Beloved in Christ

Yesterday morning we finalised all the wonderful services for Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter Sunday services.  We have a programme which will keep you very active spiritually in our churches, and in our local community.

I remember this time last year very clearly, never dreaming that we would only meet up so fleetingly. It will be very moving, special and holy to meet again on Sunday, and the symbolism of moving towards Jerusalem together will be traditional yet with a new poignancy this year.

I attach a list of the services, at both churches, so that you can attend one or the other to have a full spectrum. Perhaps we might have been able to hold all services in our own churches, but we have to take into account that the churches need to be cleaned and sanitised between every service. We ask visitors to book their place with Betty or Christine.

This year we have a different set of services on offer in our Ecumenical community, and I attach those activities and services as well, for your planning. I must say that our interdenominational friendship has deepened and blossomed in the Wednesday Zoom meeting, and that is a source of delight. Do keep fellow Christians in our prayers. You will notice that St Margaret’s will have a special outdoor display on the theme of Stations of the Cross, so that anyone can come in and reflect at any time. St Margaret’s garden has had a pruning and we are very grateful to Ronnie Redpath for that.

Zoom meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings are on hold for the upcoming two weeks whilst we are immersed in the passion and Resurrection of Jesus the Christ, our Lord!

It is wondrous to experience the burst and speed of life opening up, in the northern hemisphere springtime, and equally wonderful to see the way in which so many people are marvelling at and revelling in its beauty. We are indeed very blessed!

Should you have missed the Sunday online local community service, you can find it on you tube on https://youtu.be/1GxbDd9LYxY

2021 March 21st Tayport onlineJoin MoragAnne Elder (Church of Scotland reader) and Martin Cunningham for a short online worship service including music and readings from the Tayport churc…youtu.be

Should you have any queries, needs or thoughts, please share them.

Meantime, God bless and see you on Palm Sunday, if you are comfortable coming to church.  Otherwise, we will visit you!

God bless in all you do

Kathy Barrable

07552503859

May you be blessed as your mum blessed and continues to bless you.   

May Mary be blessed for birthing our Saviour! 

Let’s spend today reflecting on our mums, those who gave us the gift of life and the way I which we too gift others life. 

The ecumenical online service can be viewed on Youtube from 11am, and I will be preaching.  
https://youtu.be/0OvX4hWP35g. 

It has been a great privilege to share our Christian journey with our new friends in Christ.  I pray that our friendship may deepen and blossom into the future. St Margaret’s has always had a deep ecumenical link and I remember sharing one beautiful Easter feast with them three years ago! 

Our weekly Zoom discussions continue this week and we will take a break of 2 weeks thereafter. Tuesday evening Zoom chats continue – here is the link. 

Join Zoom Meeting 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85601019298

The Wednesday evening Zoom meeting link is 

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/2091141378?pwd=c0pJbXNqNWJUUDl4SnJUMXVBVVNEdz09

NEXT WEEK, praise God, we should be holding Palm Sunday service in our churches.  It is tentative yet we are in planning mode and I’ll be sending you updates as we receive them.  It is an exciting prospect, but please do what you find comfortable. If you would prefer to wait, that is fine: it is a personal decision, and many congregations and individuals will choose not to attend a live service.  

We plan to take a few minutes of your time afterwards please. As I mentioned last week, we would seek your input on election of a Bishop, by the Electoral Synod, or by an Electoral Council. Thereafter we can let the Diocese know our view.  

Our Holy Week programme is in a planning stage and we will let you know when we have permission.  

God bless, enjoy the glorious spring and feeling that blossoming is within us and in our glorious country! 

If you are out walking, do go to Tay Road Bridge. There is a smiley face of crocuses in the grass embankment.  I think it is beautiful! I also pray for whoever thought to do this, and give us all such joy! 

Blessings and peace! 
Kathy Barrable 

07552 503 859 

Beloved in Christ

I pray you have had a Sabbath today – set aside for the Lord, to give thanks, worship, listen and now are guided as to how to act it out this week.  I pray too that you are finding interest in your spiritual life this Lent, and that it is different for you, not only because of |Covid and lockdown, but because you are growing in different ways.

On a Diocesan level I, with Margaret Gray and Ann Bridges spent yesterday at Synod: very different from last year! Throughout this year we have developed and sustained initiatives and built camaraderie.

Some highlights are:

    Climate change considerations – our individual duty is to be aware and proactive in becoming carbon-free by 2030! We start in our own homes and in the church building.

    Pilgrimages – across the land and in our Diocesan area, there are lovely ancient footpaths to follow: hopefully we can journey together and variously on some!

    Suggested options on how to elect a Bishop.  Shortly our vestries will be grappling with this.

    And, for when we have some youth, the network of young people is alive and well in the Diocese

I must say that Bishop Ian is a superb, empowering and insightful leader, and one who has the love of you and our congregations at heart.  We have a great and efficient team to help and support us

I am sure some of you watched the Ecumenical service this morning.  Mike Baxter did the readings. If you would like a catch up, here is the link for every Sunday.

Tuesday evening Zoom chats continue – here is the link:

Time: Mar 2, 2021 07:00 PM London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85601019298

The Wednesday evening Zoom meeting has the same link.  It is

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/2091141378?pwd=c0pJbXNqNWJUUDl4SnJUMXVBVVNEdz09

And just for a treat. ‘Pray as you go’ A prayerful 13 minutes of reflection on a bible reading.  If you like it you can download the app and watch daily. I love it! Today’s theme: ‘Where has God been this week?’ https://pray-as-you-go.org/p/o/3119

God bless you in unexpected ways this week. 

Kathy Barrable

07552 503 850

Beloved people of Christ

It is the last day of February and a positive way to turn to the new month of March – springtime, daylight saving, Covid jags, and our own spiritual awakening. What a welcome break to have a wash of brightness, sunshine and the assurance and promise of the season of Lent. I trust you are all well, strong and positive – full of hope and joy as Christians are! May you feel Christ walking along your path with you! We also trust you are enjoying the #LiveLent booklet.

Our ecumenical Sunday service, Zoom links on Tuesday and Wednesday are as before, and hope to see you on line then.

Two items this e-newsletter:

1.   World Day of Prayer

From Tayport, Christine says, “This year it is the turn of St Margaret’s to host the ecumenical World Day of Prayer service on Friday 5th March on behalf of the Tayport Churches.

Due to current restrictions, this will be a Zoom service and the link is as follows:

Topic: World Day of Prayer
Time: Mar 5, 2021 02:00 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83527272931

Meeting ID: 835 2727 2931

.” As we will be unable to take a collection towards the work of the World Day of Prayer during this service, please give any donations to Christine Barker at The Old Manse, 6 Queen Street, Tayport DD6 9NS. Christine can also deliver booklets for the service if you contact her. Any cheques for donations should be made payable to ‘WDP Scottish Committee’

We will have more news on the Newport WDP as soon as we get it, so that you can link in.

2.   Monday is the Feast Day of St David, patron saint of Wales.  I asked David Smith if he could recommend some music for us and here it is, so enjoy a home concert.

The first link below is to ‘Cwm Rhondda’ – Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah. (scroll right down for music and words)

Number two may not be what you want but it is a man singing about St David.

Three and four are R V Williams arrangements of the Welsh hymn tune ‘Rhosymedre’ – ‘March on, my soul, with strength’.

He arranged this piece for orchestra (3) and organ (4). It is one of my favourite pieces to play.

https://www.godsongs.net/2012/01/guide-me-o-thou-great-redeemer-jehovah.html

God bless you and keep you.

Kathy Barrable