Kilrenny Church Newsletter and Reflections for Palm Sunday.
Sunday 05 April 2020
Contact: Corinne email: corinne@peddies.com telephone (01333) 311408
A PRAYER FOR THOSE IN NEED
Jim McKane refers us this week to a prayer from 'Journey to the Cross' which is an Embrace study guide for Lent.
Think of someone you know who needs healing and bring them before God with this prayer:
Jesus,
Healer of the sick, comforter of the distressed.
Thank you for showing us that you can bring healing. You made people well through your words, Your touch and Your actions.
Help us to bring comfort to the sick, through the way we speak and act.
Heavenly God, we bring before you now those that we know that need to know your healing.
We pray that you will surround them with your love and help them to know your presence. We dare to ask for their healing, but help us to trust that it will come in your time, not ours. In this world or the next.
If you are able to take your daily exercise and you pass by a place that has some special meaning for you, or if in your home think about a special place and picture it in your mind, spend some time in prayer for the person(s) you know, and those caring for them.
Newsletter Number 3.
Sunday 5th April 2020
An Emergency Help Phone number.
If you or someone you know requires Community Assistance - phone
0800 999 6543
The East Neuk Community Emergency Planning Team (ENCEPT) have been working with local GPs, Pharmacists, East Neuk First Responders, Anstruther RNLI, Community Councils and other groups to provide a safe co-ordinated response to those in need of community assistance during the Covid-19 Pandemic. We have compiled a volunteer register, a Need of Help Register and will co-ordinate safe help and support where appropriate. Anyone wishing to contact us should phone 0800 999 6543 and leave a message.
Gillian Duncan
Community Emergency Co-ordinator
East Neuk Community Emergency Planning Team
see also Facebook - East Neuk Covid19 Community.
Anstruther, Cellardyke and Kilrenny Community Council.
The Community Council, working in conjunction with ENCEPT, are offering the following services - essential shopping, dog-walking, prescription collection or just a 'blether'. If you know of anyone who would benefit from one of these services please ask them to call Daryl Wilson, Co-ordinator on 07818 414178.
If you would like a regular chat with someone you will be matched with
another local person who will call you for a blether.
Pray for those we know of:
Fiona Guthrie: Fiona's former neighbour and Session Clerk died from the coronavirus.
Jim McKane: Jim's brother, a doctor has returned to work after his bicycle hit-and-run accident and his nephew, who is also a Doctor and working on the front line.
Pray for all doctors and nurses and others working for the NHS and caring professions as they face daily the effects of the coronavirus.
Worship and personal reflection:
''our homes are in a Real and Important way the places of worship''
Rev: Nigel Robb Presbytery Clerk.
Praise: CH 4 259 Beauty for brokenness
(Hymn selected this week by Gordon Guthrie)
Lent is a time for us to make space to meet with the Lord. Lent leads us towards Easter, it is the journey to Calvary, to the cross and ultimately to the resurrection of our saviour.
Scripture Readings:
Luke 9 v 23 & Mark 8 v 34
Mark - Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said:
Luke - Then he (Jesus) said to them all:
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me"
What does the cross really mean to you?
When Jesus says follow me, what parts of Jesus’ ministry and teachings do you follow?
Have an honest exploration of what it means to you to take up the cross and follow Jesus. Because to do so, is not a one-time decision but demands and deserves ongoing discernment and deliberation.
Give yourself time this week, be in a place that is comfortable for you, and have an appointment with yourself and with God. Have an honest exploration of what it means to you to take up the cross and follow Jesus.
Corinne
A PASSIONTIDE REFLECTION
REV. IAN W. F. HAMILTON
“THINK OF A CROSS”
Beyond all doubt, to think about a cross is to think about Jesus Christ, and many people do so especially throughout Lent. The Cross is a symbol which stands high above and far beyond all others.
Many people own a cross of some kind, the gold or wooden cross and chain worn around the neck, a brooch in the shape of a cross, the ornamental cross standing on a plinth or on a wall, a Celtic cross mounted on marble as a memento perhaps of a visit to the island of Iona to which St Columba once sailed from Ireland to bring Christianity to Scotland.
