2gether Scotland - Winter 2011

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elcome to the Winter 2011 issue of 2gether Scotland magazine. It has so far been a pretty miserable winter for many, with burst pipes and ruined journeys and the prospect of huge heating bills to come.

A highlight for me, however, was the BBC’s production of The Nativity. I was struck by how closely the writer, Tony Jordan, kept to the Biblical account, whilst at the same time managing to give life to the human drama that is inherent in the narrative. Reading some of the comments posted on the BBC blog, it seems that many non-believers were equally moved enough to ask themselves if there is more to Christmas than tinsel and turkey. One person wrote that after each episode she and her family looked again at the Bible and re-read the gospel stories.

It is so easy to forget that within the pages of this precious Book (or library of books) unimaginable riches lie. It is up to us to re-awaken our nation’s interest and knowledge that it is as relevant for all today as it has always been, and is also relevant to all cultures and races and to the young and old alike. The truths that are inherent in the seemingly simplest or familiar Biblical story can awaken a deep yearning for God that can surprise us all.

This issue looks at the Biblefresh intitative, celebrating the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. I am sure it will inspire you to look again and see that this Book can change the world. If we who are familiar with its pages can gain a new wonder at its contents, then our friends and neighbours might also want to have a read. Why not ask someone at work if they saw The Nativity on BBC? It might be a good place to start!

With all best wishes for the New Year.

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he plates had been cleared from the kitchen table. Now placed carefully on the table sat, the largest mug of coffee I had ever seen, a Bible and a copy of Matthew Henry’s complete commentary of the Bible. The next two hours were spent reading, reflecting and praying. This was my typical Thursday night for my first year as a Christian. An elder from a local church had heard of my new faith and invited me to his home for ‘one to one’ prayer and study. It was that mentoring and support that helped shape me and it gave me a respect and enthusiasm for Scripture and a growing love for Jesus.

Since that time, almost thirty years ago, God has challenged and changed the direction of my life.

As a student I attended Larbert Old Church where the minister David Searle had a wonderful teaching ministry. At the centre of that ministry was an expository teaching of the Bible; Old Testament at one service and New at the other. People learned the power of the narrative and the wonder of God’s plan of salvation. I then spent time at Chryston Parish Church as an assistant minster, again seeing a community of faith grow and develop as it was taught and shared the Word of life.

Perhaps the biggest change in my ministry happened when I was minister of a church in Perth. Although our church was growing we were having very little impact upon those who lived around us. Our church was on the edge of two large housing estates and very few people from that area had

any contact with the Christian community.

After a week of having to deal with two tragic suicides I began to question what Church was about and why we appeared to be so irrelevant and incomprehensible to those outside of the faith community.

I then spent a couple of months reading through the writings of Luke. Two things became clear to me. Firstly, when the Kingdom of God is near, a paradigm shift takes place. Insiders are challenged to go and be outsiders and outsiders are invited to draw near. Children, women, lepers and the poor are all invited to be part of the Jesus community. While those near are sent

5 change and local/personal mission dramatically changed my praxis of church. I hope this is an example of an area of life changed by Scripture.

Perhaps because of the role the Bible has played in my life I am extremely concerned by the lack of prominence that Scripture seems to have in many of our lives. Also, there is the challenge of how we make the story of God’s salvation understandable to those who have never heard it.

out into the highways and byways. This new community was radical, transformed and transforming. It was loved by Jesus, empowered by the Spirit and radical in its impact on those around it. There was a fluency, even a tinge of chaos, in what was happening on a day to day basis.

The second thing that challenged me was that all mission starts where we are.

The early church was to be witnesses in Jerusalem first. It is always hardest to live out faith where we are but that was to be the calling.

