YES WE CAN

Just finished watching the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States, a ceremony in which I've never been especially interested. There's just such a sense of history being made and of the "audacity of hope". Barack Obama, as we've come to expect, made a stirring speech but even he was trumped today by the words of the benediction spoken by Rev Joseph Lowery. "Black will not be told: Get back, brown will get around, red will get ahead, yellow will be mellow and white will do what's right..." He caught the humour and justice of God and cast it freely around the world. Thanks be to God.

Homecoming

I'm currently attending a conference encouraging churches to be involved in Scotland's year of homecoming. Celebrating all that is Scottish and welcoming not just the huge Scottish diaspora but all those who feel they have an affinity with Scotland. The year of homecoming is timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns and, now that I'm ministering in Ayrshire, it seemed important to get onboard. 

The spiritual heritage of Scotland is an integral part of Scotland's history. Castlehill church does not have a long history like many other churches in Ayr, being a mere 56 years old but the story of the founding and building of the church here is nonetheless a fascinating story - and, what's more, it is still alive in folks' memories. And as a community we are adding to that story every day as we celebrate our faith and spirituality. We continue to extend a warm welcome to all to be at home in our midst.

Beloved of God

Today, in worship, we were focussing on the fact that each of us is a beloved child of God. I thought it would be fun for the children to splash around in the font and invited any adults who wanted to do so too.  I know that to some folks that won't seem like much of a big deal but we are Scottish presbyterians who don't do much moving about in worship. Well! The response was overwhelming. It was so moving to see so many youngsters and adults come to the font, put their hand in the water and be assured that they are beloved of God. God loves you - and I love you.

Streets ahead

All the others are just green shoots but, for some reason, this bulb has blossomed in splendid isolation heralding the beauty to come. There are so many shoots, all over the borders in the garden and, it being our first season here, there's a new excitement in anticipating what the blooms will bring. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of the beauty that we will behold as time marches on. This week in church we read of John the Baptist heralding the one who was to come and then actually baptising Jesus. This week, nature illustrates the lectionary message. We look forward with hope.

Clergy self care

Took some time out around lunch time today to take a walk down to the river. Health inducing physically, mentally and spiritually. Caring for myself is something I've been much better at in this charge than in my last. Because of, rather than in spite of, the fact that this charge is much bigger, I need to ensure that there's time to clear some space, time for reflection. And I try not to feel too guilty when I meet folk who ask me - are you having a day off? Its amazing what can be achieved and how much can be processed with an hour walking alongside water! Hopefully then I won't be too much like this swan, graceful above water, paddling like fury beneath the surface.

One of the Story People pictures that graces my study has these words of wisdom:

"There are days I drop words of comfort on myself like falling rain and remember it is enough to be taken care of by myself."

New beginnings

The sun setting in the Kyles of Bute on New Year's day was stunning.
But now its back to the fray. I decided I'd better get on to the texts for Sunday and was delighted to find that we're looking at Jesus' baptism.
Looking forward to exploring new beginnings and responsibilities.
Would love to do something a wee bit creative though like get everyone to come to the font and be renewed for mission. No problem in smaller less formal settings but in formal Sunday worship? Time to push the boat out? You bet! Off to work through the logistics.

Making it last

We finally got around to making our Christmas cookies today. Well, some folk have to work over the holidays! There was something special, though, about taking some time to do things that normal folk do in the lead up to Christmas. Things are already rushing on into a new activity filled year and its good, as that begins, to fill in some of the bits that were missed out in the busy-ness of church at Christmas. A reminder that God is for life - not just for Christmas or, as they say, God is dog spelt backwards.