The practice of giving thanks for the harvest goes back to the earliest times, when offerings were made of the first-fruits of the crop, and a celebratory supper to which the whole community was invited was held at the end of the harvest period. The “traditional” Harvest Festival, with the church decorated with home-grown produce, … [Read more…]
St. Matthew (“Levi” in the Gospels of Mark and Luke) is one of the twelve who were chosen by Jesus to be his companions, and who formed the nucleus of the early Church. The son of Alpheus, Matthew was working in Capernaum as a tax collector (“publican” in older Bibles) when he was called to … [Read more…]
The words, in Portuguese, are from Matthew’s account of a revelation on Mount Tabor that helped three of the disciples realise more of the divine nature of their Lord. Not only did they see Jesus talking with Moses (the law-giver) and Elijah (the archetypal prophet), but they heard a voice from the cloud saying: “Este … [Read more…]
Jack Wardell’s picture of some of our young people was taken last year in the garden behind the church, and it’s a reminder, if one were needed, that “school is out”. Nowadays, “holiday” may mean just freedom from work or school, or can refer to those special times when we can relax and do something … [Read more…]
The Christian belief that God can be understood in terms of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is a complex one. Surely God is one or other, he cannot be fully in all three places at the same time. Over the years this teaching has been the cause of considerable doubt and confusion. Why don’t we … [Read more…]