Start:Stop - Restored to his right mind

Two Women on the Shore, Edvard Munch, 1898

Hello and welcome to our Start:Stop reflection, my name is Phillip Dawson. We continue our journey through Gospel of Mark, using as our guide “Meeting God in Mark” by Rowan Williams. This week, we explore the dramatic story of Jesus’s first trip to Gentile territory. You can listen to an audio version of this reflection at this link.

BOOK REVIEW : Jonathan’s Loves, David’s Laments : Gay Theology, Musical Desires, and Historical Difference

The story of the relationship between David and Jonathan has been seen by some as an “obvious” point for gay men in particular and non heterosexual people more broadly, to relate to scripture. Jonathan's declaration of his love for David, their covenant together, the account of their kiss (which takes place after what some have interpreted as an erotic farewell scene with phallic symbolism, including the "shooting of arrows") followed by David's lament after Jonathan's death (in which he declares that Jonathan’s love for him surpassed that of a woman) perhaps just some of the more “obvious” inferences of a homoerotic relationship between the two. Many strongly disagree with any such suggestion - and some bible commentaries ignore the issue entirely.

Prayers of Intercession - Trinity 14

The Forgiving Father by Frank Wesley (1923-2002)

Prayers of intercession for the Sung Eucharist at St Stephen Walbrook at 12.45pm on Thursday 17th September 2020 (Trinity 14/Proper 19) based on the Epistle (Romans 14.1-12) and the Gospel Reading from Matthew 18.21-35 with words taken from the Coventry Litany of Reconciliation and the writings of Martin Luther King.

Let us pray for forgiveness in the church and the world; that we may be kind to one another and tender hearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ has forgiven us.

Morning Prayer - Holy Cross Day

It was a great privilege to lead Morning Prayer for the online community of St Augustine's College of Theology, where I am a student. One of our readings this morning tells the story of the Original Sin, in the Garden of Eden. I have come outside to film the service - our front garden is slightly Eden-esque with lots of palms and banana trees!

I am using the Common Worship order of service which you can access at this link. 

Psalms 2, 8 and 146
Genesis 3.1-15
John 12.27-36a

Please follow along by watching the video below.

Prayers of Intercession - Trinity 13

Michael Edmonds The Cross Over The City, 1962

Prayers of intercession for the Sung Eucharist at St Stephen Walbrook at 12.45pm on Thursday 10th September 2020 (Trinity 13/Proper 18) based on the Epistle Reading (Romans 13.8-end) and the Gospel Reading from Matthew 18.15-20.

Jesus said “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” 

 

As we gather together in the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ, let us pray for the church and the world, which was created and redeemed in and through His love.

Prayers of Intercession - Trinity 12

Graham Sutherland, Crucifixion, 1956

Prayers of intercession for the Sung Eucharist at St Stephen Walbrook at 12.45pm on Thursday 3rd September 2020 (Trinity 12/Proper 17) based on the Epistle Reading (Romans 12.9-end) and the Gospel Reading from Matthew 16.21-end.

Jesus said “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Let us pray for all who carry the cross of Jesus and for the world he saved. 

Prayers of Intercession - Trinity 11

Study after Velázquez's Portrait of Pope Innocent X by Francis Bacon, 1953 

Prayers of intercession for the Sung Eucharist at St Stephen Walbrook at 12.45pm on Thursday 27th August 2020 (Year A Trinity 11/Proper 16) based on readings from Matthew 16.13-20 and Romans 12.1-8.

Let us pray for the church, it’s one foundation Jesus Christ and the world which, through his life, death and resurrection, he saved.

Morning Prayer - 24th August 2020

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

Prayers of Intercession - Trinity 9

The Hand of God by Yongsung Kim

Prayers of intercession for the Sung Eucharist at St Stephen Walbrook at 12.45pm on Thursday 13th August 2020 (Year A Trinity 9/Proper 14) based on readings from Matthew 14.22-33 and Romans 10.5-15

St Paul tells us that all who confess with their lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead will be saved. Let us then bring the thoughts of our hearts to our Lord and Saviour 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.

Songs for Suffering - Psalm 44

In Chapter Three of his book “Songs for Suffering : Praying the Psalms in Times of Trouble”, Simon Stocks uses examples from his own experience to illustrate that in any healthy relationship there must exist the ability to voice complaints and concerns. To do so is a way of fully engaging in the relationship.

Whilst it might seem uncomfortable to some, the Psalms show us that this is also the case in our relationship with God; that it is possible (perhaps even healthy?) to complain to God about God, in prayer.