Devotions

Welcome to Above All Love . This is Simply Fellowship — the Good News, quietly told. ​This is a gentle space. No pressure, no performance. You don't need to have your theology sorted to be here. You don't need to feel worthy, or confident, or certain of your standing before God. ​You're welcome exactly as you are, wherever you are reading this — carrying whatever you carry, however long you've been carrying it. ​If you need to read slowly, or stop and come back — that's completely fine. There's no right way to be here. Just be here. ​Hymn ​We begin with a hymn verse. Read it slowly. You might want to sit with each line before moving on. ​Not the labours of my hands Can fulfil thy law's demands; Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears for ever flow, All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and thou alone. ​— Augustus Toplady, Rock of Ages ​Prayer ​Gracious God, ​Thank you that you do not ask us to earn what we could n...

Welcome ​ Welcome to Above All Love. This is Simply Fellowship — the Good News, quietly told. ​This is a gentle space. No pressure, no performance. You don't need to have answers about buildings or belonging, or about where God is or isn't. You don't need to have a church to come back to, or feel the loss of one that has gone. ​You're welcome exactly as you are, wherever you are reading this — in a home, in a garden, on a phone in a waiting room, or anywhere else entirely. ​If you need to read slowly, or stop and come back — that's completely fine. There's no right way to be here. Just be here. ​Hymn ​ We begin with a hymn verse. Read it slowly. You might want to sit with each line before moving on. ​O thou not made with hands, Not throned above the skies, Nor walled with shining walls, Nor framed with stones of price, More bright than gold or gem, God's own Jerusalem. — F. T. Palgrave ​Prayer ​Living God, ​Thank you that you are not conf...

Welcome Welcome to Above All Love. This is Simply Fellowship — the Good News, quietly told. This is a gentle space. No pressure, no performance. You don't have to have it together to be here. You don't have to be certain, or hopeful, or even very present today. You're welcome exactly as you are, wherever you are reading this. If you need to read slowly, or stop and come back — that's completely fine. There's no right way to be here. Just be here. Hymn We begin with a hymn verse. Read it slowly. You might want to sit with each line before moving on. Just as I am, without one plea, But that thy blood was shed for me, And that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. — Charlotte Elliott Prayer Loving God, Thank you that you do not wait for us to deserve welcome before you offer it. Thank you that your arms are already open before we have finished our...

WELCOME Welcome to Above All Love. This is Simply Fellowship — the Good News, quietly told. This is a gentle space. No pressure, no performance. You don't have to have it together to be here. You don't have to be healed, or feeling anything in particular today. You're welcome exactly as you are, wherever you are reading this. If you need to move, or step away and come back later — that's completely fine. There's no right way to be here. Just be here. HYMN We begin with a hymn verse. Read it slowly. You might want to sit with each line before moving on. Breathe on me, Breath of God, Fill me with life anew, That I may love what thou dost love, And do what thou wouldst do. — Edwin Hatch PRAYER Loving God, Thank you that you do not wait for us to be well before you notice us. Thank you that in the middle of our years — in the middle of our waiting, our weariness, our half-lived lives — you are not absent. Revive us today, not in some distant future, but her...

    WELCOME Welcome to Above All Love. This is Simply Fellowship — the Good News, quietly told. This is a gentle space. No pressure, no performance. You don't have to have it together to be here. You don't have to be hopeful, or certain, or even feel particularly faithful today. You're welcome exactly as you are, wherever you are reading this. If you need to move, or step away and come back later — that's completely fine. There's no right way to be here. Just be here. HYMN We begin with a hymn verse. Read it slowly. You might want to sit with each line before moving on. Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide; When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me. — Henry Francis Lyte PRAYER Loving God, Thank you that you walk beside us even when we do not know it is you. Thank you that you ask us questions and listen to our answers, and do not tell us off for getting things wrong. ...

Zacchaeus WELCOME Welcome to Above All Love. This is Simply Fellowship — the Good News, quietly told. This is a gentle space. No pressure, no performance. You don't have to have it together to be here. You don't have to be respectable, or popular, or have a good reputation. You're welcome exactly as you are, wherever you are reading this. If you need to take a break, step away and come back later — that's completely fine. There's no right way to be here. Just be here. HYMN We begin with a hymn verse. Read it slowly. You might want to sit with each line before moving on. Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. PRAYER Loving God, Thank you for seeking us out — even when we have climbed our own trees to watch from a distance, not daring to get too close. Help us to hear you calling our name today. Give us the courage to come down and welcome you in. May we...

1. Volunteering — Walk for Autism This week's volunteering continues to be centred around the Walk for Autism.  Sponsor here! 2. Fitness — Nature Walk For fitness this week I've been getting out for a nature walk.  3. Hobby — The Digital Parish & Daily Office My hobby this week has been continuing with The Digital Parish and the Daily Office. I've been using the Northumbria Community Office for daily prayer and documenting my reflections here on the blog. This rhythm has been a real anchor. This week also brought some significant movement in my online ministry. I revisited my Simply Fellowship idea — the dream of launching an in-person meeting — and sat with some honesty about where I actually am right now. With my autism, social anxiety, and the realities of family and work-life balance, an in-person meeting simply isn't the right step at this moment. Maybe it will be one day. Maybe it won't. And I'm learning to be at peace with not ...

  WELCOME "Welcome to Above All Love. I'm David, and this is Simply Fellowship — the Good News, quietly told. This is a gentle space. No pressure, no performance. You don't have to have it together to be here. You don't have to believe the right things or feel the right feelings. You're welcome exactly as you are, wherever you are listening to this. If you need to move, fidget, or pause and come back later — that's completely fine. There's no right way to be here. Just be here." HYMN "We're going to begin with a hymn. I'll read it rather than sing it — one verse, slowly. You might want to just listen, or read along, or simply close your eyes. Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light." PRAYER "Let's pray together. Loving God, Thank you for bringing us together in this moment — wherever we each are. He...

🚶 1. Volunteering — Walk for Autism This week's volunteering evidence centres on the Walk for Autism project. Preparations are taking shape and I'm looking forward to getting out there during the actual walk week.  🌿 2. Fitness — Nature Walk Fitness this week came in the form of a nature walks. Getting outside into natural surroundings — whether spotting birds, photographing trees, or simply walking the path — is a meaningful and grounding way to stay active.  🙏 3. Hobby — The Digital Parish & Simply Fellowship: This has been the biggest and most exciting area of growth this week. What began as a personal spiritual practice has evolved into something genuinely significant. Daily Office & Blog: Daily prayer continues using the Northumbria Community Office, with other faith based reflections documented here on the blog. This consistent practice forms the spiritual foundation of everything else in this section. Simply Fellowship — A New Visio...