Stedfast April/May 2013

By Rev Alexander M. Marshall When I heard of the recent passing of Bobby Hollinsworth, one of the two remaining founder elders at Drumchapel UF Church, my thoughts returned over the years to when I was just around 8 years old attending a meeting with my parents in Airgold Primary School where like-minded Christians from all over Glasgow who had settled in the new housing scheme of Drumchapel, met to sing and talk and learn of Jesus Christ.

It was always referred to as the Monday night meeting and was a time of great joy, fervent prayer and sharing of how Christ had and could change lives.

I remember the night when Bobby whose wife Margaret had come to faith in the All Scotland Crusade in 1955, finally surrendered his life to Christ.

From being a seeker he had found the reality of a new life in Christ and Bobby’s journey of faith and service for Christ began.

Even before that group of believers became fully integrated into the United Free Church these older and newer believers would travel to different fellowships and churches throughout Glasgow to tell of what Christ meant to them and how they had come to faith.

Bobby was a regular part of these deputations, which became the training ground for him to learn to speak in public and in later years to do much lay preaching.

A Personal Tribute to Robert Hollinsworth Elder Drumchapel UF Together with my Dad and others Bobby was deeply involved in the setting up of Junior and Young People’s Christian Endeavour whose motto is, ‘For Christ and the Church’. CE was my training ground which would be of great value to me and others for Christian ministry.

Time fails me to share everything regarding Bobby’s input into the Church and my life... recreation at the Youth Club... golf outings... weekends away to Pitlochry, Montrose and other venues...

Sunday School, Bible Class, Bible Studies, Church choirs... meeting for fellowship in each other’s’ homes.

But over all these endeavours in faith, Christ-sharing and friendship, was the time when Bobby planted a seed in my life that once sowed has been a great blessing in my life. I remember we were travelling on a bus through Drumchapel and he said to me “Alex, have you never thought of going into the Christian Ministry?” I was a Medical Laboratory Technologist in the Southern General Hospital and shrugged off his suggestive question with a laugh and a “Who me?? Never!!” kind of response. I quickly dismissed it but the seed had been sown and the question reverberated in my mind and heart until I surrendered to the call of God and the rest is history.

The church was the focus of Bobby’s life and since his conversion he served faithfully as a founder member and as an elder of the United Free Church at Drumchapel. He was also very much involved in the actual structural building of the church. He also took on roles as Sunday School Teacher, Bible Class Leader, Christian Endeavour Leader, Boy’s Brigade Officer, Youth Club Leader, Choir member and Sunday School Superintendent at different stages in its history. When no longer able physically to be involved he was still faithful in attendance at the Lord’s House each Sunday and it is only in these last 3 years since going into the Erskine Home for ex-servicemen that he has been sorely missed in our worship services. Bobby’s beloved wife, Margaret, died two years ago. They are both sorely missed by their daughter Marion, and son Jim. Their families are commended to your prayers.

THE MAGAZINE OF THE UNITED FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

FAST: Families and Schools Together

Easter Scheme 2013

Page 2–3

Page 13/14

APR/MAY 2013

Precious memories how they linger... how they ever flood my soul!

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Malawians visit Cathcart Mission and Commission in the Upper Room Cambodians finding new hope in Christ

The Lord blessed Bobby. He always spoke of having a wonderful Saviour and a great Salvation and a glorious Gospel to know and proclaim. I give thanks to God for the life and witness of Bobby Hollinsworth and I look forward to rising with the saints, including Bobby, and entering into heaven. “When Christ shall come... What joy!!!”

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N.B. The views expressed in the features, news reports, letters and book reviews are not necessarily those of the editor. Editorial comment and signed articles do not necessarily contain the official views of the Church, which can be laid down only by the General Assembly.

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FAST

Contents 2–3

FAST: Families and Schools Together

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Dare to be Daniel

5/6

Malawians visit Cathcart

7/8

Mission and Commission in the Upper Room

Families and Schools Together

9

Middle-East Focus

By Rev Brian Rogers, Dalreoch United Free Church

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The Empty Tomb

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Assembly Update

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Youth Camp

17/18

During my time at Dalreoch I have been privileged to have free access to the Primary School. This includes speaking at School Assemblies and being asked to be involved in other activities as directed by the Head Teacher.

13/14 Easter Scheme 2013: Snug as a bug!

15/16 A New Approach to Training Ministers for Southern Africa 17/18 Cambodians finding new hope in Christ

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5/6

It has been a real joy to get to know the children and to talk with them about the Lord Jesus, but there has been no real opportunities to meet with the parents and grandparents on a regular basis.

This situation has now dramatically changed due to a programme called FAST which has been introduced to various schools in West Dunbartonshire.

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15/16

Editorial Today we hear much talk about austerity with many countries, including our own, having to rethink their priorities.

This is something as individuals we all are called to do. What are our priorities? In the UK, a relatively rich country, we spend over 70% of the country’s budget on social health/welfare and less than 7% defence and having to cut back causes real hardship. This year’s Easter appeal “Snug as a Bug!” (p13) focuses on children in Burma, a relatively poor country, in which the military demands more than have its budget. Similarly in Cambodia, another country ravaged by military persecution, the Scottish Bible Society is helping the people find new hope in Christ (p17).

