Earthquakes

Christ Church Cathedral - NZ

Like our own church, Christ Church Cathedral in New Zealand was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott nearly 160 years ago. The damage to it and the surrounding area is a dreadful sight and has touched Nicola and myself even more personally since our son Thomas was staying in the area only a few months ago.


I have sent a personal message of support offering our prayers and thoughts at this difficult time.


We have just finished our sermon series on Nehemiah to prepare ourselves for challenges ahead as we plan to develop and renew our church to enable it to survive a further 160 years. 


We can draw great inspiration from the courage and community spirit being shown in Christ Church NZ at this time. The tragedy of the earthquake has brought into sharp focus for us the importance of how people work together not where they do it. Locally based Kiwi's are also doing their bit for home by organising fund raising events over the weekend. Please show them your support if you can. Details are in our social events calendar.


You can read about the latest news from Christ Church Cathedral here

Blog from St Agnes, Cornwall

Last week, I spent 3 days last week at Sarum College, next door to Salisbury Cathedral, on The Renaissance Programme. The purpose of this course was to remind me and 18 colleagues of our vocation to priestly ministry, our call to follow Jesus Christ and to keep us strong for the second half of our ministries. It was a terrific time; thank you for your prayers. On the last day I was very challenged by the following C S Lewis quote:

‘There is all the difference in the world between looking at the map of the coast, and going down to the beach and feeling the spray of the waves'

We were asked the question “What does it mean for me personally and for us at Christ Church to be regularly in touch with the spray of God’s graciousness; Jesus’ love and the power of the Holy Sprit? Do pass on any thoughts.

On Saturday we arrived at St Agnes, 30 yards from the coastal path, for a half term break – it is an incredible spot. This morning at 9am I was on Chapel Porth beach, as Morning Prayer was taking place in Christ Church, sitting on a rock with enormous spray from the waves all around me. I was overwhelmed by the privilege of being here 2 days after hearing the C S Lewis quote.

On yesterday’s coastal walk to Perranporth Beach, (a spectacular stretch of coastal path with a beautiful beach to welcome us) I passed a bench with the following inscription:

“Karen’s bench – when she entered a room, smiles lit up which will last for ever.”

I pray that you will be aware of the smile of God on you this week and enable others to know this smile in practical ways.

Every blessing

Simon

Being thankful for what we have.

This week I received a really powerful and thought provoking email from David one of my parishioners. It contained a message that I think we all need to reflect on as we go about our daily life. 


The email contained a presentation which you can safely view here. Click your mouse to advance the pages.


Please do let me know what you think of this and tell your friends to take a look also.

Thinking out of the box

It was great to have the recommendation of Margaret Harber, one of the Christ church's congregation on Sunday to watch the incredible programme The Secret Life of Waves with David Malone.


Physics, Geography and Theology were combined in a beautiful Trinity. Do try and catch it if you can. The last ten minutes are especially moving and challenging. As we all face up to changes in life, how do we adapt to the processes which are part of being a human being. Let me know what you think of the programme and especially how the church can respond as we consider the purpose of life and the value of every human being. I trust you will find it worthwhile and look forward to your comments. You can find it on the BBC Iplayer
Every blessing
Simon

Simon's Sermon on Nehemiah 4 - Keeping Momentum

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Latest news - All things are possible for God

Many of us have regular appraisals, if we are fortunate to have jobs. One of  our congregation talks about death by performance indicators. Recently I had a diocesan appraisal, the first for many years, in my role  as Vicar of Christ Church. It was all very thorough, positive and encouraging  and, at the end, I worked on an action plan in the areas I want to concentrate on  for future development.

In the afternoon I received a card from a member of my choir, David,  thanking me for the prayer ministry  we had offered for his physical healing. It included the following quote:

Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential.

Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in,

but with what it is still  possible for you to do.

All things are possible for God.

Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

The following day I rushed out from the Vicarage as he passed by. The card could have been sent to me directly from God it was so applicable to my situation. David mentioned he spent quite some time getting the right card to say thank-you. May you be similarly encouraged, whatever your situation, as you reflect on these words.

 

Do blog back any responses.

Simon Talks about the film The King's Speech.

OSCAR nominated film The King’s Speech has been praised by speech experts in the town for shining the spotlight on a difficult subject.
Speech therapists along with those who suffer from the impediment in Swindon have welcomed the attention and hope Colin Firth’s latest blockbuster – which was nominated for 12 Oscars yesterday – will encourage more people in the town to seek help for their stammer.
The film tells the story of King George VI who, plagued by a stammer and considered unfit to be king, sought the help of unorthodox speech therapist Lionel Logue.
The Reverend Simon Stevenette, of Christ Church Swindon has himself overcome a stammer which developed in his teenage years.
He said: “The King’s Speech was brilliant, it brought tears to my eyes – it said all the right things.
“It was frustrating when my stammer developed, I used to have pieces of paper with my name on or the name of a station I needed to go to.
“It seemed strange to me that God called me to ministry when my speech was at its worst but I had a very powerful healing experience – it is important to receive support and encouragement.
“You feel a sense of vulnerability within you when you have a stammer, but you make sure that you get the words out and you make sure that those words are positive and encouraging – that has always been an incentive for me.” 


You can read the full article on This is Wiltshire