Tom – Tom Johnston

A Spiritualist’s View of our World Today.

A great furore has erupted over Shamima Begum being granted legal aid to fight the decision to remove her citizenship,

Even the most notorious criminals in the UK are entitled to legal aid and to challenge a court decision. So, she is entitled to this aid, no question about that. I was shocked at her attitude during her interview, but we have to keep personal views out of any decision.

Looking at this from our Spiritual values I feel that we should also be taking into account that she was a minor and brainwashed by professionals. By this I don’t mean that we should forgive and forget, but we cannot deny this lady the rights that are open to others.

We Can Live for 240 Years

Scientists in the US have suggested bats may hold the key to unlocking the secret to a long life because of their ability to hibernate and fight infection, experts say.

A study by the University of Maryland has found if humans were able to harness their adaptations, mankind could live up to 240 years old.

Have they ever heard that life is eternal?

TIME TO HANG UP MY BOOTS? / FUNERALS – MORE UP-BEAT THESE DAYS. / SO LITTLE CAN MEAN SO MUCH

T

Time to Hang Up my Boots?

When does one hang up their boots and lead a quieter life? When your body is telling you to slow down? Family commitments? Or that little voice in your head is telling you that it is time to slow down or change direction? For some time now all three have been suggesting that I cut back, but I have taken no action. Then, in the last few weeks these hints have got stronger so I sat down and thought it over.

At first, I decided to cut out serving churches and then felt it was better to still serve a few close to home and that would cut out travelling.

What about being on the committee of the Glasgow Association of Spiritualist – should I step back here as well? As I still have a year to serve on the committee, I will honour this then decide in a year’s time.

Completely stepping back all at once would leave a large void in my life so a gradual slow down I feel is the right thing to do. What will I do with all this time on my hands? I am sure Spirit will have other plans for me and I will watch for new doors opening. Also, I have a few projects going to help others and will keep with these. There is also the garden.

P.S. Add to the above how disillusioned with Spiritualism I am becoming. I say no more at the moment.

Funerals – More Up-beat These Days.

The format of funerals has been changing for some time now. It is said this all began with religion not being as important in people’s lives as it once was. Breaking away from the old traditions at one time would bring shame on a family. Now the family is in control and can tailor the funeral service around the deceased. There need not be a religious service, unheard off at one time. It is not now compulsory for men to wear black ties. In fact, many families suggest that the mourners turn up in bright colours or a particular colour.

Music is where I see the biggest change. Even at orthodox religious services these days. Popular music in many cases is replacing hymns and psalms or a mixture of new and traditional music.

I heard a gentleman being interviewed recently and he was explaining why the only music he chose for his mother’s funeral was the theme tune for Coronation Street. His mother had been housebound for two years and could not settle her mind on anything, but Coronation Street. The family would record the programme and play it back to her several times a day. So, what better music for her funeral.

What music would you like at your funeral?

For mine I would like “Atlantis”, “Wonderful Land” and “Never Ending Story” played on an organ. I am sure some of my family will find it all a bit strange.

So Little Can Mean So much

As I have mentioned before my little project of giving small flowering tubs/planters to those who cannot get about and it has been a great success. Not only giving them out, but making sure there is something flowering every week of the year. The stalwarts of winter flowering have been the primroses and primulas. Also, planted in with these flowers I have added a few spring bulbs. Snowdrops have been in flower, crocus are blooming and it will not be long before daffodils will be shining bright to lift all our spirits.

In addition, seeing the recipients benefiting from this, I have also enjoyed taking this a little further. What species and what colours for what person? I soon discovered certain species brought back memories good and bad. So, what to give and what to avoid for each individual was important. Some preferred pastel shades while with others, brighter colours. So, I did my best to accommodate their preferences. In the summer one old lad was over the moon when he saw the plants in his tub were that of his football team’s colours. Another was so enthralled with the birth of a granddaughter; the first female being born into the family for many years. So, I selected delicate shades of pale pink. One problem with all this. The flowers for one family were blue and white, I had not done my homework. They said that although they cherished the brightness on looking out their window next year could not give them blue flowers. This was the colour of the main rival of the team that they supported. It will be difficult to find green flowers so it will have to be white flowers with bright green leaves.

Others in the group are using their hobbies to help others also

A little thought and a small action not only boost others around us, but also ourselves.

Selecting the Present that will Open New Horizons … Your Comments … I WANT … I WANT … I WANT … G K Chesterton, Scepticism and Spiritualism … Website Changes?

Selecting the Present that will Open New
Horizons.

At this time of the year I think that
our 5th Principle “Personal
Responsibility” should be at the forefront of our minds. Take personal responsibility and not succumb
to the brainwashing on a commercialized Christmas. Resist being told to buy the biggest and the
best that will put you into debt that may not be paid off until late the
following year.

I have said many times over the years
there should have been an 8th Principle, “Common Sense”. I am now at
a stage now where I feel that a 9th would not be out of place, “Tall Oaks from Little Acorns Grow”. Many
a simple gesture takes wings and flies to success.

Take time to think of whom you are
looking for a present for. Tailor it to
suit their hidden talents. Hidden talents
that only those of us who are aware will notice. A small insignificant present may end up being
more treasured than an expensive one and be in use far longer. Even ask for a little guidance from spirit.

A few years ago, a group of us decided
to do just that. When Isobel and I were
thinking of a small minding for a young lad who had several health issues. All of a sudden, we both said in unison a
small bird feeder. We were surprised that we not only thought of this at the
same time, but we had thought of such a thing at all. On thinking it over the youngster spent most
of his time sitting looking out the back window so this would be ideal. Little did we realize how much this feeder
and two packets of wild bird food would change this little boy’s life.

He livened up as he watched many
different of species of birds come to his back garden to feed. He
took so much interest in the birds that his parent’s birthday present for him
the following June was a bird table. This was followed the following year by a
neighbour building three nesting boxes for Jack. All this brought Jack out of his private
little world. He is a different young man these days showing
much more interest in life. Something he
does not know yet is that his parents have ordered an aviary for his next birthday.

****************************

The Spiritual
Association of Great Britain’s Seven Principles.

We
believe in an Infinite Intelligence, who governs all.

We
believe that personal identity and all sentient forms of life survive physical
death.

We
believe that continuous existence and eternal progress occur for all in the
Hereafter.

We
believe in communications with the spirit forms.

We
believe is spiritually linked

We
believe that in the Hereafter, all must account for their actions on earth and
will judge themselves accordingly.

We
believe that all are responsible for the way they conduct their earthly lives.

****************************

Your Comments

RFM – “Tom, your “Everlasting rose bushes “meant
a lot to me. Starting in the early 1940s my grandfather planted a rose bush for
every family member that passed away.
This tradition was passed on to my father and now I am the custodian of
our family memorial rose garden. There
are rumours that our cottage that has been in the family for four generations
might be demolished to make way for a new massive development. I am distraught
with worry that our beloved roses will flower no more. Your article gave me a little hope as if your
roses could be replanted elsewhere at such an age ours could too.

