Maldon URC

27/03/2026

21/01/2026

"This morning, as I awoke, I turned on the radio and heard an incredulous Amul Rajan reading a letter from Mr Trump to the Norwegian Prime Minister. The American president has linked threats to seize Greenland to his failure to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. I’ve spent the rest of the day with Classic FM as it’s better for my blood pressure."

The Revd Andy Braunston, Minister for Digital Worship, reflects on Mortal Rulers. To read his reflection see,
https://mailchi.mp/urc/put-no-trust-in-rulers-in-mortals-in-whom-there-is-no-help

01/07/2025

Update: the vote is estimated to take place around 7pm this evening.

Today the government votes on welfare cuts. Let’s pray for them and for a society that centres the poorest and most marginalised.

Image description: A closeup of grass with a white flower, blue sky in the background. The text reads:

On 01 July, the government will vote on a bill that would cut welfare significantly.
If passed, this bill will have a hugely negative effect on disabled people.
We pray for all MPs voting; may you vote with compassion and God’s grace in your hearts. May we, as a society, help those who need it, lift up those who are let down, and leave no person alone in the margins.

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbours for their good, to build them up. Romans: 15:1-2

20/06/2025

Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, Archbishop of Tehran-Ispahan urges negotiation and described the situation of Christians in Iran as being “between the cross and hope” where resolution can come only through prayer.

So, today we stand with the Cardinal and Iranian Christians, with the starving people of Gaza and the beleaguered people of Israel, between the Cross and hope. Jesus is crucified again in His people as the nations rage furiously together and, in their warfare, ignore the suffering Messiah dying silently in His people, praying for peace and reconciliation, rejected by the powerful and insular. We pray and have hope; a hope not grounded in the machinations of Messers Trump and Netanyahu but in the suffering Lord who longs to rise again in peace.

Let’s pray

O Most High
the nations rage and fight,
they prepare for war not peace,
and we have no words.

Crucified God,
again and again you die in your people,
as the forces of imperial might
love death not life,
and hide in the dark instead of seeing the truth in the light,
and we have no words.

Most Holy Spirit,
as simple fools we hope for peace,
we long for weapons to be beaten into ploughshares,
for flourishing in Israel, Gaza, and Iran,
and for our words and prayers for peace to be no longer needed.
Amen.

(From URC Daily Devotions, by Andy Braunston)

11/06/2025

Great to meet the Coat of Hopes last week

At each stop, patches were added that illustrated the hopes and dreams of those who encountered it.