Dear all,

 

The rapidly changing situation in the country has forced us to respond promptly with very practical measures, including the need to close our churches for all services of worship with immediate effect. In all of this concern and confusion though we also have our faith to lean on.

The psalmist writes: "The Lord protects me and defends me; I trust in him. He gives me help and makes me glad; I praise him with joyful songs." (Ps 28:7) Being unable to gather for the comfort and strength found in our services of worship, especially at this time, will be difficult to bear. Often, in troubled times, our churches become a sanctuary; a place of safety and comfort. Not being allowed to gather in them may strip away those last vestiges of our security, yet it is not in our buildings that we place our trust, but in God. He is faithful and reaches out to comfort us in our concerns and fears.

We may not be able to gather as a congregation, but we can still turn to God and praise him. We can still settle ourselves before him and pray. We can still seek out his wisdom and comfort. Throughout this trying time the ministry team will continue to produce resources to help us praise God. Short services of worship and encouraging reflections will be available soon on our (new) West Angus Area Ministry YouTube channel:

 

Thoughts and reflections will be offered through our Facebook pages and by email. Stephen Blakey is producing a daily devotional email. If you'd like a copy of that, please contact him - if you're not online, and are unable to access these resources, you'll find printed reflections in the magazine. The last edition had reflections to see us through Lent. The next issue will take us from Easter until the end of April. We'll continue these as long as is necessary.

Pastoral care will continue, but at a distance. We will try to keep in touch by phone and messaging, but we encourage everyone to keep in touch with others through phone calls. Perhaps arrange a time to call a friend or neighbour, pour a cuppie, and have a blether over tea and a biscuit.

The church office will remain open so long as Julia is able to be there, but we would encourage you not to visit unless it is absolutely necessary. The office is a vital part of our work to co-ordinate activities and to produce resources.

Please do take care of yourselves, and one another, at this time. Please continue to pray for our community and the wider world.

With every blessing,
John

 

When I was talking to someone from the church the other day she was saying how she had been inspired by her enforced ‘lockdown’ to do some painting of the nature around her. I said how nice it would be to be able to see her art work when we are able to meet again.

 

That made me think of all the other people in church and our community who are in lockdown and may be using their talents to pass the time during this extraordinary situation, to make things, paint, draw, write, take photographs, etc., and I thought it would be wonderful to have an exhibition of all the things we did during this time once the situation is over and we can all gather together, a bit like the essay ‘What I did during the summer holidays’ that the children do when they return to school after the summer holidays!

 

I challenge you to think about what you could do during this enforced lockdown. If you are gardening, could you do a photo diary of how your garden progresses over the next few months? If you can write poetry or inspiring prayers – could you save them for us to read? Perhaps you paint or draw, or enjoy colouring in these beautiful patterns we have available nowadays. (I have some on pdf - should anyone wish me to forward them to you by post or email please let me know). Maybe you knit, crochet, do patchwork or embroidery? Maybe you make beautiful cards, or items with paper and card or glass?

 

Obviously at this stage we cannot say when we would have an exhibition in Tannadice church, but this will be arranged and intimated once this coronavirus situation has passed and life gets back to normal – it would give us an opportunity also to catch up with friends and neighbours over a cup of tea/coffee and a cake whilst embracing and admiring the talents of our friends and the community around us.

 

I hope that we all stay safe and healthy during this time and look forward to seeing everyone again once this crisis has passed. Please remember that you can contact myself, the minister or any of the Elders in the meantime for a chat or if you have any concerns.

 

God bless and take care.

 

Elizabeth Bridson
Session Clerk, Oathlaw Tannadice Church.