Rector's Thoughts

“Be still and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10

What tyranny does the world face today?

The world hums with an unrelenting static.
Notifications ding.
Conversations fragment.
News cycles churn. Even in our solitude,
the noise follows us—echoing in our thoughts, looping through our fears, filling every empty space with a frantic urgency.

This is the tyranny of noise—not only digital, but emotional and spiritual. It seeps into our bones, convincing us that productivity is peace and distraction is rest.

May we all know quiet, peace, and stillness of our souls. Only then will we truly know that God is God.

Rev’d Stephen Monk

Thought for October

Dear Friends.

I know it’s a bit of a cheat but I think we need to reflect on baptism and what it means to us. We often have folk ask about baptism but often they maybe aren’t sure what they’re asking about. Here’s a bit of a sermon I preach in September, I thought it may be a point of reflection. But can I please remind you it’s everyone’s job to build up the Body of Christ in all of our five churches. So invite people to church; invite them to think about baptisms and weddings and maybe confirmation.

The Grace of Baptism

Scripture: Romans 6:3–4  “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”   Today we reflect upon one of the beautiful gifts of God to His Church: the grace of baptism.  Baptism is not simply a ceremony. It is not merely a tradition passed down from generation to generation. Baptism points us to the saving work of Jesus Christ and reminds us that our Christian life begins—not with what we have done for God, but with what God has done for us.

1. Baptism is a gift of God’s grace

Grace means God’s undeserved love and favour.

We do not earn God’s grace. We cannot buy it, achieve it, or make ourselves worthy of it. God gives it freely.

Ephesians 2:8 says:  “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”  Baptism reminds us that salvation begins with God.

Before we could reach out to God, God reached out to us. Before we could understand the depth of His love, He loved us. Before we could offer Him anything, He offered us the gift of His Son.   When we look at the waters of baptism, therefore, we should not primarily see water. We should see a sign pointing us toward Christ and His grace.

2. Baptism unites us with Christ

Paul tells us that those who are baptized into Christ are united with Him in His death and resurrection.  Baptism speaks of dying to the old life and rising to a new life.

The old ways of sin, selfishness, pride and separation from God do not have the final word. In Christ, there is the possibility of a new beginning.

The water becomes a powerful picture:

Down into the water—death to the old.
Up from the water—new life in Christ.

This does not mean that Christians will never struggle or fall. We still face temptation, weakness and sin. But baptism reminds us that our identity is no longer defined by our failures.  We belong to Christ.

When we fall, grace calls us back.
When we are weak, grace strengthens us.
When we are lost, grace seeks us.
When we despair, grace reminds us that Christ has not abandoned us.

3. Baptism reminds us that we are God’s children

At the baptism of Jesus, the voice of the Father declared:

“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” — Matthew 3:17

Baptism points us toward our identity as God’s beloved people.

The world constantly asks us to prove ourselves.

We may be tempted to measure our worth by our achievements, our possessions, our appearance, our reputation, or the opinions of others. But God’s grace tells us something different: You are loved by God. Every one of you.

Our deepest identity is not found in what we accomplish. It is found in belonging to Christ.

This is why baptism should be a source of hope throughout our entire Christian life. We may change. Circumstances may change. Our emotions may change. But God’s faithfulness does not change.

4. Baptism calls us to live differently

Grace is free, but grace is never meaningless.

Paul asks in Romans 6:1:

“Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?”

His answer is emphatic: “By no means!”

Baptism is not permission to remain the same. It is a call to live as people who have received new life.

If we have been marked by Christ, then our lives should increasingly reflect Christ.

We are called to forgive because Christ has forgiven us.

We are called to love because Christ has loved us.

We are called to serve because Christ came not to be served, but to serve.

We are called to show mercy because we have received mercy.

The grace we receive should become the grace we give.

5. Baptism is a reminder for the whole journey

Baptism happens at a particular moment, but its meaning accompanies us throughout our lives.  There will be days when our faith feels strong and days when it feels weak.

There will be moments of joy and moments of sorrow.

There will be times when we feel close to God and times when God seems distant.

In all those moments, we can remember God’s promise and say: I belong to Christ.

Baptism reminds us that the Christian life is not about constantly trying to earn God’s love. It is about learning to live from the love that God has already shown us in Christ.

May I finish where I started;  with grace of Jesus Christ.

Let us remember the grace we have received.

Let us turn away from sin.

Let us walk in faith.

Let us forgive one another.

Let us love one another.

And above all, let us keep our eyes fixed upon Christ, who calls us from death to life.

May we live every day remembering the truth that baptism proclaims:

We (YOU) are God’s beloved people, united with Christ, washed by His grace, and called to live a new life.

 Amen.

Rev'd Stephen Monk