January 2026

A reflection for Candlemas Sunday 1st February 2026

In the forty days between Christmas Day and Candlemas (also known as the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple) various events in Jesus’ life get jumbled up. We get the visit of the Magi at Epiphany to the young boy Jesus promptly followed the next week by Jesus as an adult being Baptised by John. This is then followed by Jesus calling his first four disciples  and beginning his ministry to the Chosen People. Then all of a sudden we are back with Jesus and his parents in the temple where he, as a baby, has been brought for blessing...

A thought for Sunday 25th January 2026 Epiphany III by Canon Dean Fostekew

“Will you come and follow me,

if I but call your name? …

Will you leave yourself behind

if I but call your name?”

 

Words from the hymn by John Bell. Today’s Gospel reading tells us that James and John did just that. Last week heard read that Andrew and Simon did something similar. Would you or I do the same? Could you do just up and follow the call of Jesus?

That question might panic you but remain calm, you have already heeded Jesus’ call or you would not be here today. At some point in your life...

A reflection for Epiphany II by the Rev'd David Warnes

“What’s in a name?” Juliet asks in Shakespeare’s play. 

She goes on to say:

“….That which we call a rose 

By any other name would smell as sweet…”

Juliet is suggesting that a name is just a word, only a label. Names, she believes, don’t change the essential nature of the things or the people to which they are attached. That wasn’t the way people thought about names in the time of Jesus. They believed that names signified important things, and they also believed that names could be transformative. 

John the Baptist features prominently in today’s Gospel. We are told...

A thought for the day for Sunday 11th January 2026 'The Feast of the Baptism of Christ'

Do you believe in God the Father?

I believe.

Do you believe in God the Son?

I believe.

Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

I believe.  

They are questions you or your God-Parents and parents will have been asked when you were Baptised and they are questions we will affirm this morning as we reply in support of our Baptism candidate when we say: 

This is the faith of the Church. We believe and trust in one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Creed is a statement of faith that we Christians confess and there are...

An Epiphany Sunday reflection by Canon Dean Fostekew 4th January 2026

One of the ways of celebrating Epiphany, that I have greatly enjoyed over the years is to disappear to Southern Spain and to join in the celebrations that sprawl out on to the streets. Not only is it good fun it is also (usually) warm. Further North in Spain you might encounter snow but in the Malaga region you might, remarkably be in shorts and a t-shirt!

The Spaniards really go to town for Epiphany, there are of course the special church services but these are accompanied with marching bands and street processions in which the three kings or queens...