Gaudete!

Rejoice!  Good news, my little brood of vipers!  Don’t worry – be happy!  And other such joyous things.

Tis Gaudete Sunday. The day when we get to wear Rose coloured vestments. Or not, if your church doesn’t have any.  

As it happens, we don’t at St Mark’s. We may in the future but at the moment we don’t. So today, as I was preaching, I wore a rather terrific pink stole from India which a friend brought back. Not rose so much as ROSE!  Gorgeous! But is one rose stole enough for such an auspicious occasion?  No, I thought not too. So I wore my new pink shoes as well.

I could feel the presence of the shoe-police breathing down my neck but I am adamant I did no wrong. Pink shoes should be obligatory for Gaudete Sunday.  Of course I expect to hear from a certain Provost who has been known to take an interest in these matters.  But while I still live, here is a picture of the pink shoe. What’s not to love?

The Corstorphine Road Nativity

Blog Warning !  The following may contain criticism. If this offends you, do not read on.

Lovely evening at the theatre last night with Junior Church leaders and parents and a few others thrown in for good measure. We started off over the road in The Spoon for a little snack and then off to see a play about a nativity play. Most of the actors will be known to many Scottish viewers as they either appear in Taggart, River City or Balimory, or so I was told. The actors all played the part of children aged about 7 doing a school nativity play. There were some really funny lines and observations but I must be getting old for I missed quite a bit of it because the sound was not great. In fact the sound was too loud and distorted and when the actors were speaking quickly we couldn’t quite make out what they said which was a great pity. Punchlines were often missed as we all whispered to one another, “What did they say?” and then missed the next bit! But on the whole it was amusing and a good night out.

Under attack

I appear to be under attack this week. First by germs which have taken my voice away and given me a squeak. Secondly, by some people who seem to think that I am a bad Christian for criticising some nurses.  You can read their comments after all the other ones from nurses saying I was quite right in highlighting changes in standards of nursing. I haven’t responded yet because I’ve not had time or the inclination but I will.

Helen Muirhead RIP

Helen sadly died in the early hours of this morning.  Her body will be received into church on Tuesday 15 December at 4.30pm and her funeral will be on Wednesday at 1pm and thereafter at Seafield Crematorium at 2pm.

Rest eternal grant unto her, O Lord,
and let light perpetual shine upon her.

Waiting

Monday morning – morning prayer in church with a good crowd.  These regulars like to have coffee and a scone after and kindly invite me so over the road we went.  (Cafe freezing, scones too well-done and mine was very small so I don’t think we’ll be going back there again!)  Back to church at 11am to meet someone who wanted to interview me about the history of the church and take a film of it too.  I waited. And waited. No show.

Monday afternoon – waiting for a plumber to come and fix the rectory wash-hand basin plughole.  (We have a contract with Scottish Gas which covers plumbing apparently.)  Dyno-Rod eventually came and informed me it was broken. Duh!  And that the contract does not cover pop-up waste plugs.

Tuesday morning – morning prayer, a little photocopying in church, and some advice from +A.  Popped home before visiting, answered the phone only to find out that the plumber who was meant to be coming out this afternoon was on his way. Jolly good. See the plumber and then go visiting.  After an hour the plumber arrives and if I want the thing fixed he might be able to do it this afternoon – once he’s gone and bought this special fitting.  Could take a few hours. Bang goes Tuesday afternoon.

Of course the Vestry would rather I went through this process three times getting three quotes.

And they wonder why I didn’t get around to visiting.

Hrrmph.

John the Baptist

Here is a lovely painting of John the B.

I didn’t preach on John today because he gets a lot of space in the Lectionary. Had I preached on him, this is probably not the image I would have used. But you can never have too much Caravaggio in my book.

I told a story instead.

Ladies who Lunch

I nearly forgot all about the Ladies who Lunch yesterday.  You see, on my day off I tend not to look at my diary but thankfully something made me look just in time to race up and meet the other 13 at the German market in Princes Street.  We only do it once a year and tradition has it that we meet for a Gluwein first and then a wander round the stalls or shops. (Mine was a Flirt – Gluwein and Amaretto – and was just delicious, thank you.)  This year we went to B’est for lunch opposite the Festival Theatre and what a great meal at a great price.  I’ll be back there again. Then back to Princes Street and M and I had a go on the Big Wheel.  It was dark by then and the lights were twinkling.

There is something quite magical about being suspended in the cold, crisp air while the lights sparkle as far as the eye can see.

So beautiful.

