We have bags and bags of blankets to deliver to Wheelchairs for Kids and Pregnancy Problem House. Why not join us on a Tuesday morning from 9-11.30 in the church hall? We would happily teach you to crochet or knit, if that’s what you’d like to do:)

Did you know that the word “Easter” comes from the name of an Anglo-Saxon goddess Ēostre?

Language evolves and over time meanings can be completely changed. When I discovered the origin of the word Easter I was a little disappointed but not completely surprised. We all know that the original celebrations at this time of year (in pagan countries such as the UK) were about the joy of new life, the spring festival, the snowdrops and daffodils bursting through the last vestiges of snow in a world where the only heating was fire and the winter days were long and gloomy.

Easter as we know it in the church calendar is, of course, also about death and new life; about gloominess turning to excitement; about the promise of growth and a better future. It’s easy to see why Christians adapted this pagan festival and made it their own.

When we get together as Christians we usually smile and encourage one another, and this is all fine, of course. However, we seldom speak of our struggle to believe, our failures, our doubts.

In Mark 9: 23-25 we read of the following occurrence. A father brought his son to Jesus because he was “possessed of an evil spirit” that would not allow the boy to talk. He had convulsions went into fits. This had been happening since he was a small child. The father’s words to Jesus were: “Have mercy on us, and help us if you can.” Jesus answered him: “What do you mean, ‘if I can’? Anything is possible if a person believes.” And then the man uttered those words we know so well: “I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief.”

We know with our minds and hearts that Jesus Christ is certainly capable of everything, almighty, all-powerful… but the niggle enters. Why should he do this for me? I am not a miracle-worthy person; and a miracle is only a miracle because it seldom happens.

Sometimes we have such confidence, but at other times we waver and our minds want to reason things out. That cancer treatment was the answer for Janet (“Praise the Lord!” we say) but the same treatment just didn’t work for Sam who went through agony before leaving this world. Was our belief different in these two cases? Is the fault ours for a lack of faith?

Let’s talk about our doubts and face them as this battle for our minds takes place.

The little boy in the story was healed. We don’t hear about the father’s reaction or his life after this. We can only imagine.

What are you doing for Christmas this year?

Why not join us for a low key Carol Singing event on Sunday evening 17 December? You would be more than welcome:)