The Baptism of Christ Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-7; Psalm 29; Acts 8:14-17; Luke 3:15–17, 21-22 Last August, I conducted a baptism in the sea, at the beach in Punta Prima, Menorca. A baptism in the sea is a powerful reminder of the connection between the water of physical life and the spirit of the creative force of God, […]
Archive | Santa Margarita
Return of the ‘Midnight Choir’ to Santa Margarita
The ‘Coral de Mitjanit’ will return to Santa Margarita for a concert on 17 January 2016, at 19:30. The programme (scroll down for details) will consist of a mix of songs by the choir and solo performances by the director, the accomplished Marina Pons Plovins. Part 1: Marina Plovins y Óscar Amieva: Nel cor più non […]
Theme for the Week – 3 January 2016
Celebration of the feast of the Epiphany (observed on Sunday). Scripture for this Sunday: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:10-16; Ephesians 3:1–12; Matthew 2:1-12 There is something about an encounter with Jesus. It has a transforming effect. People find that their life’s journeys are re-routed, so that, like the magi who were warned in a dream, they go […]
Readings for January 2016
Scripture assigned for the major services (Sunday, Wednesday) during January 2016. 3 January – Epiphany (observed) Isaiah 60.1-6; Psalm 72.10-16; Ephesians 3.1–12; Matthew 2.1-126 January – Epiphany Isaiah 60.1-6; Psalm 72.10-16; Ephesians 3.1–12; Matthew 2.1-1210 January – Baptism of Christ Isaiah 43.1-7; Psalm 29; Acts 8.14-17; Luke 3.15–17,21-22 13 January – Hilary, bishop, teacher 2 Timothy 1.13-14,2.1-3; Psalm 19.7-10; Luke 12.8-12 17 […]
Theme for the Week – 27 December 2015
The first Sunday after Christmas; the third day of Christmas. Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:18–20, 26; Psalm 148:7–14; Colossians 3:12–17; Luke 2:41–52. The passage from 1 Samuel celebrates Hannah’s gift of her son, delivered after apparent infertility, to God, to serve as a priest in the temple. Jewish readers would know that Samuel became one of the […]
Christmas 2015
Christmas at Santa Margarita in Menorca – 2015. Distribution of food bags, in conjunction with the Roman Catholic Church of El Roser. Christmas Eve – preparation of Christingles and the Jesse Tree. Christmas Day – with nearly twice as many people as in 2014.
Theme for the Fourth Sunday of Advent
Scripture for the fourth Sunday of Advent: Micah 5:2–5a; Canticle: Magnificat, Luke 1:46-55; Hebrews 10:5–10; Luke 1:39–45 When I worked as a hospital chaplain, I met a young woman with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. I saw her for five weeks in hospital. Just before she was discharged, I spoke to her about her condition, and she described […]
Theme for the Third Sunday of Advent
Scripture for the Third Sunday of Advent: Zephaniah 3:14–20; Canticle: Isaiah 12:2–6; Philippians 4:4–7; Luke 3:7–18 Reminiscing is a natural thing to do. We do it when we’re young – when, as young adults, we become aware that we’ve left our childhood behind. We do it when we get older – grieving the passing of […]
World Human Rights Day
Every day should be a day to focus on improving human rights. However, on this day we remember the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 1948. The season of Advent is meant to be a time of anticipation of opportunities to encounter Christ in our lives and in […]
Diocesan Advent Appeal
This year, the Bishop’s Advent Appeal for the Diocese in Europe is directed towards the plight of refugees arriving in Greece. At a recent gathering of clergy, our suffragan Bishop, +David, described to us the almost overwhelming challenge of dealing with the thousands of refugees arriving weekly on Greek islands, especially those islands closest to Turkey. […]