July 7, 2024 The Presidential debates of this past June were met by many with frustration and anxiety; they felt like one more sign of the dysfunction and malaise hanging over our political world. Pastor Rob reflects on Mark 6 when Jesus sends out his disciples. The world they lived in was a world of brutal political and social realities. Yet Jesus…

June 30, 2024 Sickness is like an iceberg in that we often only see the tip of the situation. The Gospel writer Mark takes us on a deep dive into the emotional undercurrents of illness, exploring what is going on in the hearts of the families of two women who are healed by Jesus (Mark 5:21-43). These stories speak to the reality of our emotions, bu…

Sunday, June 23 "Do you not care that we are perishing?" The disciples cry out to Jesus, who is asleep during the storm. Inevitably, we will go through storms. We will encounter hard times and observe terrible situations in the world. We will wonder where God is in the midst of all of this. Is Jesus sleeping? During these times, we or those whom we…

June 16, 2024 Did you know that a butterfly flapping its wings can change the path, intensity and even existence of a massive storm, like a tornado or hurricane!? “The Butterfly Effect” is the term to describe how in a complex and interconnected system, the smallest change of one variable can lead to a big change in the outcome. As Christians, we’v…

June 9, 2024 Things go wrong for Jesus after his “graduation” – he leaves town, makes friends with the wrong people, gets in trouble with the law and finds religion. When he gets home, its a bit too much for his family who confront him about this. At this point, things get even worse, with him renouncing them (Mark 3:20-35) The end? Because our God…

Holy Trinity 2024 (Also Confirmation!) Decisions, decisions, decisions!! Life is full of decisions; for young people, each decision comes with so many options. Their life feels very much like a “Choose you own adventure” story: What to study, whom to befriend, whom to love, where to live, what teams to try out for… This all sounds exciting, except …

Pentecost 2024 (May 19) Life speed is fast and only gets faster. As life gets faster, making sense of life becomes harder and harder to do. A reflection on where we go to find still waters. (Hint: Today is Pentecost, the birthday of the church!) Also, an admission of what to do when, no matter what, it doesn’t fully make sense!…

Ascension 2024 (May 12) Pastor Rob reminds us of the crafty gifts we gave to our mothers on Mother’s Day (and other such days) using a poem called “Lanyard.” While such gifts are sentimental and cute, they really don’t adequately repay the mother for all that she has done. The disproportional love of parent to a young child is a great illustration …

Easter V (April 28, 2024) “He removes every branch in me that does not bear fruit.” These words often sound threatening and cause us to ask: “Am I one of the branches that will be pruned or not?” Pastor Rob invites us to see this a bit differently. Rather than be concerned with “Who is in and who is out?” instead we are to ask ourselves “Which me i…

Easter IV 2024 (April 14) Good Shepherd Sunday The image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd powerfully communicates the fundamental truth “God loves you.” When push comes to shove, this is the fundamental truth we live by and we want to pass on to the next generation of faith. However, there is another vital truth – even embedded in Psalm 23 – that we w…

Easter III (April 14, 2023) This past week our nation was fascinated and delighted by the eclipse. It was a reminder of the glory of the heavens, the place where the beauty and complexity of the creation bears witness to the creator. This past week our nation was heartbroken and afraid of violence and further escalation around the world, particular…

Easter Sunday 2024 (March 31) We live in an age of pessimism, in which it is easy to be cynical about present and gloomy about the future. The women who go to the tomb of Jesus had every reason to be pessimistic, cynical and gloomy (Mark 16). Yet they do not succumb to this attitude, but choose instead to do an act of love, courage and hope. From w…

Palm Sunday 2024 (March 24) Throughout his ministry, Jesus transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary: donkeys, jugs of water and scraps of food. Again and again, through faith, the ordinary becomes an extraordinary vessel of God’s love. He further sends out his disciples to unbind things, animals and people so that which is unbound, the ordina…

Lent 5 (March 17, 2024) Jesus was the most empathetic human who has ever lived. But for Jesus, like for all humans, empathy exposes him to the pain and suffering of others. In the cross, this empathy is taken to another level, a wholly divine level, whereby Jesus fully empathizes and fully takes on our suffering, shame and sin. This brings him to c…

Lent 4 (March 10, 2024) “Into your hands, I commend my Spirit”, Jesus from the cross, praying Psalm 31:5 In life, we will hear the phrase “Let go and Let God!” What does this look like? Jesus here seems to be embodying this letting Go and letting God, resigning himself, surrendering control and putting his life in God’s hands. This certainly is Let…

Lent 3 (March 3, 2023) “Woman, behold your son; behold your mother.” Jesus today creates a new family – an authentic community out of people who have experienced trauma and heartache. As we go through life, we often encounter the need for new relationships and for authentic community. Today’s reflection is about how we often look for it in various …

Lent 2 (February 25, 2024) “Today you will be with me in Paradise”; Jesus, Luke 23:43 We long for paradise, a world in which mercy has the last word and God’s peace reigns. But so much evidence mounts in our lives that the opposite is true: armed violence writes the story of judgement and retribution. In this story, we hear of Jesus extending beaut…

