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Emerging glistening from the water – sermon preached on 7 July 2019
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. I emerged from the water, radiant and glistening in the sunlight and made my way up onto the beach. Not like Daniel Craig emerging from the sea in Casino Royale. Not even like Ursula Andress coming up out of…
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Whose Spiritual Mantle Will You Inherit?
Sermon preached on 30 June 2019 In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Just the other week I was chatting with someone who asked me where I had studied. I told them that I had read Divinity at the University of St Andrews. Straightaway, the question…
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50 Years of Protest and Change
As day turns to evening on the 28 June 2019, it is difficult not to think of a couple of relatively small-scale riots that took place 50 years ago and murmur a quiet prayer of thanksgiving for the rioters. I have little doubt that there was no way they could foresee the movement which was…
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Honorary Fellowship Citation
This afternoon I was admitted as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. I found myself in the most extraordinary company and still can’t believe that this happened to me. Below is the citation which was read as part of the ceremony by the Registrar of the College, Roddy…
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Sermon for Easter Day
In the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. Shining brightly in the sanctuary, surrounded by flowers is the light of Easter – the Great Paschal candle. The fire that we kindled as day began and brought into church. It shines at the significant moments here in church – when someone is…
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Statement on the fire at Notre Dame
The fire at Notre Dame Cathedral is a tragedy not only for Paris and the people of France but for the world. Those who know the building will be unable to see the pictures of the fire without feeling heartbroken. So many different things that make up the building are priceless – the medieval roof,…
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If I had just one more sermon to preach…
During Lent, members of the clergy at St Mary’s are giving addresses at Choral Evensong on the theme “If I had just one more sermon to preach…” Here’s mine: In the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. If I had just one more sermon to preach, I’d tell people that God loved…
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Statement on the Christchurch Terror Attacks Against Muslims
Glasgow in Scotland and Christchurch in New Zealand are linked by the fact that each contains a cathedral built to an identical design. Christ Church Cathedral and St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow were built to identical plans. Christian hearts and Muslim hearts are made to the same design as one another. Today we weep for all…
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Teaching sermon on Confession and Absolution
During Lent, I’m preaching giving simple teaching addresses focussing on different things that we do during the Eucharist. In the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. I don’t know whether you’ve given something up for Lent. These days I often tend to think of taking something up for Lent rather than giving…
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Pancake Recipe
Once more for your delectation – the Provost’s Perfect Pancake Receipt: Ingredients: 100g plain flour pinch of salt 2 large heggs 200 ml milk 75 ml water 50g melted butter Method: Sieve Whizz Fry