Rev Ali Miller SCP

The beginning and the end of the day: morning light playing on the leaves, later a cool walk through the woods to inspect the fungi as the sun travels downwards. In Autumn perhaps we are more attentive, or sensitive, to the light and the dark and how they tread across the hours.

A day of happenings but at least it began and ended with the Office, with Mass too, on this feast of Sts Simon and Jude. And for all who feel like a lost cause call on Jude, who will hold the hope in Christ for you on the days you cannot! Saint Simon and Saint Jude, pray for us.

Archangel Michael Pray Our Father. Be still. Breathe in God’s loving presence. When ready, revisit the day. What, if anything, made you feel: safe? scared? brave? comforted? Offer your prayers. Call on God’s angels and pray for all who need protection this night. Glory be.

Out walking in the woods and found the most beautiful holly. Pray Our Father. Settle into stillness a while. When ready, revisit your day. What brought a burst of brightness? What surprised you (good or bad)? Ponder these things and let them prompt further prayers. Glory be.

Candles flickering at our memorial service. Praying this night for all beloved and bereft for the dying and lonely for those who watch and wait for all who will die this night and for those whom we love but see no longer.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen

St John’s piercing the grey clouds earlier today. And then came the rain and winds this evening. Praying this night for all feeling the effects of the adverse weather for those without power for the frightened, lonely and cold and for those on the streets. Lord, have mercy.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Pray tonight for all watching and waiting at bedsides of loved ones

Tree tinged with the golden brown of autumn. Our Father. Be still awhile. When ready, revisit your day. Sift through the happenings and look for the glister of gold. Where did it appear? Prayerfully explore your findings. Look to tomorrow. Ask for the grace you need. Glory be.

Meditation this evening. A darkened church, just the odd candle flickering and a handful of lights. Settled next to Our Lady. Words to be the anchor dropped into a sea of silence, from Psalm 147: He heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their wounds. 🙏🏻

The Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. Pray Our Father. Be still awhile, conscious of God’s love surrounding you. When ready, look with honesty at the happenings of your day. As appropriate: give thanks seek forgiveness and ask for grace. Hail Mary and Glory be.

It was our final Harvest service this afternoon: Evensong at St Andrew’s, Timworth A perfect setting for it too (our congregation includes farmers) - and the most excellent eats and homemade sloe gin afterwards! An autumnal nip in the air on the way home.

A mixed bag of weather for the wedding blessing - but inside the church it was beautiful. Roses, strings, and a lovely congregation singing with gusto. A joyous start for the happy couple! Pray Our Father. Revisit your day. What brought brightness and joy? Give thanks. Glory be.

Evening Prayer and Mass: the best way to end the week and begin the weekend! A chance to press pause for a holy reset. Our Father. Revisit your week. What do you need/want to leave behind? What do you need/want to hold on to and work with? Ask for the grace you need. Glory be.

The sun highlighting the eagle - which has a scroll saying, ‘The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.’

A quiet Mass earlier, recalling Edward the Confessor. 🙏🏻 In my homily, I connected the zeal in the Collect, the table-turning in the Gospel and +Philip’s fab sermon for the synod at Blackburn. When did you last feel zeal and passion for sharing the good news of Jesus? 🙏🏻

Font flowers Year 5 and Year 6 visited church this afternoon to explore the sacred space and ponder their topic: Incarnation. So many questions! They had an infectious curiosity - simply wonderful. Pray Our Father. Be still. Offer your questions to God … and wait …. Glory be.

Completely forgot to take any photos at our Harvest Eucharist and lunch, likewise in the afternoon at the Harvest Songs of Praise and tea (yes, well fed in all senses in two churches today!). Holy joy, laughter, and cheese (including the delectable Binham Blue and Baron Bigod!).