Jill Baker
@ejillbaker.bsky.social
Retired (whatever that means) but still part of the Methodist Church in Scotland. Local preacher. Special love for Andrew, Tim, Hannah & Martha, missing Peter always. Gardener & occasional writer.
Reposted by Jill Baker
Sunday thought (from Sheryl): Through complex and patient communication, bees work together to ensure that their colony thrives.
To ponder…
In God’s community, how does ‘complex and patient communication’ feature?
What can we learn from bees?
To ponder…
In God’s community, how does ‘complex and patient communication’ feature?
What can we learn from bees?
January 25, 2026 at 8:18 AM
Sunday thought (from Sheryl): Through complex and patient communication, bees work together to ensure that their colony thrives.
To ponder…
In God’s community, how does ‘complex and patient communication’ feature?
What can we learn from bees?
To ponder…
In God’s community, how does ‘complex and patient communication’ feature?
What can we learn from bees?
Reposted by Jill Baker
Sunday thought (from Sheryl):
'For you shall go out in joy
and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. (Isa. 55:12)
How might these words encourage our solidarity and advocacy for those in exile?
'For you shall go out in joy
and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. (Isa. 55:12)
How might these words encourage our solidarity and advocacy for those in exile?
January 18, 2026 at 8:59 AM
Sunday thought (from Sheryl):
'For you shall go out in joy
and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. (Isa. 55:12)
How might these words encourage our solidarity and advocacy for those in exile?
'For you shall go out in joy
and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. (Isa. 55:12)
How might these words encourage our solidarity and advocacy for those in exile?
Reposted by Jill Baker
Sunday thought (from Sheryl):
Reflect on the image and words below...
Do you have somewhere equivalent to a ‘lovely wild place’ where you listen to the silence?
Could you discover or create such a place?
What does the silence say to you?
Reflect on the image and words below...
Do you have somewhere equivalent to a ‘lovely wild place’ where you listen to the silence?
Could you discover or create such a place?
What does the silence say to you?
January 11, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Sunday thought (from Sheryl):
Reflect on the image and words below...
Do you have somewhere equivalent to a ‘lovely wild place’ where you listen to the silence?
Could you discover or create such a place?
What does the silence say to you?
Reflect on the image and words below...
Do you have somewhere equivalent to a ‘lovely wild place’ where you listen to the silence?
Could you discover or create such a place?
What does the silence say to you?
Reposted by Jill Baker
Sunday thought (from Sheryl):
'...they knelt down and paid him homage...' (Matthew 2:11)
‘homage’, from Old French meaning "allegiance to a feudal lord.”
How does that relate to what we seek to offer God in worship?
Three Kings, wood engraving by David Jones (Methodist Modern Art Collection)
'...they knelt down and paid him homage...' (Matthew 2:11)
‘homage’, from Old French meaning "allegiance to a feudal lord.”
How does that relate to what we seek to offer God in worship?
Three Kings, wood engraving by David Jones (Methodist Modern Art Collection)
January 4, 2026 at 8:46 AM
Sunday thought (from Sheryl):
'...they knelt down and paid him homage...' (Matthew 2:11)
‘homage’, from Old French meaning "allegiance to a feudal lord.”
How does that relate to what we seek to offer God in worship?
Three Kings, wood engraving by David Jones (Methodist Modern Art Collection)
'...they knelt down and paid him homage...' (Matthew 2:11)
‘homage’, from Old French meaning "allegiance to a feudal lord.”
How does that relate to what we seek to offer God in worship?
Three Kings, wood engraving by David Jones (Methodist Modern Art Collection)
Reposted by Jill Baker
Sunday thought (from Kristin): “May we see your light in this world of ours…”
from “Come, Lord Jesus, Come”, Francesca Leftley.
from “Come, Lord Jesus, Come”, Francesca Leftley.
December 21, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Sunday thought (from Kristin): “May we see your light in this world of ours…”
from “Come, Lord Jesus, Come”, Francesca Leftley.
from “Come, Lord Jesus, Come”, Francesca Leftley.
Reposted by Jill Baker
Sunday thought (from Kristin): “In the bleak mid-winter, frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone. Snow had fallen, snow on snow… In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.”
What can we give Him? (Christina Rossetti)
What can we give Him? (Christina Rossetti)
December 14, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Sunday thought (from Kristin): “In the bleak mid-winter, frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone. Snow had fallen, snow on snow… In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.”
What can we give Him? (Christina Rossetti)
What can we give Him? (Christina Rossetti)
Reposted by Jill Baker
Sunday thought (from Kristin): “Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim, one more light the bowl shall brim, shining beyond the frosty weather, bright as the sun and moon together!”
(“People, Look East”, Eleanor Farjeon)
(“People, Look East”, Eleanor Farjeon)
December 6, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Sunday thought (from Kristin): “Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim, one more light the bowl shall brim, shining beyond the frosty weather, bright as the sun and moon together!”
(“People, Look East”, Eleanor Farjeon)
(“People, Look East”, Eleanor Farjeon)
Reposted by Jill Baker
How can we live as peace-makers in a disordered world? The Community offers a five-day retreat to explore this in July 2026. Speakers: Barbara Glasson & Steve Radley with weaving opportunities facilitated by Ruth Sprague. More details on the Community website www.communitysf.org.uk/index.php/20...
December 1, 2025 at 8:58 AM
How can we live as peace-makers in a disordered world? The Community offers a five-day retreat to explore this in July 2026. Speakers: Barbara Glasson & Steve Radley with weaving opportunities facilitated by Ruth Sprague. More details on the Community website www.communitysf.org.uk/index.php/20...
Reposted by Jill Baker
Sunday thought (from Nicola): Belo we see St. Luke writing his Gospel...
Who would appreciate receiving a message from me today?
Who would appreciate receiving a message from me today?
November 23, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Sunday thought (from Nicola): Belo we see St. Luke writing his Gospel...
Who would appreciate receiving a message from me today?
Who would appreciate receiving a message from me today?
Reposted by Jill Baker
Sunday thought (from Nicola):
'I was glad when they said to me: “let us go to the house of the Lord.” ' – Psalm 122 vs 1
The church at Taizé
'I was glad when they said to me: “let us go to the house of the Lord.” ' – Psalm 122 vs 1
The church at Taizé
November 16, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Sunday thought (from Nicola):
'I was glad when they said to me: “let us go to the house of the Lord.” ' – Psalm 122 vs 1
The church at Taizé
'I was glad when they said to me: “let us go to the house of the Lord.” ' – Psalm 122 vs 1
The church at Taizé
Reposted by Jill Baker
Sunday thought (from Nicola):
What have I heard today that I want to remember?
(Listening circles at Taizé)
What have I heard today that I want to remember?
(Listening circles at Taizé)
November 9, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Sunday thought (from Nicola):
What have I heard today that I want to remember?
(Listening circles at Taizé)
What have I heard today that I want to remember?
(Listening circles at Taizé)
Reposted by Jill Baker
Sunday thought (from Nicola): .
‘O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!’ – Singing the Faith 745, verse 4
A Community of sunflowers
‘O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!’ – Singing the Faith 745, verse 4
A Community of sunflowers
November 2, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Sunday thought (from Nicola): .
‘O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!’ – Singing the Faith 745, verse 4
A Community of sunflowers
‘O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!’ – Singing the Faith 745, verse 4
A Community of sunflowers
Reposted by Jill Baker
Sunday thought (from Val): In what ways are we all the same? In what ways are we all different?
October 26, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Sunday thought (from Val): In what ways are we all the same? In what ways are we all different?
Reposted by Jill Baker
Sunday thought (from Val): What have you learned this week that has become scaffolding for new growth?
October 19, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Sunday thought (from Val): What have you learned this week that has become scaffolding for new growth?
Reposted by Jill Baker
Sunday thought (from Val): How does silence give you a different perspective on the world?
October 12, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Sunday thought (from Val): How does silence give you a different perspective on the world?
Reposted by Jill Baker
Sunday thought (from Val): What lights up the dark corners of your life?
October 5, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Sunday thought (from Val): What lights up the dark corners of your life?
Reposted by Jill Baker
Sunday thought (from Andrew):
A stranger sets the table
An open invitation is given
All are welcome
To share, to learn, to wonder
To discover, to find companionship and growth
To be fed, blessed
Image- Bardsey free art (cropped) 7/4/25 11:21
A stranger sets the table
An open invitation is given
All are welcome
To share, to learn, to wonder
To discover, to find companionship and growth
To be fed, blessed
Image- Bardsey free art (cropped) 7/4/25 11:21
September 28, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Sunday thought (from Andrew):
A stranger sets the table
An open invitation is given
All are welcome
To share, to learn, to wonder
To discover, to find companionship and growth
To be fed, blessed
Image- Bardsey free art (cropped) 7/4/25 11:21
A stranger sets the table
An open invitation is given
All are welcome
To share, to learn, to wonder
To discover, to find companionship and growth
To be fed, blessed
Image- Bardsey free art (cropped) 7/4/25 11:21
Reposted by Jill Baker
Sunday thought (from Andrew):
Pacing, wishing I could be somewhere else
Longing to be in community
I stop and notice the Wicklow mountains as the sun sets
I realize I am in community already gathered
Not bound by distance but held in heart.
