General Chat

Good morning :-)

That's a new one on me David.....I did some googling.....Hugh of Lincoln. :-D

Looking back …….. The wise men are carried precious gifts with them on their journey: gifts that will speak into the story of Jesus’ life. Gold is a gift of richness, fit for a king. Myrrh is a precious oil, used to anoint the dead, reminding us of the death Jesus will endure on the cross. Frankincense is an incense used in worship, fitting for a holy child.

But treasures are not always physical. Gifts cannot always be touched. Each of us has gifts and talents within us and each of us can make an offering of our own. Our gifts are part of our own story in our work, our homes and our communities. Our gifts show who we are and what we bring to the world around us.

What gifts do you have that you could offer to your friends, your family, your church or your community?

Generous God, help us to use our gifts in an open-hearted way so that others will know that they are loved and valued. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good afternoon :-D <3 In 1980 I got married in St Hugh of the Epithany

Good morning :-)

Today is the Feast of the Epiphany - when we remember the visit of the Wise Men to Jesus.

From Follow the star...

At last the wise men reach their journey’s end and lay their gifts before the Christ child. They have travelled a great distance from where they started, and they have experienced much along the road. In some ways, though, this is only the beginning.
Sometimes when we find what we think we’re looking for, we realize that there is so much more to discover, so many more questions to ask.

God understands our curiosity and he welcomes it. God wants us to wonder. God wants us to search. And when we do, he will not hide from us. Just as the star shines brightly to light the way. God’s love beckons us forward, inviting us to know him more, step by step by step.

God of wonder, help us to keep searching, keep asking and keep discovering as we continue on our journey to you. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The fires in Australia are dreadful - it almost looks as the whole country is a sea of flames. We pray for those affected by it and for those who are brave enough to tackle those flames. We also think of all the wildlife which is in danger.


Welcome to the first Sunday of 2020.....

The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Gracious God, who by the leading of a star manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith, may at last behold your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Gospel reading tells the story of the visit of the Wise men.

I have found an amazing picture of this scene by the artist - Liz Lemon Swindle. When I looked online, I found her pictures of stories in the bible to be incredible. I had never heard of her before but I am loving her work. Its worth googling her name to be honest and see what you think. She is a Mormon apparently.

Cx :-)

Hello all

I'd also like to add my thoughts and prayers to all who are suffering through the ongoing fires in Australia

At the beginning of each new year I am inspired by the words of the poem written in 1908 by Minnie Louise Haskins called The Gate of the Year. This is certainly worth Googling if you're not familiar with it.

I have been enjoying the "Follow the Star" posts Cynthia. Thank you.

As I have posted on here in previous years my all-time favourite poem is T S Eliot's "Journey of the Magi" which I always find myself re-reading around Epiphany.

Emma, like you I am keeping the people of Australia in my thoughts. The sheer scale of the disaster both in the size of the area affected and the length of time the fires have been burning is unimaginable. It certainly puts our problems into perspective.

My thoughts and prayers for the people of
Australia <3

Good morning :-D <3 It is a learning curve Cynthia. Some events make you grow up rapidly, of necessity.My parents worked harder than I did, for less and didn't have many of the things I have. I wouldn't be here but for them.

Good morning :-)

Life is quite a learning curve I have found, David. Always something new to learn.


From Follow the star....

Light reveals the dangers covered by darkness. In the light, secrets are revealed and fears are banished. In the light we can see the truth because there is no place to hide. In the light we see beauty in its fullness.

The star’s light has been leading the wise men towards the child. When this child grows up, he will call himself the ‘light of the world.’ He will be the living embodiment of light. He will be the one who highlights dangers, banishes fears, reveals beauty and shows the truth. Jesus will tell us that we no longer have to be afraid, we no longer need to walk in darkness. Jesus will open our eyes to what life can be.

What are you trying to understand at the moment? What do you need to see more clearly?

Light a candle and ask Jesus to illuminate the situation.
Loving God, show us what is hidden, chase away our fears and give us courage when we are afraid. Amen.


Cx :-)

Yes, for my Mother and Father it fell to me to dispose of their clothes and furniture and house. In a drawer in my Father's bedroom was a little pocket / note book;
Inside he'd written IF THE FATES DECREE YOUR'E GOING TO LOSE, GIVE THEM A DAMNED GOOD FIGHT

A few years later I had the same job when mt FIL and MIL died. A lot of Charity shops got all the clothes, the furniture was auctioned, the house sold. The last few years have given me quite an education.

Good morning :-)

As we grow older David, thinking about death tends to become a frequent thing - we have lost many of our loved ones and funerals of friends begin to mount up. As the Good Book says.....'In the midst of life, we are in death'. The circle of life I guess.....keep smiling..... :-)


From Follow the star

Stars have been used as navigation tools since ancient times, lighting the sky and showing the way. Even today, the North Star is a guide for wandering night time explorers, giving an unwavering direction in the darkness. The wise men are looking up to their own star for guidance and, as it moves, they are assured of the path they follow.

In life, the need for a guide through unfamiliar territory and situations is often very real, whoever and wherever we are. We want the reassurance that we are walking the right way. The child born in Bethlehem, under the sign of the star, will grow to be a guide to millions across the world. He will light the path that leads the way to God.

