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March 2021 eLetter

Hello! Welcome to High Hilton Parish Church's March 2021 eLetter. This goes out to everyone who's subscribed to the mailing by entering their email address at the sign-up page at https://ark.highhilton.church/eLetter You should feel free to forward this email to any of your family and friends who might like an update on what's going on at High Hilton Parish Church.

We start with a fabulous acrostic poem by two of our brilliantly talented young members of High Hilton who, like everybody else, are looking forward to church getting back to normal. Thank you Olivia and Joshua!

Message from the Minister - Rev Hutton Steel

Dear Friends,

Our March eLetter has been delayed a little while we waited for the outcomes and progress of the Scottish Government's roadmap to reopening churches. I am delighted to say that we will be able to reopen the church for worship for up to 50 people and we will reopen for a service on Easter Sunday.

I see many supportive and kind comments about the 'Message from the Manse' that I record for our Facebook page and YouTube Channel every Sunday. With the resumption of worship in the church from the 4th April onwards, you will be able to find the service live-streamed on the YouTube channel and details of how to find us on the Facebook page. I hope to see you back in the church when you feel the time is right for you to join us there, and in the meantime we will continue to update our online presence.

I would ask you all to keep in touch with each other through phone calls, social media, and emails. Let us foster a sense of togetherness and mutual support as we look forward to better days ahead. Please also note that I am available at any time on 01224 493552.

May Almighty God bless and protect you all,

Hutton

LENT PRAYER

Lord of all faith,
You gave us minds to think
And hearts to feel.
At this season of Lent,
This pause before Easter,
Let us take time to think and feel;
To review our thoughts,
And bring them closer to You
And to Your way.

Lord of all doubts,
Who had patience with Thomas,
You understand our doubts
And answer them.
Help us when we doubt.
Answer us so we can see,
Help us not to feel guilty,
For we all doubt at times.

Lord of all life,
You gave Your life for us.
Help us in our lives
To show Your face to others.
Help us to understand
Our need of Your love.
We need You for our existence
To make sense of our lives.

Lord You are the way,
The only way.
Help us to follow You
Especially at this time.
Help us also
To follow You
All the way to the cross/
In so doing
May we understand
Your resurrection.

AMEN

- Lesley Steel -

The Flower Bunch

The Flower Bunch is a small group of people who enjoy flowers and flower arranging. As a group the Flower Bunch does flower arranging for their own pleasure and there is no connection with doing the weekly church flowers, although the members are always welcome to help with the additional arrangements that decorate the church at Easter and Harvest and other special occasions.

If anyone is interested in finding out a bit more about the Flower Bunch or about joining the group, contact Moira Munro on moiramunro@hotmail.co.uk or phone 01224 491707.

Here's just a few photos of the stunning arrangements that have been created during lockdown. More will be posted on the church's Facebook page in due course.

A Garden for Daily Living

Plant three rows of peas:
Peas of mind.
Peas of heart.
Peas of soul.

Plant four rows of squash:
Squash gossip.
Squash indifference.
Squash grumbling.
Squash selfishness.

Plant four rows of lettuce:
Lettuce be faithful.
Lettuce be kind.
Lettuce be happy.
Lettuce really love one another.

No garden should be without turnips:
Turnip for service when needed.
Turnip to help one another.
Turnip the music and dance.

To enjoy our garden
We must have thyme:
Thyme for fun.
Thyme for rest.
Thyme for ourselves.

Water freely with patience,
And cultivate with love.
There is much fruit in your garden,
Because you reap what you sow.

Anonymous.
Contributed by Betty Rollo.

Getting Back to "Normal"

Things are changing quickly at the time of sending this eLetter. We're coming to the end of the season of Lent, rapidly approaching Holy Week and Easter, spring is here in spades, the days are growing longer and the clocks go forward on Sunday 28th March.

Lockdown is easing, we're able to resume community worship in the church (although there's still safety measures to be observed), vaccinations are proceeding apace, and things are looking hopeful again. However, we're reminded that COVID-19 is still with us and that it's mainly the restrictions we've been adhering to that are having an impact on the overall reductions in numbers of people affected by this terrible virus.

So, while we're making every effort to make the church safe for everybody who wants to come to the services, you can do your bit too. Please make sure that you and yours feel well, wear a face covering, use hand sanitiser, observe social distancing and, very importantly, BE KIND and BE SAFE.

Check the Facebook page for regular updates on groups and activities restarting in the church, and drop us a line if you've any questions about what we're doing and trying to do to open up for everybody.

There's still a way to go, but we're getting there!