We will gather as usual at 2pm outside the Crichton Memorial chapel. More info about what will be happening will hopefully be posted closer to the time, but it the experience is meant to be a little wild! Please dress for the weather.
Meanwhile, here is something to think about.
Spirituality, much like environment and society has been excessively commodified and domesticated often as a result of a colonial straightjacket. It has led to a dogmatic approach to faith ensnared by a regulatory impulse that loses the powerful connection with tradition, the living faith of the dead becoming imprisoned by traditionalism, the dead faith of the living. Rewilding the soul is about returning to a state of knowing and doing that refounds our story and leads us home to ourselves, to our place in the world and the creative work we are called to do.
Johnny Sertin, Pioneer Practice, getsidetracked.co 2021, p76
When does our experience of being part of the Christian community become “the living faith of the dead becoming imprisoned by traditionalism, the dead faith of the living” ?
Forest Church is in part a response to sitting in a service and feeling the overwhelming need to leave the building and get out. To walk somewhere, anywhere, but in that place at that time. A childish response to this urge would be to make aloud noise, to act in frustration that pours out before the words to frame it can be formed. A childlike response is to calmly accept that somethings are unlikely to change and seek the presence of God elsewhere. Actively seeking out Jesus in unexpected places and the transformation of the ordinary when coffee shops become thin spaces and parks become gardens where God still walks and provides fruit.
The experiences of those who have gathered to share this at Sensing Spirituality walks, or forest church meetings, are positive. They show that these activities help people return to “a state of knowing”. Perhaps by leaving the comfort of the mainstream Sunday morning experience we will rediscover lost treasures of Christian spirituality. Hopefully in doing this and reflecting on the experience we will discover the words to understand the frustration which started us walking.
As we walk we are finding new ways to relate with God, through reading, prayer, ritual, reflection and action. The Quartz experience of rediscovering #SensingSpirituality is being recorded on this website. We are far from alone though and so here is something else to think about from “Pioneer Practice“
the sacred bean eucharist – (after all when two or three are gathered in the UK they are more likely to share a mug of coffee and biscuit than bread and wine…)
Kate is off to Holiday club this morning. Volunteers from St. John’s congregation will be spending a week working with young people.
They will be led and supported by Janice, and hopefully your prayers too! It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child. Towards the end of the summer holidays perhaps parents particularly appreciate this service offered by churches.
The theme is “The Lion King”. Kate will be posting frequent updates to guide your prayers. You can get in touch here to be sent e-mails form her, or if you are on the St John’s prayer WhatsApp already they should be sent to you.
We made these to accompany taking our worship outdoors. The aim was to find ways to help make #SensingSpirituality while walking more accessible that just asking people to “Find Jesus in the Trees” and hoping for the best.
They contain information and questions which the authors have found helpful when they want to become aware of the presence of God, understand the experience, or connect their current experiences with other experiences they have had.
We call them “doors to #SensingSpirituality. Some might resonate more with you than others. The place where you are might also suit some more than others. Start with the one which appeals most to you, but don’t let yourself get typecast! Some doors don’t open as easily as other on the first try.
You are welcome to use them. If you have ideas about new cards we can make, please send them in.
“We meet in Jesus name. Whether you consider yourself a close friend or are just curious, we meet in Christs peace. Peace be with you”
share a sign of peace.
Psalm 85
Prayer for the Restoration of God’s Favour
To the leader. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.
1 Lord, you were favourable to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you pardoned all their sin. Selah
3 You withdrew all your wrath;
you turned from your hot anger.
4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us.
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
so that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
8 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.[a]
9 Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. 11 Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. 12 The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness will go before him and will make a path for his steps.
Psalm 85 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
OR if this song might be helpful if you are online and unable to join in with the psalm in person.
O God Will You Restore Us, Bifrost Arts
First Reading
13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”… … “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
A doorway to wonder made from scientific knowledge.
June has been a dry month this year, but with the school summer holidays rain has arrived!
Take some time out to smell the moisture in the air. Look for the river flowing into the sea. look around and become aware of the presence of water in the growing things.
We are part of this cycle, water flows though us and makes up a large amount of our body. Without it we become very thirsty, very quickly.
