Foundation News
God is like a space whale
Beltane Service
THIS SUNDAY, 7PM
Rev James Cannon will be leading us in a service celebrating Beltane: the sabbat marking the move from spring to summer. We’ll be listening to some gorgeous music, poetry, and making a Crosh Cuirn (come to find out what that is).
There’ll be some fire, but I think we might be inside. Bring a warm jumper in case.
Meeting the Woman at the Well
NEXT SUNDAY, 7PM
I went to an amazing workshop recently looking at the Bible passage where Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at the well. We did a simple practice of ‘Dwelling in the Word’, and I was so impressed at how many interesting reflections came from it.
So I’m bringing it home! We’ll have a little Taizé and then spend time reading, reflecting and discussing the Bible passage.
God is like a space whale
So there’s this Doctor Who episode where a country is travelling through space on the back of a space whale. It becomes apparent that the government are torturing the whale to keep it cooperating. I’ll save you the whole story, but at the Doctor’s insistence, they eventually release it, expecting to be immediately stranded, and killed by it in revenge. Instead, the whale… just keeps cooperating. It was willing to help freely the whole time.
Maybe you saw this coming, but I think God’s a bit like that.
Christians are really good at guilt. It’s so easy for us to tie ourselves in knots feeling a desperate grip of shame about if we’re being Good People™. But God actually really loves you. She’ll just be here, carrying you along; whether you get it ‘right’ or not. She doesn’t fuss, she loves you just as much, either way.
I had a lush conversation with someone this weekend who said they rarely ever make it to Foundation, but reading these emails makes them feel like they’re part of the community.
If that’s also you, I just want to confirm that you are part of the community. All of y’ous. Whether you can make it on a Sunday or not, volunteer or not, are sure about God, or not. The kettles always on. I’m around, God’s around. If you feel like you’re part of Foundation, you’re part of Foundation.
And to honour those of you who mainly participate through the newsletter, I’m now recording these reflections and uploading them as a podcast! Which is available on Spotify here, more options coming.
Enjoy my dulcet tones (if you like), and I’ll see some of you on Sunday.
Love,
Andy