Within the ordination service the set Gospel Reading is John 20: 19-29. This is the account of Jesus appearing to the disciples, in a locked room following the resurrection. Jesus breathes upon them the Holy Spirit. A week later Jesus appears a second time, this time Thomas is with them. Jesus shares his peace with them, and then when Thomas sees Jesus he bows before him and says, `My Lord and my God.’

Despite these things, the Church has also been at its best when it is open to God moving in and through it. It has done many good things like feeding the hungry, clothing the naked. Standing up for those on the margins and holding those in power to account.

We enjoy being away many of us will not have been away quite as much as we would like but when we return to what we know we feel safe and secure. We have a base the things around you are your things you know where things are (hopefully)

During lockdown we have had to work very differently as church. We have been introduced to new ways of working digitally- including business meetings, worship, training, prayer, studies, children’s work. Now I know this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but for some they want this to continue in some way.

Pentecost is the birthday of the Church. How simply it all began. The Church was born in frailty and weakness. It had no property, no buildings, no money. Its only resource was people, and there weren't many of those.

Whether we mix things up, get things wrong, put ourselves in the wrong places, there is always a way back to God. God will never leave us or forsake us.