Confident evangelism
Andy Bannister, Director of Solas, gives us some tips about sharing your faith in Jesus more naturally and persuasively, sensitively challenging people with questions
Categories
Rapport magazine
Rapport is the official magazine of the Lee Abbey Movement. It is published three times a year and sent to all Lee Abbey Friends of Jesus. Here are some of its recent articles.
2024
Parables and signs of the kingdom
Martin Young delves into what the kingdom of heaven might look like here on earth
Modern-day miracles to build faith and celebrate answers to prayer
Joanna Watson unpacks the inspiration for her book
Do you want to be ‘all in’ for Jesus’s living water?
Mark Melluish reminds us how important it is to soak in God’s presence and refresh ourselves
The sound of silence
Rob Eastwood Dewing explains how an individually guided retreat can allow space for us to hear God more clearly
What if?
Pat Westwell meditates on the hope of the gospel
2023
Masterpiece
Suzanne Irving reflects how in our fragility we are both jars of clay and God’s masterpieces
A season of change in the Small Missional Communities
Andy Wooding Jones, the SMC Chair, relates how SMC trustees are aiming for firm foundations
Navigating ‘new normals’
Rachel Oates reflects on finding God in unexpected places
Hearing the Father’s voice
Lin Button suggests we need to be still and listen more
Developing resilient faith
Rev Dr Ian Paul suggests some strategies to help us handle disappointment better
Pray as you go: when life becomes a prayer
Emma Holland describes how Ignatian spirituality can help us draw closer to God
God moves into the neighbourhood
Dave Hopwood describes how we no longer need be afraid of having God in our midst
2022
Rediscovering the ministry of blessing
Russ Parker shares candidly how an unlooked-for prayer request helped him re-think the meaning of God’s blessing
Triple listening
Paul Woolley considers the importance of listening, for disciples of Jesus in today’s world.
The Holy Spirit in family life
Lecturer, author and mum, Helen Collins shows us how we can let the Holy Spirit change and improve the sometimes mundane, chaotic and difficult aspects of our closest relationships.
The joy of the mid-faith crisis
Nick Page asks: what do we do when we are holding onto our faith by a thread?
The way up is down
Mark Melluish explains that the way to get to know God better is to ‘get down low.’
Daring to lose sight of land
Gordon Crowther challenges us to not settle back into the familiar, but keep pioneering
Praying with God’s Word
Author and speaker Amy Boucher Pye delves into different ways of hearing God speak to us through the Bible
2021
Can I have a word, Lord?
David Runcorn examines how we understand the Bible and how new truths ‘break forth’
No packing required
Sally Dakin explores how we can have a retreat at home
Emerging from ‘our cave’
Susan Edmondson reflects on stepping out into new freedom after Covid restrictions
Disruption or opportunity?
Sandy Pepper, Chair of Lee Abbey London, urges us to embrace the openings provided by the pandemic for the gospel
Where is God in the pandemic?
Phil Park reflects on changing our focus in challenging times
Silent power at work
Sister Carol reflects on intercessory prayer and explains how we can embrace its challenges and learn to ‘live it’
Gratitude, attitude and kindness
Hope Price puts her lockdown mottos into action
Artwork inspires Lee Abbey Aston
Paul Lacey explains how three pieces of artwork have equipped and encouraged Aston SMC to live out their calling
Walking with God
Esther Birtwistle offers a reflection on pilgrimage
To be a pilgrim
Jennie Cappleman considers what a pilgrimage actually is, and how to embark on one
The gift of singleness
Margaret Warne explores the Christian view of singleness
2020
Ford, Plymouth — home to the new Lee Abbey SMC
Susan Edmondson, Chair of Lee Abbey Small Missional Communities Board, outlines an exciting development
A special place
John Simmons reflects on the importance of rural churches for local communities
Window of opportunity
Rachel Oates reflects on the impact of Covid-19 on the environment
Staying connected
Dr Maggie Paul reflects on remaining faithful in strange times
Hospitality, cooking, questioning and sharing our story
Miriam Williams looks at new ways of communicating our faith story
Beacon receives top award
Keith Ovenden explains why The Beacon Activity Centre merited the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOTC) Gold Standard Award
Two sides of the same coin
Denis Alexander looks at some of the similarities between science and faith
Farmers under pressure
Farm Manager Simon Gibson highlights the impact of mass markets on the environment and the challenges farmers face as they care for livestock and the landscape
A way of life that works
Jill Weber considers what it means to live a life that taps into our deepest desires
2019
Easter re-imagined
The Beacon Activity Centre Team find an innovative way to engage children with the Easter story
Grief: a journey through the seasons
Abi May explores how we can cope with the changes that bereavement brings
Tree of life
Ann Persson introduces a creative reflection which will help us take stock of our lives
Earthen vessels: Treasured containers
Bridget Macaulay gets to grips with how God inhabits this ‘fragile vessel’, us.
Beautiful and mysterious
The poet Malcolm Guite explores how Jesus reveals Himself to us through the ‘I Am’ sayings of John’s Gospel
Knowing God: Fully human and fully divine
Jane Williams examines how our vision of God shapes who we are, how we live and what we think the world is for.
Hope for tomorrow
Justin Tomkins looks at how we can help future generations celebrate technology and science without being ruled by it
Healing: are we diffident, arrogant or confident?
Val Turner explores how we trust God when praying for healing.