This toxic mix of radical spiritual/ social

The twin concerns; lack of passion in the church and the missional task in Scotland means I greatly welcome the Biblefresh initiative. Biblefresh is a movement of churches, agencies, organisations, colleges and festivals which has a vision to reignite and re-enthuse the church in its passion for the Bible. Can we get churches creatively engaging with the Scriptures in a way that helps them and also touches the wider society? It would be wonderful if the word, empowered by the Spirit, renewed the church and made it a force for transformation.

I urge you to think about signing up to Biblefresh today - www.biblefresh.com.

The plates are cleared, on the table are two cups of coffee, a bible and a copy of Essential 100 ( a bible reading guide). My son opens in prayer and together we study, reflect and learn.

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Reading the Bible with Fresh Eyes Rev Richard Tiplady

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amiliarity with the text of your favourite Bible is a great thing. It helps you to memorise it, to recall it, and to find half-remembered stories and passages with ease. But it also has its downside.

Familiarity breeds, if not contempt, then perhaps complacency. We think we ‘know’ what the Bible says; and hence we lose its power and impact by reading what we think it says, rather than what it actually says.

entirely convinced by it, but it does render some familiar passages slightly differently, catching me by surprise, forcing me to pause and re-read what it actually says, not what I think it says, which can only be a good thing.

Finding ways to read the Bible in ways that keep it fresh is important, especially for those of us who have read it for many years. And we are helped in this not just by You may know someone who swears by their new English-language translations, but by beloved King James Version (400 years old), the perspectives of fellow Christians around and permit yourself a wry smile at such loyalty the world who, when they read the Bible, to an archaic translation. But how many of see things in it that we miss. We all read the us think the same about the New International Bible with a pair of lenses in front of our Version (NIV)? eyes. Not a pair from Specsavers, but from A couple of years ago, our history, our culture I began to wonder We all read the Bible with and our background. how long it would a pair of lenses in front of And Christians from be before I began to backgrounds our eyes. Not a pair from other say of the NIV (the find different things version I have used Specsavers, but from our because they come to it since my conversion history, our culture and with different lenses.

25 years ago), “if it’s good enough for our background.

For Christians in the Paul, then it’s good Middle East (a small enough for me”. and shrinking minority), Jesus’ words “blessed are the peacemakers, So I decided to try a new version, just to for they will be called sons of God” (Matt see what would happen. Having looked at 5:9) take on a new and vital urgency that a few, I opted for a TNIV (Today’s NIV, or, we so easily miss in our peaceful lives here as the shop assistant described it to me, in Scotland. King Hussain of Jordan has the “politically-correct version” because referred to such Christians as “the glue of of its inclusive language). I’m still not the Middle East”. Naim Stifan Ateek, an

7 are working as peacemakers and acting as the sons and daughters of God they truly are. But peacemaking is more than bringing about spiritual reconciliation between God and human beings. It involves actively working for reconciliation between hostile factions. In so doing, Kapolyo says, we are rightly to be called sons of God, because we demonstrate in reality not just our relationship with God but our participation in His most characteristic work.

Anglican priest at St George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem, gives the following advice to his fellow Palestinians on Jesus’ command to love our enemies; “Keep struggling against hate and resentment. Always confess that the struggle goes on and the battle is not over. Never stop trying to live the commandment of love and forgiveness. Do not change it so that it will suit you. Keep it as it is, aspire to it, desire it, and work with God for its achievement”.

In the Africa Bible Commentary, Joe Kapolyo comments on the same saying of Jesus; “Africa is a bleeding continent. Conflicts have ravaged the landscape and continue to do so at an alarming rate. Oh that God would raise up an army of peacemakers!

But who are those peacemakers and why will they be called sons of God?” Kapolyo describes Jesus, the Prince of Peace, as “the greatest of peacemakers who brought peace between God and human beings.

Whenever His disciples preach the gospel so that people are reconciled to God, they

As we try to bring others to look at the Bible afresh for themselves, we may need to look at it in new ways too. And the eyes of our brothers and sisters in Christ worldwide can help us to do this, as we grow together into the fullness of Christ.

