We are at that time of year where lots of things are coming to a close for the summer. End of term assemblies, shows, concerts and presentations will be happening in the schools in our communities. Some children are looking forward to starting school, young people will be preparing for moving up into S1, others will be preparing for college, university or the workplace. And for some, this is the final term before retirement. Clubs and societies will equally be getting ready for a break in proceedings. And in our churches we may be looking forward to a different pace and pattern of worship over the summer months.
In our Presbytery, our third full year is about to come to a close as we meet for our last gathering of the 2025/6 session on Saturday. (If you've not registered yet, are planning to attend onsite and have dietary requirements, please can you email the office today). We will be saying thank you and farewell to Shuna, our Moderator, who has served us so well over the last two years. Her term in office has taken her pretty much the length and breadth of the Presbytery, with many services of union and induction, as well as civic events. We've appreciated her encouragement in worship and her sense of humour - as well as the way in which she has drawn out connections in so many different places.
We will also be saying thank you and farewell to a number of elders, both commissioned and balancing, as well as some Committee Conveners. Some well kent faces are stepping down and we will miss their contributions.
Of course, we simply roll from one season into another. Season 4 begins with Rev Brian Smith taking over as Moderator and from 1st July we will be welcoming into our fold new commissioned and balancing elders, as well as working with new Conveners and a different committee structure. (Again, if you've not sent in the paperwork yet for your commissioned elder, please provide the details to the office as soon as possible). We look forward to what the new session will bring, mindful that during it we will be reviewed by the Presbytery Review Committee of the General Assembly.
There is always an ebb and flow to life, with times of transition and change - moving from one era to another. Within those moments there is an opportunity to reflect backwards and give thanks for what has been good, and to look forwards and pray for what is on the horizon. Saying goodbye to one part of life and embracing another chapter isn't always easy, and yet we are faced with it.
Here are some words from the poet John O'Donohue from his book, "To Bless the Space Between Us" on the subject of thresholds:
"At any time you can ask yourself: At which threshold am I now standing? At this time in my life, what am I leaving? Where am I about to enter? What is preventing me from crossing my next threshold? What gift would enable me to do it? A threshold is not a simple boundary; it is a frontier that divides two different territories, rhythms and atmospheres. Indeed, it is a lovely testimony to the fullness and integrity of an experience or a stage of life that it intensifies toward the end into a real frontier that cannot be crossed without the heart being passionately engaged and woken up. At this threshold a great complexity of emotions comes alive: confusion, fear, excitement, sadness, hope. This is one of the reasons such vital crossing were always clothed in ritual. It is wise in your own life to be able to recognize and acknowledge the key thresholds; to take your time; to feel all the varieties of presence that accrue there; to listen inward with complete attention until you hear the inner voice calling you forward. The time has come to cross."
Thank you for all your hard work in the last year and whatever your plans are for the summer months, may you find within them some rest and renewal.
Rev Stella
