Rev Rhoda

Jesus, our companion,
when we are driven to despair,
help us, through the friends and strangers
we encounter on our path,
to know you as our refuge,
our way, our truth and our life.

Pope Francis was an inspiring example of Christian leadership.

I give thanks for his long life of service and his encouragement of #ChristianUnity

Come, creator Spirit, light and truth;
bring us to the altar of life
and renew our joy and gladness
in Jesus Christ our Lord Psalm 43 Morning Prayer

Made me smile ☺️

Our online map lists almost 80 places to go on #retreat in the UK - where might you find rest and prayerful refreshment this spring? promotingretreats.org

Signs of spring. Frogspawn ☺️

I ❤️ #AshWednesday liturgy. So much. ✝️⚓

The Lord enrich you with his grace, and nourish you with his blessing;
the Lord defend you in trouble and keep you from all evil;
the Lord accept your prayers,
and absolve you from your offences;
for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Saviour.
Amen.

Gave blood last week. If you've never thought about it, do look into it. If you're eligible, it's an easy way to save lives

YouTube video by Marsh Family "Puppets on a Kremlin String?" - Marsh Family adaptation of Coldplay's "Viva la Vida" on Trump/Vance

youtu.be/pvT3aQjLxdE

Here's a 🎶 twist on Coldplay's thumping #VivaLaVida we're calling "Puppets on a Kremlin String?"

It reflects on the grotesque media spectacle hosted by #Trump & #Vance yesterday at the White House. In solidarity with Zelensky & Ukraine.

#SlavaUkraini
#Dontabandonthem

I can't stand bullies. President Zelensky is now trying to stand up against two of them. We should have his back. #SlavaUkraïni

For many tablets, manufacturers pick arbitrary expiry dates one or two years after the manufacture of a batch. They have checked them at that time limit to ensure the medicine is stable. It's not in their interest to keep testing beyond this. I would use paracetamol with an expiry of Dec 24.

Without going all Martin Niemöller here, I do think that it's bad not to speak up for immigrants, transgender Americans, civil servants, women, Ukraine, and everyone else the MAGA bullies are going after. We're beyond picking and choosing whom to defend. It's time to stand up and speak out.

Save us from weak resignation
to the evils we deplore;
let the gift of your salvation
be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
serving you whom we adore,
serving you whom we adore.

From the Hymn, God of grace and God of glory
Harry Emerson Fosdick, 1930

www.newcastle.anglican.org/news/an-open...

I agree with Kelvin. I voted for a tolerant, progressive nation. It will not be established by Labour's persistent aping of the populist right.

Kicking it into the long grass ☺️

Argh, the optics of this approach 😞

Evening prayer reading from Leviticus 19:

When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

Snowdrops, a little sign of hope that winter is on the wane and spring is around the corner.

Today is #HolocaustMemorialDay. It was 80yrs ago this day Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp was liberated. Remember the Golden Rule--treat others how you would like to be treated.

Book review: How We Learn to be Brave: Decisive moments in life and faith by Mariann Edgar Budde Jennie Hogan reviews a book about courage

Looks like a must read #CofEPeeps www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...

Charity Commission reminds General Synod members of their duty of care “THE time for review has passed, and now is the time for action” on safeguarding, the chief executiv...

www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...

Solid wooden gate, very slightly ajar. Gloomy dark sky. Text on imaget "I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.” #NewYear2025

Word of the Day is one I keep posting at the end of the year, hoping its time will come.

‘Respair’, from the 16th century, is fresh hope, and a recovery from despair.

Here’s to a few drops of respair in 2025.

#MorningPrayer
Fix our hopes
and desires, Lord,
on your way,
on your kingdom.
Fix our wills on your call
to love one another,
especially those
who are least
in the world’s eyes;
to seek always
to nurture not to harm,
to nourish not to use,
that we may
enable each other
to thrive.

The Holy Innocents (Refugee) The poem from my Anthology Waiting on the Word reflects on the fact that today, the fourth day of Christmas, is the feast day of the Holy Innocents. It is the day the Church remembers the story, to…

Today, the 4th day of Christmas, we read the appalling story of Herod's slaughter of infants to protect his power, and of Jesus parents fleeing to safety in Egypt--so many parallels with regions of conflict, and in the safeguarding failures of the church.
malcolmguite.wordpress.com/2024/12/28/t...

YouTube video by philipstopford A Christmas Blessing Philip Stopford

A Christmas blessing for all my followers🙏 (In my tradition, the Christmas season lasts until at least Epiphany, 12 days, and often until Candlemas, 50 days 😉) youtu.be/MgO80UAH50Q?...

Nurse Rosalind and Se Monica Joan in the chapel at Nonnatus House praying during the Greater Silence and their words: Nurse Rosalind: I'm not an expert at prayer Sr Monica Joan: Neither am I....

#ToPray ✝️

Nurse Rosalind:
I'm not an expert at prayer

Sr Monica Joan:
Neither am I....

(Call the Midwife)

Interesting read 🙏