An unusual opening from me to you: today has been full of grandchildren’s activities and the laughter one only experiences when the world is viewed through a little person’s eyes. How envious I am of their utter trust and innocence in thought, word and deed is! And how much we need to remember that Jesus must have enjoyed the antidote of children, in the midst of his issue-filled adult company! It’s with an innocence that I plan to experience whatever I can this Christmas. I wish to look at the Christ child in wonder and awe as I do look at a baby.  I want to renew my own baptismal vows, and my confirmation vows, and my priestly vows, as I trustfully take on what the future holds. I also hope to look at each of you with wonder as my spiritual family members, each with distinctive personalities and callings. Bless you all!  It is only 8 days to witness that birth, again, and be offered a new way of loving the child Christ. Beloved in Christ

We had two quiet and meaningful Blue Christmas services, and we thought deeply of each of you as we hung our ‘blue’ messages on the tree.  If you are with us tomorrow you could do the same – write a message to God, from you and as you feel right now.

This Sunday we look forward to sharing the Word with Revd Jim Thompson, lighting the pink candle (known as the Angel’s candle as it symbolises the annunciation of Christ’s birth).   

Readings for the day are:

2 Samuel 7; 1-11, 16

Psalm 891-4, 19-26

Romans 16: 25-27

Luke 1: 26-38

If you are watching on YouTube, tomorrow is a special contribution of the lay readers of the Diocese: we look forward to seeing you, Margaret Gray! The link from the Diocese is:

https://bit.ly/SECAdvent4

Do remember that next week, the Midnight mass is at 11pm on Christmas Eve, at St Margaret’s; Christmas Day service at 11am is in St Mary’s.

I will be sending you a Christmas message, and it is a short week till then.

With every blessing. Be of good cheer, pray all the time, and may the Christ child birth joy in you

Kathy Barrable

07552 503 859–
Revd Katharine Ann Barrable M Ed., M Th.Cell 07552503859

Grace and Peace be with you

e-newsletter 13 December Advent 3

I greet you, using appropriate words of our Christmas hymn, ‘in the bleak midwinter’ (based on a poem by Christina Rossetti – well worth a reflection)! Our inner light is brighter and growing steadily, visibly now. Along the way we will no doubt have a couple of startling sunshiny crisp days to balance the scales of drear and bright! In the locking down of so many of our activities, we might echo the hymn in our lives, yet we know that we will get through this outer journey by following the star, and that the inner light of Christ is waxing and is in view!

To cheer and inspire you, here is a link to Gordon Stewart’s Christmas Concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4uu7UYBNP0&feature=youtu.be

Organ Concert – Six – YouTubeSupport our Digital Programme: https://bit.ly/33sTtVgThere is no ticket income for our digital broadcasts, because our beautiful Town Hall is empty. Please c…www.youtube.com

As we prepare for the cheer at the 2020 Christmas we are able to have, let us prepare too for the birth of our Saviour, Jesus.  It is fun to plan and purchase from our own inner store, ONE gift to him.  What would you give him of yourself?  What would appeal to him this particular Christmas? (I have turned outward in my intention.  Last night I swept the steps of St Mary’s, clearing all the cigarette stumps accumulated.  I found myself asking God why I felt compelled to do this – and the answer was… pray for the people who stood here, pray for their circumstance, pray that here, so close to the entrance of St Mary’s that they too might feel the welcome of the Christ, and perhaps be drawn into his circle of light in some way.  I pledge to continue to do this as an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace).  We can pray for people we know who are in dis-ease – even if the circumstances are beyond us, the person has already passed away, a stranger, a foreigner, an attitudinal enemy, a circumstance, a source of hurt, a miscarriage of justice. Today, every day, Christ gives a transcendent view of our journey and ways of making a difference in the Kingdom of heaven on earth.

I urge you to plan for your spiritual journey in our communion, and watch some of the ongoing services of the Scottish Episcopal church, on YouTube on Thursday evenings in the Service of the Word, and the Sunday Eucharist.