Practice #SensingMeaningfulness. (Don’t try to do all of these! pick one which appeals to you most, but then perhaps you’ll find time for another).
Creatively interact with the area around you. What things are wet? Are some leaves juicy and full of water while others are dry? Are there things you can make a picture from, or can you make sounds which represent all the forms which the water that surrounds us takes (pattering of rain, rippling river, beating heart…). Dance like no-one is watching!
Use the “doorway” card to learn about the water cycle, and follow the prompts to think about it.
Let your mind rest and become aware of your senses and experience the moment. As your mind wanders through the sensations of water, what truths do you become aware of? Are you inspired? Where do you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. Drink deeply.
Look at the ways in which water brings life to the seeds and plant around you. Are you spiritually thirsty? What areas of your life need “watering” and how could that be helped?
Discussion
We will make time to listen to each other learn from the different ways in which everyone has experienced water.
Blessing
May the blessing of the rain be on you— the soft sweet rain. May it fall upon your spirit so that all the little flowers may spring up, and shed their sweetness on the air. May the blessing of the great rains be on you, may they beat upon your spirit and wash it fair and clean, and leave there many a shining pool where the blue of heaven shines, and sometimes a star.
We will meet outside the Crichton chapel at 2pm on the 3rd Sunday in the month as usual. This Sunday we may be dodging showers of heavy rain, so please dress for the weather!
Continuing the theme of the posts on this site, this Sunday we will spend time thinking about water. Some of the reading for the day from the Scottish Episcopal Church calendar are
We have been busy in the last couple of weeks, so here is a short overview of some of what we have been up to.
We gave away around twenty “Contact Cards” to people we chatted with over the course of the afternoon at Caerlaverock castle. Other artwork was available in a box in the centre of the Labyrinth.
If you a curious about what sound foraging is, then have a listen to Jen Mac or visit Jen Mac music. It made an interesting addition to the sound environment when reading and walking the labyrinth. Perhaps, in the future, we will be able to collaborate on something like this Martyn Bennett track.
So what did people think of the experience?
“Here are some pics for you from today – we very much enjoyed being part of things and hope for more…”
A Ukrainian lady thanked me for the labyrinth and said it was really important to have time and space to reflect.
“I had a nice chat at the labyrinth with a Romanian chap who was happy to be away from his kids for some personal moments looking at the various exhibits in the castle grounds…
So, he was encouraged to walk the labyrinth after some explanations, taking his time to slowly walk the path to the centre and read some of the literature there. Talking afterwards, he seemed to really appreciate the experience as a way to clear his mind of petty thoughts.
Later I wandered over to the stone carving area and had a go at some stone fettling…looking over at the other person chipping away at a block I recognised a young face from one of my own stained-glass workshops in Lochside! We had a nice chat and then the Romanian guy from earlier walked over and I discovered he was the lad’s father! That was a very nice moment of completing some kind of circle of personal connections. I understood a little more of God’s love for us all as a community of beings in his great world.
Overall, I really enjoyed the experience of being part of a small community of believers transcending time for an afternoon and offering folk an opportunity to unwind as they walked the labyrinth of their own dreams and expectations. They all had their own experience of following a path laid out…the rest is up to God.”
We will be holding a Midsummer Forest Church service on Sunday the 25th of June. We will meet at the castle road end car park near Caerlaverock castle at 3pm.
We will walk up the hill to Wardlaw iron age fort. This is a farm track with steps. There are no facilities at the top, so please dress appropriately and bring a snack!
Another view from Wardlaw (in November!)
Having cautioned you, the reward for walking up the hill will be the opportunity to bathe in some woodland with views over the Solway. We will meet in Christs name and share his peace, whether you consider yourself a close friend or are simply curious – we meet in peace.
We will use a variety of poetry, music and reading to compliment the messages placed in creation from the dawn of time. Hopefully this will be more than just Church outdoors and the saunter up the hill will help us worship and restore relationships.
As this Sunday is close to midsummer we will also reflect on the themes of light, the sun, and pausing to contemplate. The place we are meeting is an ancient watch hill, so a good physical, and metaphysical, vantage point.
