iTalker

I think I hear someone saying so, “what are you doing in Lima? Well apart from the fact that Lima is rapidly becoming one of the world’s best cities for fine dining. I’m here on my annual visit to enable me to report back to the Board of Vine Trust about the work that we [...]

The Vine Trust Diamond Jubilee Appeal for 2 million pounds was launched last Thursday evening with a Dinner at St James’Palace. It was well received by all who attended. It was a very successful evening. Raymond Blanc the world famous chef was in attendance having overseen the menu for the evening. As Chair of the [...]

Here in this piece of art Manna was responding to the mood of the church and the worship of the moment as she put together this painting. The interesting thing is that she painted it with a feather in her hand. And her eye and her heart tuned in to worship. I’ve entitled this painting “Too Close for Comfort” not sure what the artist will think of my presumption in naming the painting. However it speaks to me of the God who comes closer to us than we can imagine. Sometimes it is an uncomfortable feeling like lips being burned with the coal from the alter, or depending on your next meal to arrive with ravens. Yes God can be found in the ordinary but too often the ordinary is too difficult for us to trust or even understand.

I’m just in from visiting a parishioner I know its the early hours of the morning but it is such a privilege to be able to pray with someone who is nearing the end of their life. I’m reminded of all we have been thinking about today. God is to be encountered in the every [...]

Finding God in the ordinary! This is the theme we will be exploring through Sanctuary First this month. Please pray for the work of Sanctuary First. We’ve lost our funding and had to make a member of staff redundant, however we’re looking for ways in which we can keep the programme running. In order to [...]

I’m conscious that in a few months I’m going to be preparing and focusing my mind on the task ahead of me as Moderator of the General Assembly 2012. As I do so I’m delighted that my good friend Peter Neilson will be taking over the leadership of St Andrew’s Bo’ness for the 15 months [...]