Lots happening this weekend locally and nationally.

Diamond Jubilee celebrations bringing a double Bank Holiday for most people.  I have a hunch that even the most ardent republicans will be enjoying the extra time off from work on full pay.  I think it's perfectly possible to advocate separation of church and state without being agin the monarchy as an institution (and vice versa for that matter).  I reckon, all things considered, the Queen has worked incredibly hard, and I do wonder how many other 80-somethings would be game for, never mind physically able to face, the punishing schedule of parties and celebrations she has ahead of her.  She never had the chance to choose her career, so doubly deserves respect - at least from me anyway.

Lots of other celebrations involving other people I know in various places across the UK.  Significant birthdays, marriages, engagements, completion of exams and so forth.  So lots of people to rejoice with, at least in spirit, since omnipresence is not one of my gifts.

Inevitably there are friends who are struggling or facing sickness, death or bereavement.   As others party the night away, some people will sit and keep vigil over loved ones, others will have to wait for the bank holiday induced delays to farewell loved ones.  Life is always a blend of happy and sad, life and death, ending and beginnings.

Among my readers are people in all of these places. 

For those who celebrate and rejoice, my spirit sings and dances with you.

For those who mourn and worry, my spirit weeps and wonders with you.

Whatever your long weekend brings you, may love and hope suffuse its every moment.

OK, so a week on Sunday we are using the BMS Undefeated material.  I am looking for hymns/songs that connect with the threefold theme of disability, justice and inclusion.  I do not want any that refer to healing miracles, since this is not the way the material works (thankfully!).  I have tried searching Hymnquest without success, so I am hoping that some will have some ideas...  "Will You Come and Follow Me" is too hackneyed for this occasion.

During the service we will also be using other media/methods of "singing" but I don't want to give away all my ideas on here as too many goregous Gatherers read this stuff.

I have not, yet, managed to get out of my own front door!  The phone is ringing, the mobile is beeping and emails are pinging.  Once I do get out, I have two meetings today.  And then the madness of June begins... and it makes me SO happy just to be able to do it again!

June already has...

Six community events (I will make it to five)

A funeral (in northern England)

Two conferences (one in Scotland, one in England)

A Baptism (for someone in Scotland in southern England!)

Several meetings

Two end-of-year noshes

And a day trip to the seaside with one of our groups

I'll be needing another holiday at the end of it!

Oooh, I like it when things come together!

Last Sunday we celebrated Pentecst and it was trully wonderful.

This week we continue looking at how the Spirit moves... beware sacramentalists I am exploring charisms and spiritual fruit in terms of of an Aquinas style definition of a sacrament (so less about rituals/rites/'special' grace and more characteristics/attitudes/'ordinary' grace).  See, if you understoof sacraments properly (i.e. like wot I do) it'd be fine!

Next week we are going to use the BMS Undefeated material which links to the paralympics... I know that is a-g-e-s off yet.  But, cue spooky music... the olympic torch passes the end of the road where the Gathering Place islocated not once but twice next week!  It is in the last stretch fFriday, due to pass us just before 6 p.m. and the first stretch of Saturday, due past a little after 7 a.m.

Truly Spirit in Motion in every sense of the word

My blogging friend Perpetua has very kindly awarded me this badge which  have gladly accepted.  The lovely orange gerbera type daisy brings brightness into my day when the weather in Glasgow is grey and significantly cooler than it has been.  Not that I'm complaining, I was finding the heat a bit overwhelming.

Anyway, the theory is that your link ten sunny blogs, giving them the award, and answer nine other questions about yourself.  If I am honest, it is question one (the blog links) that has stumped me as many fo the blogs I follow are fairly serious!  And many of the sunny ones are defunct!  So I have selected a few of those I read regularly which often bring a smile to my face, and which are diverse in content.  They are not 'tags' but if the nominees wish to accept the award and tag onwards, then they are very welcome to; if they don't that's fine too (at least one says its owner is not accepting awards!).  I got to eight, in no particular order, if I missed yours and you feel miffed, sorry!

Tracing Rainbows (the blog of a pastor's wife in semi-rural England)

It Could Only happen to You Chez (the no holds barred blog of a feisty young woman from Liverpool who has faced breast cancer; caution latest post has her SCAR project style photos)

Well I Never (a blog mainly of creative writing and craft stuff)

Living Wittily (the blog of a theologian, poetry lover and general good egg)

The Beaker Folk of Husbourne Crawley (Archdruid Eileen and her friends)

The Ongoing Adventures of ASBO Jesus (funny and thought provoking cartoons)

Rumours of Rhyme (another poetry/creative writing blog)

Grounded (the photo blog of ministerial student and former pilot)

Now to the other questions...