Autumn colours and a changing light quickly bring a different perspective to our landscape. The everyday view is changed into something different, often more colourful. Those who live close to the land know the changes and how the year moves on. Those who know about photography and art can convey something of the beauty of this time by their skill. A picture that inspires, colour that speaks of beauty or a timeless artwork made with the 'Wow ! ' factor.
In his collection of essays called Landscape to Light, the great Neil Gunn, among many topics, charts his view that landscape provides a stimulus to the enquiring mind. What seems merely background to many seems to feed the soul.
For me the landscape talks too of God and bears witness to a Creator, who sustains us in this little prayer, by Professor John Baillie (born I think in Gairloch Free church manse) reminds me of that:“Creator Spirit, who broodest everlastingly over the lands and waters of earth, enduing them with forms and colours which no human skill can copy, give me today, I beseech thee, the mind and heart to rejoice in thy creation.”
Even in difficult times we can rejoice in the beauty that surrounds us.
Flower Festival
The last weekend in August saw church folk from Achnasheen, Garve and Contin, join to make the annual Flower Festival a success, despite the weather. Which nearly led me to consider 'Noah and the Ark' as the theme for this year, and which also led to the tea being served inside.
'Creation' was the chosen theme and the floral displays showed the skills of the arrangers and the beauty of nature.
The Songs of Praise on the Sunday evening was attended by people from all over Ross-shire. Steve Jones led a combined choir and the congregation were enthralled by the singing of Moira Harris.
Fellowship, fun and worship were the main reasons for the festival, but the generosity of visitors meant £1,019 was raised for Church funds.
Lest We Forget
Remembrance Sunday this year is 8th of November. There will be an act of Remembrance at noon at the war memorial Garve.
There will be no midday service at Lochluichart Kirk on that day.
Rev. Fraser Stewart
01997 423296
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