Duffus, Spynie and

Parish Magazine

Spring 2020

Scottish Charity Number: SCO04853 ______

All Sunday worship services and social gatherings are

cancelled until further notice.

The Lord is my shepherd…

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me… Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the

house of the Lord for ever. (Psalm 23) We are not going through these uncertain times alone. God is with us, and we can support one another in our church family and

communities. Please stay connected to others, while following all health advice. Please offer help to others if you can. Please please ask for help from others if you need it.

For a chat, a listening ear, general support, you can contact: Rev Jenny Adams: 01343 830276 07858 137192

[email protected] Shona Rowand 01343 850693 07908 583320

[email protected] or contact:

1 Contacts

Minister Rev Jenny Adams 830276 Session Clark Mrs Shona Rowand 850693

Clerk to the Board Mrs Linda Paiton 541656 Roll Keeper Mrs Christine Smith 07599040478

Treasurer Mrs Lesley McPherson 830172

Sub Treasurers: Duffus Mrs Sheila Duncan 830238 Spynie Ms Aileen Buchanan 860329 Hopeman Mrs Margaret Munro 830422 Property Convenors: Duffus Mr Ron Duncan 830238 Spynie Mr Michael Rowand 850693 Hopeman Mr John Chesney 830852 Manse Mr John Chesney 830852 Organists: Duffus Mr Chris Thompson 830195 Spynie Mr Kenneth Bews 850663 Hopeman Mr Euan Adams Contact Persons Men’s Group Mr Ron Duncan 830238 Safeguarding Mrs Christine Smith 07599040478 Social Committee Mrs Shona Rowand 850693 Sunday School Mr David Adams 830276 Guild Mrs Kathleen Young 830491 Webmaster Mr John Clark 830251 Magazine Ms Katherine Zhao 07706420306 Christian Aid Mrs Heather Mitchell 830713

Emails Minister [email protected] Session Clerk [email protected] Clerk to the Board [email protected]. Magazine Editor [email protected]

Church website: www.duffusparish.co.uk

2

Greetings from the Minister

Dear friends,

We are living in unprecedented times. That is a phrase we have heard repeatedly in recent days, and will continue to hear, as a society we seek the best ways to protect our most vulnerable people from Covid-19.

These are also very unsettling times. The Church of Scotland has asked us all to stop worship gatherings and other church gatherings – with advice that changes very fast – so I’m wary of saying any more in print as it may soon be out of date. For the first time in our lifetimes we can’t just go to church as we’re used to on a Sunday morning to gather with the church family for prayer & worship, laughter & tears. What shape should Church take just now?

These are also still the days of Lent. Days that remember not only Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, but the 40 wilderness years of the Israelite people in the Exodus story. The idea of wilderness seems very apt at the moment, not quite clear where we are going or what will happen next. Yet wilderness has always been an important place for God’s people. Jesus was led there by the Holy Spirit, to understand who he was and what it meant to be the Son of God. The 40 years the Israelites wandered were years of learning, learning with and from God, and God never left them - no matter how annoying they were!

So we find ourselves in this wilderness time, having to physically isolate ourselves from our church family, our community, our family and friends. But God is still with us all, and God still binds us together as God’s Church, through the Spirit, with Jesus as our head. So God will hear us on the bad days, when we are scared or angry or frustrated (and you can find words for those in the Psalms). God will be with us if we are grieving or ill or concerned about others who are ill. God will be with us in the acts of kindness we share in creative ways, and when we are helped by others. Jesus says, “I will be with you always, to the end of time” – and Jesus means it.

Please please do find ways to connect to each other. Dust out notepaper or cards and write. Phone a friend or acquaintance. Use texts and messaging services. Use social media to encourage and support.

3 Please offer help to others where you can – and nearly everyone will need a chat now & again.

Please ask for help from others – you’re not bothering them, and even if you just want a listening ear and a friendly voice, please call someone. You have elders, friends, myself, all of us wanting to connect and help if we can.

Please pay attention to God in this time – through creation and creativity, through reading the Bible and more widely, through singing and silence, through prayer in these and so many forms. We discussed having the churches open as places for prayer, but that would run counter to advice to stay at home, and we can pray wherever we are and however we are. There are some prayer ideas later in the magazine.

So what shape should Church take just now? The shape of each of you, a part of Christ’s body, giving and receiving love and kindness – just in creative non-contact ways. Obviously we will hope to gather again for worship as soon as we can. Meantime being the Church continues, wherever we are, loving God, and loving our neighbour as we love ourselves.