We are called to pray for social justice and for wisdom in our governments. The Rev David Cartledge also challenges us to “Dare to be a Daniel”(p4) in the face persecution. Daniel was a man of prayer who God called to serve in the heart of that hostile exile community. It is interesting to read about the opportunities for community engagement the Rev Brian Rodgers sees in the Families and Schools Together initiative (p2) and the integration of reconciliatory community involvement in the training of ministers in South Africa (p15). As Rev John Evans reminds us – the Gospel is Good News for sharing (p7) and we are commissioned to live out our faith to the ends of the Earth, that we may all come together in Christ.

In this year’s Assembly we will be remembering the life of David Livingstone (p11) and it was interesting to read about the recent Malawians’ visit to his memorial at Blantyre (p5). I trust as you read this edition of Stedfast that you will have a real sense of coming together in Christ and will be encouraged to keep on, like Daniel, living out the faith regardless of our circumstances.

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Alastair Wright Stedfast Secretary

Some weeks ago the Head Teacher called me to ask if I would be prepared to commit myself to the school for a period of ten weeks. He himself sounded so animated with what he had learned about this project which involved training for the first couple of weeks before the course would begin. He had gained

the full support of his teaching staff and other ancillary staff who agreed to commit themselves to it.

I readily agreed to make this commitment even though it would mean my absence from three Presbytery meetings! Our Presbytery clerk, Rev Colin Brown was aware of such a programme and was happy to accept my apologies. In addition, the Convener of the Ministry Committee, Rev Archie Ford, upon hearing of my involvement suggested that upon completion I should prepare a report for “STEDFAST.”

and their parents - the children and the teachers -and the teaching staff and the parents as they got to know each other in a more personal way. In addition, it gave me a very real opportunity as a Community leader to be available to meet with and discuss matters of a confidential nature with parents and teaching staff. I would also add that these discussions were not only concerning confidential matters but also general subjects as the opportunities arose each week for me to spend valuable time ‘alone’ with fathers and grandfathers.

At the outset I did not realise the considerable effect this programme would have on me personally as I witnessed at first hand the significant improvements made in the relationships between the children

SO, WHAT IS FAST? FAST (Families and Schools Together) is a research based initiative that is funded by Save the Children. Schools across Scotland are taking the opportunity to run a FAST group that encourages school staff, parents and community members to work together to build the link between the school and the local community, while also strengthening links within a family unit.

Various families are invited in to the school once a week (for 8 weeks), where they take part in a structured programme that includes specific family time, quality time for parents to spend one to one with a chosen child, time for parents to get to know other parents and time for parents to get to know other members of the local community. This it completed with a meal that everyone has together, and each evening has plenty of songs and fun.

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Families and Schools Together

Dare to be Daniel (Cont.)

By Rev David Cartledge

6:1–28

The story of Daniel in the lion’s den is probably one of the best known stories in the Old Testament, especially among children. It has a highly relevant message for the people of God in the present era.

FAST simultaneously supports and builds ongoing long-term and short-term relationships on many different levels of the child’s ecology: parent to child, child to child, parent to family, parents to parents and parent to professional: • Professional. Teachers, counsellors and volunteers are helping the child to succeed by making themselves available in a respectful relationship to the parents.

• Activities strengthen the family ties and build communication bonds within the family unit.

• Opportunities are provided for the parent to tune in and play one-on-one with their child.

• In addition, families with children of the same age are clustered. This relationship goal of FAST is to build bonds between families, with the anticipation that a network of social support will grow that includes some close friendships. FAST provides a time and structure for parents to get to know other parents, hear their experiences, bounce their ideas off them and find their own voice as a group of people struggling with the challenges of bringing up small children.

Raising children in social isolation is not how we as humans are intended to function. We were never meant to do this alone. However, with todays busy lives; very little time is left to spend quality time with friends and family. So FAST is first and foremost a programme for having quality time together in several different but significant groupings to strengthen and build each of the many different important relationships needed to raise our children.

These relationships are protective factors for families.

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED? Schools that chose to run the programme look for community helpers to join their FAST team. The community helpers are an integral part of the programme and often form strong relationships with both the school and the parents as a result of being part of FAST. If you are interested, contact your local authority to find out if they are running FAST within any local schools. If they are, nominate yourself as a potential FAST community helper.

Alternatively, contact local schools and make them aware that you would be interested in being involved, should they run FAST at their school.

It cannot be denied hard work is involved and you will be tired upon completion, but it is well worth it as you will see at first hand the differences in the children and families behaviour over the eight weeks. These changes include: 1 The level of parent energy (increased) 2 The quiet sombre faces becoming smiling talkative ones 3 In loneliness shifting to active long term friendships 4 The excitement of the children as they look forward to FAST each week

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When Daniel was promoted to being a governor over all other governors in his realm it was deeply resented. To get rid of Daniel his enemies homed in on Daniel’s religious commitments and resorted to legislation that would cause him serious problems. In the absence of Daniel they appealed to King Darius’ ego by persuading him to pass a law whereby no one would be allowed to pray to any man or god, except the king, for 30 days!

Moreover they persuaded him that the law should be “according to the law of the Medes and Persians” which could not be altered. The significance of Daniel’s absence didn’t occur to the king.

So, what did Daniel do? What would you and I have done? Well, when Daniel heard of the newly passed law he certainly didn’t compromise or go into hiding! Immediately he went home and prayed – three times a day. Moreover he gave thanks to God, asking God for help! His enemies, spying on him, were overjoyed and hurriedly reported his action to Darius. Darius was horrified but the law was the law and with total reluctance he had Daniel thrown into the lion’s den desperately hoping that Daniel’s God would rescue his servant. Very early the next morning the king hurried to the den and called out to Daniel. When Daniel responded the king was overjoyed, released his servant from the den and ordered that the conspirators be thrown into the den. When Daniel took the decision to disobey the law he could not have known how it would turn out and that he would actually survive the ordeal.

There are many Christians in other parts of the world who are sacrificing their lives because of their willingness to obey God in spite of vicious opposition from politicians and other religious leaders. We ourselves are living at a time in the UK which may well be described as post-Christian, when the will of God is low down on the agenda of politicians – even nonexistent. One example will suffice. The proposed legislation re same-sex marriages will create serious and challenging difficulties for Christians, e.g. Christian registrars, teachers, parents, etc. And who knows where it will end and what will be the long-term implications for Christians, the church and society in general?

There may well come a day when we too are faced with the kind of challenge faced

by Daniel. Do we share his courage and commitment? When it comes to the crunch will we, like Peter, “obey God rather than men” and suffer the consequences (Acts 5.29), bearing in mind that the outcome may not be as happy for us as it was for Daniel? The story of Daniel is no longer just a nice story for children. It provides a serious challenge to all of us who name the name of Christ.

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Malawians visit Cathcart

By Catriona Brown, Principal Teacher and Cathcart Church member

Emmerson, Catriona and Justin

The Malawi Leaders of Learning Project took teachers to Malawi in June 2012 and in November 2012 facilitated a visit for six Malawians to come to Glasgow. Their two week visit was jam packed with daily visits to schools across Glasgow.

Emmerson, Fanny, John, Justin, Charity and Grace at the David Livingston Centre

Charity at school in Glasgow Due to my participation in the project to Malawi in the summer I was able to welcome Mrs Charity Kathyanga, Head Teacher, Nyambadwe Primary to Battlefield Primary School for 3 days. The children took to Mrs Kathyanga’s exuberant personality and joined in with singing and lessons on Malawi. Mrs Kathyanga was particularly impressed with the school’s Pupil Council where the pupils run their own meetings and Liam O’Donovan (Primary 7 pupil and chairperson of the council) welcomed Mrs Kathyanga and conducted the meeting. The pupils were able to ask about conditions of her school and showed concern about the children sitting on concrete. Liam suggested our Pupil Council could send cushions.

Although this may not be a possible solution the Pupil Council have committed to organising an International Games day to raise funds for Nyambadwe Primary. They have also written letters to members of the Pupil Association there.

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Visit to Cathcart UF Justin Kamwendo is the main link in Malawi for the MLOL project.

Emmerson Lupiya is the Depute Head Teacher at Blantyre Secondary School in Malawi. While Emmerson spent much of his placement at Cleveden Secondary School, Justin was working at the Education Offices in Glasgow. During their 2 week stay their ‘free’ time was limited with many of their excursions being provided.

I accompanied them to Bute and a tour of Mount Stewart. On returning on the boat all had their photographs taken as it was their first time on such a ship.

I invited the visitors to my church and was delighted when Justin and Emmerson came along to Cathcart.

Justin thanked the congregation for all their support in sending me to Malawi. Emmerson said that just as Malawi is known as the ‘warm heart of Africa’, he feels Glasgow is the ‘warm heart of Europe’. There was tea after the service and Justin and Emmerson met many of the congregation. That afternoon we attended celebrations at the Royal Concert Hall promoting 10 years of Mary’s Meals.

David Livingstone Centre, Blantyre, Scotland On their final Saturday we all went to the David Livingstone Centre in Blantyre. On a previous visit to the museum I spent less than an hour walking round. However on entering the first room at the centre this clearly was not going to happen. I wondered if we would get out before closing time! Model maps with lights showing David Livingstone’s four expeditions were scrutinised with Justin joking that he had been through his village.

We laughed at this but as more information was read in later documents it was a near thing as the names of other villages were recognised and a fruit which was eaten by Livingstone originated from their area.

David Livingstone 1813–1873 David Livingstone is renowned in Malawi not only for his missionary work but for his contribution in ending the slave trade. There is a national David Livingstone Day and the St Michael and All An’els is the David Livingstone memorial church in Blantyre, Malawi. This is in fact Emmerson’s home church. Emmerson said of David Livingstone that he must have been a brave man because when he was in Africa there would have been a lot of animals. This year celebrates 200 years of Dr Livingstone.

He died in 1873 of malaria and internal bleeding. What I found most interesting to read at the museum was he was found dead while on his knees praying.

Windows from us In the last room there is a replica of David Livingstone’s memorial plaque which is in Westminster Abbey. Within this sanctuary I noticed a beautiful stained glass window with an inscription dated 1932 from The United Free Church of Scotland Continuing.

I told Justin that this was my church.

He insisted I take a photograph to share with you.

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Mission and Commission in the Upper Room

1 The Model of Mission The Gospel is Good News for sharing. The Kingdom is a message for proclaiming. Jesus is the Risen Lord to whom we bear witness. All through John’s Gospel clearly Jesus, the Incarnate One, has been on a mission with a task to do. He speaks of “finishing the work” the Father has given him to do. He describes himself as being sent by the Father; and describes the Father as the One who has sent him. In the Incarnation the mission begins. After the Resurrection – through the believing community, the Church, the mission continues. As the late John Stott put it, “First He sent His Son, then He sent His Spirit, now He sends His Church”. Our God is the initiator of mission. He is a sending God. As Bruce Milne has put it “The extent to which individuals and churches are committed to mission locally and worldwide will be the measure how godlike or godly they are”.

By Rev Dr J. O. Evans

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ 22And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’ — John 20:19-22 19

Imagine it. It’s Easter evening and the apostles are again gathered together in the upper room with “the doors locked for fear of the Jews” What a realistic comment.

These erstwhile followers of Jesus are fearful – terrified.

They have witnessed their leader arrested in Gethsemane.

They have witnessed or heard reports of his trial and condemnation. They have seen the reality of the cross.

Who knows but they might be next for the same treatment?

Now, again, the risen Lord appears, manifesting himself not so much to reassure or even to confront them, but to talk of what comes next – of their mission and commission.

See how He authenticates himself to them • By what He pronounces – “Peace be with you”: Shalomtotal wellbeing See how it relates to what He had previously promised, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you...”

• By what He demonstrates – “He showed them his hands and his side”. These are the indelible marks of his suffering on the Cross. The One who died on the Cross is indeed the Risen One. • By what He imparts – “the disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord”. What had once seemed as “idle tales” told by the women was in fact true – He was alive, He was risen. It was real – He was here!

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2 The Mandate for Mission See Jesus’ words to them – “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you”. The Father’s sending the Son is unique, once for all. The Son’s sending out his own into the world is present tense, indicating continuous action. Here is our commission for service – “I am sending you”. The eternal Son, the Incarnate, Crucified, Risen and Reigning One, is sending us.

• It includes authority. Remember the Great Commission in Matthew 28, “All authority in heaven and earth has been committed to me. Therefore, go... and I am with you always...” Our mission and ministry partake of his authority. We are those He sends and accompanies.

This surely picks up the understanding of the messenger that Jesus used of himself. Behind the messenger always stands the dignity, authority and power of the One who sent him [cf Matt 10:40]. It is the messenger’s hidden mantle.

• It includes subordination. We must seek to mirror Jesus’ ministry in his willing, joyful submission to do the will of the Father who sent Him. Ours should be a loving, faithful servant’s heart. Here is the paradox of all mission and ministry – “Death is at work in us, but life is at work in you” [2Cor 4:12] or as Jesus himself put it, losing life in order to find it.

3 The Mystery behind Mission See how the key principle of our mission is in the words, “As the Father has sent me...” The Son was sent into the world Incarnationally – “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us”. No long distance doing ‘good’ will suffice. It is not true that ‘from a distance God is watching us’ – He is directly involved. Jesus came into the real world. He walked among us, identifying with us. He touched the unclean. He restored sight to the blind. He knew the pains and sorrows of humankind. We too are sent into the world like that – not to be sterile and secure from pain and ugliness but to taste it, and minister to it in His Name. The Son was sent into the world redemptively.

At the heart of His mission was the Cross. Of course, that was unique and unrepeatable. But we are sadly missing the point unless and until we appreciate that in our mission too there will be the experience of the Cross. It will be costly, not cheap; difficult, not easy; painful not all sunshine. There is always the dimension of denying oneself, taking up the cross and following Jesus.

4 The Might in the Mission See how the Cross, the Resurrection and the Holy Spirit are all joined in this event in the Upper Room Even as He sends – so He says, “Receive the Holy Spirit”. Here is the agency and energizer for all mission and ministry. Here is the sovereign power for the task. The Holy Spirit is the great resource – of vision, of stamina, of creativity for all we are called to do in the Kingdom’s ventures. He could have sent legions of angels. They would gladly have come. He chose human messengers. He is counting on us, frail and fallible as we are. We are not left to our own resources. By the Holy Spirit He supplies the power, the resources and the gifts.

Truly we are people on a mission, people with a message. We are the people of the Crucified Saviour, of the Risen Lord, of the Reigning King, and indwelt and empowered by His Spirit. We are people on fire. Are we?

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Middle-East Focus

By Dr Tony Sargent

The Empty Tomb I composed the hymn having sought almost in vain to find mention of the empty tomb.

Arguably the tomb of Christ is as important as the cross, without a vacant tomb the cross has no salvic value. So I determined to take Watts hymn (I will apologise in heaven) not to re write his words, but to hopefully apply the same concept of surveying but this time to the tomb. I also try to bring out the theme of discipleship in our response.

Farshid Fathi

I recently flew in from India a day earlier than planned in order to attend a meeting convened basically for Members of Parliament and held at Westminster Abbey. This was to recognise again the pressures that Christian communities have in Islamic countries. My interpreter, Farshid Fathi, is now into the second year of a six year jail sentence. He translated my addresses at a special conference in Armenia of Iranian Christian leaders. These were on the book of Jonah. On expounding the second chapter I quoted ‘Religion is what a man does with his solitariness’.

