OK, let me get this clear. The way I understand it is this, (and if I'm wrong, please correct me.)
According to the General Assembly:
Being a minister is OK
Being gay is OK
Being a gay minister is OK
Being a gay minister with a partner, civil or otherwise is something we are going to have to think about for a couple of years.
But we are all human, so what happens if my single gay minister finds their soul mate? And is dating OK, but any more commitment than that out of the question?
Ah well, we've got two years to worry about the details!
Saturday 28 May 2011
Monday 23 May 2011
Answering Nik's Question
The other week, Mrs Gerbil and I had the pleasure of meeting up with Nik from A Pilgrim's Process. It was a rare gathering, as blogging is often a solitary pursuit, so nobody has ever felt the need to make up a collective noun for a group of bloggers. Suggested answers on a postcard to the usual address...
(Actually, does anyone do competitions nowadays where you send the answer on a postcard? I knew all along that I would never win a competition on Saturday Morning Superstore because the postcard depicting the radioactive beach at Dalgety Bay was pretty uninspiring)
So Nik noted that if I am to follow any one of my three options, sooner or later, someone is going to ask, "are you only doing this because of what Mrs Gerbil is doing?" Well, the answer is
Yes.
Perhaps I should elaborate....
Or I could save that for another post...
Might as well do it now.
First of all, I'm in a position where I don't really know what I'm doing. But I also think I've been given an opportunity to do something useful. What that useful thing is, I don't exactly know. Something keeps drawing me back to the idea of the auxiliary ministry but I don't know what a calling feels like. What I do know is that the past few years, starting around the time of the National Gathering at Ingliston, and possibly even before that, I've felt less of an observer at worship, to wanting to be more a part of spreading God's message.
So I'd like to say that I'm genuinely being nudged into something of my own calling. I think that Mrs Gerbil's process has given me a bit of a kick up the backside, letting me explore all sorts of avenues. And whatever I do, it will be using my time and talents in a way that helps God's people, but also fits in with my promise to support Mrs G along the way.
So that's about as much of an answer as I can give at present. Mrs Gerbil has given me the opportunity. It's now up to me to do something about it.
And thanks Nik for asking the question. It's been something useful to reflect on.
(Actually, does anyone do competitions nowadays where you send the answer on a postcard? I knew all along that I would never win a competition on Saturday Morning Superstore because the postcard depicting the radioactive beach at Dalgety Bay was pretty uninspiring)
So Nik noted that if I am to follow any one of my three options, sooner or later, someone is going to ask, "are you only doing this because of what Mrs Gerbil is doing?" Well, the answer is
Yes.
Perhaps I should elaborate....
Or I could save that for another post...
Might as well do it now.
First of all, I'm in a position where I don't really know what I'm doing. But I also think I've been given an opportunity to do something useful. What that useful thing is, I don't exactly know. Something keeps drawing me back to the idea of the auxiliary ministry but I don't know what a calling feels like. What I do know is that the past few years, starting around the time of the National Gathering at Ingliston, and possibly even before that, I've felt less of an observer at worship, to wanting to be more a part of spreading God's message.
So I'd like to say that I'm genuinely being nudged into something of my own calling. I think that Mrs Gerbil's process has given me a bit of a kick up the backside, letting me explore all sorts of avenues. And whatever I do, it will be using my time and talents in a way that helps God's people, but also fits in with my promise to support Mrs G along the way.
So that's about as much of an answer as I can give at present. Mrs Gerbil has given me the opportunity. It's now up to me to do something about it.
And thanks Nik for asking the question. It's been something useful to reflect on.
Sunday 22 May 2011
The Rapture is coming
...but it's now the start of a new day. It's midnight. A new day, the 22nd May has just begun.
And most of us that started the day have ended it unscathed. No better or worse than when we entered it twenty-four hours before. The proclaimed 21st has came and went.
God works on timescales that are beyond our understanding. So don't try to tie his time down to an earthly, human timescale. Don't try to get smart with your diary. He will come when He is ready, not a second before.
Just do what you can to be ready. Let God sort out the travel arrangements and the timings.
For he is coming, that I'm sure.
