stedfast june11

The Friends Of The Students Association Membership of ‘The Friends’ is open to all interested friends. The aim of the Association is to support the work of the Committee on Ministry and to make grants, for the purchase of books, to those who have been accepted by the Ministry Committee as students in training for the ministry of The United Free Church of Scotland.

Also to those students who have successfully completed their course and are going forward to the ministry.

In essence this means that, thanks to the generous donations received, ‘The Friends’ are enabled to give an Easter and Christmas Gift to the students. A Final Gift is given when the student is ordained and appointed to a congregation. We keep in touch with the students as they progress through their studies and the students are asked to speak to the Annual General Meeting, which is held during the General Assembly.

Tribute

After a few lean years ‘The Friends’ are delighted to report that we have one student presently studying, by distance learning, for a BA in Theological Studies at Highland Theological College. Nathan Owens hopes to complete his third year, and perhaps a fourth year, in residence at this college.

As there are some folks within our Denomination who possibly know very little about ‘The Friends’, we would ask you to please give consideration to becoming a ‘Friend’ and showing the students that we are personally concerned for their welfare and look forward to the day when they are ordained and appointed as minister in a charge.

gratefully received and receipted at the close of the AGM of ‘The Friends’ in Perth. However, donations are welcome at any time. To make a donation please contact the secretary/treasurer of ‘The Friends’ Committee.

“God will indeed bless us in this worthwhile and practical support of His servants” ‘The Friends’

Please enable us to support and encourage these students so we can give them a worthwhile gift. After all, costs in every aspect of life for us all have risen dramatically. All donations are most

Margaret joined Clydebank United Free Church 23 years ago and for all these years served as a manager and in 1990 was appointed as an elder. Margaret carried out her duties faithfully. She was extremely kind to the younger members of the church. Margaret took responsibility for the preparation of the

Communion Table until latterly when she sadly lost her eyesight.

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Margaret Marshall: Clydebank

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June/July 2011

IN THIS ISSUE: Bibles for China - Page 2 Kingdom Values Pt 2 - Page 8 & 9 Visit to the Holy Land - Page 12 & 13 Boness Bible Stories - Page 14 & 15

ÂŁ1.25

In this Issue...

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12

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One World, One Vision, One Mission

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South African Youth Visit

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Moderator Report

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Bibles for China

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Street Pastors

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Visit to the Holy land

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Steadfast. Peoples Bible

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Glasgow City Mission

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Boness Bible Stories

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Strictly Come Praying

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Kingdom Values Pt 2

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Sister Dineo’s 100th Birthday

Editorial In this issue we continue the study on Kingdom Values and ask what it means to ‘take up our cross daily.’ Is this the similar to the political “big society” or as Kingdom-people are we called to be ‘different from society around us; not just superficially different, but radically different?’ The articles on the work of Street Pastors and Glasgow City Mission reflect this deeper concern for the well being of all in the community, with a challenge to prayerfully consider how God would use us in going out to the vulnerable and marginalised in our own communities.

The theme of ‘One World, One Vision, One Mission’ will be explored in this year’s Dunblane event with the focus of the day on mission both locally and across the world. You can find out more in the article opposite.

It is exciting to read of the publication of the 80 millionth Bible by the Amity Printing Press in China. This year there will be an opportunity for everyone to be involved in Bible translation by taking part in the People’s Bible Project which could be coming your way soon?

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this edition. In order to give your magazine as broad an appeal as possible, keeping it both topical and interesting, we need you to be involved. So please send in your articles, letters and comments, they are always greatly appreciated.

Alastair Wright Stedfast Secretary

One World, One Vision, One Mission Saturday 27th August – Dunblane High School

will be two series of workshops - each lasting for an hour. Among topics we hope to cover are: What are God’s plans for the world?

What plans does God have and what will happen at the end of the world? Led

by Jane McArthur. Lecturer in Christian Doctrine at International Christian College.

What’s been happening during the mission around Scotland? Some of the young people (from Southern Africa and Scotland) who have been involved will be ‘reporting back’ on what has been happening and sharing some of their experiences. Laura Mackenzie will coordinate this.

Bible Study - looking at different approaches of approaching Bible Study

Healing and Healing Rooms - Stephen Anderson and others will speak about the work of Healing Rooms and how people

- Led by David Miller. Vice-principal of International Christian College Developing prayer in the life of the congregation - including opportunities to pray - Gordon Steel, one of the Training team will present this.

have been helped through their ministry.

Congregational Mission & Evangelism - we hope to have a workshop that will help us think about we can have mission and outreach at the heart of our congregational life.

Working with ethnic minorities/ asylum seekers - how do we engage with those who come from very different backgrounds? Led by Christine Murray of Sighthill Church, Glasgow Short-term mission opportunities Have you ever thought about becoming involved in mission in some other part of the world even for a few weeks or a few months? There are many opportunities out there! Patricia Johnston will coordinate this and involve a number of others who will share their experiences.

Dramatic Moments from the Bible - a practical workshop using drama and stories in the local church led by Fiona Stewart.

Art and Prayer: Using the visual arts as a tool, these workshops provide an environment in which to reflect, express and explore the inner self and listen to the voice of God. Led by Carol Marples of ‘Soul Marks

Leaflets about ‘One World, One Vision, One Mission’ will be circulated to congregations later in June and copies will be sent to those who attended last year’s event. They will give information about the day including the range of topics being covered in the various workshops.

The event will take place at Dunblane High School on Saturday 27th August from 10 a.m. - 4.15 p.m.

These events have proved to be encouraging opportunities to meet, worship and learn together.

This year the event will come at the end of three weeks of mission by the joint team from southern Africa and Scotland and we are delighted that the team will be taking part in the main sessions as well as participating in a couple of workshops.

The main focus of the day will be on mission both locally and across the world.

The keynote speaker this year will be John Carrick UK Director of MECO (Middle East Christian Outreach). He has a wide experience of mission and will help us recognise the priority of mission in the life of the Church.

The programme for the day is a little different this year and timings will be approximately: 10.00 - 10.25 Opening session 10.35 - 11.35 Workshops 1 11.35 - 12.00 Tea break 12.00 - 1.00 Workshops 2 1.00 - 2.15 Lunch 2.15 - 4.15 Celebration Following a brief opening session there

Find out more about Church/ Christian scene in southern Africa - its challenges/ opportunities and lessons for us. This will involve some or all of the 3 leaders from UCCSA especially Rev Alastair Arends UCCSA Mission Secretary.

Fuller information will be given in the leaflet. Why not invite others to come with you - including your neighbours in churches of other denominations who might find the day of interest.

