What is in Kelvin's Head?

  • Prayer for Flight MH17

    It would appear from news report that are still breaking that there is a very strong likelihood that the Malaysian plane which has crashed in the Ukraine has been brought down deliberately by someone as yet unknown but connected with the conflict that rages in that part of the world.

    It is one of those moments where the world looks on with horror at something utterly terrible.

    I find myself struggling to know how to pray in circumstances like this but prayer must be found somehow. How to form a prayer for Flight MH17? Something prompts me to think of St Adamnan of Iona – one of those saints whom more people should know about. He is most famous for writing a biography of St Columba but should be far better known for his Law of the Innocents. It was one of the first attempts to lessen the savagery of warfare by getting those fighting to commit to leave the innocent untouched by conflict. Adamnan’s witness shines like a beacon from the Celtic lands. A product of what we now know are Ireland and Scotland, his influence is with us today and his message is entwined with modern diplomacy, concepts of human rights and the work of all who strive for peace.

    So Adamnan of Iona, prompt our prayers….

    Eternal God
    for all those killed this day,
    for those killed in warfare,
    for those who work for peace,
    for those killed on flight MH17,
    for those who work for justice,
    for those who are innocent who are killed in the conflicts of others,
    for diplomats, peacemakers, politicians and opinion formers in all places of danger.
    Lord in your mercy,
    Hear our prayer.

    , ,

9 responses to “Tales of the City #6”

  1. Ritualist Robert Avatar
    Ritualist Robert

    Thank you for introducing the word “stoor” to those of us in the non-Scottish world.

    Reply
  2. Hermano David | Brother Dah•veed Avatar
    Hermano David | Brother Dah•veed

    Have you been glowing again?

    Honestly, I think that it really says something great when they know, even if in a setting where they might not know!

    Reply
  3. Ruth Avatar
    Ruth

    I agree! As daughter of a C of S one, I’ve spent time in the company of more than my fair share. Some have ‘the aura’ and some, most definitely do not…..

    Reply
  4. PamB Avatar
    PamB

    Did we know that the Norwegian for vacuum cleaner is “stoorsooker”?

    Reply
  5. Rosemary Hannah Avatar
    Rosemary Hannah

    Huge compliment.

    And any time you want to come here and be calm at workmen, feel free. Then I can be free to go somewhere quiet and just lose it, as I have been longing to do for some weeks …

    Reply
  6. kelvin Avatar
    kelvin

    @PamB – we didn’t, but we are delighted.

    @Rosemary – thanks but no thanks. Being calm at someone else’s workmen is surely too much for anyone.

    @Ruth – the day I was ordained, the wife of a bishop told me my aura was golden. She saw them regularly.

    @Hermano David – You couldn’t see the glow for the dust.

    @Ritualist Robert – happy to be of service. It is the perfect word for what is produced when you mess with chimneys.

    Reply
  7. Ritualist Robert Avatar
    Ritualist Robert

    @PamB – delighted indeed!

    Reply
  8. Hermano David | Brother Dah•veed Avatar
    Hermano David | Brother Dah•veed

    You couldn’t see the glow for the dust.

    It is obvious that the VDW could. Good on yer.

    Reply
  9. Rosemary Hannah Avatar
    Rosemary Hannah

    What I now need is somebody to come back and be very very UNcalm at a joiner. Very very unclam indeed – new floor ends two foot short of the wall, and yes, there WAS enough wood. And good neighbour/joiner is hors de combat following a RTA.

    Or you could try coming and being very calm at me, if your nerve is good enough.

    Reply

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