Lent 2026 RSVPs

I’ll be posting your RSVPs to this year’s Lent series here! Thanks so much!

RSVPs

First Week

This halo appeared around the sun last Tuesday morning when we were facing a difficult family issue. It was as if God was saying, ‘Don’t worry, I am with you in the pain’. It has helped to turn the day into a beautiful memory. Thanks be to God. Howard G

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Here’s my creative offering for this week. It’s a work in progress, I’d never used procreate on my iPad before so it’s a learning curve! I’m thinking through the Grace theme – Grace is something I aspire to, when I can work out what it is exactly 😄 The primroses were looking so pretty in the garden today, so they seemed an appropriate addition. Lindy P

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Patti F

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I’ve been reflecting on this poem over the last few days and wanted to share it with the community:

Let’s pull each other up
not by the boot straps
But how the sun pulls up the flowers
Gently
Shine your light on my fractured skin
Let me know it’s ok to be
I’ll do the same for you
I’ll be the sun for you

Daragh Fleming

For me, it speaks into many situations in the world right now. It speaks of resistance, grace, love, empathy and gentleness. Tim P

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Brian, thank you for your, as always, most inspiring meditations. Here is my contribution for Week 1. A focus on spring and colour – a lift to the spirits after this long wet winter …

What a joy and relief
after the winter that’s been
to see the willow in leaf
and clothed in soft green.

On its bare brown arms 
pinky red blossoms
are bursting forth
The first flush and blush of spring.
Oh flowering quince, you make my heart sing! 

Yellow is such a happy colour
after the gloom of winter’s gray
Daffodils are painting out that pallor
At last, a splash of sunshine has come our way. 

How subtly stylish is the crocus
dressed in many shades of mauve
Stripes converge to its purple focus
Gems nestled in green – what a treasure trove.

Jane (Bradford-on-Avon)

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Here is my offering inspired by your writing, the interview with Elizabeth, John the Baptist and Psalm 107 28-31

Enoughness

There is something in the quiet resistance
That speaks of ‘enoughness’.
Hush and listen
A whisper of a song rises
It straightens, levels and guides
To a safe harbour
Blown and held in the wind of unfailing love.

Rachel Ta

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Here is a Haiku that I wrote at the end of last week:-

How amazing is
Your Grace, O Lord. Amazing!
Graceful as a dove.

Diane M

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Day One – grace upon grace – magnolia buds poised to bring grace 
Day Two – setting an intention by buying flowers for a bereavement course at
work
Day Three – early blossom in the park honouring the creator
Day Four – the magnolia buds opening in the sunshine
Day Five – Stopped in my tracks by the moon in the afternoon sky

Sarah​ Y

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I’ve been pondering ‘graceful’ and ‘grateful’ – so for the RSVP:

Grateful for the sunshine today
With waxing moon still gracing the sky.
Graceful daffodils bursting into bloom – 
Deo gratias!

Many thanks for everything so far, Brian! Marian M

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I wrote this on Monday. Thank you for this series once again, drawing everyone together.

Lesson in the desert

Who am I?
If not the sum
of
My achievements,
My reputation,
My possessions …
Then:
Who am I?

‘’You are my beloved,
In your scrawny nakedness, just as you are.
I made you. You are my child.
Look into my eyes and listen –
Really listen –
With you, I am well pleased.’’

Jenny H

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Standing upright,
Face towards the sun,
Open to the light and life.
May I be more open
To your love and grace,
So that I too may show 
Your beauty in my face.

Jill M

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Thank you so much for this Lenten feast! So much to take in and ponder. I took this photo in my garden and it inspired me to write a short poem! Blessings, Jill M

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Your compass point prayer is ministering deeply to me and my RSVP is this song ‘Shepherd of my Soul’ by Christy Nockels (I love her!). Somehow the music and the words of the prayer reach a place deep inside.

Thank you Brian for all that you put into these reflections. Wendy Pat

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This photo I took responds to my journey so far. It is ‘Aconites and Cedar Trees’, and as I look at it, and remember the walk and the place where the photo was taken, it feels me with a deep sense of calm and joy. It also gives a strong sense of being on a journey. Sheila R

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Life-lit love
Shine within
Both Day and Night

Anne D

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Here comes the sun.

