We met as usual on the 3rd Sunday of the Month. When we met we tried out some of the practices we would then contribute to the midsummmer weekend activities
Labyrinths can cover the floors of cathedrals, or fit in the palm of your hand. We used rope as a way to create a large scale labyrinth that would leave no trace more permanent than footprints.
Having met, taken time out to study, reflect, and pray we were excited to see what the following weekend would bring. Two events were planned. The first, on Saturday, would be to to communicate something of the spiritual history and continuing heritage of Caerlaverock . The second would be to walk up to Wardlaw hill and worship there on the Sunday.
As part of the "Creative Caerlaverock" phase two launch we set up a "Monastic Experience".
This was based on two historical referneces to the presence of monks on the Caerlaverock Castle site. The first was from when the lands were part of the Holm Cultrum Abbey, the second mention is of a monk who is in charge of the trebuchets when an army besieges the castle.
The labyrinth marks out a path for your feet so that your mind is free to wander - meditate! We used this to represent the way in which monks adopt a rule to their day where the hours are marked out for specific activities. The whole day is then guided towards God.
The time is tolled by the ringing of bells.
We also provided a clay labyrinth you can follow with you fingers. Especially useful for those who are less able to walk. Participants could collect a variety of cards, and labyrinths to take away with them.
When the bell was wrung we gathered and presented a selection of readings, chants and collects that would have been familiar to those using the castle. The readings told the story of the birth of John the Baptist throughout the course of the afternoon.
Our activity was one of many. There was the opportunity for participants to try stone carving, go foraging for growing things as well as sounds, practice fibre arts, meet Lady de Bruce, and listen to stories by Mostly Ghostly (pictured here with Simon).
On Sunday we went further back in time, and climbed the Wardlaw hill, a pre roman hill fort which overlooks the Solway and the mouth of the river Nith north of Caerlaverock Castle.
Saturday was a day where we focused on general spirituality and discussed shared experiences of peace in a public space with everyone who was interested. We presented treasures from the spiritual heritage of the area through activities which we hoped would help people experience something they might not be familiar with. Connections were made and interesting discussions entered into.
Sunday was a linked experience with shared participants, but where everyone had responded to an invitation to meet in Christs name and share his peace. We walked from the car park having taken a moment to be aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit. As we walked up to an ancient hillfort we were aware of the timeless invitation from the creator of all to enter a relationship communicated in words and through life itself.
We used a mixture of time together to chant and listen to readings, and time to explore and reflect on what we heard - and smelt, saw, touched ...
The words “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matt 10, 34) have extra significance when you hear them read on a hilltop which was fortified, and then occupied by the Roman empire, around the time that the words were spoken. Ploughing and trees have overwhelmed the once proud ramparts, what lasts? what can be relied on?
We took time to stand still at midsummer and think about where we come from, and where our present strength is rooted.
The next Forest Church gathering will be on Sunday the 16th of July. Meet as usual outside the Crichton Memorial Chapel in Dumfries - dress for the weather!
Credits:
Andy Brooke, Simon Lidwell