Thought for the Week

June 21 will be the longest day this year. For centuries people celebrated this as a festival in many different ways.

June is a month of colour in Argyll. The rhododendrons and azaleas are in full bloom and the roadsides are a joy to walk, cycle or drive by.

The longer days and reduction in restrictions mean many people are beginning to venture outside and here in Argyll there is plenty to see and do.

June is also the month of birdsong, with many pairs raising young ones.

Nature can be cruel at times and once again our swans at Tarbert lost all six of their cygnets.

Birth and death are part of nature’s cycle. We rejoice at birth and life, but we struggle to lament at death and dying.

We need both for the cycle to be complete. As new life grows all around us I wonder where you are seeing new life at the moment?

Are you taking time to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of summer?

Are you savouring the warm sunny days? Are you looking forward to holidays and time with family and friends?

Creation is a wonderful gift for us to enjoy.

As Christians, we believe God made it all and saw that humanity was good.

God called humanity to be co-creators with God.

Today, creation is groaning in pain due to climate change and later this year the United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, will meet to see what humanity needs to do to turn the tide.

I wonder what you are able to do to help creation flourish?

Reverend Lyn Peden, Church of Scotland, Skipness linked with Tarbert

Loch Fyne and Kilberry.