for those and such as those

who have never been to Dunblane, and are curious…
There is a fairly random set of photos below the fold.  All are taken within 5 minutes walk of the church and rectory in the last of the afternoon light.  These are practical ’see what it’s like’ photos, so please set aside all hopes of artistry.

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freedom

I said to a group of people recently that if you want to know what am about to do next, pay attention to what I’m preaching.  In the past three days I have preached on freedom, kite-flying, and giving up good things that we hold onto in the wrong way.
But the other indicator of my [...]

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remember

once you’ve done the bit about dust, remember too that Beauty from Chaos is emerging.
(and let me tell you, this year I did the chaos bit brilliantly.  Thanks to those who held faith and offered to write.)

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tradition

Every year it’s the same.
The eggs, milk and flour are waiting.  The syrup is decanted and the lemons poised.  The house is as tidy as it’s likely to get, and the coffee maker is hissing away.
Three congregations with the challenge of ferry time-tables and narrow roads through the hills means that the party starts early, [...]

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beauty from chaos 2009

We have found enough people…
The Lent blog, Beauty from Chaos, will begin on Ash Wednesday.
Contributors:  I’ve put a pdf file of the schedule on the site.

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four days on

Still tired.  Months of uncertainty taking their toll.
But, I’ve moved beyond Mamma Mia and Bridget Jones to take solace in paint chips and poetry.
So, tonight, an offering from Louise Gluck:
Snowdrops
Do you know what I was, how I lived? You know
what despair is; then
winter should have meaning for you.
I did not expect to survive,
earth suppressing [...]

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into being

I had lunch with the Church we are becoming today.
What a joyful thing.
Here’s a hint for you:

integrity
questioning
prayer
poetry
liturgy
eucharist
beauty
humour
theology
resilience
self-awareness
curiosity
intelligence
shared expertise
chosen commitment
realism
growing
able to dream
willing to risk
choosing to live
(and transatlantic, of course)

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changes

Well it has been quite a week.
In the past ten days I have:

been offered and accepted a new post
been granted indefinite leave to remain in Britain
told three congregation I’ll be leaving
spoken to  almost everyone I care most about at length and sometimes several times over

Perhaps, then, you can see why the blog has been limping [...]

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see how they run

Three brown mice, nibbling on seeds and new shoots in the garden.
So much more lovely than when they are dangling from Molly’s mouth at 3 am.
The Compline collects will need to be prayed fervently tonight if there is any chance of mousey-seed-nibbling tomorrow.

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comments

I’ve turned comment moderation on for a few days while I’m working on something.
All should return to normal soon.

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