Our traditionally and very popular Pancake Party and Quiz takes place on Shrove Tuesday in St Andrew’s hall. The Quiz has been prepared and the catering is in hand, so all is now ready.
Points to note:
Pancake mix will be supplied but you should bring whatever you like in the way of fillings either savoury or sweet.
Please sign up on the list in St Andrew’s Hall or let Canon James know of your intention to attend (and how many people will accompany you) so that we can make sure that there’s sufficient accommodation and pancake mix for all.
After the pancakes and the quiz, there will be an opportunity for a number of people o do a Star Turn (recite, sing, play, or whatever else is your forte). If you would like to provide a small part of the entertainment, let Janet or James or Simon know, so that a programme can be worked out.
Our Lent Study Groups this year will meet on Wednesdays:
21stand 28th February and 6th, 13th and 20thMarch.
The groups will meet in person in the afternoons at 1:30pm at James and Anna’s house in Spinningdale.
The study is entitled “Freedom to Live – a journey through Galatians”.
The book of Galatians is written by the apostle Paul to churches in the province of Galatia (what is now central Turkey). Paul had traveled to the region on early missionary journeys, sharing the gospel with the Gentiles. As the churches grew and progressed, Jewish believers in Jesus began to come to the churches and insist that everyone followed to the letter the Law established through Moses for the Jewish community. Paul, hearing of this, became angry with the Jewish Christians, as he believed that this wasn’t the inclusive message of the gospel of Jesus. So Paul writes this letter to the Galatians to ‘restore’ their understanding of the gospel and what it means to be in right relationship with God.
In this study we will see what we as 21st century Christians might learn from all of this. You might guess since I have chosen this topic, that I think that we can learn a lot from it:-)
To whet your appetite, just remember that chapter 3 starts with Paul writing:
“You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?”
Galatians 3:1
Further details from Canon James. All are welcome, whether in our congregations or not. Anyone who would like access to the materials or to a paper copy (whether or not you are able to attend the sessions) please get in touch with James, so that they can be emailed out or printed for you, as appropriate
Today we have our annual ecumenical service of Lessons and Carols in St Andrew’s, Tain at 3pm. Sing favourite carols and hear again the story of God coming into our world as a tiny baby – all are very welcome.
As you arrive you will pass our crib, this year nestling under the scaffolding, making a virtue of necessity and a poignant reminder that wonderful things can emerge from difficult circumstances.
After the service there will be mulled wine and soft drink, mince pies and shortbread and a chance to greet people from all the local churches as they meet together in peace and unity at this time when there is so much conflict and disharmony in our world.
Lord Jesus, who walked the land you made holy and blessed those who made peace; look with compassion on the people of your land today, Jew and Muslim and Christian, Israeli and Palestinian. May peace come for all with justice, may war cease and all live in harmony, and be the children of the one God who you made known, now and always. Amen.
The Very Rev Andrew Nunn
We pray without ceasing for justice, reconciliation, peace, and an end to hatred and war. We also pray for God to change the hearts of all leaders and decision-makers in our countries and around the world, For we are in dire need of hearts that love, show mercy, and are willing to live in unity with others – hearts that respect human dignity and choose life rather than death.
We entrust the countries of our Lord’s earthly home into the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, asking him to have mercy on us all and to give us his peace and blessing. Amen.
Archbishop Hosam Naoum, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem
“Always be rejoicing. Give thanks for everything.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16, 18
How grateful are you? Is it possible to live a life of gratitude in an age of entitlement?
Gratitude helps us to focus on the positive, recognising all the blessings in our lives and can help us get closer to God. The Bible has plenty to say about gratitude, even when people are faced with struggles and suffering.
Gratitude is our rightful response to all that God is and has done for us. The Bible shows us that becoming a grateful person begins with the recognition that the God who owes us nothing has given us everything.
This Advent, our study groups explore the theme of gratitude in the Scriptures, and how gratitude is an attitude that is key to our discipleship and Christian witness and that we need to cultivate. The aim of this three session study is to help us develop thankful hearts, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves.
The Study Groups will meet on Wednesdays 6th, 13th and 20th December
Afternoons from 1:30-3:00pm at James and Anna’s house in Spinningdale
Evenings from 7:00-8:30pm online on Zoom
More details (including Zoom link) from Canon James
ST FINNBARR’S CHURCH, DORNOCH – Tuesday 17th October at 12 noon
The Scottish Episcopal College of Bishops has endorsed a call from the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem for a day of prayer and fasting tomorrow for the situation in the Holy Land.
The College’s statement reads as follows:
The College of Bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church today echoed a call from the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, along with the Anglican Communion, for a global day of prayer and fasting on Tuesday 17 October.
The Primus, the Most Rev Mark Strange backed the call saying: “I know that across the Scottish Episcopal Church in recent days many have prayed for an end to violence, have prayed for healing for the wounded and traumatised, and have prayed for the dead in this conflict. I commend Archbishop Hosam’s request, alongside the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, for a global day of prayer and fasting tomorrow.
“I will be attending my local church to pray. And the College requests that those who feel able to do so also make space in their day to pray so that in the words of our brother in Christ Archbishop Hosam: ‘we can pray together with one heart and spirit.'”
ALL ARE ENCOURAGED TO COME ALONG TO ST FINNBARR’s AT 12 NOON TOMORROW!
Following the success of the 2021 conference, “Gender and Liturgy in Conversation“, the Responding to the Sacred group of Scottish Episcopalians is preparing for its second conference this September, titled Responding to the Sacred: Inclusive Liturgies/Porous Walls – New Conversations.
Organised in collaboration with the Provincial Liturgy Committee, the event aims to explore how creative practices in liturgy can foster inclusivity. By engaging with artists and showcasing examples of creative practices, the conference hopes to initiate discussions about the innovative possibilities of understanding and adopting unfamiliar perspectives in liturgy.
From 4 to 7 September, the conference will release one pre-recorded conversation daily on its YouTube channel at 10:30am. These videos will remain available for continued viewing. The event will culminate in a live plenary session on 9 September at 11am. This session will host as many of the conversation partners as are available and provide a platform for further discussion and questions from the audience.
For more details and to access these conversations, visit the “Responding to the Sacred“
4 September – Including Ecology: taking the doctrine of creation seriously. What liturgical resources are needed in the present climate ‘urgency’? Contributors include The Rev Dr James Currall and Dr Bridget Nichols.
5 September – ‘Staging the Wreckage’: Delving into insights from practical theology, shedding light on historically silenced communities and voices. Featuring Professor Heather Walton and Dr Wren Radford.
6 September – People are Strange: Exploring divergent perspectives and reflections on a liturgical wishlist. With Dr Ruth Dunster and The Rev Canon Paul Watson.
7 September – Porous Portals: Discovering the importance of including art in worship. With discussions from The Rev Canon Graham Ward, The Rev Dr Dan Inman, and Dr Jim Blackstone.
Scottish Episcopal Church - Dornoch, Lairg, Brora, Tain & Tongue 