****************************

I WANT … I WANT
… I WANT…

Every day you hear
people saying what they want. Well, this is what I want.

I want people who
are sick to be healed…

I want children with no families to be adopted…

I want people never
to worry about food and shelter and heat…

Most of all I would
like to see people start to care for each other…

Anon.

****************************

G K Chesterton,
Scepticism and Spiritualism, Illustrated London news 1906.

The name G K
Chesterton rang a bell in my mind and it suddenly dawned on me a friend told me
recently that after an operation he could hardly move and the only book within
his reach was quotes by G K Chesterton. It was not his kind of book
us as there was nothing else within reach, he thumbed through it and nearly
burst his stitches laughing. The quotes were thought provoking but
John could also see the funny side to them.

“Just going
to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage
makes you a car.”

“The Bible tells us
to love our neighbours, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally
they are the same people.”

“A good novel tells
us the truth about its hero; but a bad novel tells us the truth about its
author.”

“I believe in
getting into hot water; it keeps you clean.”

“Do not be so
open-minded that your brains fall out.”

“There’s a lot of
difference between listening and hearing”.

“Journalism largely
consists in saying “Lord Jones is dead” to people who never knew Lord
Jones was alive.”

Taken from the Internet.

****************************

“No conceivable number of false
mediums affects the probability of the existence of real mediums one way or
another. This is surely obvious enough. No conceivable
number of forged bank-notes can disprove the existence of the Bank of England”.

G.K. Chesterton

****

Website Changes?

This website has
now been online for seven years and has had over 37,000 hits. There may have to be changes to the site in
the future as the site host’s premium is becoming extortionate.

Wishing everyone A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Success / An Eighth Principle / With More than a Little Help from Spirit / SNU to take part in the National Remembrance Sunday event at the Cenotaph. / Controversial, what is E.G.O.! by Ray Kane Foulkes

Success.

Earlier in the year I mentioned how a few of us were going to use our
talents, gifts, interests to help others less fortunate than ourselves. Without being boastful we have all succeed in
giving some meaning to the lives of those we have helped. My contributions have been to frame my paintings/photographs and passing them on to
charities and individuals. My latest
venture has putting bedding plants in small troughs/baskets and giving them to
those who have been going through rough times at the moment. The latter has
been a far greater success than I expected.

With our long dry spell
those receiving the plants did not only look out on the colour and beauty of
the flowers, but had to get involved with watering them. This has encouraged
some to take a greater interest in planting a few of their own. I decided to take this venture a stage
further by planting bulbs and primroses in the troughs to have flowers in bloom
all through winter and spring.

This plan
was knocked for six as the summer flowering plants are still in full bloom. I don’t like to discard a plant that is still
flowering. Also, I would be doing more
harm than good if I pulled out the summer plants at the moment. Those who
received them would be up in arms. So much has it changed their lives. As one lady said “These little flowers are my
friends – my only friends”. And as the
little girl said which got me thinking about the power of flowers “Flowers are
God’s little angels sent down to cheer us up”.

An Eighth Principle.

Over the years I
have constantly said in my address that I am surprised there was not eight
principles. The eighth one being ‘Common
Sense’. Act upon ‘Common Sense’ as well
as our other seven principles and we would be further along our spiritual path.
Spiritualism would be stronger and our communities/world would be in a better
place than they are in at the moment.

I saw this on
Facebook and I felt I had to add it to this page

An Obituary
printed in the London Times….

Today we
mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has
been with us for many years. No one knows for sure
how old he was, since
his birth records were long ago lost in
bureaucratic red tape. He will be
remembered as having cultivated such valuable
lessons as:Knowing when to come in out of the rain;

– Why the early bird gets the worm;
– Life isn’t always fair;
– and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense
lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more
than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in
charge).

His health
began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but
overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy
charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended
from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for
reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense
lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job
that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined
even further when schools were required to get parental consent
to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform
parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense
lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and
criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense
took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a
burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense
finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to
realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her
lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense
was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his
wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is
survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I’m A Victim

With More than a Little Help from Spirit

One thing that I found difficult and
still do to this day, is saying prayers.
I worried more about the prayers than the address or clairvoyance.

Then spirit came to my assistance. As I was sitting at my computer listening to
some hits of the 60s. I suddenly looked
at my monitor and I had typed with assistance of Spirit an opening prayer. In front of me was; –

“Divine and loving parent we gather here in your name, which is
love.

We gather here, some knowing, some hoping that when we leave
this physical body a new dawn will await us.

At this time, we send our thoughts out to those who are
suffering, whether it be mind, body or spirit.

That someone takes time for those that are lonely. Even though it is only the briefest smile.

All those suffering from addiction – are given the strength and
courage to overcome their difficulties.

We sent a special thought out to the children of this planet.
Especially to those who are abused and those who are unwanted.

We can never end our prayers without a mention of the animal
kingdom. May they receive the food,
shelter and apace that they need.

All this we ask in your name which is love”.

I was shocked when I read what I had
typed and suggested to spirit that they assist me with a closing prayer. At that my fingers started to move over the
keyboard and the following took shape.

“Divine parent we thank you.
We thank you for your presence here this evening. And also our spirit friends for proving there
is no end. And when it is our turn to mover over to the other side of life –
they will be there to greet us.

May we ask that every head bowed here has a safe journey home”.

After all these years, I still use these words at the beginning
and end of our services.

SNU to take part in the National Remembrance
Sunday event at the Cenotaph.

At long last A very proud day for Spiritualism, we have asked so many times to be
included only to be turned down, now the door is open and we will proudly stand
shoulder to shoulder with other faith leaders in respect of those who gave so
much in the name of freedom. Spirit in action.

“Spirit in action”?

When the SNU became part of the Interfaith movement I was
sure it was only a matter of time until our wish was granted. However, should we not have
been doing more than “just ‘asking’? For several years I have felt the SNU should
have been more active in trying achieving this. Encouraging all its members to constantly
bombard Government and Members of Parliament with letters and emails. Many
small spiritualist churches have overcome prejudice and hostility to lay a
wreath at their local cenotaph by involving the community to help them achieve
their aim.

In October 2008, Steven Upton of The Spiritualists’ National Union
started an online petition, on the Number 10 web site, to allow a
representative of the Spiritualists’ National Union to place a wreath at the
Cenotaph. I believe 1,900 signed the
petition. Why did the SNU follow up this by asking its members to
regularly contact their elected representatives on this matter. Asking year
after year and meekly accepting a “NO” lacks ambition to succeed.

Controversial,
what is E.G.O.!

