Beloved in Christ

I am scripting this on a cool and cosy afternoon, and that makes me reflect on the Africa-in-Scotland tropical downpour on Tuesday night, and again, as I was walking our doggie, on Wednesday early morning: thunder, lightning and a storm! Thereafter, the day broke into hot sunshine: the following day, the Haar settled in till lunchtime… thank you God for allowing me the spectrum on daily display!

I am looking forward to meeting many of you on Sunday at the joint service at 11am, at St Mary’s. Some have been speculating about how long it has been since the 2 congregations met in one venue!  I am going to bake a chocolate cake and bring a slice for tea afterwards, and a cup, saucer and cake fork to accompany it!  Who says we Episcopalians don’t know how to share good times over a cuppa!

Once again, I extend my offer to come and visit you, with communion, whenever you wish: next week, I will start visiting those of you who were my first to see friends, and I look forward to it.

The readings for Sunday are the special ones for Mary the Virgin.  They are as follows: Isaiah 61: 1, and 6 to 8. Psalm 45: 11 to 18. Galatians 4: 4 to 7. Luke 1: 46 to 55.

I include some notes on the vital role and example of St Mary, for your reflection and prayers:

1. Mary is the greatest of all saints: she chose to co-operate (as voiced in the Magnificat, from the Latin ‘Mary’s song of praise’) with God and devote herself to God’s plan to incarnate in a person of Jesus the Christ. She is a model of witness; willingness, submission to God’s plan; the first true follower of Jesus. Roman Catholics call her, ‘Mother of God’.

1. She and her purpose is foreshadowed in the Old Testament (Isaiah 7:14) as the virgin of Emmanuel. Emmanuel means, ‘God is with us’. The Old Testament predicts and envisages both Mary and Jesus, mother and son.

2. The immaculate conception deals with the conception of Mary herself, not her Son. She is sinless and a fitting miracle.

3. The Mary moments in the New Testament point to Jesus each and every time: Mary in The Magnificat, the family encounter with Jesus in the temple; her intervention at Cana; at the end of his life, standing at the foot of the cross.

4. She is the model of nurture and life-giving, instrumental and commanding in her example and witness. Marian theology asserts that she witnessed his Resurrection and Ascension additionally.

5. Mary exemplifies courage and character: ‘I am the Lord’s servant’. Even though warned by Simeon, she says, ‘May your word to me be fulfilled’ (Luke 1:38)

6. She is recognised in the Islamic tradition; a universal figure of nurture and commitment, qualities which appeal to men and women of every age.

After Sunday, I hope to share Betty’s reflection of the history of St Mary, and Margaret Gray’s view of St Mary.

I have just read The Winter Whale’ by Jim Crumley. I heartily concur with the author’s view and sentiment, that the whale,  but for industry, greed and money (and the societal attitude at that time), might still be sporting, splurging, swimming and singing for another hundred years, rather than face its ignominious disgusting death. Every day, I look on our estuary’s changing moods with wonder, and think of the history which has flowed there; the silhouette of Dundee now sporting ornamental Jute stacks, deserted oil rigs, in wait for usefulness in the future. I guess every one of you could add your own piece of history to it, and I hope to share your stories.   Please feel free to share your perspective!

The patronal festival of St Margaret falls on Sunday 16 November, and you will have a chance to share some local history, anecdote or memory with us then please! In the meantime, do email me your encounters.

God bless and look forward to seeing you soon

Kathy Barrable

07552 503 859

Beloved in Christ

Next week’s service is the FEAST OF ST MARY. It is at 11am, at St Mary’s: we decided that it would be best for each of us to bring our drink and eats of our choice (rather than sharing).  We could remain in our pews after the service, and chat away on a holy babble, to catch up on our news.  We look forward to seeing YOU there!

Please see the important announcement regarding compulsory face masks as from tomorrow.  I have put it in RED.

Many churches have not re-opened for practical reasons, and we are surely grateful that we have, because we are able to manage our social distancing comfortably.  I urge all of us to keep that awareness at all times, specially on arrival and also during communion.

DO join us for a Zoom chat evey Wednesday evening at 8pm. It is proving to be a valuable time of sharing and developing together.

Readings this Sunday include these themes:

Go to a still place for personal prayer(or ask someone to pray with you – I volunteer!) if you are suffering from any one or all of these danger signal conditions: (They are taken from an AA programme but apply to every one of us!)

 HALT:

Hungry

Angry

Lonely

Tired

God’s voice comes in silence, not hectic activity

Do not be afraid.

Trusting in God for an outcome

Following Jesus

1 Kings 19: 9 to 1

Psalm 5: 8 to 13

Matthew 14: 22 to 33

Romans 10: 5 to 15

God bless you!

Please call if you would like to chat or for me to visit, specially if I have not come to your home yet.

