As is our custom we will gather outside the Crichton chapel at 2pm on the third Sunday of the month. Everyone is welcome to join us, and we adapt what we do according to the people who turn up. Have a look around this website to get an idea of what to expect and please dress for the weather.
There are no facilities other than what is publicly available in the park.
Welcome and stilling
We start by taking time to become aware of , the time we are gathering in, the place we are standing in, and the people around us.
We 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.
Reading Words
5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him and saying, ‘Lord, my servant is lying at home paralysed, in terrible distress.’ And he said to him, ‘I will come and cure him.’ The centurion answered, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, “Go”, and he goes, and to another, “Come”, and he comes, and to my slave, “Do this”, and the slave does it.’
When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, ‘Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ And to the centurion Jesus said, ‘Go; let it be done for you according to your faith.’ And the servant was healed in that hour.
Matthew 8 5-13 NRSVACE
Reading Creation
We will wander according to the weather, looking for signs of spring and letting the events of Christmas sink in. While we wander we will gather ingredients to weave together a Brigit’s cross (see picture below).
Where is Jesus in this activity?
In taking time to carry out these tasks mindfully we can practice a Christlike mindset through:
- Jesus is the architect of creation consciously paying attention to the changing seasons and the growing things.
- Jesus is a creator and a carpenter. What was it like to have “hands that flung stars into space, and then a human body that needed to get something finished for a customer whilst working with wood for your fathers business?
- God likes to surprise us with good things! are you ready and waiting for something unexpected?
Music
We will use a simple song to gather together with our materials ready for weaving crosses.
In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful,
In the Lord I’ll rejoice
Look to the Lord, do not be afraid,
Lift up your voices, the Lord is near;
Lift up your Voices the Lord is near.
Taize
Prayer
Seasonally it is a bit early for things to be sprouting, but they are getting ready to, just out of sight.
While we are weaving the crosses use the time to chat with God about the things you have experienced over Christmas. Are there any themes which you have become aware of? any hopes that you’d like to see happen?
We will take it in turns to place the crosses in the centre of the group.
If anyone has requests for the group to carry in prayer they can ask at the same time, or place their cross silently.
We will then have a time of open prayer, speak what is on your heart, stand with your eyes open or closed.
This will be brought to a close with this collect(ing prayer)
Almighty and eternal God, ruler of heaven and earth: mercifully hear the prayers of your people, and grant your peace to our times; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
COLLECT (Proper 2) (a collect is a guiding prayer. It’s a written prayer that helps focus us, each week, on exactly what it is we hope God does in our midst on that specific day)
Refreshment
We will find somewhere to share a cup and a bite to eat! This is usually the central café.
Deeper
It is a little early to be celebrating Brigid’s day, which is the 1st of February in the SEC calendar. Candlemas is another festival which marks this time of year and the changing of the seasons.
In Britain the gospel story of the life of Jesus links with the seasons. For example, Birth in midwinter when the Sun begins to bring light longer. Lent starts once the seeds for the harvest have been planted, and it is wise to fast and conserve what is left to eat before Easter when eggs are being laid and life is returning to growing things.
Supermarkets have their own agenda when they stock their shelves, and advertising pastes a glamour over this ancient seasonal understanding of the passage of time and our journey through the year. If you search, though, you can find the significance of what has been – and creative approaches to inherit this.
Simon has written more about Brigid’s day here: