Chantry Methodist Church

19/06/2026

Today’s thought for the day is brought to us by Christine O’Neill

Learning and Caring

If the other weeks have emphasised using our voices and ears/heart, this week is about touch. So many of our people today never feel the touch of another. I appreciate that safeguarding is an important consideration, but it is sad that we are reticent to hold a hand or stroke a back or give a comforting hug. We have to be innovative in ways we show support and care – maybe a card or a call, a text or an email – just to show we care.

In our prayers we often use the word ‘intercession’ when we talk about persistent praying for others. It means ‘to come in between’ God and the person we are praying for. One example is Abraham in Genesis 18, praying for S***m and Gomorrah – praying that God won’t destroy the cities if He finds a certain number of righteous people there – the number is negotiated down to ten, out of a calculated population of 10,000. One in a thousand – and they couldn’t find even that number, and we know what happened.

In order to be a powerful intercessor, one has to have a strong relationship with God to be able to approach Him with Holy Boldness and negotiate within the restrictions of knowing God’s Will. Imagine what could happen if we all approached God with that kind of boldness and knowledge of God!

Prayer –
O God, As we consider our churches – especially Woodbridge, Peasenhall, Framlingham, Knodishall, Orford and Leiston we pray for spiritual growth and support. You know each gathering and their needs. We pray for those in our circuit who give the care – our superintendent, ministers, lay workers, stewards, pastoral and youth workers. We pray for our circuit and decisions that may need to be made about personnel and future care. Make us bold for You. Amen


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18/06/2026

Today’s thought for the day is brought to us by William Glasse

Running on empty

Those of us who drive know the anxiety of wondering whether the fuel will run out before we reach the garage. I now have an all-electric car and, while most people worry about battery range, I am actually happier because I am less likely to take the risks I once did. Yes, perversely, I am not like most people — there is no need to tell me.

I never cease to be amazed by the skill of those who compile the lectionary, offering passages that prompt us to notice unexpected connections. In these ‘Thoughts for the Day’, I often refer to the daily reading, but I have not previously drawn together both readings and the suggested hymn.

Running on empty may be like the wedding at Cana (John 2:1–12) — the joy, like the wine, has quietly run out and we’re not even sure when it happened. Sometimes it’s like the psalmist (Psalm 55:1–8) — fear, pressure, or grief leave us longing to fly away from everything. Where can we go to be alone and to hide?

In both moments, Scripture shows us a God who meets us where we are. Jesus fills empty jars with new wine. The psalmist cries out, and God listens.

Charles Wesley’s hymn Author of Life Divine (StF 572) reminds us that Christ still meets us at the table of our need. He takes what is ordinary — bread, wine, our tired lives — and fills them with grace.

And perhaps that is the quiet invitation in both passages: not to hide our emptiness, but to bring it honestly before God. The servants at Cana simply filled the jars as Jesus asked, and the psalmist did not pretend to be strong; he prayed from the middle of his distress. We can do the same. We do not need perfect faith or polished words. We only need to come as we are, trusting that God can hold what we carry and make room for hope to rise again.

Emptiness is not the end of the story. It’s often the place where God begins.

A Prayer
Loving God, when we find ourselves running on empty — when joy has drained away like the wine at Cana and our hearts echo the psalmist’s cry for rest — fill us again with your quiet, steady grace. Meet us in our need, transform our weariness into strength, and renew us with the life that flows from Christ, the author of all hope and the giver of every good gift. Amen.

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17/06/2026

17/06/2026

Every week, we publish a 10 minute service to help you relax, refresh and renew. Make yourself a drink and join us at a time to suit you by clicking the following link : https://bit.ly/3rKggKa

17/06/2026

Today’s thought for the day is brought to us by Judy Steward

My fourth and last thought from Bristol is inspired by my visit to the harbour. I was advised that a walk round Bristol harbour is one of the most pleasurable experiences of sightseeing in Bristol. In fact, it was bitterly cold when I was there and we opted for a boat trip in a covered over boat that was comfortable and informative.

