When is a church not a church?

Here is a photo of the Kirk on Graemsay. From the outside it still looks like a church, though obviously it's fraying around the edges a bit.

Step inside though and you see that this church has changed it's purpose completely!

Lent is the time when the church is compelled to ask itself some tough questions; What and who  is the church for?;How can we share God's love with the world in real ways? What do we see as the future for this church and what are we prepared to do to make it happen?

Time in the wilderness

Back to Basics- Lent Discussion Group

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Back to Basics

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A Lent discussion group for those interested in exploring Christianity in an open and progressive way.

Week 1- 23^rdFebruary:“Getting to grips with God.”
Week 2- 1^st March: “Jesus- then and now.”
Week 3- 8^th March: “The Bible- fact or fiction?”
Week 4- 15^th March: “The Church-What’s it for?”
Week 5- 22^nd March: “Prayer-Does it really work?”
Week 6- 29^th March: “Living as a Christian.”

　

All meetings are at 7.30pm in Stromness Parish Church. Tea and coffee will be provided.

Contact Billy Burnside on 850203 for more info

Lent-what are you giving up this year?

Sadly, if I were thinking of giving up something that's not good for me I'd be spoilt for choice!

Someone once said to me that instead of giving things up for Lent we should take things on: give up a few hours a week to visit someone who's lonely, volunteer to help out at a youth club, do someone's shopping for them. The choice is endless AND these things involve more of a sacrifice (and you can still eat chocolate!)

Happy Valentines Day

Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there -- fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge -- they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspicion... love actually is all around.

-- Love Actually

Looking back, looking forwards!

Take a look at the photo. Being in church on Sunday, I felt like I did when I was a wee boy going to church. The place was packed, it was exciting, an event, something that it was good to be a part of. Can it be like that more often?  Only you (and you, and you, all of you) can answer that question.

The Prodigal Returns!

Well I'm back in one piece-more or less. Here's some more photos of my winter escapades: