Reflections

On this page we publish writings, addresses and other reflections from events or services connected with our churches. The documents are not necessarily the views of our Team or churches, but rather those of the individuals represented.

Reflections for Holy Week & Easter 2016

First a poem written by Rev'd Gary Miller, Assistant Priest in the Wythenshawe Team.

Simon Peter, maybe the Lord’s best friend
Followed Jesus right up to the end.
I’ll be there for you, he let Jesus know
But that came to an end when the cock did crow.

Doubting Thomas, the Lord’s resurrection could not understand
For into Christ’s wounds he wanted to place his hands.
But when he saw Jesus risen from the dead
My Lord and my God is what he said.

On the road to Emmaus were Cleopas and friend
A stranger they met, whose ear they did lend.
Their troubles and woes to him they outpoured
But later he revealed himself as their Lord.

Persecution of followers were at Paul’s bequest
Christians brought in front of him were stoned to death.
But on the road to Damascus, the Lord did him forgive
From then on Paul led a life, we should all try to live.

It was at the tomb on the first Easter morn
That Mary went to attend the body of the first fruit of her womb.
Scared and worried that they had taken him away
But her fear retreated when “Mary” the Lord did say.


And secondly a story from Sweden given to us by Crist Samuelsson (and translated from the Swedish by him). Crist is a member of the congregation at William Temple Church.

Once there was a grey little bird. He looked at the other birds in the garden, they have colours, yellow, black, blue, green and brown but not him, he was only a grey little bird. And he think often about this. Because even his siblings and parents was just a grey little bird.

One day then he was flying, he landed on a piece of wood, a cross and he look at the person hanging there and see a crown of thorns on his head. And was sorry for it must hurt. Because all animals and birds recognise the master, but not all humans do that.

And he took a thorn this his beak and drew it out, from the forehead, then a drip of blood come out and over the grey little bird's breast and he was red all over the breast. And fly away to the dam nearby, to wash himself as he usually do, but the stain stay there on his breast.

Later on he met a little grey lady bird, she admire him for his red breast and they lay egg in their nest and they hatch and he look on the small birds in the nest, all have a red spot on their breast. Now he wasn't any longer just a grey little bird. And he was proud, for now he have a red breast.
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And from then on, it is not just a grey little bird, all have a red breast.

Reflections
St Hilda - first female bishop?
Donkey Talk: Mary's Surprise
I am giving up for Lent
Palm Sunday: Arrival of the King
Good Friday: what a night
A Week is a Long Time
Being on Cloud Nine
Happy Birthday (to the Church!)

Addresses
William Temple - an address to mark the 70th anniversary of his death (Rev'd Hayley Matthews)

William Temple 50Fest Sermon Series
The Wythenshawe Sermon 2015

Canon Chris Ford (January 2015)
Rev'd Anne Smith (January 2015)
Rev'd Anne Pilkington (February 2015)
Canon Howard Eales (March 2015)
Venerable Alan Wolstencroft (April 2015) 
Venerable Mark Ashcroft (July 2015)