Yesterday, I used my permitted exercise to check out the church premises, something our awesome insurers invite us to do 'if it's safe and sensible'.  I couldn't help but stop to admire the cherry trees, blossoming as they have done each year I've been here.  This fragile and fleeting beauty was a joy to behold.

It's no secret I'm a 'crazy cat lady' and I follow, online, the antics of many cats who live in railway stations and town/city centres.  Over the weekend, one of these cats, Bolt, Junior Pest Controller at Huddesrfield, went missing.  No-one could go out and search for him, so it was an anxious time for the staff who care for him and Felix.  Then, this morning they posted this... Bolt may be 'just a little black cat' but he and Felix bring joy to so many, and in these strange days we all need a good mews, sorry, news, story!

Someone produced a really slick Facebook live prayer stream, with respected speakers and original music.

And God said: that's awesome

Someone produced a clunky Skype for Business live prayer stream, with glitches and hitches

And God said: that's awesome

 Someone held a Zoom service, with recorded music, readings, prayers and 'break out rooms' for coffee time

And God said: that's awesome

Someone recorded a short message and uploaded it to YouTube

And God said: that's awesome

Someone produced a simple outline and posted to their faithful, elderly congregation

And God said: that's awesome

Someone watched Songs of Praise or listened to Radio 4

And God said: that's awesome

Someone went for their daily exercise

And God said: that's awesome

Someone phoned someone who was all alone

And God said: that's awesome

Someone picked up essentials or a prescription for a neighbour

And God said: that's awesome

Someone wept alone, because they felt afraid

And God said: I'm afraid too

Someone felt guilty because they didn't feel what others felt

And God said: I feel guilty too

Someone felt frustrated because they couldn't do what they longed to

And God said: I feel frustration too

Someone felt helpless, because they didn't know what to do

And God said: I feel helpless  too

Someone felt inadequate because they couldn't do technology

And God said: I feel inadequate too

Someone went to work because they were defined as a key-worker

And God said: I am working too

Someone wrote a prayer online, a litany of sorts, because though she could do technology, and though she had the most awesome congregation on God's earth, she was intimidated by those who were already theologising and reflecting, when her best was simply to take one day at a time...

And God said: yup, me too.

It seems a lifetime ago that the manse was welcoming friends visiting Glasgow... our link mission partner, our placement student and her children, the grown up daughter of a minister friend taking a course in adolescent mental health...

I always strip beds and wash sheets straight away when my guest leave, but ironing? So not my favourite task!  It gets put off.

This morning as I ironed several sets of sheets, and a table cloth, I recalled the happy times of those who visited, and entrusted them, and those they love to God's safe-keeping.

Not the most 'fun' thing to do on a day off, but one that brought it's own joy... and I do love the smell of freshly ironed linen! 

It was a common, weak, joke when I was at 'vicar school'...

Question: what's the difference between a sermon and a homily?

Answer: About 15 minutes

One thing about using Zoom for services is that we have pared things back quite a bit - the feel of sitting at a screen with mics muted is very different from a Sunday when we are all in the same room, and brevity seems a good thing.

I am aiming for 5 - 7 minute 'reflections' - sermonettes, homilies, whatever they are called.  It's a new skill to learn, and a good one.  It forces me to focus on essentials and to move swiftly between general and specific.

My respect for those who are good are five minute homilies - on radio, in church, wherever - grows apace.  Anyone can waffle for 20 minutes, it takes real skill to say something in 5.

This week I have had virtual conversations with ministers all over the UK (and beyond) as we have tried to negotiate the new territory in which we find ourselves.  Some have eagerly engaged with new technology, some have felt overwhelmed, all have done their best to keep community, to be church.

I have found myself recalling the apocryphal tale of the dispirited minister who dreamed he (it was a he in those days!) was taken on a guided tour of heaven.  Finally they neared a room where he heard the most beautiful 'sung worship' ever.  Tears rolled down his cheeks, and he recalled the croaky voices of his congregation, the bum notes on the organ, his own stumbling prayers.  Quietly, the angel who was showing him round opened the door and led him inside... there they were, his own folk... He awoke reminded that what God hears and sees is not the fraility but the beautiful authenticity.

This week I have shared in stuff that was really slick and stuff that was really clunky.  I have seen ministers bragging how they will be doing X or Y, and ministers weeping because they can't do any of it.  It's uncharted territory (not an Exodus, not an Exile, let the reader understand) and we are doing our best.

When God's Sophia zooms her way over the world this Sunday, and returns home to God, the Trinity will dance for joy, because it is so very, very good.