Martin Tarr
The Right Revd Ian Paton, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane, writes:
Dear people of Holy Trinity and St Margaret’s,
Thank you for all the support and prayer you have offered for your Rector, Kenny Rathband’s recovery from the serious health problem which he faced just before Easter. Kenny and Ruth have appreciated hugely the love and support you gave and continue to give.
Kenny has also been receiving excellent care and advice from his doctors, and it is as a result of consulting them that he has decided he must now step back from his roles as Rector and Dean. Kenny himself writes:
“For health reasons, and after much thought and prayer, I have decided I must retire from full time stipendiary ministry. This has not been an easy decision to make and follows on from my recent heart attack. The date of my retirement will depend on the medical advice I receive in the next few weeks, and will be agreed with Bishop Ian and the Vestries.
I have greatly enjoyed working with you in each congregation, and have also greatly enjoyed the privilege of being Dean of the Diocese for a number of years. Whenever we are able to gather for it, I would greatly value being able to say farewell and offer my thanks to you all in person at a service as soon as we can arrange it. I will continue to hold everyone in my prayers.”
This sad news must come as a shock to many of you, even if not a surprise when we understand Kenny’s health situation. I will continue to give Kenny and Ruth all the love and support that I can, and also to give you my help and encouragement as we move towards the next chapter for Holy Trinity and St Margaret’s. I will also be appointing an experienced Interim Pastor who will serve and support you through the next few months.
Please keep Kenny and Ruth, and your Vestries and congregations, in your prayers, as all of you are in mine.
With my warmest regards and prayer,
Bishop Ian
The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. (John 3:8)
Spirit of God
Intriguing
Elusive
Capricious
Eternally present
Before the birth of time
Not an afterthought
Not the latest iteration
But an integral part
of the eternal dance of the Trinity.
Creator
Redeemer
Sustainer
She was there moving over the water
at the birth of time
she was there in the hopes and fears of a people
who longed for a Messiah
She was there in the garden
when the warmth of resurrection
rekindled love
All three woven together
moving in synchronicity
Sometimes to the mellow strains
of a slow waltz
Sometimes to the whirling upbeat
of a ceilidh dance
At times she takes the lead
selecting the beat
changing up the rhythm
And then she sets the stage for another
to be front and centre
For the dance cannot be accomplished
without all three parts participating
in the divine choreography
And new parts are always being written
so that we, too, might participate
even in our clod hoppers
by taking our place on the floor
and simply beginning to move
to that persistent beat
that draws us into the Divine dance
This thought for Trinity Sunday comes from our friend Liz Crumlish: more on her blog.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. (Romans 8:26)
This Pentecost, O God,
We fear the mighty rushing winds
and the tongues of fire that disrupt our careful order
We fear the exuberance of a crowd
getting out of control
and spilling onto the streets
We hold back on celebrations
when not all are able to participate
in our local church world
and in our global world
Send your Spirit once more
to intercede for us
with sighs too deep for words
With sighs that give thanks for life
and sighs that mourn so much death
With sighs that re-story us
as a people of hope
With sighs that re-member us
as a people of faith
And giving thanks for the very breath of life
May we take your life
and your Spirit
into all the world.
Written by Liz Crumlish for Pentecost 2021
