General Chat

Good morning to you all :-D <3

Wishing you all well, not only a new year but my late Mother's birthday <3

Cynthia, I echo Emma's thanks. This is usually the first thread I look at in the mornings.

I expect you have been thinking of your mother today David. I hope you have many happy memories.

I wish you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful year in 2020 <3

Hello all

Well said Emma I also thank Cynthia for her ongoing posts each day.

I hope you haven't been too sad today David.

Wishing all who look in a very Healthy and Happy 2020.

I have a funeral service to go to next week..... not the best start to the New Year.

Good morning :-)

I have to say that having to vacuum up a broken lightbulb at 7.00am is not what I recommend but it will be a smashing day!! :-D

Thank you for the kind words <3

My mother was born in Dundee on Hogmanay! I bet there were some celebrations going on at that time.... :-D


From Follow the star..


For many people, travelling companions are an essential part of any journey. They are there to share the ups and downs, the joyful moments and the tougher times. We don’t know exactly how many wise men are following the star, but we know that there is more than one of them along for the ride! The journey is a long one and there are obstacles to meet on the way, including a jealous and two-faced king.

As Herod plots murder, the wise men discover that they have an unexpected traveller alongside them. God warns them in a dream not to go back to Herod when they have found the child. Through adventure and through danger, God is with the wise men and will make sure they stay on the right path.

Who is with you on your journey?

Think of someone who supports or cares for you and send them a message or phone them to say thank you.

Thank you, God, that wherever we go and whatever we face you are with us. Keep us safe on our journey through life. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning all :-D <3 It's been 25 years since Mother passed following a short illness. I rode my bicycle past her door at approx 6.30 am following a night shift. I had a key to her door in my pocket, could have let myself in, but who does that at 6.30 am ?
My Mother was found behind her front door when a neighbour broke in (because she hadn't been see all morning, or walking her dog.) She died in the ICU not long after.
I was in the depths of grief, felt worse because I could have got her to Hospital much earlier, but cycled past her door. I think about hr and my Father a lot, not always sadly.
At my age time is not on my side.

Good morning :-)

As we grow older David, thinking about death tends to become a frequent thing - we have lost many of our loved ones and funerals of friends begin to mount up. As the Good Book says.....'In the midst of life, we are in death'. The circle of life I guess.....keep smiling..... :-)


From Follow the star

Stars have been used as navigation tools since ancient times, lighting the sky and showing the way. Even today, the North Star is a guide for wandering night time explorers, giving an unwavering direction in the darkness. The wise men are looking up to their own star for guidance and, as it moves, they are assured of the path they follow.

In life, the need for a guide through unfamiliar territory and situations is often very real, whoever and wherever we are. We want the reassurance that we are walking the right way. The child born in Bethlehem, under the sign of the star, will grow to be a guide to millions across the world. He will light the path that leads the way to God.

Loving God, show us the way when we are lost and need direction. Guide us as we journey forward. Amen.

Cx :-)

Yes, for my Mother and Father it fell to me to dispose of their clothes and furniture and house. In a drawer in my Father's bedroom was a little pocket / note book;
Inside he'd written IF THE FATES DECREE YOUR'E GOING TO LOSE, GIVE THEM A DAMNED GOOD FIGHT

A few years later I had the same job when mt FIL and MIL died. A lot of Charity shops got all the clothes, the furniture was auctioned, the house sold. The last few years have given me quite an education.

Good morning :-)

Life is quite a learning curve I have found, David. Always something new to learn.


From Follow the star....

Light reveals the dangers covered by darkness. In the light, secrets are revealed and fears are banished. In the light we can see the truth because there is no place to hide. In the light we see beauty in its fullness.

The star’s light has been leading the wise men towards the child. When this child grows up, he will call himself the ‘light of the world.’ He will be the living embodiment of light. He will be the one who highlights dangers, banishes fears, reveals beauty and shows the truth. Jesus will tell us that we no longer have to be afraid, we no longer need to walk in darkness. Jesus will open our eyes to what life can be.

What are you trying to understand at the moment? What do you need to see more clearly?

Light a candle and ask Jesus to illuminate the situation.
Loving God, show us what is hidden, chase away our fears and give us courage when we are afraid. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-D <3 It is a learning curve Cynthia. Some events make you grow up rapidly, of necessity.My parents worked harder than I did, for less and didn't have many of the things I have. I wouldn't be here but for them.