Then it was off to Jenners (not the same nowadays) for a wee wander as we caught up with D.  The rest had gone off in various directions – most to get the last train back when they can use their free passes!

Not sure whose idea it was to go to Harvey Nichols but off we wandered past a lovely crib scene in St Andrew’s Square where the baby Jesus appears to have arrived already.  Harvey Nicks is always fun and after a little make-up testing we decided to go up to the top floor for coffee.  Coffee changed into champagne cocktails and as the dinner restaurant was just opening all we could get to eat were chips with aioli.  What fun.  Ladies who Lunch should always end with champagne cocktails in Harvey Nicks.

It was a lovely day, catching up with old friends and hearing the news. That was really the best bit about yesterday. The places and the food (and the wine!) didn’t really matter.  What mattered was the blethering.

And so ends my first week back at work. It has been a busy one although I tried to take it easier than I normally would.  I’ve been in hospitals and I’ve been in Homes.  I’ve said Morning Prayer in church every morning with one person and with twelve people. I lost my temper at the Vestry meeting, something I’ve never done before. And I have apologised. I’ve thought and I’ve pondered and I’ve taken advice. I’ve partied with the oldies (sorry K!) but I didn’t go dancing. I moved chairs and more chairs and acted like a janitor. And now I’ve got a sermon to write… It is good to be back.

From darkness to light

For the past 6 weeks a group have been meeting as part of the Exploring our Faith course. This term the group were looking at the history of liturgy in the church and at the end of the term they had to design an act of worship. Being off work for 6 weeks has meant that I did the first session and then left poor +Alan to do all the rest but clearly he did an excellent job for last night the group offered a wonderful Advent service.

We started in darkness in the narthex and heard a voice in the distance (at the Advent wreath) bringing light into the darkness. The light was brought to us and we sang as we processed to the lectern for the first reading.  Then we moved to the 2nd lectern for more reading and another hymn. We listened to scripture and to why we need to reflect in these weeks before Christmass. Then we found a picture of jesus that spoke to us before moving to the star to reflect upon it. The seats were in a star shape around lots of candles which we all lit and gradually the light grew. it really was beautiful.

 

WE reflected on why we had picked ‘that’ Jesus and then sang a Taize chant for Advent.

The service continued with the right balance of quiet and words and music. (Love that Wachet Auf – and yes it does sound like a German curse!)

And mulled wine and cake after!

It really was a wonderful evening and such a joy for me to sit and ‘be’.  Loved the star seats, which we’ll keep for morning prayer this week, and the ever-increasing light.

So thank you little flock-group for offering yourselves and your worship to us.

PS. This is what I’ve been working on for the last week. In Hobbycraft you can buy cardboard letters which you can paint. Don’t they look good?

Oh happy day!

Oh I can’t tell you how good it was to be back at work today. I feel as if I’ve been away for 6 months, not 6 weeks, and it was lovely to catch up with folk. It seemed appropriate to be going back at the beginning of term, as it were. (Mind you I did forget to take my correct uniform with me in all the excitement so I’m afraid the lacy alb was worn when it should have been plain. But I think I got away with it so sshhh!)

The candle was lit.

The child knew what to do.

O Come, O Come and Lo, he comes.

No 3 microphone wailed.

A little Bach Chorale to soothe the soul.

From the step a toddler solemnly watched.

Our Father who art in heaven, Harold is thy name…

Deep, deep purple satisfied.

The Body of Christ – and one was missed.

Dawn and evening celebrate your glory…

Music and muttering

Oh its good to be home.

And in all the excitement what I didn’t do was thank Bishop Alan and Fr Alex for looking after my little flock so well. It made such a difference to know they were in safe hands. Thank you boys. Put your feet up now, why don’t you? Mother’s back in charge!!

And tonight the group who were doing the Adventures in Faith course have put together a service of Darkness into Light at 6.30pm.  It is strange for me to go to something I’ve not had a hand in but I’m looking forward to it. (I don’t mind not being in control, really!)

Advent Fair photos

‘The best yet!’ was the response to this year’s Advent Fair. We raised a magnificent £1600 and a big thanks to Nicola for all her organisation. There were the usual Christmas crafts and nearly new, books and DVDs, cakes, jams and chutneys and a wonderful cake to raffle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This year we also had a chocolate fountain, tile painting and snowboarding on the Wii. Yes, your Priest took part but did not win. Let it be known she is a Wii virgin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A big thanks to all who took part, who prepared the church and put it back together again, and those who worked and those who bought. We couldn’t have done it without you all. I am so proud of you, little flock.