Controversial, what is E.G.O.! Everyone has it to some
degree: but it should be kept in check. Especially when working for the sprit!
My personal view is working for spirit is not about self: because we are the
mere voice of greater intelligence. ”We” as an individual should not be
important, ”as I state always” It does not matter who the medium is, or their
name, as long as the message from spirit is fully understood and appreciated by
the recipient of any given message.

The medium is secondary to the greater
truth. Again, this is only my opinion, but it is my opening gambit every time I
work, call my what you wish, as long as I connect for you, and you receive the
relevant proof and information you require. I leave the rest to more powerful
benevolent spirit’s who have a greater, more refined clearer overhaul knowledge
than I will ever understand.

My theory is ego is a need to feel important, and
to feel the need to impress. Spirit always impresses without the need to try,
they have nothing to prove, as the proof is awaiting us all after this physical
journey ends. E.G.O. To Elbow God Out. I would not dare try, would you?

Ray Kane Foulkes

Everlasting rose bushes … A Comment by Wendy Stokes … Sunday Afternoon Services … Your emails on “Freewill Offering or Pay at the Door” … Moving Forward. by Bob MacKintosh.

Everlasting rose bushes

In the early 70s an old neighbour gave me ten rose bushes, telling me that
they were his fathers and were 75 years old.
The photos above are the three remaining roses. When we moved to this house we took them with
us and for the past decade I have neglected them. Apart from pruning them and a little feeding
in the spring. Yet, having seen around
one-hundred-twenty summers they still give a wonderfully colourful
display. Jock’s father would never have
thought for a second that all these years later his roses would still be
blooming and giving pleasure to all who walk past them.

Half of one of the bushes has went back to its wild state and has a
display of wild and cultivated flowers.

A lesson for us all. Who knows how
far our words and deeds will carry on. So, let’s make sure they are beneficial
and not a hindrance to others.

**************

A Comment by Wendy Stokes.

“Four seeds in a row, one for the rook and one
for the crow, one to wither and one to grow!

I learnt this rhyme as a child so please
remember it when taking blackberries, fungi or whatever from the wild places.
Leave some for other species. I live close to the forest, and within just a few
years, pickers have stripped the forest bare!

If we all adhered to this old saying and
Wendy’s comment, Planet Earth would not be in the state it is in today. We
would be helping mother-nature right the wrongs that are destroying our
planet”.

*****

Continuing on with Wend’s comment.; –

When I was young an old neighbour lived for his
garden and soft fruits were his speciality. He covered them with a net until they were ripe enough to
eat. When he picked the fruit, he
divided his pickings between two pails and left some on the plants. The contents of one pail were for the family
and the other for the children in the street.
He said that was for the kids not stealing his prized fruit. The fruit left on the bushes were for the
birds and insects to build them up for the winter.

Keeping the cycle of
nature going means a better planet and a better life for all species who
inhabit planet earth. And every single
one of us can play part in that cycle.
Planting wild flowers to attract the insects. One lady I know who cannot get out of the
house came up trumps with her plan to keep the cycle of life going. She phoned a garden centre asking them to
send her two outdoor potted plants that would attract insects. They are sitting on her window sill and she
is amazed at the number of insects that are drawn to the plants. Where there is a will – there is a way.

Not just helping Mother
Nature, but continuing in the same train of thought in our everyday lives to enhance
our spiritual growth and in turn help others.

*******

Sunday Afternoon
Services

The Largs/Ayrshire church is the
only spiritualist church that I know that has a service on a Sunday
afternoon. There are many especially our
older members who do not like travelling in the dark winter’s night. So, could this be the answer to our dwindling
attendances?

*******

Your emails on “Freewill Offering or Pay at the Door”.

Anon “I had to close the door
of my church for the last time because of poor attendances. Switching from a collection plate to paying
£2 at the door made matters even worse.
If I had dropped the address I am sure we would have survived.

KL – The reason for poor attendances I put down to
too many psychic nights in the area”.

Morgan – “My job takes me all
over the country and I try to get to two spiritualist churches a week. I am not there to get a message, but to see
how different mediums work with spirit.
My experience shows that paying at the door has almost caught up with
the collection plate”.

VE – “To keep our church in
the black would have meant charging £4 to £5 at the door. That is too much
to ask anyone to pay for a service”.

Jessie “We found pay
as you enter the solution to all our problems.
The congregation and the committee are happy with the present set up”.

*******

Moving Forward.

Often
throughout this blog, I have read articles which showcase the contemporary
issues that beset modern day Spiritualism; churches becoming sanctuaries, the
‘celebrity’ culture among some mediums, the lack of appropriate dress
code/platform ethics, the lack of philosophy – the list goes on.

In
the early days it was thought the unification of the myriad spiritual bodies
into a single body – powerful enough to lobby and facilitate change, would be a
force for good. The purpose was laudable but, divisions began to surface within
some of the larger bodies, which led to the growth of many ‘independent’
organisations. Doubtless, where bodies of people are involved boundaries can
become muddied and divisions arise – resulting in the wider movement becoming
fractured. At worst outright hostility can fester. Despite our differences,
there is a common goal. What can we do on an individual level?

For
many of the reasons mentioned earlier, I prefer not to badge myself as a
Spiritualist but, rather, as a spiritual being. There is much to celebrate in
the communion with Spirit, but first, on an individual basis we have to return
to basics to see the figurative wood from the trees.

For
those blessed to work as mediums, the hard work never stops. Constant review,
study & dedication are required to become a polished instrument for the
other world to play a fine tune on.

From
my own journey, I feel my soul re-awakened and a fire stoked in my belly.
Although I have learned much and moved towards a much better
understanding/appreciation of the world around me – I am mindful that I still
have a long road yet to travel, one no-doubt with twists and turns. We are all
on the same boat in this respect.

As
well as healing, comforting the bereaved and giving evidence of survival –
spirit communication is a Divine blessing which allows us to unlock our true
potential and invites us to look within and should never be taken for granted.

As
we awaken and open our minds, let us do so in love; for ourselves and our
fellow creatures.

Moving
forward into the 21st Century, may we play our own small part of
driving the truth of life eternal forward, devoid of any personal gain or party
politics. Let us free ourselves of any chains that bind. As Robert Burns once said ‘Mony a mickle maks
a muckle’. Let us be agents of change – we owe that much to the pioneers of the
past and those still to come!

Bob MacKintosh.

The Wisdom of White Feather. “A freewill offering or pay at the door”. Feedback on Platform Dress Code. Let us not forget.

The Wisdom of White Feather.

“When you speak of that which you know to be true, be prepared for
some that disagree and do not want to acknowledge what you have offered. They
will either ignore you totally or deride what you have said.

Furthermore, be ready for attacks that call into question the very
essence of your being and the good that you endeavour to do.

Yet never forget, that if you are overlooked, ridiculed, despised or
belittled as a result of speaking out it is probably because your words have
threatened the very comfort of those who prefer to remain blissfully unaware of
what lies unseen by their vision, even though it is right before them.

