Chaplain's Reflection

9 March 2026

In the Bible, a guy called Moses in Exodus 17 had some enemies to defeat. God told Moses if he held up his staff in the battle, his army would prevail. During the battle his arms grew tired and started to drop down, the victory began to slip away from them.

Aaron who was the brother of Moses and Hur a member of his leadership team noticed — and instead of standing by, they stood with him. They held up his arms until the sun went down and a great victory over their enemy was achieved.

Moses had the calling, but he still needed support. The victory came not from one leader’s strength, but from shared strength. The strength of a community

As a community, we all have moments when our arms feel heavy with burdens that we carry, difficult situations, unexpected challenges, and general stuff. This story reminds us that we are not meant to carry the weight alone. Sometimes we lead. Sometimes we hold up someone else’s arms. Both roles matter significantly.

When we support one another, encourage one another, and step in when someone is weary, we create victories that none of us could achieve alone.

May we continue to lift each other up and in doing so, strengthen our entire community.

All of you are in my thoughts and prayers.

2 March 2026

I just want to encourage you this week, starting with a story from the Bible. Everywhere Jesus went, large crowds followed him. On this particular occasion, 5000 were there. After listening to what Jesus had to say, the crowd were hungry.

Faced with a huge crowd and extremely limited resources, Jesus’s disciples saw only what they lacked. But Jesus focused on what was already in their hands. Five loaves and two fish, A packed lunch brought to the gathering by a child and through that small offering, something incredible happened. Everyone was fed with baskets of food left over.

As we are out in the big wide world, it can be easy to notice what feels insufficient: not enough time, energy, capacity, or even patience. 

Yet this story gently reminds us that what we bring to our community. Our personalities, compassion, experience, humour, and care which are more than enough to begin with.

When we offer what we have, however small it may seem, it can be multiplied in ways we may never fully see.

In our community, small acts matter enormously: a word of encouragement to a neighbour, a moment of extra patience with people we find difficult, a smile at adversity, or a quiet check-in with someone who seems unsettled or discouraged.

These are our “loaves and fish.” They may not feel dramatic, but collectively they create an environment where our community can flourish.

As we step into this next week, may we remember that we are not alone. We are part of a community body, all needed to share the load and the joy.

May we trust and be encouraged that the small, faithful things we do each day have lasting impact — often far beyond what we can measure.

God bless you all and all that you do.

6 February 2026

Just a little encouragement for you for this week. I really hope you realise how wonderful you are.

Sometimes we can lose track of our place and value in life due to the circumstances that we may face.

The Bible talks about in the book of 1 Corinthians, that everyone belongs and all are needed.

“Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

Every one of you are an amazing part of our community body. All needed, all valued and in it for a purpose. We cannot do without you.

My prayer for you all this week is that you realise how loved and priceless you are.

30th January 2026

Forgiveness is one of the quiet strengths of our community. It often begins in difficult moments when things do not go as planned, when words or actions hurt, or trust is broken, or when expectations are not met. These moments are part of being human, but how we respond to them really matters.

Forgiveness does not mean ignoring harm or pretending that pain does not exist. It asks us first to acknowledge what has happened and how it has affected us. From there, forgiveness becomes a choice: to release resentment, to seek understanding, and to allow space for healing and growth.

Forgiveness can be offered to others, but it is also something we must give to ourselves too. We all make mistakes. We all have moments we wish we could manage differently. When we practice self-forgiveness, we give ourselves permission to learn, to grow, and to begin again.

In our communities, forgiveness strengthens relationships, it encourages honest conversations, restores trust, and reminds us that no one is defined or remembered by a single moment or mistake.

It teaches patience, empathy, and resilience which are values that reach far beyond any one situation.

Forgiveness is not always easy, and it does not always happen quickly. Sometimes it requires time, reflection, support, and lots of conversations. But when forgiveness is practiced with patience, sincerity, and care, it opens the door to understanding release and renewal.

In closing, Jesus is a perfect example of forgiveness. When on the cross during that terrible time of crucifixion, Jesus spoke powerful words, not of anger or revenge but of love and compassion in saying “forgive them Father for they know not what they do.”

God’s words in the book of Colossians say this too. “Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

May we continue to choose forgiveness, not because it is simple, but because it allows us to move forward with compassion, hope and a free life.

19th January 2026

Just a bit of encouragement to help you through the blue days of January. I can remember when I was very young and at every Christmas time, we used to have the whole family came to stay with us. Every room in the house was needed so I was always relegated from my room to sleeping on a mattress in my mum and dad’s room.

I can remember one particular night that we watched one of the early versions of the movie The Wizard of Oz, and I can remember feeling really scared of some of the characters in the film, especially the wicked witch of the west and her green face. Anyway, my mum put me to bed, and I fell asleep only to wake up in the middle of the night to see what looked like the wicked witch standing in front of me. I was frozen in terror and never slept the rest of the night because of what I could see.

However as soon as dawn approached, the light came through the curtains, and I could see things for what they really were. The wicked witch turned out to be my mums dressing gown that she had hung on the hoover before she had got into bed.

All of that fear because of a dressing gown. The light shone in and my fears subsided. 

I want to encourage you with this. When the light shines in on a situation, we see it differently to what it looks like in the dark. We can hide our problems and anxieties, keeping them in the dark so to speak and they can grow bigger, increasing our fears and worries.

The light can be shone on our situations just by speaking to others about them. The saying goes, “a problem shared is a problem halved.”

Please be encouraged to find someone in your world to talk to, don’t hold onto those fears a moment longer. Get those worries and anxieties out in the open and in the light. It’s a life changer.

In closing, Jesus Christ is described as the light of the world. He brings light and is only a prayer away.

Psalm 27:1

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—who shall I fear?”

5th January 2026

New Year Reflection

A new year is a chance to pause and look at how far we’ve come. It’s not about being perfect, but about learning from our mistakes and growing from our experiences. This year, think about one habit you want to improve, one challenge you’re ready to face, and one way you can be kinder—to yourself and to others. Small, consistent efforts can lead to meaningful change. The new year isn’t a fresh start because the past disappears; it’s a fresh start because we’re wiser than before.

Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9

19 December 2025

“Do not be afraid.”

These are the first words spoken in nearly every part of the Christmas story.

It was said to the shepherds under a cold sky. “Do not be afraid.”

It was spoken to Mary in a moment that changed history. “Do not be afraid.”

Spoken to Joseph as he wrestled with uncertainty. “Do not be afraid.”

At this moment we may be living with fear in our lives over certain things. Fear about the present, the future and even our loved ones.

Maybe we have shared these fears with others, or they may even be unspoken and still remain in our hearts.

Just as in the Christmas story, before good news arrives, reassurance was given first. I want to encourage/reassure you today, don’t be afraid.

When Jesus was born, one of his names was the prince of peace and I pray that all of our fears would be driven out by peace. The prince of peace is only a prayer away.

This season invites us to pause, breathe, and trust that even in our fearful nights and days, hope, light, and peace is still being born. Do not be afraid, be reassured, the light is on its way.

On behalf of my family and I, we pray you and yours, a merry big Christmas, full of joy, rest, light, and peace.

God bless you all for a wonderful and prosperous New Year ahead.