First Sunday of Lent (February 18, 2024) Word of the Cross: I thirst (John 19:28) Jesus’s cry of “I thirst” reminds us, even reveals to us, that he is human. The ancient church confessed that Jesus is “truly human.” Pastor Rob explores what it means for Jesus, not just to be human, but to be “truly human”: Faith in the face of human death Compassio…

Transfiguration Sunday (February 11, 2024) After the super bowl tonight, reporters will ask the players “How does it feel to win the Super Bowl?” Chances are, none of them will say anything remotely coherent. The event is too overwhelming for them. Today, we remember the Transfiguration of our Lord (Mark 9:2-10), certainly an overwhelming event for…

Sunday, February 4 (Epiphany 5) Often in life we must say “no” to something in order to say “yes” to something else. In today’s Gospel (Mark 1:29-39), Jesus says “no” to stay in the town where he was. He says “no” to the expectations of the disciples and he says “no” to healing people there. He does this so he can say “yes” to God’s purpose in his …

When in your life have you encountered something that you considered not just bad or wrong, but evil? In the Gospel of Mark, we hear a story of Jesus encountering evil (Mark 1:21-28). While Mark tells the story so briefly that one might be tempted to overlook it, further reflection forces one to recognize the connection between how evil works in th…

January 21, 2021 (3rd Sunday after Epiphany) “After John (the Baptist) was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee began to proclaim the Good News…” (Mark 1:14) The arrest of John meant Jesus could no longer continue with business as usual. In our lives, we often encounter situations in which we cannot go back to life as it was. What have been those situ…

Baptism of Jesus (January 7, 2024) Have you kept your resolutions? Pastor Rob offers a word of encouragement and challenge to refine and revitalize your resolutions in light of Jesus’ Baptism. (Didn’t make resolutions — not a problem — this sermon is what Jesus baptism and our baptisms mean for the direction and purpose of our lives).…

Christmas II (Dec 31, 2023) You beat the level Mario — but as it turns out, they moved the real princess to another castle! It is a metaphor for life, where the goal posts of achievement always seem to be moving. Questions, based on the story of the Magi and their gifts, which are an invitation to move out of doing life as it is a video game. If yo…

Christmas Eve 2023 Christmas songs stir many memories; some bring us comfort and warmth, but others bring us grief. The whole Christmas season is filled with many memories and layers of emotion. Pastor Rob unpacks how the Christmas story, as told by Luke (2:1-20), has a layer of lament, a song of grief. In this story, we can also find our own song …

Sarah and Imogen are joined by Professor Viren Swami of Anglia Ruskin University to discuss a new study which has found that Brits are amongst those with the lowest body confidence in the world. Plus Daisy Waugh drops into the studio to talk about how she almost gave up writing, tarot, and her latest book, Old School Ties. You can find Daisy's webs…

Sarah and Imogen compare notes on how friendship can be as intimate as any relationship, the problems that friendships can run into and how to make new friends. Guests this week are relationship expert Charisse Cooke and CEO of Oddfellows, Jane Nelson. Find out more: https://www.instagram.com/charissecooke/ https://www.oddfellows.co.uk/ See omnystu…

Sarah Vine and Imogen Edwards Jones are joined by Lucinda Ellery and Kelly Morrell for a special episode of the podcast dedicated to Hair Loss Awareness Month that explains how hair loss can be dealt with, some of the emotional impact that it can cause, and the positivity that can come from dealing with it. Find out more: Lucinda Ellery http://www.…

Sarah Vine and Imogen Edwards Jones are joined by Wendy Holden who tells us some of the fascinating things she found out while exhaustively researching her new novel, The Princess, which tells the story of the young Diana Spencer up to her wedding with Prince Charles. You can get a copy of The Princess here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-pri…

Sarah and Imogen are joined by Wendy Holden and Santa Montefiore who offer their reading recommendations for this summer. find out more: Santa Montefiore Wendy Holden See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Mail+

Sarah and Imogen discuss the supernatural with two special guests this week. Santa Montefiore talks about her experiences of having been contacted by the spirit of her dead sister, Tara Palmer-Tomkinson. Dr Max Pemberton joins the show and explains the science behind our interactions with the departed. Find out more about Santa Montefiore's writing…

Sarah is joined by her daughter Bea for a celebration of all things Barbie this week. Sarah and Bea compare notes on the Barbie movie with the Mail's film critic, Brian Viner. Plus, Barbie expert Simon Farnworth explains which dolls are most sought after and how he started his collection. Simon Farnworth's website is here. Read Brian Viner's Barbie…

Sarah and Imogen are joined by Victoria Woodhall who advises on how to look your best in the heat, and Dr Shameema Damree who explains what the future of beauty is and how it may pave the way for the future of good health. Find out more: Victoria Woodhall Dr Shameema Damree See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Sarah and Imogen are joined by friend of the show, Lynne Franks, who explains how and why she decided to have the ultimate detox. Plus, fitness trainer to the stars David Higgins gives some insights into how he trains Hollywood's biggest stars to look (motion) picture perfect. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