A cross somehow speaks for itself without uttering a single word. Perhaps the most profound sermon that could ever be preached would be simply to darken the church, except for one single spotlight trained on a chancel cross, and then ask those present, in silence for five minutes, to think of the Cross.
The Cross, piercing the sanctuary’s darkness would speak so deeply and so meaningfully that every spoken word would seem superfluous and unnecessary. Christian people have always taken comfort and gained stability by forming the shape of a cross in their minds.
The Cross tells the most profound story ever written because its image turned out not to be the symbol of the end, but rather of a glorious beginning! The Cross did not spell death, but life, unconquerable life and truth!
A minister told of a summer holiday anecdote. Some years back when his children were quite young the family decided to go to a peaceful, familiar Ayrshire glen for a picnic, not just an ordinary picnic! They decided they would go in the dark and have a sausage sizzle around a campfire. It would be a great adventure and the manse children were so excited about the prospect.
Eventually they reached the familiar spot, the wooded banks of a burn. It was getting quite dark but they had torches with them and their campsite was sheltered by an old and huge fallen tree. A tangle of exposed roots towered above them and formed a snug windbreak.
“Look Dad, there’s the Cross!” shouted the minister’s son as he pointed upwards. And sure enough silhouetted against the starlit sky they could all see the dark outline of a cross.
Dad went to investigate and he found that two tree roots had crossed at right angles to one another and in time they had grown together to form the perfect crucifix.
He cut it down and today this rough and rugged cross sits on his study desk as a constant reminder of the other old rugged cross, the one at the roots of the Christian faith, which speaks of sacrifice and of forgiving love.
The Cross is at the roots of the gospel and it must be there, because the road to the kingdom is by way of the Cross, this terrible….wonderful Cross!
Praise: CH 4 392 When I survey the wondrous cross.
A Prayer for Palm Sunday
(Allan)
Heavenly Father, On Palm Sunday we celebrate Your triumphal entry in to Jerusalem on a donkey, Your path strewn with palm fronds and Your friends shouting Hosanna.
Let us do the same today, proclaiming you are the way, the truth and the light.
At the start of this Holy Week let's examine our commitments, our loyalties and priorities.
Where would we stand today if the events leading to Your crucifixion were happening now? Would we betray you, would we deny you, would we doubt you?
Lord give us the strength and encouragement to be true to You and ourselves, to see ourselves as we really are and have the courage to change ourselves and serve You better.
Let us see where unfairness and injustice are happening in our world and let us not be fearful to raise our voices in protest.
After Your entry in to Jerusalem the tide soon turned and those that sang Hosanna were calling for you to be put to death.
Let us not be like them. Make us strong, make us true and make us worthy of the sacrifice You made for us on that terrible cross on that terrible Friday. Let us see beyond that dreadful day and wonder at your resurrection and the promise of eternal life at your side.
Amen
And Our Lord's Prayer
Our Father Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name
Thy Kingdom come
Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory for ever
Amen
You can listen to:
Sunday Worship on Radio 4 at 08:10
and watch and sing along:
Songs of Praise on BBC1 Sunday 1.15 pm.
Church of Scotland - Kirk Services online www.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship
Rev Dr Amos Chewachong: Newport Parish Church - listen to Sunday worship online - http://www.notchurch.co.uk
Reflections from Members.
Candles story (Archie Gray)
The four candles slowly burned at the window the ambience was so soft one could almost hear them talking.
The first said,” I am Peace the world is full of anger fighting – nobody can keep me lit”. Then the flame went out completely.
The second candle said,” I am Faith I am no longer indispensable. It doesn't make sense that I stay lit another moment.”
Just then a breeze softly blew out Faith's flame.
Sadly the third candle began to speak,” I am Love People don't understand my importance so they simply put me aside. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them. And waiting no longer the flame went out.
