Here in Scotland the schools are back from tomorrow - only a fortnight or so after the last of the English schools closed for summer.  This means my 'year' has been strangely short - starting last year's academic year in England and starting this one in Scotland.

Special thoughts today are with S and C who will start school this week and B who transfers to secondary education.  It is also a time when Masters students complete their courses (universities use broadly the same academic years north and south of the border - just to add to the fun) so we will be saying farewell to come of our overseas folk who have completed their studies and return home, notably A and S.

In every ending is a new beginning, in every beginning an ending.  There is a mystery in all of this; sometimes we emphasise one or the other but each is part of the other and it is good to remind myself of this.

A busy few weeks as it is my turn to lead the joint evening services for three consecutive Sundays - something I'm really looking forward to and hope others will find enjoyable and helpful.  New year, new beginnings and same old same old... sounds good to me.