On this week's Femail Half Hour, Sarah Vine speaks to Nikki, who explains how people can fall through the cracks in our health service, and the severe consequences she faced when it happened to her, they are joined by John Doyle, Principal Lawyer, medical negligence department, Slater and Gordon. Plus, Sarah and Imogen Edwards Jones speak to Kate B…

Sarah and Imogen are joined by Ben Goldsmith, whose book, God is an Octopus, charts his grieving and spiritual journey after the loss of his teenage daughter. Find out more: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/god-is-an-octopus-9781399408356/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Mail+

Sarah Vine and Imogen Edwards Jones are joined by British swimming legend Sharron Davies. Sharron explains how cheating affected her career, leading to her becoming a campaigner for fairness in sport, and how competition in sport is now being threatened again. Find out more: Unfair Play, Sharron's new book: https://swiftpress.com/book/unfair-play/ …

Sarah and Imogen are joined by Alexandra Potter, the bestselling author of "Confessions of a 40 Something F*** Up" to talk about why books, tv shows and films with strong female leads over 40 are finally cutting through. Plus, Dr Linea Patel, Registered Dietitian and Sports Nutritionist explains why supplements and vitamin pills might not be as hel…

Sarah and Imogen are joined by Garden and landscape expert, Bunny Guinness. The Gardener's Question Time panelist is a 6 time gold medal winner at the Chelsea flower show and gives her insight into what visitors to the show can expect. Plus, in what could be a landmark case, students across the country are taking universities to court over the stan…

Sarah Vine and Imogen Edwards Jones are joined by Holly Smale, the multi million selling author of Geek Girl and now, the Cassandra Complex. Holly explains how a late diagnosis of autism allowed her to understand herself and her characters for the first time. Plus, psychologist Laura Colquhoun, explains how social media addiction could affect us al…

Sarah Vine and Imogen Edwards Jones are joined by the Mail's Royal Editor, Rebecca English. Rebecca shares her experiences of attending the King's coronation and discusses what next for the Royal family. You can find Rebecca's writing here: https://www.mailplus.co.uk/authors/rebecca-english See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Sarah Vine and Imogen Edwards Jones celebrate the King's coronation with historian Ed Owens who explains why the coronation is so important to the future of the monarchy. Plus super collector Jan Hugo visits from Australia to talk about her 10,000 item collection of royal memorabilia and her plans for the coronation. Find out more: Ed Owens: https:…

Sarah and Imogen are joined by filmmaker and author James Barrat. James is an AI expert whose book, Our Final Invention, was named by Elon Musk as one of five books everyone should read about the future. Plus, Linda Robson explains how things can be made easier for those prescribed medical cannabis in the UK. Find our more: James Barrat: https://ja…

Sarah Vine and Imogen Edwards Jones are joined by Will Torrent, Waitrose's senior innovation chef, for some tips on how to please all at a coronation get-together. Plus, Theresa Cheung explains Saturn Return, the seismic astrological event Emma Watson and Adele said changed their lives. Find out more: Coronation Food: https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/…

Sarah Vine and Imogen Edwards Jones are joined by Dr Neil Stanley to find out if losing sleep really is as bad as we've been led to believe, plus, Beauty Expert Madeleine Spencer gives us some guidance on this season's best new products and makeup. Find out More: Dr Neil Stanley: http://www.thesleepconsultancy.com Neil's book, How To Sleep Well: ht…

Sarah Vine and Imogen Edwards Jones are joined by Stella O' Malley for a discussion of how our teenagers are dealing with a changing world with challenges from social media and online pile-ons, social skills in a post lockdown world, "toxic positivity" and how a cultural backlash might be coming. You can find Stella's book, What Your Teen Is Trying…

Sarah Vine and Imogen Edwards Jones are joined by Henry Dimbleby, the former food tsar who in his new book has exposed the toxic relationship the food industry has with the environment, society and every individual. Henry explains how some foods manipulate our bodies into making poor choices, how unsustainable the cost to the environment is, expose…

Sarah Vine and Imogen Edwards Jones are joined by Allie Esiri, the "poetry powerhouse" who is making poetry cool with a little help from celebrity friends. Plus, with Boris Johnson and Donald Trump, who share a star sign, both under the spotlight, Astrologer Theresa Cheung joins to explain what the stars have to say. Find Allie's Book, A Nursery Rh…

Georgina Moore and our own Imogen Edwards Jones speak about their latest books, inspirations and houseboats(!) Alice Beer gives us some analysis on the budget and tells us how you can stock up for less when traveling. Find Out More: Georgina Moore's "The Garnett Girls": https://linktr.ee/georginamoore Imogen Edwards Jones' "Have You Got Anything St…

Sarah Vine and Imogen Edwards Jones talk to Dr Federica Amati, PHD about the body's only self regenerating organ, the Liver. She explains what the organ does for you and how you can look after it! Plus, Crufts (and Scruffts!) 2023 kicks off this week, Broadcaster and Pet Expert Anna Webb is on hand for a chat on all things canine and gives some tip…