Vicar's Contemplations

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of attending St John’s Church, Burscough for the Baptism of Ron Snape . I first met

There has been a flurry of activity around the site of the Ministry Centre this week. After many years of planning a new pavement has

What a joy it was to welcome two young people from the Pearl of Africa Choir into home yesterday evening as they spend nine nights

In the 1990s British Telecom launched a TV advertisement campaign  “It’s Good to talk”. The adverts featured the late actor Bob Hoskins observing a number

‘Discovering truth in an ever changing landscape’   Today is National Poetry day, a wonderful opportunity for me to reminisce about my time as an

Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11’s lunar landing. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin stepped foot on the moon on July 20th 1969. Armstrong delivering

Several times this week I have found myself contemplating the familiar parable of the Good Samaritan who stops to help the beaten man on the

As a teenager one of the posters in my bedroom was a picture of a new born baby being held in a parents hand, the

In May 2018 I wrote my first contemplation, I never really planned it would be something I would do weekly, but fourteen months on and

There is an old saying you can pick your friends, but you can’t choose your family or your neighbours. This week is the first national

This week is mental health awareness week, an initiative started by the Mental Health Foundation in 2001 to raise public awareness of mental health and wellbeing.

This week I am on retreat on Holy Island for some much needed time out. Knowing that within a few hours of my arrival I

In the 1990s I was fortunate to be part of an Easter production that my Mum wrote called ‘Paid on the Nail’.  The musical was

‘Linger Longer at the Cross’ As a church we have been spending each Sunday during Lent thinking about the people who witnessed the crucifixion. Real

Sitting in my RE lesson at St Andrew’s C of E Primary School, Maghull, I remember my teacher, Deaconess Margaret asking my 10 year old

‘Happy Nowruz’ When the working party gathers in the vicarage this morning, one of the greetings to our Iranian friend will be ‘Happy Nowruz’. In

“Tell Serve Give”   Today we will welcome Bishop Beverley Mason to Christ Church to meet members of our FACT (Feeling Alone Come Together) group

Today is St David’s Day, the patron saint of Wales. When you read through the legends about saint David you find a pioneer, a determined

“Tomorrow needs you”   In 2017 Molly Russell aged 14 took her own life. Reporting on the BBC news on Tuesday evening her Father, Ian

“Open the ‘Gates’ to Grace this New Year” Have you made a New Year resolution?  What are you planning to do differently this year? At this

You’re Hired Friends I have wonderful news to share with you I have been appointed as the next Vicar Of Christ Church Aughton. I look

“O2 have to talk to people”   Millions of O2 customers yesterday were left without mobile Internet. As parts of network were restored on Thursday

  “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”  Benjamin Franklin   Last night I went to see the film ‘A star is

“Shh It’s oh so quiet”   There have been a number of versions of the song “It’s Oh So Quiet“. Originally performed by Horst Winter in 1948

Yesterday marked 80 years since a 6 man Jewish delegation team went to meet Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and plea for his help in rescuing Jewish

‘Pause to Remember’   This weekend we will be commemorating the centenary of the end of WWI. Pausing for two minutes at 11am on Sunday

“God’s telephone number J33-3”   This time last week Cian and I were getting very excited to go to our very first U2 concert “Experience

“Above all, trust in the slow work of God.” “Above all, trust in the slow work of God. We are quite naturally impatient in everything

“You need to plant a seed to reap a harvest”   This weekend we are celebrating Harvest Festival at Christ Church. In 2018 gathering in

Saint Patrick’s “Breastplate” Prayer Being married to an Irish man and having an interest in Celtic spirituality, the familiar words of St. Patrick’s “Breastplate” prayer have

“Pat feels he’s a really happy man.”   It was reported yesterday that the author of Postman Pat, John Cunliffe has passed away. I remember as

“More justice in the world.”   The TUC Congress met in Manchester this week. For 150 years the TUC has served as a model for other

“Oh that you would bless me indeed” 1 Chronicles 4:10   Today is the start of our long awaited ‘Bless Fest’ weekend.  The planning of Bless

I always remember Keith Wells, who married Cian and I at Maghull Chapel twenty years ago focusing on the Latin phrase ‘Carpe Diem’ in his address.

Soul Survivor – Soul Provider!   This week I spent two nights camping in Staffordshire Show ground at an event called ‘Soul Survivor’. Over the

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not hive to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts

I have a great affinity with the name Aidan.  Aidan is the name of my Irish Godson; it was the name of the Theological college

As a red supporter, I thought I would begin this contemplation with a quote from Liverpool’s manager Jurgen Klopp. Whether you are a true red,

Yesterday the National Health Service turned seventy. It’s founder Aneurin Bevan, often known as “Nye” was appointed Minister of Health following Labour’s landslide victory in

Having said goodbye to the Year 6 on their residential in the Lakes and travelling to York Minster (to witness the consecration of Rev’d Dr

Every weekday morning church is open from 9am for prayer, everyone is welcome to join us by coming in through the vestry door at the

As curate of Christ Church I have a lot of my meetings in Café Vista. Great views as far reaching as Blackpool, being served by

Since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding there has been a lot of discussion on ‘love’. Thousands of comments have been shared on Social Media

I have often considered buying an Alexa device for our home but never quite got around to it. This week I was visiting the home

This coming Sunday Christians around the world will be celebrating Pentecost, the time when we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciples.

Today is a new chapter in the life of Christ Church. Normally the notices would be accompanied by Ross’ blog. Incidentally, you can still read