with His presence through prayer, seeking to see the world transformed through faith, hope, love, mercy, and justice.

The challenge is ours. We can stare into the clouds longing for the easy way out, or we can step into the gap—even into the unknown—for it is there that God is waiting to transform us and our community.

In Sunday’s Gospel reading from John, we hear Jesus deliver a profound promise: the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is rooted entirely in God’s overwhelming love for us.

We see this divine love revealed in the Trinity: God the Father created us in love; God the Son, Jesus, came as our living sacrifice because of that same love. While that sacrifice meant Jesus would no longer be on earth in human form, God had a plan to ensure we were never alone. He sent the Holy Spirit—an Advocate—to be with us forever, offering protection and comfort.

Such unconditional love from God, however, carries a challenge for us. Jesus says, ‘If you love me, then you will keep my commandments’. This is a reminder that love is more than a feeling we can’t control; it is a choice demonstrated in our actions. We choose how we show our love for God, and keeping His commandments is the measure of our devotion. This is the enduring, unfailing love described in 1 Corinthians 13: "Love is patient, love is kind... Love never fails”. That love is now manifest in the Holy Spirit dwelling among us.

The Holy Spirit is also the Spirit of Truth. In a world filled with deception and noise, this is an invaluable gift. The Spirit guides us into truth, helping us discern right from wrong, granting us wisdom to make sound decisions, and helping us understand Scripture. It is the Spirit that convicts us of our wrongdoings, leading us toward repentance and new life.

To receive the Holy Spirit fully, we simply need to ask and demonstrate our reciprocal love for Jesus by keeping His commandments. May we all open ourselves to be filled with the Spirit today, trusting in His guidance and comfort.

The passage from John 14:1-14 is often called the ultimate comfort, where Jesus assures his disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” We often view this as a promise for the distant end of our lives—a guarantee of a heavenly destination. But I believe Jesus calls us to embrace this promise for the life we are living right now. The comfort of John 14 isn't just about a room prepared for us; it’s about the presence of Jesus as “the way and the truth and the life,” defining the spiritual journey we make daily. His presence remains the constant anchor for our lives.

Yet, this passage also presents a profound challenge. After promising his presence, Jesus commissions his followers to do "greater works" and calls us to live in such a way that others see the Father through us.

How are we equipped for this immense task? The answer lies in the Holy Spirit, who lives within us. If the Holy Spirit is present, then we effectively have God’s DNA within us. This indwelling power means we have the capacity to show people the way because of our relationship with the Trinity.

Our commission is unified and clear, echoing throughout scripture: love one another, let your light shine before others, and seek complete unity. This unity is not a secondary objective; it is strategic. As Jesus prayed for future believers, he asked that “all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you... so that the world may believe that you have sent me”. Unity is the evidence. Love is the sign.

When the world sees us—the family of God—serving with selflessness, forgiving with grace, and remaining one in Spirit, they are witnessing the tangible reality of the Father. This is how we fulfill those “greater works”. They are not superhuman feats, but the consistent, daily demonstration of God's love made complete in us.

So as we leave our time of worship and return to our daily routines, let our lives in the community be a clear reflection of that love. Let us demonstrate the reality of the Father by the way we serve, the way we forgive, and the way we remain one in Spirit. May we guide others to the peace that only Jesus can provide.

As we enter APCM season and look ahead to the future of the Ouse Valley Benefice, our Gospel reading from John 10 offers vital guidance. This passage, often linked to leadership, asks us to reflect on two crucial questions: Whose voice are we following, and through which door are we walking?

In a church culture filled with competing expectations and modern anxieties, it is crucial that we tune our ears to the voice of Jesus. The shepherd calls his own sheep by name, and they follow because they recognize his voice. Our shared vision for the benefice must be shaped by Christ, ensuring we are not led astray.

The metaphor deepens when Jesus declares, ‘Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep’ (John 10:7). This was more than just a lovely picture; the shepherd of the day would literally lay down across the sheepfold opening, becoming the door. Jesus is our protector, offering us safe passage. John 14 reinforces this by saying, ‘He is the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through him’. Perhaps for our community, this means that all our activities, our outreach, and our plans should also pass through that gate.

