Simon Marsh » Beginnings and Endings

PASSING ON THE LIGHT

Simon Marsh — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 15:10:00 +0000

PASSING ON THE LIGHT is so much more fulfilling an exercise than passing on the gloom! Advent is truly a gift to us, as are the people we “wait” with. 70+ people have set about looking at Beginnings and Endings this week, here in Bramhall. There’s been plenty of laughter and discovery and wonder … and friendships forged the more firmly as always happens when people make pilgrimage together. And in a completely dark church building this evening there appeared first one light, and then another, and another, until the faces of a large throng were transfigured, and in our hearts the chief among the Advent songs was that of Gabriel. “Do not be afraid”. May we bear the Light; pass the Light on and on through the darkness. May we be not afraid, anymore.

THE IN-BETWEEN TIMES

Simon Marsh — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:12:00 +0000

MUCH TO OUR GREAT DELIGHT about 35 of us sat down “with” Maggi Dawn this morning. Others are readying themselves in-between times for a gathering tomorrow evening. Someone said at the end of the session this morning how struck they’d been by the musicality in most all of our beginnings and endings. Certainly it was true that a large gathering of friends hearing and telling “our story” brought to mind many a song; and a spot of liturgy:

Blessed are you, Lord God, our light and our salvation; to you be glory and praise for ever. From the beginning you have created all things and all your works echo the silent music of your praise …

Common Worship on the subject of common worship … and the possibility of just that, and of wondrous story-telling, and of beginnings and endings to be perceived and known and heard in oceans of wondering, creative silence …

Hey, Maggi, we’re enjoying this Adventing … and we haven’t really got started properly yet! xx

BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS

Simon Marsh — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 14:28:00 +0000

LIFE IS FULL TO BURSTING with beginnings and endings – though this page has seen a dearth of beginnings in recent months. My favourite bloggers go ‘blog lite’ from time to time … the muse dries up. Blogging is life “written down” after all, so we shouldn’t be surprised.

And then, every once in a while, something or someone really fires up the imagination again. Something or someone reminds us of the story. Our story. And that someone or something might be miles away, and never, for a second, dream of the effect they’re having on others.

Maybe Maggi Dawn has dreamed about having just such an effect. Perhaps that’s why she’s written one of the best books for Advent I’ve encountered in years. Here’s a book that will make Advent for you. Here’s a book that we’ll be using in Bramhall to get a grip again on what it’s all about. Here’s Beginnings and Endings: accessible teaching and encouraging reflection. Here’s a favour to the Church, a right royal blessing, an Advent in itself. Thanks Maggi!

Beginnings and Engings … buy yours and enjoy the Advent journey.