Yesterday afternoon I joined several hundred other people in Glasgow, and several thousand UK-wide to take part in very rapidly organised peaceful protests objecting to the prorouging of parliament.

It was mostly very good-natured, and people of all opinions gathered together to wave banners and strain their ears to try to listen to speakers.

I chose to photograph the banner I've shown above because I think it captured the reason most people were there - not to say they were Leave or Remain (though both were there) and not to say they were Yes or No on Scottish independence (and both were there too) but because they were/are disturbed by events concerning process.

The one speaker I managed to hear said, "It doesn't matter if you are Yes or No, Leave or Remain, we are all on the same side today" and I think that was the feeling of the event.  For sure, like many others I waved an EU flag, and I *may* have sported a certain yellow sticker.  There were saltires and Welsh Dragons, party political statements, witty home made banners, and lots of people just determined 'to be there'. Whatever our views on the EU or the UK or a thousand and one other matters, what united us was deeper and more important - democracy is worth defending and peaceful protest is one way of doing it. 

My Mum (left), aunt and uncle - two English, one Scottish, all half-Jewish. 

In the light of recent news reports and things said by powerful people the world over, I am very much reminded of the words of Pastor Martin Neimoeller ...

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.

It begins by defining someone as 'other', it potentially ends in genocide - which is why today I feel moved to join a political protest.  Whatever our views on the EU or the UK, or anything else, our shared humanity has to come first.  For me, that means today I will join thousands of others to speak out for what we believe to be true.

It's taken a while, and a lot of effort on the part of my little sister to whom the task was entrusted, but yesterday the stone mason provided this photo of the new stone on our parents' grave.  I think she chose well, the colour of the stone and the inscription are just right for my unfussy parents!  Soon the grass will recover around the plinth, and the shine will fade, but the marker, like the memory, will remain.

It's only when I compare the photos that I realise quite how tired the old gravestone had become after almost thrity years in situ...

To be honest, unless I am in that part of the world for other reasons, I almost certainly won't visit the grave again, but it is good to know that it is easy to find for any who do. 

Last night I was at a lovely concert where Iona Fyfe, who was awarded Scots Singer of the Year at the 2018 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, sang a broad selection of traditional ballads.  Most of these are not happy stories, people often end up jilted, dead or both!  They are, however, great to listen to.

On Sunday, I will be using a very abridged version of part of the Orkneyinga Saga, which should come with a health warning - there is no happy ending, it is rather bloody and (spoiler alert) the hero ends up dead.

So, today's service brought our summer series on "Aspects of Spirituality" to a close with twin reflections on pilgrimage and soul friendship (anam cara).

I hope the series has been interesting and helpful -  feedback has been very encouraging.  Certainly it has done my soul 'good' and given me space to identify areas of exploration for my upcoming sabbatical year, of which more another time once it's all agreed.

Mentoring, pastoral supervision, spiritual accompaniment/direction, all these are helpful and meaningful, if not quite the 'anam cara' of ancient times.  And so is covenanted community - that very Baptist self understanding that says 'we are pilgrims on a journey, and companions on the road, we are here to help each other, walk the mile and share the load.'  So it was good this morning for each person to take away a small scallop shell, and a card with the song words printed on them.  Simple signs of a profound truth - we are in this together, and the God who has brought us this far will see us all safe home.

Brother, sister, let me serve you,

Let me be as Christ to you.

Pray that I may have the grace

To let you be my servant too.