This Sunday we will be keeping Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, marking the end of the Christmas season. This Sunday and next, there will be a service in Ullapool.
The next meeting of the monthly Bible Study Group will be on Monday 9th February at 5.00 p.m. at Joy’s house. The group will be starting a new series of studies looking at the shorter letters of the New Testament.
Our study day with Rev’d David Coleman, chaplain of EcoCongregation Scotland, on Saturday 14th February is fast approaching. The title of the day is For the Love of the Earth and will consider our spiritual response to the climate emergency. We will gather at 10am for refreshments aiming to start around 10.15. There will be a break at lunchtime from about 11.50 to 1.15 so that those who wish may join the Ullapool Peace Vigil, and it is hoped that a short film will be shown for others. Soup will be served at around 12.30 and tea/coffee etc will be available but please bring your own sandwich as you wish. Our discussion will continue in the afternoon until about 3.00 pm after which there will be a short closing worship. We aim to finish about 3.15/3.20 p.m. so that people can be on the road home by 3.30pm. We need to know approximate numbers sooner rather than later so that we can decide if this is an event we can host in St Mary’s or if we need to book an alternative venue. Therefore, if you are intending to come, and I do encourage you to do so as I think it will be an interesting day, please would you let me know soon. There is a sheet in St Mary’s to add names or send me an email. Further information is available in the News and Notices section of this website.
Wednesday 18th February is Ash Wednesday. There will be services of Holy Eucharist with imposition of ashes in St Mary’s at 11.00 am and 6.00 pm that day. If you have your palm cross from last year and would like me to burn it for this year’s ashes, please give it to me by Sunday 15th February.
The latest edition of the St Mary’s Environment Group’s newsletter is out. My thanks to Fr David for producing this. It has been sent to those who are part of the St Mary’s congregation and is also available on our website. If anyone else would like it sent to them, please let me know.
Last call for any unwanted calendars and diaries for use by the chaplain at Inverness prison. These should be for 2026 and should not contain pictures of children. Ideally, they should not have a wire spiral binding, but these can be replaced if necessary.
I am going to be taking a short break and will be away from Wednesday 4th February to Tuesday 10th February. In my absence, Rev’d David Higgon will conduct the services in Ullapool and will be available to provide emergency pastoral care for the Ullapool and Achiltibuie congregations. Ven John Green will provide emergency pastoral cover for the Lochinver and Kinlochbervie congregations.
With love and prayers
Rev’d Clare
Please click the link below for this week’s readings and reflection