Richard is the Principal at the International Christian College in Glasgow. Before becoming Principal, Richard served in a variety of leadership roles including British Director of European Christian Mission and Associate Director of Global Connections.

Useful resources and further reading: God’s Global Mosaic : What we can learn from Christians around the world, by Paul Gordon Chandler, IVP 2000 Africa Bible Commentary, edited by Tokunboh Adeyemo, Zondervan 2006 Global Dictionary of Theology, edited

by William A Dyrness and Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, IVP 2008

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Psalms - Gateways to Faith

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Dr Fergus MacDonald

ords and music did for me what solid, even rigorous, religious argument could never do, they introduced me to God, not belief in God, more an experiential sense of GOD.

Old Testament? This is what Bono did and he discovered the Psalms leading him into the wider story of the Bible: “Over art, literature, and reason, the way in to my spirit was a combination of words and music. As a result the Book of Psalms always felt open to me and led me to the poetry of Ecclesiastes, the Song of Solomon, the book of John.”

These words of Bono, introducing Psalms in the Pocket Canons series, highlight the strong evangelistic potential in our postmodern age of these 150 ancient spiritual songs. If poetry and song is The Psalms have a universal appeal, for they indeed the language of postmodernity, resonate with both the ideals and the felt perhaps engaging with Psalms ought to be needs of all kinds of people. In the words given a higher profile in our pre-evangelism of Walter Brueggemann they constitute ‘the songbook of humanity.’ Many postmoderns strategies. One obstacle to evangelism today have a keen interest in spirituality, and the is that postmoderns tend to be suspicious Psalms can be genuinely presented as a of the Bible as a whole. They regard it as key spiritual resource. Discovery learning a ‘metanarrative’ – the kind of universal is postmoderns’ preferred mode of gaining master story French philosopher Jeannew knowledge, so François Lyotard is probably best to warns us becomes Many postmoderns have a itallow unbelievers to an instrument of domination by the keen interest in spirituality, listen to the Psalms strong over the weak. and the Psalms can be for themselves rather insisting that they genuinely presented as a key than listen to us.

Many Of course, Richard postmoderns are open Bauckham and others spiritual resource. argue convincingly to allowing spiritual that the Bible is a texts to authenticate unique type of metanarrative: one that themselves in their experience as they liberates rather than dominates. However, engage with them. the postmodern prejudice against grand Here a Lectio Divina approach has much narratives persists in setting the Bible at a to commend it, for first and foremost it disadvantage. So why not make clear that enables people simply to listen to what the Bible is more than strict narrative by the text is saying to them and to meditate focusing on the ancient songbook of the

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on its message. Analysis comes later. Setting up Lectio Divina small groups to meditate on individual psalms can be exciting and fruitful.

Such meditative groups can be facilitated by Christians, but facilitators best serve the group by allowing the text to speak for itself rather than by declaring what it means.

Lectio Divina can be helpfully supplemented with brief annotations containing linguistic, historical and cultural information about the text. Also a small number of open questions can assist in focusing the meditation. Such ‘helps’ are most beneficial when they draw people into the text rather than distracting from it. The group meditation is greatly enhanced if, for several days in advance, group members spend about ten minutes each day in personal meditation on the psalms selected for the group meeting.

In a research study undertaken in 2003-4 among Edinburgh University students, most of whom were on or beyond the fringe of the churches (some belonging to other faiths), eight out of ten respondents reported that

a month-long meditation on three psalms resulted in a greater openness to exploring the rest of the Bible. This suggests that for at least some of those interested in contemporary spirituality the Psalms might become a gateway into the biblical story.

Rev Dr Fergus Macdonald is a former General Secretary of the United Bible Societies and the National Bible Society of Scotland (now the Scottish Bible Society). He is a minister of the Free Church of Scotland, and served in Glasgow, Peru and Cumbernauld before moving into Bible Society ministry.

