I love looking at the moon, and where I live I can often look out on a clear night and admire its silvery beauty.

Last night was such a night.

At various key moments of life, happy and sad, I have chosen to look at the moon which keeps silent vigil over all life.  I think that's why I love the moon so much... its 'softer gleam' bathes the earth in the dark watches of night and signals constancy when all around changes... the same moon watched over Gethsemane and Bethlehem... the same moon will watch over earth long after I am gone and forgotten, and that somehow gives me comfort.

This morning we wrapped up our Commonwealth Games themed services with a 'closing ceremony' in which we contemplated passing on the baton - the stories, the values, the faith that has been entrusted to us by those who went before us.

As a church, and as a nation, we have massive decisions to make this autumn, but whatever the outcome- whether it is all we dream of or our worst nightmare realised - the gospel is unchanged and is the unique gift we bring to a broken and battered world.

The summer has not been all plain sailing, there have been challenges along the way, but, as it draws to its natural end, I feel energised and exhilerated... and just a little bit exhaustificated!! 

Two free Sundays now before the autumn term gets underway.