We had some rain but for most of the time everyone enjoyed the opportunity to be out in the fresh air getting to know each other and eating some fantatstic burgers. big thank you to the Discipleship group for organising the event. Douglas and Andrew and Martha all did a wonderful job. i was especially pleased to see such a good cross section of the congregation involved.

So it appears like everyone is looking forward to the next one. When will it take place? Maybe next Sunday if the weather’s good we could have a barbie in the church garden. What do you think Lilias? a great way to elcome our visitors from India. i believe they arrive with us on Saturday.

Talking of which if your around in the Church garden you may see one or two flags flying. In reality they are prayer flags from Sanctuary First. If you want to know more about them you’ll need to check out www.sanctuaryfirst.org.uk Sanctuary First is an exciting online worship experience which we at St Andrew’s Bo’ness are developing in partnership with other congregations around the Scotland. There are literally hundreds of prayers on the site and numerous videos that I’m sure could be used by various groups in different settings.

We’re looking at the present moment for more people to join with us in the partnership and put on the Sanctuary First service in their area. The venue needn’t be a church in fact it would be great if it was some place other than a church. We’re also hoping that eventually we’ll be able to connect with some congregations from around the globe.

Meanwhile we’ll keep pressing on and once again a huge thank to all who worked so hard last night to make Sanctuary First so special.

If you are looking for worship that is creative and biblical, reflective and theological, participatory and challenging, then Sanctuary First may well be for you. During the month of May we are going to reflect upon the result of living in ‘ A Cross Shaped Space” each day. You’ll be able to down load all your daily Bible readings and prayers from the Sanctuary First site. We’d love to have you join with us and engage with this service. Here is a taste of some of the material you will encounter. Have a listen to this meditation A Cross Shaped Space

Now have a read at one of the reflections relating to the barriers we put up preventing us from moving through the cross. I wrote this with the story of the poor widow in mind who ended up giving her all at the temple treasury. it got me thinking about the times when we putup our weakness and poverty as barriers to trust and faith in God.

A POOR WOMAN AT THE CROSS SHAPED SPACE

It’s strange isn’t it?
We all do it.
We make excuses
I mean we use our
Perceived weakness
Like a barrier
to keep people out.
To hide from ourselves.
We use
the things
the feelings
the attitudes
we have inherited
to define us.
Then we say
Sorry I can’t
I’m hopeless
I’m different from you
I’m not educated
I’m poor
I ‘m schizophrenic
I’m homosexual
I’m single
I’m married
I’m just a partner
I’m working
I’m tired
I’m not in charge
I’d love to but ..
I can’t

Its strange isn’t it
Something
Clicks and you
Simply change
You do something
You go out on a limb
You make a promise
You give something away

That’s what I did
I literally gave my poverty away
I opened my purse
I gave all I possessed to God
I can still hear it clinking in the box
Two little pennies
I had no more excuses left
I gave my weakness away
I walked through
A cross spaced shape
Into freedom
I felt strong
For the first time
In my life.