God is with us.

With love and prayers, Rev Jenny

Pastoral Care Team Ann Gordon tel. 01343 830415 Elsie Watson tel. 01343 543914 Sheila Duncan tel. 01343 830238 Pat MacKay tel. 01343 333851 If: - someone needs more telephone contact than others can manage - someone needs more in-depth pastoral care then please contact any one of the Pastoral Care Team, who will offer care, and/or contact Rev Jenny as appropriate.

4 News from Session

Dear Friends,

As I write this letter there is a huge air of uncertainty throughout the country as to what the coming weeks & months hold for us. The Coronavirus Pandemic is going to affect each & every one of us to some degree and it is important that we all follow the guidelines set out by the government. These are unprecedented times but it is important to remember that there is help available.

Please don’t be offended because your magazine was simply popped through the letterbox, it will have a contact name & number on the front.

This might be your Elder or it might be one of the volunteers who are delivering the magazines. Unfortunately they are unable under present circumstances to make face to face contact with you but are at the end of a telephone line should you need any help.

Just because there are no services of worship or any other activities in our church buildings at present, this doesn’t mean you have been forgotten. Your Elder/Visitor will be in contact with you either by letter or by telephone & please don’t be afraid to ask them to help you. If for any reason you cannot contact this person then my contact details are at the front of this magazine & I will be happy to ensure that we do all we can to help you.

We will all have to occupy ourselves in different ways, find new hobbies or rekindle long forgotten ones. Catch up on the jobs we are all good at putting off. Make time to keep in touch with friends, we will get through this as a Nation & as a Church.

God is our shelter & strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken & mountains fall into the ocean depths; even if the seas roar & rage. (Psalm 46)

I send you my love & prayers,

Shona

Email: [email protected] Home: 01343 850693 Mob.: 07908 583320

5 Worshipping together while apart

We cannot gather for church worship together in our buildings. However, we can worship God in many different ways, as we live and love. We can also worship alongside others through opportunities on TV, radio and online. We will also be trying to gather an occasional CD of reflections, readings and prayers from Rev Jenny, which can be distributed by volunteers. Please let someone know if you would like to have an occasional CD from Duffus, Spynie & Hopeman Church.

Here are some places to look and listen – though there will be many more springing up in the days to come:

Keith Community Radio, 107.7FM, kcr.fm – Sunday morning 10am services and Mondays 7pm “Revving Up”

Sanctuary First, the Church of Scotland’s online church community, at www.sanctuaryfirst.org.uk or download the Sanctuary First app on your phone or tablet.

For a list of many Church of Scotland online services, go to: www.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship/services-online

For a daily prayer app for your phone or tablet, try Lectio 365

Premier Christian radio - premier.org.uk

United Christian Broadcasters ucb.co.uk/listen

For reflections and updates, find Duffus, Spynie and Hopeman on Facebook, and find DSH Youtube channel on YouTube.

6 5 steps to well-being

Evidence suggests there are 5 steps we can take to improve our mental health and well-being. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.

1. Connect to other people Write letters, cards & notes; phone others; use texts and messaging services; use social media (carefully).

2. Be physically active The NHS offers fitness videos at www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio/

The NHS has particular for older people. A printable sheet is available at: www.nhs.uk/livewell/fitness/documents/NHS_sitting_ex ercise.pdf

3. Learn new skills

What are you finding yourself doing more of? Might it result in something to share during or after this period? – perhaps a review of a book/film/programme, a crafting/artistic thing made, seeds sown, new skills developed or old ones rediscovered, favourite songs sung or new songs created, interesting recipes, poems old or new, Bible passages that spoke to you. Maybe when we gather together again we might find ways to share new creations, skills or experiences with each other.

4. Give to others Finances may be even tighter for many at this time, as businesses struggle, hours are cut, incomes drop. If you have spare finance, consider if you can support others with it (including our vital local businesses). Time is a great gift to share with others. Time to listen, to write, to support. Prayer is a gift we can offer on behalf of others – those we know and those we don’t, those close-by and those across the world.

7

Acts of kindness are transformative for everyone – we are asked to love our neighbours as we love ourselves.

5. Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness) Find more at NHS www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress- anxiety-depression/mindfulness

How to be more mindful: Reminding yourself to take notice of your thoughts, feelings, body sensations and the world around you is the first step to mindfulness. Notice – but don’t try to analyse them, or to judge whether they are good or bad.

