Sermon - Both sides of John the Baptist

St. John the Forerunner, Angel of the Desert, Lyuba Yatskiv, 2019

Sermon preached at Evensong at St Stephen's Rochester Row on Sunday 28th August 2022 (Year C, 11th after Trinity, Proper 17) based on the text of John 3.22-36

This bank holiday weekend many people will be spending time on road trips - as far as the traffic jams will allow of course! Looking out for funny signs is often a good way to brighten up a long and tedious car journey. I found a book full of funny signs recently and thought I would share some of the cleaner ones with you (which isn’t actually that many!)

Sermon - The beginning of the end

This Small House, Richard Woods, 2022

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist at St George’s Bloomsbury on Sunday 28th August 2022 (Year C, 11th after Trinity, Proper 17) based on the text of Hebrews 13.1-8, 15-16 and Luke 14.1, 7-14.

“It’s the beginning of the end!”

screams an article I was sent this week - bemoaning what it claims to be a growing culture of commercialization in churches and cathedrals; some of which have played host to mini-golf courses, model dinosaurs and helter-skelters during the summer months. It describes such initiatives as pursuing "the lowest common denominator” which means - and I quote - “higher purposes” are squeezed out.

Apparently, "God has left the building."

The bilious broadside is illustrated with a photograph of the latest contemporary art installation in Southwark Cathedral, which has been on display for the past few months.

Prayers of Intercession - Our Messy March of Progress

Adolf Hölzel, Journey, 1915

Prayers of Intercession written for the Sung Eucharist at St Stephen Walbrook on Thursday 24th August 2022 (Year C, 10th after Trinity, Proper 16) based on the text of Hebrews 12.18-end and Luke 13.10-17.

Sermon - Embracing our messy 'March of Progress'

‘(R)evolution’ by street artist Herr Nilsson

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist at St John the Divine, Richmond on Sunday 21st August 2022 (Year C, 10th after Trinity, Proper 16) based on the text of Hebrews 12.18-end and Luke 13.10-17.

There’s a powerful – and much parodied - image that has become associated with human evolution.

It shows fifteen male figures in a line, drawn in profile. On the left of the image, the figures are bent double, their arms hanging down, almost dragging on the floor. 

Moving along the sequence from left to right, the figures become progressively more upright - and less hairy - illustrating what were then considered to be our evolutionary forebears, shown as if brought back to life - Jurassic Park style - and marching in a parade. 

The work of art is titled “The March of Progress” and was drawn by Rudolph Zallinger in 1965 for Time Life Magazine. Variants of the image graced the pages of school text books around the world. 

However, the ‘march of progress’ it depicts - known as orthogenesis, which means “straight line” evolution - is disputed by the majority of scientists today. Like us, they know that our progress in life - whether over the course of millennia or just a few moments, is rarely (if ever!) as simple as a straight line from A to B. 

Life is naturally full of twists and turns. 

But something in us seems to idolize the straight and is suspicious of the bent and crooked. So the image remains iconic, despite being recognised as a false portrayal of progress. 

Prayer - Lord, bless this summertime

Man in a hammock,  Albert Gleizes 1913

A prayer written for Morning Prayer at St Stephen Walbrook on Wednesday 27th July 2022.

Lord, bless this summer time.
May we encounter you in the light of the morning and the lengthening of days; 
in the warmth of the sun on every grain of sand;
in the shapes of the clouds blowing across the sky;  
in the sumptuousness of the simplest picnic; the beauty of a blade of grass;
in the droplets of water on a cool drink in a glass. 
in the fellowship of a band performing in the round;
in the heat of the journey and the joy of the touch down.

Lord,
Lighten our lives. 
Warm our hearts.
Move us by your Spirit.
Feed our senses.
Refresh and renew us.
Gather us together.
Draw us to you. 
Lord, bless this summertime.

Amen. 

Sermon - The Persistent Neighbours of Present Day Palestine

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist at St George’s Bloomsbury on Sunday 24th July 2022 (Year C, 6th after Trinity, Proper 12) based on the words of Luke 11.1-13. A recording of the sermon can be seen at this link.

Prayers of Intercession - Living the Lord's Prayer

Jacob Lawrence, Prayer (1947) - Whitney Museum of American Art

Prayers of Intercession written for the Sung Eucharist at St George’s Bloomsbury on Sunday 24th July 2022 and St Stephen Walbrook on Thursday 28th July 2022 (Year C, 6th after Trinity, Proper 12) based on the words of Luke 11.1-13. 

Prayers of Intercession - Choosing the Better Part

At the home of Mary and Martha, Iain Campbell

Prayers of Intercession written for the Sung Eucharist at St Stephen Walbrook on Thursday 21st July 2022 (Year C, 5th after Trinity, Proper 11) based on the words of Luke 10.38-end. 

Reflecting on a visit to Aida Refugee Camp, Bethlehem

A reflection inspired by a recent visit to the Noor Weg Women’s Empowerment Project based at Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, through the lens of the O Antiphons sung in Advent.

Prayers of Intercession - Send us, Lord

Study for Changing West (America Today murals), Thomas Hart Benton, 1930

Prayers of Intercession written for the Choral Eucharist at St George’s Bloomsbury on Sunday 3rd July 2022 (Third Sunday after Trinity, Year C) based on the reading from Luke 10.1-11, 16-20.

Sermon - The labourers are few - but the harvest is plentiful!

Harvest Threshing, Albert Gleizes, 1912

A sermon preached during the Choral Eucharist at St George’s Bloomsbury on Sunday 3rd July 2022 (Third Sunday after Trinity, Year C) based on the reading from Luke 10.1-11, 16-20.