The plan – Midsummer forest church 2
Meet in car park, gather and share peace
“We meet in Jesus name. Whether you consider yourself a close friend or are just curious, we meet in Christs peace. Peace be with you”
share a sign of peace.
Intro
The summer solstice occurred in the middle of last week. It was the longest day and the shortest night. The amount of daylight we experience had been building up all year, then stood still, and will now decrease. You could use the journey up the hill to think about your year so far, and then pause to reflect in the fort, or simply enjoy the experience! If you want to chat about what you are thinking with someone, make eye contact (sometimes thoughts happen best in discussion out loud) however if someone doesn’t make eye contact they are not being rude, they are just being busy with their thoughts (some people think best in private).
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so if your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive], your whole body will be full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts]. 23 But if your eye is bad [spiritually blind], your whole body will be full of darkness [devoid of God’s precepts]. So if the [very] light inside you [your inner self, your heart, your conscience] is darkness, how great and terrible is that darkness!
Matt 6:22,23
Start Walking!
Gathering on Rampart
Gloria in exelsiuis, Gloria in exelsius, Glo.ri.a
Christus natus est.
Together
Come I this day to the Father of Light,
Come I this day to the Son, morning-bright,
Come I this day to the Holy Ghost great in might;
Come I this day this day with God, blessing to find,
Come I this day with Christ, promise to bind,
With the Spirit of potion kind.
Reading from the bible
(NRSVA)
24 ‘A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!26 ‘So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. 27 What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. 28 Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.[a]29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. 30 And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
32 ‘Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; 33 but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.
34 ‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.
37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
We stand in an ancient fort, set on a high hill. What conflict did the builders fear, what statements were they making?
Trees grow through the ramparts, transforming them. The shape of the roman fort has been ploughed out of recognition. Who remembers the names of those who built these proud structures, or the taoiseach and emperors who commanded their building. We slow our minds to think at the speed of growing things, trees, earth, stone.
All living things grow, take time to wander, talk to the trees about being rooted. Reflect on where you draw your energy from and feel it tingle in your fingertips. Allow yourself to become aware of the presence of the comforter, bathe in the green and the presence of the sun.
Repeat Gloria (to gather)
Lords prayer (Old English version)
On rampart ready to walk down the hill
O God, and Spirit, and Jesu, the Three,
From the crown of my head, O Trinity,
To the soles of my feet mine offering be;
Come I with my name and my witnessing,
Come I with contrite heart, confessing,
Come I unto thee, O Jesu my King –
O Jesu, do thou be my sheltering,
(South Uist, Celtic spiritual verse, GRD McLean
Walk down the hill.
In the car park, sending out (together)
May the God of life with guarding hold you,
The loving Christ with guarding fold you
Each night of life to aid, enfold you
Each day and night of life uphold you.
The grace of our lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore, Amen
On Saturday the 24th of June Quartz will be presenting the opportunity for people to walk a Labyrinth. We will also interpret information about the first recorded farmers of the land. These were monks from Holme Cultrum Abbey across the Solway, which was at that time part of Scotland.
We will be doing this from 13.00 to 16.00 as part of the Creative Caerlaverock project which is exploring ways in which the community can engage with the castle and its grounds. The Castle itself is closed for safety reasons, but the grounds are open and access is free. If you are in the area, drop in. If you are reading this online and can’t travel hopefully you can try things out where you are.
The Labyrinth
We will be laying out a rope labyrinth which will hopefully be around 10m in diameter. Walking outdoors where the wind, birdsong and feel of the ground immerse you in the landscape is a special experience. We will encourage people to become aware of two of their abilities to sense which we think this activity is particularly suited to.
Some experiences are special. Life is more than just it’s physical components. There can be moments where we sense something that can be described as sublime. Mystics experience transcendence, and then spend the rest of their lives trying to explain it in a way which avoids disrespecting the experience. Whatever metaphysics you use to understand these experiences, taking time out to become mindful of the otherness of where you are, the specialness of this particular moment, can help enrich your ordinary experience of everyday life.
On this day it might be helpful to think about the length of time this site has been used (This land was once below the waves, could a roman soldier have walked here?)