From the experiences of Richard Wurmbrand and Josef Tonn who I knew personally I gave illustration of their times in jail. I remembered their testimony to a sense of God’s presence when all the ‘props’ were taken away.

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Little did I know that within three weeks my young colleague Farshid would be arrested on return to his own country. A six year sentence was applied and sustained even after appeal. He is in one of the toughest jails in the world, north of Tehran.

As the Chairman of Elam, an international mission dedicated to

By Dr Tony Sargent assist Christians in the Middle East, I had a meeting at the Houses of Parliament last year with Iranian expatriates. One MP was in tears at the end of our presentation. We spoke of suffering and the blatant flouting of the UN’s charter on human rights.

A committee was set up which reported late in 2012. The report sealed by the Commons is entitled, Parliamentary Inquiry Report into Persecution of Christians in Iran. It has been sent to the embassy and to all MPs. We have particularly asked Muslim members to speak out on our behalf. (The pictures attached are of me concluding the meeting at Westminster Abbey and also one of Farshid.) Some 100,000 prayer cards of him have been distributed around the world asking for prayer for his release. He is a married man – thirty two years of age.

His first year was spent mainly in solitary confinement. In a letter from the prison he quoted from the last verses of Habakkuk – a book birthed in Iran! “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the

vines... yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be joyful in God my Saviour (3 v 17,18). In a remarkable note he testified in a clipping we have from him – ‘I sense the fragrance of your prayers as a cool breeze on my heart and it strengthens me from afar’. He even sent a letter to the parents in the USA whose children were killed in gun outrage in Connecticut saying that he too knows something of their anguish, but one day they in heaven and he on earth will be repatriated.

The quality of his life is affecting so many prisoners – even the son of an Ayatollah having met him wrote a tribute on Youtube.

Fashid is but one of so many Christians who are in jail or who have been martyred this decade. Continue to remember those who are in prison as if you were together with them in prison (Heb 13v 3)

For more information on: Elam, PO Box 75, Godalming GU8 6YP tony.sargent@o2.co.uk www.elam.com

When I survey the empty tomb Wherein the Prince of Glory lay My eyes grow ’customed to the gloom And see that God has had his way The bleeding body of his Son So lovingly embalmed and bound Was quickened by the Spirit’s power And raised in triumph from the ground.

No worm could mar that sacred flesh Nor time allow for its decay My Lord, my love, who conquered sin Stepped from the vault on that third day!

No Roman cross could finish him No winding sheet his bones restrain No evil force could keep him down Jesus from Naz’reth lives again!

I would, like Mary, honour him.

I would, like John, my love proclaim.

My Lord, my Life – the Risen One God’s only Son who speaks my name.

Bless’d wooden cross on which Christ hung Bless’d more the tomb wherein he lay!

Bless’d emblems of a living faith Survey them now and every day.

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Youth Camp

By Laura McKenzie

Exploring God’s Promises at Inchinnan Twenty two young people, teaching team and cooks gathered at the Bible Centre, Inchinnan from the 15th–17th of February for the S1–4 Camp. The theme for the weekend was the promises of God and how we can take God at His Word, He always keeps His promises.

Assembly Update The General Assembly is an opportunity for ministers and elders from all our congregations to meet together to review what has been happening over the past year and to consider our future direction as a Church.

All sessions of the Assembly are normally open to the public.

In 2013 we will meet in the Salutation Hotel, 34 South Street, Perth from Wednesday 29th – Friday 31st May. Prior to the General Assembly, the Annual Meeting of the Women’s Home and Overseas Committee will be held in the hotel on Wednesday 29th May at 11am and 2.15pm.

The General Assembly will open at 7pm when the new Moderator, Rev Graham Brown will be appointed, followed by a Communion Service when Rev Ian Lloyd, retiring Moderator, will preach. During the closing service on Friday 31st at 7pm, Mr Brown will give his address and we also hope to have the presentation of the money raise through the Easter Scheme and to hear something about the work of ‘Stand By Me’ in Burma.

On Thursday and Friday the various Assembly committees will make presentations and we will welcome visitors from other Churches and from various Christian agencies. We look forward to having with us two guests

from the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, the President, Rev Basil Manning and the General Secretary, Rev Dr Prince Dibeela. On the Thursday evening (6pm) they will share with us something of their experiences in southern Africa and help us gain a better understanding of the challenges and encouragements for the Church there. As we mark the 200th Anniversary of the birth of David Livingstone it will be good to be reminded of how much has happened since he first visited the continent. All sessions of the Assembly are normally open to the public.

Please remember the General Assembly in your prayers.

THURSDAY 30th

9.45am

Reception of Delegates from other Churches Report by Committee on Women’s Home and Overseas Presentation by Youth Committee Presentation by Ministry Committee Presentation by Overseas Committee

The Annual meeting of the Friends of the Students Association will be at 4.30pm.

