Dear Friends

God speaks to us in so many remarkable ways. He spoke very clearly to me at a recent funeral I attended which was a Roman Catholic Funeral Mass.

I had attended many before, but none quite like this. I was used to the clarity always given that Holy Communion at these services was for Roman Catholic communicants only. Recognising the long history behind this and the ongoing theological debate that often raised its head in ecumenical gatherings, I had often prayed for Christian Unity around the Lord's table. However, I never truly imagined I would see it in my lifetime, especially recognising my Glaswegian upbringing with the strong Catholic/Protestant divide that I grew up with - something I am grateful and relieved to recognise is almost nonexistent in England.

As I settled into being ready to be excluded from this Roman Catholic Holy Communion, the Priest spoke words that truly shocked me. I could not believe what I was hearing! 'If you receive communion in your church, whatever the denomination, you are welcome to do so here!' Finding myself rising to my feet, moving to the front, standing face to face with a Roman Catholic Priest and receiving the Body of Christ was an incredibly moving experience for me. After years of being in an atmosphere of horrendous bigotry and praying for Unity, here, at this moment, my prayers were being answered in the most profound way.

God's Holy Spirit is moving. He is clearly speaking to us, changes beyond our comprehension are happening, and in these changes there is renewal, healing and wholeness.

May we continue on our pilgrimage together, listening and responding to the new things God is doing, and in an atmosphere of confidence and trust, embrace the changes He is calling us to.

God bless you!

Crawford

Rev CJ Logan, Minister