General Chat

Hello all
I hope to join in the Lent Course held in our church beginning on Wednesday of this week.

I've begun to fill my carrier bag with one item a day during the Lent period and plan to hand this over to our Curate Sarah who manages the local food bank.

After church I went outside and planted some pretty primulas,such a joy to have Gods nature all around.

Continuing to support Cynthia and her family on their bereavement journey in thought and prayer.

<3 Cynthia <3

Good morning :-)


Today I tackle more paperwork........ :-(


On with the Lent course.....

Genesis 1.1-3
1 In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.

The first chapter of Genesis has much to say about the created order and about the place of human beings within it. But first and foremost, it conveys fundamental truths about God. It tells us that God existed before creation, that God alone made everything, and that God is good.


The weekly themes follow those of the days of creation described in Genesis 1. We begin with an essential building-block of all life: light. As well as exploring the significance of light in the Bible, we will explore issues around light and energy facing the world today.

On this first day, God speaks, and light – without which nothing has life – is created. Genesis 1 invites us to hear God’s voice and to see God’s goodness revealed in creation every day.

As you notice light around you today – light from the sun, a lightbulb or a candle – become aware of God’s presence in the world. What does God say to you? Any thoughts? :-)


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I have a list of things to do. No sooner do I cross something off, then I add more to it. It's strange having an empty chair in the room.

Now for the Lent Course....

Today's reading...

Song of Songs 2.10-13
10 My beloved speaks and says to me:
‘Arise, my love, my fair one,
and come away;
11 for now the winter is past,
the rain is over and gone.
12 The flowers appear on the earth;
the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtle-dove
is heard in our land.
13 The fig tree puts forth its figs,
and the vines are in blossom;
they give forth fragrance.
Arise, my love, my fair one,
and come away.

In the northern hemisphere, during Lent, we can look forward to lengthening hours of daylight and signs of spring.

Some of us are particularly sensitive to these changes, but the responses to light in deciduous trees and in birds are even more dramatic. Even for birds in parts of the world where the hours of daylight vary little through the year, a small adjustment of a few minutes is enough to trigger reproductive hormones and begin the breeding cycle.

Today's challenge - We all need light – but we also need to reduce our carbon emissions. Switching to low-energy LED bulbs is a small adjustment that could make a big difference. Make small changes. Little things add up to save a lot of energy. Turn lights off when you leave a room. Turn off chargers once mobile devices are charged.

Cx :-)

I really appreciate you continuing to post at such a difficult and busy time Cynthia. Thank you. I hope you are taking a little time to take care of yourself.

Your post today has reminded me not to take our light and power for granted and so I have resolved to make less use of my tumble dryer. As you say, if everyone makes a small reduction it could add up to a big difference.

Thinking today of all who are living with long term pain <3

Hello all

Cynthia, I hope you're eating to keep yourself well.

Vera, the tumble dryer broke and I've managed so far without one. I do like to peg the clothes on the line.

My effort to conserve energy is to wash clothes on a lower setting in the machine and to turn the heating down one notch. I haven't felt a big difference in either of these things and it's helping to save energy.

Continuing to pray for those whose homes have been devastated by the recent floods in past months.

I think in answer to your question on Monday.

My response would be - to sit down and make/take time to appreciate what is around me, stop rushing around all the time. Make time to contemplate all the wonderful things he has done and count my blessings.

I loved today's reading, its a very long time since I read that. It brought back memories of Bible study evenings and friends no longer here.

Take care Cynthia

Cynthia, take time please to think of yourself <3

Thoughts and prayers for those in need x

<3 Cynthia

Good morning :-)


Thank you for all the good wishes......I am trying to take care of myself honestly. Sleep pattern in better but still a bit erratic and my eating is a bit hit and miss too. I am eating out now and then as I hate cooking. Doing work such as this on the computer actually helps me so I am fine with this. :-D



Today's reading :

Isaiah 2.2-5
2 In days to come
the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
3 Many peoples shall come and say,
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.’
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 He shall judge between the nations,
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
5 O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk
in the light of the Lord!

Light is a powerful symbol of God’s presence in the Bible, providing guidance in the darkness and showing his people the way. In Exodus 13, as the Israelites flee captivity in Egypt, God goes before them in a pillar of fire.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path,” declares the psalmist (Psalm 119.105). God’s word illuminates our path, providing us with guidance on how we might walk in God’s light.

However light and sunny it is – or isn’t! – today, make at least one journey on foot.

