You will see more of the Churchyard is slowly being cleared ready for documentation of the graves. If you can lend a hand we would be grateful! Please do get in touch if you can help

Prayers, shouted, whispered and unspoken…

God of wisdom, as your prophets of old saw unlimited possibilities and called people to faithful living,

Grant us the vision needed to change your world.

Where the voices of greed drown out the voices of the needy,

Where children die through malnutrition,

Where countries are devastated by war

Grant us the courage to make a difference, and:

Send your Spirit to bring new life.

Where the shouts of despair drown out the whispers of the hopeful,

Where peace appears to be an unobtainable dream,

Where well-being is measured by how much we own,

Grant us the courage to make a difference, and

Send your Spirit to bring new life.

Where the laughter of the arrogant drowns out the whispers of the broken-hearted,

Where depressed people find only stigma and rejection,

Where refugees are unwelcome and uncared for,

Grant us the courage to make a difference, and

Send your Spirit to bring new life.

Where the alleluias of the self-righteous drown out the prayers of the faithful,

Where churches are dying through lack of vision,

Where people of faith distrust each other,

Grant us the courage to make a difference, and

Send your Spirit to bring new life.

Hear all our prayers, shouted, whispered and unspoken. Amen

Merciful God,

We remember before you the peacemakers in our world

We pray for all who risk their own comfort

And safety in order to make your world a safer,

More comfortable place for all.

We know that in every cruel act,

Christ is crucified again.

Yet in every act of self-sacrifice

we come face to face  with the risen Lord,

Help us to be faithful risk-takers for the sake of love and peace,

Joining you, gracious God, in your work to renew creation.

If we are ever tempted to despair,

or feel that the darkness will overwhelm us,

remind us that Christ is the Light of the World

and the darkness will never overcome that light,

In the name of the Prince of Peace. Amen

I want to mount up on wings like eagles,

Only I need to get to the supermarket.

This is the problem with the sublime:

Life tends to be more about the mundane.

I believe I can float on the thermals with the breeze in my feathers,

But I’ll be late for work if I don’t go now.

I’m a feet on the ground kind of believer,

Pragmatic, sensible, sane,

Not easily led by a crafty deceiver,

Who says I could fly with no plane!

I’d love to soar on the wings of God’s love,

It’s just that I’ve got to get the car serviced.

To be honest, it’s not just the timing

That lowers my heavenly sights,

It’s not even a doubt versus faith thing.

It’s more that I’m frightened by heights!

To the one who can overturn the rulers and powers:

We offer thanks and praise

To the one who strengthens the powerless

We offer thanks and praise

To the one who helps us soar on wings like eagles

We offer thanks and praise. Amen

Adapted

Michaela Youngson – The Weaver, the Word and Wisdom