Making Connections

Our electronic Cluster News and Online Liturgy are sent to around 350 people each week. 

Somebody who didn’t have a direct connection with our parishes shares how she and her colleagues came across our Newsletter and Liturgy and how they have impacted their lives.

Hello, you don’t know me, but over the last year I feel I have gotten to know some of you from your weekly online services. There are a few of us who now frequently read the newsletter and watch the services and I was asked if I could write something on behalf of all of us on how it is we came to use these resources and why we still use them.

During the lockdown we were lucky enough to be able to come to work because we make components that are used to make COVID testing kits. Even though it was a lot of work and stressful, not only because of the amount, but we had to change the way we work, we were excited and felt privileged to be able to do our bit. Like everyone else we thought that the lockdown would only be for a couple of months, but after a few weeks we realised it was going to be much longer. Even though it was stressful, we didn’t really think about what we were doing. We were making the same products we always make, just loads more than normal. But then customers and suppliers started sending us things to thank us and sending gifts for the work we were doing. It seemed odd because we weren’t doing anything different. But then it hit us when one of us had to get tested. Thankfully, it was negative but the local hospital where she was tested was using kits containing our components. In that moment everything became real and one by one we all started to cry.

Our boss gathered us together and sat down made us tea (mean cup of tea by the way) and we talked about how before lockdown we would have dealt with the stress. Everyone said hanging out with friends and family, but also some said the gym, some the pub, some the chapel, some the kirk and others shopping. One of the things she did to help us was offered to show the online service for anyone that wanted to see it. Most of us watched it and sometimes we still watch it together. I like your online services. Like many of my colleagues I have no specific beliefs, but I connected. These were ordinary people just like us, even the priest (cute dog by the way). It would have been easy just to record a normal service, other churches did this, but in having the whole cluster involved showed there is a community who work as team. Just like us.

This connection has helped me and others to get through the last year. I can see the passion you all have, not only for your beliefs but for the welfare of all those around you. There are so many people involved and that probably doesn’t account for those behind the scenes. Every week you put in the effort and, speaking personally, it helped me to put in the effort to make sure we got all the orders out. I really felt like you had my back, or at least my soul. Thank you for that and thank you for praying for scientists when the rest of the world seemed to be becoming critical of us.

Because of what we do, we have colleagues throughout the world and during calls we started sharing how we have connected with the South Edinburgh Cluster and how we have started to get to know a little about the people who do the presentations and prayers and started to share the links with colleagues in US, Japan, Belgium, France, Italy and Germany. Now we know more about each other’s beliefs. Did you know not all Japanese people are Buddhist, but most are Shinto? Our Japanese friends tell us that many people mix and match between the two. One of them has tried every single one of the weekly recipes, although he said he used snake instead of sausages because there are no sausages in Japan. Not sure he was serious about that, but he does pray for all of us in a Shinto temple on Mount Fuji. He said it was a great honour that people we have never met would take the time to think of us, so honours that respect while visiting the temple.

Praying isn’t something I have done, well except when looking for a parking space or please work, but not sure that counts. I asked our boss how to start and she said there is no set process just open your heart and let your thoughts run free. Not sure this is exactly true (she likes to take us out of our comfort zone) but it works for me. I am not sure if I will ever join a church, but every now and then I open my heart and let my thoughts run free. In those thoughts are you.

Thank you for helping me through the last 18 months, thank you for praying for scientists, thank you for giving us the confidence to talk about our beliefs and learn more about each other and thank you to introducing me to prayer. Without your online services we would never have had the conversation.