Never apologise for saying or doing what you believe to be right. Do the
right thing because it is the right thing to do. ”

White Feather speaks through
Robert Goodwin.

Robert Goodwin (1954 -) is a trance medium and
philosopher. He is the author/co-author of nine books, the latest being Light:
The Divine Intelligence, the follow up and companion to Transcognitive
Spirituality – cutting edge science and spirituality at its best. His books of
spiritual philosophy, received through world famous spirit guide White Feather
have also been compared favourably to some of the finest spiritual teachings to
appear in print.

Words that have brought strength and comfort to so
many.

***

“A
freewill offering or pay at the door”.

“A freewill offering or pay at the door”. This was subject opened up in social media
this week. We also made it the theme for
our small spiritualist discussion group.
Some interesting comment from both groups; –

“There should never
be a door charge for a Divine Service”.

“Maybe a mix, pay at
the door one week and a free will offering.
On saying that it could cause a lot of confusion.

“Some Churches need
a pay at the door system to survive.
This means that a church with such a system is a no-go-area for those with
no money or only a few pence on that night”.

“In many areas there
is a glut of Spiritualist churches and it may be an idea that those who cannot
manage on a free will offering close their doors. Hopefully their members would move to another
Spiritualist church in the area making it a stronger force in the community”.

“Two churches in
this area were struggling financially and they were reluctant to have an entry
fee. It was either that or go to the
wall. Or was it? They found a way to keep the door charge at
bay. The presidents of both churches
explained the situation to their congregations and their freewill offering
increased just enough to keep the wolf from the door. So being honest with your members may be all
that is needed”.

“Some churches hold
one or two special nights a year and that helps to keep their finances in the
black”.

“I feel that many
attending our churches do not realise that rent or council tax, the medium’s
fee and travelling expenses have to be paid”.

“It angers me that
there are those who will only put a few low denomination coins into our plate yet
think nothing of paying £20 plus or more to see certain mediums”.

“Does a medium need
a platform fee? Sensible travelling
expenses, coffee, cake, sandwich or a meal if they have travelled far. That should be all”.

“My local church had
pay-at the-door and some weeks as I had only coppers I did not attend. My position has not changed and as the church
has now closed the nearest S Church is further away. As I could not walk to
this church and the return ticket on a bus is £3.60. I just cannot win.

My view? I see both sides of
the debate. All comments make sense and
it is for each church or area to sort what is best for them.

Yet I think pay- an entrance fee for a divine service should be
taken as a last resort. It does not do
our image any good and more importantly it can stop those in need of our
sanctuaries coming through our doors. Some churches have got around this to keep
going by dropping the address. No
address, no divine service. Doing this
is weakening the religious aspect of Spiritualism.

On the other side so much has changed since I started out in
Spiritualism over quarter a century ago.
Rents for the use of community halls have gone through the roof and that
is the main problem today. I am lucky
that I am on the committee of a church that has its own building and not in
dire straits as finances are concerned.
Yet, keeping a graded building up to scratch takes a lot of money. If I was in the committee of a small church
that rented out a community centre I would do everything possible to keep the
wolf from the door. Two special nights a
year to help with our bank balance. If
that failed, then I would prefer to see the church close rather that have an entrance
fee. Especially if there was another
Spiritualist church close bye.

Yet, all is not doom and gloom as I have great faith in our
members. Once they know the financial
situation many have that can afford to put a little bit extra in the collection
plate have done so. There are also the
mediums who should not be out of pocket but should ask for sensible expenses
and if they can forgo a platform fee they should.

***

Feedback on Platform Dress Code.

I knew I would get plenty of feedback on
my comment on ‘platform dress code’.
Here, it is; –

Tom “I
think you lived in an era that is older than dinosaurs. With almost every comment you want
Spiritualism to be part of the ancient past”.
G

“What does it matter what the platform party are wearing? The aim is to get an accurate message from a
loved one in Spirit to a loved one here.
It would not matter if the platform group were naked if we achieved our
aim”. Anon.

“Our church has no problem with the platform dress code. If a medium turns up not dressed to the SNU
code we say nothing and let them on the platform. Then, we never book them again. No use having an argument and lowering the
energies before the service”. A

“Tom, I have to say in all the years I have been going to
spiritualist churches I have never seen anyone medium dressed inappropriately
on platform. After reading all this I thought jeez……bit of a contradiction
between Miriam’s Beautiful Writing about how progressive Spiritualism is and
yet the rules imply otherwise. How can we stand and preach to congregations
about non-judgement of others and acceptance of others when within the very
organisation there are contradictions? Things like wearing a suit is a bit
outdated now…. some shirt and trousers are what most men choose to be smart
in now and comfortable and as for us ladies……well some of us have hot
flushes and hot feet so sandals are an ideal way to keep comfy. I don’t believe
things should be forced on others, people should have the freedom to dress as
they want. What they are wearing isn’t going to stop spirit working”. YL

“News readers and mediums are the only people I see wearing ties
these days”. BB.

“Tom, in our early days on the platform we would not have been
on the platform if we were not dressed according to the dress code. So much has
been let slip in the past few years and I fear where it will end”. BS.

“As you say the tail wags the dog and today the mediums call the
shots not the churches”.

“The only time I do not wear a suit on the platform is when I
take a service at a church in a deprived area.
Too many attending a suit is the sign of authority and many in the
congregation may not have a good experience with authority. So, at these other churches it is a sports
jacket and the tie I wear”. T.

“Like any other organization you obey their rules or you go
elsewhere”. ZB.

“Many spiritualists have a lot of talk, but no action. If guides are as good and helpful as you tell
us they are then surely they will keep the mediums cool in a warm church and
comfortable in a cold church?”

“A church I was serving for the first time told me their strict
dress code. No problem as I always
dressed that way on the platform. On the
day the chairman had no jacket and was wearing a polo shirt”. B.

“Garth Southgate England manager and
several other managers had a tie in the blistering heat in Russia. No Spiritualist church has ever been as warm as the temperatures at the World Cup. VP

Finally, an email from “ER” which may
have been sent tongue-in-cheek or even have a sarcastic slant towards
spiritualism. However, it may be closer
to the truth than many of us will think at first reading.

“You spiritualists say one thing and do the others in so many
areas of your so-called religion. You
talk about the great help and assistance you gertfrom the spirit world. You often refer to your mediums as
‘ambassadors of spirit’. Ambassadors
working for governments, industry etc. are well looked after the best is only
good enough for them. So, surely it is
not too much for spirit guides to keep mediums cool in an extremely warm church
and comfortable in an extremely cold church?
Has air-con not yet been invented in the spirit world yet?

“ER” – In my experience they
do just that. If there are extremes of
temperature in a church I never notice until I sit down at the end of the
service.

Let us not forget.