As previously, there will be a crèche, children’s programme and teenage programme. Please pray for the event and for those involved in planning it!

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Bibles for China

By Patricia Johnston

Following the Cultural Revolution China started re-opening to the world in 1981. In the same year Christians were able to meet again in public to worship and praise God. Yes, there were many rules and regulations to adhere to but prayer had been answered and there was real hope that the dark days were behind them.

Now, many practical issues had to be addressed - re-claiming Church buildings; the re-calling from the countryside of clergy and lay workers; the re-opening of the seminaries and the resumption of theological education. These were just some of the matters concerning Church leaders. One further topic under discussion was how to put Bibles back

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into the hands of believers. So many had been destroyed in the previous 15 years that there was a desperate need to replace them.

On Monday 8th November 2010 a Service was held in Nanjing to mark the publication of the 80 millionth Bible by the Amity Printing Press. Throughout the Service the name of Bishop KH Ding was heard. It was his vision in those early days that saw the first 3 million Bibles being printed by the presses of the People’s Liberation Army while discussions took place with the United Bible Societies. In 1987 those discussions led to the opening of the first Amity Printing Press. A staff of just over 300 began producing Bibles which were then distributed throughout China.

Over the years the Amity Printing Press developed its product range, distribution and export processes reaching the point where bigger and newer premises were required. On 5th December 2007 the new site was dedicated - a huge site with modern presses able to produce 20 million Bibles in just over a year!

A real cause for celebration, not only by Christians but also by local and provincial government officials who are now prepared to say publically that Christians are a force for good in the People’s Republic of China!

The People’s Bible Hazel Southam

On 19 June there will be a party with a difference at Edinburgh Castle. The difference is that it’s celebrating the Bible.

On that day, 400 years ago the King James Bible was published. And it was set to have a massive effect on our society, laws, language and culture that resonates even today. Indeed, it’s hard to think of another book that has impacted British society quite so much. For that reason alone, a party at King James’ birthplace on his birthday would seem to be appropriate. Yet there’s far more to this than meets the eye. During the summer and autumn, some 35,000 people will be recreating the Bible verse by verse.

We’re calling it The People’s Bible.

Because it is. The idea’s simple: for people across the country to contribute to writing a digital copy of the Bible.

It’s to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible; its impact on our today’s society as well as our faith. But it’s more than that. It’s about celebrating the life-changing message of the gospel and bringing that to schools, shopping centres and the public squares of our towns and villages.

How does this work?

The Peoples Bible will be on tour all summer, from June to November, bringing special high-tech scribe pods near to where you live. We’re excited by this and hope you will be too. You’ll have the chance to write two verses of the Bible: either in the King James Bible or in the more modern Good News Version.

Anyone can do it: young, old, Christian or not. It doesn’t matter. As every good sports coach would say: it’s the taking part that counts.

So, it all begins appropriately enough at Edinburgh Castle. But then The People’s Bible will take to the roads. It will travel across the length and breadth of Scotland from the central belt right

up to the Orkney Islands. And, it’ll be traveling south of the border too, in fact by the summer holidays, it will be at John O’Groats and Land’s End on the same day.

Why’s this important to do?

A ComRes poll of over 2,000 people nearly half (46 per cent) said that they thought the Bible was an important book and it had valuable things to say. But the same research showed that many people have a low knowledge of common Bible verses. Eighteen per cent of those asked though that the phrase, ‘the writing on the wall’ came from The Beatles. Forty one per cent believed that, ‘eat, drink and be merry’ came from Shakespeare and 12 per cent thought that ‘a drop in the bucket,’ was first uttered by Tony Blair, rather than the book of Daniel.

So, one of the aims of The People’s Bible is to help address this problem and allow people across the country to connect with the Bible again. Commenting on the research, Fiona McDonald, Project Director, for The People’s Bible said, ‘Over the last four centuries people’s attitudes and beliefs about the Bible have changed dramatically. Today’s average UK citizen may have some broad concepts of what the Bible is, but very little knowledge or experience of what the Bible actually says. I remain convinced that regardless of your position on faith, the Bible is a book worth reading, if only to stimulate us to think about some of the deeper issues of life. The Peoples Bible is a novel 21st century way to approach the Bible again and to make your mark in history.’

The journey of The People’s Bible will end at Westminster Abbey five months after Edinburgh’s party on 16 November, when a bound section of the People’s King James Bible will be presented in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen. But it will also be available online at www. thepeoplesbible.org.

So why not join in with all the fun this summer and make your own mark in history? You can simply turn up on the day and write your two verses. That would be fantastic. Or, you can bring a busload of your friends and work colleagues to write some verses too.

That would be even better.

Or - and we’d really love this - you can volunteer to help out on the day that the People’s Bible is in your town or village.

You can volunteer for a few hours or the whole day. By doing this, you can help others to make their mark in history too and enabling people who may never read the Bible to get an insight into it as well as to help write it. Who knows, it could be a small step towards helping people on the path of finding faith, or re-kindling its embers?

It’s going to be an exciting year and we hope that you’ll be part of it.

To find out more contact us at: info@thepeoplesbible.org or call us on 0131 347 9800, or simply visit: www.thepeoplesbible.org Hazel Southam is editor-in-chief at Bible Society.

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Strictly Come Praying Strictly Come Praying 2011: two national youth prayer events

mature, willing to serve, ready to do God’s will.

And God met with us. Some older ladies gathered to pray in a room upstairs, and young people poured in. We began with worship and God’s Word was brought to us. We prayed together, then split into seminar choices, each based around the theme for the day, “Dare to Ask”, based on Ephesians 3:20, “His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine.”

Strictly Come Praying is a Pray for Schools Scotland initiative and is a partnership event between SU Scotland, Firestarters, Dundee for Christ and others. Booking starts in January each year. This report by Elizabeth McDowall is on this year’s event. Who would come to something called Strictly Come Praying? Sounds like a daft idea, with a daft name. Add to this the fact that it is a youth prayer event, aimed at young people aged P7 to S6, runs from 3pm to 8pm on two Sundays in March, and it is incredible anyone comes at all!

Yet come they do - approximately 400 young people and 100 youth leaders between two events held in Grangemouth and Dundee, travelling from as far apart as Oban, Dumfries, Aviemore and the East Neuk of Fife to be there.

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In the past few years Strictly has become a “must” for many young people, and has been used to kick-start faith in our almighty and amazing God, and deepen intimacy with him. God gave the vision, and he brings in the young people.

