wonderful exchange

local announcement

2 December, 20082 December, 2008 wonderfulexchange5 Comments

For those of you in Dunoon (and of special interest to dog-walkers, hill trompers, and kindly ‘just making sure you’re OK’ types):

Unless and until the temperature rises, do not make any attempt to come up to the rectory. The driveway and all the paths are smooth ice, and utterly impassable.

I’ve just had to cancel school assembly, and am not at all sure I can get to Rothesay for the AGM today.

This might just give me a clear day to talk with the dear folk at Scottish Gas to sort out why my heat isn’t working (though the hot water is.) Molly has gone back to bed, hoping for the last trace of warmth.

update: well, I might be iced in with no heat and an ever-worsening snuffle and cough, but still there is joy to be had. Two red squirrels, frolicking on the lawn for the past hour. Ever so lovely.

Mary’s age

1 December, 20081 December, 2008 wonderfulexchangeLeave a comment

There was a stunning interview with a teenage girl on Radio 4 this morning: her life is a mess in a million ways, yet when given the chance she is strangely perceptive and articulate. So much potential, so little chance.

If you can find half an hour, it’s worth every minute.

high time

30 November, 200830 November, 2008 wonderfulexchange1 Comment

A crucial part of every sermon is the example you don’t use. But blogs are more forgiving. So, today’s red herring that filled my prayer time and was mentioned not-at-all in church:

Advent as High Dive.

I spent most of my childhood summers by the pool. One of the rights of passage was being old enough (and competent enough) to be allowed to use the high dive. This morning as I prayed the experience of it came back vividly: excitement and fear equally mixed. The slow careful steps up slippery concrete, glad for the rasp of tread that hurt but kept you safe. All the while up, there was nothing to see; up and up, eyes locked on the solid wall of steps. And then suddenly you were there. The railings looped up and around, and you stood clear at the top of the tower.

OK, safe. Breathe.

But there was always someone behind, pushing, nudging, making sure you couldn’t go back. So forward then: a test of balance and nerve. The right thing to do, the only thing to do, was to walk confidently into the void and pretend that you were happy there. One – two – three, the sway of the board getting scarier all the time.

Then, the when you jump clear: terror into awe as you cut through the air.

There, in that journey is Advent.
There, between fear and elation, flying and falling.
Ready to start climbing again.

Advent 1

30 November, 2008 wonderfulexchangeLeave a comment

Love Blooms Bright has begun for 2008. Within the first few words, Rosemary’s post led to the sharp gasp of awe that means Advent is here.