Easter Sunrise Service at Broomhill

The day started early, at 0530. A sizeable group of worshippers gathered in the darkness behind trinity community church next to the ruin of St. Kentigern church. After a welcome from the Rev Peter Wood we all proceeded on the walk along Penicuik high street, west street, and Broomhill road to reach St. James the less church where more people joined us. Together, led by Peter we walked to the top of Broomhill, where we met the Rev Nick Bowry rector of St. James the less. He had brought an outdoor fire pit on legs filled with paper and kindling wood. Try as he might the wind would defeat attempts to turn sparking embers into a flame..

Peter led our service as we watched the sunrise. Tori Clark from Forest Church read from Luke's gospel chapter 24 v1-12, 'T'he Ressurection of Jesus', finding the tomb stone rolled away and empty.

The light cloud hid the yellow disc of the sun but under the brightening sky Peter led us in calling out 'Christ is risen, He is risen indeed, Alleluia' pointing to the east, west, north and south.

Easter is a favourite time to be baptised, and Tori read us in words from the Liturgy of the Church of Scotland, often spoken at baptisms.

We returned to St. James  for a hearty and much welcomed breakfast. Peter and Nick carried the fire pit back, and in the shelter of the garden outside the church managed to raise a roaring flame.

A great way to celebrate the risen Christ and meet friends both new and old.