Anthony's spring message to the parish in 2006

Friends,

Spring is once again upon us, that blessed time when new life abounds in all around. It will be especially blessed for us this year as a family. We anticipate a new arrival at the Manse around (or before!) early May. Beverley is expecting and we are all looking forward to a new sister or brother for Samuel & Miles. Spring will come and with it, by grace and prayer, will come new life. At this time of year it is as if the whole earth is celebrating.  With this thought in mind, I cannot but help ponder that the whole of life should rightly be a cause for 'celebration'.  St Paul rejoiced in his chains! How much more ought we to rejoice if we have the gift of life, health and even more so - happiness.   At many stages in our earthly pilgrimage we are called upon to celebrate. So let us celebrate the landmarks, the high points of our Christian lives. Justifiably the church rejoices at Easter with the message of Christ's resurrection. Equally so we are called to rejoice in our trials and sufferings. From cradle to grave, life is a cause for celebration. Whether we are celebrating a recommitment of faith at a Good Friday Vigil Service (as we will be doing at Denholm at 2pm this year) or singing joyfully at an Easter Day service. We might find cause to celebrate with the children at the Hobkirk school End of Term service at church. There is plenty of cause to celebrate the faith we profess. In the course of my ministry I have performed many, many baptisms & weddings but each one is special & different.

We all love a 'celebration'.  Hobkirkians also like traveling to Southdean and delight in the many special services there. This year, as last is no exception. On Sunday 26th March at Southdean, there will be an evening Guild service at 6pm. This will include a ceremony of dedication in memory of Charlie Douglas. On Sunday 25th June our normal Sunday service will be at Southdean. That day there will be chance to celebrate the Arts! An Arts Festival service will start the day following which the church will be open. This is a chance for visitors and the local community to share their gifts. If you paint and have pictures of the area, play music or have an artistic gift and can help please contact the Session Clerk or Minister.

On the horizon at Hobkirk we can expect to be celebrating – the welcoming of Scott Douglas who is to be ordained as an Elder on Sunday 26th March (Mothering Sunday) at our 9.45am service. We also look forward to confirmation of our new communicants into church membership by public profession of faith Christine Weigold, Cheryl Logan & Cameron Crozier on Sunday 16th April (Easter).

Please remember on Sunday 28th May at 10am, there will be one very special service in the parish and it is Hobkirk & Southdean's turn to host the Joint United Service with Ruberslaw. It is also planned to hold a day to celebrate "spirituality" across the parishes (this year in Ruberslaw during August).  Further details of this to be intimated.

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, the Christian life is a celebration.  So let us keep on celebrating and sharing our faith with others.  And please remember if you have a need, I am only a phone-call away (or a short journey down the road).

Every Blessing to you all for Lent and Eastertide

your friend & minister,

Anthony
Rev Anthony M. Jones, BD (Hons), DPS, Dip Th, F.R.S.A.