Tuesday, 10 December 2013
watch night live 5
Just heard an impromptu singing of Praise my soul the king of heaven. Actually very good.
watch night live 4
My feet are killing me! Much more respect for Choirs now. I didn't appreciate how much work singing is. Hopefully only one more hymn to go although I think the minister has a speaking part to come.
watch night live 2
First run through of the first hymn. Then another two takes for good measure.
Coughing is forbidden!
Coughing is forbidden!
Live Blogging from Watch Night
I'm at a recording for the BBC watch night service. The historic church interior is full of camera equipment,lights etc. One man is currently up a ladder adjusting a spotlight and is in danger of plummeting to his demise or burning his head on the next light over.
From all over Presbytery, people have dug out their festive jumpers.
More to follow...
From all over Presbytery, people have dug out their festive jumpers.
More to follow...
Monday, 9 December 2013
Hard Questions
"Why do we drink Jesus' blood?"
If you want to find a whole load of awkward questions, Primary Four is the place to find them. This was the first time I had sat in a primary four class, since primary four. Pamela, the Methodist Deacon invited me to take part in her morning assembly, with a couple of classes afterwards. There was a small issue when we discovered that neither the two of us had a lighter for the Advent candle. Back in my day, you could always rely on at least one of the pupils having a lighter, but these modern young 'uns seem to have kicked the weed habit.
The two classes were interesting, and while I felt I was basking in the glory of Pamela and Stephen, the children seemed willing to open up to me. They had seen me at the assembly the other week, so now they wave at me and say hello.
I'm still getting used to modern school culture, as you don't put your hand up to answer a question, instead you have "answering arms"where you fold your arms, while at the same time maintaining an expression of enthusiasm. The way they were bouncing up and down with folded arms, reminded me of a troop of Cossack dancers!
If you want to find a whole load of awkward questions, Primary Four is the place to find them. This was the first time I had sat in a primary four class, since primary four. Pamela, the Methodist Deacon invited me to take part in her morning assembly, with a couple of classes afterwards. There was a small issue when we discovered that neither the two of us had a lighter for the Advent candle. Back in my day, you could always rely on at least one of the pupils having a lighter, but these modern young 'uns seem to have kicked the weed habit.
The two classes were interesting, and while I felt I was basking in the glory of Pamela and Stephen, the children seemed willing to open up to me. They had seen me at the assembly the other week, so now they wave at me and say hello.
I'm still getting used to modern school culture, as you don't put your hand up to answer a question, instead you have "answering arms"where you fold your arms, while at the same time maintaining an expression of enthusiasm. The way they were bouncing up and down with folded arms, reminded me of a troop of Cossack dancers!
Thursday, 5 December 2013
Nelson Mandela
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Rest in peace Madiba.
Rest in peace Madiba.
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| Source: Glasgow City Council Libraries. |
Lap Dancing Discounts
My dear old Gran hits 100 next week, so today after having a brew with some local candidates, I went greetings card shopping.
I picked up a tasteful card, handed over my money and the card was handed back to me in a small plastic bag. Upon leaving the store I looked into the bag and as well as the tasteful card, I looked down upon a card depicting a dancer's bare arse.
WTF?
(Mrs G has pointed out that she was wearing a thong. I suppose that makes a difference.)
So I returned to the store, and the lady behind the counter told me she it was her other employer and she was told to put them in the bags. I dumped the cards on the counter but I wish I had kept them, if only for evidence.
I've been around, I've seen a lot, and I'm not much of a prude, and I'm aware that businesses have to engage in upselling to promote their business. But do they really think we are taking my Gran to a lap dancing bar for her hundredth?
I picked up a tasteful card, handed over my money and the card was handed back to me in a small plastic bag. Upon leaving the store I looked into the bag and as well as the tasteful card, I looked down upon a card depicting a dancer's bare arse.
WTF?
(Mrs G has pointed out that she was wearing a thong. I suppose that makes a difference.)
