Author Archives: Revd Neil Summers

It seems that today the Queen will tell us all that 2019 has been, quote, ‘quite bumpy’.  An interesting choice of words, typically diplomatic and understated, but leading to much speculation as to what she might really have in mind.  … Continue reading →

Readings Deuteronomy 30.9-14; Colossians 1.1-14; Luke 10.25-37 Preacher Revd Neil Summers I guess the Good Samaritan is one of the most familiar and memorable stories of the Bible. I think its hold on us is at least partly to do … Continue reading →

Readings Isaiah 66.10-14; Galatians 6.7-16; Luke 10.1-11, 16-20 Preacher Revd Neil Summers Chapters 8-10 of Luke’s Gospel set out a very interesting – what we might call in today’s church jargon – ‘Mission Action Plan’.  And it all sounds quite … Continue reading →

Readings Daniel 7.9-14; Acts 1.1-11; Luke 24.44-end Preacher Revd Neil Summers The past week or so in British politics prove that sometimes things can change quite unexpectedly, and remarkably rapidly.  Life itself is a process of constant change, isn’t it?  … Continue reading →

When my own mum was still alive, I used to scour the shops for a card which celebrated Mothering Sunday rather than its relatively new incarnation, Mother’s Day.  Today was never meant to be solely about mothers; its original meaning was more … Continue reading →

In a predominantly rationalist and scientific age, some Christians of a more liberal and progressive stance find stories involving the inexplicable, like Jesus’s Transfiguration, which we’ve just read – or, indeed, the miracles – rather awkward.   The temptation often is … Continue reading →

Readings Genesis 2.4b-9, 15-25; Revelation 4; Luke 8.22-25 Preacher Revd Neil Summers Within a long strand of Hebrew tradition, the sea was associated with evil powers.  According to an ancient creation myth, when God made the world and separated out … Continue reading →

Readings Isaiah 6.1-8; 1 Corinthians 15.1-11; Luke 5.1-11Preacher Revd Neil Summers In the Bible, it is often the case that when God’s servants hear his call, it is accompanied by a profound awareness of their own unworthiness, even sinfulness. In … Continue reading →

The Feast of the Epiphany comes at that time of the year when, for most people, the magic of Christmas has worn off.  Last night was Twelfth Night, so the decorations are down and you are left with pine needles … Continue reading →

This year’s Christmas cards have brought the usual mix of images: snow scenes, stars, Bethlehem, robins, Santas, reindeer, Christmas trees, and Nativity scenes – that enchanting combination of the sacred and secular which makes up the modern Christmas.  As usual, … Continue reading →