Author | Lightnews

When innocence is fractured

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 1d

Prayers for the next weeks and the moments you instinctively go to ring with some news or think to pop across. I still do it six months on. 🙏🏽🙏🏽

1 3

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 2d

This hymn was Written in response to the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004. It feels appropriate for all those in the Caribbean facing the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. If you sing it, the best tune is Aurelia (The Church's One Foundation).
lyricsandlongings.net/song-index/w...

When innocence is fractured by nature’s shifting force, and paradise is ruptured as life is swept off course. We come to pray our questions, we come to share our grief; in this, our act of worship,…

lyricsandlongings.net

Wondering with the Word: restitution

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 2d

3/3 outstanding - I know that sounds very condescending of me, but I don't know how else to say it in just a few words. Onwards and upwards! May God continue to bless your outstanding work while sitting down/standing up.

You can read the post here: revgareth.substack.com/p/wondering-...

No one can be privately righteous while participating in and profiting from a programme that robs and crushes other persons.

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 2d

2/3 your thoughts and have been given renewed energy. Your comments would be a great read and challenge for all in public life (including faith leadership), politics and local government. Your weekly items always chime with me but this week's is ...

Wondering with the Word: restitution

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 2d

1/3 I’ve been really encouraged by one subscriber’s response to this week’s Substack post on Zacchaeus. They wrote:
‘… a huge thank you for this. I shared it with my fellow worship leader at church, and it transpires that we have both really appreciated and valued ...

No one can be privately righteous while participating in and profiting from a programme that robs and crushes other persons.

Wondering with the Word: restitution

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 5d

"I long for a world where the outsider can find the door that lets them inside. I long for more stories of how rejected and written-off ‘failures’ can amaze us with their achievements." This week's reflection. revgareth.substack.com/p/wondering-...

No one can be privately righteous while participating in and profiting from a programme that robs and crushes other persons.

Wondering with the Word: honest to God

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 7d

Still pondering tomorrow's message? This may help revgareth.substack.com/p/wondering-...

If you worship yourself it’s hardly surprising that you think you’ve got this life business sorted. Frankly, if you’re that good, what else is there to pray for?

Wondering with the Word: honest to God

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 8d

I agree, Nick. And, to be honest, it's about time. All my adult life. politics has been about defeating the other. Oh for a maturity that sees the benefit of working together for the good of the country.

Nick Webb @nickwebb2017.bsky.social · 8d

With new voting system for the Senedd in Wales next year, it looks certain the next government here will be a coalition. Choice between Plaid & Labour, maybe needing Greens and/or LibDems, and Reform/Conservative. It’ll need more mature politics either way, as much of Europe is already aware. #Wales

2

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 8d

Politics in Wales feels a little less nasty this morning. Thankfully Farage's Regress party has fallen at its latest electoral hurdle. Caerphilly has told him, 'We're not that kind of people.' @bbcwales.bsky.social #ReformRegress #Regress #Senedd

1 1

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 10d

'God offers mercy to those of us who are willing to acknowledge our need of it but it requires honest self-examination to offer our true selves to God in prayer.' This week's Substack on being honest to God. open.substack.com/pub/revgaret...

If you worship yourself it’s hardly surprising that you think you’ve got this life business sorted. Frankly, if you’re that good, what else is there to pray for?

Jonathan Veira sings God Who Knows Our Darkest Moments (Aberfan hymn)

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 11d

My family's story is inextricably linked to the Aberfan Disaster 59 years ago today. My father-in-law, the Rev Irving Penberthy, was the Methodist minister in the village that day in 1966. Now nearly 95, he remembers every detail. Here's my hymn. youtu.be/LOpJg927V18?...

YouTube video by The Revd Gareth Hill

youtu.be

1 4 6

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 12d

A reflection on being honest to God. open.substack.com/pub/revgaret...

Wondering with the Word: honest to God

If you worship yourself it’s hardly surprising that you think you’ve got this life business sorted. Frankly, if you’re that good, what else is there to pray for?

Wondering with the Word: ascent

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 14d

For the late late sermon shapers, here's a reflection on finding God in the walking, singing and pilgrimage. open.substack.com/pub/revgaret...

It seems a good plan to recover the idea that any journey can be a spiritual high point, rejoicing that God in Christ walks alongside us

Wondering with the Word: ascent

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 17d

Who walks with you? This week's reflection on a Psalm of Ascent. open.substack.com/pub/revgaret...

It seems a good plan to recover the idea that any journey can be a spiritual high point, rejoicing that God in Christ walks alongside us

Wondering with the Word: ascent

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 17d

The Latvian national anthem is great and that was such a beautiful rendition. #LatvEng

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 19d

Walking as faithful worship. open.substack.com/pub/revgaret...

It seems a good plan to recover the idea that any journey can be a spiritual high point, rejoicing that God in Christ walks alongside us

Wondering with the Word: leper

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 21d

Nearly 800 downloads of a reflection on how including the outsider is an act of grace. open.substack.com/pub/revgaret...

I cannot find anything to justify in the attitudes of those claiming to be followers of Jesus Christ and yet who want to turn anyone unlike them into 21st Century lepers

Wondering with the Word: leper

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 21d

Finished my morning walk to find my favourite coffee shop has Hallowe'enified itself. Disappointed. I hate Hallowe'en.

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 22d

Stand by for a Trump explosion. #NobelPeacePrize

3

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 23d

I know exactly what you mean. My Dad died in April and we're struggling to sell the house. It's now being progressively emptied of furniture and possessions and feels less like Dad's every time I go in.

1 1

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 24d

Well, this seems to have hit a chord, with hundreds of downloads and reads since Monday. Reflecting on who you exclude. revgareth.substack.com/p/wondering-...

I cannot find anything to justify in the attitudes of those claiming to be followers of Jesus Christ and yet who want to turn anyone unlike them into 21st Century lepers

Wondering with the Word: leper

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 26d

Who is the outsider to you? open.substack.com/pub/revgaret...

I cannot find anything to justify in the attitudes of those claiming to be followers of Jesus Christ and yet who want to turn anyone unlike them into 21st Century lepers

Wondering with the Word: baton

Rev Gareth Hill @revgareth.bsky.social · 28d

Pass it on! revgareth.substack.com/p/wondering-...

Our dilemma is that we have dozens of churches where there are few people actively engaged in passing on the faith to others