‘Summer suns are glowing…’
I have just arrived back from three meetings in the Presbytery Office: one of which was the Nominations Committee, and another was on the discussion of my installation as Moderator of the Presbytery for 2025-2026, which will happen on Thursday 19th June in Giffnock Orchardhill at 7.00pm. As Presbytery is an open court, you are free to attend, unless it closes for private business. I am following on in the good footsteps of others who have served in this capacity from our own kirk: that of Robert Hynd and Bill Ferguson.
Back to the summer suns…
…the office windows were open but there was no draught, and the Glasgow heat made its way in. I suppose the filtered coffee and lemon drizzle cake did not help, but it was Friday.
The panoramic windows on the number 4 bus, whilst allowing a view of Glasgow being dug up street by street, just added to the uncomfortableness many of the passengers felt, especially those silly enough to sit at the back where the engine is. Just before turning into Clarence Drive, the bus decided to have a rest itself, after puffing and panting from the city and passing the University.
‘Summer suns…’ except it is still Spring and the pessimist will tell you worryingly that ‘this is summer’ and reminding those who will listen that ‘we didn’t get a summer last year at all!’
‘It won’t last.’
And though I do feel guilty about climate change and the powerful words of Val Brown from Christian Aid, of countries where dry and hot weather is an absolute disaster, I do like the heat, but I know it will not last.
As I head for the General Assembly on Saturday 17th May, we are all still in the Easter season, the 18th being the fifth Sunday of the Easter season.
In one of my favourite Gospel stories, two disciples are walking the Emmaus way. They are sad and they are grieving because the Saviour that they had put their faith in had died. They were leaving Jerusalem and that place of pain, and in their discussion of the road, perhaps the weather, and where to stay, the thoughts in the forefront of their minds was the three years that had passed, and they too, had verbalised ‘I knew it wouldn’t last’.
Then a stranger came and walked with them, explaining the Scriptures, and such was the comfort they received from his words and his presence, they invited him to stay for supper. The rest, we know, is history. Christ is recognised in the breaking of bread and they head back to share the Good News.
And the point?
It did last.
We are Easter people, in the joy of the resurrection, and we need to show that this message not only lasts but is eternal. The supermarkets and shops may have removed the Easter eggs, replacing them with garden furniture, buckets and spades, swimming apparel and barbecues, but we know that Easter is still here, the resurrected Christ is here, in spring, summer and fall.
Whatever happens in the Assembly Halls on the Mound to where our National Church is and where it might be (and there are even more radical changes to come) we must remember that Jesus travels with us. If I am honest, we may well be saying that some of what we know in our faith might ‘not last’ but through it all, as Christ himself has said, ‘heaven and earth may pass away’ but the word of God will not.
This is our summer edition, may I wish you all some rest and relaxation and no matter the weather, may you be warmed by the God who loves you dearly.
Your friend and minister,
George C Mackay