Last week I promised that I would ask Bishop Ian to give us a copy of his sermon, and here it is. It was a highlight to host him, and he is very happy with our churches and delighted to see our people.  He also did a mini live installation of me as priest in charge, so there is a photo to share with you too!

On the subject of growing church and mission, Revd Dr Amos Chewachong was a most welcome guest on Zoom: he stirred up enquiry and challenged us on church today, our future and on mission in 2021. We hope that we might continue to draw closer to our cousins in the Church of Scotland. Our dear friends in Tayport United Free Church, the Catholic church and the Church of Scotland might not be able to meet us face to face, but we hold them in prayers and wish to create every opportunity for dialogue and friendship.  Jesus didn’t know ‘church’ or ‘denomination’: in our small towns, staying open to share within community is vital, healthy co-dependency!

I am intrigued to reflect on two people who have joined our group – people who might never even meet face to face. Both came from an internet connection and enquiry.  Christ is in every soul, and in wondrous ways, we are a global community, and virtual space and social media give us opportunities for mission. Perhaps you could share this e-letter with at least one other person?

Next week we look forward to having Revd Jim Thompson to preach to us – it is a treat to host him at one of his many homes once again.

On Sunday we have the Christmas Carol service – only 5 lessons which span the history of our people, interspersed with beautiful carols.  If you can’t be with us, do read and listen to sacred music, and – pray all the time! By the way, you can download any version or translation of the Bible , free.  It is a great way of getting refreshment!

Readings for Sunday are:

Carol   1                      Hark the herald angels sing

First Reading              Isaiah 9:2b, 6, 7

Carol 2                         O little town of Bethlehem

Second Reading         Luke 1:26-38

Carol 3                         Away in a manager

Third Reading            Luke 2:1-7

Carol 4                         While shepherds watched

Fourth Reading         Luke 2:8-16

Carol 5                                    The First Nowell

Fifth Reading              Matthew 2:1-11

Carol 6                                    Joy to the world!

God bless you and keep you safe, hope-filled and joyful!

Kathy  Barrable 

07552 503 859

Beloved in Christ

December has settled upon us, but the sun has spilt gold through the clouds this Saturday afternoon!  Later what a joy it is to walk in the neighbourhood in the dark, and see the joyous, dazzling lights and quite competitive brilliant displays, hear the children laughing and looking up and around, and even the dogs with their LED lights flash in joy! It feels like the Mass of Christ season is here. As Christians, we lift our face to Christ in anticipation and in reflecting what this particular Advent 2020 brings to our spirits.

Perhaps you would like to light a candle and pray through this reflection 

You may wish to light a candle as you say:

Dear Lord, we are surrounded by darkness. Our joy is tempered by tears of sorrow, pain and confusion and news of the world’s despair.  Yet, even in the midst of this darkness, our joy cannot be repressed.  For you have come to free the captive.  You have come to make the blind see, and the deaf hear.  You have come to bring peace to the nations. You have come to give sustenance to the poor, and provide justice for the oppressed. Come Lord Jesus AND TEACH US JOY BEYOND CIRCUMSTANCE.  COME LORD JESUS AND GIVE US REASON TO REJOICE.  COME LORD JESUS THAT OUR JOY MAY BE ABUNDANT, SPILLING FROM OUR MOUTHS TO LIGHT OUR COMMUNITY, AND EVEN OUR WORLD.. COME LORD JESUS, COME!

Last week we enjoyed ‘JOY’ as our theme, and this week, we move into ‘LOVE’ as the baby in the womb readies itself to be birthed into our world.  And we are caught up anew in this celebration, for light comes into our lives and we kindle that warm promise.

As you go through today’s readings, how do you respond to the visions of the new heaven and the new earth that Isaiah, the Psalmist and Peter encourage, and that Mark’s Gospel heralds in the words of John the Baptist? It sounds to modern ears too good to be true. Our world often looks so unlike this heavenly vision that we could throw up our hands and call it all a nonsense. At best it is a childish dream, at worst a fantasy to escape into and ignore the world around us. But Peter offers us some practical advice, and in it some comfort. We can look for this kingdom, keep ready for it, never knowing when God might arrive to turn everything on its head. And while we look for the signs, we can work to bring a reflection of the new heaven and earth into our own lives and the lives of those around us.

John had to deny he was the Messiah many times. How easy would it be for you to refuse a position of power if it were offered to you by others?

What do you think of Peter’s desire for us to be “without spot or blemish” while waiting for Jesus’ return?

What can you do to proclaim the kingdom of God? Is it easy for you to do so? If not, can you ask God what you need to help you?

Readings for the day are:

Isaiah 40: 1-11

Psalm 85

2 Peter 3: 8 – 15A

Mark 1: 1-8

Collect

Almighty God, who sent your servant John the Baptist to prepare your people to welcome the Messiah, inspire us, the ministers and stewards of your truth, to turn our disobedient hearts to you, that when the Christ shall come again to be our judge, we may stand with confidence before his glory; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Bishop Ian Paton will be our Visitor on Sunday, and it will be lovely to broaden into the Diocese and share some refreshing thoughts and inspirations, about other brothers and sisters out there. Please pray for him, and Carrie his wife, for the work he does and for his vision, and his particular gift in sharing it with others.

God bless.  I am sure you feel heartened that we have a vaccine and that there IS a light at the end of this tunnel.  Please know that you are in our prayers, and that I am here at the end of a phone to chat to you about anything you wish.

May God hold you in the Palm of His hand till we meet again!

God bless you

Kathy Barrable

07552 503 859

Beloved in Christ

Tomorrow, Sunday, we turn over the page into the new Christian calendar, so we should be wishing each other well, and celebrating! 

Our theme for the next week, and candle to be lit on Sunday is for ‘HOPE’ and my hope for you is that this Christian year might be a bright and glowing one, light within you that reaches out to others in new ways, and light which leads you to wonders and miracles.  All is possible, so let us make our petitions to God in that faith, and share the miracles that God brings to us as believers.

The readings are inspiring.  They give me a strong sense of awakening: from the longing and promise of the Messiah, the despair which prophets voice at our apathy and wrongs ways of thinking and living, we move to the gospel. “stay awake!’ be alert, be vigilant!  This means that

    we should have finished our business, are up-to-date with our worldly affairs

    empowering in our dealings with one another,

    our thoughts are purified by prayerful reflection, that we are close to Christ in all our dealings and outcomes.

    As much as that, as a group, we should be ‘in this world, but not of this woerld’: spiritually fed, nurtured, and even armoured.  There is just so much in the world, in gossip, speculations, others’ views and opintions, which is against Christ’s teachings of courageous hopefulness.

I hope that we can explore more of the ways of our Lord, and be conscious of him entering our thoughts words and deeds.

Once again I’m attaching the Christmas programme for you to keep

Our Zoom meeting on Wednesday was most inspiring and enlightening: Iain Flett read and discussed letters which Mary Slessor had written, revealing her astounding and brave ministry, and living out of the Gospel in Nigeria. This week, we will have an in-group discussion, then the following week, Dr Amos Chewachong will join us.

Readings for the day are:

Isaiah 64: 1-9

Psalm 80: 7, 16-18

1 Corinthians1: 3-9

Mark 13: 24 – 37

Collect

Stir up your power, Lord, and come;

That, with you as our protector,

We may be rescued from our sins; and with you as our deliverer,

We may be set free;

For you live and reign with God the Father,

In the unity of the Holy Spirit

One God, world without end

Amen

The season of Advent is one of contradictions.  We begin a new church year, as our calendars are on their last page.  We talk of waiting for Jesus, even as God is ever-present.  It is a season of penitence while many find joy in the season’s traditions and celebrations.  We will be considering these issues at church, and perhaps we could all take these questions into our prayers this week: what contrasts do you find, and what do you make of them? Look at your own life through the readings of the day.

More than anything let’s picture ourselves being moulded by the hand of our creator, moulded anew, moulded and shaped into new vessels.  Your prayers co-create your next step, and future, with Christ.

As Paul says again to the Corinthians: Grace and peace be to you, through our Lord, Jesus Christ.

In the name of Christ, Amen!

Kathy Barrable

07552 503 859