A sermon delivered on The Sunday before Lent. Sunday 19th February 2023 at All Saints Church, Oakham. Readings: Exodus 24:12-18; Matthew 17:1-9. Having escaped free of the Egyptians and having crossed the Red Sea, the Israelites find themselves in the desert at the foot of Mount Sinai. It was whilst the Israelites were settled next … Continue reading What’s Your Mountain?
Why I Went From Hating to Loving Communion Wafers
One of the things I do as a priest is lead Communion services. There are many different names for Communion across the church. From Holy Communion, to the Eucharist, to Mass, to the Lord’s Supper. All of these are referring to the same event. When we receive bread and wine as a reminder and ongoing … Continue reading Why I Went From Hating to Loving Communion Wafers
My 2022 Book Tally – A new record and my top 5!
Every year I set myself the aspirational goal of reading 52 books a year, that is a book a week. I have set this goal every year for 6 years in a row, getting closer each year, but still quite far off. In 2020 and 2021 I read 27 books, which was a notable increase … Continue reading My 2022 Book Tally – A new record and my top 5!
Short Reflections on Being a Priest
Given that this is my first year as I priest, I want to reflect on what being a priest has meant to me. The first thing I noticed is that it felt very different to be someone’s priest and not just their deacon. I found that I gained a sense of spiritual responsibility for my … Continue reading Short Reflections on Being a Priest
Come and See that Jesus is the Lamb of God
A sermon I preached on Sunday 15th January 2023 at All Saints Church, Oakham. John 1.29-42 Who here has a cousin? Odds are that the majority of you have a cousin. Now how do you tend to greet your cousin? You might go ‘hello,’ or ‘hi.’ I tend to go with ‘Hey, how are you … Continue reading Come and See that Jesus is the Lamb of God
The Light Shines In The Darkness, And The Darkness Did Not Overcome It
Sermon preached on Midnight Mass at All Saints Oakham, Christmas Eve 2022. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. A very warm Christmas to you on this Christmas eve. Christmas time comes towards the end of the year, and the end of the year is usually a time for … Continue reading The Light Shines In The Darkness, And The Darkness Did Not Overcome It
In The Bleak Midwinter
Written in December 2021 for Oakham Team Ministry weekly message. Dear friends, We are now into the final month of the year, with Christmas fast approaching. With all the cold weather we have had this past week, it almost feels as though the bleak midwinter has come a little early. In the bleak midwinter is … Continue reading In The Bleak Midwinter
Advent Sermon: On The Lookout For Jesus
Sunday 27th November 2022. Sermon preached at 8am Holy Communion service at All Saints Church, Oakham. Reading: Matthew 24:36-44 Happy Advent everyone. Or is that incorrect? Should I be saying, sombre Advent everyone? When you hear a reading like that your heart does feel strangely saddened, confused and slightly disturbed. It is the pattern of … Continue reading Advent Sermon: On The Lookout For Jesus
There Will Be Bombing On This Christmas Night
25th November 2022 I wrote this poem in 2015 during the height of the war in Syria. The war in Ukraine has been the defining event of this year, and as we draw closer to Christmas, it felt right to share this poem. You can also watch me perform the poem here: There will be … Continue reading There Will Be Bombing On This Christmas Night
O Come O Come Emmanuel
Wednesday 23rd November 2022 Advent greetings, It is that time, my friends. You will hear and will continue to hear the great advent hymn, O Come O Come Emmanuel today and for the next month on constant repeat. It will be so inescapable to your ears and your subconscious that you will find yourself pleading … Continue reading O Come O Come Emmanuel
Shakeel Nurmahi 