Kathy Barrable

07552 503859

The First Minister announced in her daily briefing at lunchtime today that, as from tomorrow, the wearing of face coverings is to become mandatory in places of worship. This will obviously affect any church services taking place this weekend and until further notice.

Since the announcement at lunchtime, the formal Regulations have now been laid before the Scottish Parliament and apply from tomorrow. The issues of which to take note are as follows:The Scottish Episcopal Church’s Advisory Group Phase 3 guidance, as most recently revised earlier this week, currently “encourages” the wearing of face coverings. Clearly that must be stepped up and churches must now conform to the new law which takes precedence over the guidance. This means that, subject to exceptions mentioned below, those in church must wear face coverings. The exceptions are as follows:-

1.      The person leading the act of worship does not need to wear a covering provided that either there is partition (eg screen) between that person and anyone else or a distance of at least 2 metres is maintained between that person  and any other person. In practice therefore, if the clergyperson, lay reader or other person leading the service is sufficiently far away from the rest of the congregation (ie at least 2m) they need not wear a covering. Where that 2m distance cannot be maintained, a covering must be worn and so, for example, those administering Communion must wear a covering while doing so.

2.     The exemption also applies to “volunteers” in places of worship which would seem to allow that if a person is leading intercessions or reading from a lectern then they may remove their face covering provided the 2m distancing is maintained or a partition is in place. I would recommend however that any such volunteer should replace their covering as soon as they have finished the intercessions/reading or similar activity. The exemption should not be seen as a carte blanche for volunteers not to wear a covering, and so volunteers performing other functions should continue to wear one.

3.     Those excused from wearing a face covering include children under the age of 5 and people who cannot, without severe distress, put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment or disability.

4.      Coverings may be removed where necessary to seek medical assistance, or to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person.

All of these various requirements should also be applied for weddings and funerals.

The Scottish Government’s own guidance for Places of Worship is to be updated and will available during the course of tomorrow at: safe use of places of worship guidance. Under the Regulations published today, those responsible for a place of worship are now legally obliged to “have regard to” such guidance. The SEC Advisory Group’s guidance has from the outset endeavoured to reflect and apply, for the SEC context, previous versions of that Scottish Government guidance, and so tomorrow’s Government guidance should not contain any surprises.

The First Minister also announced today that the wearing of a visor is no longer to be regarded as an adequate face covering. The Advisory Group has in fact been considering that specific question this week. Essentially, a visor protects the person wearing it from airborne droplets. A conventional face covering, on the other hand, is designed to protect not the wearer but other people. Consequently, whilst visors can continue to be worn, they must now be supplemented by a face covering (unless covered by the above exceptions).

(Sorry, I can’t upload the video. You can watch the relevant bit on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Jhi4t8Os0M from 20 seconds to 1 minute in to the video.)

Beloved in Christ

How was your week?  Take a moment to review it and note when you experienced that wonderful God-and-I are-one moment!  Most of us easily identify with that, specially when it is as lovely as Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week, when we can walk under glistening boughs in shafted sunlight, knowing that the growth this season is good. Nature, like us, is new every day!

I attach a hilarious clip: perhaps when we host many a wedding we will not be faced with this dilemma!

We have been exploring the Kingdom of heaven, on earth, as it is revealed this very day.  God our loving father invites us to participate in this kingdom of unconditional love, assuring us of his encouragement and support.  Jesus, the parable of God, the embodiment of his father, demonstrates through his experience and interaction, how to behave in loving God and others. The Holy Spirit intercedes and prays for us with groans and personal words, feeling as we do, the embrace of God.

Today, Sunday, reveals a revolutionary Jesus, who says, in so many words, go and feed the people yourselves.  He throws the ball back into our court! He makes that our responsibility and privilege.  We become his hands, his intentions.

However do we feed the 5000 with only two loaves and 5 fishes?

This is what we are exploring.  I say the same to you – I cannot, I am new, I am only here for a little time, so what do you want of me? Yes, I can and love leading you, but it is you who must go out, and return to share how it has been. This is the only way we can grow.  I can only grow through your growth. If not, I will remain a great tree on a lonely hillside, not as I should be, in a forest.

Allow me the sacred privilege of hearing you always: this is my prayer.  For my part, I promise to listen, taking as long as you like, to you. I promise to hold and support you.  I promise to pray for you, on the good and bad days.

Yet, it is together that we will explore our world, and come to a new place of fellowship!

I am really moved that so many of you are back at church, in the fold, and looking happy, smiling and being so supportive and responsive.  There’s a lightness in the air! Bless you!

On 16 August we will get together in St Mary’s to celebrate the Feast of St Mary. Last week I asked if you would let out vestry secretaries, Christine and Betty know how many of you with friends and family, will attend so we can keep track of numbers. I am hoping that we can return to the rectory for a cuppa afterwards, but will be guided by the Diocesan guidelines.