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FRIDAY 31st

9.45am

Representative of Scottish Bible Society Presentation by Church & Society Committee Presentation by Administration & Finance Committee Presentation by Christian Education & Evangelism Committee Presentation by Ecumenical Relations Committee

Breaks on both days will be: Lunch 12.30–1.45pm, Tea 4.30–7.00pm

The weekend began on the Friday evening with opening worship and an introduction to our theme. Robert Owens welcomed the young people and opened with prayer.

After splitting ourselves into three groups, we looked at promises the world offers from adverts on TV to politicians and even came up with our own promises we would make if we were in charge of the country! Britain would be an unusual place if these guys were in charge! We then talked about what promises are, how they can be kept or not and why that might happen. We finally looked at the character of God and how He keeps the promises he makes. After supper and some games, it was time for bed.

On Saturday, the teaching sessions looked at Abraham and God’s promise to him. The young people responded well and heard about Abraham’s trust in God. They went on a blindfolded ‘trust’ walk which involved holding onto a rope and following the directions from Morag and Ross.

They were promised something nice at the end of the walk and came back into the centre to juice, fruit and biscuits!

The next session was led by Rachel and Jennifer and looked at Joshua and God’s promise of the land the people would enter. We looked at how Joshua could be strong and courageous because God was in charge and had promised to be with him and the people. The young people looked in their groups at Bible passages and answered questions and then thought about situations where they might find things difficult. They then spent some time praying for each other. After lunch we had a trip to the ten pin bowling at XScape which was really enjoyed by all! The winner of each lane was awarded points for their group. Throughout the weekend points were awarded for helping with dishes etc. and the groups all did very well. Saturday night was the party night and we all had a great time playing games including biscuit avalanche and spaghetti hair do’s!

Finally on Sunday we looked at God’s promise of the coming Saviour, Jesus through the words of Isaiah. The young people thought about how it would have felt to have been Isaiah and have to bring the news to the king and the people. We also thought about the fulfilment of the promise in the birth of Jesus and his death and resurrection. To close the session Andrew shared with the young people about when Jesus became really real to him. It was great to see the young people responding so well throughout the teaching sessions. As always we had the question box where over the weekend the young people are able to put in questions they have about their faith, the bible or anything to do with Christianity. The team then attempt to answer them. These times are both challenging and exciting as we see the young people are really thinking about their faith! We have much to thank God for!

Throughout the weekend we were very well fed by Cat and Gordon and a big thank you is due to them both for all their hard work. The weekend was great and we are always very aware of your prayers during these camps, thank you very much. Here are some quotes from the young people from Darnley UF about their weekend:

“I thought it was a good weekend with fun and it was good to meet new people. I learned new things about the Bible and I enjoyed it.” — Heather “Camp was great fun! It was nice to meet other young Christians from throughout Scotland.” — Liza

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Easter Scheme 2013

Snug as a Bug! Introducing this year’s Easter Scheme from the Youth Committee

This year the focus is on children in Burma where, as you will see below, life is hard for many of them as they live in appalling circumstances. We want to support the work of ‘Stand By Me’, a Christian charity which works there and provides schools and homes for many children. Our particular aim is to support the ‘Snug as a Bug’ Appeal which provides a Goodnight Pack for each child costing £30. How many packs can we provide?

If we raise more than is needed for that, the money will be used to provide for the children in other ways.

The Shan/Chinese border is a drugs haven, that also poses a serious threat of child trafficking. Our homes are situated in the towns of Lashio and Taungii where living conditions are of an acceptable standard.

Burma fact file Burma is a country ruled by a military junta, where the persecution of minority groups and the violation of human rights have resulted in extreme poverty, child prostitution and thousands of orphaned children.

Burma has 70,000 child soldiers which is more than any other country. Stand

by Me commenced working in Burma in 1998 by providing a home for 14 destitute orphaned children in the Chin Hills. Despite the difficulties of working in Burma, our work has continued to expand. Today, we provide an education for over 1,500 children across eight schools. In addition, we run 20 children’s homes offering 400 orphaned and abandoned children love, shelter and security.

Capital City: Naypyidaw (Country population est.

54 million – July 2011).

Official language: Burmese.

Health: Half of the country’s budget is spent on its military and just 19 pence per person, per year, is spent on health care.

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Education: 40% of children do not have access to an education.

Aye Ming and her sisters When Johan, the leader of our Lashio Home in Burma, heard the story of three young sisters in the town of Lashio, he could never imagine sending them back to the streets to live poor and hungry. Aye Ming and her two sisters, aged 6, 10 and 11 years, had lived a very difficult life for children so young. Their father died while their mother was pregnant with the youngest child. Three years later, extremely poor and feeling hopeless, their mother left to try and get work in China but she was eventually arrested and sold to be a slave.

Lashio Home Child welfare: There are an estimated 1.6 million orphans in Burma.

Climate: Burma has three distinct seasons – the cold and dry winter season (Nov-Feb), the hot and dry summer season (Mar–Apr) and the rainy season from May to October, which brings a lot of sickness.

Shan State: Shan State is one of the wealthiest areas in the country, boasting excellent mineral resources, wood, teak and gems, but the wealth is rigidly controlled by the junta, its armed forces and the few elite, resulting in the majority of the population living in extreme poverty.

The centre of Shan State and the towns are well developed but outside of the towns the vast amount of the state is rural with extreme poverty. It is from these areas that our children come, a long way from any chance of education or employment.

