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We had no idea how many people are benefitting from these devotions. Thanks for letting us know. We will continue 2-3 times per week. Please remember to send in prayers, music selections and photos that we can share more widely.
Garden at Roselands by Julian Scamell

Spreading Love & Hope...

Welcome to today's devotion on the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightengale's birth. These resources have been gathered for your use at home during these days of physical social isolation and virtual social connection. May this devotion and the links provided help you stay connected to God and the wider community.

Thanks to Mervyn for sharing Julian's Roseland garden photos, Leslie for her garden photo and Barbara for the link to the Christian Aid song. All photos we include are copyright free, so may be used elsewhere. Please give the photographer credit.
Blessings & peace, Ana & Tod
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Fairtrade factory photo
During this Fairtrade Week may we celebrate the difference FairTrade has made in communities where working conditions are safe and wages are fair. May we also remember all those continuing to work in unhealthy conditions for substandard wages.
'The greatest heroes are those who do their duty in the daily grind of domestic affairs whilst the world whirls as a maddening dreidel.'
Florence Nightingale,
born 200 years ago today
CHRISTIAN_AID_LOGO_red

Music

'We heard the cries of distant neighbours, the dispossessed, the refugee.'
Barbara W has sent in this link to a new song, 'The Song of Kingdom Come', which has been written and composed for Christian Aid by Paul Field and Martin John Nicholls. The photographs are from Christian Aid's archive.
Click on the blue button to listen.
Send in your favourite music links to share.
My garden - Leslie Shaw

Prayer in a Time of Anxiety

Author requests to remain anonymous

It seems that I return to you most easily when I need comfort, O God.
Hello… here I am again,
knowing that you are waiting for me with love and warming light.
In the shadow of your wings
I find respite and relief
that feeds my innermost self
and renews my soul.
Day and night, you are my refuge.
These uncertain days of news conferences and quarantines
tempt me to assume the worst
for my loved ones,
myself and my community.

“Pandemic” is a frightening word,
and I can easily feel confused
or helpless to respond.
Now I am relying on you
to lead and guide me,
to put my anxiety in its place.
Help me see it as a human response that keeps me conscious
of the seriousness of this moment,
but do not let it overwhelm my spirit.
Buoyed by your love, I choose each day to let peace reign in me.
Breathing deeply of your calm, I repeat, again and again, “You are here.”

Good and gracious Companion,
my family and friends need tranquility and assurance.
Help me to offer them your tenderness. Those in my community who are suffering need care.
Help me to be generous
and to keep contact with the forgotten. Our world calls for cooperation
among national leaders, scientists, health care providers,
and all who are instrumental
in overcoming this crisis.
May my prayers and support be with them all.

I have come back to you,
and I will return, knowing that your open arms will never fail.
God of hope,
may your love blanket the earth,
as you teach us to live more generously today than yesterday.
May my anxiety be transformed
into love.

Thanks to Leslie for the uplifting photo of your garden.
20200508_125022

An Examen for Life During COVID-19

By Susan Haarman
Loyola University Chicago
Take a moment to settle. Take a deep breath. Get comfortable. Like a rock settling on the bottom of a lake after it’s thrown in, let yourself settle.

1. Acknowledge how you are feeling in this moment. If being calm is hard, acknowledge it. If you find yourself frustrated or stressed, acknowledge it. God wants to be present in all parts of our lives—not just the easy or serene moments.

2. Ask for light and insight as you prepare to review your day. For some that light may come in the form of a sense of the Divine. For others it’s from a deep sense of your true self.

3. Take a moment to think about how COVID-19 has impacted your life.
  • Even as we are being asked to distance ourselves from one another socially, ask yourself what connections you find yourself grateful for?
  • Who makes you feel grounded and connected to God?
4. Public health issues have a way of making us recognize how interwoven our lives are with others in society. It can help us realize who we may often choose not to see or connect with.
Note the emotions you feel when you think of these individuals without judging or overanalysing. Simply acknowledge them, pay attention, and listen to where God may be speaking.
  • Is there a person or group of people especially affected by COVID-19 that you don’t often choose to see or connect with normally?
  • What connections to others are you becoming more aware of?
  • Who do you normally choose to reach out and connect to?
  • Who do you avoid or refuse to see? If you can, picture the faces of these people.
  • What connections do you take for granted in your life?
  • What connections impact you the most?
5. As you think of the ways we are connected or disconnected to one another, pick a connection (or lack thereof) that seems important, significant, or is manifesting itself the strongest. Pause and reflect on where you’re being invited to grow from that moment. Take a moment to pray with it.

7. God gifted us with limitless creativity and imagination.
  • Even in this time of separation and isolation, what is one way you can maintain meaningful connection to others—whether directly, through technology, or intentional focus and attention?
  • If you haven't yet joined the zoom worship hour, what is holding you back? Might there be a solution with the help of others?
  • What radio, television or on-line programmes or worship experiences have boosted your spirit?
Take a deep breath and moment of quiet.

Say a prayer of gratitude for all the connections in your life today.

When you are ready, return to your day.
I'm not sure who sent in the above flower, but thank you. It's gorgeous!

Sunday Worship on-line 10:30

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Andover, Broad Chalke & Salisbury congregations of the United Reformed Church gather for worship. Everyone is welcome. To join the Zoom worship service, click on the button above.
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Click on the blue button above to visit Worship Words for prayers and reflections related to the Lectionary Readings for this Easter season.
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