Notice the everyday: "Even as we go about our daily lives, we can notice the sensations of things, the food we eat, the air moving past the body as we walk," says Professor Mark Williams. "All this may sound very small, but it has huge power to interrupt the 'autopilot' mode we often engage day to day, and to give us new perspectives on life."

Keep it regular: It can be helpful to pick a regular time during which you decide to be aware of the sensations created by the world around you.

Try something new: Trying new things, even sitting in a different seat, can also help you notice the world in a new way.

Watch your thoughts: "Some people find it very difficult to practice mindfulness. As soon as they stop what they're doing, lots of thoughts and worries crowd in," says Professor Williams. "It might be useful to remember that mindfulness isn't about making these thoughts go away, but rather about seeing them as mental events.

8 "Imagine standing at a bus station and seeing 'thought buses' coming and going without having to get on them and be taken away. This can be very hard at first, but with gentle persistence it is possible.

Name thoughts and feelings: To develop an awareness of thoughts and feelings, some people find it helpful to silently name them: "Here's the thought that I might fail that exam". Or, "This is anxiety".

Free yourself from the past and future: You can practise mindfulness anywhere, but it can be especially helpful to take a mindful approach if you realise that, for several minutes, you have been "trapped" in reliving past problems or "pre-living" future worries. ______

Thinking Day

The rainbows brownies & guides joined by scouting groups came along to a special thinking Day service led by Rev Jenny Adams & pastor Matt Moeller on the 21st February. All the groups renewed their promise and one group even did this in another language! They then learned how to sign language by Heather a hymn for the service. I think everyone learned a lot about themselves and one another. A big thank you to Matt & Jenny for leading this service and also thanks to Marilyn Chesney for the floral arrangements.

Rag bag

The next guiding rag bag will be collected at the end of May. If you are going to be spring cleaning, we collect clothes, shoes, bags, belts, hats, beddings, curtains and towels. The groups would like to thank Ron Duncan for storing the bags for us and John Chesney for transporting them over and also for making sure the hall is always nice and cosy for them.

9

Refuel2020 19 to 25 July 2020 in Gordon Castle Grounds,

We are extremely fortunate in to have a week long Family Festival of Christian Faith on our doorstep in Gordon Castle Grounds, where we can worship with our Christian brothers and sisters, learn more about Jesus and learn more about the diversity within the Body of Christ, His Church.

The Refuel festival is in its fourth year. The local churches have wanted to have a supportive presence there and this will be the third year that we have had a Moray Churches Tent. We have provided a quieter space in the busy and noisy atmosphere of Refuel, and this has been valued by many. Our Tent is called the Moray Churches Tent of Prayer and Reflection. In 2020, we are developing the theme of prayer further by having a daily rhythm of prayer, three times a day. The midday prayers will be led by various denominations including the Methodist Church, the Oasis fellowship, the Church of Scotland, the Episcopalian church, and the Salvation Army. It is great to have us all working together. The morning and evening prayers will be family friendly to cater for the many families who are camping on site.

The family theme will be further developed during the week, as we felt led to help families learn to nurture the innate spirituality of their children, a simple definition of this is:

“God’s way of being with children… And children’s way of being with God.”

There is considerable evidence that young children are aware of God more than adults. Research from Finland, for example found that 80% of 7-year olds, 60 % of 11-year olds and only 30% of adults have times of being aware of God’s presence. It seems children are at risk of being drawn away from God by the circumstances of the world by not being listened to and respected regarding their spiritual experiences, and not given good quality space (including silence) in which to explore them. The

10 Golden Age of opportunity for Christian Spiritual Development is age 4 to 14.

So…we will be holding afternoon workshops on 4 days relating to this theme of learning to re-engage with our children spiritually and understanding how to nurture their inner child of God. These will include presentations on the Kitchen Table Project, Children’s Spiritual Styles and Godly Play and a family forum where families can share their experiences and learn from each other. On Friday, we will be celebrating an all age, ecumenical Holy Communion.

Do come along at least for one day. It is a great day out for all the family.

A day ticket for a family of two adults and up to 4 children is £112. See refuelscotland.org.uk for more details.

There are some opportunities for volunteers in the Moray Churches Tent to have a free pass for a day. Please contact me on [email protected] if interested.