Loving God, show us the way when we are lost and need direction. Guide us as we journey forward. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning all :-D <3 It's been 25 years since Mother passed following a short illness. I rode my bicycle past her door at approx 6.30 am following a night shift. I had a key to her door in my pocket, could have let myself in, but who does that at 6.30 am ?
My Mother was found behind her front door when a neighbour broke in (because she hadn't been see all morning, or walking her dog.) She died in the ICU not long after.
I was in the depths of grief, felt worse because I could have got her to Hospital much earlier, but cycled past her door. I think about hr and my Father a lot, not always sadly.
At my age time is not on my side.

Good morning :-)

I have to say that having to vacuum up a broken lightbulb at 7.00am is not what I recommend but it will be a smashing day!! :-D

Thank you for the kind words <3

My mother was born in Dundee on Hogmanay! I bet there were some celebrations going on at that time.... :-D


From Follow the star..


For many people, travelling companions are an essential part of any journey. They are there to share the ups and downs, the joyful moments and the tougher times. We don’t know exactly how many wise men are following the star, but we know that there is more than one of them along for the ride! The journey is a long one and there are obstacles to meet on the way, including a jealous and two-faced king.

As Herod plots murder, the wise men discover that they have an unexpected traveller alongside them. God warns them in a dream not to go back to Herod when they have found the child. Through adventure and through danger, God is with the wise men and will make sure they stay on the right path.

Who is with you on your journey?

Think of someone who supports or cares for you and send them a message or phone them to say thank you.

Thank you, God, that wherever we go and whatever we face you are with us. Keep us safe on our journey through life. Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Well said Emma I also thank Cynthia for her ongoing posts each day.

I hope you haven't been too sad today David.

Wishing all who look in a very Healthy and Happy 2020.

I have a funeral service to go to next week..... not the best start to the New Year.

Cynthia, I echo Emma's thanks. This is usually the first thread I look at in the mornings.

I expect you have been thinking of your mother today David. I hope you have many happy memories.

I wish you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful year in 2020 <3

Good morning to you all :-D <3

Wishing you all well, not only a new year but my late Mother's birthday <3

Good morning :-)

Thank you Emma that is much appreciated. <3


So, here we are in 2020 - it's very easy to type! :-D

From Follow the star...

God is doing something new. God has sent his Son to bring hope and light and life to a world where his people are oppressed and kept down. The wise men sense this exciting “newness” and want to be part of it. They follow the lead of the star, wherever it takes them, because they have committed themselves to finding the new king. They have a hope that leads them on, and they show perseverance when the journey takes time and effort.

At this time of year, we also experience this sense of hope and “newness”. Unfortunately, research suggests that less than a quarter of us who make New Year’s resolutions will actually keep them. While there’s something attractive about taking new directions in life, it takes courage to stick to the course.

Father God, lead us towards the new things you want in our lives. Help us to keep going when the way gets hard. Amen.


A very Happy and Peaceful New Year to you all. <3 <3 <3

Cx :-)

Cynthia thank you for the time you have given
to this thread.
For starting my day with your stories and prayers
when I know you have been busy in your own life.

I know I speak for those who look in and add to this thread
that we appreciate everything you have done to keep this
thread going.

I wish you and yours a Happy New Year and to all who look in. <3

Good morning, for the last time this year! :-D


From Follow the star

Even now, no one knows for sure what the Star of Bethlehem actually was. Some say it was a comet. Some say it was the light that comes from a new star being born. Whatever the truth is, we do know that there was something out of the ordinary about what the wise men saw. Just like this special star, God has made each one of us uniquely and wonderfully.

We are one of a kind too. God knows us fully and, like the star, has given us our own distinctive shining qualities to help to make the world around us a brighter place: compassion, love, an infectious sense of joy, peace, patience, kindness, loyalty, a quest for fairness.

What are your shining qualities? What brightness do you bring and how will you shine today?

Lord Jesus, help me to use what you have given me to make the world a brighter place today. Amen.

If you are celebrating this evening, stay safe and enjoy your night......and thank you all for your continuing support this year. <3 <3 <3

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Saul's conversion - leading St. Paul is an amazing story isn't it David?

Awful news about the fires in Australia - we pray for all those who are caught up in the disaster and for the emergency services who are trying to help.

From Follow the star

'Everyone’s definition of beauty is different. Artists paint it. Musicians compose music that somehow captures it. Hearts and emotions respond to it. For some it is about what we see on the outside. For others it is about an experience that brings joy.

Whatever beauty is, it is captivating, and the wise men cannot resist the natural beauty they see in the night sky. They are drawn to the star, the work of God’s hand, and they have to follow. They have to find out more. The outward beauty and mystery of the star is about to lead them to the most beautiful gift they could ever imagine: a child who will light up the whole world.'

Actually, we do not know how many Wise Men (magi) there were. The word magi is plural, so there must have been at least two. However, there could have been many more. The legend that there were three, and that we know their names, is just a legend. The idea of three wise men may have developed, because there were three types of gifts presented by the wise men to Jesus.

God of beauty, thank you for all that you have created. Help us to celebrate the special things we see today. Amen.


Cx :-)