Monday 24 December 2012

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not over come it...



As we gather during the darkest and coldest time of the year, to tell again of the arrival of God’s Son, we remember that it is a story in which we – all of us here – become part of throughout the entire year and throughout our entire lives. This story, which this child brings, invites us all to find our place within it; to find where we belong in God’s plan for this creation, this world that we walk through each and every day.

And as we embark together on a new year, I encourage you to reflect back on the previous year and look forward to the future, with the promise of God’s faithfulness always before you. It has been almost a year now since we came among you, to witness to God’s grace and love in this community and to build up the kingdom of God here on the Isle of Lewis. Over the months we have done many good things together. We have grown in numbers; we have begun new ministries; and we continue to be the people of God; people who love and care for each other; people who journey through the many facets of life together. In the birth of the Christ-Child we are led, again, into the very heart of God. The birth of a baby amongst the animals in a Bethlehem-barn reveals to us that God works in the most surprising ways, in ways that we would never expect, or could even possibly imagine.

Through this baby called Jesus, we can now say that God is found not just in the cathedrals or in our churches, but that God is found in ordinary human life: through the cries of a baby, through the darkness of a filthy stable, through parents who had no idea what they had got themselves into, and through the life of a child who grew up to be a man who spoke about God in a way we had never heard before. God speaks in human life. And this one fact alone is more than we could ever hope for.

In our joint lives here together at St. Peter’s we rejoice that God would choose to come amongst us, to walk upon this very earth and experience everything that we too experience: joy, heartache, pleasure, grief, disappointment. And we rejoice that we have each other. In a world that is too often shattered by violence, greed, and inhumanity, we give thanks that we have the gift of community, friendship and love in our church family.  And when we find our place within the magnificent Christmas story, life will never be the same again.
My prayer is that you will encourage each other to live out the message of Christ’s redeeming love, knowing always that the darkness will be overcome and there will be light and life in all of God’s abundance and grace. During this holy season, may the blessing of the Christ-Child be upon you, those whom you love, and all who you pray for.

The Reverend Shona Boardman

Friday 21 December 2012

For Unto Us A Child is Born




As we await the birth of the Christ-Child, we invite you to join us:

Sunday, December 23:
8:30 am - a quiet, reflective service of Holy Communion
11:00 am -Sung Eucharist
7:00 pm - Evensong

Monday, December 24:
4:30 pm - Christmas Eve Family Service with Carols and the Blessing of the Crib
11:00 pm - Midnight Mass on the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord

Tuesday, December 25:
11:00 am - Christmas Day Eucharist

Wednesday, December 26:
10:00 am - Feast of St. Stephen








Wednesday 19 December 2012

New Photo Gallery


We now have a St. Peter's/St. Moluag's photo gallery. Just click on the top bar where it says 'photo gallery' to see what we get up to, as church, on the Isle of Lewis. Choose a photo and click on it to enlarge.

Thursday 29 November 2012

The Holy Season of Advent



The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God.  Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing.

Historically, the primary colour of Advent is purple, the colour of penitence and fasting as well as the colour of royalty to welcome the Advent of the King. The purple of Advent is also the colour of suffering used during Lent.  This points to an important connection between Jesus’ birth and death. The nativity, the Incarnation, cannot be separated from the crucifixion. The purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world, of the "Word made flesh" and dwelling among us, is to reveal God and God’s grace to the world through Jesus’ life and teaching, but also through his suffering, death, and resurrection.


The beginning of Advent is a time for the hanging of the greens or the decoration of the church with evergreen wreaths, boughs, or trees that help to symbolize the new and everlasting life brought through Jesus the Christ. The 
circle of the Advent wreath reminds us of God’s eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end. The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life.


Candles
 symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of God’s Son. The four outer candles represent the period of waiting during the four Sundays of Advent, which themselves symbolize the four centuries of waiting between the prophet Malachi and the birth of Christ. Advent starts four Sundays before Christmas Day and each Sunday in Advent has a theme to be pondered on. Candles are lit on these four Sundays, and a fifth candle is lit on Christmas day. The four themes (traditionally) are:

 God's people - The Patriarchs and Matriarchs: the advent hope.
The Hebrew Prophets
John the Baptist
Mary the mother of Jesus


You are warmly invited to join us each Sunday during Advent as we worship in expectation.