Anne Attenburrow

11 MESSY CHURCH

Since the last magazine we've had 2two very happy Messy Church afternoons, Duffus in January and Hopeman in March, still following the theme of God's Superheroes. In January we looked at the story of Esther who was chosen by King Xerxes of Persia to be his queen. Nobody, including him, knew she was Jewish but there came a time when her people were being persecuted and she had to come forward and risk her own life to save them. This is still celebrated today in the festival of Purim when Jewish people wear fancy dress and have lots of fun.

We had five craft activities for the children to try. Heather and Francis had printed the words of the song “If I Ruled the World” for them to read and think about. Then they were invited to write on a scroll some rules they think would make the world a better place. They wrote things like no fighting, no dropping litter and above all being kind to each other. This all tied in with Susan's kindness tree where we could stick on leaves or hearts on which we had written a message. To rule the world they would have to be kings or queens. Sheila Beedie had spectacular crowns for them to make and decorate with “jewels”. The adults enjoyed wearing them too!

Grace supervised them colouring in little wooden figures and adding cloaks to represent themselves as superheroes. To tie in with the Festival of Purim, Aileen helped them to make decorative masks.

Following the craft activities Heather, looking suitably regal in her crown and superhero cloak, led them in a game of “The Queen Says”. They then sat down with Jenny and Chris to hear the story of Esther and sing Nobody's a Nobody and God Made Me as I Am.

On March 1st, St David's day we explored the story of David and Goliath. As always the team had come up with great ideas for crafts. Sheila and Pat

12 had them making little figures of David the shepherd boy complete with a sling for his pebbles. Fay had prepared smooth stones with beautiful ideas for decorating them and the children produced some impressive results. David played the harp, so with Susan they made harps using old photo frames elastic bands and card cut in the shape of a lyre.

They love to dress up so Aileen and Grace helped them to make helmets with tinfoil, strips of card and decorated with jewels and feathers. Heather and Francis had drawn the outline of the giant Goliath and the children had fun dressing him by sticking on his helmet, armour, boots etc. When he was finished they put him up on the wall and the children had a game throwing plastic balls at him.

We were fortunate to welcome Ann Dartnall with her Celtic harp to lead us in our choruses so the children could experience what a harp looks and sounds like and we were all able to join in the story of David and Goliath as Jenny read it to us in verse. As always we sat down and enjoyed a delicious meal together, prepared and served by Sheila, Kathie and Fay in January and Judy, Sheila and Kathie in March.

The message of both these afternoons was that it doesn't matter how small or unimportant we think we are, with God's help we can all do things that will make the world a better place.

Messy Church is now paused, there will be NO MAY MESSY CHURCH.

A big thank you to our stalwart band of helpers and to the families who bring their children.

Helen McKidd

13

FAIR TRADE THE 90kg RICE - ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE?

JTS (Just Trading Scotland) is a not for profit, fair trade organisation set up to facilitate the import and distribution of fairly and ethically traded products to the UK.

They work in partnership with growers and suppliers to empower them and work towards justice and fairness, to develop fair and sustainable opportunities to trade up and out of poverty and enable them to develop their farms and communities.

Primary education is free in Malawi but secondary education is not and therefore a rice farmer has to sell 90kg of rice to enable a child to attend secondary school for a year. The Rice Challenge encourages Churches, Schools and Community Groups to buy 90kg of Rice the participants can directly see that their buying decisions are helping provide a better life for those in some of the poorest communities in Malawi. It is a very visual and easy to understand concept which people can feel part of.

Fairly and ethically traded the award winning Kilombero Rice grain is hand sown in the rich alluvial soils of Northern Malawi, environmentally friendly traditional harvesting methods ensures a superior aromatic rice, that is good for you and better for the planet. With a richness of taste and absorbency of flavour all of its own, and you’re helping Malawi’s smallholder farmers reap the benefits of fair trade; to escape poverty with a sustainable income and provide a brighter future for their children. 90kg of rice is on its way to us and will be on sale in 1 kilo bags for £3.20 you can choose between white or brown rice (we will have 70kgs of white rice and 20kg of brown). As part of your F/T support why not buy a kilo or more. (How about a bag for you a bag for the Food Bank and a bag or 2 for your Covid-19 store cupboard!). Bags can be ordered from me and will hopefully be available very soon.

Heather Mitchell tel. 01343 830713

14 Prayer

We are not opening our buildings as places of prayer, but God is with us always, and we can pay attention to God’s presence anywhere and any time – and that is prayer. We can be completely honest and open with God – that is prayer. We can use words, images, silence, walking, creation, creativity to pay attention to God – that is prayer.

