Here is the link to this week’s service.

A priestly friend drew my attention to this blog.

A Forty Day Advent Pilgrimage to the Crèche in Bethlehem with Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Saints 

https://saintsbridge.org

In these days when we cannot get together in person except for limited services I thought some may be interested in this.

Jean

Alex has contributed more photos, this time on the subject of her cozy Halloween night at home with her mum (and it is good to see the incorporation of Christian symbols into the festival).

Halloween is now over as are All Saints & All Souls days and our thoughts turn to the future and what may happen for Advent and Christmas.

We know it won’t be a usual season but we can still make it an interesting and sharing season. 

At the Vestry meeting last week we discussed a possible Living Advent Calendar. Something we can post on the website and on Facebook & possibly publish as a seasonal ‘Grapevine’ newsletter.

If we are to do this we need your help!

We would like you to provide a short video, or your thoughts in writing (prose or poetry) and/or a photo which means something to you. Something joyful or positive and if possible looking forward to Advent and to the anticipation of Christmas.

It doesn’t have to be a novel. Just a few words on something that brings you joy or that you are thinking about as we approach Advent.

A simple example. 

I felt such joy on Sunday morning when I got up early to walk the dog before going to church for the first time since March. To be out in the quiet of the early morning in the bright sunshine and clear skies with Harry was truly joyful! (& I’d have missed that experience under ‘new normal’ circumstances of Sunday stay at homes & virtual worship!).

Or perhaps this example – a celebration of the last flowers of the season by my front door reminding me of soon to arrive frost and the winter & Advent to come.

So something short (or longer if you want to), something that paints a picture for those watching or reading. We are hoping for enough contributions to fill the calendar & from as many people as possible!

So please put a few moments aside to think about a contribution to our Living Advent Calendar which we can share among ourselves and with the wider world.

We may not be able to worship together just as we used to this year but we can still share our thoughts and experience as we anticipate and wait for the coming of Jesus at Christmas.

So if you want to contribute to our calendar please email your contribution to wyvischarge@gmail.com  Remember that Advent starts on 29th November this year so there isn’t much time to get the first contributions done!

Let’s get those contributions prepared to share during Advent!

Jean

Alex has sent us a couple of photos reminding us of the season. It’s good to see the effort she and her Mum have put in to decorate the house ahead of Halloween. We may not be out guising this year but we can still mark the day in our homes.

Her other photo reminds us of the change in the light and the colours & shedding of the trees.

All this reminds me that the clocks go back early on Sunday morning and those booked to attend our 10.30 service need to put their clocks back to avoid disappointment!

Live services resumed at St James Dingwall yesterday. The services are recorded and posted on YouTube and on the Worship page of this website after the service.

Here is the link to our YouTube channel where yesterday’s service and previous ‘virtual’ services can be viewed.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt0ySQS3x3luJe6tO2ECNgQ

Apologies for being late with this but I just discovered a service on BBC Scotland & it is available on the iPlayer for the next month. Bishop Mark is leading a Eucharist from Inverness Cathedral. (Admin).

Other options (if you haven’t already watched include a service from Oban on the Provincial website & a Eucharist from Fortrose on FB (search for Mel Langille).

Here is the link to the Cathedral service on the iPlayer

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000njsc/the-service-series-1-11102020

Well S/He isn’t really working remotely but Julia has been working hard this week doing the work to reinstate local services as soon as possible & as a result has not had the opportunity to record a local online service for this coming Sunday.

So please check out the Worship page for links to other services locally & throughout Scotland.

Having done the groundwork to reintroduce services at St James in Dingwall we are waiting for confirmation that we can go ahead from the Diocese. Julia hopes to be able to communicate the start date and arrangements for local services in the coming week.

‘I coloured this blessing card with an autumnal colour scheme, don’t know who I will give the card to, but the blessings are for everyone. 😊❤’

From Alex Reid.

It’s subtle, but the leaves on the trees are just starting to turn golden as autumn sets in. 🙂🍁 I would have also sent a pic of my autumn leaf banner craft but I haven’t made it yet. 😅

Thanks Alex! We look forward to seeing the banner when it is done!

& from Julia ‘My Autumnal “Gleanings”‘

& here is Alex’s leaf banner.

From Robin “Not much in the way of autumn colour yet, but plenty of autumn produce!”

From Jean. “Waiting to pick up Harry from the groomers in Culloden on Thursday. Reminded me of Christmas!”

And also from Jean. “Saturday afternoon and time to start the autumn clean up. Don’t judge the weeds! It is a work in progress!”