Sunday morning setting up for church... there may be no chairs to rearrange, no projector to switch on, but there is always something to do.  I am very fortunate to have the oversight of the manse moggies to ensure all is well... I'll let you into a secret, I have my own private Zoom meeting as I set up, so I can move stuff around to achieve the desired effect before I am joined by anyone else!  

It's a strange old week, suddenly I am appearing all over the web!

An interview for the Baptist Times here and some samples from the awesome collection that is 'Crumbs' here.  And a webinar - thankfully with friends - to come next week (it's an empty shell at the moment)  here.

Who knew!

One of favourite Communion Hymns is Shirley Erena Murray's For Everyone Born' with an extra verse the author of which is unknown.  So today, I wrote another new verse...

In Covid-19, a place at the table

Together-apart, a time to break bread

On-line, on the phone [or, ‘alone’], the mystery of sharing,

In Covid-19 the memory lived…

So here's the full thing with evxtra added verses, and some strange BlogSpirit format glitshes!...

For everyone born, a place at the table,
for everyone born, clean water and bread,
a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing,
for everyone born, a star overhead,

And God will delight
when we are creators of justice and joy,
yes, God will delight
when we are creators of justice, justice and joy!

For woman and man, a place at the table,
revising the roles, deciding the share,
with wisdom and grace, dividing the power,
for woman and man, a system that's fair,

For young and for old, a place at the table,
a voice to be heard, a part in the song,
the hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled,
for young and for old, the right to belong,

For gay and for straight, a place at the table.

A covenant shared, a welcoming space.

A rainbow of race and gender and colour.

For gay and for straight, the chalice of grace.

For just and unjust, a place at the table,
abuser, abused, with need to forgive,
in anger, in hurt, a mindset of mercy,
for just and unjust, a new way to live,

 In Covid-19, a place at the table

Together-apart, a time to break bread

On-line, on the phone [or, ‘alone’], the mystery of sharing,

In Covid-19 the memory lived…

For everyone born, a place at the table,
to live without fear, and simply to be,
to work, to speak out, to witness and worship,
for everyone born, the right to be free,

Shirley Erena Murray Words © 1998 Hope Publishing Company; verse 4 author unknown, verse 6 Catriona Gorton

Facebook has an algorithm that shows you what you posted on 'this day' in past years'.  On the whole, I enjoy this reminder of what I have been up to in the seven or so years I've been a 'member'.  I always try to keep my posts positive, and try not to get sucked into the current 'I want to remember this time next year the price of petrol, the things in short supply and what Boris/Nicola/Donald said' memes that are strangely popular.

I've found myself calling to mind over and again the words 'That Paul Bloke' wrote to the Jesus followers in Philippi, which The Message paraphrase renders thus:

"Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse."

Wise counsel, if not always easy, but worth aspiring to each new day.