Cross Talk
Cross Talk is published regularly online in 'Your World' section of the Shropshire Star as a kind of 'thought for the day'.
The most recent are reproduced below.
Mary Sumner was a remarkable woman for her era, writes Katherine May, of the Mothers' Union and Lichfield Diocese.
Published Aug 26
She remains respected and emulated by four million members of the worldwide Mothers' Union. Privileged in many ways, she was born into a comfortable middle-class Victorian family with connections to the Wedgwoods of Staffordshire, the famous pottery makers. She married for love, to the Reverend Sumner, an ordinand in the Church of England. However, having brought up her three children, once a grandmother she recognised the difficulties experienced by all women in raising their children, as they sought to nurture their infants and children in mind, body and spirit.
Mary, with deep Christian conviction, wanted to support other mothers as they raised their offspring into the Christian Faith. This led to the start of local women's groups, where they offered mutual support and practical action, underpinned by prayer.
Members do not need wealth to belong. They profess their faith and their individual willingness to demonstrate that faith, in actions that benefit women and their families. This action includes raising awareness of domestic abuse, in the campaign 'RISE UP!' In parts of Africa it includes numeracy and literacy.
Mothers' Union remains egalitarian and equitable in approach. In some countries women experience disadvantage and suppression - the unity offered by M.U. is vital to rose people's well-being.
Early in 2025 HRH Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, became the charity patron. All of Mothers' Union work is supported by prayer. You can join midday prayers via social media platform Facebook, and you can also follow M.U. worldwide by Instagram.
Christ said 'I am the way, the truth, and the life'
His is the light which unveils mysteries and exposes all the meaning in the Gospel, which has been waiting there like a seed about to sprout.
Then there's the presence of the Kingdom of Heaven, which the Gospel helps reveal, and as newly illumined Christians set out on their spiritual life, and begin - if they're well advised - by doing the good that they know, certain things follow, and they start to grow.
Slowly but surely the nature of Christ's risen life is disclosed to them, enabling them to take part in it, making it real in and for themselves and the world. Thus the Gospel takes root.
As hieromonk Bartholomew wrote "Christ showed us in the flesh the levels humankind can reach..." and "The closer we come to the example of Christ's earthly life in our own lives, the closer we are to reaching our full potential, and to accomplishing our ultimate aim in life."
He doesn't just mean being a better accountant or bricklayer, or giving more money to Oxfam for instance, though these things are important, as we must always remain "earthed" in order to be part of the process of salvation. He also means bringing out that transcendent element, Christ's presence, which is both within and beyond us, which conversion puts us in touch with. The end of it all is its flowering, where Heaven bursts out into time and space and we become the fully realised beings which Christ already is, and wants us to be. No one knows when that bell happen, as the apostle Mark tells us, but it's always "nigh", immanent, waiting.
Spyridon Benyon, Orthodox Church. Published Aug 18
The God who walks with us. In a town like Shrewsbury, with its winding medieval streets and its riverside paths, it's not unusual to find yourself walking alone - lost in thought, or perhaps just weighed down with life's worries.
There's a story in the Bible about two friends walking along a road in that very situation. They were heartbroken after Jesus's death, confused and unsure about what to believe any more. A stranger joined them on the way, asked them questions, and eventually opened their eyes. It was Jesus, walking with them all along.
That story still speaks powerfully today. God doesn't wait for us to have everything figured out. He draws near, walks beside us, and speaks hope into our situation.
And it's not just about private faith. In a church you see how God doesn't just walk with individuals, He gathers people together. We're now a church made up of people from over twenty different nations. Each person brings something unique, and together we're learning how to follow Jesus as one body, one family.
If you feel like you're walking alone, know this: God sees you. He hadn't given up on you. And somewhere nearby there's a community ready to walk with you too.
Dave Matthias, of Barnabas Community Church, Shrewsbury. Published Aug 11