I had heard the harbour referred to as a floating harbour and learned that the engineering project completed in 1809 to complete this was needed because the River Avon has the second highest tidal variation in the world of up to 12 metres. Before the floating harbour was created boats could get stuck in mud at low tide for weeks and much time was lost when boats could not load and unload their cargo. So, the harbour is now a man-made waterway at a constant level, with the River Avon diverted into the New Cut. No longer a commercial harbour since Avonmouth has taken over that role, the harbour is now a thriving leisure destination.

On June 7th 2020 Bristol harbour became the focus of the News when the statue of slave trader Edward Colston was torn down and thrown into the water. The monument, erected in 1895, had been the subject of years of local campaigning and petitions to get it removed. It was later retrieved from the water and taken to the M Shed Museum on the waterfront where it is displayed lying horizontally and covered in graffiti. The 4 protestors who toppled it were later found not guilty of criminal damage. Over the years many citizens of Bristol had defended Colston's reputation, pointing to the considerable contribution he had made to hospitals and schools within the city. But following the murder of George Floyd in America in May 2020 feelings ran high across the UK and the statue of Colston could no longer remain in a place of honour on the waterfront. Colston had transported and trafficked an estimated 84,000 to 100,000 enslaved African men, women and children to America. Due to the appalling and inhumane conditions on board the ships an estimated 19,000 to 20,000 enslaved Africans died on board the ships and had their bodies discarded into the ocean.


At the church of St Mary, Redcliffe, near to the harbour, there has been some rethinking following the heart searching in Bristol about Edward Colston and his legacy. A stained-glass window dedicated to him has been removed and much thought has gone into what should replace it. They ran a competition to find designs that would be consistent with the church's modern values of compassion, inclusivity and justice.

The winning design has 4 windows. The first shows Christ calming the storm on the raging seas during the Transatlantic slave trade. In the second Jesus is shown as one of the protestors during the Bristol Bus Boycott that paved the way for the Race Relations Act. The third panel depicts the current refugee crisis and echoes the Holy Family's flight into Egypt. The final panel shows a diverse group of neighbours facing the future in a display of hope and togetherness. The panels connect us back to the parable of the Good Samaritan and ask the question, " Who is my neighbour?"

Prayer - Father God ,We thank you for.those who are planning to portray through art the love you have for people of all races. May we be open to learning from the mistakes of the past.


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16/06/2026

Today’s thought for the day is brought to us by David Stone

Concluding the seven reflections on the Prayer Card from the Christian organisation called Medical Missionary News (https://mmn.uk.com), Sunday’s prayer is PRAISE GOD

“Thank God for the lives that have been transformed through the work of our partners. Many have received care, support and help which has made a real difference to their lives. Others have been changed as they have met with Jesus through the medical outreach.”

I am reminded of the Bible story known as The Good Samaritan. Dr Richard Fox, a man I was privileged to meet several times during my business life, was the author of a book written about the organisation known as The Samaritans. Referring to the Bible story, he stated, “When the Samaritan came across the injured man, he didn’t make an appointment for him at the Jerusalem hospital; rather, he did something about it by taking care of him”. It probably cost the man time, energy and finance, and then we do not hear any more about him. In a recent sermon, I realised for the first time that the Samaritan might have become the victim of an ambush.

Today, depending on circumstances, it might be unwise to stop and help someone in need, but rather call on emergency services that should be better equipped to deal with the situation.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, as we commit each day to You, may we know how to react to any situation, AMEN



If you have any contributions for thought of the day, please send them to: [email protected]

15/06/2026

The Ipswich Circuit's month of prayer enters its third week today. We are lifting the future of the Ipswich Circuit and all the decisions that have to be made in prayer.

This week, we are especially praying for the circuit churches of Woodbridge, Framlingham, Orford, Knodishall, Leiston and Peasenhall. Please pray for the circuit and these churches especially during the next 7 days. We are trying to have as many people as possible praying at 6pm each day wherever you are so if you can pray at this time please do :)...

