“If you came this way… at any time…” A sermon for Easter Sunday

In our Acts reading, Peter tells the story of Jesus, culminating with the Easter event. But in some ways, the details of the story are not the point — the point is that Peter will sit down and eat with Cornelius and his family, and that they will respond to the event they have heard described as they are baptised.

The story is not the point—in that checking the details, excavating the facts, finding proofs of the story is not the point. The story is not told for verification, instruction, or to satisfy niggling questions. The point is that the story speaks to us…

sermons, faithHannah SwithinbankApril 6, 2026faith, easter, sermonsComment

On love and justice: a sermon for the third Sunday of Advent

The Christ who comes at Christmas, who has always been at its heart and whose return we await, is the one who will transform the wilderness: even the wildernesses in which we find ourselves and our world today. He is the one who heals the blind and the lame. The one who eschews soft robes and royal palaces, in solidarity with the migrant who travels in the hope of safe welcome. The one whose judgement is good and offers salvation, not just for himself or a special few, but for all who welcome him and follow him.

Blessed are those who take no offence at him.

faith, sermonsHannah SwithinbankDecember 14, 2025sermons, faith, politicsComment

People of God, awake! A sermon for Advent Sunday

People of God, awake!

This is the call of the prayer we prayed at the lighting of the first advent candle.
It is the call of Paul to the Romans, and of Jesus to his disciples in Matthew.

Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme – Wake up, the voice is calling us — runs the famous German carol.

Wake up, the saviour is coming.

There is something fundamentally strange about Advent,

Burbling Gently

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