Currently he serves as a Fellow of Taylor University, Indiana, USA, and is Chair of the Scottish Evangelical Theology Society.

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EXIT:VAN Steve Brown

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mazing! The ‘sodastream’ is ‘bringing the fizz back’ to the kitchens and taste buds of our nation! It seems this antiquated household essential has returned from the dark crevices of dusty cupboards to win our hearts and quench our thirsty imaginations once more. In a sense the beloved ‘soda stream’ has been redeemed for today’s generation – it’s flash, it’s ‘green’ and you can purchase your refills online. And it is not alone: skinny jeans, the ‘beehive’, and even the original fairy liquid. It seems there is a longing within our culture to embrace elements of the past, to redeem and restore them for this current age. It is into this cultural backdrop that we present EXIT:VAN. EXIT:VAN is a new venture of the Scottish Bible Society, established by our emerging ministries department. It combines the ancient practice of Lectio Divina with the wild outdoors, courtesy of a fully restored 1967 VW camper van.

Curious? The basic concept is that we take small groups, primarily of young adults, on weekend pilgrimages to areas of particular beauty or significance around Scotland.

During the weekend, the camper van will act as a ‘sacred space’ where guests can encounter and explore God through the meditative process of Lectio Divina. Lectio Divina is Latin for ‘divine/sacred reading’ and was established within the context

of early Christian monasticism. It can be practiced individually or as a group and explores the Bible in a personal way through structured stages of reading and listening, meditation, prayer and contemplation.

Retreats will involve ‘lectio time’ in addition to a variety of activities (or rest!) depending on group preference.

In the book of Exodus, we read that ‘Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting”. Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp.’ (Exodus 33.7) Our vision for this ministry is that young people would be inspired to do just that – ‘inquire of the Lord’. We hope and pray that our retro, usually mobile, “tent of meeting” will provide a unique and intimate setting for encounters with the ancient, yet living God of the Bible. As a result we hope to see a generation encouraged by the restorative power of God’s Word and prepared to play a part in His plan of redemption.

Thirsty for more? Why not get some friends together and come along with us on a pilgrimage? We are fairly flexible and do not restrict trips to the ‘young adult’ age group. Perhaps your church leadership group would benefit from a weekend away together? Or maybe you would like the campervan to attend your event as a ‘sacred space’? For the young at heart, but

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not necessarily in years, there is the chance to attend one of our ‘silver surfer’ day trips.

Prices vary with the type of accommodation provided for the retreat (tents or hostel) and are detailed on application.

Let’s be realistic. The sodastream will one day return again to the recesses of our cupboards and hearts. However, our hope is that EXIT:VAN will act as a catalyst to restore an active seeking of God through His Word in this generation and those to come.

Steve is the Emerging Ministries Project Manager at the Scottish Bible Society

12 (Romans 8:30) Amid all the uncertainties life can throw at us, I rest of the ‘4 rocks’ of God’s sovereign salvation. He predestined me to be his son before the world began. At his appointed time, he called me to be his child, on the basis of his predestining love. Then he justified me, declaring me righteous ‘in Christ’ and best of all he has glorified me (past tense). From his eternal perspective, I am already singing with the angels in glory.

Jeremy McQuid - Teaching Pastor Deeside Christain Fellowship Church

Whether in the Sco churches or organias Scotland have been tran of God’s John 3:16 – Football stadiums, rock concerts and Olympic games all have this iconic verse on a board somewhere in the crowd. Why? Because it encapsulates the core of the Bible’s message in one simple verse – Christianity is all about a God of love reaching out to rescue his long lost children. Simple. Clear. Foundational.

Alan McWilliam CLAN gathering Deputy Chairman Leader -Whiteinch Church of Scotland

Psalm 68:19 ‘Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.’

