Holy Week pressures

Monday 30th March 2015

A rainbow between the hail, sleet, gales and rain, as I have a pause between the calls, messages, stable duties including quick exercise, visits, planning and, of course daily worship (Mattins, Evening Prayer and Compline)

Palm Sunday

Sunday 29th March 2015

Holy Week begins with a group of Northern Cross pilgrims leaving Bellingham to walk to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne carrying a cross (to arrive in time for Easter).

A different kind of pilgrimage recce

Wednesday 25th March 2015

Scott's view

After a Communion service at Otterburn to celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation, we went off to the Borders to prepare details of the Deanery pilgrimage to Iona.  We paused to enjoy Sir Walter Scott's favourite view before making our way down to Dryburgh Abbey on the River Tweed.

 



Spring in the valley

Saturday 21st March 2015

Spring arrives at Simonburn as Christians from the Deanery gather for a day...

..together, developing confidence in sharing the hope that the Christian faith brings.  We want to help our neighbours recognise that hope, to provide space for them to enjoy the best in their lives.




 

Another walk recce

Monday 16th March 2015

Rather more "atmospheric" weather conditions than the last walk!

 

The thumbstick is pointing along the track that we're following.  It's amazing to discover that familiarity with this terrain makes it easy to see the way  --  and thrilling to realise that St Cuthbert himself could have passed this way.

 

 

 

...and it does lead us back to home ground.

A walk recce

Tuesday 10th March 2015

We tested one of the routes for the pilgrims coming at Easter

Co-operation?

Wednesday 4th March 2015

In Pundershaw Forest
but my companions wouldn't co-operate.
As I tried for a particular composition, the dog refused to pose by the burn and the horse turned in the wrong direction for the light:

On returning home, one of us was satisfied:

and things improved for me as two of us (humans) got together to plan a special service for Mothering Sunday. 

"In like a lion..."

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

This morning's snow melting in the sun. 

 If March has "come in like a lion", then let's hope that it does "go out like a lamb" just in time for a spring-like Easter.
     Apart from one visit this afternoon, I spent all day fielding phone calls about requests for weddings and a funeral (in the parishes without a current Rector) and planning details of the post-Easter pilgrimage which is coming to us.

St David's Day

Sunday 1st March 2015

            The clump of daffodils that usually manages to flower for St David's Day couldn't quite manage it this year.

             We thought about St David at Evensong, but in the morning concentrated on the theme for the second Sunday of Lent.

       It was probably a good thing that no strangers stepped into church in the middle of our playing "Follow my leader" during the sermon slot.  This was supposed to help the congregation of the Family Communion service appreciate Jesus's saying "Take up your cross and follow me..."