Tuesday 6 November 2012

Some Important Dates



This coming Sunday, 11 November, we begin our Holy Eucharist service earlier in order to include the Act of Remembrance. Our service will begin at 10:45 am instead of 11:00 am.

The following Sunday, 18 November, is our Annual General Meeting. This is an important day in the life of our church, where we will reflect on the past year and look to the coming year with hope and expectation. The AGM will start immediately after the 11:00 am service.

Thursday 1 November 2012

All Souls' Day, November 2, 2012



On Friday, 2 November, we mark All Soul's Day, a time for Christians to remember and uphold to God all those who have died. This is not a new tradition in the Church, but was first instituted at the monastery in Cluny, France, in 993 CE and quickly spread throughout the Christian world. The theological underpinning of this feast day is the acknowledgement of human frailty.

We participate in this ancient tradition at St. Peter's Church by holding an All Souls' Service at 10 am on Friday, 2 November. All are welcome.

Wednesday 8 August 2012

Service of Healing, Thursday August 9th


The Service of Healing utilises an ancient rite of the church; laying on of hands and anointing with oil for healing. The practice of laying one's hand on another is rooted in the ministry of Jesus. Such person-to-person healing through prayer is also at the core of Christ's great commission to the Apostles and all who follow him. This is not a new idea!

Here at St. Peter's we are offering different ways for people to explore spirituality and the Service of Healing is one such way. God is always at work in us and the Holy Spirit is always present to bring God's healing grace upon us and those whom we pray for. This does not mean we will be cured of our disease or ailment, or that everything will work out all right, although that might happen! What it does mean, though, is that God is alive in us, bring healing of body, mind or spirit, with the peace that passes all understanding. God's desire is that we be made whole.

All are invited on Thursday, August 9th at 7 pm. Come and  lay your heart to the Lord, that you may find God's healing presence here.

Friday 13 July 2012

Jazz Vespers


Tonight at 5 pm we will be hosting Jazz Vespers at St. Peter's Church. 

Jazz Vespers emerges as a synthesis of traditions, a blending of an age-old liturgy with the unique heritage we call jazz. It is a blending of poetry, prayer, and live jazz music. With a freshness that is open to God's Spirit, this musical tradition sounds the hopes, dreams, joys, frustrations and pain that expresses human experience, while exploring a musical vocabulary that transcends the limits of the written or spoken word.

All are welcome.



Wednesday 6 June 2012

You're friendly blogger will be away on holiday as of the end of this week and, as a result, this blog will not be updated until the beginning of July.

However, all services will be continuing at St. Peter's Church during this time.

Saturday 2 June 2012

Trinity Sunday


As humans, we have an innate, almost instinctive desire for absolutes. We crave the final answer. We want to believe that someday - someday soon - we'll understand everything. But at the back of our minds, there is always a persistent nagging which gently reminds us that there are few certainties in life. And yet, we continue to long for certainty. But sometimes, the more we know the less certain we feel about things. So how do we talk about the Mystery of God?

St. Augustine once wrote that, "When it is asked about the Trinity then the great poverty from which our language suffers becomes apparent." And the poverty of our language is never more apparent than on Trinity Sunday. But this is something that we should be thankful for. We should be thankful for the poverty of our language because if our speech was adequate enough to fully explain the mystery of the Trinity then we would be guilty of relying on our own resources, our human answers, instead of watching closely and quietly for God's revelation in the world around us. But at the same time we cannot fool ourselves into thinking that we know nothing about the Mystery of God. It is even dangerous to say that we know nothing of God at all, as if nothing had ever been revealed to us; as if we had never experienced those fleeting moments where God might have been. And yet, it is equally dangerous to say that we have God fully captured, fully described, fully contained. So how do we speak about the Mystery of God?

Come join us this Sunday at St. Peter's as we continue to worship and praise God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.




Saturday 26 May 2012

The Day of Pentecost


Pentecost may not seem as important a festival as Christmas or Easter. There is no familiarity of glad tidings, no alleluias, nor does it have secular holiday traditions. No one puts up a Pentecost tree or hangs a Pentecost stocking. There are no large family gatherings with turkey and all the trimmings and we don't hear people saying "We're having Pentecost at our house this year." Most often Pentecost is viewed with either suspicion or confusion.

