Easter 2025 Quartz Forest Church
Walking out from St John’s on Sunday I wondered about how long we have been doing this, and whether we should continue. The weather was was certainly great! But it had been a long day starting at 20.30 the previous evening, with an 08.30 gathering the next morning and then the 11.00 in St Johns.
We followed the path of the old railway, then Nunholm road until we joined the path on the riverside. As we walked we discussed the busy weekend and our journey through Lent. We wondered about our hopes for the future, and enjoyed the scent of wild garlic. All the time the sun was in the background warming us, and countering the slightly chilly wind. We reckoned we would get there before 14.00 and stay for an hour or so, then carry on with our lives.
Then we arrived at our familiar space opposite Lincluden Abbey. We set down our bags and started to gather sticks for a fire. There was already the remains of a fire on the beach, which provided excellent tinder for kindling a flame.
Another type of flame was kindled when we were met by Helen and the Toners. They brought music and company. Together we nursed sparks into a fire ready to cook on. Water began to boil in my Kelly kettle and we settled in to the peace of the afternoon.
While we told stories people played lyres and flute in a collaboration of sounds. The birds sang and we watched orange-tipped wing butterflies drifting in and out of our camp. We drank hot drinks, ate some fish, and I wondered what it was like for the disciples to meet Jesus, back in Galilee, a week or so after the events in Jerusalem. Hila pointed out that the beach we were on was very similar to that of the shore in galilee itself. We then laughed at the comparison of our mackerel with the fine fish dishes served in restaurants there! We then reflected on shared place names and the shared memories that they hold going back to the Knights Templar in the Jordanhill area. What makes some particular times when we gather with people uncommonly good?
Just as this first flush of eating and telling tales was drawing to a close we were surprised to be joined by Tatyana and Veronica. They had been at the Ukrainian chapel for a service and brought eggs and cakes! These had been blessed in their Easter baskets when they broke their fast earlier in the day. We were also joined by our friend from Norway who had just arrived in Dumfries.
More coffee and the last of the fish and oatcakes was consumed. This was accompanied by stories and music, as well as an introduction to the names and history of the place where we sat.
I wonder how much of the time between the resurrection and Pentecost was spent in this slow way. Prayer, meditation, and just sitting with each other chewing the fat. Taking time for the experience of the familiar and unfamiliar to inform each other, and to comprehend the significance of events. Heads and hearts move at different rates, and it takes a while for one to catch up with the other. This can’t be rushed.
Having thought on the way out with Kate that we would be on the beach from an hour or so, we were surprised to discover that it was 18.00
I think, God willing, we will be back again next year.
