Today (Friday 5 March) marks the World Day of Prayer and this year will be different from any we have ever known. All over the world, people will be worshipping as usual but in unusual ways.

This year's service comes from the Christian women of Vanuatu - a group of 82 islands (65 inhabited) in the South Pacific Ocean - on the theme of 'Build a strong foundation'.

We share with you the recorded service here - 

For two weeks each year at the end of February and start of March, thousands of individuals, companies and groups across the UK come together to share the stories of the people who grow our food and drinks. mine our gold and who grow the cotton in our clothes, people who are often exploited and underpaid.

In 2021, Fairtrade Fortnight will feel very different. 2020 has been a hard year for everyone and we know that physically campaigning and meeting people will continue to be challenging in 2021 but we have also heard from so many of you that you want to continue to support Fairtrade through this time.  

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us more than ever how interconnected we are globally. This interconnection is at the very heart of the Fairtrade message and is where your role begins. You are part of the Fairtrade movement and you have the power to drive long-term change, not only with your shopping choices but with your support in spreading the message. We just have to do this a little differently in 2021! 

MY LORD GOD,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this
you will lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore I will trust you always
though I may seem to be lost
and in the shadow of death.

I will not fear, 
for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me
to face my perils alone.

(Thomas Merton, 1915-1968)

A dear friend, Rev Liz Crumlish, has compiled a book of daily readings and prayers for Lent 2021 which she has made available for others to use. Thank you, Liz!

You can download your own copy of the pdf file through this link.

This provides resources for a daily time of devotions from Ash Wednesday through to Easter Sunday. Download it and save it so that you can readily use it to help your own devotional time each day.

Following A Nobody From Nowhere

During the season of Lent, each Sunday evening you are invited to join with us to explore the journey that Jesus invites us on. It is a search for purpose and meaning in the events and choices of our lives. It is a costly journey with an unknown destination that starts with a Middle Eastern homeless man from twenty centuries ago who still has the ability to stir our souls and imaginations.

Each of us gets to choose
the paths we will travel.
They will of course contain
unforeseen surprises
of both the welcome and unwelcome
sort.
Where shall we go
you and I?
Shall we go along together?
How shall we get there?
And how will we know
when “there” is now “here”?
“Come, follow me,”
a voice interrupts.
Who is this?
A wandering homeless man.
Why should we give up all of this
to follow this nobody from nowhere?
It is a ridiculous journey.
Which, of course, is the only kind there is.
So, let us begin …

Are you missing a craft project?

We are looking for daffodils: knitted, crocheted or felt, however you would like to make them, preferably with stalks. This is a project for Easter, looking forward to brighter days and happier times. You can find many patterns on the Internet by googling ‘daffodil patterns’; here are some examples:

https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/downloads.ashx?Token=bbbdc243-5cfc-4316-ad97-885b84478c91 

https://moaracrochet.com/crochet-flowers-2/

http://www.makermagpie.com/blog/2015/3/26/daffodil-sewing-pattern

The church is open on Wednesdays from 1 to 2 p.m. or 7 to 8 p.m. if you wish to pick up a printed copy of these patterns, and if you have some ready, you can drop off your flowers at these times too. If you have empty jam jars, stand your daffodils in bunches, if not, add them to the jars available at the church. Extra empty jars would be very welcome.

Happy crafting!

We have a new service available whereby you can listen over the phone to the weekly bible reading and message, along with a reflection when available on that theme. This is ideal for those who cannot access the online service over the internet.

The phone number to use is 01224 002502. This local number means costs will be minimal or free for those calling. This allows access both to the current week's reading and sermon, and to the previous week's by pressing "1" when asked.

Please do pass this information on to family, friends or neighbours who you think might appreciate listening to these parts of the Sunday service. Note that it is available at any time with the audio updated each weekend.

For those missing our time of fellowship following Sunday worship, we invite you to join us for a cup of tea (you'll have to supply your own!) and a chat online. We have set up a weekly Zoom meeting which you can access on a PC, tablet or mobile phone using this link and login:-

https://zoom.us/j/92966076568?pwd=S09TRGljVHpvTUVFZmVVeE5JVkpZZz09

Meeting ID: 929 6607 6568, and password: 005056

Alternatively you can call 0131 460 1196 to dial in to the conversation (you will need a note of the meeting ID and password above).

Our Zoom fellowship will begin at 1 p.m. for about an hour.

Every Wednesday, there will be a chance for you to donate food for local charity Instant Neighbour at the church. Non perishable food items and toiletries can be dropped off between 1 and 2 p.m. and between 7 and 8 p.m. Items will be distributed to vulnerable and housebound people at this difficult time. Distancing instructions will be adhered to at all times. Thank you.