Tuesday 27 August 2013

Letter to the Harlow Star following the arson attack on the Islamic Centre


Dear Sir or Madam,

This last week we heard the terrible news of the arson attack at the Harlow Islamic Centre. Our hearts go out to our friends and neighbours. We give thanks there was no injury.

This is not only an attack on dear friends and neighbours; this is also an attack on us all, for it is an attack on worship, or 'worthship', we might say.

Worship ('giving worth') is to do with those people or things we value most. In the traditional Church of England Marriage Service, the groom says to his bride, "I thee worship". Each of us in our own way, gives worth to someone or something, even if we are not religious.

So this is an attack on the people, things, beliefs, each of us value most. For if the things some of us hold dear are attacked, anything special is up for grabs.

Places of worship are places set aside to help us value the important things in life. It has been a joy for many of us in recent months to get to enjoy the warm hospitality of the Islamic Centre. Places of worship help build local community.

In addition, for those united in the conviction that just as there is an artist behind a painting, so there is a God behind the universe - places of worship of God somehow come to represent all that is most precious.

The local Christian community join in prayer for Centre Chairman, Ajaib Hussian, and all the Centre community. Let us all seek to find ways of expressing our concern, love and support for our friends and neighbours.

Yours,

Martin Harris
Chair, Heart4Harlow
Area Dean (Church of England)
Team Rector, St Paul's & St Mary's

Friday 16 August 2013

Preparing for Sunday Sermon: Luke 12:49-56



Do you want to know if your Christianity is genuine?
Here is the touchstone:
Whom do you get along with?
Who are those who criticize you?
Who are those who do not accept you? Who are those who flatter you?
Know from that what Christ said once:
“I have come not to bring peace, but division.”10 There will be division even in the same family, because some want to live more comfortably
by the world’s principles,
those of power and money.
But others have embraced the call of Christ
and must reject all that cannot be just in the world.

Oscar Romero - NOVEMBER 13, 1977 

Tuesday 13 August 2013

Don Crane - Loving God, Loving Each Other, and Loving Life: The reward of dwelling with God today!

A wonderful story in today's celebrity culture..
Don Crane - Loving God, Loving Each Other, and Loving Life: The reward of dwelling with God today!:   One of my favorite missionary stories is of Henry C. Morrison. Mr. & Mrs. Morrison were faithful missionaries who served the Lord in...

Monday 12 August 2013

As I prepare for this coming Sundays reading on Luke 12:49,50 (etc), plus preaching on John 1 in September, rather enjoying this from Malcolm Guite: