Beloved in Christ

We have journeyed through 13 weeks of the ‘green’ season of Pentecost.  It is a wonderful phase of learning, of studying scripture and seeing the radical new life Jesus offers us.  Green represents growth, and each of us have grown wiser and stronger in our faith, within the circle of loving ecclesia, the body of the church.  Whether you have been following us from home or within church, we hope you have felt included in our journey. 

Lockdown, even further back,from its inception on March 23^rd brought on new, alarming and uncomfortable changes in our lives, which in turn have forced every one of us to re-evaluate and – appreciate simple goodness at home. 

On the 27^th we will celebrate Harvest Festival, and this might be an outward and visible sign of an inner and invisible journey in which we now harvest the fruits of our personal season of growth. One of the loveliest memories of harvest is that it is gathered and shared with the needy in the community. I thank you for God too, for the harvest of memories of the many wonderful meetings in our homes, within those safe spaces, as we started both a new relationship and phase in our church history.

Jesus, this week, speaks of relationship, of loving and helping one another to the point of playing a vital role in a personal crisis, or around whatever makes one feel and outsider to the community: he shows ‘church’ as holding a people of extraordinary resilience, wisdom, compassion and in that sacred space, providing a safe space to for confidentiality and response to a personal cry for help.

I believe that is what our church is doing right now: providing human resources to assist others in whatever way is demanded, in the time of Covid crisis. We certainly have experienced changes to meet restrictions, but we hope that the worship and teaching has been nourishing and vitalising.  May we continue to mirror the wonderful qualities our Saviour offers us once again in this week’s readings.

We are urged to dialogue with God in thanksgiving, and with contrite hearts, yearning to be re-filled and re-aligned and re-guided into the light.  We are, Romans reminds us, people of light.

Let us seek it together, and help one another find it! We all enter dark patches, and depend on each other to lead us gently into brighter places. I am so grateful that we do have one another, and our bright spaces of worship, and that slowly, others are coming to join us.

If you are unable to get to church, and would like to receive communion and a chat at home, please let us know.

The online Sunday Eucharist is ongoing, and I am sure many of us are enjoying our bishops’ exposition of the Word, encouragement and sacred Joy. There is also a Thursday evening online Service of the Word, which is an inspiring and comforting mid-week service.

Here are the readings:

Ezekiel 33: 7 – 11

Psalm 119: 33 to 40

Romans 13: 8 to 14

Matthew 18: 15 to 20

With every blessing

Kathy Barrable

07552 503859

Beloved in Christ

I am learning to incorporate some typically Scottish words into my vocabulary, like the ‘dreich‘weather we have had in the past week! However, it accounts for the crops growing, harvesting and the loveliness of the River Tay, silver as plate glass as I write this!

Church activities have been getting increasingly busy and structured!

1.       Area council. Our Bishop has been encouraging engagement with fellow churches in our area.  All Saints and St Andrew’s from St Andrews, Cupar, Ladybank and ourselves have met at two levels thus far: clergy, then on Thursday evening, lay reps, vestry secretaries, Lay readers. Two words stood out for me: collegiality and democracy. For the first, we are building up a friendship and resource centre close to where we live; democracy is encouraging us to participate in the discussions and directions of our church.  Bishop Ian is wonderful at listening attentively as are his close co-workers. It was wonderful to share our views and experience with others, and listen to new approaches and ways of ‘doing’ church.  Zoom gave us the visual, and in one instance, telephonic connection. As a newcomer, I am delighted to be part of this participation and openness.  We will move forward constructively and together.  To discuss the ways in which we are coping with lockdown was also helpful. I am proud of the way you are vigilant, whilst opening our churches to each other and others as well. Thank you!

2.       Mission: we also discussed the vitality that comes from worshipping and working with other denominations: this is well in place with both of our churches, and I am thrilled that so many joint sharings will take place in the Christmas calendar. Apart from being spiritually nourishing, it seems as if we will get some exercise in the process as we walk our precincts.

3.       One of the initiatives of the church is inviting others to join us.  We have started discussions around this and would welcome any input from you too. I know how welcome guests feel, but the Good News will find a place in many peoples’ hearts and lives. We should continue to find ways and means of doing this in new and different ways.