As a denomination it has been encouraging to see our own youth leading prayer gatherings on Saturday mornings. Prayer has to be central, and not just for the older generation! At Scripture Union Scotland part of our 5-year strategy is “to see children and young people being encouraged to pray themselves, as well as being prayed for by others” and in partnership with

others, Strictly Come Praying seeks to fulfil that vision. The aim of Strictly is to: 1. Get young people excited about prayer and motivated towards a lifestyle of prayer 2. Equip young people to pray (including by teaching, modelling, resourcing) 3. Challenge young people to intercede for their school, family, friends and the wider world.

4. Create opportunities to pray, both personally and corporately, and space to listen to God. 5. Increase faith through testimonies of answered prayer.

6. Support youthworkers as they guide young people in ongoing prayer.

A huge task! Yet that is what God is doing. Back in August two Strictly Come Praying planning groups were formed in both Grangemouth and Dundee, with several S5 and S6 pupils on each one. A further 25 senior pupils acted as youth helpers at each event. Some gathered in Linlithgow the night before the Grangemouth Strictly for a time of practical and spiritual preparation, sleeping on a church hall floor. The group of youth helpers welcomed younger folks to Strictly Come Praying, handed out goodie bags, assisted seminar leaders, set up and manned interactive “prayer stations”, led up front, played in the worship band; in short, they were willing and ready to be used by God wherever and whenever required. They are amazing young people - spiritually

Young people engaged with their seminar topic, then spent half the seminar time in prayer. After this came dinner for some, and further choices for others: praying together as a youth group, asking to be prayed for, going to “Question Time”, or engaging with interactive prayer stations and discovering different ways to confess, praise, intercede for family, friends, schools, Scotland, the world. Leaders too had options to pray with others or attend leaders’ seminars.

At Grangemouth we also included a wonderful “prayer storm” which involved masking tape, glowsticks, listening to Scripture and shouting out prayers!

Finally we came together for another hour of worship and teaching before heading back home. Whew!

What about our aims? Did Strictly Come Praying excite young people about prayer and equip them to keep on praying? The following comments speak for themselves: • “I have really enoyed it. I am now a stronger Christian” • “I learned that prayer really is a miracle and is powerful” • “I thank you so much. I have completely changed. I was a Christian but now I can feel him inside me and his presence. Thank you, thank you.”

• “Great! God is truly amazing!”

• “I have learned that I can take anything to Jesus.”

Let a new generation arise in prayer!

Youth Visit 2011 Laura Mackenzie

weeks and beyond. Information will come to the congregations regarding the programme and dates so that you can come along and be part of the mission even if you do not have a team coming to your church.

August is fast approaching and with excitement we look forward to the young people coming from Southern Africa and working alongside our own young people and congregations from the 6th-29th of August.

The team from UCCSA are currently (May) applying for visas and here the team are preparing for their second training weekend (10 - 12 June) where we will look at the music and drama presentations they will use to help to share the Gospel in the various locations they will work in. The young people coming from Southern Africa are coming from Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. This will be an exciting trip for the young people and for many their first visit to Scotland. The leaders are: Rev Alister Arends, Wellington Sibanda, Meegan Diergaardt,and the team members are Lisa Ndlovu, Mathibe Olebogeng Jeremiah, Esmenia Cuamba, Nobuhle Luthuli, Balie Desira Donae, Thamiso Chabalala, Greyling Koopman, Macmillan Teku, Loreen Dladla and Aroshell Meyer.

The three weeks (7th – 27th August) are shaping up well with teams at Lochwinnoch, Aberdeen: Torry and Croftfoot in the first week, Drumchapel and Corstorphine the second week and Cunningsburgh, Bo’ness and Cumnock for the third week. There will be various visits to other congregations throughout the three weeks, a presbytery rally in the East, lots of sightseeing around Scotland, a ceilidh at Uddingston Park and the three weeks will end with the Dunblane

Event on Saturday 27th August where the young people will share their experiences and we will celebrate what God has done over the three weeks and what has been started in light of the response to the outreach services, youth work and detached work that will take have taken place.

The teams are very excited about serving God in this way and look forward expectantly to learning more, growing in faith and seeing what God can do when we are willing to serve Him. It is an amazing opportunity for us all and one we thank God for. A lot of work has already taken place to get to this stage and a lot has still to happen but we know that God is at the centre of this, it is His work and we seek His will for the three

There are a variety of events taking place including children’s holiday clubs, schools work both primary and secondary age, music and drama presentations in shopping centres and public areas, special services, drop in facilities, hospital visits, lunches for older people, mid week meetings, teenage work and much more. The young people who have given of their time to serve in this way are so dedicated and the level of enthusiasm and excitement within the congregations is fantastic! To think of teams of people working in many places in Scotland to share the Gospel is an amazing thought.

God is so good!

Please continue to pray for the three weeks in August, that God would protect, lead and guide the teams and those in leadership, that we would seek His will and boldness to share the message of Christ, and that many would hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Please pray for the young people from UCCSA as they travel, the teams as they travel around Scotland and for the congregations who will reach out to their communities. Thank God for this wonderful opportunity and let us look forward with expectant excitement to see what God will do!

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Street Pastors

By Ian Whiteford, a volunteer with Street Pastors in Glasgow Sauchiehall Street, Sunday morning, 03.00. Nightclubs are emptying; the street is packed with young adults stoked up on hormones and alcohol. The taxi queues are growing rapidly; the streets are littered with half-eaten carry-out food of many varieties. Wrappings and other litter blows around in the wind as the night street cleaners begin their shift.

It’s hardly the ideal setting for a spiritual conversation on the meaning of life... or is it? Street Pastors are finding that as we listen to people on their terms and in an environment where they feel comfortable, we frequently have conversations at a surprising depth.

Of course, there are the drunken rants and the provocative questions, but its all part of the challenge.

Who we are

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Glasgow Street Pastors are part of a much wider movement, administered in the UK by the Ascension Trust. In Scotland, the movement started in Aberdeen and we now operate in Perth, Stirling, Paisley, Inverclyde, Falkirk, Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline. We wear uniforms, which help to identify us and to reassure those who are vulnerable and in need of help. We also work very closely with the police and with local councils.

In Glasgow, we have been out in the city centre on Saturday nights for the last 30 months, working in teams of 3 or 4 from 1000-0400. More recently, we have started to cover Friday nights, too.

The teams are drawn from churches from many denominations. We are ordinary people, aged from 20+ to 70+, from all walks of life. What we share

is an extensive training and support programme and a desire to be “the church on the streets”.

What we do

Here are three scenes which illustrate our work. It’s all based round “Caring, listening and helping”.

