SUNDAY 28th JULY Lammas - Lammas service from Claire Lee with a reading of the Demand a future mandate to the city council as well as a fantastic poem from Nick Morrice” The Legend of Gaia”. A very moving service with a plea to make big changes now and the wonderful hymn choices - Let it be a dance we do (purple 88), Spirit of earth, root, stone and tree (purple 147), Fire of commitment (purple 42). Claire Lee moved gently from despair toward hope.
SUNDAY 30th JUNE Being Connected - Looking at the work of our General Assembly, using the material prepared by the G.A. Worship Panel some years ago, updated with messages from the current GA President, Revd. Celia Cartwright, and the new Chief Officer Liz Slade. 6 members of the congregation participated in the service, and the quilt from the Being Connected pack was on display. There was a retiring collection for the work of the General Assembly.
SUNDAY 23rd JUNEA Bright Lights Intergenerational service focussing on trees. THE TREES SAY TO US at the Bright Lights Intergenerational service the congregation were invited to write messages from the trees to us.
Here are our 25 messages.
Spend time with me each day - it will do you good. Plant more of me!!
Don't burn me till I'm dead
When humans have learnt the wisdom of trees- you will be wise indeed.
Be calm.
Trust me as the treasured gift I am
The Lament of the ash tree. 'People Beware! Your actions brought the fungus to this country which is killing us!
Enjoy our shade and let us breathe.
Listen to the silence and the music.
Be grateful for everything.
Plant native trees in appropriate places. Look after them, prune if necessary. Let them self seed and grow more.
I make long-term plans . . . REALLY LONG-TERM! Please do likewise.
I have cared for YOU. Please, now, care for ME.
You still need us for life and beauty and poetry.
Be strong.
I love the sunny sugary sun. I love my funny fungus friends. I love the rainy, refreshing rain.
I love the messy, muddy mud. I love my lovely living life.
Let me breathe! We are here with you and to help you.
HELP! Chop, chop!!
Come sit with me. Think of me and all my kin, of what we give, what we need. What you need. What you can give. Learn.
Be happy.
Take care of us and we will take care of you.
Let me grow old.
How foolish you have become.
Seek the sun but do not lose touch with the earth.
Dear human friend. I love you walking in my shade and I love the wind blowing