Category: Fresh Expressions

Forest Church Special

February Stargazing

We will gather as usual at 2pm on Sunday the 18th of February outside the Crichton Chapel to practice #SensingSpirituality

We will also have a spring special. Before the clocks change we will have an evening looking at the stars. Thanks to the hospitality of Ann Shuckman we will hold this at Elsieshields just outside Loch Maben.

People are invited to gather at 6.30 and acclimatise to the dark skies.

At 7pm Mark Toner will introduce us to what is going on in the night sky. If the weather is too cloudy and wet we have the technology to go indoors and show what is happening above the clouds using a projector!

We will take a break to reflect, and perhaps walk the illuminated labyrinth in the garden, then head indoors.

After the break Mark will use software to show what the sky would have looked like to the wise men/magi two thousand years ago, and which could have inspired their journey as recorded in Matthew. He will also help us discuss the ways in which religious authority has responded to practices like astrology and astronomy.

As usual, we will adapt to the weather. Please wear stout shoes and warm clothes. Torches, lanterns, and telescopes also encouraged – but please respect other peoples night vision.

There will be accessible activities indoors to compliment the activities which require walking over uneven surfaces in the dark – so plenty for everyone.

Directions to Elsieshields:

Elshieshields Tower DG11 1LY

We are situated a mile and a half outside Lochmaben on the north west side

Our road is called

Nethermill road and it starts by the

Mill Loch in Lochmaben.

If you’re coming from Dumfries when you get to Lochmaben on the A709 take the left turning opposite Crown Hotel. This road is signposted to Templand

Carry on through the town over a junction. In half a Mile you will see Nethermill road on your left. Turn down here ,

Carry on for a mile or so.

Entrance to Elshieshields Tower will be on your left. Drive up the bumpy drive and turn into the courtyard. You’ve arrived!

Tags #SensingMystery

Fresh Expressions

Memes

Post author By admin
Post date 01/02/2024
No Comments on Memes

Where do you find inspiration - within or without?

The discovery of Genes has revolutionised the way in which the world is understood and changed using science. Have you heard of “Memes” though?

Pirate radio, being able to buy music on single you could play at home and share with your friends, disposable income at a young age, and a reasonable economy – these things shaped a generation. What will be the impact of the internet and smart phones?

noun

1.an image, video, piece of text, etc., typically humorous in nature, that is copied and spread rapidly by internet users, often with slight variations.”celebrity gossip and memes often originate on the site”
2.an element of a culture or system of behaviour passed from one individual to another by imitation or other non-genetic means.

Quartz has been exploring the potential and helping contribute Christian Memes to the “DNA” of the internet for many years now.

Here is some recent art that can be downloaded, shared, and generally used anywhere it will be of benefit. Flyers for the swipe generation?

What 30 second visual messages would you create?

Fresh Expressions Thought of the Day

Sowing

Post author By admin
Post date 30/01/2024
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This story might be familiar to you, but what happens if you read it imaginatively ?

Do you imagine yourself as the seed, the sower, or elsewhere in the farming environment?

The story can be found in the collection of books here:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+13&version=NIVUK

What was the storyteller thinking of when the story was told, or the writer when it was recorded – or what is being revealed to you as you read it today?

Arts Creative Worship Forest Church Fresh Expressions

Psalter of the Birds

Here is a discussion about a new book by Author Justin Coutts on YouTube:. The conversation ranges from poetry which was composed in late antiquity to current mysticism online.

So take a moment to slow down and recreate your mind.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uczoCydOwwE

It is described as a collection of historical poetry and other texts from Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. The poems have been arranged in such a way that they can be used for reading and for chanting.

Music and instructions for chanting are included. Psalter of the Birds also includes an introduction to the Celtic understanding of bird song as the sacred music of the angels as well as three chapters discussing the Triple Way of the Christian mystics and how it applies to the art of poetry. It is a practical book designed to be used by contemplatives and bards alike.

You can find the book to buy online here:

Books

https://newedenministry.com/books/

Forest Church

January Forest Church

21st of January 2024 2pm

Meet outside the Crichton Chapel, Dumfries

We meet outdoors and worship with the weather. Please dress accordingly! and bring a carry chair or anything else you need to make yourself comfortable. We will walk around the grounds of the estate, but save wilderness expeditions for special occasions. Physically, this gathering is a walk in the park.

The plan for the day

Peace

We will meet in Christs name as usual, inviting everyone whether they consider themselves to be a close friend or simply curious to join us in peace.

Prayer

Vene Sancte Spiritus

Lyrics (as sung by Taizé)

Veni Sancte Spiritus (repeating chant).

Come, Holy Spirit, from heaven shine forth with your glorious light.
     Veni Sancte Spiritus.

Come, Father of the poor, come, generous Spirit, come, light of our hearts.
     Veni Sancte Spiritus.

Come from the four winds, O Spirit, come breath of God; disperse the shadows over us, renew and strengthen your people.
     Veni Sancte Spiritus.

Most kindly warming light! Enter the inmost depths of our hearts, for we are faithful to you. Without your presence we have nothing worthy, nothing pure.
     Veni Sancte Spiritus.

