Western Dales Mission Community Podcast

Sunday Sermon, 24 May 2026

The Feast of Pentecost, St Andrew’s Church, Sedbergh You can read the sermon below, or listen here: Sunday Sermon Revd Andy Burgess Download [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/623c8e24f4e2297e0b304845/t/6a130411e33b461bb0be0be5/1779631132842/Sermon+24+May+2026.m4a] A reading from the Gospel according to St John On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.”’ Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7.37–39 NRSVA ---------------------------------------- Many years ago Joy and I went on holiday to Morocco. We were young and didn’t do much research when when planning our trip. We decided to go in the month of August, which was the hottest time of the year. And being eager to make the most of our trip and see all the sights, we ventured out in the midday sun. I remember feeling like I instantly wilted the moment we stepped outside. We found ourselves hopping from cafe to cafe just trying to keep ourselves hydrated. It didn’t take us long to realise the wisdom of those who waited to come out in the evening, when it was cooler and much more pleasant. In our Gospel reading this morning, Jesus says: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink.” This is one of the primary spiritual metaphors that we find in John’s Gospel. Just as we might feel thirsty in a hot climate where water is scarce, so there are times when our soul becomes dry and arid, and we feel spiritually empty. In these moments, Jesus invites us to come to him and draw deeply from him. Christ is the sparkling fountain of life, who refreshes the soul, gives an assurance of God’s love, and provides meaning and direction in a difficult and confusing world. ---------------------------------------- It feels a particularly appropriate image for today. Many commentators have observed that contemporary society can feel like a desert place. The rise of modernity has uprooted local traditions and customs, and increased our sense of social isolation and loneliness. The climate crisis which is ravaging the earth is causing profound levels of anxiety and distress, especially amongst the young. And the prevalence of digital screens and the rise of AI is blurring the line between what is real and virtual, reducing our attention spans, and shaking the foundations of our common life. Today is the Feast of Pentecost, which marks the birth of the church two millennia ago. This was the day when the Holy Spirit – the ‘living water’ that Jesus speaks of – was first poured out upon the Apostles. And, from that day until now, the church is called to be a spiritual oasis in a dry and parched land. It is meant to draw people towards it as a place where deep questions and yearnings of the soul might be raised and explored. ---------------------------------------- It causes us to reflect on whether this is people’s experience of the church today.  I had a conversation with someone just this week who recognised her spiritual need, but didn’t feel she could find it in the church because of her past experiences. She had experienced the church as authoritarian, repressive, and unwelcoming. Rather than being an oasis in the desert, it was like a dried up well that offered no hope. This is an extreme example, and I am thankful that our local churches are welcoming places which seek to nurture faith. We can be encouraged that the Holy Spirit is active and at work in our churches and communities, as we grow in faith, hope, and love. There is a depth of genuine desire for God and a care for others that is very precious here. Events like our community BBQ this afternoon are evidence of care for our community. But a birthday is a good time to look in the mirror and ask the hard questions. The Church is almost 2,000 years old. Are there ways in which our habits and practices alienate rather than welcome? Are there places where the well has run dry? Are we willing to listen to valid criticism and be prepared to change? Is this a place where people can hear and encounter the invitation of Christ to find spiritual fulfilment? I am not suggesting that the church should market itself to contemporary society as just another lifestyle choice. I am also not suggesting we throw out the ancient practices of the church, or that we attempt a ‘rebrand’. Christianity declares that Jesus is Lord, and that Christ is on the throne. But our Living Lord sends his Spirit to challenge and rebirth the church in every generation, and so, on this birthday of the church, we must be alert and responsive to this. We ought to ask where the Spirit is leading us next, and be open to follow where she leads us. ---------------------------------------- Jesus says: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink.” In this age of spiritual drought, may we respond to Christ’s invitation, and trust that in him, we may glimpse the divine and embrace the mystery of God.  As we come together in worship, let us pray for the empowering presence of the Spirit who causes streams to flow in the desert. And as we share in bread and wine as our Lord commanded, may we be nourished by the Living Water of Christ, as it pours through our lives and churches, into the soil of our culture, and springs forth flowers of God’s love in the wilderness.  Amen.