The Monks at Holme Cultrum lived a lifestyle which cultured an awareness of otherness. This contemplative life was balanced with an active life though, where the presence of God is experienced in daily life. The Practice of the Presence of God is an account by the C17th monk known as Brother Lawrence. You can find a copy here.
More fully this is described as “Sensing a changed quality in Awareness”. If you can walk the labyrinth laid out on the grass then you might sense a change in the quality of your awareness of yourself and surroundings. The labyrinth restricts the path you walk, but perhaps this can free your mind to wander. By walking the labyrinth your experience of the lawn at the castle is changed. Perhaps you will experience inner change from walking.
Perhaps it will be as simple as having the opportunity to experience a moment of peace in what would otherwise be a busy day.
If attending a church service or singing beautiful chantshelped the monks experience the transcendence of God, perhaps working in the fields, healing a sick person, or walking simply along a leafy lane, gave them moments where they sensed “Uncommonly good days” or the kingdom of God like salt in food or yeast in bread.
Walking
The days have been getting longer, now they become shorter. The sun stands still. It can be recognised as a time to pause, rest, and mark the change in the year. A labyrinth can help you do this.
Place your finger at the entrance to the Labyrinth.
As you follow the path to the centre, let your mind wander. If something worries you, acknowledge it and lay it to the side for just now. Unwind.
In the Centre, take time out to rest in the light of creation. Light shines in the darkness. You are loved. You have the potential to do what is needed and are free to choose not to reject that which is laid on you.
Follow the path out again. If you meet something you let go of on the way in, aknowledge it with peace. Choose to pick it up – or not!
Return whenever it might be helpful!
Why not save this to your phone or print this and go outside? Follow the path with your finger.
At one time Labyrinths were used by people as mini pilgrimages. Some were drawn on the floors of cathedrals, and may have represented a journey to Rome, or Jerusalem. They are much older though and have been a game played by children leaving winter and greeting the spring. This one is drawn by Simon Lidwell and is inspired by Iron age mirrors and wild geese swimming on the water.
Monastic life
As well as the labyrinth, we will also be presenting a collection of chants, prayers and readings from the history of monastic life in the area, from the 4th century to recent compositions. Monasteries used to regulate their pattern of life with special activities at certain hours. We will draw on this tradition by following a pattern throughout the time we are there. There will be a bell, the readings, some chanting and the opportunity to walk the labyrinth.
A very brief introduction…
Around the time that legal protection was extended to cover Christians in the roman empire, Christians also started to leave ‘normal’ society and seek the wilderness. Desert dwelling hermits and communities like those established by St Martin at Tours inspired Christian monasticism. The first example of this in Scotland is represented by St Ninian at Whithorn. This was probably followed by Portmahomac and Iona and then Lindisfarne. The way of life in a monastery was regulated by a rule, usually attributed to the founder, and these helped the community find a single-hearted focus on seeking God. Monks from the skelligs in the west helped rebuild culture after the destructive migration period, taking their customs and rules with them. Traces can be found in medieval manuscripts in the Italian alps.
The Benedictine rule then washed back into these island, and it is still the basis many communities of monks live by. Cistercians were the ones recorded as owning the lands around Caerlaverock and you can read more about how this continues to this day.
If you are interested, then community of Pluscarden abbey in the north of Scotland is a living example of monastic life in a building originally founded only a century or so after Holm Cultram.
This is the page of the Iona community. The combination of spiritual seeking and hard labour rebuilt the monastery there with trainee ministers and unemployed workers working alongside each other.
And here is where you can find out more about another contemporary approach which draws inspiration from early communities on the Farne islands of Northumbria.
We will be holding a Midsummer Forest Church service on Sunday the 25th of June. We will meet at the castle road end car park near Caerlaverock castle at 3pm. (54.97845046765338, -3.5229645328674453)
We will walk up the hill to Wardlaw iron age fort. This is a farm track with steps. There are no facilities at the top, so please dress appropriately and bring a snack!
