Marston Times Frontpages of Yesteryear

2009: December to January

A Gift for Life: Jesus Christ is for life - not just for Christmas. A Christmas message, 2009.
A Month To Remember: On the creative power of remembering. November 2009
Our Debt to the Poor: Thoughts on world poverty for Global Debt Week, October 2009
Freedom to Flourish: A reflection for summer, written by our guest contributor Gill Poole, Mission Adviser and Bishop's Chaplain, Diocese of Sodor and Man. September 2009
The Power of Story: Why the Christian Story is so powerful, and why we should want to be a part of it. August 2009
Sing for your life: The health benefits of singing: why not come to church and try it? July 2009
Within the Rules: A comment on the MPs' expenses scandal, June 2009
Too busy to enjoy ourselves: Why are we the most overworked and under-productive nation in Europe? Because we ignore God's rules about time and the sabbath. May 2009
A Bigger Hope: Because of Jesus' Resurrection, we hope for something much bigger than just a disembodied heavenly eternity: nothing less than a new heaven and a new earth. Easter message, 2009
Caring for Creation: Christians welcome Darwin's bicentenary, and refute Sir David Attenborough's suggestion that they reject the findings of science. March 2009
God and Money: Thinking about the economic crisis, and what Christianity has to say about money. February 2009
Time and eternity: A reflection on living in time, for New Year 2009

2008: December to January

The Gift of a Child: A Christmas message for 2008
Remembering the Past, for the Future’s Sake: "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it": November 2008
A Visit to America: Reflections on innovative church, following our visit to the Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit
Back to Church: An invitation to join us at St Nicholas Marston on 'Back to Church Sunday', September 28
A Balanced Life: Reflections on a retreat at a Benedictine community. August 2008
God and Dementia: Trying to think theologically about the experience of dementia. July 2008
Chasing God's Dream: What does God want you to do with your life? June 2008
Living in a time of bad news: How we can respond with faith to the bad news we're constantly bombarded with. May 2008
Living Lord: What it means to us that Jesus is risen. April 2008
Passion and Prejudice: An Easter message, reflecting on why the media hate the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Believing in Lent: Lent starts early this year. Here are some ideas about how to use it to increase your faith.
Dreaming in the New: A New Year message for 2008

2007: December to January

The Message: Christmas message for 2007: The news the angels brought
Heroes: Who do we seek to emulate? November 2007
What really matters: A Martian's eye view of Planet Earth and its culture. October 2007
The Wisdom of Jesus: "The truth is that Jesus is an intensely real and important figure, who has something very worthwhile to say." September 2007
Heart of worship: What does God require of us, when we come to worship him? (August 2007)
Welcome, Bishop John!: On the inauguration of the new Bishop's ministry, June 8th, 2007
Knowing Just Who We Are: Thinking about exploring our family history
Holy Inspiration: Reflections on the Holy Spirit, for Whitsunday 2007
Turning in his grave?: An Easter message for 2007
Children and the Church: On the changing role of children in the church, and some of what we hope to do: March 2007
Wanting More: As we get ready to keep Lent, what it's really all about
Light A Candle: New Year's Message for 2007: Hope for a dark world

2006: December to January

Putting the Christ Back in Christmas: Christmas Message for 2006
November: Some seasonal reflections, November 2006
An Appeal For Calming?: A comment on traffic calming in Marston, October 2006
'The Vicar is Away': Being a vicar, and working, September 2006
Time For God: A holiday reflection on how holidays can be holy-days, August 2006
Only A Game: What else but the World Cup? July 2006
Situation Vacant: What sort of leader does the Church need for its mission in the 21st century? June 2006
Freedom in Truth: The Bishop of Oxford's retirement inspires some reflections on how, as Anglicans, we need to be both orthodox and liberal. May 2006
Journeying with the Living Jesus: Message for Easter 2006
Life Makeover: Some thoughts about how we can keep Lent, so as to change ourselves and the world. March 2006
Religion Rage: Why do many people today feel a rage against religion? And what can we do about it? February 2006
New Hope, 2006: A New Year's Message for 2006

2005: December to January

It's The Way You Tell It: Christmas Message, 2005
Remember, Remember: About remembering the stories of history that shape our lives. November, 2005
Godless Britain: On Christina Odone's TV documentary, October 2005
Can Planet Earth Bear Us?: Environmental reflections, September 2005
Not In God's Name: About the London Bombings of July 7th, 2005
Sunrise, Sunset: When your oldest child gets married. July, 2005
What Is The Church For?: June, 2005
How Would Jesus Vote?: Thinking about the General Election, May 5, 2005
Resurrection Hope: For the Easter season
Three Days That Change The World: Easter Message, 2005
Let's Give It Up For The World: Message about keeping Lent, 2005
Five Years On: New Year Message, 2005

2004: December to January

Child of Bethlehem: Christmas Message, 2004
God Calling: What is God calling you to do with your life? (November 2005)
Looking Out For Each Other: How neighbourliness can overcome the complexity of modern life (October 2004)
blog?: An introduction to blogging (September 2004)
Shaped for Mission: Some reflections on mission-shaped church (August 2004)
Christians and Europe: How should Christians think about Europe, following the European Parliament elections? (July 2004)
On Fire: An experience of sharing faith (June 2004)
Something To Share: Why a Faith Sharing Team are going from Marston to Eastbourne (May 2004)
Dying For God: Reflections on Jesus' way of the cross, for Easter 2004
Fifteen Useful Things To Give Up For Lent: Some reflections on how to keep Lent (Mar 2004)
The Business of Good Government: What we owe to those we choose to govern us (Feb 2004)
Of Gates And Years: A Message for New Year 2004 (Jan 2004)

2003: December to January

Jesus, What On Earth Are You Doing Here?: Christmas Message for 2003
Taking Responsibility: Some Secrets About Spiritual Health and True Humanity ...
Going Back: Some reflections on re-visiting scenes from my past
Priests Serving Our God: Our curate the Revd Anne Holmes is to be priested in Dorchester Abbey on September 28th ...
The Mystery of Pain: Reflecting on putting my back out in a supermarket injury
Are You In Or Out?: A Response to the controversy about Canon Jeffrey John's appointment as Bishop of Reading
Working For A Living: From time to time people ask me: How do you become a vicar ...
Believing in God: Just how difficult it can be in the modern world ...
And The Body Goes Too: Easter Message for Easter 2003
Keeping Lent: Something to give up; something to take up
War and Peace: On the possibility of war with Iraq
How To Make Your Life Better in 2003: New Year's Message, 2003

2002: December to January

News at Christmas: Christmas Message for 2002
God Outside the Box: About the Bishop of Oxford's latest book
God and the Web: Seeing God on our computer screen
This Is Our Story: The story of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar: a story for our times, of three great world religions
The UnConventionAl: After the Diocesan Covention in High Wycombe, July 2002
The Retiring Area Dean of Cowley: Thoughts on handing over the Area Dean's baton
Not Safety, But Salvation: A reflection on trusting God in the midst of the dangers of ordinary life.
Letter from India: From Bangalore in South India
Still Doubting?: Easter Message, reflecting on the story of 'Doubting' Thomas.
Turning Life to Prayer: Some Lenten thoughts on making every part of life a prayer.
Transports of Frustration: Comment on the debate about rail transport.
Imagining a New World: New Year Message for 2002.

2001: December to October

The New-Born: Christmas Message, 2001.
Intimations of Mortality: The world after September 11th.
Watching the Towers Fall: Comment on September 11th.