Virtual Methodist

I've not been posting much recently... too busy and my brain has been filled with so much other stuff that any creative impulses have to be channelled into the everyday stuff, and even my periods of early morning wakefulness have been filled with more mundane matters... But discovering late on that I had an additional reflection to produce for our early morning communion, in the walled Garden of Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, taking the place of one of my female colleagues, prompted me to write not so much sermon, but a brief reflection which I finished with this song, set to the tune of "She moved through the fair..." The idea had been "bubbling under" for some time, though I hadn't been able to bring it to a head, but necessity is a good master. It is obviously based on the encounter between Mary Magdalene and the risen Christ in John 20 v10ff, and I am sure that someone else will have done something similar before, as it is an obvious fit... But here is...

An adaptation of a very old monologue based on a piece from New Irish Arts' "I Witness" 2 decades ago, but re-written as a partner piece to the post on Friday, as part of the livestreamed service from the Agape Centre led by my colleague Emily this morning while I was conducting the service in Grosvenor Hall. You can watch Mel Lyle's delivery of it on the recording on our Circuit YouTube Channel. I saw him… with my own eyes… although I didn’t recognize him at first… it must have been the tears… I thought he must have been the gardener, and I gave him a hard time about where they had put the body… I can’t imagine what he thought… I gabbled on until he said “Miriam”… My name… though you know me as Mary… Whatever way he said my name cut through my distress and confusion and I saw him as clearly as I see you now… my dear teacher… “Rabboni” I said as I rushed to embrace him… But he wouldn’t let me… Something about not holding him back from returning to his father… So I did...

Two blogs on one day!? Two new poems from me in 2 days. How come this new spate of industriousness? Well, I couldn't leave you thinking I was in the depths of despair after yesterday's piece. And I will be large downing  tools for a wee bit, so this really is the last word for a while... The corrupt and cowardly politician Does not have the last word. The ruthless religious leaders Do not have the last word. The riotous crowd, whipped up By un-named shadowy voices, Does not have the last word. The soldiers, obeying their orders, Do not have the last word. Mocking cynics,  Sneering at another’s agony, Do not have the last word. Fearful followers, Ashamed of themselves Do not have the last word. Death  Does not have the last word. The Word made flesh Is the first and last. Selah

So Lent is over. Covid restrictions in Northern Ireland have reduced sufficiently to allow resumption of public worship, though rousing "Alleluias" and roof-raising singing is prohibited... we have to whisper our liturgical responses and sing the level of our speaking voices behind masks... with a through draft from open doors and windows... though perhaps that could be seen as symbolic of the open door of the tomb! Anyway, to finish what has been more of a sombre than solemn Lent, I want to finish this series of poem with something much lighter... Shalom

Having finished the #LentArt series this morning I posted this #EasterArt image: "Jesus and Mary Magdalene in the Garden" from the Resurrection Chapel of the National Cathedral in Washington DC. As with my #AdventArt posts, a number of people have urged me to keep going to Pentecost. Frankly, as with many others this strange covid-shaped Lent and Holy Week, I'm a bit exhausted from technological engagement, probably even more than I usually am after a week of face-to-face Holy Week services, so whilst I may sporadically post some #EasterArt images in the morning, I will not be posting an accompanying devotion blog here every night, although I have asked some lay and ordained colleagues to share in offering evening thoughts on our Circuit Facebook page and in order to facilitate some who are not so tech savvy I may host some of them here.  But this morning as well as sharing this post we also shared in a Facebook Live communion from our back garden (in place of the ...

The second of our two Easter Eye-Witnesses, bringing to a close a series of 7 monologues delivered by various friends as part of our Holy Week Services at the Agape Centre. It was half a world away from here and half a lifetime ago, but I remember it as if it was yesterday. The day that changed my life forever, even though I didn’t realise it at the time… the day that changed the world, even though the world hasn’t yet woken up to the fact… I had barely woken up… The cock had just crowed, bringing the memories of two mornings before flooding back… The shame at being proved a coward… Realising how hollow all my brave words at the dinner table had been… That he knew… he knew everything… He had been warning us for ages that it would happen, but none of us believed him. “If anyone would follow me he must take up his cross and follow me...” I didn’t think he meant it literally… “I’ll follow in your footsteps wherever you go… even to death itself!” I said… And all the others said ...

The first of our two Easter Eye-Witnesses... Delivered in the beautiful surroundings of walled garden of Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park this morning as part of our communion service... bathed in early monring sunlight and accompanied by birdsong. I saw him… with my own eyes… although I didn’t recognize him at first… it must have been the tears… I thought he must have been the gardener, and I gave him a hard time about where they had put the body… I can’t imagine what he thought… I gabbled on until he said “Miriam”… My name… though you know me as Mary… Whatever way he said my name cut through my distress and confusion and I saw him as clearly as I see you now… my dear teacher… “Rabboni” I said as I rushed to embrace him… But he wouldn’t let me… Something about not holding him back from returning to his father… So I didn’t… But he asked me to go and tell his friends and family that he had risen and was returning to his Father God… So I did… to a mixed reception… but ...

(Thought for the Day on Radio Ulster, Easter Monday 21st April 2014)   Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!    Alleluia! With those words Christian churches across the English-speaking world began or ended their services yesterday. But let me let you into a secret… There are many pastors, priests and preachers who, by the end of the last service yesterday, were secretly thinking Alleluia! It is over… Because whilst Holy Week and Easter is THE most important week of the Christian calendar, it can end up like the spiritual equivalent of a decathlon… with services throughout the week, prayer meetings, home communions, extended vigils on Good Friday and early morning services yesterday, often followed by baptisms, communions and/or special Easter celebration services… Some of my friends think that Holy Week is the only week of the year I do a full week’s work… But many ministers down tools on Easter Monday for a few days, and frequently take the S...

An amended  reblog of a dialogue that we will be using today in our Easter Communion service at Belfast South...   Both:     You’ll never believe who we met… Cleopas:     Really…   Persis:        You’ll never believe it… It was amazing… Cleopas:     Astounding… Persis:        We didn’t recognise him ourselves at first… Cleopas:     Now I had a wee inkling from the time he started talking to us… Persis:        Actually Cleopas was really cheeky when he asked what we were talking about…Asked him what planet he was on over the past few days that he hadn’t heard what had happened in Jerusalem… Cleopas:     I told him all that had happened over the previous few days… Persis: I’m really embarrassed… There’s us telling him what had happened… As if he didn’t know!!!...

A piece written for a Waterfront Hall event by New Irish Arts on Easter Saturday 2001. It's a long time ago now, but it's actually inspired by an even older piece which was, I think, written by Patrick Evans and performed by Pete Craig, fellow Bedlam "inmates", back in April 1986... I never actually saw that script, so I can't tell you whether I stole any lines, though I doubt that I retained any over the intervening 15 years. (Blacksmith working at an anvil throughout) Holiday-makers! Damned nuisance if you ask me! Every year it's the same Hardly any work for the ten months after Pentecost, then they all flock into Jerusalem for the Passover. And they all want a few wee jobs done when they're here. Pots and pans. Shoeing the odd horse, and let me tell you, some of the horses they ask me to shoe are pretty odd! Mending a set of scales. Watch out that's a precision instrument they tell you. Hah! That's what I think of their precision instrumen...

Hero or villain. Saint or sinner. No. I’m not talking about Luis Suarez, but I’m a Liverpool fan, so you might guess my opinion there. How we define people often depends on our personal perspective and the truth is usually more complicated than such a simple definition. We in this province know that well, particularly in the messy business of making peace after a period of prolonged and profound conflict. (You just have to check out the responses to the presence of Martin McGuinness at the state banquet in Windsor Castle last week for evidence of that.) This is Holy week, the run-up to Good Friday, where we reflect on the price Jesus paid to make peace between us and God, followed by the resurrection joy of Easter Day. Personally I’m fascinated by the characters we’ve traditionally portrayed as villains in the Holy Week story. Judas Iscariot - wondering what his motivation was for betraying his teacher. Was it all just a matter of money or something else? Pilate, the ultimate po...

This is the pre-recorded Thought for the Day that should have gone out this morning on Radio Ulster. Not sure what time it was broadcast at as the schedules are all over the place with the holidays, but I'm sure you can find it on iplayer under Good Morning Ulster.  For those who have been around this blog for a while you might recognise part of it as I shamelessly cannibalised an earlier post for it... Happy New Year! No I haven’t lost the plot. Over 400 years ago, when they changed over from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, they moved the New Year from the beginning of April and spring, to the beginning of January. And those who refused to change were treated as fools. They were invited to non-existent parties and other pranks were played on them, and it’s thought that this may be one of the origins of April Fools’ Day. But actually all around the world, in many different cultures there are light-hearted festivals at this time of year celebrating the change from win...

After an Easter sabbath rest from our reflections on Genesis 1 & John's Gospel, we return for a final time, based on Genesis 2-3 and John 20: 18 two stories which culminate with a woman in a garden... I saw him… with my own eyes… although I didn’t recognize him at first… it must have been the tears… I thought he must have been the gardener, and I gave him a hard time about where they had put the body… I can’t imagine what he thought… I gabbled on until he said “Miriam”… My name… though you know me as Mary… Whatever way he said my name cut through my distress and confusion and I saw him as clearly as I see you now… my dear teacher… “Rabboni” I said as I rushed to embrace him… But he wouldn’t let me… Something about not holding him back from returning to his father… So I didn’t… But he asked me to go and tell his friends and family that he had risen and was returning to his Father God… So I did… to a mixed reception… but they saw that I was right in the end when they s...

