Summary

[Exodus 16]  Good leaders are the ‘meat in the sandwich’ between their  ill-informed people and the circumstances that dictate superficially unpopular measures. God is not unsupportive  [cf Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45] of Moses under such pressure, which may include toxic nostalgia. Few churches are immune, so there’s plenty to learn.  Jonah [3] peevishly  misses out on the joy when the astounding miracle occurs of a culture making changes before disaster forces their hand. Will we remember to celebrate and voice support when our communities and leaders do make some positive environmental progress?  And remember like the writer of Philippians [1:21 ] to share and be fed by the stories of encouragement and ‘good green news’, which sustains others as well as delighting our own. The Gospel parable [Matthew 20:16]  insists that  “at the end of the day”,  justice is the acknowledgment of need, rather than a childish and vindictive ‘fairness’. There’s seldom any good work which is not better set in context by our reliance on God’s grace.

Contributors include: Rev Gillean Richmond, Church of Scotland minster in Troon, who undertook a placement with the EcoChaplaincy as part of her training , ECS Board member Rev Jenny Adams, URC minister ordained in July Roberta Ritson, from the Scottish URC College. Pat Ellison of the Scottish Episcopal Institute. There’s an additional set of prayers from Dr Pat Bennett of the Iona Community

PLEASE LOOK AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE FOR THE FULL-LENGTH DOWNLOADABLE VIDEO REFLECTION.

PDF OF NOTES FOR ALL THE WEEK’S READINGS

A sermon idea for Week 4

PRAYERS AND WORSHIP MATERIAL WEEK 4

ADDITIONAL PRAYERS: DR PAT BENNETT, IONA COMMUNITY

VIDEO RESOURCES

Full-length reflection for Week 4: on the slopes of Stob Binnein, with supporting location reading, from Jonah 3