August is the month for dusting off the jam pan. So far the apples have started landing regularly on the lawn. Rather than waste these early fruits they have been transformed into ‘Spiced Apple Jelly’ with just a hint of the old favourite – Chilli! Without a greenhouse at the moment the chillies are slow and few, but the next project, since there are apples a plenty on the tree, is an apple press, it seems the best way to construct one is with a bottle jack and some stout timber, both of which are lying around in the shed! Whether cider is attempted or not rather depends on the juice – it might get drunk too quickly!
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Valentines

We shared a truly odd service last night.
It was Valentines day. St. Valentine the (probably) most well known saint, yet to celebrate it in the context of the Eucharist was strange.
I’m not sure why though, there were no pagan overtones, nothing to suggest a ritual sacrifice on the altar, but still, the images that were projected of hearts, roses and embracing couples was discordant with the nature of Eucharist.

It is probably just me, I have been reading and studying about Eucharistic celebrations both for college and a week on Iona I am involved with, so to focus on this in that context I guess was a bit strange.

It is a shared experience of the outpouring of Grace, for me at least, echoed in the blessing and sharing of the sacrament. I am still puzzled and have yet to link this agape, the love of God, with what is more traditionally associated with Eros, the love of desire. I am reminded of a sermon I gave two years ago to students on Iona.
You should have been able to read it here, maybe I will post it tomorrow!!

Tags: God, grace, love, valentines

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Nostalgia

“See you back at the ranch” Such an innocuous comment after a game of squash you would think, not one to inspire a weekend of thought and nostalgia, but that it did. It so happens that my previous squash partner of 10 (yes that’s TEN) years standing or so used to say that at the end of almost every game. It also didn’t help that it was a particularly sunny afternoon and the best times were spent sat on a bench outside the office with tea and a rollie watching the world go by and chatting with all who came by. To the casual observer no work was being done, it might even have been suggested that we were ‘lazing’ but in reality it was on that bench that the world was put to rights, programes came to life, films discussed new projects organised and life generally was good.

August

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People and Places

Valentines

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