Here are some suggestions to try:

Short prayers

There are times we can’t find words to pray. There are times we don’t have the discipline to pray. There are times when prayer comes in the midst of everything. Sometimes having words in our heads and hearts can help – such as the Lord’s prayer, or the Grace, or Psalms. Sometimes all we need to say is “Help me, God.” Here are a couple of short prayers that I use as often as I remember.

1. The Jesus prayer. The Jesus prayer comes from Orthodox Christianity, and echoes the prayer of the tax collector. It contains enormous depths of theology and belief, yet is it very short, and we can pray some or all of it at any and all times. Try it… “Lord Jesus Christ, son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” 2. The Serenity Prayer Attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr, I was first attracted to the serenity prayer by the idea of achieving serenity (I’m still working on that!). But in fact, all the elements of this prayer are important, and it very much speaks to the uncertain times we are all in… “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Lectio Divina – this is a way of opening up and listening to God as we read short Bible passages. The Holy Spirit shapes our reading and receiving of God’s word. 1. Reading – open to God, and ready to listen, slowly read a short section of Scripture. It may help to read it aloud.

15 2. Reflection – take time to think about the text – was there a verse, a sentence, a phrase that really struck you, that seems to be speaking to you right now. Read it again, maybe a few more times. 3. Response – let your reflection guide you in responding to God. 4. Rest – let go of your own ideas and thoughts, even the holy ones; rest in the Word of God and listen for God in our hearts. Gospel contemplation / Imaginative prayer – this uses our imaginations to make the gospel real and alive to us, guided by the Holy Spirit. • Select a gospel story of Jesus’ interaction with others, and open yourself to hear God. • Read the story at least twice, so that the story, characters and interactions become familiar. It may help to read it aloud. • Close your eyes, and replay the story/scene in your imagination. Where are you, and what are the sounds, smells, sensations? What is Jesus doing? What is Jesus like? Who are you, or where are you, in the story? You might find yourself involved in the story, or observing the action, and wanting to interact with Jesus. • Whether you use mental words or images, you can engage with Jesus, and be aware of how you feel, and what you want to say to Jesus. • Say what you want or need to say to Jesus, person to person.

Journaling

Another way we can journey with God is to write things down, in some form of spiritual journal. Some people will do that on blogs, phones and computers, but the simplest way is to write in a notebook or diary – any kind you like.

Some people will journal every day, but it can be as frequent or infrequent as works for you. It can be useful to date entries, for future reflection. Some focus on gratitude – noting things to give thanks for in their day. Some will reflect on both where we have encountered God, and perhaps where we were less connected to God. Write for you and for God. Record and reflect on what’s going on for you. Open yourself to God as you write, trusting that God is interested in every aspect of our lives, and open to God’s Spirit guiding you. Allow records & reflections to evolve into prayers. Be kind to yourself, and allow God to love you through this.

Rev Jenny

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Wider Church News

In recent decades people’s lives have changed. Different generations see the world and the church differently. Amongst all this change, the Church has to keep changing (reforming with God’s help), because we are still all called to love our neighbour as we follow Jesus; and we are given gifts to share.

The 2019 General Assembly approved a “Radical Action Plan” to restructure all levels of the Kirk. The aim of all of this is to support the local church in joining in God’s mission. The hope is to free the local church from unnecessary burdens and to support mission: There is a target for 100 new worshipping communities within 10 years, being church in fresh ways for this changed and still-changing world.

There are new models of team ministries or hubs, where a mix of ministers and others, paid staff and volunteers, work together across geographical areas and groups of the population. This hopes to use all the gifts of the whole body of Christ, and values local relationships.

There is a focus on supporting work with under-40s, on providing flexible training for all, on reducing administrative burdens, on funding mission & growth, and on growing disciples.

What might be possible in Duffus, Spynie & Hopeman? What are the needs of the people you know & help?

Sometime (everything permitting), facilitators from Moray Presbytery will come to meet with the congregation and all those connected with our church family, to hear what we are doing to reach out, and to hear what our hopes for future mission are, so that Presbytery can support us.

Regional reform includes reducing the number of presbyteries in Scotland to around 12. Each presbytery will have sufficient resource to employ staff to support congregations, bringing greater expertise, enabling the devolution of some national functions, and freeing many ministers and elders to get on with what they are called to be and do.