Why is Jesus so central to our decision-making? The final verse gives us the profound answer: Jesus came ‘so that we may have life, and have it to the full’. This is not a promise of materialistic gain, but of an abundant, overflowing, deep, and eternal relationship with him. The Christian life is meant to be an "exuberant affair, full of the joy of the Lord and the power of the Holy Spirit," leading us not into desolate places, but into lush meadows that provide true, life-sustaining nourishment.

So as we move forward as a benefice, let us commit to following the voice of the Good Shepherd, trusting him as our Gate, and stepping confidently together into the abundant life that he offers us.

Imagine walking down a road, drowning in grief, your hope destroyed. This was the reality for the two who were traveling to Emmaus. They were so downcast and dejected that they were completely blind to the living Christ walking right beside them. How often, in our own lives, do we find ourselves with heads downcast and a veil hiding the very presence of God?

The disciples had lost all hope, convinced that their expected victory had come crashing down at the cross. They saw the certainty of death, but missed the radical possibility of the resurrection. Jesus, the stranger on the road, eventually confronted their foolishness with a statement: ‘How foolish you are!’. 

Sometimes, what we need to hear might be uncomfortable, but it gets our attention. Jesus' mission was to shift their focus from talking to listening, explaining what the scriptures had been saying about him all along. He wanted to remove the veil and open their eyes through his Word.

Later, when they invited the stranger into their home—and note, it was their invitation, as Jesus waits to be asked—the relationship was transformed. Jesus moved from being a stranger to a companion, a guest, and finally, the host. It was in the breaking of the bread that their blindness left them, and they saw him for who he was.

This passage is often interpreted as highlighting the importance of the Eucharist. While they recognised Jesus at the table, the story actually emphasises something more profound: Jesus wanted them to recognise him in the scriptures first. The Eucharist on its own is not enough.

The road to Emmaus is the path we walk down every day. We must carry our Bibles, for it is through his Word that Jesus reveals himself to us. And remember, he’s waiting for your invitation, so he can move from being the stranger to our companion and host. May we live as a people who truly know Jesus—both at the table and in his Word—so that others might also encounter him through us. Let that be our prayer today.

Easter Sunday was a day of seismic shift. Imagine the disciples huddled together, fear gripping them, uncertainty swirling in the air. The tomb was empty, whispers of angels filled the women's stories, but disbelief lingered. Locked away, they tried to make sense of it all. Then, Jesus appears, and his first words? - “Peace be with you.”

These aren’t just empty words. Jesus offers a peace that transcends understanding, a peace that stills our anxieties and whispers reassurance. This peace isn’t just a greeting; it’s a gift, one that we’re reminded of each week in our worship.

But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He gives them a mission: “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” We too are sent out, not as lone rangers, but as a community empowered by the Holy Spirit. We aren’t all called to be missionaries in the traditional sense, but we are called to bring people into a relationship with Christ, right where we are.

Think of coming to church as your launchpad for the week. We come to find peace, to seek forgiveness, and to be renewed. Then, we step out into our daily lives, carrying that peace and that mission with us. We are sent out to serve God, to be sensitive to the needs around us, and to share the good news in a way that’s understandable and accessible.

Just like Thomas, we might have doubts, we might be absent, but we too can come to belief and worship. We, too, can say, "We have seen the Lord." Let’s carry this message of peace and mission with us this week, knowing we are sent out in the power of the Spirit.

We all carry expectations into every day, and into every season of our lives. When things go as planned, it’s great. But sometimes, the unexpected happens. When we look back at the Holy Week narrative, we see a story defined by these shattered expectations, ultimately revealing a profound truth: God does things in a way we might not expect.

Imagine the scene: the crowds on Palm Sunday, cheering Jesus into Jerusalem. Maybe they expected a warrior king on a warhorse, ready to overthrow the Romans. Instead, they got Jesus riding on a humble donkey, offering a different kind of peace. For the disciples, who were jockeying for important roles, the week was a roller coaster of emotions, far from the success they sought. Even the simple act of the Last Supper broke tradition—Jesus, their leader, kneeling to wash their feet.

The expectations of the religious leaders were also shattered. They plotted against Jesus, sure that the cross—the ultimate sign of shame and humiliation—would be the end of him. They expected silence and finality when the body was placed in the tomb.

But the greatest surprise was yet to come. The women who approached the grave on Sunday morning expected a sealed tomb, silence, and deep sorrow. That expectation was also profoundly shattered. The tomb was empty, and Jesus had risen again.

