Catching the breeze

Lots of Pentecost fun at church this morning with the gentle breeze of the Holy Spirit.

Hoping that breeze becomes a gale.

Emerging from the shadows

What angels lurk

what spirits roam

parading this sacred corridor 

of light and shadow

Witnessing moments of sadness and joy

being party to transformation

as countless feet pass this way

Some looking for reassurance

some for confirmation

some for inspiration

or comfort

or embrace

But each open to possibility

and thus finding fulfillment

Its a sacred place

with sacred intent

and that sacredness is transported 

to all corners of the world

Ancient cloisters

still playing their part in

countless journeys of hope.

Liz Crumlish May 2009

Bad parenting

Passed John Knox's statue on the way from the Assembly Hall tonight. Our daughter thought it was Dumbledore. When we explained that it was the great Scottish reformer, our teenage son remarked dismissively: "Never heard of him". 

I blame the parents.

To boldly go - with grace

To get to the Church Without Walls event on Friday, participants entering Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh passed through doors over which were written the words "to boldly go". The whole Church Without Walls momentum has been a grace filled dynamic encompassing the width and breadth of the church. And it promises to maintain that momentum of grace.

Last night, the Assembly voted to allow an openly gay christian to take up a call to a new ministry. I'm told that debate was respectful and graceful. Of course conversations will continue. There is much more to be considered and worked through in the issues raised by this case. My prayer is that those who feel hurt by the church at this time will remain in love as, together, we continue to experience the extravagant grace of God infusing all our human encounters, enfolding us in love.

The waiting game

Trying to assemble a sermon for tomorrow that has been percolating all week, based on Matthias' election as a replacement for Judas, the betrayer. However I am totally distracted by events unfolding in the assembly hall. Over two hours into the hearing of  the referred case and still no updates. If it's affecting me in this way, how must those "at the centre" be feeling? Praying, praying praying - Thy will be done.

GA Fringe

Although I'm not a commissioner this year, I've spent loads of time at the General Assembly - mainly at Fringe events. Last night, the Church Without Walls folks held a celebration - it's 10 years since the initial report was considered by the assembly. It was good to mark how much the work of that panel has contributed to the church - locally, nationally and globally. These guys - Robin Hill and Alex Shuttleworth did an "assembly revue". It was hilarious. And extremely clever. What a welcome interlude in all the business of the week.

Engaging

At the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, we're used to protestors and street preachers greeting commissioners as they make their way to the Mound. So much so that we pass them by with barely a glance. However, a visiting friend decided to engage with this guy and entered into a lengthy dialogue. They both talked with one another and listened and exchanged views. Neither was changed by the encounter but two human beings met and shared conversation. Isn't that enough? How often we fear those who are different without even attempting to discover common ground.