With every blessing for the start of a new day.
And most of us that started the day have ended it unscathed. No better or worse than when we entered it twenty-four hours before. The proclaimed 21st has came and went.
God works on timescales that are beyond our understanding. So don't try to tie his time down to an earthly, human timescale. Don't try to get smart with your diary. He will come when He is ready, not a second before.
Just do what you can to be ready. Let God sort out the travel arrangements and the timings.
For he is coming, that I'm sure.
With every blessing for the start of a new day.
Friday 20 May 2011
A brief diversion...
Well, it's the start of the General Assembly this weekend. Lots of big issues to discuss. But there's plenty of time for serious. To keep your mind off things, here's a cautionary tale of why men should read instructions, especially when there's strong laxatives involved...
Transcribed from the original forum post, Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Mr Blu-tone and the legendary Picolax thread
With thanks to http://www.singletrackworld.com/
Transcribed from the original forum post, Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Mr Blu-tone and the legendary Picolax thread
With thanks to http://www.singletrackworld.com/
Tuesday 17 May 2011
Roll Away The Stone
Roll Away the Stone will keep you amused this Sunday. It's a gathering in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, organised by the Church of Scotland, and as well as some good worship, music and other entertainment, it has the added distinction of being free.
I'll be marshalling for part of the day, and having had the pleasure of meeting the organisers last night, I know the event is in good hands.
So if you see someone in a red shirt and a brown hat, ask them "are you spotthegerbil?" It will keep the other red shirted brown hatted people entertained all day!
Update. One of the organisers sent me an email at 22:39 Friday with my shift details for the weekend. Keep them in your prayers as they are putting in some long hours!
I'll be marshalling for part of the day, and having had the pleasure of meeting the organisers last night, I know the event is in good hands.
So if you see someone in a red shirt and a brown hat, ask them "are you spotthegerbil?" It will keep the other red shirted brown hatted people entertained all day!
Update. One of the organisers sent me an email at 22:39 Friday with my shift details for the weekend. Keep them in your prayers as they are putting in some long hours!
Monday 2 May 2011
RIP Osama Bin Laden.
RIP Osama. It was nice to have known you. At least you have died innocent of the charges against you. Like him or loathe him, if truth, justice and the American Way™ is still the mantra that the USA marches under, then Osama hasn’t faced trial by a jury of his peers, so he remains innocent before the law.
What would you have done if Osama Bin Laden had walked into your church? Like Saul appearing before the early followers of the way. Just after the second hymn, a figure appears at the door and takes a seat at the back of the church. Someone who to all accounts is completely opposed to your way of life. Do you panic? Call the police?
I’d put the kettle on. Offer him a cup of tea. And then I’d like to think I’d offer him as much assistance as I can give him. Once, a long time ago I was a trade union representative. There were a number of occasions where colleagues had done something really stupid and had been caught red handed. But the disciplinary process had to be followed, and even though I knew my colleague was as guilty as sin, I was obliged to represent them. My role was to defend their rights, not their wrongs. I was to ensure fair treatment, to ensure they were handled in accordance with the company rules and within the law of the land. While it’s a long way from fiddling your time sheet to allegedly ordering terrorist acts, however everyone has basic rights, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and like it or loathe it, Osama was entitled to that representation. Sometimes, democracy sucks.
Because everyone is entitled to fair treatment before the law. The best thing I could have done for him would be to ensure he was represented fairly in front of an impartial jury of his peers. From the outset, it was clear that Osama would never face trial. A hit squad has marched all over Afghanistan and Pakistan, demanding blood. I’m sure the world will be safe tonight.
This morning, crowds gathered outside the White House. The mob, satisfied after baying for blood for so long. Hopefully those inside feel safe and secure, because give it a couple of years and the mob that’s outside will be baying for their blood. The American people have a very short term view when it comes to national policy. In the same way that the space programme was all but shut down after they beat the Russians to the moon, Americans will be asking why they are still in Afghanistan now Osama is dead.
Who is next on the hate list? Probably Iran. Iran has oil. The world won’t be safe until every oil well has a stars and stripes hanging above it.
Yeah. Right.