Sunday Sermon, 10 May 2026

Low Smithy Chapel Anniversary and Farewell Thanksgiving Service For the final service in Low Smithy Chapel, we were glad to welcome Geoff Park as our guest preacher. You can listen to his sermon below. Sunday Sermon Geoff Park Download [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/623c8e24f4e2297e0b304845/t/6a00b5585375d140d8b09a13/1778431337942/Sermon+10+May+2026.m4a] A reading from the Gospel According to Luke When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: ‘A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold.’ As he said this, he called out, ‘Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’ Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that “looking they may not perceive, and listening they may not understand.” ‘Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance. Luke 8.4–15 NRSVA

Sunday Sermon, 3 May 2026

The Fifth Sunday of Easter, St Andrew’s Church, Sedbergh You can read the sermon below, or listen here: Sunday Sermon Revd Andy Burgess Download [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/623c8e24f4e2297e0b304845/t/69f73dddcbf8151d813d3073/1779631089655/Sermon+3+May+2026.m4a] A reading from the Gospel according to St John ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’ Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. John 14.1–14 NRSVA ---------------------------------------- One way of understanding our human condition is that we are all searching for something. What we are searching for changes from person to person, and depends upon our circumstances. The philosopher searches for meaning, for purpose, and for significance in life. The hedonist searches for pleasure. The spiritual mystic searches for enlightenment, for nirvana, for union with the divine. In the West, many of us have the luxury of devoting considerable time and resources to the search. In the poorer parts of society and our world, the search often consists of simply trying to find the next meal. St Augustine wrote that we have restless hearts. Sometimes we wake in the middle of the night wondering what might have been, or what could be. Many of us sense that there is more to discover beyond the boundaries of our daily lives and experiences. This is reflected in our cultural stories of legendary quests, from Homer’s Odyssey, to King Arthur’s quest for the Holy Grail. Some are excited and earnest in their search. Others are weary and tired. Some are open and impressionable, whereas others are hardened and sceptical. Some continue to seek, whereas others have given up in frustration and disappointment. Some have long forgotten what they were looking for, and others can’t see the object of their desire when it’s right in front of them. Some feel like they’ve struck gold, whereas others realise they’ve spent their life chasing after Fool’s Gold. Where are you on your search this morning? What are you seeking? Are you hopeful or disillusioned? Do you have faith or are you full of doubt, or somewhere in between? Do you believe that those who ask receive, those who seek will find, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened? ---------------------------------------- In our reading from John’s Gospel, we hear the famous words of Jesus: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”. This is an invitation to ground our searching, not in a philosophy, nor in a teaching, nor in the pursuit of material things, but in a person. That person is Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, the one who opens for us the Way to the Father. The Way is discovered in a relationship. There is no map that shows us where the treasure lies, nor a predefined set of steps that we must follow to gain approval. There is simply a person who invites us to trust in him, and to abide in his love. I think this is what makes Christianity both so exciting but also so daunting. So often in life we seek to master things so that they will serve our needs. But the living Christ is abundantly free, and we cannot master him. If we bring our searching before him, and allow him to direct and guide us, he promises to be with us. But we cannot co-opt him for our own gain. Rather, we are called to lay at the feet of Christ all of our desires, our hopes, our history, our grievances, our disappointments, our guilt, our plans, and our dreams. We bring everything that we are, and he promises to transform, to reshape and to refashion us. He will tutor us, discipline us, lead us, and be with us as he becomes our Way. The Way is not something that we can understand or comprehend without this act of faith. It is as we trust in Christ that he becomes for us Truth and Life, and this fullness cannot be known objectively, or in a scientific sense. The Way becomes the Way of Truth, and the Way of Life, only as we follow him. ---------------------------------------- The poet TS Eliot writes these lines towards the end of his poem ‘Little Gidding’: > We shall not cease from exploration > And the end of all our exploring > Will be to arrive where we started > And know the place for the first time. Home is pictured for us in John’s Gospel as ‘the Father’s house’. This is the place where God dwells, and Jesus is the Way to this heavenly abode. Humanity began its search in the garden, in the presence of God; Jesus promises he will show his disciples the way back into the fullness of God’s presence, to his Father’s house. When we embrace Jesus as our Way, it feels as though our searching has come home. It is not that we have searched out something new; rather, someone who has known us from before time itself has sought us out and found us. From our first moments of life as a newborn, God has been present. When we come to Jesus as the Way, we discover this afresh, and we see familiar things in a new light. We know the place as if for the first time. It is not an easy Way to the Father’s house. Jesus is preparing his disciples for his death and resurrection. He is going ahead of us, but he will return, to show us the Way. We too must be prepared to embrace death, and to let go of everything that we cling to so tightly. This Way brings pain and hardship. It throws everything into confusion. Think of the revolutions of the heart that the early disciples went through. Everything they thought about the world was turned upside down. Similarly, everything we think we know is provisional, is liable to be emptied out, questioned, and reexamined when we commit ourselves to the Way. But the death we pass through leads to new life, both in the present, and in the future. As we daily walk in the Way, we are invited to leave behind old patterns of behaviour and embrace a new mode of living. As our defences come down, Jesus reveals new layers of humanity within us, compassion for others, the humility to say “I’m wrong” or “I’m sorry”. And when the day of our departure comes, like St Stephen gazing into the heavens and seeing the glory of the Lord, so Jesus promises he will be there with us, ready to take us on from this life into the next. ---------------------------------------- John’s Gospel does not give us easy formulas or logical propositions. Through the written word, the Spirit of Christ invites us into relationship with the Divine Word. This is probably better understood through poetry than through teaching. George Herbert begins his poem ‘The Call’ with a meditation on this text: “Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life”. Herbert understood Jesus’ words as an invitation to possess Christ, and to be possessed by him. We are called to follow Jesus as our Way, our Truth, and our Life. All of our searching begins and ends in him. We can trust him to lead us on the right path, even when the way seems rocky. Wherever you are on your search this morning, you are invited to renew your trust in the Resurrected One, who will come again to show us the Way to the Father. Amen.

