Sermon on the 75th Anniversary of the start of the restoration of St Olave Hart Street

A sermon given at St Olave Hart Street on Sunday 21st June 2026 during a service marking the seventy fifth anniversary of the start of the restoration of the church after World War II, based on readings from Ephesians 2:19-22 and John 2.19-22 and the words given by Bishop Arne Fjelbu and King Haakon VII at St Olave Hart Street in June 1951. More information and pictures of the service are at this link.

Thought for the Day-Seeing Salvation

Earthrise by William Anders, Apollo 8, NASA, 1968

A Thought for the Day given at a lunchtime service of Holy Communion at St Olave Hart Street on Tuesday 7th April 2026 based on John 20.11–18

Easter Vigil Sermon-The green blade riseth

The nave of St Olave Hart Street following bomb damage c1941

A sermon given during the Easter Vigil at St Olave Hart Street on Saturday 4th April 2026 based on the Vigil Texts of Genesis 1.1 – 2.4a, Exodus 14.10-end; 15.1a, Jeremiah 31.31-34 and the texts at Holy Communion Romans 6.3-11 and Matthew 28.1-10 and the astounding history of this church.

Sermon - The Risen Christ in our Midst

Jesus Appears to the Disciples After the Resurrection by Imre Morocz, 2009

A sermon given during Holy Communion at St Giles-in-the-Fields at 11am on Sunday 27th April 2025, prior to the Annual Parish Meeting and based on the texts of 1 John 5.4-12 and John 20:19-23

“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”

Thought for the Day - The Road to Everywhere

Emmaus by Janet Brooks Gerloff, 1992

A Thought for the Day given at a lunchtime service of Holy Communion at St-Giles-in-the-Fields on Wednesday 23rd April 2025 based on the text of Luke 24.13-35.

Sermon - Dead ends, life starts

The Raising of Lazarus, 1943, by Jose Clemente Orozco

A sermon preached at St George’s Bloomsbury on Sunday 26th March and St Stephen Walbrook on Thursday 30th March 2023 (Year A, 5th Sunday of Lent) based on readings from Psalm 130, Romans 8.6-11 and John 11.1-45.

Sermon - Six impossible things before breakfast

Breakfast at Dawn, Mike Moyers, 2012

A sermon preached at St George’s Bloomsbury on Sunday 1st May and at St Stephen Walbrook on Thursday 5th May (Year C, Easter 3) based on readings from Acts 9.1-6 and John 21.1-19.

"Alice laughed: "There's no use trying," she said; "one can't believe impossible things." "I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was younger, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

Prayers of Intercession - Track and Trace the Risen Christ

Doubting Thomas, Michael Smither, 1968

Prayers written for the Sung Eucharist at St Stephen Walbrook at 12.45pm on Thursday 15th April 2021 (Year B, Easter 2) based on readings from John 20.19-end and giving thanks for the life of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. 

As Thomas tracked and traced the wounds of the Risen Christ, may we be bold enough to bring our doubts and fears, our delights and disappointments, our needs and thanks to the Lord our God, in prayer.

Morning Prayer - 10th August 2020

Detail from “The Wren and the Resurrection” by Regan O’Callaghan

It was a great pleasure to lead a short service of Morning Prayer today on the St Augustine's College of Theology Facebook page. Please follow along by watching the video below.

Start:Stop-Mary Magdalene

The Resurrection by Jyoti Sahi, 1987

This week the church remembers Mary Magdalene. The scriptures tell us that Mary was healed by Jesus and was one of a group of influential women who supported his ministry practically and financially. Mary holds a unique place amongst the followers of Jesus; the first person to encounter the empty tomb and the first disciple to whom Jesus made himself known after the crucifixion – bearing the Good News which changed the world and which Mary was the first to hear and share – a fact that earned her the title “Apostle to the Apostles” in the early church.

The Pomegranate - Symbolism and Meaning

Dahlias and Pomegranates by Henri Matisse, 1947

We are in South Africa for the funeral of my partner’s Mum, Marie. In her garden is a large pomegranate tree. The tree was planted by Henry’s grandmother. It is now summertime here, so the tree is in full fruit, with the ripening pomegranates about to burst open. The pomegranate, or grained apple, is one of the oldest cultivated fruits in the world and has a rich symbolism and meaning.