The experience of being challenged and moved by experiences including love, beauty, goodness, joy, compassion, injustice, evil, suffering, death.
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#SensingChallenge
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#SensingOtherness
The sentiment that humans are more than their physical elements.
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.
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#SensingMeaningfulness
The ability to make connections or to see potential patterns in one’s life which give it meaning.
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#SensingValues
Attitudes and feelings about what is really important, what really matters.
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#SensingMystery
Experiences of awe, wonder and mystery about the natural world. Often also sensed when contemplating human achievement and for some divinity.
Galloway Hoard. Balmaghie. Castle Douglas, Dumfries.
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Praying with…
Meet outside Crichton chapel at 2pm on January the 15th, 2023
“Why must people kneel down to pray? If I really wanted to pray I’ll tell you what I’d do. I’d go out into a great big field all alone or in the deep, deep woods and I’d look up into the sky—up—up—up—into that lovely blue sky that looks as if there was no end to its blueness. And then I’d just feel a prayer.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
There are many ways to pray, and prayer is inspired in many forms. This Sunday we will meet up outdoors and in the company of the trees, birds, and growing things we will explore praying with them. Before I describe the plan for meeting on Sunday in more detail, and especially for those reading this online who will be unable to join us, I have this YouTube clip.
The Hymn is Icelandic, and as one who smiths it particularly resonates with me. Whether surrounded by the green, or industry in a railway station, or in a building built to glorify the Divine, I suspect that the beginning of inheriting the richness of prayer is to stop and sense a changed quality of awareness.
If the above link doesn’t work, try this one.
The plan for Sunday the 15th
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
Reading the text
“At this also my heart trembles and leaps out of its place. Listen, listen to the thunder of his voice and the rumbling that comes from his mouth. Under the whole heaven he lets it loose, and his lightning to the corners of the earth. After it his voice roars; he thunders with his majestic voice, and he does not restrain the lightnings[a] when his voice is heard. God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend. For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth’; and the shower of rain, his heavy shower of rain, serves as a sign on everyone’s hand, so that all whom he has made may know it.[b]
Then the animals go into their lairs and remain in their dens. From its chamber comes the whirlwind and cold from the scattering winds. By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast. He loads the thick cloud with moisture; the clouds scatter his lightning. They turn round and round by his guidance to accomplish all that he commands them on the face of the habitable world. Whether for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen …
Job 37 1- 13 NRSV
7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word that you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new commandment that is true in him and in you, because[a] the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says, “I am in the light,” while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves a brother or sister abides in the light, and in such a person[b] there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates a brother or sister is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness.
1 John 2:7-11
Invocation
Trees drink through deep roots and hidden networks, then cast their seeds widely on the wind and to the ground. We slow down in winter, and tend to burrow in warm places. Even the cold frost plays it’s part in bringing about a release from dormancy though when the time is right for seeds to germinate*.
With the firmness of the trees and the trust of creatures, we look to you, Creator of life, to sustain and keep us.
Reading Creation
Today we are focusing on prayer. Try working with one of the following, or listen and respond as you feel led.
Simply take a moment to stand and sense, and be aware of sensing.
Start by becoming aware of your feet on the ground, the air surrounding you and the wind in your hair.
Listen.
Allow your awareness to stretch out to the furthest thing you can hear, or see.
Then draw your attention back slowly to your body and what surrounds it.
What were you aware of, what response does this invite?
Find a tree to stand next to, or lean against. Contemplate the ways in which trees draw nutrients up from the ground and produce leaves, and transform CO2 with light into chemical energy and water. This then allows roots to grow.
As you lean on the tree with your feet on earth and your head in heaven, what are you inspired to “Carry up” to heaven? What does your heart desire to bring down into earth?
Take time to intercede, aware of both the bitter and the sweet.
Look for signs of nourishment and growth
Great Light, we are aware of the darkness of this season, but we are also aware the the natural light will increase from here on. Help us to walk in your ways so that we can play our p[art in righteous living, as you work within us to increase the light to its full brightness. Amen
David Cole, The Celtic Year, p39
Explore the broken things which surround you.