This empty tomb shattered everyone's certainties: the religious leaders' expectation of silence, the disciples' hope for an earthly victory, and the women's certainty of sorrow. It proves that God’s plans are infinitely greater than any of our own.

What does this resurrection mean for us, 2,000 years later? We might have our own expectations for how Jesus should act in our lives, but the reality is that he is so much more than the person we want him to be—he is the person we need him to be. We are invited today to lay aside our own expectations and fears to allow the resurrected Christ to truly come in.

Don’t waste this Easter moment by going back to the life you lived before. Live your life with Jesus at the centre. Let your expectations be shattered, knowing that God’s plans and His love are the greatest gifts we could ever receive. Look into the empty tomb and know that Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on a humble donkey, the entire city was buzzing with one question: “Who is this?” The crowds proclaimed, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth!”. 

Today, this question wasn’t just a historical curiosity—it is the very centre of the Christian faith. The same challenge stands for each of us: Who is Jesus to you? Is he just a figure in a history book, a myth, or simply a wise teacher? Or is he the Son of God and the Saviour of the world? Only you can answer that question, but your answer changes everything—how you live your life, your thoughts, your words, and your actions.

If we truly believe he is the Son of God, how must we respond? We are called to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus in our relationships, as the Apostle Paul urged the Philippians. This means humbling ourselves, just as Jesus did when he took on the very nature of a servant and became obedient even to death on a cross. Pride must be set aside as we become servants, putting others first.

This commitment is the start of what we call a "cross-shaped life." It’s a life empowered by the Holy Spirit and defined by its fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

We may fail at times, but that is why Romans 5 reminds us that Jesus died for us even while we were still sinners—an act of love that leads to transformation.

As we look toward Holy Week, are you prepared to walk this path? Will you stand on the side of the road with the crowds and watch the parade go by? Or will you join the parade, commit to taking up the cross, and live a Christ-centred life? The question remains: Who is this? And what will your answer mean for your life?

Lent is often described as a time for spiritual assessment of our relationship with God.. It’s a 40-day period of spiritual preparation, echoing the great preparations in the Bible from Noah in the ark to Jesus in the wilderness. When we seek to draw closer to God, we often find ourselves in a spiritual desert, feeling thirsty.

The truth is, we rarely stop to value physical water until it’s scarce. I recall visiting a village in Ghana where women walked for miles to collect water, carrying it back on their heads. Or the labour of love I witnessed in Kenya during a drought, watching people dig deep into a dried-up riverbed for the dirtiest water, recognising it as the water of life. The effort required to obtain this vital resource makes us appreciate its immense value.

This week, we reflected on the story of the Woman by the Well. She came to the well alone during the hottest time of the day. Maybe she was hoping to avoid the judgment of others who knew of her mistakes. She expected Jesus to ignore or judge her based on her background - as a Samaritan, or as a woman with a difficult past - but Jesus did the opposite. He was friendly and kind, knowing that her heart needed healing.

Jesus used the water jar she carried to illustrate a profound truth about ourselves. We are all like water bottles - different shapes, sizes, and colours on the outside. What truly matters, however, is what fills us on the inside. The water from the physical well would only leave her thirsty again tomorrow. Instead, Jesus offered her living water - His Holy Spirit and God’s unending love - a kind of water that would keep her from ever being spiritually thirsty again.

Just as we need physical water to survive, we need Jesus’ love every day. When we allow Him to fill us up with His living water, it changes us from the inside out. It washes away our loneliness and mistakes, overflowing so we can share that kindness and love with everyone around us, regardless of who they are or where they come from.

As you reach for your favourite cup or water bottle this week, let it be a reminder: Jesus loves you just the way you are, and He wants to fill you up on the inside with His Spirit.

Heidi and I recently saw the musical version of Back to the Future for my 60th Birthday. As with many musicals, it got me thinking about how the story connects to scripture. The film’s famous parting line, ‘Your future hasn't been written yet. No one's has. Your future is whatever you make it. So make it a good one,’ sounds wonderfully liberating. However, our future is not a blank page.

In the film, time is fragile, and Marty’s choices in 1955 nearly erase his existence. The whole premise is that the future is dependent on human choice. But the scriptures offer a different perspective. Isaiah 46 tells us that God is unique - He stands outside of time, declaring ‘the end from the beginning’. While we are trapped in the here and now, God knows our whole story. Psalm 139 reinforces this truth: ‘Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be’.

