GadgetVicar

Joy & Prayers

Much joy tonight for Joyce at a little get together to celebrate her being granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK. It only took ten years. Praying for others I know (and those I don't) who are still in the midst of the immigration process.

Prayers for Kenny and RW following the freezing damage to the new rectory.

Joy that people are still being dug out of the ruins in Haiti. Praying that medicine and food will reach people quicker than it has done. Prayer too for all those in situ who are trying to bring aid.

A Dream Festival Lineup

"Paranoia Alert" - Is someone monitoring my blog playlists? Florence & The Machine, Little Boots, Vampire Weekend, La Roux, The Temper Trap, Miike Snow, Hot Chip, Devo, The XX  AND Porcupine Tree (among many others) are all appearing on the same festival bill in April. The only trouble is, it's Coachella in California. Mind you, it's post-Easter and I'll need a week off.........

Help Wanted - Which Mobile Phone Network?

My contract with T-Mobile is coming to an end, and I'm not sure what to do. I'm thinking about unlocking my phone and moving to 3, thereby halving my monthly costs. How are they as a network? Or Orange, or O2, or Vodaphone? Who has the best 3G coverage in Glasgow? Comments appreciated.

Buckfast Code

A bishop of the Scottish Episcopal Church has spoken out against a great moral scourge - Buckfast Tonic Wine. This follows the report that five thousand crimes over the last three years were related to it. One of our congregation regularly shows up at church with a bottle up his voluminous sleeve and he's not averse to getting into a bit of a violent contretemps. He showed up on Sunday night, bottle of Buckie and all. When sober he's a nice man. Drunk, he's nasty. Why are Weegie drunks either all, "Ah luv yoose!" or "Ah'm gonnae kill ye!"?

I see the damage Buckfast does close up and I'm thankful for Bishop Bob Gillies speaking out. As with most things, it's not that Buckfast is in itself bad. It's our ability to abuse it that is the problem and the fact that the Church is facilitating such abuse by producing the wine. I wonder what else the Church says and does that causes others to stumble? (see 1 Corinthians 8:9)

Where No Flowers Grow

At Sunday morning's "Together", we were thinking about how we take care of the earth. I got to beat Nick Cox up (in my dreams!) as an example of how the effects of our sin can be obvious. In response to the question (about not seeing the damage we do), "Where does our rubbish go?", Hannah replied, "It's taken to a big hole in the ground, then covered in soil, and no flowers will grow there." We couldn't have planned a better answer or expect greater knowledge from one of our younger members. It was an awesome moment.

Vestry agreed with the suggestion that our collections should go to the Haitian Earthquake relief efforts. Over £1500 was given. It seems that we are joining with the whole nation in responding to the Haitians' plight. Many of us are also shocked by some Christians decidely odd explanation of this disaster. I wonder how those in Haiti, including very many Christians, who have lost loved ones and are suffering, receive such comments?

The Bishop-elect of Glasgow & Galloway

That's us got  the new bishop sorted out. The Very Reverend Gregor Duncan was elected quickly at the Electoral Synod yesterday. Prayers for him in the tough task ahead and for the others who allowed their names to go forward (Alison Peden and John Applegate).

Now, I hope that it's onward with a great deal of energy, passion and vision.