Upcoming meeting of Angus and Dundee network, 14th September, Arbroath
Angus Presbytery of the Church of Scotland has arranged for Fr Diarmuid O’Murchu to come to run two workshops on Tuesday 13th September in Kirriemuir.
The workshops will run in the afternoon and evening with the first looking at the differences between Spirituality and Religion and the implications of a move to a more spiritual faith. The evening session will focus on Spirituality and the Environment and Climate Change. Both sessions are prompted by Diarmuid’s book – God in the midst of change. This is a review of his book ….
Diarmuid O’Murchu is a Catholic priest and enthusiastic commentator on the interplay between religion, science, and spirituality. He observes that an increasing number of people are feeling “dislocated and confused” during this transitional period when Christians are discovering that they must let go of some of their most cherished beliefs and ideals. The rise of an adventuresome spirituality tinged with mystical elements is changing the ways we see God, ourselves and the world.
At the same time Western civilization is being attacked from many sides and the pendulum of power is shifting from the United States to China, India, and Brazil. The patriarchy and the hierarchy are under siege on many fronts. The money crisis has taught everyone to live with less except the rich who are getting richer.
To survive these chaotic and bewildering times, we must become more resilient, flexible, and courageous. O’Murchu has some exercises to help us handle the chaos during this period of transition, such as:
“1. Use your money wisely, invest it ethically, and adopt sustainable life-practices.
“2. Aim for the ideal of living simply.
“3. Adopt a spirituality committed to empowerment in the name of justice, equality and liberation for all who are oppressed and marginalized.
“4. Remember the adage — and act on it: ‘Think globally; act locally.’ ”
O’Murchu is not cowed by chaos; in fact, he sees it as a chance for people to seek a different way ahead. Or as he puts it: “Evolution will push us into a new way of seeing, and novel ways of being.” And mysteriously moving through all this political unrest and social turmoil is the Spirit who is opening new doors and ushering us through them. Hats off to O’Murchu, the Catholic theologian who continues to impress with his keen ability to make sense of the craziness going on around and inside of us!
The afternoon will cost £5 and donations will be accepted for the evening.
Anyone interested in attending, please e-mail Malcolm@gkopc.co.uk
The May 2016 edition has now been released. Please Click Here to read it as a web page.
A summary of the talk by David Bradwell who spoke at the Dundee and Angus ECS Network meeting last month is available to download for anyone who wishes. Just click the link: 160317 DavidBradwell talk to Angus network
David Bradwell of Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees will bring us up to date on the current crisis and give suggestions of what we can do to help, as churches and as individuals.
The 2015 Local Networks Seminar took place in Dunblane on Saturday 26th September. This year the main themes discussed at the Seminar have been used to propose an exciting new way of providing web-based resources, which can be downloaded and printed out to encourage more participation in our congregations.
After considering what other resources are available, the ECS Board now plans to invite individuals / congregations / networks, with the relevant experience and expertise, to contribute to developing and writing the new resources.
Local Networks Seminar Report 2015 also lists a whole host of topics and speakers from networks all around the country (see Appendix 3). If you are not already involved in a network, take a look and see what you might be missing! Everyone is welcome at network meetings – you don’t have to be from a registered congregation. Full information about your local network can be found here.
Images from the COP21 Coffee Morning promoted by Glens and Kirriemuir Old, Kirriemuir Fairtrade Forum and Kirriemuir Rotary Club. Local High School and Feeder Primaries put on displays about Climate Change and the Environment.