Author Archives: charlotteatsynod

One of the things we try to do at St Clare’s is to make sure that all our senses are used in worship. These simple prayers allow people to use touch, sight and sound to pray, as well as some creativity. It also works really well with all ages.  I can’t remember where I foundContinue reading “Prayers of Clay”

A ten-session bible study course designed to help people have a clear grasp of the Old Testament story and the most important themes, events and people. Introduction In 20 years of ministry both in parishes and now as a pioneer minister, one thing seems consistent. People lack confidence about the bible and in particular theContinue reading “The Old Testament in Ten”

Sunday 22nd November is the Feast of Christ the King. This meditation has been written to be used with the image on one of our Gazing Cards, copies of which are available to purchase from our online shop, or the image could be shared on a screen. The text is below or you can downloadContinue reading “Christ the King Meditation”

Helen, a member of St Clare’s Community asks: What does it means to love our neighbour? In turning to God and responding to his grace we are called, in love, to love and be loved. 1 Corinthians 13 tells us a lot about love, love is not the emotion it is often diluted to, itContinue reading “Love Thy Neighbour”

Sometimes, it’s not until something is taken away from you, that you realise how important it is. I hadn’t realised until lockdown, how much touch was an important aspect of our worship at St Clare’s. The hugs and handshakes as we arrive and at the peace; the feel of the bread in your hands andContinue reading “Finger Prayers”

2020 has been an extraordinary year. Knowing how to process, how to reflect, how to pray about everything that has happened is challenging. As St Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans (chapter 8, verse 26), “we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep forContinue reading “Gazing Prayers 2020”

Matthew 27: 45-54 45 From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 46 And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ 47 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, ‘ThisContinue reading “Good Friday 2020”

Matthew 26: 36-46 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved,Continue reading “Maundy Thursday 2020”

Matthew 26: 6-16 Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, ‘Why thisContinue reading “Wednesday of Holy Week 2020”

Matthew 22: 34-40 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and withContinue reading “Tuesday of Holy Week 2020”