Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Official Report 881KB pdf

Time for Reflection

Good afternoon. Before we begin, I remind members that social distancing regulations are in place throughout the chamber and the Parliament building. I ask that members stick to the same seat and to be careful, when entering and leaving the chamber, to continue to observe the 2m rule.

The first item of business is time for reflection. Our time for reflection leader is the Rev Jonathan Fleming, who is the minister at Cumbrae parish church and at St John’s parish church in Largs. He is joining us via live audio link. [Interruption.] We will give Mr Fleming a few minutes.

Well, colleagues, we are used to new ways of working and new technologies sometimes letting us down.

Presiding Officer and members of the Scottish Parliament, thank you for the opportunity to address the Scottish Parliament today, albeit from the west coast.

I do not know about you but, in the midst of all our current anxiety and uncertainty, I continue to be amazed daily as people come up with creative and beautiful ways to show that they care. From kids using rocks as a canvas on which to paint messages of love and hope to people using 3D printers to make personal protective equipment for care workers, and from the painting of rainbows on windows to volunteers working around the clock to ensure that people have food and medicine, our nation is beaming with love and compassion.

When people hear the word “commandment”, many think of the 10 that are listed in the Old Testament of the Bible, but in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, we are also told that we must love our neighbour as we love ourselves—something that Jesus goes on to describe as the greatest commandment.

When we look back upon our nation’s response to Covid-19, what words will be brought to your mind? Yes, we started with panic buying, but that soon settled down. Some might remember social distancing—something that might very well have become part of our new normal—but the words that ring in my ears the most from the last few weeks are “thank you”.

People are standing on their doorsteps weekly to either clap their hands in gratitude for our front-line workers or stand in silence to give thanks for the lives of loved ones who have died. Windows, billboards, vehicles and driveways are adorned with messages of gratitude from John O’Groats to Land’s End, all in the name of love.

As part of the Millport support group and of a tremendous ministry team that has kept the congregations of St John’s in Largs and Cumbrae connected in the midst of lockdown through Zoom, social media and telephone, I read, hear and witness how powerful love can be when it is in action. Each day, our Largs-based project the Living Room offers a listening ear by telephone to those who are struggling, but only thanks to the dedication of our team of volunteers. That is love in action.

Friends, I firmly believe that love wins. May we continue to love our neighbours, to give thanks and to keep safe. Thank you.

Thank you for that contribution.