April 2002; a hospital bed. The peritonitis was being treated but fresh, sinister problems had appeared. Everything was under a dark question mark. I read Ps.68 in the Gideon bedside Bible. I couldn’t take my eyes off it. Every time I read verse 19 it spoke more deeply to me. Just one verse at the right time in the right place brought total peace.

Dominic Smart - Minister Gilcomston South Church

‘Consider the lilies, how they grow...”

Luke 12 v.27 This passage from the Lord’s teaching is a vital reminder to us, in a world obsessed with materialism and the here and now, that our real focus should be on doing the will of God and not worrying about the trivialities of this life. In the field of politics, where fortunes change hour by hour and one slip of the tongue can destroy a lifetime’s career, how necessary it is to be focussed on what really matters.

Murdo Fraser MSP Scottish Parliament Member for Mid Scotland and Fife

ottish Parliament, in stions, people across nsformed by the power s Word!

Isaiah 55:1-3 (NLT): ‘Is anyone thirsty?

Come and drink – even if you have no money!...Listen, and I will tell you where to get food that is good for the soul! Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake.’

This chapter is a wonderful gospel invitation in the middle of the Old Testament. It tells me that the Old and New Testaments are inextricably linked; that God is for me; that I need to get my priorities right and I need to listen to him. God invites me to ‘come’ – wow!

Elaine Duncan - Chief Executive Scottish Bible Society

‘So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.’ Romans12v1 The Message Romans 12v1 startled me into a new way of thinking. If I truly want people to discover Jesus, I need to live an authentic Christian life in the every day ordinary life and work situations where God has placed me. This is possibly the best way to reach Scotland for God. Ruth Walker Mission Scotland

13 I became Scottish co-ordinator of A Rocha, a Christian environmental organisation not because I had any experience of working in the environmental sector but because I believe that as Christians we should be living simply. Jesus tells us not store up treasures on earth. (Matthew 19) And less consumerism would mean less climate change.

Victoria Deschampsneufs Scottish Co-ordinator - A Rocha

The book of Ecclesiastes has been called the ‘black sheep’ of biblical books, often dismissed as subChristian cynical pessimism. That’s because, even as Christians, we prefer to believe the fantasy that if only we have enough faith, life will turn out rosy. But Ecclesiastes’ realism is, in fact, the key to life. ‘We are on earth’ (Eccl. 5.2), mortal, limited in understanding, and always will be. So we must learn to live with mortality we can’t control and mysteries we can’t comprehend. We are not God; but we can trust God to be God. That alone is the way to real joy on life’s vexed journey through both prosperity and adversity (Eccl. 7.14) Dr William Philip Minister - St George’s - Tron, Glasgow

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A year of adventure to start October 2011 Find out more: visit www.dna-uk.org

call 01808 521787 // serving churches // developing leaders // making 21st century disciples

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This year is the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible. To celebrate King James VI/I and his legacy to the world, the Scottish Bible Society and the Bible Society in England and Wales are coming together to work on a project that will encourage the people of Great Britain to re-write the Bible in their own handwriting.

Starting in Edinburgh in June and traveling throughout the country, writing stations will be set up in towns, cities and rural locations where everyone can come and copy out two verses each. It is hoped that as well as giving those who would never normally read the Bible access to it, we can also capture a ‘snapshot’ of British society today, 400 years after the work was completed. Similar projects have been done around the world and God’s Word has consistently spoken into the lives of those participating who are otherwise outside of the church. Even in just two verses people have sensed that the words they copied somehow were pertinent and personal to them and their current situation.

For the project to fully realise its potential the Peoples Bible will need to reach people where they are, in shopping malls, sports fields, festival sites, supermarkets, anywhere where a writing station can be set up and people will be passing by. The

project will involve hundreds of volunteers and thousands of ‘writing’ participants.

