Rev Chris’ Blog

Rev Chris’ Blog,

March 2026 ‘I am because we are’

At the opening ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics, Kirsty Coventry (International Olympic Committee President) reflected on how the Spirit of the Olympic Games is about so much more than Sport – it is about us and what makes us human. She spoke of an African word, ‘Ubuntu’- which means ‘I am because we are’ – and explained its meaning: that we can only rise by lifting others, that our strength comes from caring for each other – no matter where we come from’. In this, she followed on from the President of the 2026 Winter Olympics Organising Committee, Giovanni Malago, who said that at a time when so much of the world is divided by conflict, another world is possible – one of unity, respect and harmony, in which sport can provide a universal language, uniting all into one Olympic Family. They were stirring words, and combined with the amazing music and dance, costumes and processions, they lifted the spirits of all present as well as those of us watching around the world.

One of the things that unites us across our villages is our local magazine – ‘Huntspill News’. Our schools and our churches also seek to be connection points – physically, mentally and spiritually – bringing our communities together. Our local councils do an amazing job of serving our area, as do our pubs, our various clubs, our garage and car wash and our village events – working together, serving our area, growing our community….. Alongside these, the power lies in our own hands – the power to make a difference, with a little kindness, compassion, gentleness and courage. Let’s keep doing all that we can to grow our communities and care for our villages – recognising that ‘I am’ because ‘We are’.

In January, Churches Together celebrated the ‘Week of Prayer for Christian Unity’ with a special service at Burnham Methodist Church – bringing together many different traditions and styles of worship, recognising that we are all called to unity. The Lord’s Prayer is treasured by Christians throughout the world, and through March we are focussing on this in our Lent Group – to which everyone is very welcome. Prayer is an act of communication – when we speak to God, and when we listen too – and effective communication is surely at the heart of all true unity. Jesus gave this prayer to his disciples when they asked him to teach them to pray. May I encourage you to pray this prayer every day through Lent – focussing on each line of meaning and being open to where it leads you?

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory
for ever and ever. Amen.

Let us travel together toward Easter, seeking peace and unity on all levels and learning from each other as we go!
God bless you,
Rev Chris

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February 2026 ‘WE travel towards Easter ‘ 

I wonder when you put away your Christmas decorations this year?  For some it will have been the day after Boxing Day, or maybe even before that. For others it will have been on or by the Twelfth Night, marking an end to the Twelve Days of Christmas and a start to the season of Epiphany. Everything feels very bare when they go away, doesn’t it? I quite like the change, and even the emptiness – it gives a chance to ‘get back to normal’, or even to establish ‘a new and better normal’ if New Year’s Resolutions are involved.

The one thing we haven’t put away yet in our churches is the Nativity scene. This has raised a few eyebrows. Traditionally this remains until the end of Epiphany, at the start of February, only then do we truly let go of Christmas and begin to move toward Easter, turning from the wood of the crib, toward the wood of the cross. This gives plenty of time to consider the wonder of what Christmas is really all about and to allow for the ‘penny dropping’ moments that make up the ‘Now I get it!’ of Epiphany.

This year we have been blessed beyond measure by the generous gifts of Nativity scenes. These have included the beautiful knitted crib scenes given by ‘The Crafty Cows’ and by ‘Gill from Berrow’ to East and West Huntspill respectively. These could be handled and played with by our youngsters, without fear of damage or injury. They complemented our more traditional crib scenes, and the crib scenes that we constructed with people on Christmas Eve around ‘The grumpy owl and the joy of Christmas’ (thanks to the fabulous costumes and props, again provided by kind hearted and skilled Huntspill people). Thank you – one and all!

Soon it will be Pancake Day (17^th Feb) and Ash Wednesday (18^th Feb), leading us into Lent, setting us off on our journey toward Easter. There are lots of resources to help: The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book – ‘Dancing to the heartbeat of God’, The Church of England’s Lent theme – ‘Draw near’ including booklets for adults, families & children(40acts) and daily reflections on the Everyday Faith ap. Bishop Michael is encouraging us to focus on Prayer this year, and particularly on The Lord’s Prayer. To do this together there will be a Lent Group each Thursday evening through Lent, meeting at 7pm at All Saints Church, East Huntspill – do come, and let’s learn and share together.

God bless you and guide you, as together WE (our new Benefice of West and East Huntspill) travel toward Easter!  

Rev Chris