March 2025 Forest Church
Our last post describes what we set out to do, this one is a small insight into what happened.
It is written from my perspective, but if you were there or joined in online please use the comments to add to it!
We read from texts and creation. It interests me greatly to reflect on how the experience of both influence each other. It was a clear day and you could feel the warmth of the sun in still air. The air was chilly though, and a reminder that winter has not left.
The text reading was an account of the story of transfiguration. The service was designed to pick up on themes of boundaries, transformation, and passage through boundaries. We picked up on mentions of clouds and movement from the heights of experience to the drudge of every day life.
Walking along the lawn I started to explore the boundary between sky and earth. I was surprised to see how many sycamore seeds were sprouting. It took a little searching to identify them, but then we found some with the shell still clinging to the new growth. We discussed how some forms of reproduction involve intense care of offspring, while others are much more prolific but “hands off”.
We all huddled together in the canopy of a tree for more reading, prayer and a song. One participant commented on how much they wanted to stay seedlike and shielded from everything else outside! The many trunks of the tree shoot skywards though. Even within that surprisingly comfortable space I was struck by a feeling of the urge to grow and seek the light.
As I heard the words of Jesus read out I was struck by how frustrated he sounded. He was nearing the end of his time, and yet his disciples were still not getting it. Even ourselves with the advantage of hindsight must still frustrate him, but frustration comes from longing. The tree waiting in a seed has to ‘die’ before it grows, but all that ‘umph’ is embedded.
Our next Forest Church gathering will be a picnic on Easter Sunday opposite Lincluden Abbey (on the other side of the river from the Abbey!). Some of us will be at the St John’s 11 O’Clock service and then walk out along the river upstream. Park at Nunholm carpark after 1300 and walk downstream if you want to find us!
Before that we will head over to Asheiri on the Tuesday afternoon in Holy Week. (2pm on the 15th of April)