But Pentecost should be - Pentecost is - an important festival. It is none other than the birth day of the Church; the day in which the Holy Spirit descended on the gathered community of believers and empowered them to proclaim the Gospel and witness to Christ to the ends of the earth. God is filling the world in a new way! This is something to be celebrated!

Every year, on the Day of Pentecost, we are reminded of who we are as a church, what we proclaim, and the source of that proclamation. The Day of Pentecost is a message to the church from the church, passed down through the ages to each generation. This is something to be celebrated!

Join us this Sunday at St. Peter's as we join with the Church throughout the world in singing a joyful noise to our Lord and Saviour.



Saturday 12 May 2012

Sixth Sunday of Easter


For most of us, the word 'love' is highly ambiguous. What does 'love' really mean? Love is possibly the most overused, overrated, misunderstood four-letter word in our entire English vocabulary. I love my ipod. I love to eat. I love Led Zeppelin. I love babies and bacon rolls. I love my husband, my children. I love to run. I love to garden. I love figs and honey and home-made bread. I love love. But what exactly do I mean when I say all of this?

Love: what a conundrum. But Jesus is not ambiguous about love. He is not reticent to say what he really means about love and its requirements. He says: This is my commandment: that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends...love on another.

Join us, this Sunday, and see what this love means. All are welcome.


Saturday 5 May 2012

Fifth Sunday of Easter


Throughout Eastertide we've been on an incredible Spirit-filled journey with the apostles through the Book of Acts. Two Sundays ago, Peter preached on repentance. Last Sunday, Peter and John faced the consequences of healing someone by the power of the Holy Spirit. And this week, we find Philip listening to the voice of the Spirit and welcoming  the Ethiopian eunuch into the fellowship of God's grace. As the old church hymn goes, 'There is a wideness in God's mercy'. But how wide does it really extend? Come and join us this Sunday and find out!

Friday 27 April 2012

Fourth Sunday of Easter



I am the Good Shepherd. I am the light of the world. I am the bread of life. I am the true vine. In all of his I AM statements, Jesus is publicly applying the divine name of God to himself. Harkening back to the time when Moses asked directly what God's name was - with God's answer being that frustratingly vague, 'I am who I am' - Jesus takes it one step further and publicly declares who he is, who God is. He is bread, water, light, truth, life! Everything that we need to sustain us in our lives.

Join us this Sunday at St. Peter's as we live in to the Easter message of hope and resurrection. Baaaaaah!


Saturday 21 April 2012

Third Sunday of Easter


The resurrection is not an isolated event.  Easter is not just one day, just as Christmas is not just one day. Unfortunately, some churches are not attuned to Easter as a liturgical season - liturgy meaning 'the work of the people'; the worship we do every time we gather. After Easter Sunday, some churches return to something akin to 'business as usual'. But nothing could be further from the truth. The paschal mystery - the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ - is the centrepiece of our faith and so that is why the liturgical calender devotes seven weeks to the Easter season. It is the fifty days of the year when we never stop proclaiming that 'Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia, alleluia!'

YOU are invited to join us this Sunday as we are called into the reality of the resurrection. We hope you will join us.

Saturday 14 April 2012

Sunday Fellowship Lunches


Sunday, 15 April marks our first 'Bring 'n Share' Fellowship Lunch at St. Peter's Church. Once a month we will be hosting a lunch after the 11 am service. If you are able, please bring a food item to share. It can be as simple as making an extra sandwich for someone else. If you're not able to contribute, come anyway but do remember to bring along your appetite!  I've just taken a dozen Chilli Cheddar Cornbread Muffins out of the oven. See you tomorrow....

Friday 13 April 2012

The Lewis Shawl Group


Each Tuesday at 11 am, beginning on 17 April, the Lewis Shawl Group will be meeting at St. Peter's church hall. This group takes its inspiration from the prayer shawl ministry that began in North America a number of years ago. They will meet each week and knit shawls for various charities such as MacMillan Cancer and the Bethesda Hospice. Once completed, the shawls will be blessed at one of our church services and then given as gifts of prayer and love to people who are struggling with illness.

All knitters or would-be-knitters are invited. If this day or time does not work for you, and you want to participate, please know that you can still knit a shawl and bring it along to St. Peter's Church when it is completed. Please note: this group is not just for women. Men are welcome too!


A Shawl Prayer by Darcy Horon
Lord, bless these needles that they stay strong and light so they don't tire the hands that wield them;
Bless this yarn with strength and softness that it will form a cloth of warmth and comfort;
Bless these hands with strength and skill so they make well crafted gifts;
Bless this heart with strength and perseverance so I will see this work through to bring comfort to those in need;
But most of all, dear Lord, bless the wearer of this cloth with strength and comfort, that their burdens may be lightened and their hearts gladdened with the realisation that they are loved.


Let the favour of the Lord our God be upon us and confirm for us the work of our hands; yes confirm the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17



Thursday 12 April 2012

Spring Fair at St. Peter's


On Saturday, 14 April we will be having our annual Spring Fair in the church hall starting at 10 am.  We will be selling books and bric-a-brac, plus painted furniture and cake stands from the Dragonfly Studio. There will also be tea, coffee, and home-made cupcakes.

Do come along with a friend and join in the fun!

Wednesday 11 April 2012

A Shameless Plug For My Favourite Choir...



This weekend the Choir of St. John the Evangelist, Princes Street, Edinburgh, will be staying at the Cathedral of the Isles, on Millport, Cumbrae. They will be singing Choral Evensong at 5 pm on Saturday, 14 April, with music by Sumsion and Stanford. They will also be singing at the Choral Eucharist at 11 am on the Sunday morning. If you happen to be in Millport this weekend, it would be well worth the visit to the beautiful (and tiny) Cathedral of the Isles to hear some fantastic choral music by one of Edinburgh's best choirs.

Saturday 7 April 2012

I have seen the Lord!


....she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!"

Today we gather in joyful celebration of the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!  Alleluia! He is risen! Join us at any of our services:

8:30 am - Holy Communion
11:00 am - Sung Eucharist with children's story and Easter egg hunt
3:00 pm - Sung Eucharist at St. Moluag's, Eoropaidh

The Lord is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Ἃγιον Φῶς - Holy Fire, The Great Easter Vigil


Our service begins tonight outside the church at 8 pm. The new Easter fire is lit and blessed and the Paschal candle is prepared and lit, symbolising Christ as the light of the world and his presence in the midst of the people. We will listen once again to the great faith stories of our ancestors, we will reaffirm our baptismal vows and we will celebrate the first Easter Eucharist.

Please join us. All are welcome to this joyful celebration

Please

Thursday 5 April 2012

Good Friday

The seed is in the ground.
Now may we rest in hope
While darkness does its work.
- Wendell Berry, Sabbath Poems

12:30 pm - Good Friday Liturgy
All are welcome

Maundy Thursday



"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another."

Tonight we gather at 7:30 pm. It is on this holy night that we remember the events of Jesus' last evening with his friends, the evening before he died. We recall his commandment of 'love one another as I have loved you'; we recall that the greatest love comes in the form of service, in the symbols of the towel and the basin; we recall that Jesus' love and presence is found in earthly objects, the bread and the wine; and we recall that, on this night, he was abandoned and betrayed by those who claimed to love him.


Come and join us. All are welcome.

Wednesday 4 April 2012

Wednesday of Holy Week



We gather tonight at 7 pm for our last quiet, reflective Evening Prayer service of Holy Week. All are welcome.

Monday 2 April 2012

Tuesday of Holy Week...


Tonight at 7 pm we gather for a quiet, reflective Evening Prayer service. All are welcome.

Monday of Holy Week...


Tonight at 7:00 pm we gather for a quiet, contemplative service of Evening Prayer. All are welcome.

Sunday 1 April 2012

The Donkey

by G.K. Chesterton

WHEN fishes flew and forests walked
And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
Then surely I was born.

With monstrous head and sickening cry
And ears like errant wings,
The devil's walking parody
On all four-footed things.

The tattered outlaw of the earth,
Of ancient crooked will,
Starve, scourge, deride me I am dumb,
I keep my secret still.

Fools, for I also had my hour,
One far fierce hour and sweet.
There was a shout about my ears
And palms before my feet.


