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Our Nerina chaired for the lovely Helen Atkins, who came to visit on Sunday. Thank you so much, Helen, for a lovely night!!
The beautiful Magnolia trees are coming into bloom. There is a stunning example just around the corner from me. They are ornamental trees; they were first brought to England in 1687 by John Banister for Fulham Palace, and in the 18th and 19th centuries, more varieties were introduced from China and the Himalayas.
These early spring bloomers really help with pollination, even though they’re not as nectar-rich as some blossoms. Arriving on the spring scene early, they help those bees take their fill. They are thought to be living fossils as there is evidence that they existed some 95 million years ago, although not in their current form.
Their petals are tough and are actually two in one, for what would usually be the green part of the bloom, and the petals are identical. Those tough petals help with the rough behaviour of those beetles, who like her, and are also the quieter pollinators of the springtime.
Their Spiritual symbolism is vast. Including purity, perseverance, and everlasting connections.
We are well aware of our everlasting connections when we gather, feeling those in spirit join us in such numbers. On Sunday, Helen Atkins came to visit on Mother’s Day at our Divine Service and gathering. Helen brought some lovely, inspired thoughts for us to ponder, and then went on to bring some lovely messages for the family. Thank you so much, Helen!! Our lovely Nerina chaired our evening beautifully, and we had such lovely readings and prayers from the family. We were also in good voice, which we were thankful for, as we did not have our hymnal, but that did not stop us from singing our hearts out. Thank you, Julie, for timing us for our healing silence, and Barbara, for making sure we were on pitch.
Of course, we were spoilt with two cakes, which went very quickly. Thank you, Carole and Sue.
And thank you to our healers and trainees on hand after the service. Thank you for all the set up, break down and washing up.
PRAYER OF THE WEEK
Please continue to pray for understanding in this world, but also tolerance, especially from World Leaders right now in all the situations that continue to erupt.
Have a beautiful week. It should get warmer in these parts. We can’t wait!!
Happy St Patricks Day!!
Beannacht De’ leat!
Reflections on Life, Faith, and Love Beyond This World – The Latest from Rob Harvey
Several new articles have been published on Rob Harvey’s website exploring some of the most common questions people ask about life, death, and the spiritual world. These topics often arise during readings, conversations with families, and spiritual meetings where people are searching for understanding about what happens beyond this life.
While each article explores a different subject, they are all connected by one central theme — love, understanding, and the journey of the soul.
Are Funerals Only for the Living?
One of the most frequently asked questions is whether funerals are simply for those left behind, or whether they also have meaning for the person who has passed.
From Rob Harvey’s experience conducting funeral services, funerals can be important for both the living and the departed. When someone dies, they leave their physical body but may still remain aware of their surroundings for a short time.
The atmosphere of a funeral can make a real difference. When people gather with open minds, celebrating the life of their loved one and sending love, it can help the person who has passed as they begin their transition to the next world.
This perspective offers a comforting reminder that funerals are not only about grief — they can also be moments of connection, love, and support for the soul continuing its journey.
You can read the full article here:
https://robharveylifeafterdeath.co.uk/2026/03/13/are-funerals-for-the-living-or-the-departed/
Is Going to Church Necessary?
Another question that many people ask is whether attending church is necessary for living a good life or preparing for what comes after death.
Rob Harvey explains that while churches can be beautiful places for prayer and reflection, the most important thing is not simply attending church, but how we live our lives and treat the people around us.
Through many spiritual readings, Rob has observed that those who led kind and compassionate lives often find it easier to connect with loved ones after passing. What truly matters is the love we show to others, the help we offer, and the kindness we share.
In the end, faith and spirituality are not about appearances or rituals, but about the genuine goodness we bring into the world.
Read more here:
https://robharveylifeafterdeath.co.uk/2026/03/13/do-you-need-to-go-to-church/
A Message of Love from the Spirit World
During one spiritual meeting, a powerful message came through focusing entirely on the importance of love.
The message described love as the force that connects everything — this world, the spirit world, and the souls who move between them. It reminded those present that love can be seen in everyday life, from the beauty of nature to the bond between families.
According to the message, love does more than comfort us. It attracts more love, brings people together, and even allows loved ones in the spirit world to draw closer.
It also suggested that gatherings where people come together with kindness and intention can create powerful moments where the spiritual and physical worlds connect through love.
You can read the full message here:
https://robharveylifeafterdeath.co.uk/2026/03/13/a-message-about-love-from-the-spirit-world/
A Shared Message
Although each of these articles explores a different topic — funerals, faith, and spiritual messages — they all point toward the same deeper understanding.
Life is about how we love, how we help others, and how we grow as individuals.
Whether we are celebrating someone’s life at a funeral, questioning the role of religion, or listening to messages from the spirit world, the same truth continues to appear:
Love is at the centre of everything.
To explore these ideas in more depth, visit Rob Harvey’s website and read the full articles linked above.
We gathered in again on our Wednesday evening, to see each other, hear the prayers and readings, and listen to beautiful music on Zoom.
The day held sunshine and a hope for the official start of springtime. Thank you, everyone for your prayers and readings.
Healing followed the gathering.
Please continue to pray for understanding in this world.
Helen Atkins is with us Sunday, in Chawton. Join us!
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The lovely Sarah McLaughlan came to visit us last night. We had a lovely time. Thank you, Sarah! Alison Keogh chaired our evening.
Even through some foggy mornings and days, springtime is coming, as noted by the endless birdsong and activity, and the now luminous green appearing in our woodland. Even the moss gives a fantasy look to the forest, with its lime-green, almost luminescent colour.
The humble but very territorial blackbird is out and about with all the other busy birds, cocking his head to hear the earthworms underfoot. The male is black with that bright orange beak, and the female has a soft brown plumage.
They are a protected bird, and also one of our most common birds, so common that perhaps they get overlooked in favour of the more striking colours of some of their kin. His song is beautiful, though, as noted in many poems and songs. Numbers swell in the wintertime as their Scandinavian and Baltic cousins join them in this slightly warmer climate. These pairs often stay together for life. The female lays about three to six beautiful turquoise eggs with rusty spots. They used to be named “ousel,” as noted in the works of Shakespeare, but in 1486 they were renamed simply blackbirds. Folklore in general has them as harbingers of change, and Celtic symbolism holds that their song thins the veil between this world and the next.
We welcomed the lovely Sarah McLaughlan last night to our little church with a big heart. Sarah brought many inspired thoughts to remind us and uplift us, and then shared many lovely and very helpful messages for the family. Thank you so much, Sarah. We really did have such a lovely evening. Alison Keogh chaired our gathering. Thank you.
As always, we thank our readers and prayer people. We thank hospitality and Carole’s cake making. We thank Lisa for running our music, and also our healers who were on hand afterwards. Thank you to everyone who pitches in with the set-up, break-down, and the washing up.
PRAYER OF THE WEEK
Please pray this week for more understanding in this world, understanding in our homes, in our communities, and on the global stage. Understanding brings compassion, and compassion heals situations. The Golden Rule stands in every age.
Calendar up tomorrow.
Have a lovely week. Find the beauty in every day.
Photo credit: Mireille Berthoud
Alton Christian Spiritualist Church 