“A Pleasant Surprise” – comment by Chris Collins
I wonder if you like surprises. If you’re like me you probably want to answer ‘depends what it is’. Sometimes Christian ministry offers up surprises. At Christmas we did a new visitor-friendly service at St C’s, and held an after-school Christmas event at our other local school. From things people had said, I’d been expecting […]
Why I don’t make New Year’s resolutions – Vicar’s Comment – Jan 2018
I have to confess, I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. I’m not totally clear on why this is, but I think it’s probably a mixture of not wanting to set unrealistic goals, the fact that I’m not a big one for pinning plans on particular calendar dates and – if I’m being honest – because […]
“The big Bible story of God” – Vicar’s Comment Dec 2017
Fairly obviously, what is brilliant for Christians is that Christmas is about Jesus. But there’s a risk (which I’ve found particularly in school assemblies and the like) that the Christian festivals give a ‘snapshot’ of Jesus which is unrelated to other ‘snapshots’ of Him. So for instance, the Christmas Jesus is forever a 7 pound […]
“Light in the darkness” – Vicar’s comment Nov 2017
On October 31st various members of St Christopher’s take to the streets of Saffron Lane as part of the Angels & Heroes event. And it’s called Angels & Heroes for a reason – the idea is that our costumes are the opposite to the Monsters & Zombies costumes which go with the normal Halloween celebrations, […]
“Nothing can separate us” – Vicar’s Comment Sep 2017
A very warm greeting from me following this summer, whether you went away or you stayed local. I wonder if the summer can seem more different for Christians than for others, as alongside the regular stuff we might do like going away or simply taking a bit of time off work, regular church activity can […]
Hope in the Lord – comment by Rev Chris Collins
The country has been going through tragic times in recent weeks. Indeed, checking up on the news at the minute seems to involve the risk of watching something new and shocking unfold, somewhere in our nation. I’m sure like myself you’ve watched the news in shocked silence at some of the tragedies that have happened, […]
Modern life is…….? – comment by Rev Chris Collins
Modern life is…….? – What word would you add to finish this sentence? I’m drawn to ‘busy’. It’s been just over 13 weeks since I began as vicar at St Christopher’s and – wonderfully – I feel very settled amongst the church community here and indeed the community more widely. But feeling ‘busy’ has been […]
“Do you know your status?” – comment by Rev Chris Collins
Sometimes status is earned, but sometimes it’s given. Think about when someone is said to be a ‘role model’ or ‘icon’ by people. This is a status which is earned in the eyes of others. But what about when someone is given the rank of captain in the army? That is a status which is […]
Vicar’s Comment April 2017
A problem that won’t go away needs a solution which isn’t temporary. Obvious perhaps, but a look at our world shows that human beings haven’t been able to provide permanent solutions to many problems. As parts of East Africa and Yemen face a new food crisis, I’ve been struck by the fact that we’ve been […]
New horizons. Same God – Comment by Chris Collins
New people. New horizons. New blessings. Same God. Moving to a new church family in a new area brings nervousness but also expectation and excitement that God might bring in a new season of life and ministry. We have moved house many times in recent years, but this time, in anticipation of moving here to […]