Suddenly a child entered the room and saw the three unlit candles. “ Why are aren't you burning, you're supposed to stay lit till the end.” Saying this the child began to cry.
Then the fourth candle answered,” Don't be afraid I am Hope. When I am burning we can re-light the other candles.
With shining eyes the child took the candle of Hope and lit the other candles. The greatest of these is LOVE but the flame of HOPE should never go out of your life. With HOPE each of us can live with PEACE, FAITH and LOVE.
Our Prayer:
Dear God, You are my light and salvation.
You are my Hope. Please come into my heart, forgive all my wrongs and give me your wonderful gift of eternal life.
Help me be an instrument of your love and cause your light to shine on others through me.
Amen. (Archie)
Optimism and Hope
(Gordon Guthrie)
With the spread of the virus across the world, and Governments trying to manage and contain the situation as it runs its course, we have to just follow the advice given and hope that a cure and immunity will ultimately save the crisis.
We all need to have Hope for the future and to be Optimistic.
I’ve asked myself are these the same thing or is there a difference. To be Optimistic of an outcome means that there has to be something to be optimistic about. Trust and follow the science we are told: model the spread of the virus and create the algorithm that flattens the curve. By following the science, we can ‘send it packing in 12 weeks’ and still have the ‘Easter Parade ‘according to our leaders a very short time ago. That was being optimistic. Our Prime Minister's letter now tells us ‘things will get worse before they get better”.
Hope however doesn’t need a computer program , science or mathematics. Hope is quite simple. One of our fundamentals as Christians is ‘hope and a belief in a life hereafter’ and no computer science modelling can predict that. Our Faith gives us that Hope.
Faith, Hope and Love come together in Corinthians and Love is the greatest, but Faith and Hope go together and are bonded together.
Right now there must be Hope, there must be Optimism and we certainly need them both. God Bless us all. (Gordon)
CHURCH NEWS
Interim Moderator:
Rev Dr Amos Chewachong is posting a daily reflection on the Newport on Tay Church website. You can access this:
http://www.notchurch.co.uk
(then click on the tab for coronavirus)
In addition a recording of each Sunday service is also available.
Church of Scotland
There is to be a time for Joint Prayer at 7 pm on Palm Sunday (5th April)
Thirteen Christian churches and organisations across the country, including the Church of Scotland, (and the Church of England) are taking part in the joint prayer.
We are all invited to pray in solidarity with others at 7pm on Sunday 5th April.
The prayer is printed on page 14 of this newsletter. Please pray with everyone at 7 pm.
From David Thomson, Treasurer, Kilrenny Church.
Last Friday, Corinne and I received a long letter from the Office of the Assembly of Trustees of the Church of Scotland. It was, as you may imagine, to do with the effect of COVID 19 on the overall finances of the Church of Scotland, and their concern that the income of the Church should remain sufficient to meet its financial obligations.
The following is a paragraph from that letter:
Thankfully, most congregations are not reliant on a single source of income and not all categories of income will be affected in the same way. The most significant source of congregational income by far is the offerings of our members and adherents together with the associated Gift Aid. In this regard we are grateful that many of our members already give by Standing Order and we know that, if they are able, they will continue to do so throughout this period of lockdown. However, just as tremendous imagination has been used to sustain worship and fellowship we would ask you all to work with us in finding new ways to enable donations to continue even when traditional services are not taking place.
In Kilrenny, given the generous contributions of our Members, and the enormous efforts our small congregation make to raise funds for the Church, we have always been able to meet our financial commitments. But from now on, certainly for a good while yet, we will not have the income from our normal Sunday collections and weekly envelopes, nor the income from some (if not most?) of our normal fundraising events – even the Sunday after-Church teas!
However, our position of being in a Vacancy, and with no Locum to pay, we were fortunate to show a very healthy surplus for 2019. Whilst this could tide us over these exceptional times for a while, it is still essential that we try to maintain our level of income. We never know what we may have to contribute from our accumulated funds towards the wider Church’s coffers!
