Good morning! Today we are celebrating the Day of Pentecost, when the personal presence of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, was released on the disciples who still held to Him and were waiting for His promise. Music accompanying today’s Liturgy of the Word includes hymns recorded in lockdown specially for today by choristers of St Michael’s, Highgate, in London and Croydon Minster, and a stirring organ voluntary from Old St Patrick’s Church in New Orleans.
Archives for May 2020
Pentecost: If you dare to believe then you can also dare to receive
Reflection by Rev Sydney Maitland for Sunday 31 May 2020.
Covid-19: Churches to stay closed despite Government easing restrictions
Following the announcement by the First Minister that Phase 1 of the Scottish Government’s route map will take effect on 29 May, the College of Bishops has confirmed that the minor easing of lockdown restrictions permitted under Phase 1 does not result in any change to existing guidance previously issued by the College of Bishops…
Ascension: Apart but not departed
Reflection by Rev Sydney Maitland for Sunday 24 May 2020.
Sunday worship for 24 May 2020, Ascension
The Liturgy of the Word, with the morning’s lessons read by David Suchet, a reflection by Rev Sydney Maitland, and music by choirs and musicians of the Oasis Chorale; Westminster Abbey and St John’s College, Cambridge; Christ Church in Harwichport, Massachussetts; and the Smarano Organ Academy in Trentino, Italy.
How Storehouse is coping with Covid-19
Food bank organisers appeal for financial aid as its activities and contributions are hit hard by Covid-19 measures.
Diocese to set up HQ in empty Merchant City shop
A shop that has lain empty in the city’s Italian Centre for a decade is set to become a church headquarters, Glasgow Live reports. The shop on Cochrane Street in the Merchant City will be refurbished for the United Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway after planning permission for the listed building was granted. New designs…
Sunday worship for 17 May 2020, Easter 6
‘Joyfulness’is the theme of this morning’s worship: in the Lessons (which you can hear read by David Suchet); in Rev Sydney Maitland’s reflection; and in soaring hymns and organ music from Gloucester, Peterborough and Ripon Cathedrals, King’s College, Cambridge, and the Walloon Church, Amsterdam.
Easter 6: Go forth gloriously and joyfully, undaunted and undiminished
Reflection by Rev Sydney Maitland for Sunday 17 May 2020.
Bishops begin planning for reopening churches
The message from the Scottish Government remains ‘stay at home’ and our church buildings remain closed to protect the vulnerable, but thinking is underway to address how the Scottish Episcopal Church will respond to the eventual easing of restrictions on movement. The First Minister announced last week that lockdown measures to prevent the spread of…
Sunday worship for 10 May 2020, Easter 5
The Liturgy of the Word, with music by the choirs and musicians of Marlborough College Chapel, Salisbury Cathedral, Selwyn College, Cambridge, the Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick, and Eton College; the morning’s lessons read by David Suchet; and a reflection by Rev Sydney Maitland.
Easter 5: Let yourselves be built into a spiritual house
Reflection by Rev Sydney Maitland for Sunday 10 May 2020.
‘Digital era is here but don’t forget the Prayer Book’
Rev Dr Michael Hull, Director of the Studies at the Scottish Episcopal Institute, reminds us in the reflection below that the printed page can still “bridge our physical distances in a way different from the internet”. The Covid-19 pandemic challenges Christians like no other crisis in living memory in terms of liturgy, writes Dr Hull….
Sunday worship for 3 May 2020, Easter 4
The Liturgy of the Word, with music by the choirs and musicians of Norwich, Durham, Sheffield and Canterbury Cathedrals and Westminster Abbey; the morning’s lessons read by David Suchet; and a reflection by Rev Sydney Maitland.
Easter 4: Abundant life
Reflection by Rev Sydney Maitland for Sunday 3 May 2020.
Sunday readings and prayer for May 2020
Old Testament, New Testament and Gospel readings for Sundays this month, with links to ‘Poirot’ actor David Suchet reading the Bible passages. We also remember those whose Year’s Mind falls this month, and those who we’re called to hold before God in the Diocesan and Anglican Cycles of Prayer.
Barnabas Fund prayer focus for May 2020
An update from the Barnabas Fund, which offers hope and aid to the persecuted church. News this month from Sudan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Please pray for our brothers and sisters who are persecuted for their faith.
A final word from the Primus
The Most Rev Mark Strange brings the Diocese up to date with current matters in his last letter as Interim Bishop before the installation of Bishop Kevin Pearson.