abravefaith

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Hush the noise - and hear these angels sing!

CHRISTMAS is loud, isn’t it? So much expectation. So many voices. Telling us how to celebrate, what to wear, what to eat and drink, what to watch and what to buy. Instead, the Methodist Church in Britain is inviting everyone to ‘Hush the Noise: Join the love song this Christmas‘. The church’s annual campaign for Advent and Christmas this year has taken inspiration from a phrase in the carol It…

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On the road again – My surprising journey continues

TODAY I said farewell to the church which has supported me for much of the last three years, as training for ministry in the Methodist Church means I will soon be assigned to another church. Here is the message I shared with them this morning: https://abravefaith.com/2024/09/29/on-the-road-again-my-surprising-journey-continues/

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'Burn down their hatred with hope' - Responding to racist riots

Adam Kelwick, Imam of the UK’s first recorded mosque in Liverpool, embracing an anti-immigration protester. PHOTO: Joel Goodman LAST SUNDAY, as part of my training as a Methodist local preacher, I led a service at a Black majority church in inner city Liverpool, about half a mile from a mosque. I had planned the service earlier in the week, but as I woke to news of protests, riots, violence and…

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Where is God when it all goes wrong? - Joseph's story from Genesis

Where is God when it all goes wrong? - A #BibleMonth reflextion on Joseph's story from the book of Genesis

Bible Month graphic showing Joseph’s bloody robe on the left below the words ‘You intended to harm me…’, an image of Joseph in jail in the centre, and Joseph in Egypt, with the words ‘but God intended it for good, the saving of many lives’. Click image to enlarge. TODAY, as part of my training as a Methodist local preacher, I shared the following reflection at a church in south Liverpool. The…

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Unique meaning in life - Listening for God's call

‘One night Samuel was in his bed. God called Samuel’s name. Samuel sat up and looked around. “Eli must be calling me,”’ he said.’Samuel hears from God by Jill Kemp and Richard Gunther: freebibleimages.org LAST SUNDAY, as part of my training as a Methodist local preacher, I shared the following reflection at a church in south Liverpool. The inspiration came from the three recommended readings…

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Glimpsing God’s Spirit - A Pentecost reflection

Glimpsing God’s Spirit - A reflection on Pentecost, the birthday of the Christian Church, and Wesley Day, the birthday of the Methodist Church

WATCH this service on YouTube [c.53 minutes]. This reflection runs from 23:00 for around 18 minutes. TODAY, as part of my training as a Methodist local preacher, I shared the following reflection at a church in south Liverpool, on the feast of Pentecost. The inspiration came from two of the recommended readings for the day: John 15:26-27, in which Jesus predicts the coming of God’s Spirit to…

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'Doubting' Thomas is so much more - A more generous response to the infamous apostle

The early church in Jerusalem sharing money and food, by Laura Williams © rootsforchurches.com.Click on the image to open in a new window. TODAY, as part of my training as a Methodist local preacher, I shared the following reflection at a church in south Liverpool, on the second Sunday of Easter. The inspiration came from two of the recommended readings for the day: Acts 4:32-35, an account of…

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The work of Christmas begins - An Epiphany reflection

Detail from sweatshirt design depicting the magi riding camels towards the star. The first is pointing at the star. The last is saying ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ THE COMMUNITY in which I joined the Methodist Church in 2022 hosts a short telephone service on Sunday afternoons – like a Christian conference call! Today I was invited to offer a five-minute reflection on the story of the magi…

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John the Baptist: Opening an Advent window on the bigger picture of the Christmas story

LAST SUNDAY, as part of my training as a Methodist local preacher, I shared the following reflection at a church in south Liverpool, on the second Sunday of Advent, the beginning of the Church’s year when we prepare to celebrate the coming of Jesus at Christmas. Baptism of Christ – Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River by John. Painting by David Zelenka [2005]. Source: Wikimedia Commons Baptism…

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Let justice and peace flow - A Creationtide reflection

TODAY, as part of my training as a Methodist local preacher, I shared the following reflection at a church in south Liverpool. The inspiration came from two of the recommended readings for this Sunday: Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 18:15-20. The inspiration for the theme of the service came from an ecumenical prayer service for the Season of Creation, which included an adaptation of Psalm 85. Here…

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Surprising outcasts - Joseph and the Canaanite woman

Revd Sonia Hicks is a British Methodist minister who was elected to serve as President of the Methodist Conference from June 2021 to June 2022 – the first Black woman to hold this position. TODAY, as part of my training as a Methodist local preacher, I shared the following reflection at a Black majority church in inner city Liverpool. The inspiration came from two of the recommended readings…

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A face for radio

On Sunday 2nd April I spoke to Paul Beesley at BBC Radio Merseyside about my journey, from London to Liverpool, in an out of Christianity and back again, coming out as gay and Christian, and the growth of the Open Table Network from one community in Liverpool 15 years ago to more than 30 across England and Wales today. LISTEN HERE [27 mins]

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When the stranger becomes the host - On the road to Emmaus

THE COMMUNITY in which I joined the Methodist Church last year hosts a short telephone service on Sunday afternoons – like a Christian conference call! Today I was invited to offer a five-minute reflection on the Gospel of the day - the road to Emmaus

Christ at Emmaus by Rembrandt (1629) THE COMMUNITY in which I joined the Methodist Church last year hosts a short telephone service on Sunday afternoons – like a Christian conference call! Today I was invited to offer a five-minute reflection on the Gospel reading of the day [Luke 24.13–35 – The road to Emmaus]. My reflection was inspired by Jesus the Forgiving Victim: Listening for the unheard…

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Palm Sunday: Holy Week began with a peace protest

Palm Sunday: Holy Week began with a peace protest

TODAY is an extraordinary day – Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week, the most impact-full time in the whole Gospel story. On Palm Sunday, Christians remember Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem for the final days of his ministry before he died on the cross and rose to new life. Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week, the week before Easter, in which we are encouraged to reflect on the stories of this…

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Eating with outcasts - The Inclusive Church journey to radical welcome

TODAY in the community where I joined the Methodist Church last year, I led the morning service, as I am now training as a local preacher. Here is an extract of my reflection on what it means to be a welcoming and inclusive church.

Mementos of my first service as a trainee Methodist preacher – The sign I made for the children’s address which says ‘All Are Welcome’. The word ‘But…’ is hidden, as we reflected on how some churches say all are welcome but they don’t really mean it. Below is a copy of Singing The Faith, the hymnbook the church uses which I now have on loan, a crocheted ‘preaching scarf’ in rainbow colours and a…

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The Trouble With The Pope: On Benedict XVI's 2010 visit to Britain

The Trouble With The Pope: On Benedict XVI’s 2010 visit to Britain

POPE EMERITUS Benedict XVI died on 31st December 2022, and was buried in the Vatican this week. His legacy is long, though he resigned in 2013, the first Pope to do so for 600 years. Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.In the same week as this article was published, Gaydio, the UK’s LGBT+ radio station approached me for a live interview. I went on air immediately after they played voxpops (soundbites of…

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I am no longer my own - The Methodist Covenant Prayer

I am no longer my own – The Methodist Covenant Prayer

AT THE START of the new year, Methodists make a distinctive resolution. The Covenant Service, often celebrated on the first Sunday of the year, is at the heart of Methodists’ devotion, discipleship, and dedication to social justice. In the service the Church joyfully celebrates God’s offer of loving relationship. Last January I began attending a Methodist Church, where I experienced the…