Yesterday I needed to travel to Glasgow for a meeting.  As my train neared Central Station I wondered what/how I would feel.  Actually I didn't feel anything very much, realising that, although I had lived longer in Glasgow than anywhere else, I am, at heart, a 'wandering Aramean'.  It was a beautifully sunny day, and Glasgow was looking her very best, but she isn't home anymore, rather, like London and Northampton, like Warrington, Derby, Leicestershire and Manchester, she is somewhere I once lived, whose story is part of mine (and I part of hers) but all of it part of greater, more mysterious and wonderful whole.  I don't expect other people to 'get' that, since most people are rooted somewhere, but it's my truth.  I loved my time in Glasgow, and I treasure the memories and the friendships... but my 'citizenship' isn't defined by geography.  I recall half a lifetime ago saying 'wherever I park my car, that's my home'... now I guess I would, if pressed, say 'home is where my cats are.'

The photo is inside Andrew's Cathedral in Glasgow - somewhere I had never been able to visit when I lived there.  It is a beautiful, tranquil place, and reminder of the universality of God's unending love that is unconfined by human geography.   

Cafe on the Corner is one of the social enterprise cafes near where I live.  A place that serves food and drinks at competitive prices, and ploughs all its 'profit' (surplus) into social projects.  It is set in part of a former church, and occupies a handy corner position (hence its name) and serves very tasty breakfasts, lunches and sweet treats.  The same premises also house a food bank and a bicycle workshop, serving the local community in many ways.

If you are visiting this town, it's worth a visit.

One of the roles I share in at vicar school is helping our students to learn about, and reflect on, important skills, practices and characteristics.  This term we are focusing on weddings, and on Wednesday were thinking about symbols, rituals, liturgies and ceremonies.  My colleague and I pooled some resources, including stoles, candles, ribbons, and a quaich.  It was lovely to overhear the 'oohs' of participants walking into the chapel and seeing the visual centre-piece.... which I guess is a little of what you aspire to in creating the space for an actual wedding ceremony.

I am enjoying starting to share in this aspect of 'formation'  alongside some of the more strategic and administrative work.

Definitely still needing my L-plates, but having fun learning.