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)

Following advice sent down from the College of Bishops all services in Church are forthwith suspended. While this is distressing for many we can still worship in spirit together and Dean is sending all members if the congregation prayer resources to use at home on Sundays and Feast days - including Holy Week and Easter. 

Please pray for each other and for your local communities. 

Please see the Diocesan and Provincial websites (google Diocese of Edinburgh or Scottish Episcopal Church) for information on the measures the Church is taking in relation to the Corona Virus. 

Following advice sent down from the College of Bishops, the sharing of the chalice (the common cup) is suspended until further notice. The physical sharing of the peace is also suspended. Both these measures are an attempt to protect each other and to put minds at ease. Those who wish are still able to make their Holy Communion by receiving the bread. 

ASH WEDNESDAY falls on the 26th February and thus we begin Lent.

Lent is a season of preparation before Easter and an opportunity for all of us to pause a reflect upon our lives. In Lent we are encouraged to remember the things we haven't quite got right and to say 'sorry' to God for them, in the knowledge that God will forgive us. None of us are perfect and none of us get it right all the time but we have a God that loves us and who will always give us that additional chance to get it right the next time. 

Lent has often been a time when we have been encouraged to give some thing up and to give that time or money to a good cause. We can also take something up, such as reading the Bible or a good spiritual book or simply giving a bit of extra time to prayer. It is a good discipline and it helps one appreciate Easter when it finally dawns. 

How are you going to get through Lent? What might you do differently? Good questions to ponder on though Lent.