Talks, Sermons and Reflections

Isaiah 40.27-31 We are thinking of you, Jenny and Peter. There is something about losing a second parent, however much you were looking after her – and Peggy's final illness was relatively recent: even if her body stubbornly hung on to life long after the doctors expected. And you must feel pretty drained and weary. It was also really good to see the support you gave her in those last days. If it  wasn't  Jenny by her side, it was Pete and Judy or Colin. And we particularly appreciate how hard it will be for you, Jenny. You cared for her for so long, and life will seem empty in every sense of the word. But I am pleased that you have the support of your wider family, friends and members of your house group. It was a privilege to know Peggy – both in the earlier years before the stroke and dementia and also after. She  didn't  want a fuss, was very faithful, had that lovely knowing, slightly wry, smile that lit up her face, was quiet, a lady wh...

Isaiah 25:6-9 This is a very special time of year But for those who have lost ones that they love, it can be an extremely cruel and painful time of year.  It once was sweet, but it has now become bitter.  We miss them more than ever; we feel our loneliness most acutely; the world carries on as if nothing has changed, and yet everything has changed; and Christmas time which was once so full is empty.  So it is important to have this service at this time of year. We are coming together because they do matter, to remember them, to say thank you for them. And it is good to hold these services in Advent. Advent is a time of waiting. During Advent we remember how the Jewish people waited for God to send a king and a ruler. The promise was first given to a man called Abraham 6000 years ago. It was the promise that one day one of his descendants would establish God's reign of justice and peace; that he would bring God and human beings together, so tha...

John Seago, 1926 - 2013 1 Corinthians 15:20-58 We have come to give to thanks to God and to honour an extraordinary, passionate and loving man. I had heard some of the stories, but listening to Tim’s eulogy made me astonished me at what John had come through, and what had shaped his life. It is the stuff that films are made of. John would have profoundly approved of the reading – the language and the message. 1. It speaks of Jesus: And John loved Jesus – or ‘Christ’ as he would call him – although I have to confess that I never quite understood all his speculative theology.  He loved the stories about Jesus, the teaching of Jesus, the work of Jesus, the cross of Jesus and the resurrection of Jesus. And he did say to me a couple of years ago, and it was one of those quotes that I just wish I had written down, that when he died he longed to be with Jesus 2. It speaks of transformation: Paul writes here about the resurrection body. He says, ‘Some pe...

John 15:12-17 Luke was 20. He loved life. We’ve heard that. He was already looking beyond the current conflict to life together with a girl he passionately loved. But he died on active service. He died doing a job that he loved,  doing it with people he deeply cared about. He died doing his duty, serving in the RAF Regiment and serving his country. He died for his friends That – we heard in our reading - is the definition of love: the giving up of your life for your friends. We often speak of the courage and the sacrifice of the men and women who serve in our armed forces. It is right to do so. But we also need to speak of the immense sacrifice that is made by the families left behind: of the wives and husbands, mums and dads, the fiancées, the girlfriends and boyfriends. When they sign up and go off to places of conflict, it is as if you have signed a blank cheque on your heart; you pray that that cheque will never be cashed, but you also know that at any time it could be. Tod...

Richard Spaul 20 December 1940 - 29 September 2009 Psalm 8 Today is immensely sad. We say goodbye (literally ‘God be with you’) to a man who was so special to all of us here, but particularly to you. And Sheila, Rachel, Jonathan and Philip; Michael and Joan, and the family – we do pray for you. How does one speak of Richard? Here was a man: a fully human person who lived life to the full. He was able, gifted and passionate. When he spoke, he conducted. He spoke with his whole body. There was no side to him. He was straight forward and direct, sometimes a bit too direct. He was a man of great integrity, someone who lived according to his convictions. I am not even sure if the word ‘compromise’ was in his dictionary. Here was a man who loved this world: he was fascinated by it. He taught. He was the first to introduce computers into his school. He was a fellow of the British Interplanetary Society. He loved gardening. He loved cricket. He loved singing (more recently, St Peter’s music gr...