So I returned to the store, and the lady behind the counter told me she it was her other employer and she was told to put them in the bags. I dumped the cards on the counter but I wish I had kept them, if only for evidence.
I've been around, I've seen a lot, and I'm not much of a prude, and I'm aware that businesses have to engage in upselling to promote their business. But do they really think we are taking my Gran to a lap dancing bar for her hundredth?
Wednesday, 4 December 2013
Presbytery
If there was one good thing about Presbytery, it was my colleagues footwear. She had on the most amazing pair of purple tartan Doc Marten's. Sitting amongst a group of colleagues where our office wear is predominately either black (for pulpit, crematorium and graveside) or dark navy blue (school assemblies and hospital visits) it was a pleasant change to see something strikingly different.
The rest of the evening was spent rumbling feet in agreement with decisions and deliverances that had been made by sub-committees. I'm not a member of Presbytery, I'm just an observer, so I can't officially get involved in the debate. I don't even rumble my feet, which makes me feel like I'm abstaining or objecting. I hope nobody notices.
Perhaps this is just a quiet spell. Perhaps it would have been a bit more lively when Presbytery plans were being drawn up. Tonight was just a little too quiet. I'd hate to be involved in an assembly where nobody ever spoke. I would feel obliged to come out with an expressly controversial opinion, just to try to get some sort of debate going.
If you'll excuse me, I'm off to buy some shoes for next Presbytery.
The rest of the evening was spent rumbling feet in agreement with decisions and deliverances that had been made by sub-committees. I'm not a member of Presbytery, I'm just an observer, so I can't officially get involved in the debate. I don't even rumble my feet, which makes me feel like I'm abstaining or objecting. I hope nobody notices.
Perhaps this is just a quiet spell. Perhaps it would have been a bit more lively when Presbytery plans were being drawn up. Tonight was just a little too quiet. I'd hate to be involved in an assembly where nobody ever spoke. I would feel obliged to come out with an expressly controversial opinion, just to try to get some sort of debate going.
If you'll excuse me, I'm off to buy some shoes for next Presbytery.
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| Source: Wikipedia |
Sunday, 1 December 2013
Communion
I have a lovely white tablecloth. it comes out for special occasions, and it's enormous. It will cover our dining table completely, with a lot left over. We have to fold it in half, and then on top of that goes plates, bowls, glasses, cutlery etc. If anything is spilled, well we might give the cloth a soaking to prevent staining, but it's an accident, and it's a sign of a lovely meal. While we look after the good cloth, it's there to be used.
Today I had my first communion where I was behind the table - I was never an elder, although my Presbytery says I was... On top of the white cloth had been placed a plastic sheet, protecting the white tablecloth. It was as Stephen read the intimations that I noticed some marks on the plastic. There was an arrow pointing to the congregation, then some circles where the elements were to be placed. A space had been left for the lectern, but not much. In thinking about it, there was more space devoted to the two communion jugs, which were not used, or even filled, than for the Minister's notes.
I mentioned to Pamela, the Methodist Deacon that I preferred communion at her church, where we could all gather round the table, and there was a bit more spontaneity, although we agreed that isn't always possible due to large congregations and building layout. I'm just worried that there is a process that we must be seen to follow, without deviation. So are we taking part in a process or a sacramental commemoration?
Much to ponder...
Today I had my first communion where I was behind the table - I was never an elder, although my Presbytery says I was... On top of the white cloth had been placed a plastic sheet, protecting the white tablecloth. It was as Stephen read the intimations that I noticed some marks on the plastic. There was an arrow pointing to the congregation, then some circles where the elements were to be placed. A space had been left for the lectern, but not much. In thinking about it, there was more space devoted to the two communion jugs, which were not used, or even filled, than for the Minister's notes.
I mentioned to Pamela, the Methodist Deacon that I preferred communion at her church, where we could all gather round the table, and there was a bit more spontaneity, although we agreed that isn't always possible due to large congregations and building layout. I'm just worried that there is a process that we must be seen to follow, without deviation. So are we taking part in a process or a sacramental commemoration?
Much to ponder...
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