16th of March 2pm , The Crichton Chapel.
We will gather this March to meet with each other and God. To seek transformation, to bathe in the green, or just be aware of our curiosity.
As is our custom we will gather outside the Crichton chapel at 2pm on the third Sunday of the month. Everyone is welcome to join us, and we adapt what we do according to the people who turn up. Have a look around this website to get an idea of what to expect and please dress for the weather.
There are no facilities other than what is publicly available in the park.
Welcome and #SensingAwareness
We start by taking time to become aware of the time we are gathering in, the place we are standing in, and the people around us.
Almighty God, whose Son, Jesus Christ, was wonderfully transfigured before chosen witnesses upon the holy mountain, and spoke of the exodus he would accomplish at Jerusalem: give us strength so to hear his voice and bear our cross, that, in the world to come, we may see him as he is; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
SEC COLLECT (Transfiguration Sunday)
We meet in Christs peace
You are welcome whether you consider yourself a close friend of Jesus or are simply curious, we make peace when we meet in peace.
Reading Words (I)
28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking about his exodus, which he was about to fulfil in Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep, but as they awoke they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah,” not realizing what he was saying. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
Luke9: 28 – 36
Reading Creation (I)
How many veils are there in this story? The reading we have just heard is linked with the Story of Moses going up the mountain to speak with God. When he returns his face is shining. He veils it so as not to terrify everyone who sees him.
Take a moment to look for hidden things.
- Reflect on the difference between boundaries and barriers.
- Bark, bast, trunk – Seed, shell, nut – air, turf, soil ?
Reading Words (II)
There is a tree we can gather in for another reading
37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” While he was being brought forward, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God.
While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands.” 45 But they did not understand this saying; its meaning remained concealed from them, so that they could not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
Luke 9: 37-45
Reading Creation (II)
Hopefully we will be gathered inside a tree! (For those not with us in person the tree has a thick canopy which brushes the ground. Low branches provide seats. It is a den to hide in as a child, a secret place. As an adult it is less comfortable, but it smells earthy like a burrow.)
Imagine you are a seed. What kind of seed are you, have you any ideas what you might transform into?
Then reflect on this as a person, a child of God.
- What does it feel like to be in the soil, are you comfortable?
- Explore your urges and desires, what makes you want to get up and out of bed in the morning (on a good day)?
- Prepare to uncoil and leave the ‘tree’. What will you take with you, what do you need to leave behind,
Music
For the beauty of the earth
For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.For the beauty of each hour,
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon, and stars of light.Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind’s delight,
For the mystic harmony
Linking sense to sound and sight.Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild.Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.For each perfect gift of Thine,
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of Heaven.Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
For the Beauty of the Earth, Lyrics by Folliot Pierpont 1864
This our hymn of grateful praise.
and for those who join us online!
Prayer
As we stand gathered together, (like a thicket of trees?), we will make time and space for people to pray silently or aloud.
Then together:
For the promise of harvest
contained within a seed
we thank you.
For the oak tree
within an acorn
The bread
within a grain
The apple
within a pip
The mystery of nature
gift wrapped
for us to sow
we thank you.When we rest
Hold us
When we need to transform
Forgive and help us
When we need to let go
Free us
And when it is time to grow
Nourish us
For you are the source and the destination
The seed and the harvest.
Refreshment
We will find somewhere to share a cup and a bite to eat! This is usually the central café. Please share what you have experienced because in chatting with each other we sometimes discover meaning that would otherwise remain hidden.