LAST SUNDAY, as part of my training as a Methodist minister, I shared this short reflection during a carol service at Wesley Church Centre in Chester: ‘Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.’ Hello, my name’s Kieran and I’m a minister in …
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2024/12/24/good-news-of-great-joy-for-whom-a-christmas-reflection/
Dec 17
Hush the noise – and hear these angels sing!
CHRISTMAS is loud, isn’t it? So much expectation. So many voices. Telling us how to celebrate, what to wear, what to eat and drink, what to watch and what to buy.
Instead, the Methodist Church in Britain invites us to ‘Hush The Noise’ and listen to THREE new Christmas singles!
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2024/12/17/hush-the-noise-and-hear-these-angels-sing/
Sep 29
On the road again – My surprising journey continues
TODAY I said farewell to the church which has supported me for much of the last three years. Now that I have started training to be a Methodist presbyter [from the Greek word πρεσβύτερος (presbyteros) which means ‘elder’, from the same root as the word ‘priest’ used in other Christian traditions] I will shortly be …
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2024/09/29/on-the-road-again-my-surprising-journey-continues/
Aug 08
‘Burn down their hatred with hope’ – Responding to racist riots in Liverpool
LAST SUNDAY, as part of my training as a Methodist local preacher, I led a service at a Black majority church in inner city Liverpool, about half a mile from a mosque. I had planned the service the week before, but as I woke to news of protests, riots, violence and destruction in the city the night before, I knew I had to respond somehow.
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2024/08/08/burn-down-their-hatred-with-hope-responding-to-racist-riots/
Jun 30
Where is God when it all goes wrong? – A Bible Month reflection on Joseph’s story from the book of Genesis
This is a question that Joseph, hero of our faith, might have asked himself. Joseph, a son of Jacob, the last of Israel’s ancient patriarchs, is at the centre of a 4,000-year-old family drama. It’s a story of favouritism, jealousy, hatred, temptation, suffering and reconciliation.
Perhaps this is a situation with which you can identify! But the Joseph story is bigger than that.
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2024/06/30/where-is-god-when-it-all-goes-wrong-josephs-story-from-genesis/
Jun 09
Unique meaning in life – Listening for God’s call
‘Here I am, for you called me’.
– 1 Samuel 3
THESE are the words of the child Samuel, apprentice to the priest Eli at the temple of God.
I wonder:
– how could these words speak to each of us today?
– what does it mean for us to be open to God, whatever our age, status, or circumstances?
– how does God speak with us now?
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2024/06/09/unique-meaning-in-life-listening-for-gods-call/
May 19
Glimpsing God’s Spirit – A Pentecost reflection
What wonders might give us glimpses of God’s Spirit today?
In what ways can you and I be signs of God’s comfort and support to those in distress?
What role might we have in offering meaning?
What space is there in your life and mine for signs of wonder?
How is the Spirit moving in your life and mine today?
A reflection on Pentecost, the birthday of the Christian Church, and Wesley Day, the brthday of the Methodist Church.
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2024/05/19/glimpsing-gods-spirit-a-pentecost-reflection/
Apr 07
‘Doubting’ Thomas is so much more – A more generous response to the infamous apostle
The story of Thomas the apostle is an invitation and challenge to us to be generous in listening to questions and scepticism. How do we cope with challenges to faith – our own and other people’s?
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2024/04/07/doubting-thomas-is-so-much-more-a-more-generous-response-to-the-infamous-apostle/
Jan 07
The work of Christmas begins – An Epiphany reflection
A REFLECTION on the story of the magi travelling to find Jesus in Bethlehem [Matthew 2:1-12] and the poem The Work Of Christmas by Howard Thurman.
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2024/01/07/the-work-of-christmas-begins-an-epiphany-reflection/
Dec 14
John the Baptist: Opening an Advent window on the bigger picture of the Christmas story
THE CHRISTMAS STORY is a jigsaw, which we have pieced together from the four gospels. The pieces include: a star, a manger, shepherds, and wise people from the east. But the story of a man in the desert baptizing people doesn’t seem to fit the puzzle. Does it even belong in our picture of Christmas?
Permanent link to this article: https://abravefaith.com/2023/12/14/john-the-baptist-opening-an-advent-window-on-the-bigger-picture-of-the-christmas-story/
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