Following A Nobody From Nowhere

During the season of Lent, each Sunday evening you are invited to join with us to explore the journey that Jesus invites us on. It is a search for purpose and meaning in the events and choices of our lives. It is a costly journey with an unknown destination that starts with a Middle Eastern homeless man from twenty centuries ago who still has the ability to stir our souls and imaginations.

Each of us gets to choose
the paths we will travel.
They will of course contain
unforeseen surprises
of both the welcome and unwelcome
sort.
Where shall we go
you and I?
Shall we go along together?
How shall we get there?
And how will we know
when “there” is now “here”?
“Come, follow me,”
a voice interrupts.
Who is this?
A wandering homeless man.
Why should we give up all of this
to follow this nobody from nowhere?
It is a ridiculous journey.
Which, of course, is the only kind there is.
So, let us begin …

Together with our friends at South Holburn we are running a short six session evening series that is based around the theme of being "Grateful". It is based around the book of the same title by Diana Butler Bass. You do not need to have read the book to participate in these discussions, but you may find it an additional aid: it is a great book.

Each session has a video in which Diana Butler Bass will introduce an aspect of why gratitude is missing as a modern spiritual practice, offer practical suggestions for reclaiming it, and illuminate how the shared practice of gratitude can lead to greater connection with God, our world, and our own souls.

We will be meeting online using Zoom and welcome you to join us on this shared journey of exploration as we listen to and learn from each other in the company of God. 

Sunday 27 September to 1 November 2020.
7 p.m.
Zoom direct link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85939788247?pwd=VDRLSXVJV0FmdWlTamtyclpnajhldz09 
Meeting ID: 859 3978 8247 
Passcode: 804328

FOR THE FRESHNESS OF THIS NEW DAY
FOR THE FRESHNESS OF THIS NEW DAY
THANKS BE TO YOU, O GOD.
FOR MORNING’S GIFT OF CLARITY
ITS LIGHT LIKE THE FIRST DAY’S DAWN
THANKS BE TO YOU.
IN THIS NEWBORN LIGHT
LET US SEE AFRESH.
IN THIS GATEWAY ONTO WHAT HAS NEVER BEEN BEFORE
LET OUR SOUL BREATHE HOPE
FOR THE EARTH
FOR THE CREATURES
FOR THE HUMAN FAMILY.
LET OUR SOUL BREATHE HOPE.

(John Phillip Newell)

If you are interested in getting a copy of the book "Grateful", it is available online at
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0062659480/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_4VjyFbYQWPBJ0 
https://www.eden.co.uk/shop/grateful-the-transformative-power-of-giving-thanks-4684011.html

You would also be able to order it from a local bookseller.

...try praying.

“To pray is to let go and let God take over”
(Phillippians 4:6-7)

It should be as natural as breathing, however people find the concept of praying difficult to comprehend, when there appears to be nobody listening.

When you make a phone call you can’t see who you are speaking with. It’s only when they speak that you realise there is someone there.

When talking with God, it is a spiritual connection that you are making, one deeper than mere words, it is the conscious desire to connect to the will of God, to align yourself with God's desires and hopes for you.

When you see, hear and feel your prayers being answered as you start to sense your life being renewed, you know someone is there for you, someone who has been listening all along.  

God is always listening. 

Make time to make that call.

The question is rather like "What is grief?" or "What is conversation?" or "What is joy?" A simple question but with an answer that could fill and has filled whole books. Yet, it is also one of those questions that is simply unanswerable without experience. And to experience grief, conversation or joy is to know what it is. So it goes with prayer, it can be hard to define neatly what it is - and to be truthful it will take different forms at different times and in different settings and through different traditions - yet when you have an experience of prayer and know that something about you has changed as a result, you then know what it is about.

What is prayer? Try it to find out for yourself.

Pastor Rob Bell, speaking at one of Oprah Winfrey's Super Soul Sessions, challenges us to think about the past, present and future of our lives. Well worth a watch. The whole talk is available here.

A snippet on prayer from the full presentation:

Physical and Mental Wellbeing... but what about Spiritual Health?

Whatever age or stage we are at in life, we are continually reminded to care for our physical and mental wellbeing. It seems the importance of looking after our spiritual health is often overlooked.

Within the Community of Faith at Ferryhill Parish Church, we are all Christians, followers of Jesus supporting each other in our individual spiritual growth.

At Ferryhill Parish Church we know the benefits of being connected to God, through our fellowship. Connecting with us could be a step along your spiritual journey through life.

Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. (Psalm 119:165) 

Make your way to the Kirk for all at the top of the hill and join the journey.