A lot of the latter are associated with what even the local “ good Presbyterians ” refer to as “ faeries ” or “ the old folk ” and are seen as thin places where this world and the world of Celtic mythology come close .
The author also meditates , being influenced by the Quaker insistence on absolute pacifism , on why war seems endemic in the human condition . Apparently , he has often been invited to talk to soldiers in training , being allowed to put an alternative point of view to that normally prevailing in military establishments . He describes conversations he had with senior officer and with young soldiers who had served in Afghanistan and Iraq . This sheds an interesting light on recent events .
All this comes in between details of the hazards experienced in walking over rough terrain , sometimes in bad weather , with a heavy back-pack . In other words , this is a travel book with a difference !
The book can be obtained from the library at GOMA in Royal Exchange Square or as an e-book from Amazon . co . uk
Paula R Fleetwood
Leading A Housegroup
I ’ ve not felt nervous leading a house group for several years now . After all , I ’ ve been leading one annually for 4 years now . However , these house groups have been comprised of wonderful , energetic teenagers , brought together for a week of fellowship and fun as part of the SEC ’ s Provincial Youth Network ’ s annual gathering – “ Glen ”.
Last year , I was asked to write the materials along with Rev . Jim Benton- Evans ( St Andrews , Peebles ) and Claire Benton-Evans , who is the Diocesan Children and Youth Officer for Edinburgh Diocese . Working with two very capable and enthusiastic people , who are also trained teachers and , in Claire ’ s case , published authors , meant that I was fully supported and upheld throughout the difficult process of pulling together house group materials from scratch .
However , I ’ m now adapting those materials , called “ Out of this World ”, for a new audience . The joint study group of St Oswald ’ s and St Aiden ’ s has been very successful and met nearly every week since last summer , and this is my current audience . With a theology degree seeming to grow ever further into the horizon of my memory , I offered the materials and my experience of leading house group to the group . Although I ’ ve taught many people , none of them have usually been older than 18 , so I felt surprisingly nervous to lead my first session . I think we may safely assume the mischievous nature of the Holy Spirit was at work !
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