The Golden Calf- Sunday 9th October

Bible Reading(s): Exodus 32:1-14 (Paraphrase for 2 voices)
                          Matthew 22:1-14

Golden calves are things of the past,

not things that affect us now.

We would never be so ensnared

by outward trappings,

by gimmicks,

by things that look the part.

We would never be distracted

from the heart of the gospel

by things that are shallow

or shortlived.

We would never break

our promises to God.

(Would we?)

What are the things that distract you (and me) and stop us living life to the full?

Going Bananas!

I have now filled nearly 100 of these wonderful boxes with our possesions!
We'll be moving up to Stromness at some point next week and then the unpacking will begin in earnest.
Just heard today that my friend John Christie (He doesn't like me to call him the Right Reverend) will be coming up for both Alison and My Inductions!

See you soon.

Ballachulish

Was taking Alison's services here today as she is preaching as Sole Nominee up in Orphir/Stenness lw Hoy & Flotta.(That doesn't exactly roll off the tongue does it?)

Lovely day here in Ballachulish, will miss the mountains, but looking forward to the challenges ahead!

Some photos from today:

Harvest

It's our Harvest Service this Sunday, here's some bits and pieces we'll be using? When do you guys have your Harvest Service? We're collecting donations of food for the Highland Foodbank this year, what are Stromness up to?
                                                         
                                                                       

Statement of Faith

And now on this day on which we celebrate the harvest of the earth, let us affirm what we believe:

WE BELIEVE THAT THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S

AND ALL THAT LIVES ON IT;

WE BELIEVE THAT LIVING GRATEFULLY

AND GIVING GENEROUSLY ARE MARKS OF FAITH;

WE BELIEVE THAT ALL OF HUMANITY

SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THE EARTH’S RESOURCES

AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL MUST NOW ACT

TO PRESERVE THIS WORLD

SO THAT CHILDREN OF TOMORROW MAY NOT BE

 BURDENED WITH THE MISTAKES OF TODAY

AND SO WE COMMIT OURSELVES

TO THINK GLOBALLY,

TO TRADE FAIRLY,

TO LIVE RESPONSIBLY,

TO LOVE THIS WORLD AS GOD LOVES IT

WHO, IN CHRIST, BECAME PART OF CREATION.

AMEN

Manna

Enough- simply enough,
not too much,
not an over-abundance,
but enough.
Sufficient for the day,
not for storing up
or hoarding for the lean times.

But enough.

Seems fair that everyone

should get just what they need
regardless of status.
Just enough.
These are the resources
supplied by God.

Exodus

Living God,
We have packed up and left Egypt,
we are following you and our rucksacks are full
of hope,
of promise,
of longing for a new land,
of the thoughts of milk and honey,
of the idea of freddom,
of living in a safe place,
of living in community,
of knowing everyone's name,
of freedom for everyone.

These are the hopes you fill us with.
Not Moses, not the Israelites,
not the chosen people,
not the Hebrew nation,
not Josephs ancestors,
not Abrahams children.

But us!

The Burnside Family