As the world rejoices at the rescue of
the twelve young lads and their football coach.
A team of rescue workers from around the world risked life and limb to
safely bring out the thirteen victims trapped in the gigantic cave system. Let us take a minute out from rejoicing and
think of Saman Kunan, Mr Kunan a former
navy Seal diver who died while taking part in the rescue mission. Maybe we should take time in
our prayers to say a few words for those who gave up their lives in helping
others. Especially those who may never
get a mention as they are working undercover for their country or whatever.

My Diary … Platform Dress Code … What Can I Do? … Betty Higginbottom’s Spiritualist Church Experience … Your emails… Community, Spirit and our SNU Churches. By Miriam Farrell Fitzgerald …

My Diary.

April.

25th – Coatbridge Spiritualist Church.

30th – Saltcoats Spiritualist Church.

May –

24th – Arbroath Spiritualist Centre.

A big thanks for all three churches for inviting me along to take their
services.

Platform Dress Code.

Many older Spiritualists are becoming unhappy with the attire of those on
our platform, the medium and chairperson.
JB emails, the rot is setting
in. It started slowly and as nothing has
been said to those dropping the standard of the dress code soon it will be
anything goes on our platforms”.

JB – here is the SNU Platform Dress Code; –

All platform is asked to remember that they are
representatives of the church and the SNU.

For the men the ideal dress; A suit a shirt and a tie

Smart jacket, dress trousers, shirt and tie.

Shoes suitable for a formal occasion.

In extreme hot weather, with consent of the chairperson the
jacket can be removed.

For women ideal dress;

A dress and jacket.

Smart trouser suit.

Smart two-piece outfit i.e. blouse and skirt/trousers which
should be of a suitable length.

All fabrics should be of a density that is not
transparent.

Suitable shoes, not sandals.

Jewellery should be kept to a minimum.

For chairperson;

Ditto as above.

The chairperson having the responsibility to ensure that
professional standards are achieved and maintained during events, all being
representative of the church and the SNU

Yes. This is the SNU dress code and in my experience most
independent churches and mediums have adhered to this code. In recent years I have heard churchgoers say
that the dress code is being neglected by some churches and mediums. Mostly by men. Surely it is not too much ask to keep to the
above dress code and show a little respect for spirit, our religion and the
church? The chairperson is in charge but
needs the full backing of the committee if they stop a medium going on the
platform when they are not suitably dressed.

As I have said before the tail seems to be wagging the dog
as far as Spiritualism is concerned. The
mediums do as they please and few committees will stop them in their tracks.

I know I am going to get a lot of feedback which I will put
on my July blog.

What Can I Do?

How often have we said and heard others saying “I wish I could do
something to help, but what can I do?”
This is when we are being distressed at a situation in the family,
neighbourhood, nationally or internationally.
Well, we cannot meet with President Kim Jong un to try to get him to
adhere to the Human Right convention, although I would like to try. What we can do is use our talents abilities
and interests to make life a bit more bearable for those less fortunate than
ourselves. We all have something that
can benefit others. Even the briefest smile can mean so much to someone who is
lonely or depressed.

However, we can go further and use our talents / gifts to help others get
their foot back on the ladder of life. For
the past two years I have been framing my paintings/photographs and passing
them on to charities and individuals. Recently I have started a new venture. Putting bedding plants in small toughs and baskets
and giving them to those who need a little brightness in their lives. I have
enjoyed doing this and at the same time hopefully have brightened up the lives
of others.

Others I know do similar things to help others. They included taking people out to a putting
green or a round of pitch and putt. Having a monthly coffee morning for the vulnerable
in the area where refreshments and entertainment is free. A friend who takes his dog to visit those
near him who are housebound. Offering to
do small DIY jobs for those who cannot afford a tradesman. Dog walking for those owners who are not fit
to get out. Cutting lawns and pulling
weeds for those who are not able to do this. Taking others for a day in the
country or at the seaside.

And remember the old
saying “Tall oaks from little acorns grow”. In doing this it boosts our confidence in
ourselves and opens up new horizons for us.
Those we have helped hopefully start to take control of their life again
and many go on to help others.

Betty Higginbottom’s Spiritualist Church Experience.

I once got told off by a
4-Year-old in Church, she had been warned not to talk when the
Man was on the stage talking, Of course I got a message and every time I
answered the Medium she GLARED at me lol After he finished (And all credit to
him for keeping his face straight) she told me I was naughty cause I had spoken
when the Man was on the Stage. LOL.

Your emails…

“Tom, when my father
died from cancer in the early 60’s a doctor said to me that cancer would be on
the run. Give it another decade as by then we will have many drugs available to
prevent and cure this sort of thing. How
wrong could anyone be?”. LH

“Our church has modern music with lyrics
written by our members”. L

“It does not matter
whether it is modern songs or hymns it is the MUSIC that raises the energy in
our churches. Singing without music is a
no, no for me”. Bess.

“I agree flowers do
bring back memories. Most of my family
has moved on. On the date of their
birthdays I always but a bunch of their favourite flowers. Sitting in the lounge with the flowers in a
vase, a candle burning and listening to soft music the memories of that loved
on come flooding back”. Cory.

COMMUNITY, SPIRIT AND OUR SNU CHURCHES

When we look back on the long and colourful history
associated with our Religion we tend to do so with rose coloured glasses.
Spiritualist churches were packed to capacity in the past and those in attendance
participated actively in the services, as opposed to just coming to get a
communication from Spirit discarnate, which seems to be the reason many attends
today. However, “the past is a foreign country… as L.P. Hartley states…they
do things differently there!” We certainly did things differently in our past
because society was different.

One of the beautiful elements about our religion is its
progressiveness. We have long prided ourselves on our progressive nature and
its movement forward in keeping with the society we inhabit but sometimes we
need to look back to know where we have come from and then seek the best path
forward. Modern society today has shifted greatly through the advent of
technology and the exposure of evidential mediumship to the media has pushed
many in the drive toward the entertainment industry which can be devoid of
belief and reverence in favour of economics and status. As such our churches
have been lacking in those confident to deliver and discuss the value and need of
our philosophy, over and above those who readily attend to develop their
evidential mediumship.

Our
principles which are displayed in our churches, stand as a testament to our
progressiveness. As the world continues to spin and society continues to evolve
we have entered into the paradox of our age, more technology to communicate but
less conversation or interaction on an individual basis. This can result in
feelings of isolation and alienation for individuals who find themselves in
need of a space to sit, to think, to be and to belong. Our churches therefore become a necessary safe
place, a sanctuary for those who need to hear their own spirit and communicate
with it without the chaos of the world around them, to what their heart, soul
and spirit actually need to hear.

