Author: Ian Trimnell

The Props assist the House By Emily Dickinson  Until the House is built And then the Props withdraw And adequate, erect, The House support itself And cease to recollect The Auger and the Carpenter— Just such a retrospect Hath the perfected Life— A past of Plank and Nail And slowness—then the Scaffolds drop Affirming it a...

IF  by Rudyard Kipling  If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too: If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don’t deal in...

Good evening everyone.  Welcome to Friday evening’s prayers. 1 week from Christmas!  I don’t know about you, but I have found that, despite so much of my life being different this year from any other December I can remember, the days of Advent seemed to have passed very quickly. I notice that, on the radio and...

Good morning to you all joining us to welcome this fresh Friday with prayer. O Lord, who lights our way in the early morning darkness, thank you for this brand-new day. Open our eyes to the beauty of this life, open our ears to the cries of those in need and open our mouths with words...

A reading from the letter to the Hebrews 1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son...

God Prepares the Way for Salvation There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. John 1: 6–8 NIV® Elizabeth and Zechariah...

The great sea frees me, moves me, as a strong river carries a weed. Earth and her strong winds move me, take me away, and my soul is swept up in joy. Uvavnuk (Iglulik Eskimo, 19th century) translated by Jane Hirshfield Good evening and welcome to Evening Prayers That this evening may be holy, good and...

Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night by Dylan Thomas Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do...

Solitude by Ella Wheeler Scott  Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone; For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth, But has trouble enough of its own. Sing, and the hills will answer; Sigh, it is lost on the air; The echoes bound to a joyful sound, But shrink from...