We are surrounded by temporary things, and even human creations that impress us by their antiquity are fleeting moments in geological terms. But even broken things bring new life.
Stone broken from bedrock become buildings, organic matter rots down to enrich the soil.
Creator of light and life, you stepped into the world as one of us. your incarnation made you physically one with the world which you created. Through your humanity and divinity you reconciled all creation back to you. May I live a life which reflects this understanding of total reconciliation. Amen
David Cole, The Celtic Year, p37
Gather
We gather together again. Perhaps a song, or chant, will be relevant. If anyone has been inspired with something that will be of benefit to the gathering, this is a time to share it.
Grace
May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all.
Now and evermore,
Amen
Coffee and cake, or alternative …
We often end up at the central café (occasionally we have a picnic or use a Kelly kettle instead). This is an opportunity to share refreshment and chat about our experiences.
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#SensingAwareness
Sensing a changed quality in awareness. Often described as the feeling of being ‘at one’ with nature, oneself and others.
We often slip quickly into thinking about ‘things’, or thinking about or experience of things. #SensingAwareness is more about being in a state of awareness of direct experience, mindfulness. The Divine in the world, creating and sustaining all things in being.
The Christian tradition would perhaps describe this as Christfulness.
The voice of God in stone is saying solid
The strength of heaven,
From St Patricks Breastplate, one version here
The light of the sun,
The radiance of the moon,
The splendour of fire,
The speed of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The firmness of rock.
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Happy Hogmanay
It is the eve before the new year starts!
Well, that is, before the calendar year we use in Scotland starts. The financial year, the academic year, and the agricultural years have different starts. As do the multiple liturgical years observed by people living and settled in Scotland. There is also the lunar year which is still used frequently enough by enough people to be available on calendars in high street shops.
There are many possible origins and meanings for the word “Hogmanay”. Most people can agree though that even if they don’t go all out celebrating it, it is a good opportunity to relax a bit and enjoy being alive.
What does it mean to you as you read this? Take some time out to reflect on that. If you have the luxury, perhaps you can use the opportunity to contemplate time itself.
Our lives are made up of many moments, and we have great flexibility in how we as humans string them in to a story which supports our sense of self. We don’t have complete freedom, because that self is also held in the stories others tell about us. The friends and associates we live with are in many ways the mycelium which support the growth of our mushroom like visible selves.
Significant cultural moments like hogmanay provide opportunities for events and the telling of stories in a way that can reset this, and provide a fresh start. As the year unfolds resolutions we make can grow into our new identity – if our relationships confirm any inner change!
So all the best for the new year, and a happy Hogmanay.
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Sparkling White
Did you know that part of the inspiration behind the name “Quartz” is the shining or sparkling white of St Ninians foundation at Whithorn?
It can be argued that the whole of the British Isles gained the name “Alba” in antiquity because of the “chalky white” cliffs in the south. “Candida” Casa uses a word which can mean “sparkling white”, and the way in which Quartz crystals shimmer can be a reminder of this.
The Christmas Light installation is now in place. Drop in between 10.30 and 4 to contemplate how light is received and reflected, shaped by all those who have contributed.
The deeper meaning for christians, especially at this time of the year, is for us to reflect on how we respond to the eternal light which has always surounded us. Recognising, Recieving, and then shining as Nuggets of Joy wherever we find ourselves.
For some better video clips – find us on facebook or Instagram!
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Nuggets of Joy
As part of the “Christmas Light” collaborative installation we have been working with pupils at Dumfries High School. In their class they have been thinking about the meaning of Christmas for Christians, and also the symbolism of light.
As part of this they have been thinking about how they can be “Lights” in the world and their relationships. They have drawn responses to this which will form a large contribution to the installation which is hopefully set up for the 11 O’clock service this morning.
More photos and videos will follow, but meanwhile enjoy this collage which has been adapted for use on the website.
