So, the Bible… On Desert Island Discs, the Bible is one of the books available to the castaway and in the film ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ a survivor wants to keep hold of a Bible; not because he believes it, but because the Bible is somehow special. Many people think the Bible is special, including many who don’t necessarily embrace its message. Here at St George’s we take studying the Bible very seriously. Carol Swain…
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Do you believe that? When we have terrible things happening in our lives are we able to see the whole picture and know that God’s plans are for good? The Bible says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11). While this verse may be comforting for you in your situation now,…
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Some of you have already met Sharon Byrne who has been working with us at St George’s since September 2017 in a role called a Pioneer Partner. I am delighted to be able to say that Sharon has “partnered” the work of the church so effectively, it was with great pleasure that we felt her role should develop into a new one with the title “Children’s & Families Missioner”. This is a three year post…
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Last November, I walked down my garden and the weeping pussy willow tree caught my eye. Since the leaves fell, it had been a mass of dull brown twigs and – if you knew where to look – small dark buds. But that morning, some of the buds had – overnight! – turned a brilliant butter yellow colour. And I knew that, if nothing else, the tree was still alive (though dormant) and the processes…
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Christmas is coming! And by now you might have heard quite a few carols on the radio, each telling the Christmas Story in their own way. There’s Mary getting the news that she’s going to be the mother of Jesus – ‘The Angel Gabriel from heaven came.’ There are shepherds in the fields watching their flocks by night and a heavenly choir turns up. The lead angel says ‘Fear not, glad tidings of great joy…
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It seems that I am back again. I have the privilege and joy of serving the Methodist church at Littleport. It looks like a return fixture as I served this church some eight years ago and am doing so again while we wait for the new minister to come. So who am I? My name is Bernard Arnold and I have been a Methodist minister for forty-eight years. I am married to Ruth who is…
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We have family in Australia and in a recent skype call, our son said “the weather is warming up now” because of course, in the southern part of the globe they are preparing for summer. The world keeps turning with its cycles of light and dark, warmth and cold, growth and rest and after our very hot summer, autumn is well under way and soon winter will be upon us; the damp and darkness, the…
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There have been Spiritualist meetings in Littleport since 1998 writes Lyn Gibbde Swarte. Begun in the old Leisure Centre, it moved to the Village Hall soon after, and has remained a weekly Thursday night fixture ever since. It was started by a group of Littleport people who had joined a spiritual and psychic development circle run by a well-known medium and healer who had relocated from London. She was also the editor of the old…
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A Spiritualist meeting has been going on in the village since 1998. Yes, it is what is called a ‘suitcase church’ but many of the best religious gatherings have been a moveable feast! And even where there is a fixed venue that was built for the purpose, however large or small, there has always been an outreach, whether for home visits to the sick, to offer prayer and spiritual succour to those who cannot travel…
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God in the pain Two student presbyters at The Queen’s Foundation give testimony to God working for good even through their difficulties We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NRSV) How Rachel Leather came closer to God For many people when they encounter difficulties, rather than questioning both the benevolence and existence of God, crises can bring them into…
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