This space shows various items that have been printed on the back of the weekly flame sheets to stimulate prayer and worship.

If you have a poem, short story, picture, article, crossword, thought or other item you would like to contribute to the flame sheets and this space in future weeks please give or it to us.

Fear
I am walking alone on a path
That has been level and easy
When before me rise four frozen letters.
They block my way and mean that I cannot go on,
For I am unable to climb them or go round.

FEAR

For that is what I am

Afraid of letting go of the controls
Afraid to toss aside the schedule
Afraid of what you might ask me to do
Afraid to have your spirit flow.

I am spent.
I can go no further on my own.
I sit, I cry, I am silent in that icy shadow.

Finally I call to you – please move in me.

And then, from a blue sky I feel
Your spirit rain.

It falls on me gently and slowly
That word melts away with your spirit



My path is clear and
I walk on, no longer alone.

Steven Moe, May '07, based on a prayer by Jane on Sunday 13th May

Our Bridge
Will you build a bridge with me?
I do not think that it will be,
Very far or very long,
(It may not even be so strong).

The bridge I have in mind you see,
Is me to you and you to me,
And so it really does require,
Your help (if it is to transpire).

We’ve hurt each other in the past,
Let's not let those hurts outlast,
All that you and I could be,
If you will build this bridge with me.

Steven Moe, July ‘06

Tower Bridge
At 21.35 hours on 30th December 1952 a crowded RT double decker bus was heading towards Dulwich on route 78. The bus was nearly half way across Tower Bridge when the bridge began to rise.

Albert Gunter, the 46-year old driver, said at the time, “I just couldn’t believe it. I was driving over the bridge when suddenly it seemed as if the road ahead was starting to sink. Then I realised that the part I was on was rising – and I had only a split second to make up my mind what I was going to do.”

Albert slammed his foot on the accelerator and the bus leapt across the widening gap and smashed on its chassis as it landed on the other side. Several passengers were injured, but they all survived and Albert was hailed as a hero.

Albert had driven a London fire engine during the Blitz in the Second World War.  In 1945 he joined London Transport as a conductor and two years later became a driver.

After his terrifying experience, he was commended for his courage by the police and London Transport, who gave him a £10 reward.  He received many letters of congratulation at his Islington home, appeared on radio and was filmed for a newsreel.  One of the injured bus passengers, May Walshaw, was married shortly afterwards and she insisted that Albert be her best man.

Albert said, “It might have been any of the drivers on the route. I just happened to be there.”

Do any of you remember this?

From http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/research/faqs/5.shtml

Building Bridges
It doesn’t matter what your colour, or your creed
We all belong in this world whatever we believe
We’re all brothers and sisters under our skins
We all need to be forgiven for our sins

Living in such a multicultural society
None of us mix isn’t that a pity
So who’s going to be first to extend out their hands
To write us all across the lands

Maybe then we can live in peace
And all the fighting will cease
So let’s start building those bridges today
Bringing the barriers down that’s the way

Learning a little of each others faith
Promises of keeping each other safe
Give it a try and you will see
A better world for you and me.

Denise Gale, July '06