We are in the thick of Advent and our preparations for Christmas. At this point, you would have expected most people to put up their Christmas decorations (though, granted, not all) and many of us to have begun singing carols. This Sunday will be the first carol service I lead this season. As I have … Continue reading The Miracle of Christmas: Insights from ‘Once in Royal David’s City’
Reflections
The Gift of Harvest
This reflection first appeared as a Sunday Morning Thought on Rutland and Stamford Sound on Sunday 22nd September 2024 Listen to it here. This week, our church hosted Langham primary school’s Harvest service. The whole school along with many parents and grandparents came to Langham church to celebrate Harvest. For many parts of the UK, … Continue reading The Gift of Harvest
Hello September, Goodbye Fear
It’s hard to believe that the summer has ended, and September is now upon us. For many of us, September, the start of the academic year, is a more significant new year than January. All the schools in Rutland went back on Thursday as children and teenagers embarked on a new academic year, a new … Continue reading Hello September, Goodbye Fear
The adventure isn’t finished, it’s only just beginning
This week is the first week that Cecily and I have been able to say that we are both priests. It was a wonderful and amazing day at Peterborough Cathedral on Sunday as Cecily was ordained a priest. Thank you to everyone who came, for your words of support and encouragement, and your prayers. Cecily … Continue reading The adventure isn’t finished, it’s only just beginning
The Suffering of Joseph
Does it ever feel like sometimes in life things keep going from bad to worse? I know that I’ve been there. Cecily and I have said that a lot about the past week. If there was ever a story in the Bible that captures the essence of life going from bad to worse, the story … Continue reading The Suffering of Joseph
Politics and Religion Do Mix
‘Politics and religion don’t mix.’ You won’t believe how many people have said that to me over the past few weeks. One of my projects over the past few weeks has been organising a hustings for our local candidates for Rutland and Stamford ahead of the General Election. We are set to host an Oakham … Continue reading Politics and Religion Do Mix
What is God’s Vision
Vision. It’s a word we might use when talking about an organisation or strategy, or maybe when talking about prophecies and dreams, or on a trip to Specsavers. But I think it is a useful word for us as followers of Jesus. We spoke about young men seeing visions at Pentecost as we recalled the … Continue reading What is God’s Vision
I woke in the middle of the night and couldn’t get back to sleep
Last night I woke in the middle of the night and found myself unable to get back to sleep (at least for a while). My mind was racing with lots of thoughts for the next day. What do I need to do, who do I need to meet, and so on… Some of you can … Continue reading I woke in the middle of the night and couldn’t get back to sleep
A Time For A New Start?
This reflection first appeared as the Sunday Morning Thought on Rutland and Stamford Sound radio on Sunday 14th April 2024. This week I moved house. For many of us, moving house is one of the most stressful things that we might do. There is so much to get sorted. Packing up your things, booking the … Continue reading A Time For A New Start?
Have You Ever Been Made Fun of Because of Your Faith?
This Bible reflection was given at the Good Friday Meditations on 29th March 2024 at All Saints Church, Oakham. Have you ever been made fun of because of your faith? I have, and I guess you have too. It might have been from your friends or family, or even your spouse. Often the most difficult … Continue reading Have You Ever Been Made Fun of Because of Your Faith?
Shakeel Nurmahi 