Today at the General Assembly the mood was tense to say the least. For the last two years this day has been anticipated with hope and horror in equal measure by everyone on any part of the spectrum of belief on the debate. Two years ago a special commission was established to look at the issue of same sex relationships and the ministry … or in other words, can ministers in same sex relationships be ministers of the Kirk? Under the chairmanship of Lord Patrick Hodge the commission undertook the biggest consultation of its type in the history of our denomination. They invited every elder within every Kirk Session to make their views known on the subject. It would be fair to say that on both sides there were deeply held views, with many, on both sides of the debate feeling that they would have to leave the Church if a decision was made which they could not hold to.

I would also like to add that a continuation of an instruction for ministers and others not to make public press statements in relation to the issue. What follows is merely a factual (as best I can offer the facts) report on the debate and a plea for unity without entering my own opinion in any way on the matter. Continue reading »

So what was it then? Was it an attempt to celebrate the Church and all that she does? Was it an attempt to open up the workings of the General Assembly to more people? Was it an attempt to bring people together from all over Scotland? Whatever it was … I think it worked.

Roll Away the Stone was an event in the middle of the Assembly weekend to replace the traditional garden party at the palace with a whole other sort of garden party in the centre of the city. This one wasn’t for those and such as those wandering around in frock coats and top hats. This one was for you and me to go along to. Wherever we were from, whenever we could get there. Early estimations suggest around 4,500 came through the gates (don’t take that as gospel!) and they came from all parts of Scotland.

I had the pleasure of acting as Stage Manager for the Ross Bandstand (the ‘main stage’) where we had New Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Fischy Music, Scotland African Massed Choir, Steph McLeod and Band and worship to finish the event. The worship had its own massed choir of around 250 people from all over the country who had learned the praise and led the assembled congregation of thousands in worship. Organ music, pipe band led singing and a worship Continue reading »

The Assembly Hall has been remodelled with new seating in the middle for the Moderator et al and a cosy wee coffee table for the council and staff members reporting. I think it has had the effect of turning the hall from a stuffy court to a cosy sitting room … all it needs is a shag-pile  Continue reading »

Yesterday I had an interesting meeting with a representative of South Lanarkshire Council who was ‘presenting’ (I’ll say ‘presenting’ rather than ‘consulting on’) plans for a new cemetery in Lanark. Although I say ‘in Lanark’ the plans allow for a cemetery to be a good few miles away from the town, close to Hyndford Bridge. It got me thinking. I questioned the representative on why the site was not closer to the town, thinking particularly of older people who might not have means to get there as there are no busses pass that way from Lanark. I think it is finance driven as SLC think they can get the land for less money than other land closer to the town.

I have had a lot of thoughts recently, and they are not new thoughts. Many of us are more mobile than we have ever been but yet we still expect to stay ‘local’ for certain things in life. Church is one of those things. For many people a church not on their doorstep is a deal-breaker, despite the fact we travel for many miles to get our shopping, go to the cinema or theatre. We even drive for miles to go for a nice walk! But unless we have a church within sight of our door we find it difficult to comprehend going along. Continue reading »

OK, so I know what you are all going to say – where have you been? I have been thinking about getting back into the blog for a wee while now. I was going to start it as a new year thing, then as a lent exercise and both deadlines slipped past me. However I saw this video and thought it was the push I needed.

The utter brilliance that is the t-mobile advertising campaign has come up with another. The Royal Wedding. First we had the bone china mug (of which I bought our hoousehold two as an ironic gift) then the customary teatowels followed by the utterly useless china bell. But now we have at last something which can bring joy and entertainment in the light of what is sure to be a fortnight of wedding build-up on the TV followed by a day of BBC newsreaders in tails to bring us the news of who is who getting out of the cars.

This just cheered me up. I am sure Wills and Kate would think the same …

Kudos to t-mobile for the Rowan Williams impersonator however I think someone may end up going to the tower for this one funny as it is!

More blogging to come – I promise … ish!

Well today has been about one thing … The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Ok, it has been more than that as we spent the day at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure travelling from Super Hero Island, to Toon Lagoon, trough Jurassic Park and Seuss Landing (Dr Seuss’ Cat in the Hat) before finally ending up at the 46 day old Hogsmead Village! And boy … what an experience it was.

