Mary's Musings

Musings From Mary Taylor, Pastoral Assistant, MUC
Recently I heard a poem with the phrase “apprentice in stillness” and it seemed very apt to me to reflect about it during Lent and the next three months.  In Morningside United Church we continue ecumenical ministry being aware of Sarah Moore’s lovely stole gracing our pulpit while she is on sabbatical leave. The very special sabbatical blessing from last Sunday’s communion service, Sunday 23rd February is included in this Link.  We wish Sarah a time of rest, relaxation, reflection, refreshment and re-energising during her three-month sabbatical.
Side by side with times of worship and reflection in MUC we are making very practical preparations for the Christian Aid book sale in May here.  May I invite you to remember 2025 marks 80 years since the founding of Christian Aid.
At a service in Paisley Abbey on 26 January to mark the beginning of the 80th anniversary year, the Synod Moderator, United Reformed Church National Synod of Scotland, Rev. Lindsey Sanderson offered these prayers which I have abbreviated for inclusion in this Link.
Gracious God, today as we begin the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of Christian Aid, we offer our praise and thanksgiving that justice and compassion are at the heart of your being and at the heart of the relationship you desire to have with us and for us to have with our neighbours and the earth itself.  We bring our thanks that justice and compassion have been and continue to be at the heart of Christian Aid’s vision of the world where all are included in the feast of life.  And so, we thank you for the vision and commitment of all those who 80 years ago, recognised their neighbours’ need and were prompted to action.  We thank you for Douglas Lister (Church of Scotland minister) and others who persisted in their care for German refugees.
We thank you for the generosity of early supporters without whom have not come into being and still exist today and for all who have been supporters during the last 80 years raising awareness, raising money, raising prayers in solidarity with the world’s poorest communities.Gracious God, justice and compassion lie at your heart and lie upon our hearts so this day we commend the work of Christian Aid to you. We ask your blessing upon the churches and individuals which support Christian Aid.  In this 80th anniversary year may we commit ourselves to a vision of a world in which the poor hear good news, captives are released, those whose lives are diminished find restoration and the oppressed are set free.  As we give, act and pray may we proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour in which all are included in the feast of life and where justice and compassion flourish.  We pray in the name of Jesus,  Amen