2018
The gift of tears
Suppressed, hidden, apologised for, writer and speaker David Runcorn asks us to look again at how God can use our tears
Ascension to Pentecost: prayer, community and mission
Inspired by the Thy Kingdom Come prayer initiative Jonathan Banks and Esther Birtwistle reflect on a ‘zig zag’ journey from Devon to Yorkshire
Bringing good news to Crickhowell, Wales
Mission chaplain Nick Haigh and a team from Lee Abbey join in with what God is doing
The Journey – Lee Abbey to Scargill
Reflections compiled by Tim Proudler of the pilgrimage from one community to the other, 10 to 19 May 2018
Wrestling in the dark
Dave Hopwood reflects on Jacob’s struggle at the River Jabbok and other Bible characters who wrestle with reality.
Living in Christian community
Bishop Alan St Albans considers the resurgence of Christian communities in the West and what we can learn from St Benedict.
Get wisdom!
Bev Shepherd examines the biblical definition of true wisdom and how to steer a course which leads to life
Seasoned by Seasons
Michael Mitton reflects on Bible stories which connect with the seasons of the soul
A revue to remember
Simon Holland considers the radical love of the Servant King, demonstrated in Lee Abbey Devon’s performance of Lee Misérabbeys
2017
Exciting times ahead for Lee Abbey’s SMCs
Susan Edmondson unpacks the future vision
Mustard seeds, diamonds and dancing feet
Barry Dugmore explores growth in discipleship and how our ‘mustard seed’ of faith can extend the Kingdom of God
Martha, Mary and the toothbrush test
Sally Dakin reflects on finding the balance of activity and rest and choosing to be ‘present to the presence of God.’
‘The holy here’ – encounters with God in the ordinary
Bridget Macauley recognises those everyday moments of life which are charged with God’s presence
Remarkable lives used by God
Mark and Joanna Williamson look at four inspirational stories
Gardens – the new sanctuary space
Award winning garden designer Hannah Genders reflects on how our gardens can become the spaces that provide a sanctuary from this modern, fast paced world
What on earth are we doing?
John Samways explores what it means to live a purposeful life in the Kingdom of God
Raw power and intricate detail
Ruth Bancewicz and Bob White consider the awesome wonder of God revealed in creation
2016
70th Celebrations
Simon Holland reflects on the spiritual power-house that is Lee Abbey at 70
Letting in the LIGHT
Shaun Lambert considers the value of being still whilst on a retreat and ‘cleaning the windows of our soul’
Words of Life
Silas Crawley examines how our words can be a powerful catalyst for affirmation and growth.
Being ‘unbusy’ with God
Bev Shepherd considers how spending time in prayer enables us to receive God’s love and restoration
Food and faith
Andy Lester and Ruth Valerio examine how we can live well whilst also protecting the needs of the planet.
God, science and nature
Graham Swinerd and John Bryant consider the evidence of divine design in our awe-inspiring universe.
Blessed
Jane Willis reflects on a silent retreat at Lee Abbey Devon: ‘No words, no wine, no web – but I had my camera.’
Moving from trying to training
Joe Davis looks at how we can redeem a ‘dark night’ of the soul by the practice of spiritual disciplines in following Jesus
2015
Life’s changing seasons
Bob Evens reflects on life’s different seasons – and God’s provision for each new phase.
I wish we had all been ready
The Parable of the Sower has a vital message for today as Barry Kissell explains …
Contemplating the Psalms
Roger Wagner reflects on the inspiration behind his project to illustrate and translate the Psalms.
Sssshhhhhhhh … going on a silent retreat
A guest’s experience of a silent retreat at Lee Abbey
Creation sings the Father’s song
Lee Abbey Warden David Rowe considers the beauty of creation and the way God brings order out of chaos so that nothing is lost.
Interpreting the Lee Abbey Vision for today, and tomorrow …
Hope means hearing the music of the future. Faith means dancing to it now.
To be a pilgrim …
A new course, commissioned by the Church of England, aimed to inspire confident, transformative discipleship. Is this a rival to Alpha? Paula Gooder unpacks the Pilgrim course.
2014
What’s so amazing about place?
Dave Bookless reflects on ‘thin places’ and finding God’s presence wherever we live.
The Psalms Project
Ali Hull talks to composer Steven Faux about The Psalms Project, a contemporary journey through the vivid landscape of Psalms told in the musical language of feature films.
The God who calls: Genesis and the love of God
Jane Williams explains why she is enthralled by the book of Genesis.
Job – touching the void
David Rowe considers how we can continue to engage in faith and in dialogue, including lament, even when things go wrong. Philip Roth’s tragic novel,…
So you want to see your book in print?
For those of us who feel that we have a book inside us – but are too scared to try and write it … Ali…
Write for your soul
Boxmoor Convent 26 January 1979 We drove up a steep, icy hill into the grounds of the convent. The car stuck in the snow and…
What’s in a name?
Some Friends have recently quizzed me about the name change from Lee Abbey Households to Lee Abbey Small Missional Communities, so I thought it might…
The God who speaks
If I asked you to describe the God of the Bible, to sum up his nature and his character, how would you answer? I guess…
2013
Building bridges of hope through music
Sam Bromley speaks to Adrian Snell about life, family, music, and faith – and, of course, Fierce Love his first album release in seven years….
Spiritual Formation and Discipleship Training
Spiritual Formation and Discipleship Training key in drawing Community closer to God As I sit chatting to guests at meals I often find myself responding to…
God’s gift of reconciliation
Karen Kemp explores God’s challenge for us to live at peace with one another and details her own struggle to forgive when her daughter was bullied…
Lee Abbey Devon tops the Fairtrade chart
If you have used ‘Reggae Reggae Sauce’ then you will most probably know of Levi Roots as the entrepreneur who became a household name after…
Sharing his saving love (from our Rule of Life)
Annie Naish reports on two successful visits by the Lee Abbey Devon mission teams What do bird seed, bowling, cake, mime and teddy bears all…
End of an era
Alice Collins asks Trevor and Samia Hubble to look back and reflect as they reach the end of their time at Lee Abbey London Samia…