The whole day was brilliant and the girls loved getting soaked on Popeye’s Raft race, and the giant log flume (well Hayley didn’t really like that one!) and they thought the Dr Seuss area was fantastic, riding on the Caro-Seuss-el, and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (and getting wet … again). But we all thought that the new Harry Potter world was magical.

When we arrived (after trying several times during the day and giving up on the 90 minute queue just to get into Hogsmead never mind on any rides or into any shops) we queued for 75 minutes to get onto the new ride – Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey where you fly with Harry toward his Quidditch match encountering  Continue reading »

I have really enjoyed my time at the Church of the Palms in Delray Beach and have had a wonderful time meeting so many people who have been willing to share with me over these few short weeks.

As today was my last Sunday with the congregation it was wonderful to share a breakfast (coffee and donuts of course) with the leadership team of the church. The Trustees Council (who look after the resources of the church and set the mission direction) and the Deacons (who look after the spiritual direction of the church). During worship we were able to share in Communion together, a typically Scottish presbyterian communion, which, I think, all seemed to enjoy and take something out of it.

After worship we were taken to lunch at the Delray Beach Club by Marlene, and joining us were Liz and Herb. Liz is the pastoral minister for the church (retired but still does a huge amount) after many years in pastoral ministry throughout the country. Good food, good conversations, good company, all by the bright blue, incredibly calm ocean! Bliss.

Over the last few weeks what has struck me most is the similarities between Greyfriars in Lanark and the Church of the Palms in Florida. Both churches face a financial shortfall, both churches need more people to carry out the mission of the church, both churches have folks who are enthusiastically behind what we seek to do and folks who are … less so!

The congregation was originally founded in an are where it was reckoned that many people came to retire and many of them had money. For decades the Church of the Palms has had the reputation of being a church for seniors and a rich church at that. Things are not like that now in the church and  Continue reading »

What a fantastic day! A trip to the Lion Country Safari with Kathi (the church administrator) and her husband Jim. Located in West Palm Beach it is a joy to drive round and observe the animals … and observe we did! We were handed a CD with a commentary at the gate and it told us about all of the animals as we approached them. We saw lions chasing each other and fighting, a squad of rangers boxing in an antelope who had just given birth to move her to a safe location in the long grass to give her baby to her away from the pack.

After the animals we were able to spend time in conversation about the church with Kathi and Jim as the girls walked around and went on every ride known to man, panned for fossils and gems and went on a camel ride! What a great way to spend a Saturday.

An early start today as I met Ned, the church treasurer on the golf course at 7:30am. What a lovely municipal course owned and maintained by the city of Delray Beach – it certainly would put many of our council courses to shame.

It was a strange experience as due to the heat we had to go around the course on a golf cart which meant stopping and starting and not really getting the usual leisurely walk around a course. That said, I could probably get used to it! However, as I thought the heat really started to hit about 10am and sapped the energy from all of those playing (at least that is my excuse for a poor score) although the ice water around the course and the clubhouse in the middle made for a great change from Scottish courses.

After our round of golf I picked up the family to go and visit West Palm Beach and whilst they went shopping I met up with Rev Dr Sheila Guillaume the regional youth minister for the southwest area of the UCC Florida conference. It was a great opportunity to hear about Continue reading »

After soliciting opinions from friends on Facebook as to whether it was worth making the journey to Maimi I can officially report it really, really was! We were a wee bit reluctant to drive for over an hour just to go to another mall and were unsure of what to do.

We started the day with a trip on a Duck tour (an amphibious bus) that took us a tour of all of the sights of South Beach including the Biscane Bay, Star Island, Ocean Drive, South Beach and much more. We got to see some famous people’s houses – Former F1driver Eddie Irvine, Andre Agassi’s summer house, Rosie O’Donnell, Al Capone and the house from Miami Vice. Waterfront properties are very expensive with a small 2 bed, one bath going for over $3 million recently.

As we drove into the water at Biscane Bay we learned that there are many live-aboard boats in the water where people live year round and it costs them nothing to do so. No rates, no taxes, nothing. So if Continue reading »