This seems as good a place as any to thank the many people, Christian, agnostic and atheist who have expressed support for me and for 'my' people and for our city after the events of Friday evening...

• To the minister who had posted on my Facebook Timeline even before I had logged on yesterday morning
• To the members of Dibley Baptist Church for their prayers and email of support to The Gathering Place
• To the ministers who 'retweeted' or 'shared' my posts from yesterday
• To the people who said 'I'm thinking of you' or 'I'm praying for you' or 'sending hugs'

This morning we began our service with a simple prayer and lighting of a candle.  The Taize chant 'within our darkest night' formed our 'gathering song' and was sung before and after the words...

A Candle for Clutha

It was just another Friday night, people out socialising and enjoying live music

Just another Friday night, a police helicopter scrambled for service

Just another Friday night in A&E, the fire station, the council offices, the home of the politician

Just another Friday night when tragedy struck

When hundreds of people became part of a waking nightmare

When pain, fear and even death walked the night time streets of our city

And so we light this light to defy the darkness of despair

To remember those who mourn

Those who are injured

Those who are dealing with the aftermath

Those who will live with the scars

And ourselves, shaken and saddened

Praying that the God who is light will bring comfort and hope for all.