‘Pebble painting’
Dear Friends
Welcome to Monday’s Companionship Email.
After yet another lovely rest weekend and all of the pomp of VE day, this week looms long before us. It is also the first full week of exams for our students and staff. I hope that wherever you are in the world that whatever you need to do this week will be accomplished in time and on time.
Yesterday, our wonderful choral scholars from St Salvator’s Chapel Choir, directed by Claire Innes-Hopkins, gave another beautiful performance during our special 75VE Anniversary Chapel Service of Orlando Lassus’s ‘Surrexit Pastor Bonus’:
“The good shepherd has arisen,
who laid down his life for his sheep,
and for his flock deigned to die, alleluia.”
You can access the recording by clicking on the link here:
Please enjoy and share as widely as possible. There is so much work that goes into creating these beautiful music interludes for our worship and so it is worth sharing.
Please remember as we enter into the last few weeks of term and possibly the most stressful for many that the Honorary Chaplaincy Team along with Donald and myself continue to be available for support and to listen.
All are welcome to use the Chaplaincy and we are available for any member of staff or student past, present and future, regardless of religion, creed, denomination or philosophy of life. Remember, you are not alone.
Evening Prayer
This week’s ‘Pray with Sam’ comes from our Irish friends across the water.
The Church of Ireland is the Anglican church in Ireland. They have a wonderful website full of interesting history and knowledge of this church birthed out of deep and ancient Celtic catholic roots. Please click on the link below where you can choose the prayer for the day and follow that this week as our liturgy.
https://www.ireland.anglican.org/prayer-worship/lectionary/daily-prayer
Remember, if you wish a person or situation to be included in our daily prayers and don’t have the energy or words to pray during this time of trauma, please email me or Donald and we will include you in our prayers. All of those who have asked for prayer over the past 8 weeks continue to be part of our daily intercessions.
And lastly from your Crafty (Assistant) Chaplain…
The craft of pebble painting is one that has happened since the dawn of time when person, pebble and paint became acquainted.
I have a friend who is a priest in the Scottish Episcopal Church who delights in this particular pastime. Picking up a pebble on the beach then transforming it into something else, be it a creature or a memory for folk to hold and enjoy, gives deep joy to both the crafter and receiver.
This weekend I celebrated the 75th Liberation Day of my home of Guernsey, Channel Island. My friends have been in lockdown on the island as well as the rest of the UK.
Over the last few weeks, pebble towers have been slowly building along the sea walls on a daily basis as people go out for their daily exercise.
Creating these little cairns of hope, are a sign that people’s spirits are not wavering during these times of turmoil. I particularly love the ones where people have painted the rainbow on them to show solidarity with our health and frontline workers.
So next time you are on the beach, maybe pick up a pebble or two and give painting them a try. Who knows what mysterious creature you may just create!
Be blessed, be a blessing and Happy Crafting!