This week, I thought I would share with you some photos from my time on Orkney and some initial reflections. It was a great experience to spend time in different communities and to join in the celebration of the union. When you run out of orders of service, having printed over 100, it is always a good sign!
As with the whole of our Presbytery, Orkney has lots of diverse communities, many of which have a strong sense of identity. One of the key elements of the basis of union is retaining/celebrating that sense of identity, with the concept of local worshipping communities, whilst also working more closely together. As was suggested in an event I attended at Shapinsay, we need to stand firm but also lean in to one another.
I appreciated being able to listen to what was important to people, both in terms of life in general but also in terms of church. I was inspired by the willingness of people to step up when needed and to work together in sharing the burden of leading worship. This includes working ecumenically. I came away thinking that there is much we can learn from this part of the Presbytery and I hope that we can find ways to enable that to happen.
One of my favourite moments was when an elder commented on the reception after the service of union. He said that there was a great representation from across the whole of Orkney but what was even better was that they were all mixing around the tables and speaking to one another. And the buzz in the room was amazing.
Diversity and unity - a wonderful example of how this can be done. But of course, like all our adjustments, the work on maintaining both, now continues in earnest.
Rev Stella
