What's on

On each Wednesday at 10.30 to just before noon, about a dozen people gather in the lounge for a study of the Book of Matthew. If you are interested in Bible Study please know that you are welcome to join this group for coffee and a chat and a study. Please speak to Willis.

Hunger Lunch

Sunday May 11th

after the morning service.

Lunch with a difference, provided by Cloud Ten!

You might like to donate the equivalent cost of your normal

Sunday main meal for Christian Aid funds.

On 15th May, we are welcoming representatives from North Street Church in Kingston, Jamaica. There will be a Ceilidh to welcome them on Sat. 17th May with Dave Bowen – make a note in your diary! And we look forward to hearing the Revd Nigel Pusey when he preaches the following day.

The annual General Assembly of the Church of Scotland meets for a week from Thursday 15th May. It is Crown’s regular turn to attend, so Peter and Bill, the Session Clerk, will be there. As in recent years, the best reporting is via the internet,

though there will also be a couple of television programmes and radio and press reports.

Although unfortunately the Jamaicans’ visit coincides with the Assembly dates, Peter will be back up for the Sunday so as, at least briefly, to be part of their welcome here to Inverness.

The Shallowford Chapel Choir from Atlanta will be making their third visit to Crown Church on 7th and 8th June. Join them for a Ceilidh on the Saturday evening, ‘Celebrate’ with them when they sing in church on Sunday at 6pm, and join in the BBQ at Rosemarkie to follow. If previous years are anything to go by, these are occasions not to be missed.

If you can provide accommodation for those two nights, preferably for two young people, please contact Anne Bowen.

As the days of our lives increase the days of the week may seem unbearably long. We become very aware of saying goodbye to many of our friends as well as many of our faculties. Our families live busy lives and have less time to talk to us. Does this sound like a grim picture? Are we poor old souls. It ain't necessarily so!

If we are retired, we have three gifts that those who aren't should envy. We have time, we have experience and we have space for God. At this period of our lives we have time to cultivate a closer and deeper relationship with the God who numbers our days.

With time comes wisdom, with wisdom understanding. Instead of thinking, "Oh this day will never end," could it be possible to nourish and enrich our souls so that boredom and loneliness and a feeling of uselessness will not make our days drag on? Many saints grown older have said that the cultivation and enrichment of their inner lives, or souls has made the third act of their lives the most exciting and fulfilling of all.

It is time for the saints of God grown older to celebrate the lengthening of our days. The Summer Solstice Happening will be conducted on Wednesday mornings, beginning 18th June at 10:30 am to 12 noon (concluding with daily prayer for those who wish to remain).

Through reflection, music, Bible study, discussion, we will seek to discover how God makes our days not longer but better. In the beautiful words of the Assurance of Pardon we sometimes use in church, " May the Almighty and most Merciful Lord grant unto you pardon and remission of all your sins, time for the amendment of life and restore unto you the joy of your salvation"

This is a perfect summary of the goal of this series. The "Summer Solstice" will be led by Willis and Pat and we would love to have you join us. The hands of the clock are turning, but don't play a nocturne just yet!