Read sermons from Stephen Baxter
A sermon by The Rev’d Stephen Baxter on Divorce
Sermon by Bishop Ross Bay
Ross Bay’s sermon for the 150th Anniversary of the Melanesian Trust
Sermon by The Rev’d Tony Surman
This sermon was preached by the Rev’d Tony Surman on the 2nd September 2012. It contains some helpful thoughts in relation to the questions about the ordination and blessing of people who are in same gender relationships. An issue which is currently being debated in the Anglican Church.
My Stroke of Insight: https://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight?language=en
HISTORY:
‘The Book of Books’ The Radical Impact of the King James Bible 1611-2011 by Melvyn Bragg
SPIRITUALITY:
‘A Course in Miracles’ The ‘Foundation for Inner Peace’ produces this in both book and electronic forms which can be purchased from most online book websites or from the ‘Foundation for Inner Peace’ itself. The course can also be accessed through the following websites:
The following movies can be borrowed at no charge by parishioners from the Parish Office. These are movies that have been shown in the parish as studies or parish movie events.
The Way
When Tom a stubbornly sage American doctor arrives in France, no experience in his illustrious life has prepared him for the untimely death of his adventurous son Daniel. Grasping at memories and missed opportunities, without a compass to set him straight, Tom faces unimaginable cross roads in his life. Coming to terms with his loss and compelled to understand Daniel’s spirited ideas, Tom embarks on the grand historical pilgrimage “The Way of St. James” in order to honour his son and fulfill his last wish to complete the journey. An inexperienced trekker himself, Tom meets other pilgrims from around the world, also looking for great meaning in their lives, a Dutchman, a Canadian, and an Irish writer who is suffering from writer’s block. This unlikely quartet of international misfits forge an everlasting bond and allow Tom to discover what it means to be a citizen of the world again, to truly appreciate the remarkable difference between “the life we live and the life we choose.”
Of Gods and Men
Inspired by true event, this powerful and affecting film tells the story of a group of Cistercian monks living in the mountains of North Africa. When an Islamic fundamentalist group massacres a team of foreign workers, fear sweeps through the region and the brothers are faced with abandoning their monastery and the community who depend on them, or making the courageous decision to stay.
Grand Torino
Korean War vet and retired autoworker Wall Kowaiski doesn’t much like how his life or his neighbourhood has turned out. He especially doesn’t like the people next door. Hmong immigrants from Southeast Asia. But events force Wall to defend those neighbours against a long gang that feed on violence and fear.
Most
Most (Czech for ‘The Bridge’) tells the story of the close relationship between a bridge operator and his young son and the fateful day when both try to head off and impending rail disaster. A steam train full of hundreds of passengers are unaware of the danger as they head towards an open drawbridge. When a desperate young woman witnesses an act of virtue beyond imagination, her life is changed forever.
The Life of Pi
One boy, one boat, one tiger … After the tragic sinking of a cargo ship, a solitary lifeboat remains bobbing on the wild, blue Pacific. The only survivors from the wreck are a sixteen year-old boy named Pi, a hyena, a zebra (with a broken leg), a female orang-utan and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger. The scene is set for one of the most extraordinary movies that will inspire, touch and transport you to a place of theological discovery that you will never forget.
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
When Britain’s leading fisheries expert is approached by a consultant to help realize a sheikh’s vision of bringing the sport of fly-fishing to the desert, he immediately thinks the project is both absurd and unachievable. But when the Prime Minister’s overzealous press secretary latches on to it as a good will story, this unlikely team will put it all on the line and embark on an upstream journey of faith and fish to prove the impossible, possible.
My Wedding – and other secrets
Emily Chu is an over-achiever brought up to believe she can get anything she put her mind to. Even if ‘anything’ is at odds with her traditional Hong Kong born parents’ wish for her to marry a nice Chinese boy. Everything is just perfect – until she meets James and falls seriously in love. But if Dr Chu and Mrs Chu find out, she will face disownment. By the time Emily realises she’s sacrificing her family to follow her heart, she has fallen hopelessly in love with James and there’s nothing for it but to try and keep their relationship a secret. Then things get really complicated when they decide to marry and keep that a secret too …
42
The story of Jackie Robinson, who under the guidance of team executive Branch Rickey, signs with the Brooklyn Dodgers to become the first African-American player to break the baseball color barrier. The story focuses mostly on the 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers season and somewhat on Robinson’s 1946 season with the Montreal Royals, which emphasize his battles with racism.
Emperor
A gripping tale of love and honour forged between fierce enemies of war, Emperor tells the story, inspired by true events, of the bold and secret moves that won the peace in the shadows of post-war Japan. Emperor brings to life the American occupation of Japan in the perilous and unpredictable days just after Emperor Hirohito’s WWII surrender. As General MacArthur suddenly finds himself the de facto ruler of a foreign nation he assigns and expert in Japanese culture, General Bonner Fellers, to covertly investigate the looming question hanging over the country: should the Japanese Emperor, worshiped by his people but accused of war crimes, be punished or saved?
Tracks
Tracks tells the inspirational story of Robyn Davidson’s 2700km solo trek through the remote Australian desert to the Indian Ocean. Aided only by her loyal dog Diggity, four unpredictable camels and, at intervals, Rick Smolan, a charismatic National Geographic photographer. Tracks chronicles an epic modern adventure.
The Butler
Inspired by true events, The Butler tells the story of chief White House butler Cecil Gaines who served eight American presidents over three decades, including Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon and Reagan. Working intimately with these world leaders, from this unique vantage point, Cecil witnessed radical transformations in American history – from the civil rights movement to the war in Vietnam to the escalation of the Cold War – and how those changes affected his life and family. The Butler is an engaging and incredibly moving drama that brilliantly balances the personal and the historical. A story about the resilience of one man, the growth of a nation and the power of family.
The Fault In Our Stars
Hazel and Gus share a sarcastic sense of humour, a distaste for convention, and ultimately, a love that will sweep them into a transformative journey that they – and you – will never forget. Although the two teens face extraordinary challenges, their courage and dedication to each other prove that while life isn’t perfect love is.
Captain Phillips
Captain Phillips is a multi-layered examination of the true story of the 2009 hijacking of the U.S container ship Maersk Alabama by a crew of Somali pirates. Based on a true story the film focuses on the commanding officer, Captain Richard Phillips.
Is Heaven for Real
Heaven is for Real recounts the true story of a small-town father who must find the courage and conviction to share his son’s extraordinary, life-changing experience with the world. Todd Burpo’s son Colton claims to have visited Heaven during a near death experience. Colton shares the details of his amazing journey with childlike innocence and speaks matter-of-factly about things that happened before his birth…things he couldn’t possibly know.
Noah
Noah is a film inspired by the timeless story of courage, sacrifice and hope. This action-packed adventure is hailed as one of the most unforgettable Biblical epics ever put on film.
Exodus: Gods and Kings
Exodus: Gods and Kings, is the epic tale of one man’s daring courage to take on the might of an empire. This spectacular adventure brings new life to the story of Moses as he defies the Pharaoh Ramses, setting 400,000 slaves on the monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues.
Son of God
Son of God depicts the life of Jesus Christ, from His humble birth through His teachings, crucifixion and ultimate resurrection. The movie portrays the most important chapter of the greatest story ever told.