This morning Glasgow is glittering as the first frost of the season reflects the morning sun.  The clear blue sky and cool air a sign that autumn is trully here.  Beautiful in its time.

And frost kills germs, so I'm glad!

ASBO Jesus strikes again....

We will shortly be starting a short preaching series looking at questions of Biblical authority, handling difficult texts, etc, so this seemed both funny and apposite.

So, the search for headscarves continues.  Somone gave me a beautiful fairtrade scarf sourced from our local One World Shop and several people had great ideas.  I found that you can indeed buy fairtrade cotton online, in many great colours but, as it tends to be large checks and wide stripes and I don't want to look as if I have a tablecloth or deckchair on my head I opted not to pursue that line.

My searching eventually led me Anna Bandana a company set up by someone who made scarves for her mother.  I purchased three of their zandanas and have to say they are great - for a person who hates hats that is praise indeed.  The scarves arrived within two days and seem so good I will keep them for walking wear after this is all behind me.  A lot of thought has been given to comfort, colour and appearance - so I reckoned a little plug was in order.

Evidently this year's Christmas stamps are Wallace and Grommit... and despite it being 'secular' year the pair can clearly be seen singing carols on one of the stamps.  Check out Ekklesia website here for more details in a humourous vein.  Altogether now, 'While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all eating toasted cheese..."

Royal Mail press release here

This morning I popped into the coffee shop opposite church for a quick latte and a sneaky piece of carrot cake (it's healthy, it has one of my five a day...) and as usual had a chat with the owners.  One of them told me that they have now been here exactly a year - it transpires we travelled from the midlands to Glasgow to begin work within days of each other, so each had assumed the other was the more 'established'.

I like the coffee shop for lots of reasons, it echoes some of what I think church is about.  The owners, John and Wayne, yes those are their names, always greet you with a smile, always make you feel you matter and give you the time you need to choose what you want.  If you are a regular, they know your name, what you prefer to drink and even what your interests are (well they know mine anyway).  Recently I was in there and an older woman was meeting a friend of hers for coffee, I overheard her telling the friend why she liked the coffee shop - 'they are my friends' she said of the owners.  Valuing people, making them feel they matter, making them feel safe, listening to their news, these are things that churches ought to do instinctively but so often we fail.  Of course sometimes things go wrong in the coffee shop, it's not perfect, but the guys work very hard to make sure it is always clean, well stocked and service reasonably quick.

Next weekend is our 'birthday' too.  Traditionally it is the church anniverary Sunday (also Dibley's as it happens) but more pertinently for me, the anniversary of my Induction.  It has been a fabulous year with lots to celebrate.

So, Happy Birthday Atrium Cafe and every blessing for the year ahead.