One night back in 2003, following a dream, Johan had his first thought of starting a children’s home and in 2006 he welcomed the first group of orphaned children into his home, providing them with food, an education, spiritual and physical care. Johan’s home is situated in Lashio, Shan State, where there are now 13 children living in this Stand by Me family.

They currently live in a rented building yet despite not owning their own home, it is the best house in which they have ever lived. Each child has their own bed, there is a large living room, a suitable kitchen and bathroom and an area for playing sports. With the help of Stand by Me, Johan has created a true family atmosphere where the children relate to each other like brothers.

In desperation, Aye Ming, the eldest sister was forced to work cutting tea leaves; her wage just seven cups of rice per day. But God was good; a Sunday school teacher brought this dreadful situation to the attention of Johan and now Aye Ming and her sisters are being cared for by Stand by Me, living as a family in our Lashio Home.

Mercy Burma Mercy Home was founded in 2006 by a lady named Mary and her husband. Seeing the desperate needs of the poor, starving children around them, they could no longer ignore their desire to reach out and help them. Although Mary and her husband had only enough to care for themselves and their own three daughters, they took a step of faith, knowing it was the right thing to do.

Mary and her family agreed they wanted to help these children who were wandering the streets, so they prepared their home and began caring for seven children. Today, there are 16 children in the Mercy Home family.

Mercy Home is located in Taungyi in Southern Shan State and the children are from the surrounding rural areas.

When they came to Stand by Me, they could not read a single word as they had not been able to attend school in their home villages. As finances were limited, Mary’s own children began tutoring their new brothers and sisters during the evenings until they were of an appropriate level to attend school.

Since those early days, the children’s lives have been transformed. The children can now all read, sing songs and pray. They attend the local government school each day. They are living happily as part of a Stand

by Me family where they are secure and loved. They now have a bright future ahead of them.

Snug as a Bug! Whilst you and I snuggle down in warm beds, secure in our homes and enjoy a good night’s sleep, thousands of children sleep on boards, often cold, and if they are lucky, covered by an old coat. is seeking to change this situation for hundreds of children worldwide. Your gift will provide a child with a quality mattress, a blanket, pillow and mosquito net, ensuring they enjoy a good, healthy, comfortable night’s sleep, free from malaria - the cause of death for thousands of children worldwide.

Help a child to enjoy a good night’s sleep by providing a mattress, blanket, pillow and mosquito net.

Each Goodnight Pack cost £30

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A New Approach to Training

Ministers for...

Community involvement One of our guiding principles is that a minister should be someone who can fit into and work with the community wherever they may be placed or called. To this end we try to give exposure to our students to events in the churches and communities. They participate in worship in local churches and are also involved in community programmes. One such memorable programme was the reconciliation process between the local municipal administration on one hand and some parents on the other hand, to negotiate the settlement of some disputes.

Holiday attachment Some years ago our partners in the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) carried out a review of how candidates were trained for Ministry. The outcome was the opening of an excellent new facility at Kuruman. It is worth noting that Kuruman Moffat Mission began in 1816 and was the base for the Missionary work of Robert Moffat for many years.

One of his daughters married David Livingstone who began his work in Africa at Kuruman in 1841. It is about 500 miles north of Cape Town. This article is taken from a report by Rev Majaha Nhliziyo, Director of the Leadership Academy of UCCSA.

Background

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Although there were courses available at some universities, we identified an absence of places where people not only received an academic training but were given a more rounded preparation for being ministers of word and sacrament. As a result UCCSA developed the idea of setting up a House of Formation at Kuruman Mission. It took some time to bring plans to fruition and Kuruman House of Ministerial Formation opened in January 2011 with six students for the Ministry. Of the six five were male and came from the Synods South Africa (4) and Botswana (1), while the only lady in the group came from Zimbabwe Synod. In 2012, these were joined by eight more students, with five ladies and three men. The three male students came from Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa. Of the female students, two are from Zimbabwe, another two from South Africa, and Botswana has one. This gives us a total of fourteen students: Zimbabwe 3; South Africa 7; Mozambique 1; Botswana 3.

It has been encouraging to see how the group has been able to gel together with a common purpose of formation for the Ministry, and their diversity has enriched the experience.

Orientation Each academic year begins with an Orientation week where the students are introduced to the House and to the whole journey lying ahead of them. This is also an opportunity for the students to catch up on their study and writing skills since some of them would not be coming directly from high school. In any case Theological study would be a new and challenging experience altogether.

Orientation also focuses on “distance learning” as this method of study would be their link with the Theological Education by Extension College, TEEC.

Tutorials We have set up a system of tutorials that are offered by Ministers who come to Kuruman from time to time as far as our budget would allow. This is a helpful arrangement for the students’ academic and formation needs. The overall performance from our has been impressive. We also run our own curriculum where we cover such topics as Polity, Congregationalism, Homiletics, Counselling, Communication Skills, Evangelism, Community Organizing, Church Administration, etc. Our own roving faculty is responsible for these courses. The overall day to day programmed of KHMF is in the hands of the Director of Kuruman Moffat Mission and the Director for the Leadership Academy.

Background Kuruman Moffat has a library and this helps our students a great deal. Apart from being a centre for reading, they often serve as student librarians helping to manage the library. The library itself has a fair amount of theological volumes although it would do with some additional new books and computerization.

