Church of Scotland and sexuality

Two articles in today’s Times – (also available in Times online here and here) – summarise the position the Church of Scotland finds itself in. It is complicated enough for members of the CofS to understand the complexities of the matter concerning the appointment of Rev Scott Rennie, an openly Gay Minister in a relationship, so it is warming to find journalism that reflects the sincere ongoing struggle for equality and justice in a modern Scotland.

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The things that make a diary

This week, thanks to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland I have learned about twitter. Or rather, I have started to learn what all the fuss is about. It is supposed to be a short pithy message about what the sender is thinking or doing at a particular moment;  that makes it an ideal way to convey the business of the Church Assembly. It set me to thinking about what blogging is about. Is it supposed to be a rant, a rave, an entertaining story, a moral tale? Or like mine is most of the time, inconsequential snapshots of a retiree’s life?

I love to read diaries and journals – they are a special favourite at bedtime. What makes them compelling for me is the mixture of the mundane and the profound. They tell of hopes and dreams, fears and failures and the flowers blooming in the garden. So what has my day been about?

*  Getting exhausted watching debates from the General Assembly on the webcast

*  Being sometimes irritated and sometimes inspired by the same debates. (Why do we get so het up over sex and sexuality? On second thoughts don’t answer that.)

*  Taking Misty for a walk in a Highland Glen, enjoying the birdsong and the tumbling streams

*  Wondering why my church feels it necessary to encourage secrecy and hypocrisy in matters of human sexuality.

*  Enjoying the smell and flavour of a good cup of Lady Grey tea.

*  Relaxing by watching vintage episodes of Taggart, especially when clergy were trusted and respected.

*  Giving up and going to bed…….    And so another day goes past.

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A yearly miracle

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Bank Holiday Monday

The concept of a holiday when one is retired still gives the greatest pleasure. An excuse (as if one is needed) to do very little.

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Ospreys

This live webcam of the Ospreys at Dunkeld makes relaxing viewing. Much needed as an antidote to too much watching the webcam from the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. However, I have to admit that the technology of the CofS is first rate.

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Blossom

Standing under  tree in blossom is soothing for the soul.

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Abuse

The abuse in Roman Catholic young people’s education etc is a terrible indictment. But what I fail to understand is why no criminal proceedings are being commenced against individuals. Is it really all too long ago? Or did that church successfully manage to wriggle out of the complaints by refusing to co-operate if names were to be named? If so, that seems that plea-bargaining took place without the victims’ consent or knowledge. Talk about abuse of human rights.

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Unprovoked attack

For the life of me I cannot turn this into a funny tale. Misty’s regular walk is down to the river and through the Glebe field. On the way, we have to pass a house at the end of our track. The occupants have a retired greyhound; he makes a lot of noise but has kept to himself, I have to confess that I keep a wary eye nonetheless. From time to time there are visiting dogs, one of which has rather aggressively gone towards Misty in the past. Today, it jumped over the fence, ran at Misty and jumped on top of her – not for fun but with much barking and aggression. She was too stunned and taken by surprise to react. Fortunately, Him Behind the Wheel was there too, and between us we managed to chase off the other dog and I lifted Misty free.

There was no harm done apart to my nerves. I did find the owner and speak to him, and hopefully it won’t happen again. But it is a bit salutory to have to take a dog-guard on the walk every day.

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Falkland Palace

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Visited Falkland Palace a few days ago.
It is the building with the turrets in case you were wondering.
Actually the website gives a better view.

One of the treats of the post-post-birthday month.
(Though I am thinking of changing it to a 65th birthday year!)
After all, my GP has told me to live outrageously.

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A really good read

Have recently finished Ken Follett’s World Without End. I don’t often give a book ten out of ten, but this one certainly merits it. Eleven hundred page-turning pages. Set in 14th Century England; a saga about power and corruption battling against integrity and common-sense. There is a great deal of background information about people’s lives, hopes and fears during that period of history. A painless way to absorb historical information by osmosis, as it were. Its only fault for me was that at times the tension became unbearable. But that was because I cared so much about the characters involved. A book with a good story, sound characterisation and erudite language is rare. However, I am almost scared at looking for other books by the same author. I need to recover first.

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