Sunday Sermon, 26 April 2026

The Fourth Sunday of Easter, Cornerstone Community Church, Sedbergh You can listen to the sermon by Pam Dent here: Sunday Sermon Pam Dent Download [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/623c8e24f4e2297e0b304845/t/69ee4acd9bc55a0165ad2a7c/1778431230047/Sermon+26+April+2026.m4a] A reading from the Gospel According to John Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, ‘Children, you have no fish, have you?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ He said to them, ‘Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the lake. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’ (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ John 21.4–19 NRSVA

Sunday Sermon, 19 April 2026

The Third Sunday of Easter, Cornerstone Community Church, Sedbergh You can read the sermon by Heather Fraser below, or listen to it here: Sunday Sermon Heather Fraser Download [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/623c8e24f4e2297e0b304845/t/69e4bf6257a7de27f0197349/1776598896242/Sermon+19+April+2026.m4a] A reading from the Gospel According to Luke Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’ Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread. Acts 2.14a, 22–32 NRSVA ---------------------------------------- Jesus comes to us and meets us where we are to share the good news. Amen For Christians, the Easter celebrations continue long after the Easter eggs and the Simnel cake have been finished. Easter is a time of new hope & new life. But the last few weeks have been challenging & sometimes dulled that excitement of the “good news” of Easter”. * the unrest in the Middle East and the impact that it is having on the wider world * closer to home: * the recent loss of a young life affecting so many people across Sedbergh & Dentdale * and a seemingly, higher-than-normal number of friends & neighbours in poor health and suffering It can be difficult to understand WHY. Where is God in all this? When I’m struggling make sense of what’s going on in the World, I’ll either get my hands dirty in my vegetable plot or take myself off for a walk with the dog. My ‘go to’ place is above Dent station from Knout Gate and across to Arten Gill viaduct. * On a good day you can see out to the coast, across to the Three Peaks and beyond. * On a not so good day, weatherwise you can find yourself walking above the clouds in the bottom of the dale, often seeing a glimmer of sun in the distance – giving hope.  In fact coming back from taking assembly at Sedbergh Primary on Wednesday, I decided to drive back across the Coal Road & was greeted by one of those amazing views. * And as I walk, I normally find myself having a chat ….yes to the DOG but also with GOD…thanking him for the wonderous landscape that he has created & we call home Let’s think about those the Gospel reading that Steve kindly red for us. Cleopas and his companion (whose name we are not told) were heading from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus. They were walking a distance just short of my journey from Cowgill this morning. (I drove rather than walked by the way!). Along the way the disciples, discussed the events of the last few days, trying to make sense of them and their sadness. We’re told that, along the way, the resurrected Jesus joined them in lockstep and although they “saw him”, they apparently didn’t recognize him. Maybe he had his head covered from the sun or possibly as they were all walking side by side, they were concentrating on where they were going. Did anyone follow the TV series, aired Easter, ‘Celebrity Pilgrimage’? The ‘celebrities’ of different & no faith walked St Cuthberts Way. Did anyone watch it/know who the celebrities were? As they walked side-by-side they opened up to their fellow pilgrim about their life and the believes. Coming halfway into their conversation, Jesus asked them what they were talking about. They were aghast! Where on earth had this guy been? Had he not heard what had happened – a crucifixion, a burial, a crime scene with a missing body. They had so hoped that Jesus would be “the one.” But he’d gone, finished! Any ordinary person might read their account as a work of fiction or supernatural story rather than real-life events. Or maybe think that Cleopas and his companion had had too much sun! But not Jesus! After a short rebuke ….“You foolish guys, did you not believe in your hearts what the prophets had foretold”, Jesus goes on to recount what Moses, and the prophets had said about him in the scriptures. All the pieces of the jigsaw are gradually fitting into place for Cleopas and friend. In the final act of this story, the day is ending and Cleopas and the other disciple invite their new friend to stay & eat with them. At the table Jesus took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them – what we would see as sharing Communion.   And just as the two recognized who they were really talking to, Jesus vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road and while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ They had the accolade of being the first to witness the “resurrected” Jesus as their hearts turned from sadness to hope…. their heats were burning. Like Cleopas and his fellow traveller, we don’t always recognize what Jesus is doing in our lives, but we are all companions on a journey …. Jesus will come to us and meets us where we are. Whether it’s in Emmaus or the walking from the Coal Road, Jesus walks with us, listens and opens our eyes.    AMEN