My simple request at this stage is that those who are in a position to do so, give some thought to the point that I have highlighted in
the Trustees letter. Many in the congregation already donate to the Church by Standing Order, and we are extremely grateful to them, as it ensures a regular cash-flow.
However, there may be some who have not used a Standing Order before who would now be willing to do so. This would certainly be one way of helping us to maintain a steady income over these difficult times.
Many in the congregation also make generous contributions to our fundraising activities, such as baking for the May Teas and the Street Market stalls, but will not be doing so this year with all such activities having to be cancelled. Some may therefore wish to consider making additional contributions to Kilrenny Church in lieu of their support for these events.
Should you wish to consider any of the above, please contact Treasurer, David, on 01333 310590, or e-mail davethomson@outlook.com to make any arrangements.
Thanks to all of you for your financial support of Kilrenny Church. Stay well!
David.
In Memory of a very special Lady.
Sunday 29th March would have been Irene's 69th birthday. I have tried on each 29th March since 2016 to visit Kingsbarns Beach with its panoramic setting, many species of beautiful birds, peaceful surroundings (usually), and fascinating rock formations. This beach is where Irene's ashes were scattered. I usually incorporate the visit as part of a walk from the village and back through Cambo Den and in the present situation this can constitute my daily exercise!
On my walk back to the car to-day (i.e the 29th) I was thinking about heaven and a song 'In my Father's house' came to mind. I first heard and learnt it as a valedictory camp fire song over 70 years ago! In it I have always found assurance and hope, and its words are as follows:-
Oh come and stay with me, Hallelujah! In my Father's house. In my Father's house.
Oh come and stay with me, Hallelujah! In my Father's house, where there's peace, peace, peace.
There's sweet communion there, Hallelujah! In my Father's house. In my Father's house.
There's sweet communion there, Hallelujah! In my Father's house, where there's peace, peace, peace.
There'll be no parting there, Hallelujah! In my Father's house. In my Father's house.
There'll be no parting there, Hallelujah! In my Father's house, where there's peace, peace, peace.
John Ford
NEWS OF MEMBERS
(or rather this week the doggy column!!!)
Sheena Henderson:
I'm now in my 3rd week of self-isolation. I'm keeping myself busy painting and taking care of my beautiful new puppy Hamish. I take him for walks inside my coat every afternoon. He'll be 12 weeks old on Friday and he really cheers up my day.
Sheena will be very happy to hear from you - by phone or email. Contact Corinne for her contact details if you don't have them already.
Fiona and Gordon Guthrie:
Bella loves her daily walk but we haven’t let her off her lead yet as she would go with anyone. She likes to run up and down the outside steps and the inside stairs chasing a ball although she does sleep a lot during the day but gets the puppy crazies in the evening when we are sitting down so no knitting for me!
Doddie: Dog Diary and the trials of Ann
Week ending 5th April
Well there is nothing like taking on another challenge when worldwide we are facing one of the biggest challenges since WW2 with Corvid 19.
Doddie is growing in temerity if not much in stature. He is as sharp as a tack and as quick as grease lightning. Keeping his boredom at bay is quite a task with the present limitations in travelling. Like all youngsters simple toys seem to bring as much pleasure as all the expensive ones, an empty milk carton, a cardboard box and plastic fruit cartons bring daily pleasure.
A dog is supposed to fit into our lifestyle, we are not supposed to solely fit into his!! Doddie is quite vocal when he is unhappy about something. We take him in the car when we can, and he howls, we leave him for short periods, and he howls, I mop the floor when he is behind a baby gate and he howls, I disappear from his sight, and he howls. I could do with a good set of earplugs to help me ignore this puppy behaviour. Ann
Please let me have your news, for this column, even if just to say you and your family are keeping fit and well. I'm sure we are all wondering if others are ok.
and
If you would like someone to chat to, let me know if you would like me to pass on your phone number or email address to anyone.
