Meeting in small groups
One of the ways forward for worshipping communities is to meet in small groups outside of the regular Sunday worship – or indeed where and when there is no such provision, in a remote location for example. Bible study groups, prayer groups, social action groups – they can have a wide range of purposes. One […]
Generous hospitality
The following article is posted by permission of David McEwan, Lay Chaplain of St Kiaran’s, Campbeltown. It appeared as the pastoral letter in St Kiaran’s recent newsletter and turns out to be even more relevant as the news of the refugee crisis unfolds. Some months ago, my wife and I enjoyed a relaxing lunch in […]
Prayer Solidarity Today
The July diocesan newsletter mentioned that the 24th of each month is designated for prayers for Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The SEC is a partner in this initiative with the Church of Scotland and other bodies. Here’s what the website says: We (Church of Scotland) are joining with Christians around the world to pray for […]
Our ordinands
Elaine Garman and Rosemary Bungard will be ordained as deacons at St John’s Cathedral on Saturday 27th June at 1pm. Please pray for them as they take this important step in their ministry. They have been preparing through the Scottish Episcopal Institute and, in Elaine’s case, also the University of Aberdeen. Their formation and studies […]
Being mindful
As you may have seen in the newsletter and on Facebook, our diocesan retreat in October will be on ‘Christian Mindfulness’. Some people are sensitive to words or activities which they see as coming from outside ‘their’ tradition. True the word ‘mindfulness’ has reached the popular consciousness through, among others, the work ofJon Kabat-Zinn who took […]
Easter poem
This poem by Evangeline Paterson simply takes my breath away. The gaps are as the poet wrote them. I suggest you read it aloud observing them. The effect is astonishing. And that will be heaven And that will be heaven at last the first unclouded seeing to stand like the sunflower turned full […]
Diocesan conference – David Runcorn presenter
We’re delighted that Rev David Runcorn, author of ‘The Road to Growth Less Travelled’ is coming from Bristol to work with us next week. Our conference on Tuesday 10th (the day before our diocesan synod) is entitled ‘Singing in a Strange Land.’ The morning session is for clergy only; the afternoon session for everyone will […]
Dignity
I can do no better than to recommend you listen to Sunday Worship of Feb 22nd. The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent book is Rev Desmond Tutu’s ‘In God’s Hands’ and Radio 4 is following that for its Lent theme on Sunday mornings at 8.10. This week the service from St Martin-in-the Fields focussed on the […]
Healing – restoration or transformation?
For today’s blog, I’m indebted to the Revd Lisa Eunson who shared with me a thought from a recent sermon. The question is hers – the rest is my take on it! Is healing about more than the resumption of ‘normal service’? When we suffer in any way -physically, mentally, emotionally, spirituality – it’s human […]
Rural ministry
Rural ministry applies to most charges in this diocese – and indeed to many in the SEC. Even those in towns like Oban, Dunoon or Campbeltown have rural dimensions. The Church Times has a telling piece summarising a report ‘Released for Mission: Growing the rural Church’ from the Rural Affairs Group of the C of […]
