Pilgrimage is much on our minds: the Climate Justice pilgrimages are reaching their destination; Episcopal friends recently walked some of the Fife Pilgrim Way to St Andrews; Saturday’s West Fife Area mini-gathering has pilgrimage as one of its themes. On Tuesday, our friend Liz Crumlish took this picture near St Ninian’s Cave near where her diocese is having a retreat with pilgrimage as a theme, and yesterday she wrote this in her blog:

All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. (Hebrews 11:13-14)

In the pilgrim’s backpack..
are not just the essentials of travel…
Like water
and a snack
spare socks
lip balm
and first aid supplies

In the pilgrim’s backpack..
is also the community from whence they came
those they have left behind
the ones they like to hang out with
and the ones they avoid
those who bring them joy
and those who drink deeply
from the well of another’s compassion
and test their tolerance

They all find a way to cram themselves in
a bit like the cloud of witnesses
who jostle around the altar
every time bread is blessed and broken

The whole community gathers
carried by the pilgrim
bidden or unbidden

And, as prayer is offered
all are gathered up
into God’s embrace
for God, too, is a pilgrim.

Interfaith Scotland have sent us this message:

The future of our planet hangs in the balance. Interfaith Scotland and Interfaith Glasgow, with the Scottish Religious Leaders’ Forum, invite you – at this critical moment – to join people of all religions and none in expressing your love for life on earth and the shared hope that COP26 will commit leaders to the actions necessary to save it!

Join the vigil

Witness religious leaders and faith community members coming together in Glasgow’s main square, united in a common commitment to climate justice, to mark the beginning of COP26 and to launch Scottish Interfaith Week, which shares the COP26 theme: ‘Together for Our Planet’. This unique prayer and meditation vigil will bring together people of all backgrounds in Glasgow and – via a livestream – around the world, in a powerful, symbolic act of unity and solidarity for our planet. To join the vigil in person, don’t forget to book your ticket on Eventbrite.

Sign the Declaration

We have taken the step of using the organisation change.org to offer everyone the opportunity to sign ‘The Glasgow Multi-Faith Declaration for COP26‘. This declaration has been carefully crafted by representatives of the Scottish Religious Leaders’ Forum along with faith representatives from the United Kingdom. It has initially been signed by a widely diverse range of Scottish and UK wide religious communities and signatures are now being sought from faith communities, local interfaith groups and people of faith from across the UK and indeed globally. We hope to garner thousands of signatures to the petition to present at the COP26 Climate Summit and if you feel you are able to sign it, please do include which faith you belong to (if appropriate).

Even though the pandemic is not over (sadly), we at Rosyth are beginning to emerge out of the restrictions that Covid presented us with. Until recently the building has been used sparingly in order to keep everyone as safe as possible. Now, in order to get the building more user-ready, you are invited to lend a hand to do an “All Church Autumn Clean“ on the morning of Saturday 9 October from 9:00am until about 12:30pm. Hopefully many hands will make light work.

As well as cleaning/tidying the rooms, it is important that all kitchen items and facilities in particular are thoroughly cleaned, in the hope that soon we may be able to resume refreshments following services. We will also look at how much equipment/stuff we have and decide what we need to keep and what can be recycled elsewhere.

Even though we will need to keep our masks on, we hope that you will be able to help, and will enjoy the fellowship as you do so. Come as soon as you can (before 11:45am!) and help for as long as you are able. So the Property Committee can plan and allocate the work, please email Eddie at minister@rosythmethodist.org.uk ASAP to let him know when on the day you’ll be available.

You will have heard a lot about the COP26 Conference which is due to open on 31 October. A programme of ecumenical and inter-faith events are taking place in Glasgow over the three days leading up to the Conference opening, hosted by a variety of church and faith groups, and an ecumenical service is being planned in St Mungo’s Cathedral on Sunday 7 November after the close of the Conference.

At least four separate international pilgrimages will be arriving in Glasgow for the Conference. Do take time to look at their websites, follow their progress and pray for their safety and effectiveness in promoting the cause of climate justice:

Get Docht (Katowice, Poland to Glasgow)

Pilgrims Walk for the Future (Vadstena, Sweden to Glasgow)

Camino to COP (London & Bristol to Glasgow)

Relay to COP – YCCN (Cornwall to Glasgow)

In-person worship at Rosyth has been happening since the last lockdown, with St Margaret’s and Rosyth Methodist meeting on alternate Sundays. This has worked well, but it is now felt that we can recommence weekly worship beginning on Sunday 3 October. For October, St Margaret’s will meet as usual at 9:30am, and Rosyth Methodist will meet at 11:15am, to give a little more time for post-worship cleaning in between services.

Even though we are at a level described as ‘Beyond Level 0’ in Scotland, we are encouraged to keep to the Covid protocols of hand sanitizing, wearing of facemasks, trace and protect, and 1 metre social distancing. At this point, refreshments will not be served following worship.

On the 4th Sunday of every month, beginning on Sunday 26 September 2021, we will resume the practice of worshipping together in a joint service with Rosyth Methodist Church at 10:30am. Future joint services for the remainder of 2021 will take place on 24 October. 28 November and 26 December.

[Adapted from Eddie Sykes’ letter at this link which followed a recent meet of our joint Covid committee]