There’s something about the USA being self appointed global judge, jury and executioner that makes me crap myself.
RIP Osama Bin Laden. I hope you find peace.
P.S. This post will probably get me flagged up by the NSA or GCHQ as being some sort of sympathiser. Bring 'em on. I've been called worse things.
What would you have done if Osama Bin Laden had walked into your church? Like Saul appearing before the early followers of the way. Just after the second hymn, a figure appears at the door and takes a seat at the back of the church. Someone who to all accounts is completely opposed to your way of life. Do you panic? Call the police?
I’d put the kettle on. Offer him a cup of tea. And then I’d like to think I’d offer him as much assistance as I can give him. Once, a long time ago I was a trade union representative. There were a number of occasions where colleagues had done something really stupid and had been caught red handed. But the disciplinary process had to be followed, and even though I knew my colleague was as guilty as sin, I was obliged to represent them. My role was to defend their rights, not their wrongs. I was to ensure fair treatment, to ensure they were handled in accordance with the company rules and within the law of the land. While it’s a long way from fiddling your time sheet to allegedly ordering terrorist acts, however everyone has basic rights, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and like it or loathe it, Osama was entitled to that representation. Sometimes, democracy sucks.
Because everyone is entitled to fair treatment before the law. The best thing I could have done for him would be to ensure he was represented fairly in front of an impartial jury of his peers. From the outset, it was clear that Osama would never face trial. A hit squad has marched all over Afghanistan and Pakistan, demanding blood. I’m sure the world will be safe tonight.
This morning, crowds gathered outside the White House. The mob, satisfied after baying for blood for so long. Hopefully those inside feel safe and secure, because give it a couple of years and the mob that’s outside will be baying for their blood. The American people have a very short term view when it comes to national policy. In the same way that the space programme was all but shut down after they beat the Russians to the moon, Americans will be asking why they are still in Afghanistan now Osama is dead.
Who is next on the hate list? Probably Iran. Iran has oil. The world won’t be safe until every oil well has a stars and stripes hanging above it.
Yeah. Right.
There’s something about the USA being self appointed global judge, jury and executioner that makes me crap myself.
RIP Osama Bin Laden. I hope you find peace.
P.S. This post will probably get me flagged up by the NSA or GCHQ as being some sort of sympathiser. Bring 'em on. I've been called worse things.
Sunday 1 May 2011
May Day - Up the workers!
Today is the first of May, and the day devoted to St Joseph, patron saint of (among others) workers, craftsmen, immigrants and "people fighting communism". Well that's the way Wiki tells it.
It's also International Workers Day, and we tend to get the first Monday in May off although there's plans by the Conservative Government to move the holiday to October, with the aim of extending the tourist season. What's the matter Dave, too socialist for you?
So whenever you're celebrating International Workers Day, it's worth giving thanks for the people that have fought in the past to protect workers rights, and have fought to protect the health and wellbeing of employees. While you may think your job stinks (If you're lucky enough to have a job), there's sweatshops all over the world where a 48 hour working week, paid holidays and a safe working environment is something they can only dream about. Some of these sweatshops make the clothes on your back and the electronics in your pocket.
And don't forget that trade union leaders get killed just for asking for better pay and conditions. Rumour has it that some well known household brands have policies were human rights are optional. And I'm tempted to name names..
So when you have a bad day at work, it could be a whole lot worse.
It's also International Workers Day, and we tend to get the first Monday in May off although there's plans by the Conservative Government to move the holiday to October, with the aim of extending the tourist season. What's the matter Dave, too socialist for you?
So whenever you're celebrating International Workers Day, it's worth giving thanks for the people that have fought in the past to protect workers rights, and have fought to protect the health and wellbeing of employees. While you may think your job stinks (If you're lucky enough to have a job), there's sweatshops all over the world where a 48 hour working week, paid holidays and a safe working environment is something they can only dream about. Some of these sweatshops make the clothes on your back and the electronics in your pocket.
And don't forget that trade union leaders get killed just for asking for better pay and conditions. Rumour has it that some well known household brands have policies were human rights are optional. And I'm tempted to name names..
So when you have a bad day at work, it could be a whole lot worse.
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