Just in case you missed it, there are two opportunities to take part in the decision about whether the St Johns building can be used to conduct same sex marriages. Although, according to their conscience, clergy have been able to solemnise same sex marriages since 2017 the use of a particular building is the responsibility of the vestry
From the St John’s notices
On 25th June there will be a Table- Top Discussion event in the Hall after the Sunday service. This will be facilitated by Vestry members. The purpose of the discussion is to ascertain the general feeling of the Congregation about the matter. There will be no vote, as the decision has to be taken by the Vestry, having taken the views of the Congregation into account. It may be worth noting that the views of Vestry members, as in the rest of the Congregation, are varied, and no decision, one way or the other, has been made.
The Vestry in its meeting last month had further, lengthy, discussions about the question of whether we should allow same sex marriages to be conducted in our church building. A paper was circulated to all the Congregation on Sunday 11th June. There is also a tree with leaves for you to write your views. A box has been provided beside the tree if you would prefer to submit your view more discreetly. The box will be emptied and all views will be subsequently posted on the tree.
This Sunday afternoon we are meeting to explore labyrinths and the monastic tradition of Scotland. It will be a brief introduction, with feet on the ground activities.
Gathering in Peace
We meet in Jesus name. Whether you consider yourself a close friend or are just curious, we meet in Christs peace. Peace be with you.
Settling
As we meet we remember those of the Christian family who have lived here before us, and those who have lived here loved by God before Jesus walked the earth.
We look out across the strath to the furthest place we can see, and allow our mind to wander through stories back in time to the earliest glimmer of the light of God we think of.
Then drawing back towards ourselves and our gathering today we look around and become aware of glimmers of God with us now.
Activity
Labyrinths are far older than Christianity, but Christians adopted them to help them pray, and carved them into cathedral floors. They can help people who cannot travel physically go on pilgrimages. The pattern helps shape our thoughts and guide our minds.
Monasteries adopt rules. One of the ways in which these rules help is to structure daily life around prayer. Prayer and labour, waking and sleeping, eating and reading, drinking and signing, all take place in a balanced order.
This activity combines both of these into an accessible activity for today. We will draw on the monastic liturgical tradition of the hours, and then walk the labyrinth. You are invited to use the journey through the labyrinth to reflect on the reading.
Calling
O Lord, open our lips and our mouth will proclaim your praise. O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
Kyrie
We will sing a Kyrie
Kyrie Eleison (echo)
Christe Eleison (echo)
Kyrie Eleison (echo)
Psalm 116
1 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. 2Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. 4 Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!”
5 The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. 6The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me.
7 Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.
8 For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, 9that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
10 I trusted in the Lord when I said, “I am greatly afflicted”; 11in my alarm I said, “Everyone is a liar.”
12 What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. 14I will fulfil my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. 16 Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my mother did; you have freed me from my chains.
17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord. 18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, 19 in the courts of the house of the Lord— in your midst, Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord.
Reading
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Still yourself at the start of the Labyrinth. You could simply use the pattern of letting go as you enter, resting in the centre and then revitalising yourself on the way out.
You are invited to reflect on the reading as well. On the way in remember ways in which you have experienced “The Good News of the Kingdom of Heaven”. At the centre rest, invite the Holy Spirit to comfort you. On the way out, allow imagined ideas of where the harvest might be experienced to come to mind.
Intercession
Deep peace of the running wave to you. Deep peace of the flowing air to you. Deep peace of the quiet earth to you. Deep peace of the shining stars to you. Deep peace of the gentle night to you. Moon and stars pour their healing light on you. Deep peace of Christ, of Christ the light of the world to you. Deep peace of Christ to you.
For those of you who join us online!
Blessing
The Spirit of truth lead you into all truth, give you grace to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and to proclaim the word and works of God; and the blessing of God almighty be with us all, evermore
Amen.
We will then go and find some refreshment at the Crichton café and discuss plans…
Since it is midsummer in the middle of the week we will also be participating in Creative Caerlaverock’s launch event and holding a Forest Church service on the Hill of the Maxwells/Wardlaw hill.
(meet at 3pm at the small car park near the main road on the way to the castle – later than normal to allow people to participate in the same sex marriage discussion at St Johns after the 11 O’clock service).