15/06/2026

Today’s thought for the day is brought to us by Liz Cope

Marseille

Marseille is a port on the south coast of France. It has had a rather dark reputation for gang violence and drug criminality. However, it is a vibrant and fascinating Mediterranean city steeped in history, from Greek times to present day. It was particularly affected in WW2 when the gestapo, with the help of the French police, rounded up over 40000 Jews in 2 days. Many of these were deported to prison and concentration camps where they succumbed to the cruelty of the N**i regime. There is a museum near the port of Saint Jean at the entrance to the old port, the Memorial to the Deportations. It was set up in 1995 in an old bunker, used by the N**is during the war, to commemorate 50 years since the liberation of the concentration camps. There are individual testimonies to those who were rounded up and sent to the concentration camps, many of whom never returned, but some did only to find hardship readjusting to life without loved ones in post war France.

On the top floor of the exhibition is a sculpture by Jean Marc Bourry depicting “The Threat of Barbarism” with a central angular pointed, rather menacing piece. On each side are twelve 2m vertical columns representing the twelve tribes of Israel. The furthest ones are thicker and smoother with more vivid colouration. As the columns get nearer to the central menacing feature they become thinned, with a darker and rougher surface. Bourry writes, “the extreme violence of the cruel threat of barbarism reduces a person’s body to decay, passing through all stages of suffering.”

The whole exhibition was a stark reminder of how cruel one person, or one regime, can be to another, and sadly this continues to this day in one form or another, (not on the scale of the holocaust).

Prayer: Loving God, we are reminded of the cruelty of one regime against your chosen people, all descendants from the twelve tribes of Israel. We are reminded of the suffering of those people in Marseille who were treated so cruelly simply because of their Jewish heritage. We are also reminded of areas of the world today where one regime is at war with another, where the cruelty of war, the devastation caused by bombs dropped and the damage to lives through hatred and violence. We long for peace, for an end to suffering brought about by our actions or inactions. In your mercy we pray. Amen


If you have any contributions for thought of the day, please send them to: [email protected]

14/06/2026

Rev. Vivienne Smith brings us this weeks recorded sermon. The sermon can be viewed by clicking the following link https://bit.ly/3cpjlty.

14/06/2026

Today’s thought for the day is brought to us by Rev Paulson Devasahayam

Albums are always good to look at and cherish some beautiful memories. Recently, during our wedding anniversary, I had the opportunity to look through our wedding albums, and it brought back many precious memories and joyful moments. However, as I see new wedding videos and photos on social media, especially from the weddings of friends and relatives back home, I can clearly see how much the whole wedding culture has changed over the years.

One thing that really caught my attention is the special performances that are now added, especially during wedding receptions—the dances by the couple, parents, siblings, children, and almost everyone! They recreate famous movie songs and dance performances. It is really funny, joyful, and heartwarming to see some of our own family members dancing and performing so confidently and beautifully.

As we are observing Trinity Sunday today, Perichoresis is an important word in Christian tradition, especially when we speak about the Holy Trinity. Interestingly, the word is often connected with the image of a traditional Greek wedding dance. In that dance, there are not just two dancers, but at least three. They move in circles, weaving in and out with beautiful rhythm and harmony. As the dance becomes faster, they remain perfectly connected, yet each person keeps their own unique identity.

What a beautiful image for the Trinity! The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit living in perfect love, perfect unity, and perfect relationship—moving together, making room for one another, yet never losing their distinct personhood. Trinity is not a mathematical puzzle to solve, but a divine relationship of love to enter into.

Perhaps Trinity Sunday asks us some simple but searching questions:

Am I making room for others?

Am I creating space for love, grace, and belonging?

Am I living in relationships that reflect mutual respect?

Shall we dance!

Prayer: Triune God, we ask your blessing upon our lives, that we may imitate your love, harmony, unity, and grace. Help us to make room for one another, to live in relationships of mutual care and respect, and to reflect your divine communion in our homes, churches, and communities.

As the hymn reminds us:

Dance, then, wherever you may be,

I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,

And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,

And I’ll lead you all in the Dance, said he.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.



If you have any contributions for thought of the day, please send them to: [email protected]