What’s the Story in Dalamory

I met two members of my congregation yesterday. Each time when I started to speak, they told me not to. Nobody actually said “Shut up” but it is clear I am not sounding at my best. It made me think about the privilege that ministers have in being able to hold forth in the pulpit o­n a Sunday morning. It is so unlike other forms of communication, and whenever I have tried a more interactive approach most people feel uncomfortable at joining in. There is an obvious discomfiture if I come out of the box and pick up the walkabout microphone. It is as if they are thinking Oh no – she's at it again! 

It is not like that in politics or TV. You o­nly have to watch Question Time or the comments thrown at MPs to realise that. I guess that church congregations are either well behaved, or, they hold to the idea that a so-called professional knows more than they do.

Kilchattan Church o­n Luing sent me a beautiful bunch of roses to let me know they are thinking of me and remembering me in their prayers. I am told they are Fair Trade Roses. I'm not quite sure what this means, but they look and smell gorgeous.

Thank you.

It is strange still to be off work with voice problems. However, for a minister, it is essential to be able to speak out in public. I am therefore signed off for a further 4 weeks, pending a visit to an ENT clinic. My doctor did not quite tell me to “take the cure” – but it does feel a bit like that – being off work and having the chance to look round at this beautiful part of Argyll. The colours are particularly beautiful in the late spring; it is something to do with the lush fecundity of vegetation used to torrential spring rains I guess.

So between enjoying nature and viewing the world and church o­nline, things are not so bad. Thankfully there are willing and able volunteers to shoulder my duties in the parish. God is good.

Watching the garden birds has convinced me that sparrows are the bully birds of their world. The nicest birds are the baby siskins – they cling o­nto the feeders for dear life ignoring the screeching and gesticulating of the others.

Can a bird gesticulate you ask. Believe me they can.
Ministers can o­nly do it in private.

TV coverage of the General Assembly has been patchy in recent years, so I was interested to see the programme o­n BBC2 last night fronted by Sheena Macdonald. It set out to introduce viewers to the idea of polarity in theology. Thus, interviews with two ministers from different backgrounds were used to illustrate something of the divide between evangelicals and liberals in the church. It did not so much enlighten as fudge the issues yet further. However, it succeeded in showing that we are all the o­ne church. Apparently, the idea is to use this theme as a means of understanding some of the debate o­n the floor of the Assembly. Interesting that it is almost to politicise the mission of the church. And I suppose it is not surprising really, since debates in the Assembly Halls over the last months have been those of the Scottish Parliament with their obvious (or not so obvious) party political roots. There are some who would have us think that there is a distinct party at either end of the religious spectrum – not so, we all have our foibles, and the truth is that there is a tendency to veer towards o­ne view or another according to personal experience or prejudice.  All we can really do is to seek to be true to the God who thankfully, has everlasting patience with us.

Great excitement. The new dinghy has arrived. A solid-floored rib. Technically speaking, it is the 10hp outboard that makes it a fast rib. Pity the main boat is not yet in the water.

Never mind, the new toy is keeping the Captain happy.

Today sees the start of the Church of Scotland's General Asssembly – always an impressive sight. Proceedings can be followed and even viewed o­nline via http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/webcast/webcastlive.htm (Just click o­n the Go Live link.)

It is an historic Assembly because of the election of the first female Moderator.  And who knows, it might be notable in the sense expressed by Harry Reid in his article in today's Scotsman. See http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=337&id=552672004

My car is the subject of a recall notice. Apparently, the engine could suddenly stall and not start again – nasty if o­ne is in the middle of heavy traffic I guess. Or about to go o­n or off a ferry. Imagine the comments from irate ferrymen. (Incidentally, why are CalMac ferry operatives o­n the car deck invariably male?) Hopefully, all will be well later in the day. The ferries and their crews can heave a sigh of relief.

This month sees a brace of family birthdays. Reminds me that I have not spoken much lately about the Sixty Things to do in my Sixtieth Year. Actually, it has hit me with full force that this is in fact my Sixty-first year.

Ah well – I'll need to see what I can dream up.

I have been reading a lot this week – all sorts of things, from theology to self-help books and novels to magazines. I was therefore intrigued to discover that both a leading Women's magazine and Tony Buzan agree with Jean Paul Satre about making decisions. The theory goes that it is better to make a decision, any decision, rather than to continue wasting energy o­n prevaricating.

Neither publication acknowledged the original work of Satre.