1. A loud and cheerful group of young women on a hen night walk barefoot along the street. They are carrying their shoes with killer heels in their hands. The pain of wearing them has finally become too much. Now they would rather take the risk of the cold, discarded noodles, and even sharp pavement edges rather than endure the agony any longer.

The offer of free flip-flops, probably the

most popular service provided by Street Pastors, is greeted with loud shrieks of appreciation. The new footwear is fitted, hugs are exchanged all round and they go off on their way. “You are angels!” is their farewell greeting.

2. A young German has become separated from his friends and asks us to direct him to accommodation. He has too much to drink, but his English is still pretty good! He’s living in Scotland, working as a volunteer and has come to Glasgow for a night out. As we walk with him and listen, it’s clear that he is feeling quite guilty about his behaviour. Later we get an opportunity to talk to him about why we are out on the streets and about our faith. Eventually he meets up with his friends and heads off into the night.

3. A young woman stands alone outside a night club, obviously distraught. She has had an argument with her boyfriend and left the club without him. Now she realises that she has no money or keys, but is too proud to ask the stewards to

let her back in. “He knows where I am!”

The Street Pastors are able to calm her down and when a couple of girl friends come out to look for her, she goes back in with them.

The importance of “presence” Our interventions are sometimes critical for the health of individuals and sometimes significant for people’s spiritual life. However, all Street Pastors would recognise that the small things are equally important in our work. Chatting with door stewards; building relationships with shop owners; singing along with buskers; spending time with rough sleepers; answering the Big Question (“What’s a Street pastor?”) and simply being on the streets as a safe and friendly presence all contribute to making our city centres safer and better places. This is one of the front lines of mission: it can be tough both physically and spiritually, but the rewards are huge and God continually demonstrates his presence with us as we share that presence with others.

Footnote: do you want to join us?

Street Pastors are recruiting now! We are on the look-out for people who want to join us in our work and to expand its scope. There are other night-spots and other times where a calming Christian presence is urgently needed. This is an opportunity to make a real impact on the lives of people on our streets.

We offer “taster sessions”, where you can come as an observer and get a feel for what we do. If that hooks you, there is a 10-session training course to prepare you for some of the issues you will face. New Street Pastors are teamed up with those who have more experience and we have a good support system in place.

In Glasgow, all of this will be explained in more detail at our Open Day on 11th June in Queen’s Park Baptist Church. If you would like more information, or to join us one evening, email garykillingsworth@ gmail.com or use the Glasgow web-site at www.glasgowstreetpastors.org. You can also find us on-line at: www.streetpastors.co.uk

Park Church & Glasgow City Mission

By Dr David Miller

Glasgow City Mission, first city mission to be established, has for over 175 years lived out the message of the Kingdom of God, serving the needy and vulnerable of the largest city in Scotland. This, however, is not something it does on its own, but in partnership with local churches in and around Glasgow.

Nevertheless, the commitment to demonstrate and proclaim the Gospel to some of the neediest people of Glasgow remains the same, so it was natural that the personal connection through Bruce’s family and the long-standing church connection should combine to build an even closer relationship between Park and the Mission. There are four ways in particular in which we have tried to strengthen these links

range of services and activities which they provide - food, friendship and conversation, English, literacy and computing classes, art workshops, a gym etc. - was very moving for all those who went along.

Firstly, we continue to give.

We try now to be donating on a regular basis rather than just as a one off contribution at Harvest Thanksgiving time.

One of our members, Mark Sharp, now works as a volunteer at the Mission, and his stories give us real insight into how the Mission is seeking to transform people’s lives. For Mark, volunteering there is a calling, and he sees how God has used some of his own experiences to help him identify with those who come into GCM each evening. As he helps serve food, teas and coffees to them, Mark has opportunities to get to know them and to build up relationships in which eventually they come to trust him and open up about their stories.

Our gifts can be both gifts “in kind” food, toiletries etc - and financial gifts to help support GCM’s running costs. The Mission appreciates contributions being spread out across the year. Those who need the Mission to help them are likely to be in need all year round and not just at harvest thanksgiving time, so there is a need for churches to spread their contributions over the year, or at least to have special collections at times other than Harvest festival.

For many years Park Church in Uddingston has contributed to the work of GCM through gifts brought at Harvest Thanksgiving. However, since the arrival of Rev. Bruce McDowall in 1999 our involvement has grown steadily.

Bruce’s father was for over thirty years the superintendent of the mission, and Bruce has vivid memories from his childhood of going with his father round some of the mission halls which GCM used to run. We reckon that Bruce’s fondness for the Redemption hymns of Moody and Sankey and others stems from this exposure. Most of these mission halls have closed down now as both Glasgow and the approach which the Mission takes have changed.

Secondly, we have had visits from Andrew Low, the current Director of GCM. Andrew is a great communicator and story-teller, and managed to give us both a clear sense of the challenges faced by those whose lives are messed up by poverty or addiction, and a vision of the potential there is to minister to them.

This has helped us to gain a better understanding and sense of empathy with the Mission, so that we feel more directly involved in its work through our giving.

Thirdly, members of the church’s RENEW group, one of our ladies’ groups, had an evening visit to the Mission in their superb new facility in the city centre.

Actually seeing the place of so much of the Mission’s activity, and seeing the

However, it is the fourth type of involvement that has really put the work of the mission in the centre of our awareness.

“It is,” he says,”such a privilege to be part of these guys’ lives and part of what God is doing to change their situations and their hearts”.

Not all churches will be close enough to GCM to visit or to have one of their members work as a volunteer, but it is a superb example of how to “keep body and soul together”, as it seeks to minister to people’s spiritual and physical needs, so well worth supporting.

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Kingdom Values

Part 2

By Rev Dr John O Evans

and the homeless. Thus there were regulations about the restoration of the poor man’s pledge at night [Exodus 22:26], the restoration of land at the Year of Jubilee [Lev 27:24], and the harvesters not to go over the field twice but even to leave the grain at the edges of the field for the poor [Lev 19:9-10; 23:22] as well as the vulnerability of the widow and the fatherless [eg Exodus 22:22, Psalm 68:5; 146:9]. Complacency and indifference are condemned by the prophets. The cry of God through Amos in the midst of institutionalised, civil religion is :”Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” [Amos 5:234].

As we have seen, the theme of Jesus teaching according to the Synoptic Gospels was the kingdom of God. The Kingdom stands in marked contrast to “the world”; that is, the values, attitudes, priorities and institutionalized systems unregenerate humanity which often stands in arrogant opposition to God. As Jesus said to Pilate, “My Kingdom is not of this world” [John 18:36]. While Paul in his letters does not have teaching on the kingdom of God, he does speak of the marked contrast between living by the world’s standards and living “by the Spirit”.

