Dear Siblings in Christ,
Happy Mothering Sunday! And what a strange Sunday it is without being able to visit one another or hug each other.
Adrian and I spent a few hours yesterday down at Museum Street recording today’s service. You can watch it on the circuit website. The sermon is a little longer than usual, so please bear with me, and I hope you also enjoy singing along to the music. If your download speed is not good, then there is also an audio-only version at the same location. We will be cutting some DVDs and CDs for those who do not have computers – if you know of anyone who would like a copy, then let me know.
If you would like an additional service to see you through the week, Capel St Mary stream their worship each Sunday at 10.30 a.m., so Andrew Sankey will be there this morning preaching to an empty sanctuary. It can be watched live, but then the recording is posted later in the day. The links for the livestream and the recording are posted here.
And our connexion has this page about worship.
I do not know Cheyanne Thomas, but I came across this story that she wrote and I thought I’d share it with you: I have been feeling very caged in with isolation and social distancing, and my partner Joseph gave me a bear teaching: When a bear goes into hibernation, they do it for the health of their community and themselves. In the winter, food is scarce, hibernating allows other animals to have access to the limited resources. It slows the spread of disease and viruses among other animals during a season when immune systems are lowered, and energy is limited. It is also a time of conserving health for the bear, a time for reflection… it is a time that allows you to renew, to undergo change, to honour your place in life and food cycles. It is not a time for anxiety or fear. When it is time for hibernation, a bear can finally relax. All of the stress of finding food, territory, and a mate disappears. The bear believes that they have done enough and trust in themselves. They know this process is necessary and they will come out the other side renewed. Be the bear. Stay home. Rest. Know you are doing this for something much bigger than yourself.
I am keeping you in my prayers. May God’s peace be with you all,
In Christ
–Pastor Joan
Joan’s Jottings are written to the churches at Museum Street, Landseer Road and Chantry where Joan is the minister, and shared here for all to read.