In the last magazine, the film One Life, had moved me to tears. Shortly afterwards I was reading something in my daily devotions which contained the line, “You place a reservoir within my heart that all my tears may come from a different place.” That theme of tears was to continue throughout the month when […]

Entering another New Year, for many provokes a period of personal reflection. How was last year – was it a good one, or were you glad to see the back of it? How does this year, 2024, look for you? Will it be brighter or better than last year, or does the future look less […]

At the meeting of the Presbytery of Glasgow on 12/09/23, my nomination as the Business Committee Convener was confirmed. The reaction to this news has been fascinating to me. But before I turn to that, let me explain what this new role will involve for me. Currently the Business Committee is responsible for: • ordering […]

The June meeting of the Presbytery of Glasgow at which our Mission Plan was FINALLY approved was not without some tense moments. Feeling and emotions were high and tension was palpable at times. I was conscious that whilst it is wise to cool down excitement and speak your mind, that is not always easy to […]

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” (Charles […]

At the end of last month I took the train from Glasgow to Birmingham to visit Beth and attend a concert with her in the splendid Symphony Hall. Before the ‘gig’ there was a short VIP sound check and a ‘meet and greet’ with the performer KT Tunstall. A fellow Glaswegian asked her about the […]

One of my Christmas gifts was a book called “The Perfect Golden Circle by Benjamin Myers” an author whose beautiful prose I am familiar with. The book tells the story of two men who over the course of a burning hot summer in 1989 under the cover of darkness form crop circles in elaborate and […]

During the last few years, many of our regular practices and activities were interrupted. This autumn though many of our regular activities have resumed – Dedication Services, Harvest, a ‘normal’ Communion Service, Remembrance Services. We have even begun to resume some social activities – a concert in the Church, the Guild Coffee morning. There is […]

During the Birmingham Commonwealth Games I was fascinated by the 10 metre diving events. I marvelled at how some of the divers would approach their dive. In an upside-down position on their hands perched on the very edge of the board, they held themselves perfectly still before launching into the water below in a feat […]

Presbytery Planning is occupying much of my attention and focus just now as The Presbytery of Glasgow seeks to reduce the number of ministry posts as instructed by the General Assembly. In our area, Zone 3, the reduction will amount to a move from 22 to 10.5 posts. Each Zone is forming clusters of congregations […]