‘Connected Communities’ is a term that we have come to know over the past few years. It speaks of communities effectively linking and interacting with one another more closely, more intimately and more inter-relatedly.

That is what was seen last Tuesday, as the community reached out and embraced in love, care and support a grieving family no longer living in Bernera; yet part of it. Proving that geography is unable to breach the spirit of a tight knit, island community.

As I reached the Bernera road end I was met by the family, and then the hearse came into view. Solemnly and discreetly the funeral courtege made its way towards Bernera Bridge passing through Lundale, Crulivig and Earshader continuing on past Dun Innes, Breacleit, Tobson, Croir before arriving at Bosta graveyard.

An unusual and exceptionally moving experience for all concerned and one that will remain in our memory for many days.

What was particularly impressive was the tangible respect, solemnly, silently and graciously expressed by the people of mainland Bernera and Great Bernera towards one of their own.

Remembering the late Chrissy McDonald (nee McLeod) of Breacleit, as they stood at the roadsides and in their gardens whilst the courtege passed by. A tangible evidence of a community reaching out and embracing in love a grieving family.

God also strongly believes in Connected Communities. He too wishes to connect with us individually, through His Son Jesus Christ.

A connection that by God’s grace and through faith, is deep and unbreakable.

A connection that not even death, our wrongs or the grave itself can rob us of.

As in the bible Paul declares: ‘“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” ‘The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ’, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57