LETTERS

Cartoon: Bill McArthur

Life and Work welcomes letters from readers of not more than 350 words which can be sent by email to magazine@lifeandwork.org during the Coronavirus Covid-19 epidemic.

‘Now is the time’

For verification purposes letters must be accompanied by the writer’s name, address and daytime telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be published. In exceptional circumstances the Editor will consider publishing a letter withholding the details of the writer, provided verification can be made. The Editor reserves the right to edit letters for space and legal reasons.

I was encouraged to read in Thomas Baldwin’s article (February 2021 p35) regarding the church in Scotland and UK, encouraging the UK governments to take decisive action on climate change.

Our own Scottish Parliament has taken a commendable stand by pledging to cut emissions by 75% by 2030.

With the UN climate summit at the end of the year, this is Scotland and the UK’s chance to show leadership and commitment to the world by implementing measures that will begin to make a difference.

Surely now is the time for us as Christians in Scotland to tackle the problems we as churchgoers face? After the pandemic, we will, thankfully, return to our places of worship. However, how many of the places, dear in the hearts of many, are fit places as we consider the impact of climate change around the world? How many of our buildings are fuel efficient? How many face costly repairs that will keep them going for a few years until more costly repairs are needed (and funded by often a dwindling, congregation)? Is it not time to show that we are serious about our commitment and show the world that we mean what we say? If we mean what we say, then we must act as well as talk.

It will not be easy; it will mean the closure of much-loved buildings that will contain many cherished memories. Places of worship that have served their purpose for so long but now not fit for twenty first century needs.

However, now is the time to consider our legacy for those still to come. To look at new ways to worship, perhaps in purpose-built, energy efficient buildings that could be shared with more than one denomination? Perhaps to rationalise our congregations so that more can worship in fellowship under the one roof rather than a few churches scattered around the town; each being heated and lit for a service where one building would suffice? There are many ways we, as people of God, can show leadership in this matter.

Surely now is the time to do it.

Douglas Moore (Rev), Prestwick, Ayrshire

Favourite carol

As I write, it’s Christmas morning and I’ve just turned on BBC1 to find my favourite carol being sung amazingly well.

I first learned O little town of Bethlehem in the Canongate Kirk of my youth and particularly relished singing it year after year until my retirement with huge congregations in South Leith Parish Church. But this experience is wondrous, as could never have been imagined then. All the participants are singing, swaying and even dancing to the traditional tune, here played with a verve that at first to the Presbyterian mind-set seems unrestrained, but yet is undeniably disciplined – and also impelling me to join in singing the unforgettable words. The participants on screen are all black, from Birmingham, and I begin to think that many in their personal life and family history must have experienced the hostile environment that drove Joseph and Mary to pick up their baby and flee from their homeland as refugees.

Such understanding – never part of the growing-up of people like me in Scotland – might help explain the whole-hearted zeal and zest. But, dear God, to find oneself singing of the little town of Bethlehem must bring a lump to the throat of all of us these days! Even back then, under the ruthless rule of Rome and Herod, “how still we see thee lie” did not last long for the baby Jesus.

And today, when we have seen the skyline over the shepherds’ fields dominated by illegal settlements whose pumps suck up the water that the shepherds’ livelihoods depended on, we just cannot escape the realisation that in the new normal there is no way to peace on earth.

How glad I am that a non-church friend has sent me – with permission to quote – new words written by Penny Stone of Portobello for O, come all ye faithful – “All who care for justice ………

Sing in indignation…… O come let’s not ignore Him!”

Jack Kellet (Rev), Innerleithen

Stained glass memorial

I read with interest in the November ’Remembrance‘ issue of Life and Work how many churches have War Memorials in stained glass.

I thought some of your readers might like to know that there is one in Edinburgh whose entire suite of windows, except some left plain for aesthetic effect, was given in the 1920s as a complete war memorial.

There is quite a story behind the gift.

The very committed and active Sir John Cowan, Chairman of the Congregational Board of Management, had lost members of his family in the First World War including a son killed tragically just as the Armistice was announced. When the question of a fitting War Memorial arose Sir John offered the entire set of windows as his gift! When they were installed an elder remarked on the massive enhancement of the building which ‘Previously’, he said, ‘had all the ambience of an engine-shed!’ The whole collection has grown in importance not only for its original purpose but also for its artistic merit as it is representative of the early work of three important stained glass artists of the 20th century, Alexander Strachan, brother of the more famous Douglas Strachan who designed the windows for the National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle, Douglas Hamilton whose work may be seen all over Scotland including the windows referenced in the recent Life and Work, and Mary Wood who brought the distinctive woodland element to the composition, all of whom were sometime lecturers at Edinburgh Art College.

There is so much to see in all these 37 windows.

Among the ‘Art Nouveau/Arts & Crafts’ greenery of the ‘Wood’ windows is a rabbit! Amongst the buildings of Jerusalem in the window depicting Christ going to His sacrifice is a building reminiscent of Priestfield itself with its capanile towers.

There is a section of cobalt blue sky in one window which actually intensifies as the evening light wanes rather than fading as one would expect. The Western wall is the climax of the whole composition. Best seen from the Communion Table on a sunny Summer’s day it blazes with dazzling glass from floor to ceiling. Here Christ’s story of love and self-sacrifice is told and completed with His resurrection and enthronement in glory. For eighteen and a half years I had the privilege of being inspired by this kaleidoscopic vision on my way to the pulpit every Sunday.

But there is a most beautiful twist to this story.

When it came to the dedication of the windows Sir John refused to have his son’s name incorporated in any of the windows for ‘all’ he said ‘had made the same sacrifice’. So his son is simply recognised by his Royal Scots cap badge if you know where to look. More people should see it. It is one of the unsung treasures of Edinburgh. It is a fitting memorial for ‘all who made the same sacrifice’.

Tom Johnston (Rev), formerly minister at Edinburgh: Priestfield 1990 to 2008, Newmills, Fife

The presence of God

We are engulfed in mixed emotions of grief, anxiety, relief and joy. The grief was expressed in a service in St Paul’s Cathedral at 5 pm Tuesday December 8 and expressed on BBC Radio 5 in the wonderful Emma Barnett show. We express the joy and pride of

the first person vaccinated for Covid-19 in the UK with millions more people to come.

All this humbles us all, and we truly feel the presence of God, the human experience of He who is described in the Psalms and Prophets and who came to us as Jesus Christ. This is the God described by the ancients and is now appearing with us, faithful and strong.

This is God, Son, Spirit embedded in mankind, in man whatever race, creed, religion or none. Humanity is shown to be in the presence of the Divine, each human person sacred and holy and loved.

John Kusel, Cumbernauld

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This article appears in the March 2021 Issue of Life and Work

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