Latest News

There is plenty going on and we want to keep you up to date with all our news! You'll find this week's Reflection below, links to the latest Pews News and Magazine to the right, and also to the Bishop's Letter for the month. Please send news of your courses, events and happenings to thedorchestermessenger@gmail.com

Reflection for the 12th Sunday after Trinity. Revd Heidi Merrett

In the Gospel reading from Luke this week, Jesus speaks about the cost of disciple-

ship. Following Jesus requires us to make sacrifices, to leave behind those things that

distract us from the new life he has to offer.

As we enter the season of Creationtide, we are reminded that the sacrifices required

to be followers of Christ extend to being carers of the world. Caring for creation is

integral to our identity as Christians. The destabilization of our climate and the deple-

tion of the world’s natural resources are a direct consequence of our turning away from

God.

The prophets of the Hebrew Bible, including Jeremiah warned the people of the perils

of not being in a right relationship with God. In the reading from Jeremiah, the prophet

is sent to the potter’s house where God speaks through the imagery of throwing a pot.

When the pot goes wrong the potter does not discard the clay but rather reshapes it.

This reshaping requires the clay to yield in the hands of the potter. The message here

is both hopeful and challenging. Hopeful because God will not give up on us even when

we make wrong decisions and challenging because we must not harden our hearts to

the will of God, we must not resist the opportunity to be reshaped, we must remain

open to doing God’s will.

The climate crisis reflects our hardened hearts. Creation is literally groaning under the

weight of our resistance, the polluted rivers and seas, the decimated forests, floods,

drought and rising sea levels all testify to humanity’s refusal to be shaped by God’s pur-

poses of care, justice and peace.Jesus’ words are uncomfortable. “Whoever does not

carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Jesus calls for radical commit-

ment. To follow Jesus requires us to turn away from those things that compete with

him. It means living differently, being willing to give up the comforts and conveniences

that harm others and diminish creation. It means we must risk being out of step with a

culture that prizes growth and consumption over peace and good stewardship. Just as

Jesus speaks of counting the cost of building a tower or embarking on a war, so must

we count the cost of our lifestyle choices, choices that are responsible for the overcon-

sumption of the earth’s resources that in turn lead to the destabilization of both society

and creation.Creationtide invites us to see discipleship, not only in terms of our person-

al lives, but also in our shared responsibility for the world.

As disciples we must confront the truth that our Western lifestyles are the result of over-

consumption at the expense of the poor and the planet. Fossil fuels, single use plastics,

fast fashion and cheap flights are choices that wound creation and betray the Gospel

life. Jesus calls us to a simpler life, a life where the choices we make may hurt and feel

like loss but where each act of care for creation is an act of discipleship, a way of carry-

ing the cross and following Christ into new life.

Hello and welcome to our churches. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit one of the churches in our benefice.

Where and When

Whichever church you visit, you'll receive a warm welcome. We're delighted to see you and make you feel at home. Most of our services are on a Sunday, but there are quite a few across the week.

Our Services

The types of services differ across our churches, and we'd like to find one that suits you. First, have a look at the Church Calendar to see what's going on and, second, if you have any questions, contact the church or fill out the form below. We're really happy to help.

What about my kids?

Children are always welcome but it's best to check with the individual church to see if there is a specific activity for them

Children

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

Leadership


Rev. Keith Magee
Keith is our Team Rector. #

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home in our churches.