Rector’s Letter – 11th September 2020

Dear friends,

Somehow whilst I was away for just a few days in Aberystwyth, summer turned to autumn in Dunblane. Here is a prayer-poem given to me by a friend today which I think sums up the season and contains a lot of wisdom for us as individuals and as a church in this time of uncertainty and change. I would encourage you to spend time with it over the next few weeks. There will be printed copies in the porch of the church for you to take away and share with others if you wish.

Prayer for Autumn Days
God of the seasons,
there is a time for everything:
there is a time for dying and a time for rising.
We need courage to enter into
the transformation process.

God of autumn,
the trees are saying goodbye to their green,
letting go of what has been.
We, too, have our moments of surrender,
with all their insecurity and risk.
Help us to let go when we need to do so.

God of fallen leaves
lying in coloured patterns on the ground,
our lives have their own patterns.
As we see the patterns of our own growth,
may we learn from them.

God of misty days and harvest moon nights,
there is always the dimension of mystery
and wonder in our lives.
We always need to recognize your power-filled presence.
may we gain strength from this.

God of harvest wagons and fields of ripened grain,
many gifts of growth lie within the season of our surrender.
We must wait for harvest in faith and hope.
grant us patience when we do not see the blessings.

God of geese going south
for another season, your wisdom enables us
to know what needs to be left behind
and what needs to be carried into the future.
We yearn for insight and vision.

God of flowers
touched with frost and windows wearing white designs,
may your love keep our hearts
from growing cold in the empty seasons.

God of life,
you believe in us, you enrich us,
you entrust us with the freedom to choose life.
Joyce Rupp

Despite the difficulties presented by coronavirus restrictions, Blythswood Care is going ahead with its annual Shoe Box Appeal. We have been asked by Kate Clement to pray for the team who are organising this appeal and for those who will be taking the boxes to Eastern Europe. They feel that this year more than ever, children and adults living with poverty, illness, disability and other disadvantages need something to light up their days. We can make a difference to lives that are otherwise almost hopeless by simply collecting together some small gifts and/or giving a financial donation. Covid-safe pre-wrapped boxes and instruction leaflets are available in the porch of the church. These need to be returned to the Rectory by Sunday 27th September. For more information, please visit www.blythswood.org or speak with June.

with love to you all,
Nerys