Life in the house The students are accommodated together in the Mission house where they do their own cooking and manage themselves following timetables and duty rosters for chores like cooking, cleaning and recreation activities. We operate under a theme of “servant leadership”, where the idea is to learn self-reliance and living for the other person.

This principle is a key one in the ideals we are trying inculcate in the students. Apart from doing their own cooking, the students have recently begun to raise their own vegetable garden.

As in any ministerial formation institution, Worship plays an integral part at the KHMF. With the exception of Saturday, each day starts and ends with Worship in the Chapel. The students virtually run the schedule of services which are all open to the community and visitors alike.

Our academic year is divided into two semesters and this results in two major blocks for vacation, one in June-July and the other in December-January. During the June-July break we normally organize attachment programmes with the local churches to give students exposure to ministry situations, usually on a cross-cultural basis. The other exposure that our female students were given was the visit to our sister Synod of Namibia for the Women at the Well conference. We always look out for such events in order to give exposure to all our students.

Future plans The overall impression is that the KHMF is on the right track and doing a good service. We have seen a lot of development and growth in the maturity of students.

Their impact on the local community has been positive.

However there are challenges as would be expected in any undertaking. The one that KHMF faces is the challenge of sustainability in the immediate and long-term future. The cost of tuition fees keeps rising as well as the day to day upkeep of the students and their programmes. We hope that these challenges will not rise above our ability to sustain such a noble vision for the formation of ministers in circumstances that we can influence directly in order to meet the churches’ needs.

We can only be inspired when we witness progress in students who otherwise would have had no hope whatsoever had it not been for the KHMF.

The Overseas Committee of the UF Church contributes £3,000 per annum to support this work.

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Cambodians finding new hope in Christ (Article and photos supplied by the Scottish Bible Society)

In the 1970s, Christianity in Cambodia was almost wiped out. Under the rule of the Khmer Rouge, millions of people died or fled abroad – including 90% of Christians.

Over the past few decades, post-Communist Cambodia has been recovering from the darkest days of its history. One of the great changes has been the increasing freedom given to Cambodian citizens for worship. The church in Cambodia has renewed itself and emerged as a dynamic church. Cambodians are finding new hope in Christ, meeting together and forming churches. But most cannot afford to have a Bible of their own because they are very poor. In Cambodia, owning a Bible remains a luxury.

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Since the Bible Society in Cambodia resumed its activities in 1993, it has begun to address the increasing needs of the Christian community and growing churches. For example, a full range of Scripture materials has been developed. A new translation of the Bible in Khmer (the Khmer Standard Version) compliments the more traditional version (the Khmer Old Version), helping Christians to appreciate the Bible for personal growth as well as to share the Word of God with their compatriots. A daily radio programme called, ‘Fifteen Minutes for Life’ focusing on the Bible is reaching 100,000 Cambodians, helping them to understand its message and apply it to their daily lives. This method of providing the

Word of God in a format people can understand is particularly effective in Cambodia where there is high rate of illiteracy. Arun Sok Nhep, who oversees Bible Society work in Cambodia says, “We are getting great feedback from listeners in rural areas, who say that their whole village is listening to the programme and discussing it afterwards. They are telling us that the programme is bringing a sense of peace and order in their communities and that people are becoming Christians. ” That sense of peace and new hope in Christ is described by one listener, Phuc Mom, who is 49 years old and lives in the capital city, Phnom Penh.

Before she became a Christian, Mom

was a refugee in the camps along the Khmer-Thai border. A group of travelling pastors would regularly visit and preach the Gospel. One day, she was told about a loving God that was nothing but grace and love, and that he wanted a personal relationship with her. This was a foreign concept to Mom. In her Buddhist upbringing, she had been used to fearing the gods she worshipped and taught to obtain their blessings only through merit.

One day, when she was walking around the camp, she decided to enter the church building to see what a Christian service resembled. This day changed her life. She suddenly understood who God is and his amazing love. Since leaving the camp and being repatriated to

Cambodia, Mom has found a church where she can hear the Word of God. She can’t read or write so she also tunes into Fifteen Minutes for Life.

Every evening, her son, daughter, niece, nephew-in-law and herself, all living in the same house, gather around the living room floor and listen to the broadcast. Concepts such as forgiveness towards those who have hurt you badly, and giving it up to the Lord, are very emotional and intense topics. Mom never shies from talking about God’s love to her friends,

Christian or Buddhist. She has even invited friends to come over to her house to listen to the show, and has seen many become Christians. She says, “It’s a great programme because it’s like bringing the Bible into your own house, for those who can’t read, they can just switch on the show and listen to the Word of God.” Meeting the growing need for God’s Word in Cambodia is a challenge for the Bible Society in Cambodia. They are helping to supply the church in

Cambodia with Bibles at a reasonable price, in some cases partially subsidised, to enable churches to reach out to the Cambodian population.

When the Bible can change lives and help to deal with the pain and hurt suffered by many generations, it’s a task the Bible Society is willing to undertake.

If you would like to find out more about the Bible Society work in Cambodia or to give financially to this work, please contact the Scottish Bible Society on 0131 337 9701 or info@scottishbiblesociety.org

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