He famously contrasts “the works of the flesh” and “the fruit of the Spirit” [Gal 5]. He talks about being crucified with Christ, yet Christ lives in him [Gal 2:20]. He asks the Romans what is their mindset - earthly things or the things of the Spirit.

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As Christians, as Kingdom-people we are called to be different from society

around us; not just superficially different, but radically different. We are those who gladly take up our cross daily and follow Christ. I suggest that is a far different thing from “the big society” we are being urged to embrace.

Truth And Justice It is right to be concerned about our personal life of faith, spiritual pilgrimage and growth. However, it must expand beyond that. The Kingdom embraces all of life. The Psalmist declared: “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it” [Psalm 24:1].

Whatever else the Reformers did or did not do, they repudiated the division of the sacred and the secular. We dare not compartmentalise our commitment or our concern. We are for both personal holiness and social justice. There is not only personal sin, there is such a thing as institutionalized unrighteousness.

The Old Testament prophets made it clear God was concerned for the oppressed, the powerless and the marginalised; for the poor, the hungry,

We must have eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to feel the need of the hurting around us. In today’s global village that can be the socially vulnerable in our own communities or the victims of natural disasters in Haiti, Brazil, or the Pacific islands, civil war or the politically oppressed minorities in various parts of the world.

We need to recover our heritage and remember that many of the great social reform movements of last century came about through the concern and commitment of Christian people.

We need to beware of the subtle rewriting of history. Christians were not simply onlookers or on the periphery of passion for social justice, but at the centre. So must we. We need to be in the world as salt and light. We need to

be there for others. As Kingdom-people we express and explore a different lifestyle and different values-system from those of the world. We do not belong to the world [John 15:19]. We are in the world but not of the world [John 17:15f]. To withdraw from the ordinary circumstances of society or the pain of the world is a denial at once of our discipleship and the Kingdom we serve.

Our true vocation is to be as fully

we ourselves as the Church groaning inwardly [23] and to assist us the Spirit is groaning - interceding for us “that words cannot express” [26].

It is precisely because we are rejoicing in this hope that we are urged: “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain” [1 Corinthians 15:58].

Tribute

Alistair Gardner: Knightswood Alistair Gardner was born in Glasgow and the family moved to Knightswood where he attended school. On leaving school he volunteered and joined the Seaforth Highlanders. His first experience of action was the Allied invasion of Normandy. Twice he was wounded and twice reported missing in action. His war wounds that affected his balance for the rest of his life.

He met his late wife Margaret and Alastair went to work with the Canadian Railways. They married in 1949 in Winnipeg. Unfortunately, within two years Alastair became unwell and they returned to Knightswood. They both became very active members of UF Church and Alistair later became an Elder. The Boys Brigade was a big part of the family and both their sons, Graeme and Craig, went through the ranks and became offices. He never missed an annual display.

involved in the world and its affairs as possible: yet always as Kingdom-agents for hope, transformation and renewal.

The Hope Of Glory In seeking first the Kingdom of God we are affirming anew that this world is not everything. On the far horizons faith can discern the coming in of the Kingdom in all its fullness. The kingdoms of this world will give place to the Kingdom of our God and of his Christ. The time is coming when all the scattered clues of the New Testament will be brought together in the purpose of God. Our hope in Christ is not limited to this world or our present human existence. Otherwise “we are of all people most to be pitied” [1 Corinthians 15:19].

Romans 8 speaks of a fallen and frustrated universe standing eagerly on tiptoe to see the revealing of the people of God, because that will signal its own redemption from bondage and decay [19, 21]. Then the metaphor changes to one of birth-pangs. In rapid succession we read of creation groaning [22],

Indeed, the very next verses have to do with the collection in aid of God’s people in their distress.

The Spirit within us testifies not only to all Christ has done on the Cross but pledges us the fullness of that life at His coming and his Kingdom. Truly, “Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again!” The Day of the Lord is coming. We are but stewards, not owners whether of creation or the church, and we will be required to give an account of our stewardship.

“Amen, even so, come Lord Jesus!”

For Personal Reflection or Group Discussion: 1. A previous era saw Christians at the heart of the Abolition movement and the Trade Union movement - what might be the “causes” triggering Christian concern today? How can today’s church be truly prophetic?

2. Read again Romans 8:18-39, or 1 Corinthians 15:1-20,35-58; or 1 Peter 1:312. Reflect on what “the hope of glory” means to you.

As retirement approached he took a stroke and everything changed but their incredible resourcefulness meant that even this was turned around and these last years have been full of achievements. He was able attend church every Sunday even when he had to rely on his wheel chair. Eventually he was a resident in Erskine Hospital yet still managed to attend church most Sundays. House groups within the congregation were greatly valued and Alistair and Margaret hosted one of the Bible studies.

Alistair loved family events culminating in the celebration of their Diamond Wedding Anniversary.

Margaret death was a hard blow for him of which he never really got over.

His faith was an anchor for him and the whole family at that time. He took a keen interest in all the family and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time.

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Moderator Report

It has been a privilege, a challenge and a joy to have visited so many of the Lord’s people in their ‘own’ situations during the past year. To witness congregations of varying sizes endeavouring to keep a witness for Christ, often in challenging circumstances, has been humbling and encouraging. Scotland is not a large country yet the differing culture even within our own denomination is quite amazing! How important then to have Believers bringing the great and glorious Gospel of Christ to people in their local community.

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The theme that I believe the Lord gave me for this year was the ‘Person and Deity of Christ Jesus’. There appears to be a great ground swell in our day against the Deity and Lordship of Christ Jesus.

There is pressure from every side to lower the high view that we have of Christ, what a need then to hear afresh what the word of God is saying to us - NKJ Phil 4:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What vision did the Apostles have as they proclaimed Christ? - NKJ 1 John 1:1 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life - the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us.”

their hearts, [Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom] not just the written word but the Living Word - Christ. The question comes again, “How much do I know HIM”? How much do you know HIM? What a need there is to bring the Living Lord to those around us - and that can only come from the reality of our own experience of ‘knowing’ Him - a living relationship with Christ.

During the year I have been forced to evaluate my own Christian experience and ministry in respect to my own knowledge of Christ.

Rutherford says, “I urge upon you a nearer communion with Christ, and a growing communion” and Spurgeon says “beloved, it must be a personal knowledge on our part. I cannot know Christ through another person’s brains. I cannot love him with another man’s heart, and I cannot see him with another man’s eyes. Heaven’s delight is, “Mine eyes shall see him and not another.”

