Tag Archives: Love

Carrot over Stick every time in God’s household

Posted on August 1, 2021 by Ian Black

Carrot or stick? Which is the first you reach for when you think something or someone needs to change or mend their ways? Which you pick first may well say quite a bit about your own upbringing and whether you … Continue reading →

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Palm Sunday – More donkey, less war horse

Posted on March 28, 2021 by Ian Black

This is the second year in a row that we have not been able to gather together for Palm Sunday. Usually we would read the long Passion narrative, the account in one of the gospels of Jesus’ arrest, trial, and … Continue reading →

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Homemaking – This house runs on love

Posted on November 15, 2020 by Ian Black

I was in a motorway service station, last year travelling between places on my sabbatical. In a shop I found this sign and thought, that’ll be useful for a sermon one day and I think this might be it. It … Continue reading →

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Bible Sunday: 5 Virtues to help with reading the bible

Posted on October 25, 2020 by Ian Black

Our two readings this morning contrast quite strongly in tone. They could be more different, given some of the passages in the bible, but still they vary enough. The first  (Colossians 3:12-17) encourages five virtues: ‘compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and … Continue reading →

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Go, love, serve in the name of Christ

Posted on July 12, 2020 by Ian Black

  Did you see the video of the new Archbishop of York taking up his pastoral responsibilities on Thursday? (embedded above) Unusually, the legal ceremony, during which his appointment was confirmed and he formally became Archbishop, was conducted by zoom … Continue reading →

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Lent 1: Light – God’s presence bringing purpose and hope

Posted on March 1, 2020 by Ian Black

This year we are travelling through Lent with the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book, ‘Saying Yes to Life’ by Ruth Valerio. Three groups are meeting during the week and on Sunday, the sermon will explore some of the issues in … Continue reading →

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Love is stronger than death: Remembrance Sunday

Posted on November 10, 2019 by Ian Black

Looking through hymns for Remembrance Sunday, and also readings and prayers, a common theme emerges. The imploring is for war to cease, looking forward to a time when peace will reign and there will be an end to fighting, to … Continue reading →

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People of faith, hope and love: Address to Annual Meeting 2019

Posted on April 7, 2019 by Ian Black

Our nation is going through a time of deep challenge and great uncertainty at the moment. Parliament is deeply divided over what to do about leaving the European Union. Passions are high among the wider population and all sorts of … Continue reading →

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‘Everything’s turning turtle’: Hope in dark times

Posted on March 31, 2019 by Ian Black

Throughout Lent we have been exploring themes arising from the recent film ‘Mary Poppins Returns’. This picks up the story when the children in the first film have grown up. Michael, the young boy, now has a family of his … Continue reading →

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When praise becomes blessing

Posted on January 27, 2019 by Ian Black

In an interview with the Christian broadcasting station ‘Premier Radio’ Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, revealed that he speaks in tongues when he prays first thing in the morning. This is a spiritual practice associated with the charismatic traditions … Continue reading →

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