Judith H

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Grace

I was always 
Inclined to think
(maybe I was taught)
That I deserved nothing

But over seven decades
(A blink of Your eye)
I have received 
And received so much

That now I know
That you do not blink
But gaze steadily
At me in constant love

When we are loved 
There is a wonder 
At what on earth it is
Our lover sees in us

That starts in us
a desire deeper than words 
A longing for a closeness
Which will last forever 

That is why My heart says 
That I will seek each day
The face of my lover 
Your face, O God 

The mystery remains 
Of amazing grace
That finds and loves 
Wretches like me

When loved like this
My soul grows
Like the rose buds 
And Unfolds in fragrance

So teach me grace
To know myself
In the paradoxical joy of
Worthy and undeserving both

Of a love so sufficient 
It cost You everything 
In wood, nails and blood 
To gasp – it is finished

There, there it is
The breaking of my pride
The fall of my defences
In your loving eyes

As you turn them
Towards my plea
And respond 
Today, you and me

Paradise 

David M

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Inspired by Sunday’s sermon, I’ve been hunting for joy. I found joy in these blooms in the garden. Audrey J

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Singing Resistance so resonates with my spirit in a powerful way. Thank you so much! Gorden Jensen who is a singer/songwriter wrote a song entitled “Grace Upon Grace” back in 1983 which so perfectly speaks to your Gracing the Days Series.

He lived in SeaTac Washington, working as an engineer at K.S.T.W. television.  He also was a WW2 marine veteran.  He and his family enjoyed camping and boating on a cabin cruiser that he built, which was named after him,  the “Gorden Jensen”.

Back in the 1980s, when I was in my 30’s, my husband Terry, who was the choir director at a tiny Nazarene Church in Woodland, WA,  taught this song to us who sang in his small choir. The song so impacted me then and continues to have deep meaning.  Celeste VS

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 Gardening with intention … with grateful thanks to Brian, Mirabai Starr and Ali Foxon

I made space to spend time in my garden, noticing many welcome signs of Spring – doing so with ‘loving intention’, ‘aligning my heart gratefully and grace-fully with God.’  Oh, how I prayed that this damaged world would pause too – and realign in Love.

Here, I was marvelling at the intricacy of unfurling buds on a handsome flowering currant shrub.

Dr. Ali Foxton, of ‘green sketching and doodling’ fame, says, “training our brains to look out for joy (or wonder, or curiosity, or surprise) in our surroundings counters our default tendency to focus on the negative and look for evidence of what’s wrong in the world. This isn’t fluffy, positive thinking. It’s neurobiology: joy spotting calms our nervous system, lifts our spirits …”  (She advises sketching of course, not taking photos!  I will be returning to that captivating exercise another day!)  Gill K

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Here is my response to: “May your Soul scatter salt & flicker light, today”

Sue W

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I’ve been struggling settling into Lent and have found it hard to pray, but listening to your interview with Elizabeth Macaulay this morning reminded me of the power of song and a song I wrote on Ash Wednesday a few years ago.  I used to sing it over myself, loved ones, nations, friends, and enemies, and today I have started singing again…

The painting in the background is called “Masterpiece”. It was inspired by Ephesians 2:10 NLT (we are “God’s masterpiece “) and 2 Corinthians 4:7 NIVUK (… yet carry “treasure in jars of clay”). I was reminded of it when I heard the line “Be open to be broken.” in the moving U2 song.

Here is a poem I wrote when I originally painted the picture:

Masterpiece

In places, the glaze has peeled,
revealing patches of raw clay –
yet, life-giving water is gushing forth,
a fountain of joy,
touching everything it its path.
A fragile jar of clay,
rough, unfinished, flawed,
but brimming with treasure:
One of God’s masterpieces,
an ordinary vessel housing His light, love, and glory.
Some vessels remain on the shelf, fractured and broken,
yet there is hope.
They too are invited to be immersed in the river of life.
by giving God’s spirit access to the whole.

I have enjoyed combining work I created in two different seasons and times for “Wellspring Wednesday” (Great name, Brian!) Every blessing to the Lent community, Susanne I

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Thank you for our daily dose of gathered Lent ponderings, inspiration & wisdom thus far. I made this image ‘Lifeline’ in response to last week’s themes & have placed a copy where I see it each day as a visual prompt. Claire H

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My haiku is inspired by today’s reflection and the compass prayer (which I am finding the most helpful yet):

God-light strengthens me
As I move house, knowing that 
Your house is my home.

In this time of change for me, your reflections are such a source of support- thank you. Sarah B

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Here is my RSVP – inspired by how, in spite of all the rain, Spring returns, defiantly!