Image- Revealing sunset Bardsey 6/04/25 20:03
Pacing, wishing I could be somewhere else
Longing to be in community
I stop and notice the Wicklow mountains as the sun sets
I realize I am in community already gathered
Not bound by distance but held in heart.
Image- Revealing sunset Bardsey 6/04/25 20:03
September 21, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Sunday thought (from Andrew):
Pacing, wishing I could be somewhere else
Longing to be in community
I stop and notice the Wicklow mountains as the sun sets
I realize I am in community already gathered
Not bound by distance but held in heart.
Image- Revealing sunset Bardsey 6/04/25 20:03
Pacing, wishing I could be somewhere else
Longing to be in community
I stop and notice the Wicklow mountains as the sun sets
I realize I am in community already gathered
Not bound by distance but held in heart.
Image- Revealing sunset Bardsey 6/04/25 20:03
Reposted by Jill Baker
(Belated) Sunday thought (from Andrew):
The gulls gathered where the river joined the sea, to drink the fresh water.
Life sustaining.
May we drink deep of The Living Water.
(Image- Gulls at Aberdaron 13/04/25)
The gulls gathered where the river joined the sea, to drink the fresh water.
Life sustaining.
May we drink deep of The Living Water.
(Image- Gulls at Aberdaron 13/04/25)
September 9, 2025 at 9:05 AM
(Belated) Sunday thought (from Andrew):
The gulls gathered where the river joined the sea, to drink the fresh water.
Life sustaining.
May we drink deep of The Living Water.
(Image- Gulls at Aberdaron 13/04/25)
The gulls gathered where the river joined the sea, to drink the fresh water.
Life sustaining.
May we drink deep of The Living Water.
(Image- Gulls at Aberdaron 13/04/25)
Reposted by Jill Baker
Sunday thought (from Kristin): “For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers, and as a garden cascades with blossoms, So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom
and puts praise on display before the nations…”
(Isaiah 61:11, The Message)
and puts praise on display before the nations…”
(Isaiah 61:11, The Message)
August 31, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Sunday thought (from Kristin): “For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers, and as a garden cascades with blossoms, So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom
and puts praise on display before the nations…”
(Isaiah 61:11, The Message)
and puts praise on display before the nations…”
(Isaiah 61:11, The Message)
Reposted by Jill Baker
Sunday thought (from Kristin): “Since love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?” (Robert Lowry)
August 24, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Sunday thought (from Kristin): “Since love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?” (Robert Lowry)
Reposted by Jill Baker
(Belated) Sunday thought (from Kristin): “I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous, your handmade sky-jewellery, Moon and stars mounted in their settings.”
(Psalm 8:3, the Message)
(Psalm 8:3, the Message)
August 18, 2025 at 9:17 AM
(Belated) Sunday thought (from Kristin): “I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous, your handmade sky-jewellery, Moon and stars mounted in their settings.”
(Psalm 8:3, the Message)
(Psalm 8:3, the Message)
Reposted by Jill Baker
Sunday thought (from Kristin): "Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.” (from the prayer of St. Francis)
August 10, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Sunday thought (from Kristin): "Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.” (from the prayer of St. Francis)
In today's YouTube service for @methodist.org.uk in Scotland, Andrew & I reminisce about 34 years of his active ministry on the day he sits down... youtu.be/JxmEpC04P2o?...
Stories and songs along the way
YouTube video by Pollokshaws Methodist Church
youtu.be
August 3, 2025 at 9:43 AM
In today's YouTube service for @methodist.org.uk in Scotland, Andrew & I reminisce about 34 years of his active ministry on the day he sits down... youtu.be/JxmEpC04P2o?...
'Time to sit down'... a little blog on the day Andrew retires from active ministry... northoftheborderblog.wordpress.com/2025/08/03/t...
Time to sit down
Time to ‘sit down’ As you may know, when it comes to retirement, the Methodist Church uses the rather quaint term of ‘sitting down’. This comes from the sense of journey (or pilgrimage) which…
northoftheborderblog.wordpress.com
August 3, 2025 at 6:31 AM
'Time to sit down'... a little blog on the day Andrew retires from active ministry... northoftheborderblog.wordpress.com/2025/08/03/t...