Our churches are therefore more in
need today than ever because they are the locations where we can demonstrate
our connection to each other, build upon our sense of community, they represent
a beacon of hope in a very dark world. In this respect it is necessary we
support our churches, that we expand our sense of community. That we welcome
those from all walks of life without judgement. Our churches become the space
to communicate with the Spirit within and build upon and nurture that Spirit
before seeking validation from the Spirit discarnate. We have a wonderful
legacy, let us build upon it, embrace it and carry it forward and let us do so
in communion with our churches, our philosophy and our evidential mediumship so
that each aspect of our religion is supported equally and let us do so with
courage and pride but always with conviction.

My Diary … Music for our services … The Biggest Threat of All … Now is the Time …

My Diary.

March.

2nd – 5th It should have been
five days at the Glasgow Association of Spiritualists, but inclement weather
meant that Friday’s Awareness Group, Sittings on the Saturday and the two
services on the Sunday were cancelled.
But as soon as the weather relented a little the Monday and Tuesday
services took place as normal.

18th – The Sunday morning service at the
GAS.

19th –
A long journey, but it is worth it for the great Highland welcome at
Inverness Spiritualist church.

25th A much shorter journey this time to
the Kilmarnock Spiritualist Church. (SNU)

Music for our Services.

After last month’s blog about the music in our churches I have had
a lot of feedback supporting the hymns with up lifting lyrics in our
Spiritualist hymnbooks.

GP – “Plenty of spiritualist
church’s around so if you don’t like the music or format at one move to
another. A church cannot change what it
does for every person that comes through the door”.

T – “I attend several our
churches and they all have their own ways of working which I accept”.

BB – “Spiritualist are always
moaning. If it is not the music it will
be that the tea is not strong enough in the tea room”.

Bert – “Too many with their
feet hardly in the door are wanting to change Spiritualism for their own needs. They should be told to accept our ways or move
on”.

Here the top of the charts from the emails i received.

From our Hymn Books

“All Through the
Night”. “Amazing Grace”.

“Into the
Garden”. “I
Hear the Angles Singing”.

“The Absent Healing
Hymn”. “One
More Step”

“Keep the Beacon of
Light Still Burning”. “Morning
Has Broken”.

“Joy Illuminates
Everything”.
“I Walk In The Light”

“I Danced in The
Morning When the World Was Begun”.

And the more modern songs that were suggested to be Ok for our services; –

“I Can See Clearly
Now”.
“Love Shine A Light in Every

“Corner of the World”.

“I’d Like to Teach the
World to Sing”. “Any Dream Will Do”.

“Footsteps”.
“I Believe”

“Wind Beneath My
Wings”

The lyrics of all above are perfect for our services. Even just the music
of these songs being played while the congregation sits in contemplation.

The Biggest Threat of All.

I wrote the following in a magazine recently; –

“Our biggest terror
threat does not come from a human with a gun or a bomb, but from a
disease. How many of us know of a family
that has been killed or maimed by a human terrorist attack? Few of us will. Now think of a family you know where cancer
has not struck. You will now see where
by far the biggest threat comes from”.

A reader commented “TJ, I see
you are of the Spiritualist faith, so why are your spirit guides not pointing
scientists in the right direction to find a cure?”

A good question if you know nothing about Spirit Guides. A spirit guide, in western
spiritualism, is an entity that remains as a disincarnate spirit to act as a guide or
protector to a living incarnated human being.
They can guide us in different directions, to show us different angles
of situations around us, but they cannot take the final choice for us we have
free will to make the final decision.

Cancer has been a problem throughout all of human
history. A medical papyrus dating
back to 3000 BC mentions this disease.
One would have thought that 5,000 years later we might have found a
cure.

When President
Richard Nixon declared a war on cancer in 1971, there were high hopes that
scientists were close enough to understanding the underlying causes that many
cures were within reach. Now we are at
2018 and Cancer the name given to a collection of related diseases remains one of the world’s biggest
killers, with approximately 14
million new cases and 8.2 million deaths a year. In Europe alone.

American Vice-President Joe Biden said “Our goal is to make a decade’s worth of advances in five years. There’s no silver bullet when it comes to
curing cancer, but a difference can be made in the incidence and management of
the disease, even in the poorer countries of the world, if the right
people – scientists, business leaders, politicians, data
analysts – work together”. Breakthroughs in the understanding
of DNA and genetic links to cancer, screening programmes, less invasive surgical
techniques have contributed to reducing the death toll. Yet as the medical
advances have had success in cancer patients living longer the numbers being
diagnosed are on the increase so it could be said this is a no-win situation.

So, are we getting guidance from Divine sources, and more
importantly, are we listening? I am sure many involved in looking for cures are being nudged in
the right direction, but are they aware of this? Are they being allowed by the
pharmaceutical companies to go in that direction? (That direction may be holistic and the big
companies usually steer clear of that area).

We will be guided also. Do
we listen to the little voice in our head suggesting that we stop smoking, cut
back/stop taking alcohol or be careful with what you eat? It is not easy these days with so many additives
in our food and the pace of life can make in near impossible for many to cook
from scratch. It is like everything else
we have to take responsibility for our own backyard and not to blame outside
sources for not doing the work for us.

Now is the Time.

Over the years I have mentioned how ‘God’s little
helpers’ – flowers – have been a great benefit for so many that having
difficulties mentally and physically.
Well now is the time to start planning what flowers you are going to
plant in your gardens and baskets. Even
a few baskets and tubs filled with flowers in your garden can uplift so many
who walk past. Test have shown that Sweet
Peas and Lilly of the Valley with their lovely scents can evoke memories of the
past. The flowers that bring back
memories of the past to me are Cornflowers, Candytuft that I used to grow from
seed when I was about five-years-old. Often when I am on the platform get Lilly
of the Valley that is a sign a grandmother is coming forward. Even sprinkling
wildflower seeds on a bare patch in the garden and leaving them to their own
devices they will soon start grow and flower.
An added bonus to this is the flowers will soon attract a multitude of
butterflies, bees and insects.

We Spiritualists should know to work with Mother
Nature to make life better for others, other species and ourselves.

Hope on the
Horizon?

Normally I would not discuss political matter on this site, but
with what has been going on during the past two weeks I feel commenting on the
following topics is not out of place

In an extremely troubled world where so many incidents could quite
easily get out of hand, two glimmers of light have appeared. The fact that North and South Korean leaders
are talking and President Kim Jon un will soon meet President Trump is a miracle
in its self. I have said for many years
that the leaders of neutral countries should have been negotiating with NK a
decade or so ago. Let’s hope that the
current talks will be a success and step by step, starvation and torture in NK will eventually be
a thing of the past. There will be no
magic formula, but as long as one small step is followed by another small step a
new dawn will break over the Korean Peninsula.

