The Cranmer Group Podcast

Annie considers how the Exodus story is our story too. For 2000 years Jesus has been leading his children through the wilderness towards God’s eternal Promise. While we travel together we are reminded to trust him each day, and that we will have all we need for the journey. (Readings: Exodus, chapter 16; and John, chapter 6, verses 28-35). 

Rev. Emily Charkham, Chaplain to the Bishop of Southwell, very kindly blessed us with her wisdom at the start of Lent. Emily shared her reflections on Exodus 12:1-13; 21-23 and 29-32 (the Passover), and John 1:19-34 (John the Baptist witnesses to Jesus). As we continue our Exodus series with the ten plagues and the Passover, Emily ask us to reflect on whether we, like Pharaoh, have hardened our he...

Annie leads us through the story of Moses and the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-15; and also looking at John 14:1-9). Through this story we discover God’s desire to draw near to each one of his children, as we travel with him through the uncertainties of life into his Kingdom of peace and plenty.

We start our new preaching series on how the story of Exodus prefigures the story of Jesus, and our journey of discipleship with him. Reflecting on how God's people  were not only oppressed in slavery in Egypt, but also heard by the Lord, Tim examines how what God promised to His people in Exodus, He embodies in Jesus. (Exodus 1:1-14 and 23-25; Luke 4:14-21)

Looking at 1 Corinthians 1:18-end, and John 2:1-11, Bronwen explores the connections between wisdom and foolishness, in the context of miracles. 

Looking especially at Jesus's calling of his first disciples in Matthew 4:12-23, Tim explores how, as we choose to follow him as his disciples, Christ accepts each one of us as we are - but never leaves us as we are. 

Tim leads us in reflecting on two of the 'Areas of Focus' in our draft Cranmer Group Strategy, about which he spoke after the service in Orston this Sunday. With reference to John 1:29-42, and our practices of prayer and discipleship as we follow Jesus, he asks us to consider where - and especially in whom - we "abide". And then, looking at 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, he encourages us...

Each one of us has been offered a priceless and personal gift by Jesus. Have we unwrapped it? And if we have, have we discovered what it is? At the start of a New Year, and looking at Revelation 3:14-22 and Matthew 5:1 and 13-16, Annie leads us through some reflections on what this might mean for each of us personally, and where we might begin.

Drawing on the Scriptures of Isaiah 60:1-6 and Matthew 2:1-12, Tim shows us how the gifts to the Christ-child from the Magi point us to him - Jesus, the Greatest Gift of All.

Reflecting on Isaiah 63:7-9 and especially Matthew 2:13-18, Tim helps us to explore how we can have confidence that - in spite of the suffering of the innocent - the redemptive work of Jesus is certain, and it is true.

Annie rounds off our Advent series, reminding us of God’s abiding presence with us, as we journey with the Holy Spirit towards Christmas, waiting expectantly for the promised return of Jesus. Readings: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-19 and Matthew 24:36-44.

Drawing on Isaiah 25:1-10 and Matthew 11:2-11, Bron encourages us to keep on praying; keep being expectant; and keep being patient. God's grace is sufficient, and He will bring to us what we need, even if it is not what we expected!

Annie continues Tim’s theme for Advent for us all to be vigilant, prayerful and active. She reminds us, referring to Psalm 98 and Luke 2:1-6, that Christmas is part of a far bigger story which is still being played out. We are called during Advent to be vigilant, expectant and joyful in anticipation of the return of Jesus.

Tim reflects on what God calls us to do, as we wait on Him in this Advent season, drawing on Romans 13:11-14, and Matthew 24:36-44.

Reflecting on Colossians 1:9-20 & Luke 23:32-43, Tim asked us the question, "So What?" As we celebrate this Feast of Christ the King, worshipping the One who rules over all, what difference - "So What?" - does Jesus's majesty and rule over all make to us and the way in which we live our lives as his disciples?

Looking at John's encouragement to us to "love with actions and in truth" (1 John 3:16-24), and Jesus's account of who our neighbour is (The Good Samaritan; Luke 10:25-37), Tim encourages us all to see that Biblically-rooted principles of safeguarding are the responsibility of everyone in our church family.

Through stories and the poetry of the World War I British Army Chaplain, Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy - better known as "Woodbine Willie" - Tim reflects on the messages of Paul's Letter to the Romans, chapter 8, verses 31-39, and Revelation, chapter 21, verses 1-7, and the hope, love and new life we find in Jesus Christ.

Bron reflects on Jesus's actions in John 18.1-12, in contrast to those of the hot-headed apostle, Peter; and also looks at the latter's teaching once he had acquired greater spiritual maturity, in 2 Peter 1:1-8. She considers how self-control helps us, as Christians,  to resist the temptation to act on simple, sinful impulses or conform to the ways of the world. True self-control is not...

Referring to God appearing to Elijah in the cave (1 Kings 19:7-13) and Jesus speaking about himself in Matthew 11:25-30, Annie speaks of gentleness as 'power under restraint', and of Jesus claiming that gentleness is at the core of who he is, and who God is.

With a bit of congregational heckling(!) and the help of a current very popular TV show, Tim considers how, in the story of Daniel in the Lion's Den (Daniel 6:1-23) and Jesus's teaching in Matthew 25:14-30, God's faithfulness to us inspires us to be faithful to him, showing courage and boldness for our King and His Kingdom.

In our Harvest Holy Communion at St. Mary's Orston, referring to the lessons of Scripture in Exodus 16:1-8, and Luke 10:25-37, Bronwen explores the harvest of goodness in God's provision for us, and the harvest of goodness in the Fruit of the Spirit.

Drawing on David's covenantal kindness to Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1-13); and Jesus's teaching to his followers (Matthew 25:31-40), that their showing of kindness to others, is as if they are being kind to him; Tim encourages us to allow the Holy Spirit to grow God's kindness in us.

Through the parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin in Luke 15:1-10, and Paul's First Letter to Timothy (chapter 1, verses 12-17), Bron highlights Jesus's unlimited patience with each one of us. Illustrated by the figure of the shepherd, searching relentlessly for, and finally finding, the lost sheep (and helped by her own illustrations of making a fruit salad and baking a Victoria...

With some help from one of our family's favourite children's books - and Paul's letter to the Philippians, chapter 4, verses 4-9, and John chapter 14, verses 15-27 - Tim explains how God's gift of peace is one which is based not on the absence of the things which may bring anxiety and care into our lives. Rather, the Fruit of the Spirit which is God's peace, is based on pr...

Annie continues our series on the Fruit of the Spirit by considering the gift of Joy, referring to 1 Peter 1:1-9 and Mark 1:1-8. Unlike happiness, joy doesn’t depend on our circumstances but remains with us, even in adversity. It’s closely tied to Grace and grows as our confidence in the ‘Good News’ of God’s Kingdom flourishes, and is a fruit intended for us to share to bring life to those around...