We will gather as Forest Church outside the Crichton at 2pm on Sunday the 17th of November.
Since we will have the special day in the 16th this will be a simple gathering.
As is our custom we will meet in Christs peace.
You are welcome whether you consider yourself a close friend or are simply curious, we make peace when me meet in peace.
A reading from the Bible
13 As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!’ Then Jesus asked him, ‘Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.’
When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?’ Then Jesus began to say to them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, “I am he!”[a] and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.
Mark 13 3 1-8 NRSVA
Song
The Lord is my light. (probably just the chorus)
The Lord is my light
My light and salvation.
Whom shall I fear, Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is my light
My light and salvation.
Why should I be afraid?
Reading from Creation
We will find a place with a tree and plenty of fallen leaves. While thinking about the reading we will gather fallen leaves and take the time to look at them.
We will match them together by colour into a spectrum.
- What colours can we find? – are there any surprises?
- Why do leaves fall – what emotions does this make us aware of?
Using this pool of leaves we can make some art. While we do this there is an opportunity to reflect on and discuss the passage we read, but also the place we are working in. Collectively we will shape something positive as a mark of having been here.
This could be a prayer activity for you,
- What would you like to drop? What core will you keep alive?
- As we re-order the leaves, what changes would you like to see in your life, your environment, the world?
Collecting it all together
We will stand back and look at what we have made together. There will be space for anyone to speak what they have been minded of. then together we will read:
Creator, the pot spinning on your wheel is going wonky, make it true again.
Help us to let go of the things which pull us off centre, and free us from the influences which unbalance us, and make us week.
Help us to be aware of the potential placed in us and our relationships, so that we can flourish in the fullness of creation and see ourselves as you see us.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
We will finish with the opportunity to enjoy refreshments with each other.
The next forest Church will be on the 15th of December. This will feel earlier than usual because the month starts on a Sunday!
Another Wordsmith Craft activity in December will be “Making Christmas“. We will be in the Loreburn centre in Dumfries on Saturdays from the 30th of November.
We are setting up a space for people to escape the hurly burly of commercial Christmas and take time out to make things and reflect on what Christmas has been like in the past.
This is a free “Drop in” activity! But if you would like to volunteer to help please sign up and we can practice the skills you’ll need in advance.