“Not not a Christian” Home (where, as Paul Simon says, my thought’s escaping) figures a lot in the Bible. In the Old Testament, the House of God travelled as a tabernacle with the Israelites as they searched to find and secure a homeland (an ongoing narrative, as we know only too well) where a permanentRead more

Last Sunday at Cooksmill Green, we celebrated our 160th anniversary. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, we had an inspiring service and enjoyed a picnic lunch together in the garden after. All ages together, everything it seems was in harmony – some might say it was even a little taste of heaven… OneRead more

“Man’s ethical behaviour should be based effectually on sympathy, education, social ties and needs; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if they had to be restrained by fear of punishment, and hope of reward after death” – Albert Einstein Einstein the scientist, presents us with a very humanistic ideology onRead more

In these days of financial and political turmoil, you might well be considering an evening of relaxation at the theatre. In which case, I imagine that Shakespeare may not necessarily be your first choice of escapist entertainment, and even if he is, then his greatest tragedy, “King Lear”, is unlikely to have you singing itsRead more

Here we are, two thirds of the way through Lent, just two weeks to go before the glorious celebrations of Easter Sunday. But will we be celebrating? We’ll come back to that. Last Month Danny reminded us of the three pillars of Lenten observance offered by the church, abstinence, prayer and alms giving. I wonderRead more

Feel like giving up? In a few days we will be into our seasonal observance of Lent, hopefully each making our own commemorative journey towards that most precious moment in time, when a sacrifice, borne out of love, was given to save the world, a life freely given in suffering to save each of us,Read more

Sun, sea, and Santa Like most church organists, from time to time I crave a break from the rigours of Christmas services and umpteen performances of the same old carols. Previously this has been impossible to find – Israel and sundry Muslim countries all seem to cater for tourists who might be missing their firstRead more

Here we are again at the start of a New Year, 2025, New Year’s resolutions abound, people are full of hope, anticipation and good intentions… well at least some will be. Others at the other end of the spectrum will be gripped by anxiety, full of fear, their anticipation more a resignation that nothing willRead more

Happy New Church Year! Yes, it’s that time again as we leave one worship year for another, and as always, it must mean we have entered the season of Advent, which just like its Lenten cousin, calls upon us to make an effort to physically bring ourselves to a halt, to somehow put everything thatRead more

Whatever next? (“to sleep…perchance to dream…”) As a church organist, I have tended to take All Saints Sunday, the first in November, for granted – put down “For all the saints” on its one annual outing, and be grateful that it is only 8 verses – one modern hymn book has a Saints hymn withRead more