The Reverend John Murdoch
Minister of Colvend, Southwick and Kirkbean
The Manse
Colvend
DG5 4QN
01556 630 358 : 07578 558978 : jmurdoch@churchofscotland.org.uk
www.colvendchurch.com
Early February 2024 : On the Threshold of Lent
“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” Alice asked.
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.
“I don’t much care where—” said Alice.
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat.
“As long as I get somewhere,” Alice added as an explanation.
Lewis Carroll: Alice in Wonderland
My dear Friends
This year Lent begins on 14th February: St Valentine’s Day as it happens; an unusual day for Ash Wednesday when, as we begin our travels through the six week period of Lent, perhaps changing certain aspects of our life-style, we will be even more mindful of those who mean the world to us and who love us just as we love them. The journeys we take, the friendships we make, the love in our lives: the routes to all: they matter!
Recently on a long walk through Dalbeattie Forest, arriving with Petra our spaniel where tracks crossed, it mattered hugely, I would say to Alice in Wonderland, which track I took to take us home. The long and winding road through Lent leads to Easter Day on Sunday 31st March; in Jerusalem a long time ago that road led to Jesus’ Crucifixion and Burial on what is called Good Friday and, on the Sunday morning in the cool of dawn, His Resurrection. Yes, it was there in Jerusalem, where there is such tension today as throughout the Holy Land, that Jesus encountered not a little hate from many in ‘the crowd’, choosing rather the road of self-denial and a refusal to bow the knee to Roman power; I would suggest it is the route we too should take where we will no doubt encounter indifference and a certain amount of ridicule and opposition, but in the end find truth: the goal matters: Yes, it matters that we know where we are heading. Getting somewhere, as Alice says, is not at all satisfactory and leaves many questions unanswered.
I hope that our Services throughout Lent, beginning with Holy Communion in Colvend Church at 11 am on Ash Wednesday 14th February, together with three mid-week ones in Holy Week, will help you on your individual journey on the road that leads to an encounter with Christ this Easter; a time when we remember One whose self-denial, courage and trust in God, leads us to place our lives in His crucified and risen Hands of love.
I send very best wishes to you and all whom you love for a very Happy Easter!
John
Minister of Colvend, Southwick and Kirkbean
The Manse
Colvend
DG5 4QN
01556 630 358 : 07578 558978 : jmurdoch@churchofscotland.org.uk
www.colvendchurch.com
Early February 2024 : On the Threshold of Lent
“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” Alice asked.
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.
“I don’t much care where—” said Alice.
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat.
“As long as I get somewhere,” Alice added as an explanation.
Lewis Carroll: Alice in Wonderland
My dear Friends
This year Lent begins on 14th February: St Valentine’s Day as it happens; an unusual day for Ash Wednesday when, as we begin our travels through the six week period of Lent, perhaps changing certain aspects of our life-style, we will be even more mindful of those who mean the world to us and who love us just as we love them. The journeys we take, the friendships we make, the love in our lives: the routes to all: they matter!
Recently on a long walk through Dalbeattie Forest, arriving with Petra our spaniel where tracks crossed, it mattered hugely, I would say to Alice in Wonderland, which track I took to take us home. The long and winding road through Lent leads to Easter Day on Sunday 31st March; in Jerusalem a long time ago that road led to Jesus’ Crucifixion and Burial on what is called Good Friday and, on the Sunday morning in the cool of dawn, His Resurrection. Yes, it was there in Jerusalem, where there is such tension today as throughout the Holy Land, that Jesus encountered not a little hate from many in ‘the crowd’, choosing rather the road of self-denial and a refusal to bow the knee to Roman power; I would suggest it is the route we too should take where we will no doubt encounter indifference and a certain amount of ridicule and opposition, but in the end find truth: the goal matters: Yes, it matters that we know where we are heading. Getting somewhere, as Alice says, is not at all satisfactory and leaves many questions unanswered.
I hope that our Services throughout Lent, beginning with Holy Communion in Colvend Church at 11 am on Ash Wednesday 14th February, together with three mid-week ones in Holy Week, will help you on your individual journey on the road that leads to an encounter with Christ this Easter; a time when we remember One whose self-denial, courage and trust in God, leads us to place our lives in His crucified and risen Hands of love.
I send very best wishes to you and all whom you love for a very Happy Easter!
John
Colvend, Southwick and Kirkbean Church is a registered Charity, Scottish Charity Number SCO1353