It all seems very strange that 'normal' and familiar life has changed so quickly. Seven days ago life was carrying on as usual - not so now. Yet, this time at home might be an opportunity for us to do those jobs we've been meaning to do for ages, like tiding our cupboards and drawers, re-decorating and weeding the garden. It could also be a time for us to sort out our spiritual lives.

When we sort out a cupboard or a wardrobe, for instance, we can often find ourselves asking the questions; 'Do I use this?' Do I need this any longer?' 'What do I need to replace this with, if anything?' We can ask similar questions about our spiritual lives. Are there things we have been carrying around for too long that are no longer useful or meaningful? Can we let them go? Are there new things one can use to explore God in a different way? For example for many years I have used one form of Morning and Evening Prayer everyday; recently I switched to a different form that I had not used for many years and am benefitting greatly from re-discovering and noticing for the first time gems of spiritual wisdom tucked away in the prayers and words of this different approach. Different words and phrasing, even of familiar texts, can bring new insights into one's relationship with the Divine.

Why not try saying the Lord's Prayer (as you wish your hands) in a version you don't usually use. Such as the Episcopal Church's translation into contemporary language:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Do not bring us to the time of trial but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen. 

Ponder on what the new words might mean to you? The phrase; 'Do not bring us to the time of trial...' always makes me think. Life has changed for the moment we now have to learn how to embrace this new way of being. Try to see it as a challenge and something positive and it might help you get through. 

I don't think many of us would have expected the changes to our daily lives that this past seven days has brought. It is a very strange time and a time in which we will need to establish new daily routines in all we do. St. Benedict talks much about having stability in one's life in his Rule. His wisdom is as true today as it was in the seventh century. Doing familiar things daily can bring us comfort, confidence and support. During the week I am still dressing in my usual black with a dog-collar event if it is to sit at the computer or make telephone calls. It is for for me something I always do and it is an important point of stability in this changed environment.  

Although we cannot meet for public worship each day we can still pray together from our homes. I am reminded of words from the hymn; 'The day thou gavest Lord is ended' where it author John Ellerton (1862-1893) says:

"As o'er each continent and island the dawns leads on another day, the voice of prayer is never silent, nor dies the strain of praise away."

The voice of prayer is 24/7 and we can join it at anytime and be assured that we are not praying alone, even if we maybe on our own at home when we do pray. I have found the Daily Office - Morning (Matins) and Evening (Evensong) Prayer a great comfort this week. It is something I pray daily but this week it has had a greater corporate sense - knowing that others around the country and the world are doing something similar. 

If you have a prayer book at home, you'll find matins and evensong in it. You will also find resources on this website - look under ministry and resources. Whatever form of daily prayer works for you, know that it is not something you are doing on your own but an act of continuous prayer to which you are adding your voice for a while. 

Communication from the Scottish Episcopal Church: 

As part of the ongoing response to the Coronavirus pandemic the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) will this Sunday (22 March) begin broadcasting video coverage of Eucharistic services via its website, social media channels and YouTube channel.  The web page for the broadcast is located at www.scotland.anglican.org/broadcast-sunday-worship

The first service, led by the Most Rev Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, will be broadcast at 11am on Sunday, to coincide with when many people would normally be worshipping, if church services had not been suspended earlier this week.  

The website will also contain a downloadable video and audio format of the service. A new service will be broadcast every Sunday on the SEC website, to allow all congregations to worship. We are aware that some congregations will offer their own version of online worship, but others will not have the means or resource to attempt this, hence this province-wide broadcast.

In advance of the broadcast of each provincial service, the Liturgy will be available to download from the SEC website.  We are conscious of the need to offer as much assistance as possible to those who have no access to the internet, and we encourage people to distribute the video/audio recordings and the Liturgy widely within their own personal networks. In households with no internet or playback capacity, people who can be helped by others through the provision of printed materials will have the opportunity to read the words of the Liturgy to themselves close to the appointed time, praising God along with others in the Church.

“Prayer is an important part of the tradition and spiritual life of the people of God,” said Bishop Mark. “In hard times and gootimes, quietly being before God with the people we love in our hearts encircles us all in God’s everlasting love and the promise of hope and salvation.”

The service will be available online after its first broadcast, followed by a new one each week, the next at 11am on Sunday 29 March.

Thanks go out to all those across Scotland who have reached out to offer their services for this project. The SEC Digital Communications Co-ordinator, Aidan Strange, will be in touch with those who have already been in contact to discuss the opportunity further.

Any Church member who is interested in participating and any Church able to host the filming of a service or prayer meeting should contact the SEC Digital Communications Co-ordinator at aidans@scotland.anglican.org

Loving God, 

source of healing and comfort, fill us with your grace;

that the sick may be made whole,

that those who care for us will be strengthened,

that the anxious will be calmed,

and those most vulnerable protected in the power of the Spirit,

in the faith of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(From Southwark Cathedral)