My next flicker of hope may only have been seen by few. Normally I am against military intervention
as so often it causes many more problems than it solves. The attack on alleged storage of chemical storage
depots in Damascus was like a surgeon using a scalpel to take out diseased
tissue and leaving other areas alone.
Russia and Syria were told the attack were going to take place and they
got their personnel out of the target area so there were no deaths. Hopefully all chemical weapons are now destroyed
and innocent men women and children will not have to suffer and die in such a
horrible way. The fighting, suffering
and death will still go on, but a chemical weapons attack is a step too far and
action had to be taken. Syria is hell on
earth at the moment and has been for seven-years. A different situation entirely from the
Korean stand-off. Presidents and Prime
Ministers from around the world must meet
face-to-face with President Assad. They
owe it to the innocent of that region. The cannot keep walking by on the other
side with their eyes closed.

I am sure the Divine Creator and the Spirit World will agree with
me.

My Diary…

January….

28th – 30th Central
Association of Spiritualists, Glasgow.

February…

6th – The Free Group Kilmarnock.

13th – ASK, Neilston.

Spiritualist
Churches and Pop Tunes.

“I am shocked to find that Spiritualist Churches even
Christian Spiritualist Churches are changing from hymns to pop songs. What
next, the prayer and the address to be cast aside?” John L.

John – The modern
songs I have experienced while taking a service as a medium or chairing has
always been uplifting and the words just perfect for what we believe in. There
are also members of some churches who write their own spiritual lyrics to
popular tunes and I feel this should be encouraged. The more involvement we have with members the
better for our religion. I don’t think
we should dismiss hymns from our services completely as I find a great many of
the hymns in the Spiritualist Hymn Book cheery and uplifting. Maybe using both in our services or hymns one
week and the more modern the next week

I think one of the
reasons why the change to well-known music was because many of our churches
don’t have music to accompany the hymns.
This can be a bit problematic at times. That is why many churches stick to the same
few hymns the ones the congregation knows.
On saying that there is no need for a service to lack music these days
with so much on offer as far as the digital world is concerned. The SNU also have a CD with music for the
hymns in their hymnaries.

We notice the problems
of other religions dwelling in the distant past and we should learn from
this. We should move forward with a
tweak here and there to our services for a trial period. One change that several churches tried and
then most dropped was Healing during the Divine Service As a medium taking the
service I found it a great benefit and raising the energies for the rest of the
service.

As far as “What next,
the prayer and the address to be cast aside?” This is happening as far as the
latter is concerned. Many venues and I use the word ‘venue’ rather than
‘church’ because to be a church, part of a religion there has to be an address.
Philosophy has been pushed into the background yet a night of philosophy can
draw in a good number of people.

As far as “What next, the prayer and the address to be
cast aside?” This is happening as
far as the latter is concerned. Many
venues and I use the word venue rather than churches, because to be a church,
part of a religion there has to be an address.
Philosophy has been pushed into the background yet a night of philosophy
can draw in a good number of people.

You would think the
prayer was safe in our churches, but the suggestion has been floated in the
past that we would have better attendances if we dropped the prayer. If we drop
the prayers it is time to move over to being part of the entertainment
world.

Those Who Undo the Good That is Done

We Spiritualists and those of other religions constantly send out ‘healing
thoughts’ to those who are suffering mental and physically illnesses. Yet,
those who survive through our healing thoughts, medical treatment, and with
their own positive attitude are in for a shock as individuals and the
establishment make their life hell.

A professional footballer who had to have an eye removed in 2006 and still
playing football has had to suffer abuse from fellow players and fans. Horrendous that fellow players should act in
such a way, but for fans to throw fake eyeballs onto
the pitch in mockery of the player is the lowest of the low. Still staying with
football, the treatment of another player hit the headlines. A footballer who has suffered from depression
and tried to take his own life has been called ‘psycho’ and mocked for slitting
his wrists. The torment has again not
come only from fans, but also fellow players.
A team cannot vet everyone that comes through the turnstiles, but can
they remove a player from their payroll who acts in such a way.

If
that is not bad enough we live in a society where those who have survived
cancer and other life-threatening diseases are treated like lepers. After suffering pain, stress and in many
cases severe financial hardship, their worries are far from over. When these
survivors should be looking forward to years they did not think they would
have, they are in many cases treated like pariahs.

Cancer
survivors needing a relatively simple dental procedure have to struggle to find
a dentist to treat them. And others
barred from receiving even the gentlest of spa treatments simply because they
had had the disease. Relaxing facial, massage or eyebrow wax has been deemed
out of the question. It has also been reported that a large number of spas have
rules banning staff accepting cancer patients.
The blame for these refusals? Said to be on insurance policies and unproven
fears that treatment such as massages could worsen a patient’s condition. From travel insurance to problems obtaining a
mortgage, many people find their cancer has left them as second-class citizens.

We must
continue what we are doing but also go up a gear to help those I have
mentioned. Emails/letters to our
politicians and give donations if we can and even volunteer to groups who fight
such prejudice.

Ouija Boards for Children

The other day I received an email advertising Ouija boards. As I looked down the list of boards for sale
I was surprised to see how many there were on the market from prices £10 – £120
+. I was just about to condemn the email
to the recycling bin when I noticed that some were aimed at children. On further investigation I found that toy shops
were selling this product with retailers and manufacturers recommending
suitable for 6-years-olds and upwards.

The Ouija board in itself is not dangerous if handled in the
correct manner and used by those who know what it is all about. Used in the wrong hands especially when those
participating are under the influence of drink, drugs and treating it as a bit
of fun, it can be most dangerous. With nasty situations coming to the fore many
years along the line.

Many a time I’ve been asked to see someone who is being troubled by
spirit in one way or another. Asking my
usual questions trying to find a reason as to why Spirit is making themselves
known and acting the way they have been doing.
If a pattern is not starting to show I ask “Have you ever used a Ouija Board?”.
If the answer is “No” I
continue with further questions. If I am
still getting nowhere as to why this problem exists, I again ask about the
Ouija board, but this time go a little further with my question. “Have
you ever been in a room where such a board was being used {abused) even if you
did not take part in anything connected with it?” This time on many occasions the answer is “Yes” and is followed with “That was when I was at university etc and it
was 30- 40 years ago.”

Through time I noticed this new pattern starting to show. Even being in the periphery of
this board being used (abused) can be enough to leave one open to problems with
Spirit in years to come. I am not trying
to scare anyone, but this is what I have found happening to some individuals
even after a considerable length of time.
In almost all cases the situations I have been involved with, they have
not been severe, but severe enough for the person involved. On the
two occasions I have had to deal with victims who had actually used the board
for fun their experiences were much more serious. With those not having taken part in such
experiments I look on the offending spirit as a bully. And as we all know
bullies in this dimension abuse their victim all the more if they see them
getting upset. It is no use telling the
victim Just ignore what is going on”. There needs to be help from those who know
what they are doing.

So, targeting such a product at children and selling them in
toyshops is diabolical. Even having them
on sale for adults is not something to be desired. I am writing to my MP and MSP asking them
their views and will let you know what they say in my next blog.