Please join us on Zoom on Wednesday evenings at 7pm. If you are new, I will send you the link – it is easy to join in and each session is self-contained. Presently we are talking about our favourite hymns and the personal background. Perhaps you would like to phone me or email me to tell me what yours is and we will share it.

Readings for Sunday

Isaiah 5 1 to 5.  Psalm 145: 5, 15 to 22.  Matthew 4: 13 to 20.  Romans 9; 1 to 5

All the richest blessings to you, child of God!
Kathy Barrable

07552 503 859

Beloved in Christ

Everyone I speak to expresses their pleasure in this summer’s weather.  Think of this morning! On awakening, God was pouring showers down, and by the time I came out of the St Margaret’s vestry meeting, it was a hot and bright day! I sense that we are all rejoicing that lockdown is safely easing up, those we love are accessible, and the towns are filling up as a new almost-normal! May our hearts too, continue to be replenished by joy, and may we be the grateful, loving people God wants us to be!

It was really lovely to see so many of you last Sunday.  It was a welcome home.  We prayed for those of you who couldn’t be there, and look forward to seeing you as soon as you can. If you would like to receive communion at home, I will happily bring it to you and stay for a prayer: just let me know.

One outpouring of our love for others, and the needy, has been food contributions for the food bank.  When you come tomorrow, or make plans to meet us during the week, do remember to pop in some extra groceries.  I was reflecting on the implications of Covid 19 with some South African friends, and we wondered whether starvation or covid19 would have the greatest fatalities.  Here in Scotland, we might not see that extreme, but there are many needy, and we pledge to look after them, as family of God.

Collection and banking details: Thank you for continuing to generously gift to our churches.  It is most gratifying to see how faithful you are in this regard. We wondered if you might prefer to use internet banking.  If so, please ask Mike or Betty for the church’s banking details.

The church properties are looking good: St Margaret’s garden pots of colour will be replaced by new containers, and the holly hedge at St Mary’s will look trimmed and shorn shortly.  My son and I did a little mowing of the lawn last weekend, bent against a very icy gusty wind. Yet, nothing surpasses the beauty of our churches’ interiors! How glorious the investments of those people of yore are, and your hands, now, on the preparations, from the initially tedious and necessary sanitising, to the perfection of flowers in church, are allowing us to worship safely and joyfully.  Thank you, each one of you!

The balance which comes of dividing the day into portions of prayer, reflection, work, including gardening, and meals, is rather Benedictine, don’t you think?  It is thrilling to see how many people are busy with renovations, painting, off gardening projects, and tending the loveliness of summer! I should mention, that internet has taken on a new magnified proportion! Lockdown has definitely led us along some very different paths of late. I hope too that it has been a time of significant spiritual reflection for you, and along the lines of the way church is evolving, with your input!

16 August – Feast of St Mary. This will be a joint service in Newport, at 11am.  We look forward to seeing us all together.  This will be family-orientated service, so please let Betty (07762 213770) know your numbers, from one household, or visitors, so we can plan accordingly.  The service will be followed by tea and eats (if you could bring a little plate each that would be perfect) at the rectory, 20 Craighead Road, Newport. Note please, that this service replaces the 9.30 service at St Margaret’s.

Readings for tomorrow, Sunday are as follows:

1 Kings 3: 5 to 12, Psalm 119: 129 to 136, Matthew 13: 31 to 33 and 44 to 52.Romans 8: 26 to 39.

Perhaps you might be wondering why I always place the epistle reading after the Gospel?

The Old Testament reveals the humanity of God’s people, their perennial issues; their relationship with God, which waxes and wanes, their choices, but the nature of God, which is ever-loving and ever-restorative and yearning for intimacy with God’s people.  The gospel reveals the parable of God in Jesus.  This week’s 4 parables teach us of the kingdom of heaven, and how we should, above all, seek it.  The parables of the mustard seed, a tiny thing, growing into that which gives shade and protection to all people; the pearl and the treasure found in a field, so valuable that all other pursuits and wealth falls into insignificance, and the great Fisherman who returns the smaller fish to the sea to grow more, keeping the bigger fish for the catch. (I wonder what we estimate our weight to measure, in God’s hands?) Then, in the epistle, Paul reasons with and preaches to a highly civilised, articulate, people of power and prowess, of the way in which the Holy Spirit operates, and intercedes, for every one of us, within the Christian faith and to the gentiles, who worship a multitude of gods. Let’s allow the Spirit to speak to our creator about the really deep things which we might not have shared with God, those issues at dark places in our deepest heart, as well as the petitions which beset us on a daily temporary basis.  

May God bless you, as you are a blessing to others!

Kathy Barrable

07552 503859