Everyone from school children to retirees will be invited to contribute, although we have no way of knowing who or how many actually will. Each person’s entry will be written on paper to be bound into the ‘People’s Bible’, which will be a national resource for years to come. However, in addition to the paper Bible, each entry will also be digitally scanned onto a website where further resources and eventually the whole of the handwritten People’s Bible can be read. This will mean that people can read their own entry and have access to the text surrounding it. Should they wish to do so, additional materials will be on the website to support them in their further understanding of ‘their’ part of the Bible.

The combined Bible Societies are very excited about this project and its potential for society outside the church to access the Word of God. The People’s Bible will close at a celebration in London towards the end of 2011 - a fitting end for the project celebrating a Scottish King who inherited the English throne.

Fiona McDonald Director - National Ministries Scottish Bible Society

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Public Affairs Update End of Life Assistance Bill

The End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill was thrown out by Scottish Parliament at the Stage One vote. The Bill, introduced to the Scottish Parliament by Margo MacDonald MSP who herself suffers from the degenerative Parkinson’s disease, proposed to legalise assisted suicide and euthanasia in Scotland.

Many MSPs from across the political spectrum gave heartfelt and personal speeches in the Parliamentary debate, some sharing individual stories from their own constituents who had further convinced them to vote against the Bill. At the final vote the Parliament overwhelmingly rejected the Bill with 85 MSPs voting against and 16 voting in favour with 2 abstentions. The Bill will therefore not continue its legislative process and will not become law.

MSPs were allowed a free vote on the Bill, rather than on a party line. Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon, on behalf of the Scottish Government, came out against the Bill in her speech and voted against the Bill.

The End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill committee, which took written evidence from over 600 individuals and organisations and oral evidence from over 40, produced their final report on the Bill and were “not persuaded that the case had been made to decriminalise the law of homicide as it applies to assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia, termed ‘end-of-life assistance’ in the Bill, and, accordingly, does not recommend the general principles of the Bill to the Parliament.”

The Bill applied to individuals who’s lives

had become intolerable due to either a terminal illness, or were permanently physically incapacitated to such an extent that they were unable to live independently.

The Committee and Parliament were particularly concerned with the loose definition of ‘assisted suicide’. This could have allowed tens of thousands of Scots to gain assistance to end their lives either through assisted suicide or by active euthanasia.

Unfortunately the member in charge of the Bill, Margo MacDonald MSP, has already stated that if re-elected in May 2011 she will try and get a similar bill through the Scottish Parliament.

The Care Not Killing alliance in Scotland, an alliance of faith and non-faith individuals and orgainsations, were at the fore of the campaign against the Bill and received around 20 000 signed cards from individuals across Scotland opposed to the Bill. These cards were presented to the Parliament the week before the debate and vote.

As a steering group member of Care Not Killing, we would like to thank all those who prayed, wrote to their MSPs, filled in a card and overall, contributed in anyway to making sure that this Bill did not pass.

If you would like a more in-depth theological response to the Bill and its outcome I would encourage you to sign up to our PQ publication. To read online please go to: www.eauk.org/public-affairs/ pqprayerandcampaigns.

Alistair Stevenson a.stevenson@eauk.org

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SPEAK

LORD

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Allow me to introduce to you the youth-wing of Evangelical Alliance in Scotland that goes by the slightly odd acronym of SCYWF. The Scottish Christian Youth Work Forum was first set up in 1995 by Eddie Lyle (then Director of YFC in Scotland) which brought together representatives of various Christian youthwork agencies to identify areas where they could work together for the sake of young people encountering Jesus in Scotland.

Over the years, SCYWF has sought to provide a place where youth agencies can discuss matters of concern, share good practice & encouragement, and work together on larger projects which necessitate partnership. The latter of these which has been most prominent is Deep Impact – an annual conference for Christian Youthworkers, held in January in Aviemore. This conference was given over to SCYWF from Highlands & Islands YFC in 2007 and SCYWF ran its 5th Deep Impact on 2123 Jan 2011.

In 2003, SCYWF entered into a working relationship with Evangelical Alliance in Scotland to act as an advisory body for matters relating to youth issues in Scotland.

In 2009, the two organisations were more formally bonded together in an agreement whereby SCYWF came under the official auspices of Evangelical Alliance. As Chair of SCYWF, I have enjoyed working closely with Evanglical Alliance in this process, and can already see the immense benefits of being partnered with Evangelical Alliance in this way.

Our plans for the future are under discussion, and include us thinking about how we support training of young leaders; our role in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and ongoing training of youth workers amongst other things. Do pray for us as we try to work in unity to see teenagers in Scotland come to know Jesus Christ.

Phil Wray Chair of SCYWF Scotland and Director of Regional Ministries, Scripture Union Scotland

www.deep-impact.org.uk

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20 29 - 6 February // Poverty and Homlessness Action Week // www. actionweek.org.uk Friday 4 February // POWERPOINT with Paul Cowley and Ben Cantelon // The Assembly Hall // Edinburgh // £3 // www.powerpointedinburgh.co.uk Saturday 5 February // Alpha Scotland Vision Day: transformed to transform with Nicky Gumbel and Ben Cantelon // The Assembly Hall // Edinburgh // 10 – 4pm // £13 // www.talkofscotland.org // 0141 332 0051 11 – 15 February // Invest Intense – 5 days of intensive church planting training // Whiteinch Church // Glasgow // £200 // www.investscotland.org // penny@investscotland.org or ring 0141 945 6568 26 February // ENCOUNTER: Stirling region wide young adult praise event with Mark Fyfe // Destiny Church // 28 Allan Park, Stirling // 7.30pm // contact andrewwilkie@hotmail.co.uk 26 February // Beauty for Ashes with speaker Dave Wiles // 9:30 - 4 // Queens Park Baptist Church // Glasgow // www. suscotland.org.uk/beautyforashes 27 February – 6 March // Tearfund Global Poverty Prayer Movement // Events taking place in 5 cities across Scotland with guest speaker Stephen Venable from the International House of Prayer and worship team from the Glasgow House of Prayer // For more information go to: www.tearfund.org/scotland // 0141 332 3621 // scotland@tearfund.org 1 March - 1 April // Christian Aid Scotland Roadshow - ‘Helping people in poverty out of poverty’ // Venues

Dates for yo include Partick (1 March), Aberdeen (12), Denny (18), Annan (24) and Wick (1 April) // For more details: glasgow@ christian-aid.org or 0141 221 7475.

4 – 5 March // Women Walking With God // With Lou Fellingham, Amy OrrEwing and Saltmine Theatre Company // Edinburgh International Conference Centre // www.womenwalkingwithgod. co.uk // info@womenwalkingwithgod. co.uk // 0131 467 3817 9 March // Children’s Spirituality: What it is and why it matters with Dr Rebecca Nye // International Christian College, Glasgow // 7 for 7:30 - 9 pm // £5 // ICC 0141 552 4040 12 March // Beauty for Ashes with Dave Wiles // 9:30- 4 // Chalmers Ardler Church // Dundee // www.suscotland. org.uk/beautyforashes 12 March // International Christain College Open Day // ICC // Glasgow // 10am - 4pm // To visit contact: 0141 552 4040 or email becky.short@icc. ac.uk 18 March // POWERPOINT with Beth Tash // Ps+Gs Church // Edinburgh // £3 // www.powerpointedinburgh.co.uk 18 March // Men’s Dinner Night – Christian Men Together // With Quiz host and speaker Brian Lowrie of MAD Ministries // Carmichael Halls, Glasgow // 7pm // To book your place tel: Allan Robertson on 0141 637 3688 or email allan.robertson@christianmentogether. com Sunday 20 March // Strictly Come Praying – national youth prayer event.

Dare to Ask // Inchyra Grange Hotel //

our diary...