My thoughts and prayers for the people of
Australia <3

I have been enjoying the "Follow the Star" posts Cynthia. Thank you.

As I have posted on here in previous years my all-time favourite poem is T S Eliot's "Journey of the Magi" which I always find myself re-reading around Epiphany.

Emma, like you I am keeping the people of Australia in my thoughts. The sheer scale of the disaster both in the size of the area affected and the length of time the fires have been burning is unimaginable. It certainly puts our problems into perspective.

Hello all

I'd also like to add my thoughts and prayers to all who are suffering through the ongoing fires in Australia

At the beginning of each new year I am inspired by the words of the poem written in 1908 by Minnie Louise Haskins called The Gate of the Year. This is certainly worth Googling if you're not familiar with it.

Good morning :-)


The fires in Australia are dreadful - it almost looks as the whole country is a sea of flames. We pray for those affected by it and for those who are brave enough to tackle those flames. We also think of all the wildlife which is in danger.


Welcome to the first Sunday of 2020.....

The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Gracious God, who by the leading of a star manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith, may at last behold your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Gospel reading tells the story of the visit of the Wise men.

I have found an amazing picture of this scene by the artist - Liz Lemon Swindle. When I looked online, I found her pictures of stories in the bible to be incredible. I had never heard of her before but I am loving her work. Its worth googling her name to be honest and see what you think. She is a Mormon apparently.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Today is the Feast of the Epiphany - when we remember the visit of the Wise Men to Jesus.

From Follow the star...

At last the wise men reach their journey’s end and lay their gifts before the Christ child. They have travelled a great distance from where they started, and they have experienced much along the road. In some ways, though, this is only the beginning.
Sometimes when we find what we think we’re looking for, we realize that there is so much more to discover, so many more questions to ask.

God understands our curiosity and he welcomes it. God wants us to wonder. God wants us to search. And when we do, he will not hide from us. Just as the star shines brightly to light the way. God’s love beckons us forward, inviting us to know him more, step by step by step.

God of wonder, help us to keep searching, keep asking and keep discovering as we continue on our journey to you. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good afternoon :-D <3 In 1980 I got married in St Hugh of the Epithany

Good morning :-)

That's a new one on me David.....I did some googling.....Hugh of Lincoln. :-D

Looking back …….. The wise men are carried precious gifts with them on their journey: gifts that will speak into the story of Jesus’ life. Gold is a gift of richness, fit for a king. Myrrh is a precious oil, used to anoint the dead, reminding us of the death Jesus will endure on the cross. Frankincense is an incense used in worship, fitting for a holy child.

But treasures are not always physical. Gifts cannot always be touched. Each of us has gifts and talents within us and each of us can make an offering of our own. Our gifts are part of our own story in our work, our homes and our communities. Our gifts show who we are and what we bring to the world around us.

What gifts do you have that you could offer to your friends, your family, your church or your community?

Generous God, help us to use our gifts in an open-hearted way so that others will know that they are loved and valued. Amen.


Cx :-)

I kid you not. The church's name is St Hugh of the Epiphany

Good morning :-)

Yes I know David, I did some googling :-D


The fires in Australia are so dreadful...…

We pray for gentle rains,
and no wind;
we pray for cooling skies,
and water in abundance;
we pray for the burning land,
we pray for the four legged,
and the winged,
for the koala and the kangaroo,
and all of their neighbours;
we pray for the people who are trapped,
for the people who have lost their homes,
for the firefighters and the first responders,
for the exhausted and the tapped out,
we pray for Australia,
from east, to south, to west, to north,
and all the places in between.
In this world of changed and changing climate, God,
we ask that you would help us
to help those who are in immediate danger;
may we use what we have to help and to heal -
then call us to repent of all the ways
we continue to make this world
a place of death, rather than life.
Help us, O God... because we
don't seem to be able
to do it on our own.
In Christ's name,
on the wings of the Holy Spirit,
we pray.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Cynthia a beautiful prayer and I join you
in this, God help the people in Australia Amen.

Good morning :-)

Hope everyone is well...…


Thank You Lord for Your blessings this week. Grant me strength and energy to go through this blessed Thursday morning, as I seek Your face, Your comfort, Your rest.

Keep me safely wrapped in Your loving arms. Bless me with Your peace that passes all understanding. Amen.

Cx :-)