(Corinne)
ALLAN'S QUIZ
I’m sure we all remember those well known Old Testament stories from our early years at Sunday school. Adam and Eve, the Flood and Noah’s Ark, the Tower of Babel and the flight from Egypt to mention a few. Well here are 20 questions to see just how well you do remember your Old Testament, as usual answers next week. And just to encourage you to read a few pages from your Bible, there will be a New Testament quiz next week.
- How many plagues did God send on the Egyptians for not releasing the Israelites?
- Who entered the lions den and lived?
- What is the ninth book of the Old Testament?
- What was Moses brother's name?
- Name the Israelite who lost his strength when his hair was cut?
- Which son of Jacob was sold into slavery by his brothers?
- God created Eve from which part of Adams body?
- How did Noah know the flood waters were subsiding?
- Who wrote the first five books of the Old Testament?
- Who found Moses in the bulrushes?
- What was the name of the mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments?
- How many psalms are there in the Book of Psalms?
- When Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh, what did it turn into?
- The animal that swallowed Jonah whole was described as a what?
- With what did God destroy Sodom and Gomorrah?
- Which day of Creation did God create man?
- How does God first appear to Moses?
- What name is used over 7000 times in the Old Testament?
- Which two books of the Old Testament are named after women?
- How many people were saved in the Ark?
ANSWERS FOR THE BIRDS COMPETITION.
Did you identify the birds correctly?
Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Robin, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Goldfinch and Blue Tit.
Name the newsletter competition:
There have been no further suggestions, so can we have a vote?
Please email / or phone me with your choice from the four proposed in the newsletter last week.
- Kilrenny Chronicle
- Kilrenny Connector
- Kilrenny Kirk Connector
- The Kilrenny Many (not the few)
Members stories
The naughty choir boy
It was a beautiful, sunny spring Sunday morning in 1951. At an age struggling to hit double figures, I was already in the Church Choir.
The layout of the Church was of a common symmetrical design: High, central pulpit, centrally positioned organ, choir seating between the two, with my row directly below the Minister in his pulpit, and facing the congregation.
The Minister was a very nice chap who worked hard and delivered his sermons in such a way that the congregation knew when he was about to end, as he always finished in a crescendo of excitement and unforgettable conclusion.
Unfortunately, the Minister's mouth was incapable of accommodating all his teeth, and his momentous stressing of delivery was accompanied by an outpouring of showery saliva. Everyone was aware of it, and on a morning such as this, the sunlight streaming through the high windows, meeting the saliva, formed a scene of misty dream-world. I could feel this landing on my hands, and slightly on my face, so I caught the eye of my cousin, who was easily wound up, and I made a face, looked upwards, before taking my crisp white, Sunday morning handkerchief out of my pocket, opening it fully out, and spreading it over my head.
I could see my cousin's reaction as he started to chuckle, which was what I'd hoped for, but I failed to notice that many in the congregation were also struggling to contain themselves.
Even in the Elders' pew, where the men were waiting to pounce for the collection, it seemed that self control was in short supply. (I say 'men' because all the elders were men in those days. We had no 'lady' elders. We did have 'lady' tea makers, so they weren't left out!).
I heard later that one wee Lassie, in an effort to stifle her mirth, 'had an accident'.
The service ended, and as I left the choir to muffled comments, I was aware of an intense glare threatening to burn through me.
It was the Minister's wife.
This tall lady had eyes capable of a range of looks from soft, loving sympathy, to fierce laser intensity of military proportions. I was currently being subjected to the latter!
But why? I wondered.
She can't possibly think I was responsible, I thought, as I confidently made my way to our family pew............., with my handkerchief still on my head!.......OOOPS!.
Guess who was the naughty choir boy.
Safely Home
Greetings from Christine and Joe Hughes to all our friends in Kilrenny Church. Here is the story of our year so far!
When the New Year and decade 2020 arrived, I honestly thought it was going to be a lucky year and a grand new start for everyone. Little did I think the whole world would virtually be in a lockdown situation because of a killer disease within three months!
