March 2021

Palm Sunday 28th March 2021

PALM SUNDAY 2021

On Palm Sunday we usually do not preach a sermon but allow the Palm and Passion Gospels to preach for us. This year things are a bit different but none-the-less the words of the Gospel still speak clearly to us.

In the Palm Gospel, we hear of the joy of the crowd as Jesus entered Jerusalem. They saw him riding on a donkey and believe him to be the King who would save them from Roman oppression. In Jewish pageantry the King always rode at the back of any procession in the place of honour, not on...

Earth Hour 2021

Earth Hour Saturday 27th March 8.30-9.30pm

2021 presents an unmissable opportunity. In 2021, world leaders will come together during key global conferences and forums (most importantly in Glasgow in November at the COP26) to set the environmental agenda for the next decade and beyond. Crucial political decisions will be made on climate action, nature, and sustainable development –- decisions that will directly affect the fate of humanity and our planet for years to come.

This Saturday evening switch off your lights, light a candle, say the prayer below and with millions around the world give the Earth a chance to breathe; as...

Thoughts for Passion Sunday Lent V 21st March 2021 by the Rev'd Canon Dean Fostekew

Lent V 2021 Passion Sunday Year B

“Among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks ...” John 12:20

Today’s Gospel, contains something that is worth focusing on - that is the call to evangelism. The Disciples are asked by the Greeks to show them Jesus and they ask Philip for an introduction.The Greeks have been intrigued by what they had heard of Jesus and were also hungry for his good news. These Greeks had obviously heard of Jesus and his radical preaching and felt that it had something to say to them. They also acknowledged...

A refection for Lent IV Mothering Sunday 14th March 2021 by the Rev'd Russell Duncan

I wonder whether, like me, you ever get confused between “Mother’s Day” and “Mothering Sunday”? I often have to remind myself as to the difference between them and their respective significances. As you may recall “Mother’s Day” is a celebration honouring the mother, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society.

On the other hand “Mothering Sunday” is a day honouring mothers and mother churches celebrated annually during Lent. On Mothering Sunday, ChrisCans have historically visited their mother church – the church in which they received the sacrament of baptism. It coincides with “Laetare Sunday”, (otherwise called...

Reflection for Lent III 7th March 2021 by the Rev'd Canon Dean Fostekew

Lent III 2021 Year B

Exodus 20:1-17 1Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22

“Church of the Good Shepherd, Murrayfield Avenue, Murrayfield. Incumbency. Church seated for 225. Patrons, The Vestry with the Bishop as adviser. Parsonage house rated at £175. Endowments producing £100 per annum. Architect – Sir Robert Lorimer. Church dedicated 1899; consecrated 1905....Members 420; communicants 306; Sunday school 36. Useage Scottish Office 1929. Lights. Vestments. Reservation, Hymnal for Scotland...Magazine local.”

So states the description of this church in the SEC Year Book (Red Book) of 1975/6, although this description does not explicitly say so, like other Episcopal churches the seats were...