Longer term, could you make more sustainable travel choices, such as cycling or using public transport?

Walk in the light
Walking or cycling – rather than driving – are good for our health and for the environment. Can you make one extra journey on foot, bike or scooter today?


Now, why does the thought of me on a scooter make me laugh? :-D

Cx :-)

Depends on the scooter - Vespa - Mobile hairdryer variety - Harley D - or the little push along ones with your foot to the Electric ones I saw on my way to work today.

Cynthia you and the girls kept me going over some of my darkest days - now we are here for you. I still remember very fondly our virtual trips out.

Take care - its good to eat out occasionally & meet with friends

Hello all

Take things slowly and look after yourself Cynthia.

I'm planning to join in the first session of a Lent Course held in my church this evening. I'm not used to going out when it's dark and it is several years since I was able to go to any local Lent Courses, so wish me luck.

I am sure you would look very dashing on a scooter Cynthia :-D

Your post today immediately brought to mind the Graham Kendrick hymn “Shine, Jesus, Shine”. I do like that hymn but I now can’t get it out of my head.

Our attempts to use the car less haven’t been terribly successful as our bus service has been pared to the bone. When we moved here 6 years ago we had 3 fairly regular buses. Since then one has been discontinued altogether, one is still hourly but has been rerouted so it is much less convenient and the other is now every 2 hours. So the car is a necessity but we try and do our bit by combining several trips where possible. I tell OH where we need to go and he works out the best route round. We also liaise with friends so that where we can we only use one car instead of two or even three.

I am also trying to save water and power by not lingering in the shower which I am inclined to do.

These are all just drops in the ocean I know but I hope that, as the advert says, “Every little helps”.

My thoughts tonight are with health workers everywhere as they take care of our sick and injured and now have the extra hazard of Coronavirus to contend with.

<3 <3 <3

Good morning :-)


The only scooter I am likely to have now is a mobility one I think - but not yet! :-D

I am also trying to think of ways of how I can improve my carbon footprint but with having a dodgy knee, walking far is a challenge.

I remember those virtual trips too Tabitha.....many moons ago now since we planned what we would bring to eat! :-D :-D


Today's Lent Course

Matthew 5.14-16
14 ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Jesus describes himself in John’s Gospel as “the light of the world” (8.12). In Matthew 5 he encourages his followers to see themselves in a similar way. The good news of God’s kingdom we have heard is news to be shared, not kept secret or hidden.

How much is witnessing to God’s love for creation part of your own Christian witness? Or that of your local church community? Is it time to make your concern more visible?

As well as adjustments in our own lives, tackling climate change will require governments and businesses to make big changes. Take time to convey your concerns as a citizen, consumer, voter and member of your church.

Let your light shine
Jesus calls us to share his light with the world. Can you suggest ways your family, school or church could take better care of creation?


Cx :-)

Hello all

Reading Cynthia's post has had me singing the lovely little song I learned in Sunday School very many years ago, and I still love it as much today.

Jesus bids us shine with a clear pure light
Like a little candle burning in the night;
In this world of darkness, we must shine
You in your small corner and me in mine.

Good morning :-)


I remember that little song well kandj :-)

Today's reading:


Genesis 1 4-6
4And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
6And God said, “Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.”


Light is good. Access to light and electricity brings people many benefits, enhancing our security, education and health. The good news is that more than 920 million people have gained access since 2010. However, some 650 million people are likely still to be without electricity in 2030, the vast majority of them in sub-Saharan Africa.

We need to provide light and heat to the whole world, in ways that use renewable sources and neither pollute the environment nor pump greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

A third of the UK’s electricity now comes from renewable sources like solar. Ask your provider if you can swith to a 100% renewable energy tariff. If not, find one via the big church switch website.

Give thanks for light and warmth at home. Almost a billion more people now have electricity at home than did 10 years ago. Thank God for this progress, and for your own home too.


Cx :-)

Thoughts and prayers with Sophia, family and friends
saying last goodbye to April <3

Hello all

Oh bless her, that's your granddaughter's friend.
A heartbreaking day for her parents, family and friends today. RIP April X

A ((hug)) to you Emma.

Thinking of April’s family and friends <3

Cynthia’s posts have been talking about light and here we have a beautiful sunlit morning which really lifts the spirits, so today I’m going to try and spread a bit of virtual sunshine around by smiling more and being more cheerful when I talk to anyone. I hope your day is filled with sunshine too.