This is in stark contrast to Doc Brown's assertion that the future is unwritten. While making plans is fine and right, Proverbs 19:21 reminds us that ‘Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails’. We may try to be the captain of our own destiny, but our human plans are fragile. Our choices should be aligned with God’s prevailing will.

God does promise us a future and a hope in Jeremiah 29:11, but we often miss the context. The Israelites had to wait 70 years in exile for this promise to be fulfilled, enduring suffering and waiting. The future God promises is what He is making of you, which involves patience and trust. That word often translated as ‘prosper’ is actually Shalom, meaning peace, wellbeing, and contentment - not material success.

Back to the Future is a fantasy about controlling our destiny. I prefer the Biblical reality: God creates, God knows, God governs, and God restores. Our future is not whatever we make it. For us, it is not "back to the future" - it is back to the Father.

The recent lectionary reading from the second book of Peter focuses on a testimony - an eyewitness account of something that actually happened. This testimony is part of Peter's story, and critically, we all have testimonies that are part of our story, and the great thing about them is that no one can dispute them. They might try, but you know it is true because no one can take your story away from you.

For example, when I recently shared my story at a curry evening in Littleport, some people may have been unsure. Was what I talked about a coincidence or a God-incidence? Perhaps some thought it was a story elaborated on for the occasion. But the fact remains that it was a true testimony of what actually happened. Peter faced the same challenges, which is why he insisted his account of the Transfiguration was not a 'cleverly devised story' but an eyewitness account of what he saw and heard.

We live in a world saturated with fake news, where social media constantly adds to the reprogramming of our minds. This reality makes it even more essential that we stick to the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth in the stories and testimonies we share. If we try to embellish them or add things just to make them sound better, we risk getting caught out. And if someone spots one falsehood, how can we assure them the rest of the story is true? Peter pushed back on those who wanted to turn the Gospel into a myth by simply stating, ‘I saw and I heard. This is the account of what happened on that day’.

I want to encourage you to do the same. Call it mission or evangelism if you like, but if you call it ‘Telling your story,’ it becomes so much easier. All you are doing is sharing your experience of God and your life as a Christian - and no one can take that away from you. This is far more accessible than you might think; it doesn't require you to preach or have a degree in theology. Some of the most powerful testimonies can be shared in a mere 60 seconds - a simple, focused, one-minute story about a specific moment when God met you. If you are interested in exploring this further or would value a hands-on workshop to equip you with the skills to confidently share your godly stories, then please let me know.

When we encounter the opening chapter of the Bible in Genesis we are immediately confronted with a deeply contested passage. Is it purely a myth, a literal seven-day account of creation, or a poetic rendition of God's work over millions of years? While our understanding may evolve as God reveals the Bible to us, the fundamental theological question remains the same: Do we believe that God created the world and everything in it? 

The story, regardless of the lens we use, anchors us to the truth that God was there right from the very beginning. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth". Indeed, the Bible itself always assumes, and never argues, the existence of God. 

God's first command was, "Let there be light," and the light was separated from the darkness. This is a constant biblical theme: light overcomes darkness, yet the darkness remains.

The majestic narrative continues through the separation of waters and dry ground, the production of vegetation, and the filling of the sky, sea, and land. Finally, the creation is completed with mankind and we were created in God’s image, male and female, and entrusted with the world.

Whether you see Genesis 1 as a scientific allegory mirroring the order of evolution as seen in fossil records - or simply a powerful story, remember this: we were created as part of God's plan.

This profound truth gives rise to our mission today. We are called to embody the 5th mark of mission: "To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth". As you ponder creation this week, let us seek to reflect God's light and love in the world He entrusted to us.

As we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Christ, also known as Candlemas, we mark 40 days since Christmas - a vital turning point where we look back at the birth of Jesus and forward to his ministry. Fundamentally, this is a story about recognizing God in the midst of the ordinary.

Our Gospel reading tells us of Mary and Joseph bringing their baby, Jesus, to the temple for the purification rites, being faithful to the law. In today's service we have proud parents doing something similar in bringing their child for baptism. 

Taking a newborn to the temple was an ordinary, everyday occurrence. Yet, in that ordinary moment, Jesus was recognized as God Himself.

