Articles | St Mary Magdalene, Enfield

Epiphany 2: “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

“Speak, for your servant is listening.”
Words from the Book of Samuel. Amen.

More years ago than I care to remember I was shown the Chinese Character for listening. We were told that it contains five symbols, Ear: what we use to listen (hear), King: pay attention as if the speaker were a king (obey), Ten and Eye: observant as if we have ten pairs of eyes (heed), One: listen with individual attention (attend to), and Heart: listen also with your heart (harken). Basically to give your undivided attention. This really struck a chord with me and I have found it to be a great tool in life.

Baptism of Christ 2021

“You are my son, the beloved; in you I am well pleased”.
Mark 1 4-11

Have you ever had one of those days when wanted to repeat the day again? A day when you wanted to start over again? There are so many things personally I wish I could go back and do differently.

Epiphany 2021: In the time of King Herod

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; Matthew 2: 1-3

Glory to God in the highest heaven

“Glory to God in the highest heaven”
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those he favours.”
Lk2:14. Amen.

2020-12-27 SMM East Window detailGosh, all that planning, shopping, wrapping of presents, not to mention the cooking and it is over so soon. I trust it was all you had hoped for under the circumstances. Using the first part of Luke’s description of the Shepherds’ encounter with the Heavenly host, we are left knowing that God in Jesus became one of us so that we might become like him, a child of God. Good news indeed.

Magazine January 2021

Parish Magazine ~ January 2021
Due to the Coronavirus ‘Lockdown’ of March 2020 onwards, the Parish magazine is published mainly online and only a few copies printed for archival purposes.

Our Curate, The Rev’d Maureen Lunn, have been writing by email to members of the congregation, and the content appears here.

Priest’s Blog: December 2020

Priest’s Blog ~ December 2020

ASK: The Second Sunday of Advent

‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me;’ Mk1: 7

Dear friends,

friends old and new, we must first thank Arch Deacon John for sharing his thoughts as we remember the Prophets. Also we stand alongside David and Gill with all their family as we lay Johanna Bird to rest in our Memorial Garden. Johanna, David’s mother, was resident at Woodbury Manor and I had the privilage of talking with her over many weeks. Don’t worry David, I won’t say a word.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!
May I speak in the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

“He’s behind you.” Oh no he isn’t! Oh yes he is! The villan of the piece is always behind you. Here we are in the midst of what would have been Panto season, it’s Christmas Day and the only day off the performers would usually get.

Advent 4: My Soul Doth Magnify The Lord

‘My Soul Doth Magnify The Lord’
Annunciation windowI have a confession to make, sometimes and especially at Evensong when I am tired, I gaze up at the window in the Lady Chapel of Mary and the Angel. Mary’s words are written underneath “My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord” and they often cause me to reflect. Could I as a young teen ever have said yes to that?

Advent 3: He grew up strong in spirit…

He grew up strong in spirit… A gift for Zechariah and Elizabeth in their old age. John the Baptist, who’s candle we light today was a prophet, perhaps the greatest of them all. John encouraged all those who came to hear his message, that the Messiah was coming soon. He used scripture to announce the greatest gift the world would … Read More

The Second Sunday in Advent

Second Sunday in Advent There is no text for this sermon. It is hoped there will be subtitles in the video Archdeacon Fr. John Hawkins, 06/12/2020

What are you waiting for? Advent Sunday

What are you waiting for? Mark 13.24-37 It will come to an end, corona virus that is. We are confident a vaccine will be developed, but we just don’t know when. We are waiting. With a pregnancy we can forecast the end point, it is usually 38-42 weeks and ends in joy. Astroscientists tell us that the sun will cool … Read More

Priest’s Blog: November 2020

Priest’s Blog ~ November 2020 ASK: The Third Sunday before Advent – Remembrance Sunday Dear friends, Friends old and new, this time last week we were sort of expecting it, the second lockdown that is, but we didn’t quite know what to expect. I really thought the Government would wait until after the services of remembrance. In anticipation I prepared … Read More

Magazine December 2020

Parish Magazine ~ December 2020 Due to the Coronavirus ‘Lockdown’ of March 2020 onwards, the Parish magazine is published mainly online and only a few copies printed for archival purposes. Our Curate, The Rev’d Maureen Lunn, have been writing by email to members of the congregation, and the content appears here. ASK: The Third Sunday before Advent – Remembrance Sunday … Read More

“When the Son of Man comes in his Glory…” – Christ the King

“When the Son of Man comes in his Glory…” Matthew 25.31-46 “When the Son of Man comes in his Glory, and all the Angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory…” Amen. Aged just four years my first memory of a news headline was of four women, faces draped in black, clustered together and united … Read More

“The Kingdom of God is like…”

“The Kingdom of God is like…” Matthew 25:14-30 The parable of the talents is among the most misunderstood texts in the New Testament. Contrary to many peoples’ belief the parable does not justify a gospel of economic prosperity. Instead, it challenges us to imitate our Master by using all that God has given us for the sake of the kingdom. … Read More

Are we ready and waiting?

Are we ready and waiting? Matthew 25: 1-13 Nestled in what is sometimes called Jesus’ end of time teaching the parable of the bridesmaids follows his warnings about the end when many will fall away from the faith and the faithful will be hated by the world. The parable in today’s reading teaches all would-be disciples of Jesus the importance … Read More

‘Right Attitudes’, ‘Right Actions’, and ‘Right Reactions’

‘Right Attitudes’, ‘Right Actions’, and ‘Right Reactions’ Matthew 5.1-12 “Remember, remember the fifth of November gunpowder, treason and plot. We see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot! Guy Fawkes, Guy, twas his intent to blow up king and parliament. Three score barrels were laid below to prove old England’s overthrow. By God’s mercy he was catchd with … Read More

Priest’s Blog: October 2020

Priest’s Blog ~ October 2020 Trinity 17: “Who’s vineyard is it?”. Dear friends Friends old and new it seems that the virus is now spreading again and more stringent regulations are being put in place across the northeast and northwest and creeping south. People, it seems are forgetting just how virulent covid-19 is and are taking risks with their behaviour. … Read More

Magazine November 2020

Parish Magazine ~ November 2020 Due to the Coronavirus ‘Lockdown’ of March 2020 onwards, the Parish magazine is published mainly online and only a few copies printed for archival purposes. Our Curate, The Rev’d Maureen Lunn, have been writing by email to members of the congregation, and the content appears here. Trinity 17: “Who’s vineyard is it?”. Dear friends Friends … Read More

Is the Messiah a priest or king, and whose son is he?

Is the Messiah a priest or king, and whose son is he? Matthew 22.34–46 So near and so far, it was almost touching distance, only twenty nine thousanths of a second and he would have won the formula one race. I am amazed in sport at just how small the difference is between winning and coming second. But that is … Read More

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