These eyes shall behold the King in his beauty. Well, beloved, if this be heaven, we certainly cannot do without a personal sight of Christ here. I am so afraid of living in a second-hand religion.

God forbid that I should get a biographical experience. Lord save us from having borrowed communion. No, I must know him myself. O God, let me not be deceived in this. I must know him

How much do I know HIM? I can only communicate what I know and constantly the question comes - do you really know him? Am I able, as Jesus says, to bring out the treasure of my own heart? Mark 6: 45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good... - For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

What a blessing it has been to meet those who have the word of God dwelling in

Do you know Him? by Rev Robert O Owens “That I may know him.” Philippians 3:10.

without fancy or proxy; I must know him on mine own account”.

The challenge for me has been to ensure that what I have preached I know - not just by proxy but in my own experience.

To know the experience in Isaiah - Isa 30: 15 For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength. Also Psa46:10 Be still, and know that I am God. What a challenge - to know God. Jane and I would like to thank all those who have supported us in so many ways,

from opening their homes, arranging transport, providing meals and for the faithful prayer support of which we have been very conscious. Also a big thank you to our church family in Drumchapel who have been a rich blessing to us in so many ways - very willingly and ably taking Church Services, baby-sitting and for just being there!

Tribute

Isabella Gardiner Black: Millerston Isa was born in Coatbridge and attended the local school. After leaving school Isa worked in the shoe trade and then in munitions during the war. She met her husband John during the war and they were married in 1946. Isa and John moved in 1951 from Springburn to Millerston and joined the UF Church.

She became very involved in the Women’s Bright Hour whose members organised deputations to UF and other churches in the area. Later on she was asked to establish an afternoon meeting for ladies, which became known as The Friendship Hour - so successful that its format lasted for many years enjoying fun and fellowship and a Christian message. She particularly enjoyed getting together with friends from other congregations at the annual Presbyterial weekends.

At Millerston she was a Sunday School teacher, deacon and elder.

Isa was ordained as an elder in June 1981 and served faithfully in that capacity for many years. She loved to sing and was a member of the choir.

She was also a great encourager and numerous people were grateful for her patient ear and wise counsel.

She was a gifted baker and keen gardener and took great pleasure in sharing her talents and the fruits of her labours with family and friends.

Isa was also a very keen bowler. We remember her daughter, Margaret son, Ian and other members of the family. A dear friend, she will be sadly missed, but always fondly remembered.

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Visit to the Holy Land

By Ann Deacons

of the Beatitudes; Eating a St Peter’s fish!; Dancing and singing with ladies from Ghana at the top of Mount Tabor; Looking at a model of the old Jerusalem; Communion at the Shepherds Fields; Visiting Cana and looking at a large jar that would have been used in the time of Jesus - it brings home just what it meant when He changed water into wine! This jar was HUGE!

On Tuesday 5th April 24 pilgrims from nine churches set out together for a 10 day trip to the Holy Land. It would be a trip that would take each one of us on a roller coaster ride of our emotions. We travelled to TelAviv with members of Greenbank Church of Scotland, and then separated into two groups outside the airport. Led by our tour guide, Samer, we were determined to see everything on the itinerary.

Every day we travelled on a journey with Jesus. It was the place where He was born, lived, worked, was persecuted, died and rose from the grave. To walk in His footsteps had a profound effect on our thoughts and feelings.

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We began our journey at The Church of the Pater Noster, the traditional site where Jesus taught his disciples the Lord’s Prayer, and on the wall of the church the prayer is written in 62 Languages, including Doric! It was here we shared together our first act as a group - we said the Lord’s Prayer together. There would be many more times when we would pray, read from the scriptures or sing together and these were the times that brought us closer together and made our trip so special.

The day flew past as we travelled to various sites - the awesome view over the city, eyes being pulled toward the Golden Gate that Jesus went through

on that 1st Palm Sunday; arriving at Gethsemane surrounded by people and noise from the traffic but being pulled into the silence of the garden, pulled back to the night when Jesus prayed and poured out his heart to His Father. In the Garden there are eight very old olive trees. Some botanists believe that the trees may be 3,000 years old although history tells us that the trees may have been destroyed in 70 A.D. If these trees escaped destruction then they belong to the time of Christ as they are Roman olive trees. If not then they are the shoots of those under which Jesus prayed on the night he was arrested. The olive tree does not die - it still bears fruit.

From here we travelled to the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu, said to be the site of the High Priest Caiaphas house, and where Jesus would have spent the night incarcerated overnight in a stone cell knowing crucifixion was ahead.

This is just a picture of some of the thoughts of that 1st day and as I made my way to the Golden Walls hotel I realised how much this trip would affect my faith. The days that followed brought many more highlights: walking through parts of the old city; Samer singing for us in the Church of St Anne’s at the pool of Bethesda; Visiting the Western Wall; Singing and praying at the Garden Tomb; Standing in an Upper room reliving the words of scripture of the Last Supper; The beautiful gardens at the Mount

During our visit we went to Bethlehem and stopped at the Al Sharooq School for Blind Children. We visited classrooms and met with some of the children.

(People had carried over donations of clothes for the children) Also at the Nazareth Hospital a cheque for £870 was handed over from collections made in some of our churches; St Andrews Church in Tiberias also received hymn books that had been taken out.

Our final day of travel took us to the Sea of Galilee - a very special day as we shared Communion at the side of the lake, then later on, to go out on to the lake and sit in silence. To know that our Lord had sat in a boat in that very same lake - words just cannot describe the feelings at that moment. We also had the joy of dancing on the boat and singing ‘O Flower of Scotland’!

There were many tears of Joy and laughter on this trip and I will never forget the bond of friendship made.

There is so much more that I could write down but one of the lasting memories that will stay with me is of my first view of the Golden Gate. Jesus knew that first Palm Sunday that when he entered that Gate history would change forever - that God’s power would break through and nothing would be the same again. Yes I saw many places that had a connection with the Lord and I am so pleased that I went - but what is more pleasing is that I don’t need a place to go and worship the Lord, none of us do - we can worship him in our hearts right were we are! As the Garden tomb said - ‘He is not here He is risen!’ Ann Deacons

REFLECTIONS ON MY VISIT TO ISRAEL - Mary Macintyre These are just some of my lasting memories: Being in the Garden of Gethsemane and thinking of how our Lord might have felt. Being at the Garden Tomb, the garden so peaceful and the tomb so EMPTY... a really powerful reminder - “He is risen”. Being shown around The Nazareth Village, a reconstruction of 1st century Galilean life.

