Today's image is one from a long time ago, but none the less it's a good one.

Hope springs eternal, so the saying goes - and as I look around, I certainly see signs of hope.

Last night I ame across this rather amazing little video of people self-isolation in Edinburgh... 'Sunshne on Leith' is one of my favourite 'weepy' songs...

sunshine on leith

And one of our own folk wrote this rather marvellous poem called 'Broadband Church'

Today I am really grateful for the folk who look after communications for our church.

Now, back to today's 'to do' list!!

This afternoon I had the luxury of spending time sat in the back of a car, driving through glorious countryside, en route to Loch Lomond where I conducted a minimalist wedding ceremony for a couple whose wedding had been brought forward, twice, as a result of recent events.

I was a beautiful setting, and the people passing, at a distance, on the public footpath created a great 'cloud of witnesses' who cheered as the couple sealed their marriage with a kiss (they do, after all already live in the same house...)

It was a very precious few minutes, full of love and laughter, tenderness and tenacity.  May God bless you M & J - I look forward to seeing the photo with me standing 2m distant!!

HM Government has now provided a defintion of Key Workers which includes the following paragraph (emphasis mine):

"This includes those essential to the running of the justice system, religious staff, charities and workers delivering key frontline services, those responsible for the management of the deceased, and journalists and broadcasters who are providing public service broadcasting."

This seems to mean that I am now defined as a 'Key Worker'.

It means the children of rabbis, imams, priests, ministers and so on may well remain in school (at least in some places).

I think most of my readers are pray-ers and if you are, please pray for us as we seek to combine common-sense, compassion and, when needed, courage.  If you don't do praying then thoughts, vibes and well wishes are all equally appreciated.

What a glorious morning!

Clear blue skies, bright sunshine, and in the distance 'my' 'magic' hills ('mine' because I look for them every day, 'magic' because, depending on the weather, they may disappear altogether!).

I woke (at just before 6 a.m., the kitties need breakfast on time or they complain!) to the sound of birds singing to welcome the day.  I looked out on brightness. I was reminded, if it were needed, that God's mercies are not only unending, they are renewed every morning.

The business of setting things up and sharing updates continues.  I am learning new technology. I am seeing the best (and, sadlly the worst) of human behaviour. I am blessed.

Stay safe.  Be kind.  Wash your hands. This too will pass. All will be well.

This does rather run the risk of 'look at me, how pious am I' as I have a second piece of liturgical writing being shared online today.

Here are some thoughts from BUGB, and some liturgy I wrote more than a decade ago for Dibley Baptist Church. Nothing is wasted, God is faithful.