Thursday 29 March 2012

Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter


As we enter one of the most sacred and holiest times of the church year, we invite you to enter deeply into the mystery of Holy Week and the joy of the Resurrection. You are welcome to attend any or all of the following services:

Palm Sunday, 1 April
8:30 am - Holy Communion
11:00 am - Sung Eucharist with the Liturgy of the Palms
7:00 pm - Evensong
Monday, 2 April
7:00 pm - Reflective Evening Prayer
Tuesday, 3 April
7:00 pm - Reflective Evening Prayer
Wednesday, 4 April
7:00 pm - Reflective Evening Prayer
Maundy Thursday, 5 April
7:30 pm - Holy Eucharist with footwashing and stripping of the altar
Good Friday, 6 April
12:30 pm - Meditation on the cross
Holy Saturday, 7 April
8:00 pm - The Great Vigil
Easter Day, 8 April
8:30 am - Holy Eucharist
11:00 am - Sung Eucharist followed by Easter Egg hunt in the garden
3:00 pm - Sung Eucharist at St. Moluag's, Eoropaidh

Tuesday 20 March 2012

Children in the church....



At St. Peter's we take our little people seriously and we are delighted to be seeing more children arriving each week.We are beginning to think more about how we can make our church a family and child-friendly place of worship. Currently, we're working on establishing a children's church but this takes time, effort and money. We have big dreams and have begun the process of deciding what will work best for our building restrictions and, of course, our children. In the meantime, however, we will be offering activity bags to children who want to join us for our Sunday services. These bags will contain quiet toys, crayons, puzzles and other goodies.

To make this possible we need donations of NEW quiet toys, crayons, colouring books, puzzles and anything else that you think might be appropriate. The age groups are 2-4 years and 5-8 years. After we have received enough donations for 10 bags, we will be blessing these important gifts on Sunday, 15 April at a special service.

Our wee ones thank you in advance!

Sunday 18 March 2012

A Week of Saints...

It began on Saturday with St. Patrick and it continues this week with the Feast Day of St. Joseph on 19 March and St. Cuthbert on 20 March. Both these men have much to offer our faith and our concept of how God works in our lives...

We know Joseph was a carpenter, a working man. The cynical Nazarenes ask about Jesus: "Is this not the carpenter's son?" Joseph was not a rich man, for all he could afford as an offering were two turtle-doves or pigeons when he took Jesus to the Temple to be circumcised. Those with more money would have taken a lamb to sacrifice. 

We know Joseph was a compassionate man. When he discovered that his fiancee, Mary, was pregnant, he knew that the child was not his but was yet unaware that Mary was carrying the Son of God. He planned to divorce Mary according to Hebrew law but he was concerned for her suffering and safety. Joseph knew that women accused of adultery could be stoned to death so he decided to divorce here quietly and not bring shame or persecution to her. 

Joseph was also a man of immense faith, obedient to whatever God asked of him. When the angel came to Joseph in a dream and told him the truth about the child Mary was carrying, Joseph immediately, and without question, took Mary as his wife. When the angel came again to warn him that his family was in danger from Herod, he immediately left everything behind and took his wife and baby to a new country, seeking safety. And he patiently waited in Egypt until the angel told him it was safe to go back.

We know more about the life of St. Cuthbert than we do about St. Joseph. Cuthbert was born in Northumbria in about the year 635. At the age of 17 he had a significant experience. While tending some of his neighbour's sheep on a hill, he saw a light descend to Earth and then return, escorting, he believed, a human soul to Heaven. The date was 31 August, 651, the night that St. Aidan died. From that experience, he decided that God was calling him to something greater and he went to the monastery in Melrose, Scotland, where he stayed for the next 13 years. At about the age of 30, Cuthbert moved to the holy isle of Lindisfarne, where for the next 10 years, he ran the monastery there. When he turned 40, he realised he was being called to be a hermit and so he moved to the more remote island known as 'Inner Farne' where he built a hermitage and lived there for another 10 years. People were unable to leave him alone and they travelled to see him in small boats, for healing and spiritual guidance.

Just after turning 50, he was asked to leave his hermitage and become a bishop. For the next two years he travelled around, evangelising as Aidan had done. And at the age of 52, feeling the approach of his death, he returned to the Inner Farne and to his hermitage and he died in the company of the Lindisfarne monks on 20 March 687.