In Moray we are currently part of two Presbytery Reform conversations: • Highlands & Islands Presbytery – including the mainland Highlands down to Abernethy & Lochaber, plus Skye and the Western Isles. • North East Presbytery – roughly the old Grampian region plus Shetland and Orkney.

17 There is not an option for Moray to remain as it is – we do not have the financial or people capacity. It is likely that some Moray congregations will feel they fit best with the North East, while others will feel they fit in the Highlands & Islands. I’d be very interested in hearing your views on that.

Rev Jenny

In Memoriam

Donald Russell, formerly of McPherson St, Hopeman – funeral 5th December 2019

Ian Falconer, Birnie Crescent, Elgin – funeral 9th December 2019

Jeanne More, School Road, Hopeman – funeral 17th December 2019

Margaret McAdam, Wakefield House Care Home, Cullen – funeral 18th December 2019

Pat Cursiter, formerly Golf Crescent, Hopeman – funeral 3rd January 2020

George More, School Road, Hopeman – funeral 6th January 2020

Elma Lowrie, Wakefield House Care Home, Cullen – funeral 9th January 2020

Isobel Main, Mid Street, Hopeman – funeral 25th January 2020

Betty Falconer, Birnie Crescent, Elgin – funeral 29th January 2020

Ian MacDonald, St. Peter’s Lane, Duffus – funeral 4th February 2020

Brenda McCrum, Dunbar Lane, Duffus – funeral 5th February 2020

We remember them with love, give thanks for their lives, entrust them to God’s loving arms, and hold their families and friends in our thoughts and prayers.

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Baptism Jack Glass in Spynie Kirk, Sunday 22nd December 2019

Blessing of a child Kiran Wood in Hopeman Kirk, Sunday 8th March 2020

Guild News

We have almost completed our Spring session of the Guild. We had meetings during January, February and March. Speakers were Rev Blair Robertson and Mrs Liz Moir – both talks were very interesting. We hosted the World Day of Prayer service with our neighbours from on 6th March, when we had a good attendance.

Guild meetings are now paused. There will be NO GUILD MEETING IN APRIL.

Kathleen Young, Guild Contact Person ______

AN EASTER POEM

The lilies by the Lossie, a step from Marywell Are wearing white for Easter, the blackbird did foretell O white are Easter lilies, anemones are red They joy that Christ is risen, sings the blackbird overhead.

This short Easter poem was written by Meta Wright in the 1950’s for an Easter Service in Spynie Kirk. Meta was a stalwart of the Kirk and was involved with the Sunday School and also with a Saturday evening club for the children of Bishopmill. This club met in the Mission Hall (now Waterfalls) in East High Street, Bishopmill where she was ably assisted by Flora Christie, Pam Gillan and several others. As a point of interest, Meta was an English teacher at Elgin Academy and wrote the School Song - Linda M Paiton

19 Passover

Passover or in Hebrew Pesach, is the Jewish festival at which Jesus frequently participated, and ultimately was crucified during Pesach. The date of Pesach and our Easter do not always coincide, but this year (2020) they do.

So what is Passover or Pesach?

It is mainly the celebration of being freed from slavery under the Egyptians, when Moses confronted the Pharaoh and God sent the plagues the last one being the Angel of death passing over Egypt, taking all the first born, at which the Pharaoh finally allowed the Hebrews to leave. The only way for the Hebrews to be protected from the Angel of death (who literally passed over them) was to paint the door posts with the blood of a freshly killed lamb. The result was the whole Hebrew nation walking out and then wandering for 40 years in the desert before reaching the promised land. Because of their haste in leaving there was no time for bread to rise, so bread was made without yeast. This can all be found in the book of Exodus. I recommend reading the first 15 chapters which I still find to be a gripping narrative. Chapter 15 includes Miriam's song, a celebration that their years of slavery are finally over and that they are now an independent nation - the Israelites.

Today when Passover is celebrated, there are several features. Firstly they remove all yeast from the home, and to make certain no yeast, and so that not a qcrumb of yeast bread is left, a deep clean of the home is undertaken. In effect a very thorough spring clean. The only bread eaten during Passover will be what is called matzo a dry crisp cracker (very suitable for long journeys across deserts as it will keep for a long time, without going stale or mouldy). This celebrates the haste of their forefathers who had no time to make bread with yeast. It is also symbolic of purity, the yeast being considered an impurity.

