• The Way of the Cross – Maundy Thursday

    Today is Maundy Thursday when we remember the institution of the Eucharist, the betrayal of Jesus by Judas and the waiting in the Garden of Gethsemane by Jesus and the disciples. The collect for today is: O God, your Son Jesus Christ has left to us this meal of bread and wine in which we […]

     
  • You are God’s Letter – a Holy Week reflection

    During Holy Week, I am offering a series of meditations, writes Bishop Dorsey McConnell. They address a question that was posed at Synod, Who Are We?, and are based on six images used by Saint Paul to describe the Church in his second letter to the Corinthians (2 For. 2:14-5:21). Each is linked to a particular […]

     
  • The Way to the Cross – Wednesday 27 March

    Today is Holy Wednesday, also known as Spy Wednesday remembering the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. The collect for today is: Lord God, your Son our Saviour gave his body to be whipped and turned his face for men to spit upon. Give your servants grace to accept suffering for his sake, confident of the […]

     
  • We are God’s Prize – a Holy Week reflection

    As we enter Holy Week, I am preparing a series of meditations which you will receive beginning Tuesday, writes Bishop Dorsey. They address a question that was posed at Synod, Who Are We?, and are based on six images used by Saint Paul to describe the Church in his second letter to the Corinthians (2 […]

  • The Way to the Cross – Tuesday 26 March

    Today is the Tuesday of Holy Week, we hear the Gospel of John reading where the Greeks ask to speak to Jesus, the same Gospel reading as the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Today’s collect is: O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us […]

     
  • The Way to the Cross – Monday 25 March

    Today is Monday of Holy Week. As we enter Holy Week the material for each day will follow a slightly different pattern. Each day the readings of the day will be listed, text of the Gospel reading for the day will be offered, with a short reflection and/or words from others (quotes and poetry), music […]

     
  • The Way to the Cross – Palm Sunday

    Today you’re invited to read the Gospel of the Palms (Mark 11.1-11) and the readings of the Passion (Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16, Philippians 2:5-11, Mark 14:1 – 15:47). The Collect of the Palms is: Assist us Lord God of our salvation: that we may enter with joy into the celebration of those mighty acts whereby […]

     
  • The Way to the Cross – Saturday 23 March

    On Saturday in the Diocesan Lent to Pentecost Course ‘The Way to the Cross’ you’re invited to undertake an act or deed. Today you’re invited to be on time (or perhaps early, organised and/or bringing treats) to gatherings, meetings and other events. The material can be read below, or downloaded here: Saturday23March

     
  • The Way to the Cross – Friday 22 March

    On Friday’s during the Diocesan Lent to Pentecost Course ‘The Way to the Cross’ a personal reflection or questions for personal reflection are offered. As we end the first week of Passiontide, Bishop Dorsey’s letter to the Diocese is offered as a personal reflection. The material can be read below, or downloaded from here: Friday22March

     
  • The Way of the Cross – Thursday 21 March

    Today in the Diocesan Lent to Pentecost course ‘The Way of the Cross’ you’re invited to try praying the Stations of the Cross, in person, with a video or with the text and some images. The material can be read below, or downloaded from here: Thursday21March

     
  • The Way to the Cross – Wednesday 20 March

    Today you’re invited to reflect on covenant and Passiontide with music, hymns and an image of an engraving of Christ on the Cross by Dürer. The material can be read below, or downloaded from here: Wednesday20March

     
  • The Way to the Cross – Tuesday 19 March

    During the Diocesan Lent to Pentecost Course on Tuesdays we reflect on the words of others related to the theme this week of God’s covenant with us. The material can be read below, or downloaded here: Tuesday19March

     
  • The Way to the Cross – Monday 18 March

    Today we reflect on the readings from the Fifth Sunday of Lent with a lens of God’s covenant with us. The material can be read below, or downloaded from here: Monday18March

     
  • The Way to the Cross – Fifth Sunday of Lent

    Today is the Fifth Sunday of Lent, on Sundays during the Lent to Pentecost Diocesan course we read the appointed readings for that Sunday. Today those readings are Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 51:1-12, Hebrews 5:5-10 and John 12:20-33. The Collect for this Sunday is: Most merciful God, by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus […]

     
  • The Way to the Cross – Saturday 16 March

    On Saturday on the Diocesan Lent to Pentecost course, you’re invited to undertake an act or deed. Today is doing something that costs you nothing but brings joy to someone else. The material can be read below, or downloaded here;  Saturday16March

     
  • Bishop Dorsey’s Sermon and Charge at Diocesan Synod

    Sermon and Charge delivered by the Right Reverend Dorsey McConnell, Acting Bishop of the United Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney, at the Opening Eucharist of the Diocesan Synod on 2 March, 2024  The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling […]

  • The Way to the Cross – Friday 15 March

    On Fridays during the Diocesan Lent to Pentecost Course, you’re invited to reflect on what the theme for the week means to you. Sometimes there will be personal reflections and other times some questions to aid your reflection. The material for today can be read below, or downloaded from here: Friday15March

     
  • A message from Bishop Dorsey: “thank God for Passiontide”

    The Rt Rev Dorsey McConnell, Acting Bishop, sent a message to all in the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney for Passiontide: Beloved in the Lord; Every year, as we approach Lent, I am never quite ready for it. I never know what to expect. I think I know my habitual sins after all these years, […]

     
  • The Way to the Cross – Thursday 14 March

    Thursday in The Way to the Cross course are the day where you’re invited to try a contemplative practice. Today you’re invited to pray with art and with colour. You may find it useful to have some paper and colouring pencils or pens to hand before you read the reflection. The material can be read […]

     
  • The Way to the Cross – Wednesday 13 March

    On Wednesday in the Diocesan Lent to Pentecost course, we reflect on the previous Sunday’s readings with music and the visual arts. The material for today can be read below or downloaded from here: Wednesday13march

     
  • A message for Ash Wednesday: Look up to the glory of God

    The Rt Rev Dorsey McConnell, Acting Bishop, sent a message to all in the Diocese of Aberdeen & Orkney on Ash Wednesday: Beloved in the Lord; Today in the world’s calendar is that feast of love known as Saint Valentine’s Day.  Back in the States, this is a big deal, especially for the retail sector.  […]

  • The Way to the Cross – Tuesday 12 March

    Today you’re invited to reflect on quotes about John 3.16, living a Christian life and a poem by St John of the Cross. The material can be read below, or downloaded from here: Tuesday12March

     
  • The Way to the Cross – Monday 11 March

    During the Diocesan Lent to Pentecost course we reflect on the previous Sunday’s readings on Monday. Today we reflect on the theme of God’s faithfulness in readings from Numbers, Psalm 107, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. The material can be read below, or downloaded from here: Monday11March

     
  • The Way to the Cross – Fourth Sunday of Lent

    Today is the Fourth Sunday of Lent, and as part of The Way to the Cross course you’re invited to read the Revised Common Lectionary Readings appointed for today. These are not the Mothering Sunday readings, which some churches may use. The Collect for today is Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came from […]

     
  • The Way to the Cross – Saturday 9 March

    Saturday is the day of the week in the Diocesan Lent to Pentecost Course where you’re invited to undertake an act or deed. Today’s invitation is about cleaning and/or tidying. You can read today’s material below, or download it from here: Saturday9March

     

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