We had been in Spain just before Christmas, singing with our choir at several Carol Concerts but returned just in time to have Christmas at home, as I believe ‘all roads lead home at Christmas’.
We had planned to stay in Kilrenny all of January before flying off to Houston, Texas to visit our daughter and family for three weeks in February. How could we have known that a dear friend of ours would become seriously ill, die and be buried all within the month of January? It was just unthinkable, but such a blessing that Joe could visit Alan to the end.
Our trip to Houston was a great success, enjoying time with our youngest grandchildren and we went back to St Thomas’ Presbyterian Church where we had worshipped ten years ago when Joe worked in Houston. There were many familiar faces in the choir which I had sung with and played handchimes with. They still sing an Anthem every Sunday and they still have the praise band playing some of the hymns and songs. The best moment for me was singing the first hymn ‘When morning gilds the skies’ with the organ blaring out. I hadn’t sung that hymn since I was young!
The first time I took the word Coronavirus fairly seriously was on our return journey from Houston, where I noticed several people wearing masks (not just the usual Chinese) in the airport. I must admit I had managed to buy 10 masks on line before I went but it was meant more as a joke than anything else!
We were home for three days before returning to Spain on 29th February. This was another three week trip, to include choir practices for several upcoming concerts in April and May. When we are in Spain we usually attend The Anglican Church in Sotogrande. We find the Rev Adrian Low very entertaining and take part in Communion each week. However, this time we were unable to attend as all mass gatherings were cancelled.
It was on March 2nd that we heard from our other daughter that the trip we were to make to Estonia in March had been cancelled, due to Coronavirus. We were hoping to make a surprise trip there to see our grandson play Ice Hockey for GB. He would be travelling from Utah USA. My specially ordered T shirt will have to wait for another time. It reads ‘He’s not just my Grandson. He’s also my favourite Hockey player!’
On March 12th, still in Spain, we realised the seriousness of the Coronavirus situation when our choir was cancelled for the foreseeable future and on Friday 13th we went into Lockdown. I am fairly fortunate in that I quite enjoy staying at home and always find something to do but Joe on the other hand needs to be outside, exercising daily, either running or cycling. Despite not being able to get out, we found FaceBook a great help. Many pages and groups were set up and we enjoyed reading people’s daily blogs. We laughed a lot and we discovered that people can find a sense of humour in these worrying times. One joke I liked was How do you make a Quarantini? Just the same as a Martini but you drink it on your own!
The Spanish are very strict and vans would drive up and down the streets with loudhailers warning people to stay indoors, police would be checking as well, producing fines if people didn’t obey the law. The daily routine would be for Joe to get his exercise by taking out the rubbish over the road and he was allowed to drive alone to the shop for food wearing a mask and gloves. He also managed to get our prescribed medications from the local Farmacia in case we had to stay longer than we intended.
We started to worry when our Ryanair flight was cancelled and when Joe managed to find another, he was told that it too had been cancelled. Anyway, we finally made it, having to travel in two taxis to Malaga airport as the rule is one passenger per vehicle. By this time we were used to wearing our masks and gloves- no joke any more.
On our return home, it was hard to comprehend that the so called Lockdown was much more relaxed than in Spain and we got funny looks wearing our masks in Morrisons! We’ve been home just over a week now and gradually the rules have become more strict.
We are lucky to have our garden to work in and enjoy. I have knitted a ‘Coronavirus jumper’ and am learning to make do and mend. Our son now insists on shopping for us. I think in general everybody is taking care of one another. Let’s hope this continues once the worst is over. Our family is very important to us and we’re glad to have seen most of them recently. Our extended family in Kilrenny Church is equally important and we hope you are all well and stay safe during this worrying time.
With love from Christine Hughes X
"A Host of Golden Daffodils"
Jessie Lyon
Thanks to government recommendation and family instruction, my dog and I are self-isolating, fenced in, gated. Our world is much smaller and soon we might even forget what lies over the braes. For the moment it still looks beautiful. While I walk sixteen times round the garden (my dog meanwhile sitting on the lawn waiting for me to throw the tennis ball which she is guarding) I look up, and the view is truly breathtaking. The braes are a hillside covered with hundreds of daffodils and this year they are as cheering as they have ever been. Thank you Andy.
