Five years ago, I saw a lot of the inside of the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre as a patient.  Since then I've seen a fair deal more of it as a friend, as a volunteer, and as a minister.  Over that time, what was once the ubiquitous 'friends of' chairty has emerged, butterfly like, as the Beatson Cancer Charity and is combining the challenge of on the ground support - from free drinks in waiting rooms, to complimentary complementary therapies and more - with fundraising for research at the Beatson Institute.  I know oodles of people who have been treated at the Beatson, several who work, or have worked, there, and one employed by the charity.

So I am very thrilled that our joint serives of lesson and carols on Sunday will include a retiring offering for this charity.

I realise that if you are reading this in Auckland, NZ or Northampton, England, or somewhere else not Glasgow you can't come.  But if you are in or near Glasgow and have nothing else planned, please do come along, sing some traditional carols, listen to adult and children's choirs, hear the old old story, and have some fun.  And maybe bring a friend or neighbour too...

Lesson & Carols

Wellington Church of Scotland

Corner of Southpark Ave and University Ave

Glasgow

Sunday 20th Dec 7 p.m.

Today's choices are a bit odd (in my opinion) ... when I had a car I was a courtesous driver who let people in/out; when I do cook it is from scratch - and when I use ready meals I don't call it cooking!  So my only option today is the long queue of any shops I may be in... which probably means I have to go to the mini tesco at lunchtime as anywhere else someone will be lurking to monitor the queues and call out "first in here" to minimise wait times.  It's either that or the very inefficient post office (won't say which of three possibles that might be!!)

Today I have the opportunity to make yesterday's wishful thinking a step nearer to reality... I'll empty my purse into a charity donation to one of the organisiations researching a cure for cancers.  Not everyone can afford to give away their money, but the other options are not without challenge.

Today's Sunday School led service was great fun (even if two of my ideas for next week are very similar to two of those today!) and included a moment of deep thinking for me.

At one stage we asked to think about a gift we would like to give to someone real or fictional, living or dead, if we could give them absolutely anything.

I sat for a few moments unable to think of anyone or anything.  Then began a rendition of 'In The Bleak Midwinter' on a French horn, one of the few pieces of Christmas music that really pierces my soul.  And so it did, I suddenly found myself thinking of the gift I'd love to be able to give, and the person I'd give it to... each utterly impossible.  I wanted to give to L (as representative of many women I've known and still know) a cure for secondary breast cancer.  It was pie in the sky, wishful thinking, bad theology probably, but it was so.

I am so grateful to Sunday School for creating a safe space for me to dream an impossible dream, and express something I didn't even know I needed to express.

One day there will be a cure.  One day L and others like her will live long, full, happy lives.  Until then, in my prayers, my awareness raising, my peer support and my charitable giving I'll go on doing what I can to bring 'one day' a little nearer.

The third Sunday on Advent, the best excuse to listen to Steeleye Span, if one were needed!

Also for us Sunday School nativity service followed by Sunday School Christmas Party so lots of joy in those.

And for me it's dress down Sunday as I'm not up front other than briefly, the day I deliver my church Christmas cards (and hope I didn't miss anyone) and a chance to remember, with gratitude the first Christmas Play I ever saw, on 19th December 1968, which was when I  first knowingly encountered the story of God revealed in Christ, and knew, somehow, this story was true...

What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb
If I were a wise man, I would do my part

Yet what I can I give him - give my heart