Today is the Feast Day of St Clare of Assisi.

Her story prompts us to consider what it might be that we are drawn to give our lives to, in response to the stirrings of our souls; to a loving call from the Divine?

This week, Christians remember the mysterious gospel accounts of Jesus’ Transfiguration. Before his friends’ eyes, he appears shining white, speaking with dead saints, on a mountain top. Bizarre and supernatural, we might say. What is in this story for us?

Can we see these days as the most sacred of times?

In today’s reading from the Hebrew Scriptures, the prophet Jeremiah paints a despairing picture. He describes suffering, dashed hopes, a sense of separation from all that is good. But there is more…..

Today, on the eve of Mary Magdalene’s feast day, we reflect on her example and story and what it has to offer.

The title could be a government soundbite …… but these are the words of Yahweh, God of the Jews, to the people of Judah at a time when war threatened to devastate them.

Do you feel a tug towards that ‘other’ shore, the safe side of the Jordan, where pandemic and disruption are left behind? This is a living metaphor for human existence: we yearn for safe haven. Today, we reflect on simply living in the midst of rapids …

A challenging message from the Prophet Amos - known by some as the ‘prophet of doom’ - offers us chance to examine ourselves and what is happening in our world at a deep, spiritual level. Amos is not comforting - but offers a reality check when we’re at risk of distraction from the things that really matter.

Today, we are invited to find the Yes, the Celebration, the Life - even in the midst of a lockdown that does strange things to our sense of time. Every day can seem the same, the future stretching out formless ahead, but we can still lift our eyes….

There is a challenging message about generosity in today’s reading from Luke’s gospel. We reflect on the connections between our wealth, our worries and our tendency to share.

Also, please find resources for structuring your own Simple Quiet Day at the end of this post.

Change and growth continue during challenging times!

At today’s AGM, we welcomed Richard Blackburn as the new Chair of the Whirlow Grange Limited board. Watch our video announcement here!

Jesus suggests that who we are today is salt and light enough to change the world, in his beautiful and challenging Sermon on the Mount.

Sunday was the Christian festival of Pentecost. This weekend we mark Trinity Sunday, contemplating the relationship of three persons at the heart of our understanding of the Christian God. These are fertile moments, offering both inspiration and grounding.

We are excited to be offering quite a few of Whirlow’s events online…..

Called to love and let go

The words spoken by Jesus in today’s bible reading come at a time of high emotion and significance. He prays to his Father in heaven for the friends and work he leaves behind; they will all need strength to walk through what follows.

These things …

Jesus understood that it is difficult - perhaps impossible - to consistently trust in eternal good or Divine presence during times of uncertainty and ‘bad news’. He spent time reassuring worried friends.

Be At Peace

In John’s gospel, Jesus tells his friends he is leaving them his peace on the very same day he is betrayed and arrested. His crucifixion takes place the following afternoon.

We might be forgiven for thinking his offer of peace is misguided or that he expects too much, given what was about to take place.

Are You Listening?

In the rather strange exchange between Jesus and the religious leaders that is recounted in today’s reading from John’s gospel, we are asked to think about the elusive possibility of recognising a divine voice.

You are invited to join us virtually for this month’s Space to Reflect, which would have taken place at 7pm on Sunday in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit.

Breakfast Invitation

The gospel accounts in the bible describe several meetings between Jesus and his friends after his crucifixion. These encounters with the risen Christ include a fish breakfast on the beach.