Should you be sufficiently liberated to stroll beyond the War Memorial you can enjoy the exotic daffodils planted by the Peddies around their new Holiday Park. They form the proverbial splash of colour. Not for them the modest, delicate shades of the MacKay brand - in their livery the shade of marigold and crocus, they stand tall and confident almost suburban and Chelsea!
I have an association with daffodils which I think is quite unique. Sixty-eight years ago, while living in the very edge of Dundee, my sister and I were asked (nay, ordered) to pick daffodils in a mansion garden on a particular Saturday in March/April. We were to bunch them, tie them with string (provided by ourselves!) and they would be taken up to Dundee to be sold in the city centre as the Ladies Lifeboat Guild fund-raising on Lifeboat Saturday.
The morning of that day was cold, stormy and wet. At 8 o'clock my twin sister and I cycled to West Ferry to one of the 'Jute Lords' mansions. We knocked at the back door which was rudely flung open by two sisters. We politely said Good morning, only to be met with two screeching voices "They're down there!"
"Down there" was a vast, woodland garden awash with thousands of daffodils. We worked like slaves but in no time, snow was falling, our hands, arms, feet and legs were wet and cold, our fingers almost too numb to tie the bunches or operate the scissors. Around 11 o'clock someone swung by to take our harvest of bunches up to Dundee, which by now would be filled with citizens on the customary Saturday jaunt "doon the toun." We somehow assumed that the two terrible sisters might bring us a mug of hot cocoa and a biscuit, but no angels appeared.
We worked hard, not knowing what the target was. Finally, around 2 pm the second load was spirited away. Our task was complete. Nobody thanked us; we had been treated like slaves; we were hurt.
We slowly staggered back to the house to retrieve our bicycles, and we were frozen, tearful and miserable. On knocking at the back door to say Good-bye these two sisters once more flung back the door and screeched "It's you two, again!" and just as quickly jumped back into self-isolation.
We carried out this work-experience for three more Daffodil Days a'la RNLI. The daffodils brought joy to the citizens "Doun the toun", the Ladies Lifeboat Guild were amazed at how many bunches we gathered, the two, terrible sisters remained as they were on our first meeting .............and we never did get that mug of hot cocoa!
"Be ye kind to the stranger within the gates"
Jessie.
PRAYER FOR 7 PM - SUNDAY 5TH APRIL
PALM SUNDAY
Living God, for the precious gift of life that you have given to us, We give you thanks.
For the enduring presence of your love in this world, We give you thanks.
For the knowledge that you are with us at the close of the day, We give you thanks.
On this day, we hear the Gospel words that speak of hope, We hear the cry: Hosanna!
We hear the Gospel words that speak of promise, We hear the cry: Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!
On this day, we journey in hope as we trust in your promise.
Lord, as we journey into the Holy Week to come, We are conscious that we share in the life of the world. We are conscious of the presence of those who are near to us, And of those from whom we are apart.
Whether near, or far, embrace us all in your love.
Lord, we are conscious of others, Whose life and work is woven into the fabric of our society, And upon whom we now depend.
We pray for them:
For delivery drivers and posties, For refuse collectors and cleaners, For police officers and care workers,
Protect them and keep them safe.
For nurses and doctors, For scientists and surgeons, For midwives and ambulance drivers ,
Protect them and watch over them.
For those who govern on our behalf, For those who make decisions that impact upon us all For all who shape our common life,
Protect them and increase their wisdom and understanding.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
And grant us faith to journey into the week to come,
Assured of the presence of the crucified and risen Lord,
Jesus Christ. Amen."
The Kirk Session wish you a very safe, healthy and happy week ahead.
Doxology CH4 806
To Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
the God whom we adore,
be glory, as it was, and is,
and shall be evermore.
Amen