Dear Friends

It snowed on the 14"‘ January. It wasn't a snowstorm of epic proportion but it was enough to bring traffic to a halt in Heworth and Windy Nook. I was attempting to make my way from home to Wesley for the 9.30 prayer meeting and found myself trapped by the ensuing grid lock. I didn't make it to Low Fell and eventually at 10am l turned round at Windy Nook School and headed home.

Dear Friends

Jesus was born into a troubled, fractured, politically and ethnically divided world. We recognise from his life that he was the fulfilment of ancient prophecy that foretold the coming of the Prince of Peace. Throughout that life he taught about peace and lived a peaceful life whilst remaining aware and alert to those people and forces that sowed division, hatred and injustice. He said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ and ‘if someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.’ Whilst being put to death as an innocent man he prayed forgiveness for his executioners.

Dear Friends

One of my favourite films ever is The Great Escape. It is a while since I watched it but my memories of the film are that it is tense, exciting and hugely enjoyable. Although it is somewhat worrying that what is essentially a sad story from the 2nd WW can be turned into an ‘enjoyable’ film.

Dear Friends

It’s been a bumper harvest in the Nether House garden this summer. I continue to harvest more fruit and vegetables than I really know what to do with. The kids are fed up with ‘gifts’ of courgettes, rhubarb, broccoli, strawberries and apples; the freezer is stocked and still there is more. My brother in law tells me his harvest of wheat and barley is the best he has ever known. Last week a farmer in Lincolnshire registered a world record yield of wheat. All this because we have had what we might term a Goldilocks growing season, not too wet, not too dry, not too cold, not too hot, but just right. There has been enough moisture for crops to fulfil their potential and enough sunshine to ripen them and allow harvesting to be completed.

Dear Friends

As I write this we are 2 matches into the new season. It isn’t going too well for Steve McLaren’s Black and White Army, but it’s early days and there is something of a crisis at the Stadium of Light which makes Newcastle fans realise that matters could be worse. As a new football season begins it quickly becomes apparent which clubs have progressed and which clubs are no better or even worse than last season. Yesterday’s heroes are rapidly overtaken if they dare to rest on their laurels.