Gathering by the water to eat fish and share stories
Where the River Nith meets the Cluden water at Lincluden
This Forest Church experience was set up to provide participants with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the gospel stories where the disciples meet with Jesus at the waters edge, and share fish roasted over coals with him.
This is a popular spot for people to gather and enjoy swimming in the river. It is a short walk from town, but the scrub woodland and ruined Abbey provide a boundary to create a sanctuary of wild space hidden right next to the A75. Easter was early enough in the year for us to be sharing the beach with only one other group though – and dog walkers.
Those who came brought food with them as well. We shared the fire and enjoyed discovering what everyone had brought. As we sat and cooked we took it in turns to tell sections of the story of Easter. Starting in the upper room where Jesus gathered with his disciples to break bread and drink wine. The stories were interlaced with reflections and songs. The story wove its way through time until we met it again in a shared experience of sitting by water and enjoying the sharing of food and drink in the presence of Jesus.
As a mark of the day some people chose to cast a cross in a simple soapstone mould. In itself melting the metal, purifying it with fire and then watching it take the shape prepares for it, can be a symbolic and heartfelt action. The cross which is cast then needs cleaning and can be carried as a reminder and connection to the experience throughout the year.
A journey of anticipation between Good Friday and Easter Sunday
This year we took advantage of the space between Good Friday and Easter Sunday to go on a journey of discovery. We met up in the morning at St Johns in Dumfries and then travelled west, collecting together as a group on the way.
Coffee at the Whithorn trust
We were welcomed at the Whithorn Trust for a break and a much appreciated coffee! It was here that we were introduced to the historical setting for the story of St Ninian. We also so something of the current activities of the trust. As well as welcoming tourists and pilgrims on the St Ninians way, they are also running projects to develop skills in local young people to keep the crafts alive that are required to maintaing the traditional buildings in the area and rebuild replicas of historical buildings.
few bluebells today!
Their centre also hold an exhibition of artefacts from the archaeological dig in the 1980’s to recent research like the 3D reconstruction of the face of a bishop from his physical remains cared for in the Abbey. Whithorn might look like a quiet town today, but the streets have been shaped by a history of being the principle “go to location” for kings on pilgrimage.
well-made remains from an earlier age
After our break, we took a short drive to the St Ninians cave car park. We left modern transport behind and continued on foot down to the coast. The path leads through a forest, sometimes filled with bluebells although we were there too early for a full carpet. The transition through the wood gives time to slow down, to notice the details of growing things, and to prepare. Moving through space to change ones mindset. Opening ones mind to experience sensations both physical and spiritual that we can become less aware of in the grind of daily life.
Signs of things to come
There is short rise just before the path reaches the beach, and the beach itself is made from stones banked up by the waves. This means that when you walk the final few steps on the path the ground lifts you up as you reach the beach and then the horizon opens up to give you a view of where the Solway meets the Irish sea.
walking towards the cave
The beach is very different environment to the forest. Stone water and sky dominate your experience. There are patterns in the pebbles. If you look out to sea sometimes Mannanan lifts his cloak and reveals the Isle of Man. I often imagine the many ways in which the sea connects us globally. Something which looks like a barrier can become the means to travel and for messages to spread. There is a changed quality in ambient light too. Just standing and experiencing the refreshment of the place without the need to exercise intellect is refreshing for the soul.
We then approached the cave. There are many caves associated with saints in Scotland and the tradition of finding remote places to sit and contemplate is not unique to Christianity. This cave has been associated with the Story of Ninian for thousands of years. The ornate carved crosses that it once held have been moved to care for them in the town of Whithorn. The surface of the cave and cliff face is covered with crosses and names carved by visitors though. What is it about being in the same physical place as a legend that is so special?
We stopped there for lunch. Some took time to wander and think while others enjoyed chatting, or looking at the view.
After a while I gave people the opportunity to cast a pilgrim badge as a record of their journey. The badge is based on one found near Holywood in Dumfries. At one time there was an industry producing badge like these. I compare them to the way in which people will buy a frame from their favourite film, frame it, and hang it on their wall. We are physical creatures and there is a connection between the things we can touch and see and those we cannot. For some this may simply be a reminder of a memory, for others there is a deeper significance.
It has been said that “I hear I forget, I see I remember, I do I understand” Pouring hot metal certainly focuses the mind on the moment and the task in hand!
And then it was time to return. Walking back through the woodland and letting the experience settle. For some this was not the first time they had visited the cave, and for many it wont be the last. Each journey is different though and perhaps some of those who travelled will post about their experiences in the comments!
This article is from 2019, but is shows what an artist (with help from their sponsors and friends) can do. It is a story of finding hope in reforestation.
Our Quartz housegroup meetings in April, May and June
CLC will meet at Simon and Kates house 7.30 till 9.00pm. The saints days listed below are for general interest only! The leader of each meeting is encouraged to take us where the Holy Spirit inspires them.
Something is happening to the chrysalis – it is being destroyed so that something new can become real. The hopes and fears of many people within the layers of paper are becoming transformed into a single prayer for the world, an offering to God on Easter Day!A butterfly emerges from the crucible of prayers…It flies freely through the light and illuminates our hopes for the future.
There is something special about going away from home to spend time with a group of people. There are lots of links to follow to explore the possibilities this week could open up. Do you know anyone who might be interested?
We have been working on the cocoon this week and gradually transforming it into a chrysalis with hand-made paper.
It is becoming a tomb for the hopes and fears written into it by many folk over the past month of Lent.
The physical transformation of the cocoon represents our longings for God to be at work in our lives, making something beautiful from the fragments of our holy desires.
There is faith built into the structure – belief and hope that He can and will perform this transformation in our lives.
Watch this space for the final transformation on Easter Day!