On Monday, 19 March, we celebrate these two men with a service of Holy Communion. All are welcome to attend.


Saturday 17 March 2012

St. Patrick


Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably near or in Kilpatrick, Dumbartonshire. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, Roman citizens living in Britiain in charge of the colonies. His grandfather and father were deacons in the Christian church. At the age of 16, Patrick was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken captive to Ireland as a slave. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. During his captivity, he herded and tended sheep and learned the language and practices of the people who held him. Throughout his time as a slave, he turned to God in prayer. He wrote:

'The love of God grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that in a single day I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same. I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain.'

Patrick's captivity lasted until he was 20, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britain, where he was reunited with his family. Again, he had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him, 'We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more.'

He began his studies for the priesthood and was later ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years. Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived in Ireland on March 25, 433, and began preaching the Gospel throughout the country, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing the power of Patrick's message.

Patrick worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in a document called 'Confessions'. After years of living in extreme poverty, travelling and enduring much suffering, he died on March 17, 461. Today we celebrate his life and work.



Tuesday 13 March 2012

The Work Has Begun!


As of yesterday, the restoration has begun on our magnificent 'Matheson' window, a beautiful stained glass window donated in the late 19th century in memory of Lady Matheson. The talented team of Linda Cannon and Rab MacInnes will be carrying out this work and they will be in the church for most of the week. Linda and Rab are both highly experienced and very gifted historic conservators and we are very blessed to have them working on this priceless window. The window will be attributed to a famous Pre-Raphaelite artist so stayed tuned for more news...

Saturday 10 March 2012

Fruit of the vine and work of human hands...


In many Anglican churches the presentation of the bread and wine at the offertory is usually done by members of the congregation. This is not an entirely new practice, however. In the early Church, the faithful would bring gifts to be offered and presented at the Offertory, including bread and wine, food, money and clothing for the poor. We would like to begin this practice of lay involvement at St. Peter's so please contact Rev. Shona if you are interested in this important part of the liturgy.

'Blessed are you, Lord God of all Creation.Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life. Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become our spiritual drink.'


Wednesday 7 March 2012

Diocesan Synod 2012


The Diocesan Synod of Argyll and The Isles officially began last night with our Synod Eucharist at St. John's Cathedral with The Right Reverend Kevin Pearson celebrating and preaching with much passion and energy. The evening was made complete with a wonderful dinner at the Argyllshire Gathering Halls, where all lay representatives and clergy and visitors gathered in friendship over a large buffet, with much laughter, conversation and anticipation for the next day's business.

Today we met together again to consider all of the important mission and ministry throughout the Diocese and to give prayerful space and attention to the Anglican Covenant. The Bishop encouraged each and every one of us to be bold in ministry, to make mission a priority, and to be responsible and thoughtful with matters of money and buildings. We give thanks for the diversity of people throughout this Diocese and we look with hope and anticipation towards the future, confident that we worship a God of abundance and life!

Sunday 4 March 2012

Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict


What does a sixth-century monastic rule have to do with modern life? And what exactly is Benedictine spirituality? In her book, Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict, Esther de Waal questions the assumptions by which we live and looks at some of the most basic questions that we all face: How do we grow and fulfil our true selves? How do we relate to those around us? To the physical world? To God?

Come and join us every Wednesday evening during Lent in the church hall at 7:30 pm as we read through and discuss Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict. All are welcome.

Monday 27 February 2012

A Wilderness Journey


We have entered into our Lenten journey, when we walk alongside Christ as he turns his face to Jerusalem, that very place where all will turn against him. This journey takes us through our own personal wilderness; into those places of pain, despair, hopelessness; those places where we do not allow God to be God within us. It is a journey that allows us to look deep into ourselves and to realise that the deepest image within us is that image of God's love that can never be removed. The forty days of Lent leads us into the humbling days of Holy Week and finally to the celebration of Easter and beyond. Come and journey with us.

Wednesday 22 February 2012

Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return...



Tonight we begin our journey to Easter with the sign of ashes, an ancient sign, speaking of the frailty and uncertainty of human life and marking the penitence of the community as a whole. You are invited to a service of Holy Communion with the Imposition of Ashes at 7:30 pm at St. Peter's. All are welcome.