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 audien ce. 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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