A Word In Season
A 13-part series of talks by The Revd. Dr. Martin Wellings reflecting on the seasons of the Christian Year.
Originally written in 2020 and 2021. Much of the world was in Lockdown and many UK churches were prevented from opening. They speak to time when there was a lot of fear and loneliness in our daily lives. For us, these Zoom talks were a gentle lifeline of wisdom and understanding
However, loneliness and fear do not disappear just because our church building threw open its doors again. So, we at East Finchley Methodist Church in the Barnet and Queensbury Circuit of North London, managed to twist Martin’s arm into dusting them down and recording them for the podcast generation. We wanted to make Martin’s thoughts freely available to anyone who could not get to church, or couldn’t ever imagine entering such a building.
We are uploading 3 or 4 episodes in accordance with the UK seasons, starting with Autumn and then working our way through Winter, Spring and Summer.
They are introduced by Jane Ray, a steward at the church and documentary producer and put together by the very clever Sam Stone.
We are very open to any thoughts or question you might have. Please drop us a line a podcast@eastfinchleymethodist.org.uk and if you know someone who might be curious to listen, pass this on and invite them to sign up via email.
In keeping with Methodist tradition, each talk is inspired in part by the Bible readings that are pre-selected and bought together an annual document called the Methodist Lectionary. In case you would like a closer look at the source material, we have given the biblical references for each episode in the programme descriptions below.
Episode 7: Watchnight
New Year's Eve
Theme: Christmas TV, Downton Abbey, Changing times, the legacy of slavery, living with uncertainty, the perils of lockdown ‘tiers’ and of trying to ‘second guess the future’, John Wesley’s 4am starts, being prepared, staying focused, holy impatience, God’s endless love.
These are the designated Bible readings for the Watch Night service that inspired Martin:
Old Testament: Psalm 8
New Testament: Revelation 21:1-6(a)
Gospel: Luke 12:35-50
Episode 6: Christmas
Christmas Day
Theme: Ear worms. Christmas Music. Bing Crosby. Home Alone II. Heroism under lockdown. Brussel sprouts. Government briefings. The Incarnation. Jesus: God’s rescue plan for the world.
These are the designated Bible readings for Christmas Day that inspired Martin:
New Testament: Hebrews 1:1-4
Gospel: John 1:1-14
Episode 5: Looking forward to Christmas
The Last Sunday Before Christmas Day
Theme: Aspirational names: John, Charles and Susanna Wesley, a baby called “Genius”. Richard Coles’ Three Vicars Talking. Jesus’s given names: ‘God with us’ and ‘God saves.’ The trials and tribulations of lockdown. Freedom from shame, guilt and fear.
This is the designated Bible readings for Christmas that inspired Martin’s talk:
Gospel reading: Matthew 1:18-25
Episode 4: Advent
The First Sunday in Advent
Theme: The Twin Perspective. Looking back - God's grace and the Good News.
Looking forward - the completion of God's loving purpose for the world. Living faithfully in the present.
These are the designated Bible readings for Advent that Martin references:
1 Corinthians 1
Mark 13
Isaiah 64
Episode 1: Harvest Festival.
Early October.
Themes: Our co-existence with, and duty towards the natural world. Balancing realism with hope. These are the designated Bible readings for Harvest that Martin references:
Old Testament: Genesis 8:13-22
New Testament: Revelation 14:14-19
Dur:
9’45”
Episode 2: All Saints Day.
The closest Sunday to 1st November.
Themes: Inclusivity. Diversity ‘reconciled’. God’s rescue plan for humanity is for “all tribes, and peoples’ (note the plural) The book of Revelation is “Not The Lonely Planet Guide to the afterlife” but The Sermon on The Mount probably IS. Despite it’s apparent “lunacy” it describes those “already living within the grain of God’s purpose for their lives,” so, they’re already in heaven.
These are the designated Bible readings for All Saints Day that inspired Martin.
New Testament: Revelation 7:9-17
The Sermon on The Mount: Matthew 5:1-12
Dur 11’.45”
Episode 3: Remembrance.
The closest Sunday to Armistice Day, 11th
November
Themes: Loving you enemies. Pacifism and The Armed Forces. The resurgence of ‘Remembrance Sunday’ in sombre times. Call out to Marcus Rashford. Necessity of grace.
These are the designated Bible readings for Remembrance Sunday that inspired Martin.
Old Testament: Isaiah 25:6-9
(Making a feast for “the
peoples” – note that plural again)
New Testament: Romans 8:31-35, 37-39
Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48
Last modified: 28 April 2026