Your Chance to Make a Difference

This is the time for our AGMs and I hope members of churches turn up in
great numbers and take things seriously.
Here is your chance to play your part and shape the future of your
church and religion. Don’t vote for your
friends vote on to the committee those you feel will be an asset to the church
and it’s future. Vote for the person who
will play an active part and not sit back proudly wearing the badge of
‘committee member’. Speak up at the AGM
let the committee know your likes and dislikes about the way the church is
run. This of course can be done at any
time of the year by talking to a committee member or putting a letter into the
suggestion-box. Something every church should
have.

My Diary … We Must Stop the Decline … To Remember Me by Robert Test … Bringing up a child the right way …Lighting this Candle by Miriam Farrell Fitzgerald.

My Diary…

October…

15th
– 17th – Glasgow Central
Spiritualist Church SNU, 64 Berkeley Street, Glasgow, G3 7DS.
2017 is a special year for this church as in October it celebrated its
80th anniversary.

27th
– Largs Spiritualist. The Brisbane Centre, Bath
Street, Largs, KA30 8BL. (Sunday 2.30pm). The only Spiritualist Church that I
know of in Scotland that has a Sunday afternoon Divine service.

31st
–A short journey to the Free Spirit Spiritualist
Church. The Masonic Hall, London Road, Kilmarnock.

November…

12th – It is
always a pleasure to serve the Ayr Spiritualist Church. 10 Alloway Place, Ayr, KA7 2AA

14th
– Falkirk and District Spiritualist Church SNU, 8
Burnhead Lane, East High Street, Falkirk, FK1 1UG. A church that has been opening its doors to
the people of Falkirk and district for over 50 years.

26th – Taking the service at the Glasgow Association of
Spiritualists SNU.

27th – Saltcoats Spiritualist Church, Argyll Community
Centre, Campbell Ave, Saltcoats KA21 5AG.
This is one of the first churches I served after coming out of
development circles and a church that I have always found to be busy

December…

4th Taking the service at the
Glasgow Association of Spiritualists SNU.

10th
– Kilmarnock Spiritualist,
Church SNU. 30 Old Mill Road, Kilmarnock
KA13AW. A short journey for my last service of the year. And another church that celebrated its 80th anniversary last month.

We Must Stop the Decline.

Spiritualist churches are on decline in
the UK as far as numbers are concerned.
We are now suffering the same fate of what other religions have been
suffering for many years. I find that
what is more concerning is the decline in numbers attending our churches this
year more than ever. Yet, a recent
survey showed that as each year passes more and more people are accepting life
after death and that there can be communication between our two dimensions.

I emailed several Spiritualist who have
been part of our movement for many years asking them why they think
congregations are falling away – and here are their replies; –

“Workshops, no matter the cost we usually reach maximum numbers,
but bums on seats at our services are few”.
If those who attended the other events we put on came to our Divine
Services we would be full to capacity”.

“Once one has proof of life after death there is no need to
return on a regular basis. I know of
those who only attend our church at a loved one’s birthday or around the
Festive Season”.

“Many look on our churches today as places of learning so they
can go off and make financial gain from what they have learned”.

“As far as the SNU is concerned they have more award holders
than they ever have had yet how many attend our churches on a regular basis?”

“Why attend a church where time is taken up by prayers, hymns
and an address when you can go down the road and get wall-to-wall clairvoyance
at a pub or club? That is the mindset of
so many these days”

“Personally, the lack of good mediums put many off”.

On speaking to several Spiritualists and
working mediums the main comment I got was

“Everywhere
I attend it is always busy”. That
may be so, but when you split the venues down to charity nights, cabaret
evenings, churches (?) which do not have a Divine services and churches which
do have a Divine service, the latter is where there is the decline in
numbers. We must do all we can to protect our Divine Services.

To Remember Me by Robert Test

At a certain moment a doctor will determine that my brain has
ceased to function and that, for all intents and purposes, my life has stopped.

When that happens, do not attempt to instill artificial life into my
body by the use of a machine. And don’t call this my ‘deathbed.’ Call it my
‘bed of life,’ and let my body be taken from it to help others lead fuller
lives.

Give my sight to a man who has never seen a sunrise, a baby’s face
or love in the eyes of a woman.

Give my heart to a person whose own heart has caused nothing but
endless days of pain.

Give my blood to the teenager who has been pulled from the wreckage
of his car, so that he might live to see his grandchildren play.

Give my kidneys to one who depends on a machine to exist from week
to week.

Take my bones, every muscle, every fibre and nerve in my body and
find a way to make a crippled child walk.

Explore every corner of my brain. Take my cells, if necessary, and
let them grow so that someday a speechless boy will shout at the crack of a bat
and a deaf girl will hear the sound of rain against her windows.

Burn what is left of me and scatter the ashes to the winds to help
the flowers grow.

If you must bury something, let it be my faults, my weaknesses and
all my prejudice against my fellow man.

Give my soul to God. If by chance you wish to remember me, do it
with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you. If you do all I have asked,
I will live forever.

Walking along a street were there were several people begging, one
stood out an old gentleman. He looked so
sad and as I put my hand in my pocket to put some coins in his polystyrene cup
a little girl got between myself and the old gentleman. She handed the old soul a £5 note and an
envelope. The old man thanked the little
lass and as he opened the envelope to reveal a Christmas card the look on his
face was amazing. That card probably the
only one he would get this Christmas mean more to him that the money. As the little lass and her dad walked away
the left an old soul sitting on the pavement with tears in his eyes and almost
certainly feeling more like a human being than he did a few minutes
before. Small acts of kindness like this
can mean so much to those who have fallen on hard times.

Bringing up a child the right way

Lighting this candle

Lighting this candle to send some love to the
world…this time of year as the material and consumer hype ramps up, we really
need to take stock of the things we have that money cannot buy! This is a
process we have consciously embraced in our home these past few years as we
remind ourselves consciously of the importance of love and values without a
price tag. In the last few weeks I have heard of and know of so many people
grieving. So many troubled terminal illnesses so many
who have lost loved ones recently, many over the past few years who’s passing
seems more keenly felt at this time of year. Christmas in this country is
extremely family orientated and the physical absence of loved ones is extremely
difficult to bear let alone to watch someone we love suffer. In addition it
appears whatever shift is occurring in the world is affecting workplaces,
relationships, families and communities at a collective and individual
level….please know if you are reading this and are feeling disorientated
please know that you are not alone…you represent light….you are the reason
someone smiles today…you may never know the impact you have on those around
you….and just as this candle represents light so do you however, small that
flame may be… the world needs your light… reach out….this lifetime is
fleeting and we need to support those struggling in whatever capacity
possible…send a text…make a call…lend an ear…a hand…a smile…listen
and hold the space….be someone’s light and guide them home… above all
shine… however small because you matter ….I ask all my healing friends to
light a candle to support all those who need that guidance ….and should
anyone need to talk remember I am only a text/call away xxx

Miriam Farrell Fitzgerald/