You are only comforter, Peace of the soul. In the heat you shade us; in our labor you refresh us, and in trouble you are our strength.
     Veni Sancte Spiritus.

On all who put their trust in you and receive you in faith, shower all your gifts. Grant that they may grow in you and persevere to the end. Give them lasting joy!
     Veni Sancte Spiritus.

We will probably use the repeating chant as a foundation, taking it in turns to read the verses rather than sing them!

Reading from the bible

This week we will be sensitive to the wind.

The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’

Reading from Creation

Please bring things to help you become aware of the wind. Kites, windmills, floaty scarves.

Learn to make a windmill here:

Time to respond

We will gather and discuss our experiences, and response to both the readings. Here are some questions that might help you reflect.

What did Jesus have to say about the Spirit and the Wind?

What does it feel like to be moved by an unseen force?

In what ways can we draw power from the wind?

How do we try to control our lives despite the wind?

Describe the presence of Jesus as experienced nowadays, and the experiences people have of the wind. How do they compare and contrast?

Blessing

We go out today
Through a mighty strength:
God’s power to guide us,
God’s might to uphold us,
God’s eyes to watch over us;
God’s ear to hear us,
God’s word to give me speech,
God’s hand to guard us,
God’s way to lie before us,
God’s shield to shelter us,
God’s host to secure us.

As close as the air we breathe, as vital as oxygen.
Lorica, Patric, adapted.

Sharing refreshment

We will most likely head to the central café to share coffee and cake (or equivalent)

Forest Church Fresh Expressions

Spooling Stories

A gallery of reflections on Decembers Forest Church gathering.

We gathered outside the Crichton chapel and watched the weather. I was a little wet and windy, but the rain mostly held off for our service. We remembered the solstice while we gathered, and perhaps the brooding pause between rain emphasised taking time to stand still.

Our plan for the service and the readings can be read here:
December Forest Church 2023

At least the texts can be! Here are some photos to help give you a feel of what the day was like.

To help us respond to the readings we used stands of cloth to store our experiences on wooden spools. Some people collected things, others rubbed the stains onto cloth and experimented with texture and colours.

A wide range of reflections were offered. These ranged from sensory experiences of the moment (which are beyond my ability to translate into words) to insights gained from studying the natural order.

The thought recorded above was inspired by looking at the growth near tree trunks as the light reached sections of the ground usually overshadowed by leaves.

Some formed these into stories that marked the moment and helped them prepare for the week ahead. For one participant standing still at this time presented a junction and a choice. On the one hand there was decay and rotting things, and in the other signs of evergreen life even in winter. They could then choose the path they would take.

So where was Jesus in all of this? Well, walking with us emotionally of course, providing peace and comfort. Also present creating and sustaining the landscape we walk in, through new life as well as time for things to return to mulch. The Gospel of John talks of the light entering the world if you can recognise it. Perhaps seeing with the light of Jesus and recognising all the things described above is part of the process of finding Jesus through looking.

What do you think?

The path to Elsie Shields. May your journey to Christmas be filled with peace!

#SensingSpirituality Forest Church

December Forest Church

Marking a trail

Following up on interest about Forest Church at the Christmas Tree Festival we will be meeting as usual 2pm on the 3rd Sunday outside the Crichton chapel.

We will meet in Christs name, read (text and natural environment), pray and worship. We will also explore the readings and our life experiences by spooling a story.

This creative response is inspired by the work of Hannah Lamb – read more about her here.

Hannah Lamb: Finding Meaning in Textile Art

Peace

All are welcome to meet in Christ’s name and share his peace. Whether you consider yourself a close friend, or are simply curious, all are welcome.

Prayer

Christ of the seven directions is with me

Christ above me to uplift me

Christ beneath me me to support me

Christ before me to guide me

Christ behind me to protect mec

Christ on my left to meet me

Christ on my right to greet me

Christ within me to strengthen me.

Reading from the bible

⁶There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. ⁸He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. ⁹The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.^[^b^]

¹⁰He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹He came to what was his own,^[^c^] and his own people did not accept him. ¹²But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, ¹³who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

¹⁴And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son,^[d] full of grace and truth. ¹⁵(John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ ”) ¹⁶From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.^[e] ¹⁷The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸No one has ever seen God. It is the only Son, himself God, who^[f] is close to the Father’s heart,^[g] who has made him known.

The Testimony of John the Baptist

¹⁹This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” ²⁰He confessed and did not deny it, but he confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”^[h] ²¹And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” ²²Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” ²³He said,

“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ ”

as the prophet Isaiah said.

²⁴Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. ²⁵They asked him, “Why, then, are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah,^[i] nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” ²⁶John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, ²⁷the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal.” ²⁸This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

Reading from creation and response (story spools)

Discussion

Blessing

In the full tide of the day and in its ebbing

In the rising of the sun and in its setting

The might God be with you

The loving God protect you

The holy God guide you

And the blessing of God the Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with us all, evermore, Amen

Sharing food and drink

(at Simon and Kate’s this month)

Arts climate change Forest Church