Saint Swithun's Blog
A blog by the Reverend Jane Kustner, Priest-In-Charge at Saint Swithun's Church in Hither Green London; sermons, newsletters and discussions
We haven’t earned anything
Mon, 01 Aug 2016 11:14:36 +0000
Luke 12.13-21; Colossians 3.1-11; Psalm 49; Ecclesiastes 1.2,12-14;2.18-23 How many of you watch Made in Chelsea? We seem to have a fascination with the super rich. There was an article last week in the ES magazine as well as programmes on the TV. about the Instagram generation. One enthusiastic Instagram user is a son […]
Remembrance Sunday: Poppies in the mess we create
Mon, 09 Nov 2015 10:35:42 +0000
Jonah 3.1-5;Psalm 62.5-end; Romans 8.31-39; James; John 15.9-17 Why do we wear a poppy? Because in the devastated and broken ground of Flanders, poppies sprang up in their innocent beauty to honour the blood of the dead but also to bring a sign of life and hope. War and bloodshed are one of the most […]
All Saints 2015: It’s all about Mary
Mon, 09 Nov 2015 10:09:28 +0000
Isaiah 25.6-9; Psalm 24.1-6; Revelation 21.1-6a; John 11.32-44 A few years ago at a Christian Festival a young girl of around 8 said this in response to a question “What do you understand about eternal life? She said “eternal life is living forever with Jesus in my heart”.. Yesterday I was talking to a young […]
3 After Trinity – Set me free!
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 08:29:30 +0000
Zechariah 9.9-12; Psalm 145.8-15; Romans 7.15-25a; Matthew 11.16-19,25-end Next week we celebrate another anniversary of the Narcotics Anonymous group that meets in the Lower Hall every Thursday evening. It has been going for 4 years and in that time there are people who have become clean through of the support of that group; set free […]
First Sunday after Trinity – What have you got to lose?
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 08:06:10 +0000
Jeremiah 20.7-13; Psalm 69.8-17; Romans 6.1b-11; Matthew 10.24-39 Do you know people who are full of good advice? People who are experts in your life and your future? People who know what is best for you? Of course you do and some of them have your best interests at heart – and sadly some of […]
Pentecost – shall I get the buckets and close the windows?
Wed, 09 Jul 2014 07:51:51 +0000
Numbers 11.24-30; Acts 2.1-21; Psalm 104.26-end; John 20.19-23 Last week we read in our Gospel that Jesus told his disciples to remain, to wait for power from on high. And they did. And while they were waiting they were worshiping and praising God in anticipation for the blessing that would come to them at Pentecost. […]
Sunday after Ascension – People of the living Word in a world of Quotation Marks
Thu, 05 Jun 2014 06:08:24 +0000
Easter 7- Ezekiel 36.24-28; Acts 1.6-14; Luke 24.44-53 Returning from a walk with Angel this week I spotted a person going into the front garden of the church with a dog. This was a woman, wearing a track suit and having the look of a person from the hostel. Do you know what I did? […]
Thu, 05 Jun 2014 06:07:17 +0000
6th Sunday of Easter: Genesis 8.20-9.17; Acts 17.22-31; John 14.15-21 This morning we are going to renew the marriage vows of a couple in our family here at St Swithuns. I will try to make a connection with this and our readings this morning. Happy Valley is a television series which explores the descent into […]
In him we live and move and have our being – marriage as a vehicle of the Gospel
Wed, 04 Jun 2014 12:30:21 +0000
6th Sunday of Easter: Genesis 8.20-9.17; Acts 17.22-31; John 14.15-21 This morning we are going to renew the marriage vows of a couple in our family here at St Swithuns. I will try to make a connection with this and our readings this morning. Happy Valley is a television series which explores the descent into […]
Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life – are you ready for the adventure?
Wed, 04 Jun 2014 12:13:07 +0000
Genesis 8.1-19; Acts 7.55-end; John 14.1-14 Yesterday at Hither Green Festival Fayre a young man told me his story of a miracle. He had been a heroin addict and so had his partner. They had a little girl together. He had kicked the habit – still on the alcohol but working with Narcotics Anonymous – […]