Secondly they celebrated the Seder on the Thursday, a symbolic meal including matzo, bitter herbs, (symbolising the bitter period of forced labour under the Egyptians) a boiled egg and wine and in the time of Jesus lamb, it symbolises the last meal in Egypt before leaving and included the lamb whose blood marked the doorposts. During the seder traditionally

20 the youngest boy asks ‘why is this night different from all other nights ?’ Followed by a long narrative explaining Passover, and the exodus.

When Jesus and the disciples were in the upper room for the last supper, this was in reality a Seder celebration. The main ingredients being bread (matzo) and wine. The wine symbolising his blood, but also the blood of the Passover lamb that saved us. This is reinforced in Revelations when Jesus is described as the Lamb that was slain.

Thirdly it is the feast of the first fruits, that is the first of the barley harvest. Grain from the first of the harvest was brought to the temple as a sacrifice and celebration.

Passover as a prophecy

Passover is now seen as a prophecy or foretelling of Jesus dying on the cross, as a substitute for the lamb that was slain enabling the Hebrews to escape the Angel of death. It is also symbolic of gaining freedom from slavery, including finally becoming free from the powers of this world. But Jesus was a sacrifice for eternity and for all, not just the Israelites. He was also the first fruit, gaining eternal life, enabling us to follow him to heaven.

Passover starts the countdown to Shavuot or the festival of weeks, which we know as Whitsuntide. In the same way Jesus crucifixion marked the countdown to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Shavuot/Whitsun.

It is important to remember the Old Testament foundation for the Ministry of Jesus, it’s predictions and how it explains a lot of Jesus’ ministry. When Jesus spoke of the time not being right, it’s partly because his crucifixion had to coincide with Passover as he was the Lamb of Judah who was sacrificed for the nation Israel (and all of us who call on his name).

Prayer: Jesus help us to have a deeper understanding of you sacrifice, especially as predicted by the prophets of the Old Testament. Amen

Francis

21 Festival of the trees

The festival of the trees is a Jewish festival, and marks the beginning of the year for trees, occurring with the first blossoming of the almond trees in Israel. In Israel it is called ‘Tu BiShvat’ which simply means the 15th day of the month of Shevat. In the past this was a day to count how many trees were owned by an individual, and in certain periods of history in the Middle East a tax was paid according to how many trees they had.

However, since Israel was established in 1948, these laws have been repealed and instead it has become a day to celebrate trees and plant more! Resulting in the reforestation of vast areas of Israel. In most of Israel this is the day for many Schools or other groups to go out and plant trees. Israel is one of the few countries where tree cover has been continually increasing over the last 70 years. They have managed to plant so many trees that the climate has been changing to a more temperate and wetter climate (this is separate from any global climate changes). As ‘Tu BiShvat’ occurs round about February, it is a good time of year to plant trees even here in Scotland, whilst they are still dormant, hopefully it is warm enough to be able to dig a hole for planting. Scotland could do with a day for celebrating trees, and possible to plant some more.

I still cannot understand why after all the years of us having a forestry commission, and including that Scotland has one of the best climates for trees, that we still rank as one of the least forested countries in Europe. Even our towns and cities tend to come out poorly when compared to the relatively tree lined streets of Europe.

Should you wish to plant trees in your garden I would recommend, the smaller trees such as rowan, birch or whitebeam, (the Swedish whitebeam does best here in the N E of Scotland). As all these trees neither grow too big nor become a nuisance, are attractive, and good for our local wildlife and environment. Even though the Whitebeam is non-native it is still an excellent for our environment, and will help increase our bio-diversity.

Prayer: Father, we thank you for the beautiful trees you created, help us not only to appreciate them but also to help us to increase the number of trees here in Scotland, in particular within Moray. We also enjoy the vast variety of life associated with trees and woodlands, and ask that you protect and bless our local trees and environment. Amen Francis

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Useful contact details for support

Health advice: www.nhsinform.scot

NHS 24: 111

Emergency power cuts: 105

Police Scotland (non-emergency): 101

Age Scotland: 0800 12 44 222 (Free confidential helpline for practical advice or a friendly chat, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Helpline: 0808 808 3000

Childline: www.childline.org.uk 0800 11 11

Moray Council Contact Centre: 01343 543451 Moray Council Out of hours emergency: 03457 565656

Moray Food Plus: 01343 208293

Moray Women's Aid: 01343 548549

Samaritans www.samaritans.org.uk 116 123

Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 027 1234

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