Sermons from All Souls Church

Tim uses a comedian's imaginary visit to a fortune teller last year to open this sermon. He speaks of the upheaval that coronavirus has wrought on our society and how lament is an appropriate response (as well as humour) to our changed circumstances. He invites us to open up, to others and to God, with our raw emotions, questions and unpolished prayers; reminding us of the bible's flow - creation,...

Jamie looks forward to a time when there is nothing we can do for Jesus other than acknowledge he is Lord. But for now, we have the opportunity to "act justly, love mercy, walk humbly" and demonstrate our transformation through how we act toward those we encounter day by day.

Jane contrasts the self absorption of James and John with the humility of Jesus who, on his way to the cross, was not to be distracted by the adoring crown but did hear the cry of Bartimaeus, who boldly asked for what he needed and having received, followed.

Donna relates her own experiences of prison ministry and considers when mercy is just. Whilst some cry "Where is God?" she shows how simply being with each other is such a positive, purposeful expression of hope.

Donna begins with a family memory of a familiar meeting place under the clock at Charing Cross - a safe place to return to when lost. With an uncertain future as we emerge from a normality stripped by a virus to an economy shattered by disruption and a society on edge with racial tension she asks us to reflect on the communion table Jesus metaphorically made from the cross - a place where grace is...

Bishop Graham reminds us that Trinity Sunday, after Christmas, Easter, Ascension and Pentecost, is when we remember that God is with us through his Spirit - making Jesus near. In a time of physical isolation, when we are still largely confined to our homes, and the peristent separation that lingers in so much of society, we are to look out for the Holy Spirit working among us; bringing about unity...

Bishop Sarah takes us back to the tower of Babel and humanity's desire to take control. She reflects on how the division then, when people lost their ability to understand one another, was reversed at Pentecost when the disciples shared the good news and all understood. The message was taken out to the ends of the earth and she talks about how we are called to be in community with the diversity of...

Donna considers liminal spaces - moments of transition - and invites us to reflect on how God gives gifts for us to encourage one another. With a beautiful comparison from a Bushy Park encounter she commends us to welcome the uncertainty and trust God during the gaps so that we too can exclaim "I did it!".

Donna encourages us to appreciate our times in the wilderness. She recalls her own times in physical deserts - in the Namib and Israel - and reflects on how we can appreciate such times. "Look up" and persevere, even if it feels like you're trudging through treacle, is her encouragement and recognise that such experiences can be used to shape, form, mould and direct us.

Donna encourages us to be intoxicated with the Holy Spirit; trusting in God to help us deal with the unexpected side swipes of life. Look around, listen and experience joy in these virus times - stepping out to speak with strangers and reaching out to those who we've lost touch with - taking risks and spreading hope in the lockdown.

Donna begins our new series - 'Abiding Presence', where we take a look at the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives today. We start at the very beginning ("a very good place to start") - by exploring the role of the Holy Spirit in creation.

We all make mistakes. Sometimes our intentions are right but we don't follow through then look back and regret. Peter had such an experience denying Jesus three times. In this session Donna highlights Jesus's faithfulness. She shows how Jesus singled out Peter after his denial to reassure him he is loved and give him, three times, opportunity to state his love in return.

With references ranging from Captain Tom to doubting Thomas, Donna encourages us all to "not be afraid". Four weeks (in the UK) into lockdown she mentions the surge in Google searches for "prayer" and relates her own experience of being encouraged to "have a word with your boss" whilst out shopping in Marks & Spencer. As we battle against this unseen enemy she nudges us to look out for Jesus actin...

Donna causes us to pause on angelic visitations - they appear like lightening, are frightening and come with clear instructions (even if 'why' isn't obvious). When so many are thinking about their lives and, fearful of death, risk their thoughts being sucked in to the tomb she encourages us to look to Jesus - and recognise he is calling us by name to acknowledge in quiet confidence that he is rise...

Donna shares her own reflections for Holy week. With references from many budding Mary Berrys to a missionary with coke and prawn cocktail crisps she encourages us to be as trusting in God with our external circumstances as our inner spiritual lives - but don't expect predictability.

Lockdown week 2 (in the UK) and a soundtrack intro from Donna as she reflects on the tunes we each might turn to as we contemplate the long and winding road ahead. Unprecedented for this generation isn't any surprise to God so she encourages us all to reflect on God's goodness and reset our daily routines so we keep connected with him, and to get on (rather than off) social media to stay connected...

On his last Sunday as vicar Richard reached out to 150 "locked rooms" of those listening and watching to All Souls' first livestream in a Coronavirus context. Reflecting on 3 mountain occasions, he considers Jesus as king on the mountain and in the valley and how we each need to remember this truth in these strange times... with the opportunity to do something new with the God who comes to us wher...

Richard draws up back to God's amazing grace. He reminds us how Jesus suffers with us and steps into the locked room of our fear to hug us... and send us out to do practical things to help our neighbours.

Richard gives a short talk as part of the Sunday morning all-age service at the end of Soul Journey 2020

Revd Charles Hudson - speaker for our weekend away (6-8th March 2020) in the last of his three talks.

Revd Charles Hudson - speaker for our weekend away (6-8th March 2020) in the second of his three talks.

Revd Charles Hudson - speaker for our weekend away (6-8th March 2020) in the first of his three talks.

Matt 4 1-11 The Temptation of Jesus - fully and perfectly human by All Souls Church in St Margarets near Twickenham

As we look forward to stepping into Lent Donna encourages us to reflect God's light. Calling on a breadth of examples - from NASA's photos of the earth to refugee camps in Uganda to an unexpected headstand - she motivates us to refresh, refuel and shine!

The (soon to be) venerable Richard reminds us that Jesus is our great high priest, who has sacrificed himself for us. The writer of today's passage asks "Given what God has already done, how might you respond?". Richard considers the weekly reality we all face of a "Monday morning moment" when the weight of responsibility may feel too much, and encourages us to accept and reflect on God's gift and...