St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 24. …full of grace and truth.

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 24. …full of grace and truth.: Truth is an important word in John’s Gospel. “You will know the truth and the truth will make you free,” says Jesus (John 8.32) Truth, in J...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 22. And we have seen his glory...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 22. And we have seen his glory...: Glory is a very important word in John’s Gospel, but it often doesn’t look as people might expect it to. The Hebrew word which is translated...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 21...and lived among us...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 21...and lived among us...: ...AND LIVED AMONG US… We are often surprised when anything extraordinary – good or bad – happens close to us. We are proud of our own loca...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 20. And the Word became flesh...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 20. And the Word became flesh...: This is perhaps the most extraordinary part of the Prologue, the part John has been leading up to. He has told us about this Word, God himse...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 19. ..who were born, not of blood or of the will o...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 19. ..who were born, not of blood or of the will o...: John’s Gospel speaks of the need for us to be born again (John 3.3.) if we are to live as the children of God we are meant to be.  John is c...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 18. ...he gave power to become children of God,

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 18. ...he gave power to become children of God,: “To all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God,” says John. Children of God; that’s a powerful ...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 17. …who believed in his name...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 17. …who believed in his name...: “Believing in Jesus” or “believing in his name” is such a familiar phrase that it can become mere jargon. (A person’s name stood for the wh...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 16. But to all who received him...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 16. But to all who received him...: What might it mean to “ receive ” Jesus? “Receiving lines” are a feature of formal occasions – weddings for example. They give a chance fo...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 14. …yet the world did not know him.

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 14. …yet the world did not know him.: After two thousand years of Christian history, Jesus has become probably the most famous person who ever lived. Whatever people believe abou...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 13. He was in the world, and the world came into b...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 13. He was in the world, and the world came into b...: The Word of God was “in the world” says today’s phrase. John has already told us that the Word was with God, and was God, and had created t...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 12. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 12. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was...: The word Advent means coming . Advent is a time when we think about three different ways in which God comes to us, according to the Bible. A...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 10. He came as a witness to testify to the light,...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 10. He came as a witness to testify to the light,...: Paintings of John the Baptist, whether as an adult or a child often portray him pointing towards Jesus, or to a symbol of Jesus – the Lamb...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 9. There was a man sent from God, whose name was J...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 9. There was a man sent from God, whose name was J...: John the Baptist, the “ John ” referred to here, is described as a man “sent by God” . The Gospels all give John high honour as a prophet,...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 8. …and the darkness did not overcome it.

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 8. …and the darkness did not overcome it.: Most human beings are at least a little wary of darkness. It is a survival mechanism to be afraid of the dark. Darkness can be dangerous. We...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 7. The light shines in the darkness…

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 7. The light shines in the darkness…: In John’s Gospel Jesus often seems to shine a light on what is happening around him. This does not necessarily make him popular!  John says,...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 5. What has come into being in him was life,

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 5. What has come into being in him was life,: In John’s Gospel, Jesus says that he has come to bring “life in all its fullness” or “abundant life” (John 10.10) Shortly afterwards we hea...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 4. All things came into being through him, and wit...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 4. All things came into being through him, and wit...: Words can make things happen. “Will you marry me?” “Would you like to accept this job?” “Will you forgive me?” “I’ve got something to tell y...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 3.…And the Word was with God, and the Word was God...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: 3.…And the Word was with God, and the Word was God...: John’s Gospel makes very big claims for Jesus. He is not just a good teacher, or even just God’s Messiah, who could have been another prophe...

Advent Reflections from Seal Church

This year's Advent Reflections from Seal Church are based around John 1.1-14,  "In the beginning was the Word...". Starts on Sunday Dec 1. There's a short thought, some questions to think about and an All Age idea if you'd like to do something practical or creative.St Peter and St Paul, Seal: IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD... Advent Reflection...: Our series of Advent reflections begins on Sunday. This Advent we will be pondering our way slowly through the opening verses of John'...

St Peter and St Paul, Seal: IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD... Advent Reflection...: 

Closer course: Autumun 2019

Click on the pictures for a bigger view.

THE ENNEAGRAM AND SPIRITUAL ACCOMPANIMENT

THE ENNEAGRAM AND SPIRITUAL ACCOMPANIMENT

For those who have previously done some work on the Enneagram
andw like to use their experience in Spiritual Accompaniment

12th of November 2019 

at St Benedict’s St Benedict’s Centre, 52 Swan Street, West Malling, ME19 6JK.

10-4pm

The Enneagram is an ancient tool for understanding
the deep motivation of our actions and thoughts, as we learn to
observe our habitual behaviour and thinking patterns.   When
we are able to observe ourselves we become more aware of the e
and motives that drive us, and what limits our inner freedom.
The Enneagram can also help us to see what for each individual would
constitute the path for growth, so that the real gifts of our Enneagram
space can be released from the egoism that keeps us unfree
to be the person God calls us to be.

During the workshop we will reflect on our own Enneagram stance,
and how the Enneagram can be of help to others we know, i
our those we accompany – obviously without naming people. 

Bring your own lunch, tea and coffee will be provided. 

Donation: £ 10-20

Bookings: susannecarlssons@hotmail.co.uk

Leading a Quiet Day: training

Lent resources for prayer and action

Still haven't decided what to fo for Lent this year?
Here is a round up of some resources you might find helpful. If you know of others please add them in comments below, or email them to  to me (Anne Le Bas ) and I will add them.

The Church of England's Lent app (booklets also available)
https://www.chpublishing.co.uk/apps/lentpilgrim

Christian Aid
https://www.christianaid.org.uk/lent-easter-appeal

A whole list of resources and links from Ignatian Spirituality
https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/lent

Cafod
https://cafod.org.uk/Pray/Lent-Calendar

40acts
https://40acts.org.uk

Daily meditations
https://www.sacredspace.ie/daily-prayer

And my own series of Lent reflections and sugggestions for prayer and action written for Seal Church - this year it is all About Time!
https://sealpeterandpaul.blogspot.com/search/label/About%20Time

Lent resources for children and families
https://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/p/family-lent-ideas.html

Lent with children

Some good ideas here for exploring Lent spiritually with children.


https://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/p/family-lent-ideas.html

Spring edition of "The Current"

The Spring edition of "The Current" is here, with details of events, quiet days, retreats, courses etc. and news of what's going on in the Spirituality Network around the Diocese. Click on the picture below to download a pdf version of the newsletter.

Decision making in the Ignatian Tradition Weds 13 & 20 March

Closer Course - May 2019

Choosing Life retreat