Face coverings remain an important part of stopping the spread of coronavirus. Although regulatory requirements to wear face coverings in places of worship will be removed from 4 April, the Scottish Government’s guidance still strongly encourages the use of protective measures to reduce risk, including wearing of face coverings where appropriate to help keep each other safe. Importantly, the Scottish Government strongly recommends that for all other activities within a place of worship that fall outwith an act of worship, face coverings and protective measures are maintained unless an exemption applies.

That explains why you’ll see this poster when you come into our building …

If you thought “That image looks familiar”, it’s because we used the crown of thorns when our augmented choir last performed Stainer’s sacred oratorio The Crucifixion in 2012. And you saw it once more in 2020 when we launched our plan to perform the work again on Palm Sunday … a plan that came to nothing because the pandemic arrived half-way through rehearsals!

2021 didn’t happen for the same reason, but we’re delighted that we’re able to offer The Crucifixion at 6.00pm on Palm Sunday as an introduction to Holy Week. It’s not quite the same as last time – the choir will be more distanced than usual, the congregation will be masked, and we won’t be able to offer refreshments afterwards. However, the music will tell the same story, and our choir has been augmented by a number of keen singers from local churches and choirs. We’ll be accompanied on the organ by Willie Campbell from Dunfermline Abbey, and directed by Walter Thomson, the Choir Leader from Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church.

Do come, and be prepared to join in the hymns …

We are warmly invited to the Lenten Study taking place at Holy Trinity on Wednesday evenings from 7.00pm to 8.30pm in the church hall. The topic is “Steps in the Liturgy: Our Sunday worship from start to finish”.

2 March — Gathering: Brought together in Praise and Thanksgiving

9 March — Reading the Scriptures: Attending to the Purposes of God

16 March — Prayers: Aligning ourselves with God’s work in the world

23 March — Peace and Offertory: Facing One Another, Facing God

30 March — The Sacrament: Giving ourselves to receive Christ’s gift

6 April — Mission: At Christ’s Disposal