Deacon Convenor Stephen Docherty with Archbishop Nolan and Captain Les Heal planting the memorial apple tree
There have doubtless been a whole host of ways and events to mark the 850th anniversary of Glasgow becoming a Bishop’s burgh but one of the more unusual ones was celebrated at Glasgow Cathedral on 14th September when representatives of Glasgow Churches Together gathered to welcome Rev Dr Grant Barclay, Clerk to Glasgow Presbytery, and his companions as they completed their pilgrimage walk on the St Mungo Way from Culross Abbey to Glasgow Cathedral.
The weather had not been kind much of the time but the walkers arrived in good spirits and joined the chair of Glasgow Churches Together (Cpt. Les Heal of the Salvation Army), Archbishop Bill Nolan and Stephen Docherty (Deacon Convenor of the Incorporation of Gardeners of Glasgow) for the planting of an apple tree in the garden of the Cathedral to mark both the 850th anniversary and the Season of Creation.
This was followed by a short service in the Cathedral itself, somewhat to the bemusement (and delight) of visitors to the Cathedral, who were attracted by the singing led by the St Mungo Singers. Some indeed joined the service which took place in the crypt at the tomb of St Mungo where everyone was welcomed by Rev Mark Johnstone, the Minister.
The pilgrim walkers in the crypt
Dr Barclay gave a brief reflection, speaking about the concept of pilgrimage which he described as carving out space and time for people to think, something which we sorely needed today. His pilgrimage had taken four days, two of which had been solitary and two with companions. He had found the solitary days tiring but when he had had company on the way, the time had flown by. He mused that Mungo’s name meant “dear one” and that clearly meant he had been dear to someone. That led him to think of the disciples on the road to Emmaus who had found their “dear” companion in the Risen Christ. We should remember that we too are pilgrims and we are also accompanied all our days by the Lord.
The service finished with the praying of the Lord’s Prayer and the signing of the Glasgow Anthem “Let Glasgow Flourish” before all present left the Cathedral to continue on their own pilgrimages through life.
