Author Archives: Mark

Sunday night was quite memorable. It was the next in our ‘Last Sunday’ services and we spent the evening as a meditation on communion.It went something like this: Opening prayer Reflection on Bread including a reading from John 6 Making Bread. We had mixed the dough, but it still needed kneading and shaping. During theContinue reading “The Last Sunday”

Benedict left his comfortable life in the city at a young age to pursue his relationship with God in the wilderness. Three years of solitude profoundly changed him, his understanding of humanity and of himself and of God.Gradually others came to join him in the wilderness and as the community grew he found it necessaryContinue reading “Benedict of Nursia”

Really enjoyed preaching on St Augustine yesterday. I am struck that one of the really important aspects of this series is that we see great figures of the past as they really are, and avoid the natural inclination to put people on a pedestal. Augustine is one of the greats, but he is also veryContinue reading “Old Paths: Augustine”

Tertullian was a theologian and fierce defender of orthodoxy. He articulated an elegant and sophisticated doctrine of the nature of God and coined the term Trinity. His influence on Christian thinking is enormous, but also very significant was his gradual rejection of the Greek philosophical culture which the early church was formed within.You can readContinue reading “Old Paths: Tertullian”

Our new teaching series starts this week. It is called ‘Old paths’ and we will be tracing the course of church history through the lives of those who have gone before us. “Though their culture and language seem alien to us, the same call of Jesus echoes in their ears, and the same spirit worksContinue reading “Old Paths: Justin Martyr”

We start pub theology again tonight, same place, same time. We are going to start back at the beginning of the beatitudes – Jesus opening sermon and his manifesto. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.

In home groups we are studying this book written by Abbot Christopher Jamison from Worth Abbey.It is a beautiful little book full of gentle wisdom and practice about making space for God in the midst of busy modern life. You can buy it for a bargain £4.50 from Amazon

Happy Christmas everyone.

A little reflection on John for the carol service at church tonight. The lights are on the South Bank, the music is ‘The Light’ by The Album Leaf. By Jeremy

It felt like an important momant for us tonight, looking back on our time with the Epistle to the Galatians. The conversation we had about how to take what we have learned and put it to work in our community was good, and I want us to hold those things and continue to pursue them.Continue reading “Reflections on Galatians”

is that you don’t talk about pub theology. Er no, that was fight club. The first rule of pub theology is : Nothing is sacred. Question anything, don’t get offended if someone questions your ideas. The second rule is: Hard on ideas, soft on people. We deal robustly with the subject matter, we deal respectfullyContinue reading “The first rule of pub theology…”

Jeremy’s amazing video response to the sermon last night.

We have been studying the book of Galatians this term at COTC and the major theme which Paul drives home passage by passage is the insidious and damaging error of legalism Gal 3:3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? I thinkContinue reading “Legalism”

Pub theology starts this week. It is intended to be a place where you can invite your friends who wouldn’t be comfortable at church. You can give them a flyer or point them to the website but the best thing to come yourself and bring people with you. The format is simple. Beer conversation and God.Continue reading “Pub Theology”

Some of the most important moments in the history of the church took place in the pub. Luther kick started the reformation over a few pints. The church of England was started in the white horse tavern. Hymns like ‘Love Divine, All Loves Excelling’ were inspired by pub music. And to my mind all theContinue reading “Pub Theology”

We celebrated the end of our building project, and rededicated the building last night. The place looked beautiful, as did everybody, and there was quite a lot of dancing. But the new floor is okay!Lots of picture on my flickr page. [more to come]

Well we have had some adventures this summer, but it is good to be back. Yesterday had a real sense of new beginnings – and that wasn’t just the lovely new building. For those of you who missed it here is the ‘Streets’ film that Ruth made.

Francis Blight has been in the studio with Stuart Mclean and others, and their work seems to be paying off. You can listen to tracks online and download a free MP3 of ‘My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less’His 6 track mini album called ‘New skin for old song’ is now available at Cross RhythmsContinue reading “Music Downloads”

This is cool – a cross between wikipedia and google maps called Wikimapia. It is essentially google maps with articles about landmarks. Anyone can add locations and articles, so why not contribute your favourite places around Islington (or beyond). I have added Church on the Corner.