August 2022

A reflection for Sunday 28th August 2022 by Canon Dean Fostekew

“Do not sit down in the place of honour.”

About 25 years ago my Godfather, who is also a priest, got married. Neither he nor his bride were in the first flush of youth. In fact the bishop presiding at his marriage described John and Ann as ‘ripe fruits’ echoing the Prayer Book’s phrase ‘those of riper years’. Ann was a clergy widow with three children and John was single.

When William and I arrived at the church we sat near the back leaving the forward pews for family and other friends. John, however, was having none of it and he led us up...

A reflection our Sunday 21st August 2022 by Canon Dean Fostekew

Today, we hear the term 24/7 quite a bit, a few years ago you would have looked at me blankly if I had used it in the pulpit. 24/7 simply means 24 hours a day 7 days a week and it is often used to describe the 21st century culture we now live in. No longer can the week be divided into the five day working week and the two day weekend off. Life today tends to be more of a continuum of work, leisure and sleep. For many there is not a specific weekend or day off and...

A reflection for Sunday 14th August 2022 by the Rev'd David Warnes

Yesterday, the Edinburgh International Book Festival began. I feel sure that many of you will have happy memories of sitting in a very warm marquee in the middle of Charlotte Square and listening to distinguished speakers. Festivals of this and of all kinds should be peaceful and reflective events, open to a variety of perspectives. The vicious and life-threatening assault on Salman Rushdie at the Chautauqua Institute on Friday has been rightly and unequivocally condemned by many people.

It seems likely, given what is known about the alleged attacker, that he was motivated by an extreme and distorted version of...

A reflection for Sunday 7th August 2022 by the Rev'd Russell Duncan

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1)

When did  you last put your faith in some one or something?  It may have been getting on an aeroplane trusting that we would land safely. It may have been going to see a hospital consultant and awaiting a longed for diagnosis. It may have been visiting a friend hoping for a particular outcome or response.  Think for a moment. How did we feel? How did we react?  Perhaps slightly uncertain, anxious, troubled and even vulnerable.

Our readings today are all about putting our...