Jamie McMorrin

Leave this world better than you found it, so can die happy, and feeling done your best. 22/2/24

I’ve been following the recent news of India experience of Corona virus with perhaps more attentions than most. Here at the Cathedral parish, I live work with two priests from that country, who’ve left their families friends and familiar surroundings to come to minister in Scotland here. It’s a sacrifice at best of times. But perhaps best in these days, when restrictions on international travel, however necessary, makes the distance that separates them from their loved ones so much greater. Over dinner last week, one was telling me of his concerns over his elderly father, who had been taken into hospital and is now thank goodness making a good recovery. The other shared how his brother’s wedding, which has been postponed several times so that he could come to Scotland and affiliate at it, would now, be going ahead in a few weeks time without him. Both of them told stories of relatives, neighbours, and friends, who have been affected in even more serious ways by pandemic.

Gospel messages are important enough to have survived the changing media of two millennium, and will still be around in some form for centuries to come. 12/7/2022

As someone who's idea of perfect holiday involves Scottish mountains and pile of books, I was less affected than many by the restriction on foreign travel this summer. But I must confess to a twinge of holiday envy, when a friend upload to social media some picture of herself sitting out on the famous Camino de Santiago across Spain. I went Camino myself as student, and it was life changing experience, I can't wait to go back one day. Of course, Spain doesn't have monopoly on pilgrimage, and Scotland can be proud of her own heritage. The medieval cathedral in St Andrews, draw crowds from across Europe. As I do this another Scottish priest is lacing his boots, strapping on this rucksack on a pilgrimage of his own. Father Jim Walls has spent pass few weeks of his summer holiday walking, in the footsteps of 7th century monks, he's being relies on the kindness of hospitality of others, in order to raise awareness of migrants and refugees, and through sponsorship, raising money for the charities minister to that.

Doing something I haven’t done for months, not a haircut, I’m afraid I was among the first in line for that on Monday morning, but a wedding rehearsal, a preparation for my first celebration of this year. Hopefully, as lockdown restrictions begin to ease, it will be the first of many, as couples who have been postponing their big day can at last, begin to make plan to celebrate. This particular meeting would be a quiet affair, still with only 5 people permitted in our vast cathedral. And yet somehow this is not so inappropriate, many of most important moment in the life of Jesus, including his birth and death, were witnessed not by huge crowd that followed him when the going was good, only by special chosen faithful few.

Parish council meetings tend to be pleasant and uneventful, conducted in a spirit of friendly civility, and deal with such hot-button political topics, such as responsibility for recycling bins, cost benefit analysis for fair-trade biscuits, and cost for double glazing... I'm sure if we have standing orders, if we do, I confess not having read them, please don't tell the chair person.

All the attentions of world media is focused on Melbourne, the ongoing trials and tribulations of Novak Djokovic. Our own Andy Murray was on court in Sydney doing what he does best. Easing, and chipping, and smashing his way to the semi-final of tennis competition.

Happy St.Andrew’s Day, for more than 1000 years St.Andrew has been celebrated in Scotland, his name has being mentioned in the decoration of growth, as Scotland special patriot saint. During the centuries, churches and cathedrals were built in his honour, kings and solders have called on his aid as they went into battle, and medieval pilgrims have travelled to this country from all across Christendom to honour his relics. Although the great medieval cathedral is now in ruin, and today’s pilgrims are much more likely to come with golf clubs than prayer petitions, his name still associated with university which became his final resting place.

Last week I attended a clergy training day here in Edinburgh, the coffee breaks for such day are great opportunity to catch up news from priest of other parishes.

Whatever the challenges, there's music for every moment, making lows bearable, highs memorable, brings joy strength and peace. 22/11/23

Wondering curiosity, mind full questions, heart open to friendship, hope still be child-like even at end of life. 16/8/23

All of us, unique, unrepeatable individuals, that no community should ever take our individuality away. 9/3/23

As we've been hearing yesterday we went to the poll to elect those who will represent us as local councillors. Although local politics doesn't usually provoke the headline grabbing excitement of Holyrood and Westminster, the decisions they will make for us and our communities in the coming month will have a very direct impact on our everyday lives.