It was there we meet two remarkable figures: Simeon, the righteous and devout man who had waited his whole life to see the Messiah, and Anna, the 84-year-old prophetess who never left the temple, worshipping day and night.

Simeon took the child in his arms and praised God, proclaiming: ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, my eyes have seen your salvation; a light for the revelation to the Gentiles’. Anna, too, gave thanks and spoke about the child to all who were looking for redemption.

Their story reminds us that in our own moments of faithful, ordinary routine - whether it is bringing a child to baptism, gathering for worship, or simply praying - God can be revealed.

In baptism, we are called out of darkness and into God's marvellous light - a light for revelation to the Gentiles. The lighted candle given to the newly baptised signifies the light of Christ going with them, as we all affirm: ‘Shine as a light in the world to the glory of God the Father’.

As we witness a new generation begin this journey of faith, we can also use this opportunity to renew our own baptismal vows. We are all called to be the Simeons and Annas of the day: to welcome, to pray for, and to recognise the light of God within one another. We come to church because of salvation, a salvation we see made visible in the water of baptism, in the light of the candle, and in the community gathered to welcome a new life into God’s marvellous light. May we all go out into the world carrying that light, living in His peace. Amen.

Rural West Norfolk might feel a million miles away from the bustling, cosmopolitan city of Corinth, but the challenges Paul addressed 2,000 years ago are remarkably similar to those that can face many churches today. The struggle to maintain unity often stems from one core problem: we forget who we are and, more importantly, who we belong to.

When a church loses sight of its true identity in Christ, it becomes easy to retreat into comfortable, even judgemental, groups. We start scrutinising those outside our fellowship, and sometimes, even those sitting right next to us. Paul's opening address in his letter is a powerful reminder of our foundational truth: ‘To the Church of God in Corinth.’ It’s God’s church, not the Corinthians', not the leaders', not ours. We are simply members, called to be part of the "gathered assembly" - the ekklesia - people called together for a divine purpose.

It is too easy to become focused on the bricks and mortar of our beautiful buildings, or on the internal workings of our local parish. We risk an inward-looking faith, forgetting the call to mission and the glorious reality that we are part of the universal worldwide church. Paul explicitly links the local church to ‘all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ - their Lord and ours.’ Our unity extends far beyond the parish boundary, connecting us to every believer across the benefice, the diocese, and the entire world.

Even in their disunity and weaknesses, Paul opened with grace, affirming the Corinthians' status: ‘sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his Holy people.’ He affirmed their identity first, not waiting for perfect behaviour. This call culminates in 1 Corinthians 1:9: ‘God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.’ The Greek word for "fellowship" emphasises what we have in common, what truly unites us: partnership in Christ. When we realise we are all called together into this fellowship, our love for others will naturally outweigh any fears or differences we might have. We are one body, called to celebrate our common ground as we seek to grow God's kingdom here.

As we mark the Festival of the Epiphany, we celebrate far more than just the end of the Christmas season. Epiphany - meaning 'an appearing' or a 'glorious display' - is the moment the Christmas message shines brightest: the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles. It is the heart of the Christian story, that ‘eureka’ moment where the light of the stable lights up the entire world.

The Magi from the east, representing the nations, followed a star. This celestial sign was their first revelation, catching their attention and drawing them to search for the newborn King. Their journey, however, came in stages. Seeing the star was just the beginning; they still had to seek counsel in Jerusalem before finally being led to Bethlehem.

This narrative invites us to ask: What is the ‘star’ that God is using to draw you in today? It may not be a physical star, but perhaps a meaningful conversation, a profound personal realization, or a specific passage of Scripture. It's anything that catches your attention and draws you into a search for God. Once you see that star, your role is to follow it, and like the Magi, to go deeper in your search for truth.

When the Magi found the Messiah, they presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. For us, having received the gift of God’s Grace, the offering required is ourselves - our lives presented to acknowledge our newborn King and Saviour.

After seeing Jesus, the Magi returned home by another route, warned in a dream not to return to Herod. This is a profound metaphor for the Christian life. An authentic encounter with the light of Christ demands a change in direction. It requires a new path forward. So as the New Year begins, let us reflect: what is our new route? For me, that new path is mission. We are called to ‘Go and make disciples of all nations’ and to be ‘witnesses to the ends of the earth’. Having seen the light of Christ our Saviour once again, what will our mission be for the coming year?