Grangemouth // 3pm – 8pm // £3 // www.suscotland.org.uk/pray/strictlycome-praying or 0141 352 7632 26 March // SUSA Roadshow - Christians in Politics in Partnership // 7.30pm // Charlotte Chapel Baptist Church // Edinburgh Sunday 27 March // Strictly Come Praying – national youth prayer event.

Dare to Ask // The Link // Dundee // 3pm – 8pm // £3 // www.suscotland.org. uk/pray/strictly-come-praying or 0141 352 7632 1 – 2 April // Clan Women // Speakers include Andrea Wigglesworth & Cynthia Hayes, with worship lead by Esther Franklin // Edinburgh Academy // www. clangathering.org.uk // clanwomen@ clangathering.org.uk // 01771 637962 24 April // The One Event - Resurrection Day Celebration // 7.30pm // www.oneevent.org.uk // 01577 865921 29 April // POWERPOINT with Pete Wynter // Destiny Church // Edinburgh // £3 // www.powerpointedinburgh.co.uk 21 May // Urban Saints Youth Work Training - an afternoon of practical and inspiring training for paid and voluntary youth leaders // venue TBA // Stirling or Falkirk area // www.urbansaints.org/ scotland // 0141 331 2400 15-21 May // Christian Aid Week // www.christianaidscotland.org [ 10 June // POWERPOINT with Andrew Grinnell // Ps+Gs Church // Edinburgh // £3 // www.powerpointedinburgh.co.uk

21 12 June // Ladysmith Black Mambazo Tour // Music Hall, Aberdeen // £26 – £27.50 www.boxofficeaberdeen.com 9 - 14 June // Alive Festival, Inverness // A week of events in the Highland capital featuring Stuart Townend, Adrian Plass, Saltmine Theatre Company, David Robertson, Cathy Burton, Phatfish, The Steels // Varies locations // contact: T 01463 248280, E aliveministry@ hotmail.co.uk, W www.alivefestival.co.uk 17 - 19 June // Spree in the Borders - a large high energy, high activity based evangelistic weekend for 8 16 yo // Rock UK Whithaugh Park // Newcastleton // Prices from £33 - £68 // www.urbansaints/org/spreescotland // 0141 331 2400 24 - 26 June // Solas 2011 Festival // Wiston Lodge Millrigg Road, Wiston,

by Biggar,South Lanarkshire // office@ solasfestival.co.uk // www.solasfestival. co.uk 23 - 29 July // Clan Gathering 2011 ‘Speak Lord’, Speakers include: Dr Jack Deere // St Andrews, Fife // W http:// www.clangathering.org.uk/ 2 - 6 August // Imagine Scotland 2011 // Contact: Imagine Scotland, Basement Office, 49 Gilcomston Park, Aberdeen AB25 1PN // 01224 648637 // info@imaginescotland.co.uk // www. imaginescotland.co.uk 3 September // theCommission Men’s Conference // With Jeff Lucas // Royal Concert Hall // Glasgow // www. thecommision.org.uk // 0141 644 2686 info@thecommission.org.uk Autumn // Just Generation 2011 // Edinburgh // for all the info go to: www.justgeneration.org

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PRAISE GATHERING MUSIC ORDINARY PEOPLE - EXTRAORDINARY PRAISE

ON SALE NOW FROM YOUR LOCAL CHRISTIAN BOOKSHOP and online at WWW.PRAISEGATHERING.ORG.UK A L S O AVA I L A B L E F R O M P R A I S E G AT H E R I N G M U S I C

Today CD

This is Our God CD

This is Our God DVD

Receive Our Praise CD

STRICTLY COME

PRAYING A NATIONAL YOUTH PRAYER EVENT

2011

DARE TO ASK FOR YOUR FRIENDS, SCHOOL & NATION “His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine..”

Ephesians 3:20

Grangemouth: Sunday 20th March Dundee: Sunday 27th March www.strictlycomepraying.org.uk

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