How is it this sodden earth
still brings forth Spring’s colourful mirth?
Yellow trumpets sound to stay awhile,
see, the frogs are back with gaping smile.
Blue-tits return to claim their nest, 
in God our refuge we find our rest.
Come, resist the gloomy days,
receive the Grace, go out with praise.

With love, Jo Gardiner

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A contribution for your Lent series. 

‘A beach view yesterday,
The warming sunshine
Brightens the sea.
A kitchen view today, 
The warming brimstone
Brightens the garden.
A grieving friend now,
Our warming compassion
Brightens their hope.

Thank you for another gentle, yet most inspiring series. Sending blessings and love, Paula K

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Thank you Brian for your gracious generosity and sharings, not least U2 this morning. Wow. Below is my offering for this week – born of just such an encounter yesterday…

“Singing  through the dark times 
Through the ash and smoke 
Weave the grief into the song 
And sing our way back to hope” … Ameyn. 

Sometimes our song can be in the expression or silent movement of the body – when fierce and gentle meet, mercy and misery embrace and all is transformed in that allowing paradox. 

Blessings be. Ann (aka Wild Soul)

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Today’s reflection about the sun struck me in such a special way. Here is my RSVP. Not at all eloquent but heartfelt!

Father God
You are all that you say you are
You are not distant, but close
When trials come, your glory shines
And your faithfulness quells the noise
When fear threatens again
You speak “it is done”.

Amen.

Claire W

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We walk the same ground.
Pass the Light to one another.

Liz H

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Here is my Grace Prayer /poem:

Gratitude to be free to be the person who the Divine called to be
Reflect on God’s Goodness
Attune . May I attune myself to God’s heart
Compassion . Give me a compassionate heart for the vulnerable
Emmanuel God with us. Empower me

Sally W

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Like many others in this community, I have set an intention to show up to my creative space every day. Keeping it small and simple helps me to do that!

Blessings, Jo C

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The sun has shone from time to time in West Sussex this winter – lifting spirits all round. This photo is Bosham West Sussex, taken on 7 February – after your email today I want to title this photo ‘The Lord’s face shines upon us and is gracious unto us.‘ Elaine Col

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Janet W

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My intentions for this Lent are summed up in these few lines, with thanks to David W in the CAC community.

To live simply – making more space for contemplation, reading and ‘being’.
To forgive deeply – both myself and others.
To love fearlessly – being courageous in facing challenges.

Thank you, Brian, for the deeply moving and inspiring interview with the pastor from Minneapolis and for all the links. What courage and what a role model for us to open our eyes to the injustices that are around us that need to be called out. With love, Tricia U

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A quiet resistance – laying on a bench to observe the trees, slowing my breath, body, heart down after a day at work. Morag S

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Together through Lent

Pilgrimage has been a powerful theme for me over the last year and this continues into Lent. I found the “live at five“ session on Friday very uplifting. We gathered from many different places, yet we are all fellow pilgrims.

And I feel myself joined by other pilgrims across time and space: Joe and Nick and The 17 from the Mid-Faith-Crisis podcast; Bill the pony from the Lord of the rings; Hwin the mare and Eustace Clarence Scrub from the Chronicles of Narnia; Gregor Mendel, the father of genetics; and Hildegard von Bingen. And my most important companion, the she-ass (Ezelintje) who could see the angel and thus saved Balaam’s bacon!

As we journey through Lent, our Muslim cousins are making a similar pilgrimage through Ramadan. Sadly, I will miss the next Live at Five – we are invited by Muslim friends to share in Iftar, the breaking of the fast at sunset. It’s perhaps a small act of resistance and solidarity (it’s not so easy to be a Muslim in the Netherlands). 

Mick L

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Using words from you and Pastor Elizabeth …

Bear witness, pass light
A power greater than fear
Come now, sing your part

Philippa P

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Prayer for the way ahead

Life is full
Of the unknown 
And uncertainties 
As we just take one step
And then another step
And another
Into the gift of time and space 
Which lies ahead.

But we learn so much along the way.
We are reminded 
Of the presence
Of the present,
The gifts which surround us
Here and now 
Even as we pause 
With bated breath
For guidance 
As we grope
In the dark
With our torches of desperation,
Our searchlight of fear,
Our need for control. 

God presents us with
His gift of candlelight.
Soft
Gentle
Enough. 

May we humbly adjust our eyes
To this glorious gift
As we trust
In his immeasurable love 
for each of us. 

Jane W 

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Here comes the sun. Ruth O

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How does your reading ear hear tears? 
Is there a tear in the air that scares? 
My tears tear me and
My tears tear me. 
Light and love break in any way. 

