look who’s taking part in our
Sermon of the Year final 2021
Katrina Clifford
My faith life is shaped and enriched by different Christian denominations and communities. The challenge of seeing a fresh message in familiar Bible texts is something I enjoy, and I am currently training to be a lay preacher in the United Reformed Church. Last year I learnt about Godly Play storytelling and look forward to when I will be able to put both sets of training into practice.
It is an honour to be one of the finalists this year and I wish my fellow competitors every blessing.
I'm a member at Trinity URC in Wimbledon and also attend All Saints West Ewell (Church of England). I am currently training to be a Synod Recognised Lay Preacher in the URC and am attached to New Malden URC as part of that training.
Why did you enter Sermon of the Year?
I entered the Sermon of the Year Competition last year and was delighted to make the top 10. I really enjoyed the challenge of crafting the sermon and when the competition came around again I was intrigued to have another try. This sermon didn't come to me as easily as the previous one, but as the closing date loomed it felt like it had to be written, even if I never used it again. I never expected to do as well as last year, never mind make the final! Having seen the finalists last year, I'm honoured to have been chosen and wish the other 2 finalists all the very best!
Catharine Hughes
Catharine grew up in Yorkshire and became a Christian during a Rob Frost mission. She has a degree in Maths and Psychology, and qualified as a Chartered Accountant. Her husband’s research took them and their two children to Lusaka, Zambia, which delayed her accreditation as a Methodist local preacher by four years but gave her plenty of practice, and stories for two books. She is now completing her second of three years’ part-time training for presbyteral ministry. In her spare time she enjoys playing the cello, watching cricket and winning at board games, but not all at once.
I attend Mobberley Methodist Church, my ‘link’ church while I am in ministerial training. My ‘home’ church remains Poynton Methodist Church, where my family also worship.
Why did you enter Sermon of the Year?
Preaching has been a core part of my ministry for many years. I have considered entering Sermon of the Year in the past, viewing it as a personal challenge: this year both time to write and spiritual inspiration coincided. I was particularly gripped by the theme of ‘Cross the Divide’, to think about what divides us from God and how the cross has mended that rift between us. I am keen to make bible stories zing with relevance for people today.
Philip Sudworth
Philip became a Methodist local preacher in the Wigan circuit in December, 2017. Having retired from the education service, he is kept busy by voluntary work. In 2019, he was recognised as the local Volunteer of the Year. His monthly series of articles, Pew by the Door, appeared in the Methodist Recorder over the 2004/2005 church year. He’s had articles on faith published in eight countries. Grandchildren have given him renewed insights into awe and wonder, love and trust. Frequent challenging questions remind him that those who think they have all the answers haven’t yet found half the questions.
I am a member of Standish Methodist Church and became a Methodist local preacher in the Wigan circuit in December, 2017.
Why did you enter sermon of the Year?
I entered Sermon of the Year, because I am passionate about the theme. I am convinced that the church must be inclusive and accept those who are on different faith journeys. We have so much to learn from each other. The church must also come alongside those outside the church who are in social, emotional or spiritual need. We have to earn the right to share our faith, and it is remarkable too how much those we help can teach us.