Jesus said to Martha by the tomb of his friend Lazarus: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" "Yes, Lord," she told him... John 11: 25-26 (ANIV) Martha believed before Jesus had proved his power in the resurrection of her brother... and before his own resurrection... Do we believe with the benefit of hindsight? REFLECTION I am The resurrection and the life Resurrection – not life after death But life before, beyond and despite death Resurrection – not immortality of a disembodied soul But embodiment of your soul in a body to be enjoyed eternally A body that doesn’t creak, or crumble or decay. Resurrection – Not reanimation of a rotting corpse But new life in a new body Re-creation in my image My life Liberated from the grave A fresh start A new beginning A new Genesis I am And you can be... Check out this song ... which we used as part of o...

Well today at our Easter morning family service I underwent the indignity of weighing myself in front of the whole congregation at the end of my attempt to "Lose Weight for Lent", with sponsorship going to Dundonald Family and Community Initiative and the Methodist World Development and Relief Fund... Some suggested that in order to cut down on weight I should have donned an "mankini" but sense prevailed and no-one was traumatised. But those who have sponsored me (and indeed I myself) were surprised and "delighted" to have discovered that I have lost exactly 1 stone (or 14 pounds for our American cousins) in the course of these past 6 weeks. I had all my excuses ready incase I hadn't lost anything, or (as I feared) had actually put on weight, after making such rash promises... But the emphasis in worship today was not on me fulfilling my promises but Christ fulfilling his promises to rise from the dead... not on the stone in weight that I had lost, but...

Happy New Year! No I haven’t lost the plot completely. Over 400 years ago, when they changed over from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, they moved the New Year from the beginning of April and spring, to the beginning of January. And those who refused to change were treated as fools. They were invited to non-existent parties and other pranks were played on them, and it is thought that this may be one of the origins of April Fools’ Day. But actually all around the world, in many different cultures there are light-hearted festivals at this time of year celebrating the change from winter to spring… Hope, in place of despair… Easter is part of that. In its pagan origins it was a celebration of fun and fecundity summed up in a decorated egg. In the Christian celebration it is an exploration of the grounds of hope for humanity. This week began with the seemingly foolish image of the King of Kings entering into Jerusalem on the back of a humble donkey. In John’s Gospel we read:...

Another dialogue that I wrote a few years ago now... But appropriate any Easter. Both: You’ll never believe who we met… Cleopas: Really… Persis: You’ll never believe it… It was amazing… Cleopas: Astounding… Persis: We didn’t recognise him ourselves at first… Cleopas: Now I had a wee inkling from the time he started talking to us… Persis: Actually Cleopas was really cheeky when he asked what we were talking about…Asked him what planet he was on over the past few days that he hadn’t heard what had happened in Jerusalem… Cleopas: I told him all that had happened over the previous few days… Persis: I’m really embarrassed… There’s us telling him what had happened… As if he didn’t know!!! Cleopas: He genuinely didn’t seem to know what had been going on… Persis: It was dreadful to really think what had gone on… We were really devastated… All our hopes seemed to have been nailed to that cross with him… Then to add insult to injury… some of the women said that they had...

We've had a good, if busy, week at church. But after all the activities of Holy Week and particularly the intensity of the various Good Friday services and events, we, along with most of the Christian world, take a liturgical breather, on what is variously called Holy, Low, Black, White, Silent, Still or Great Saturday. My professional activities this week have meant that I have not had much time to devote to much else, including this blog, or watching football, which, in the case of the midweek debacle between Liverpool and Chelski was a mercy. But today, even as I type the football commentary in on the radio in the background... (And Torres has just scored for the second time)... But there was a strange juxtaposition between 2 football stories I read this morning. One focusing on the ire of Aston Churches Working Together towards the Premier league, because of the scheduling of the Aston Villa v Everton fixture tomorrow, at a time which may disrupt local church services, and hark...

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Luke 9:51 (ANIV) In this time of Lenten preparation for the events of Holy Week and Easter, why don't you join Christian Aid on a virtual pilgrimage, in their Journey to Jerusalem . I only came across this site yesterday, thanks to my friend, Tim Dunwoody, and am in the process of catching up with what I have missed... But I look forward to the rest of the journey to this holy and hurting city. Shalom

It was a strange Holy Week this year… I suppose it had crept up on me unawares to a certain extent because I had been off ill in the run up to it... But the fact that it was as early as it can possibly be (and will be for the next 134 years or something like that according to someone I was talking to) also put a slightly different slant on it, as all the Easter allusions to new life and spring were a little out of sync. It began as ever with Palm Sunday and reflections about that cheering crowd waving palm leaves on the road into Jerusalem, but then the next day, there were yet more cheering crowds... this time with Shamrocks rather than palm leaves, because it was St. Patrick's Day. This sent the liturgically literate into a bit of a tailspin... Should it be a feast or a fast? But the rest of the world celebrated regardless... Actually, to paraphrase the words of Caiaphas about Jesus on Palm Sunday, and apply them to our own St. Pat, it seemed as if the whole world has gone over t...