Jonathan R

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‘Though the music of the heart may grow faint, there is in each of us an unprotected place that beauty can always reach out and touch’ (John O’ Donohue).

So much hope and richness already amidst the world’s pain in our community coming together. Thank you as always for creating these times. Love and blessings to you all. Sue T 🙏🙏🙏

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I love the compass prayer. This morning, the phrase “I shall not want” brought a real smile to my face. Singing resistance brought tears to my eyes and I can’t believe I don’t know all about U2! The Tears of Things is so meaningful, and I’ll remember that David didn’t have to be Goliath to defeat him! Here is my unpolished RSVP. I’ve attempted a psalmish style!

What am I for?
My God, why am I here?

That question awakens me,
The night voices prick my sleepy consciousness.

Where am I?
My God, where have you brought me to dwell?

In a place of enough,
Where I have everything I need.

But what about those without,
Those who don’t know the enoughness of God?

Surely I should be doing something,
There must be a way I can save them.

Quiet, says God,
Hush your constant demands.

Turn your blinking eyes to the sun,
Turn away from yourself and breathe me in.

I am the one who saves,
I am the provider of enough.

Rest, receive, share, resist,
Live, tell, do.

Mandy C.

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As a family we have faced a “tear-soaked month“ as our daughter-in-law was subjected to endless tests confirming a rare cancer had spread, BUT through it all we have and are experiencing, day upon day,  God gracing us with his presence and peace, teaching us resistance to fear and as He has promised “making the rough paths smooth “. And as we look to Him “the light of our lives “ – though the way ahead is rough and uncertain – we too are singing our way back to hope! Thank you Brian. Sonia P

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Thank you for all the inspiring reflections and RSVPs so far. It’s wonderful to be here together again. Here is my journal to date. I try to create a collage page each day, focusing on a few sentences from the day’s reflection. Sending love to all, Hazel R

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A reminder for me today that when times are dark God keeps his promises and the sun will return. Wendy P

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I can’t stop singing along with all the songs from singing resistance – but especially ‘O the red sun rises’ – something deep inside me has been stirred. If I was on two feet I’d be prayerfully dancing to the music. Michelle H

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I picked this up in a charity shop for a few £s about 4 years ago and what a very fortunate find. It is a coloured etching by the artist Hannah Swain. 

When I bought it, the words at the top (‘Turn your Face to the Sun and the Shadows Fall Behind You’) weren’t visible as the picture had slipped in its frame.

Since I bought the picture, I have found the words and the composition a great comfort. I love the interplay of the sun and moon figures and the angel, top right. I have been through a prolonged time of stress and bereavement and the picture speaks to me daily of God’s presence and warmth.

I’m sure when I bought it all those years ago, the picture was a gift given to me by God; and outpouring of His grace. Heather P

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How clearly the sky reveals God’s glory!
How plainly it shows what he has done!
Each day announces it to the following day;
each night repeats it to the next.
No speech or words are used,
no sound is heard;
yet their message goes out to all the world
and is heard to the ends of the earth.
God made a home in the sky for the sun;
it comes out in the morning like a happy bridegroom,
like an athlete eager to run a race.
It starts at one end of the sky
and goes across to the other.
Nothing can hide from its heat.

(Psalm 19)

Photos of the sunset and moon rise last week. Angie M

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Thanks for such a beautiful reflection. Heres my response. 

Here comes the sun 
Such radiant light 
To ease away 
The fear of night 

Here comes the sun 
A pure true light 
To offer us 
A different sight.

Matt C 

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I’m enjoying the series so much. It’s been a balm / oasis in a time of wondering how we live in times like these! Here’s my haiku response. 

Music as Resistance

Half-time joy, choirs, rock, 
Show “Love is stronger than hate”.
God bless our singing! 

Nb, includes Bad Bunny quote from Super Bowl half-time show and Grammys 🙂 Michaela T

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Annie H

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The little concertina book that I have attached is the creative outcome of this week. Thank you for guiding us this season!