4.       The do’s and don’ts of lockdown and churches re-opening is diverse and interesting.

5.       I have visited most of you in your homes and that has been a great privilege.  I am able to bring you communion and personal news should you wish – please let me know when it would suit you. The interpersonal exchange is wonderful and I thank you for your hospitality (one of the guidelines Paul gives us for healthy Christian living in Sunday’s reading)

6.       We continue with the regular Zoom meeting on Wednesdays at 8pm. Whilst we agree that Zoom has become part of our weekly routine, and a beneficial one in that it is a forum for free discussion. For those who can’t attend, could you give us some feedback please: why do you not wish to participate in Zoom, would you prefer a different time, or format? Your feedback will be treated confidentially. This Zoom meeting is a forum for exchange of ideas, opinions and reflections, with a spiritual and mainly Episcopal content and base.

7.       We started thinking of creating another weekly service/meeting for St Mary’s. On further reflection we have a growing awareness that the steps might preclude people from worship, so this gathering could be outside the church somewhere. What, when and how do could you propose we move forward with this?

 Perhaps you could email me or phone me, with your opinion, and we can move forward on this one.

Seven points have been mentioned, and 7 is a sacred number so I will leave it there today! 

Readings for Sunday are

Jeremiah 15: 15 to 21. Psalm 26: 1 – 8. Matthew 16: 21 to 28 Romans 12: 9 to 21.  The Romans reading is one of the best guidelines to joyful, fine and redemptive living, and I urge you to mark it off in your bible, and to ponder regularly. In the hard times it is uplifting, in the good times broadens our conception of joyousness, and in between, encourages and inspires.

Do not hesitate to call or email me or schedule a chat.  You are blessed – be a blessing to others

In Jesus name

Kathy Barrable

Beloved in Christ

It was wonderful to share the Feast of St Mary last Sunday in Newport.  It was a great joy to hear the happy reunion greetings of the two churches.  It was a beautiful service, and I attach Betty’s homily on St Mary’s and Margaret’s homily on the Mary the Virgin. I know not more than 4 householders brought refreshments, but we will have to cancel any further refreshment sharings until we are advised that the government permission has allowed it.

I have just returned from St Mary’s, where two clergy wished to look at the back of the church meeting and refreshment space: they were so impressed by the concept and the beautiful re-use of the pews  for all the cupboards. I believe it is Ann’s masterwork, yet many of you were involved in the project: sometimes we don’t stop to celebrate our achievements or thank those involved! Thank you for this lasting gift to our community! One of the clergy, Dr Carrie Applegath brought her husband, Bishop Ian, who sends you all love and best wishes, saying that he looks forward to meeting you again. It was a surprise to me, but I was so proud that all the evidence of correct compliance was there, in place.  I turned on all the lights and St Mary’s was beautiful, as always!

Clergy meet on Zoom every Wednesday morning, and the group have sustained and exchanged with one other: it is that encounter that prompted today’s visit.  Two thoughts stem from this:

1.       Our Wednesday evening Zoom meetings have been a wonderful way of exchange.  In informal meetings, we could look at each other, and enjoy chatting: it is developing its own identity, and I thank you for transitioning me in lockdown to a feel of family.  I want to urge you to join us, even though it might be more convenient NOT to!!! We do not know what the future holds regarding the virus: legislation and the way people meet, so it is good to start the process our own experience and perception in small ways, together. By the way, thanks Duncan for hosting it! Also, I will be asking you if your group should continue meeting weekly, and if you are still happy with 8pm.

2.       Clergy met on Zoom for an Area Council meeting, and this Thursday at 6.30pm, there is a Zoom Area Council for clergy and vestry.  I implore you to set time aside: it should be Christine, Mike and Janette, Betty, David, (and who else would like to come in on this one?), Margaret and me. Please be sure the vestry secretaries know you will be joining, and that you have the right links: the participants must be forwarded to Carol, Bishop’s secretary.  

DATES TO NOTE:

27 SEPTEMBER – HARVEST FESTIVAL. The readings have changed from the original roster.

I am busy working on the rota for November/December at this stage, so if there are any additions, let me know in good time, remembering that I am new to all the common traditions.

READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

Isaiah 51: 1 to 6. Psalm 138. Romans 12: 1 to 8. Matthew 16: 13 to 20. The central theme is Peter’s recognition and naming of Jesus as the Christ, the long-awaited Messiah: the question posed to you and I is: who is Jesus personally, to you?

May this recognition be with you as you journey into this next week.

Grace and Peace

Kathy Barrable

07552 503859

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