Blessings, Rietje B

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“The moon came slowly up in all her gentle glory, and the stars looked out, and the face of Heaven shone bright and merciful. He raised his head; gazed upward at the quiet sky, which seemed to smile upon the earth in sadness, as if the night, more thoughtful than the day, looked down in sorrow on the sufferings and evil deeds of men; and felt its peace sink deep into his heart.” – Charles Dickens, Barnaby Rudge

With love, thanks, and all best wishes, Phil S

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This piece of textile I’m working on throughout Lent, seems to me to resonate with what you have spoken about this morning. It is a representation of God’s love entering into our wounded, broken selves, planting seeds of hope into our hearts. These seeds enable growth and greening, producing shoots which bear fruit and drop more seeds of hope into the world’s darkness …
It is the best love story! Blessings, Celia J

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I’m found, and finding sustenance, in the desert. Ben W

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I found some books of photos recently at a charity shop to use in my collage. I’ve been working through the ‘Fruits of the Spirit’ and was about to portray kindness. But yesterday I saw ‘kindness’ in a different light after listening to the pastor in Minneapolis. So I made this page in response to being ‘salt and light’ in the most challenging of times. Annie PP

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I was delighted and surprised when the sky was clear and I was able to gaze on the half moon! This is my first posting so I’ve chosen a short format. However the last line isn’t long enough to summarise the meaning of ‘ready to face the paperwork of divorce after 33 years of marriage; and process the letting go and reorientation of life that I’m going through.’ It’s going to be an interesting Lenten journey this year. 

Moon above hot tub
Bubbles relax my body
Spirit restored.

Kim

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Talking with a friend who is struggling, she mentioned the phrase “a bright sadness” which she had heard Lent described as. I wrote this in response:

A bright sadness fills
Our Lenten days, we know it
Ends with grace and life. 

Enjoy the sunshine today. Susan L

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Good morning Brian and thank you once again for the grace-filled treasures you are giving us.

MY LENTEN PRAYER

I draw near Lord 
as you draw near to me
I offer words of praise 
through these 40 days

My God, my Saviour
this is my plea:
To be changed
to be still
to be more open 
to your perfect will

To be moulded
to be shaped
to more reflect
you amazing grace

Yes, I draw near Lord
as you draw near yo me
Through this Lenten time
Help me God “Your will, not mine”.

God bless you, Paula Smith

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Resistance

To stand firm
To not be moved
Stubborn
Blindness
Bloody mindedness.
To resit alone 
can become this.
We need give 
and take
Flow and stillness.
Strength and weakness
Yet in the face 
of evil
Maybe
that’s a different thing.
When the alternatives 
are submission and
compliance or
aggression and 
war or
fleeing and hiding,
to resist 
is brave.
In our inner 
Worlds
Different again? 
Resisting 
can mean
making a 
choice
regaining control
when  that 
seems impossible.
May seem like 
choosing death 
over life.
Yet it believes
staying true
Is more
Important 
than
winning.

Julie S

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Andy R

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I’m still engulfed by yesterday’s conversation and the songs  … This was poem was read to us at contemplation this morning. ‘What if the future is soft and revolution is so kind that there is no end to us in sight / Whole cities breathe and bad luck is bested by a promise to the leaves.’ Coral S

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Here is my offering written yesterday after listening to your interview with pastor Elizabeth Macaulay. As you can see I have started by using the title of your reflection for Tuesday.

Thank you. Jane S

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It says a little much about my mindset that when asked what I was for, I straight away thought of tasks rather than values. So, this is my reaction —

What I am For 

In purpose, utility, 
Let me do 
Nothing, for now
just see.

and beyond that
as musts need
simply be
Beloved and free —
Mine for thee.

Neville P

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I’m on my commute,  having read your reflections this morning. Thank you. I looked up and saw one of the ‘poems on the underground’.  I particularly like the last phrase, about the night sky liking a good conversation. It’s such a joy to look up into the night sky and share moments of communication,  or possibly communion. I was so pleased I looked up this morning. Jan T

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I was introduced to this version of the Lord’s Prayer in the week for Christian unity. It comes from A New Zealand Prayer Book published by The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. Jo M

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Feb so dismal, yet
bright white points on every sloe branch.
Spring Earth’s silent shout.

Mark P

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I follow poetry and readings on a site called Journey with Jesus. The following thoughts (a devotional reflection from someone in Minnesota) are from Feb 1^st and are so in tune with your thoughts today. Salt and Light! Karen B

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I was deeply moved by the response of the people who gathered in the Methodist church of Pastor Elizabeth Macaulay after the violence in Minneapolis. Here is my response to standing in someone else’s shoes. 

In the Shoes of Another

To step into the shoes of another
And call them a sister or a brother
Is more than an act of solidarity,
It’s a momentary glimpse of their reality;
Though you know you may never walk their walk,
Your presence is attentive as they talk, 
Gently holding all that’s hiding in their words,
So they know their joys and sorrows have been heard,
It’s as though the well worn leather of their shoes
Has graced you with the story of their truths.

Sue H