Feeling unity with fellow pilgrims from Ghana, singing “Thank you Jesus for loving me”, on top of Mount Tabor at the Basilica of the Transfiguration, looking over the plain of Armageddon. It was the last verse (which they did not know) that was sung again and again - “You’re coming back again, and we with You shall

reign...“. - and the comments, “Is this what it will be like in heaven? “ The words of a hymn constantly came to mind - “I walked today where Jesus walked,... and felt His presence there.”

Sharing Holy Communion, firstly overlooking the Fields of the Shepherds in Bethlehem and then, overlooking the Sea of Galilee when Ann Deacons led the Service and singing with great feeling, “I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene...” .

Ending the last day with a very joyous sail across the Sea of Galilee with great singing and then, in contrast, experiencing complete silence as the boat’s engine was turned off and only the lapping of the water could be heard.

This year’s Easter celebration was made extra meaningful for me.

JERUSALEM REFLECTIONS Helen Scott Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world - the Holy City. Our visit brought to mind so many words from Scripture:The Mount of Olives rises above the Kedron valley to the east of the Old City. We looked over to the walls and the Golden Gate. According to Jewish tradition this gate is sealed until the Day of Judgment when “the righteous will be accepted into the Holy City”. Jesus stood on the Mount of Olives and wept over the city as He foretold its destruction.

(Luke 19) The Garden of Gethsemane is a walled garden containing olive trees 2000 years old, that stood there when Jesus prayed “Father if it be your will take this cup from me. Yet not my will but yours be done.” (Luke 22)

The Temple area in Jerusalem encompasses the summit of Mount Moriah. We witnessed Jews worshipping at the Wailing Wall and its huge stone blocks. “Christ Jesus himself is the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 3) The ancient road from Jerusalem to Jericho is clearly visible in the desert and brought Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan. (Luke 10) The good shepherd (John 10) came to life as we saw modern day shepherds leading their flocks of sheep and goats.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels. (Psalm 122)

emotionally and spiritually. So what went wrong?

Basically my expectations were too low.

Yes I am full of wonder at the beauty and serenity of some of the sites, of placing my feet in a spot where my Lord had trod, of seeing the places of many biblical stories and this will live with me forever however I received so much more!

Because Jesus took a group of 24 from 9 different churches and an amazing transformation took place. As we learnt to trust one another we started opening up, sharing our faith and our concerns.

Groups of twos or threes could be seen casually walking about the various sites sharing their deepest thoughts and supporting and comforting each other.

Tears were commonplace yet such was the closeness that they provided no embarrassment.

And the laughter - we were a raucous lot!

The final element was praise. We sang our hearts and souls out everywhere we went and joined with others from all over the world: Ghana, Korea, Germany, England, Japan and many other Countries. A small glimpse of heaven!

Tears, laughter and praise made up this pilgrimage for me and as stated I have returned exhausted and drained - but oh so blessed! In due course the peace and rest will come but for now the growing process, begun in the Holy Land, is ongoing - praise the Lord!

HOLY LAND REFLECTIONS Jean Law I left Glasgow expecting to return rested, and emotionally and spiritually at peace.

Yet I returned exhausted physically,

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Boness Bible Stories The following are 4 inspiring testimonies of favourite Bible passages from members of the Boness congregation.

Mrs. Christine Hartley (Church Musician)

The LORD who created you says: “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. - Isaiah 43: 1 - 3 Do you ever feel hopeless and helpless?

Many years ago I suffered a long time of ill health. I had chronic pain which literally took over my life, not knowing when I was going to suffer sudden bouts of severe pain, leaving me feeling exhausted and requiring very strong pain relief! I endured many stays in hospital and very uncomfortable tests!

I cried out to God for help!

One evening our door bell rang, it was one of our friends with a chap that we only knew by sight. Our friend told us that this chap had a message for me from God.

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He had been given a passage of Scripture to pass on to me. This had never happened to him before, and he wasn’t sure what to do as he didn’t really know me, but he could get no peace and had to visit us and pass on the wonderful words from Isaiah.

How comforting, uplifting and reassuring that God was in control and would be with me (and my family) through this hard time. Shortly afterwards, I was referred to a lovely consultant who pinpointed the problem and, after major surgery, I have never looked back. What a wonderful God we have who reassures us that, in whatever situation we find ourselves, He is right there with us.

Mrs. Linda Bell (Session Clerk)

“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these.” - Luke 12: 27 This passage on the theme “Do not worry” reminds me that many of the things which concern my everyday live

are indeed taken care of, and that I should not allow them to take precedence over other matters.

Our Father knows our practical needs but we should make him our priority and then all will be well. We are clearly told “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

The beauty of the lilies is a sharp reminder to me that, in order to glorify God, I must always bow to God’s sovereign rule and acknowledge his will and purpose for me as often I attempt to go my own way. While tensions in life can crowd in upon us, my experience has been to trust the word of God. Mr. Robert Forbes (Church Web Master)

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you

Tribute

Tom Allan: Croftfoot

received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” - Romans: 8:15 This verse had a profound impact upon me and I believe touches upon several aspects of the relationship that God wants. Several preachers have taught me that focusing on what God wants is a key element of our existence, of finding happiness, peace, salvation.

In my numerous endeavours to read and study scripture I have rarely found that ‘words leap out of the page’ or that I feel a ‘profound sense of being or presence’; sometimes a verse does seem to present a particular and significant relevance to my current circumstances or need. I believe the times when I have managed to gain a deeper understanding or insight is usually when either different verses I have read seem to resonate, or something that someone else has said links in with the verse to create a much greater impression.

This particular verse created such an impression upon me shortly after a sermon by Rev James Marshall who had focused on the meaning of the word ‘Abba’. When reading this verse alone later I was suddenly amazed by the awareness of God, the supreme creator of everything I know and understand and everything beyond, wanting me to call him ‘Daddy’.

Mrs. Barbara Muir (Elder)

“God is our refuge and strength ever present in times of trouble” - Psalm 46:1 Several years ago I was diagnosed with a heart condition which was controlled by several drugs. Fast forward ten years and the condition became very serious. I was

hospitalised on and off for about a year with constant heart failure and was eventually told that my only hope was a heart transplant. Although my faith remained strong you will understand I was very downhearted, but thankful for the great support from my husband, family and friends.

My consultant at St John’s Hospital arranged for me to see the Cardiac Surgeon at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. The evening before this appointment, while staying in St John’s, I could not sleep and was aware of someone being admitted to the ward. The next morning I saw a young girl in bed with her mother sitting by her.

“Let not your heart be troubled. Trust in God” - John 14:1 That day the surgeon did not give me a lot of hope saying that further tests were needed before being put on the transplant list. However, on returning to St John’s, I was surprised to see that the young girl was no longer in the ward but had been discharged. To my further surprise I noticed that her mum had left a message with a copy of ‘Word for Today’ telling me not to worry - that God had already made the decision for me and to trust in Him; to hand over my life to Him and literally be a ‘kept woman’.

I was completely amazed as she did not know my Christian background. But I believe that through this lady God had spoken to me, letting me know that He was with me.

So these were the verses she left me and I read them often during the time I waited for my transplant. I believe God was preparing me for the operation as I grew stronger in body and in spirit. God is always there especially when you need Him most so ‘Trust in Him’.

Tom Allan came to Croftfoot with his wife Margaret and their two children, Noreen and Graeme, in September 1963 and soon became involved in congregational life. In 1965 Tom, Having previously been an elder and Session Clerk in the Church of Scotland, Tom became an elder at Croftfoot in 1965. He was instrumental in the formation of our Men’s Association - an organisation which continues to this day. He also became a very enthusiastic choir member. He was a very effective elder, much loved and respected and served as Session Clerk for four years in the 1970s and in that role provided valued advice and leadership.

All Tom’s working life was spent in the railway industry and his enthusiasm for his work was reflected in his vast collection of all sorts of railway memorabilia. He was also a leading light in the world of bowls serving for many years as Secretary of Croftfoot Bowling Club of which he was a Past President.

He became President of the Scottish Bowling Association in 2009.

Tom’s illness was diagnosed a number of years ago yet all who came in contact with him marvelled at his determination. His view was that God would call him home when He was ready to, and that in the meantime it was his job to live the life he had been given. He gained a quiet satisfaction at having both a son and a son-in-law in the ministry.

Tom Allan’s many contributions to the work of this congregation will be sadly missed and with his passing we have lost a man who took his Christian faith and beliefs with him into all the other spheres of life in which he was involved. Our thoughts and prayers are with Margaret and the family.

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Sister Dineo Mooki Celebrates her

100th Birthday

By Marion L Peter (Formerly Sister Tutor at the Scottish Livingstone Hospital).

Dineo Mooki was one of a few women who worked as nurses when Dr Shepherd was superintendent of the Scottish Livingstone Hospital at Molepolole. Dr Shepherd developed a basic training with an examination after two years. Successful candidates were given a hospital certificate.

Around 1940 the Bechuanaland Protectorate Nursing Council was formed and Dineo completed the three year training successfully. In 1961 when the Scottish Livingstone Hospital was recognised as a training school for nurses and midwives by the High Commission Territories Nursing Council of Bechuanaland, Basutoland and Swaziland Dineo was granted registration.

Dineo was the first African to be appointed as a sister in the Scottish Livingstone Hospital. She accepted responsibility well and was a valued member of the team. She was an efficient nurse and midwife. When I asked her about beliefs and traditions she always gave a clear explanation and was always gracious. She had a bubbling sense of humour. One Sunday I took over from her at lunch time. She had had a very busy morning and had delivered several babies. I asked “Do the babies not know it is Sunday?” She replied “No, they have not read the book.”

Dineo had a strong Christian Faith and her witness was an example to us all.

On Saturday evenings she helped Dr Merriweather with his Setswana in preparation for preaching on Sunday. She was not afraid to correct his intonation.

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Sadly her eyesight deteriorated and she had to retire shortly before retiral

age. Last June she celebrated her 100th birthday. Several nurses who had trained at the Scottish Livingston Hospital visited her. She is now blind and frail but is looked after by her nieces.

Agnes Brownlee (now Anderson). Their daughter Rebecca came to England to train as a pharmacist. She is now pharmacist in the government Hospital at Gaborone.

Dineo’s brother, Titus operated our telephone switchboard. He married Goitsenang who was house girl to Sister

I feel privileged to have worked with Dineo and consider her as a friend as well as a faithful colleague.

In-Service for Missionary Contacts Presbytery of the East Held on Saturday 19th March, 2011 at Leith Ebenezer.

Tribute

James Greig: Burntisland: Erskine Jim Greig was born in Dalmuir West and apprenticed in the Singer Factory at Clydebank. From his earliest years he developed an enduring association with scouting as a scoutmaster and as a teenager found a love for choral music.

He joined his local Congregational Church choir, then the renowned Clydebank Lyric Choir. However his working life took Jim through to Glenrothes where a new career took off with Cessna engines and hydraulic pumps, travelling widely to represent his company. It was there that he first settled into married life with Ellen, his constant companion and support throughout their lives.

A small group of keen folk gathered together to share in a very interesting day, led ably and enthusiastically by Moira Currie and Famie Crawford. Sadly, the dozen or so people represented only 3 congregations of the 13 churches of the East Presbytery.

We hope not an indication of lack of interest in the World-Wide Mission of the Church. The day was organised to gauge how the denomination’s missionaries are represented at Church level. The importance was stressed of looking upon our missionaries as ‘members’ of a wider fellowship and our responsibility to support them in prayer and practical ways.

All agreed that more could and should be done to promote awareness of the needs of those ministering overseas and a number of ideas were discussed. One of the most common views expressed was the preconceived ‘remoteness’ of missionaries who were not personally known to individual congregations. It was considered crucial for increased involvement, understanding and support that a more deeply, personal relationship be established with Missionaries. The

value of sending letters, gifts and cards for birthdays, Easter, and other special occasions was pointed out.

The concept of ‘Adopting’ a Missionary was agreed to be a potentially effective way of improving links and support.

Congregations should therefore be ‘encouraged’ to take-on a Missionary Couple or individual and take that relationship seriously. The value of a designated Missionary Sunday once a year was confirmed, with comments made on the content and usefulness of the pack!

The importance of prayer support was ‘a given’ but this needed to be followed up by ‘doing something.’ ‘The Church exists

by Mission as a fire exists by burning’ (unquote), so we were exhorted to make the ‘Missionary Call’ a challenge for us all.

Although the lack of representation from the majority of congregations in the East Presbytery was keenly felt, Moira and Famie felt a measure of encouragement from the group’s participation in the day’s discussions.

Appreciation was expressed for the efforts made to make this a very helpful and happy time together.

He soon found a new home in Burntisland where his love of music brought him into association with The East Fife Male voice choir. He later joined the Erskine church enjoying their long tradition of choral music. Jim was always an encourager of the young and took much pleasure in officiating as church officer at weddings over many years.

As ‘keeper of the church clock’ and as a member of the Committee of Management and Kirk Session Jim played an active part in church life, where constancy and devotion to duty was his hallmark. Jim was one of those you could depend upon and trust with anything confidential.

Ordained as an elder in 1985 he gave loyal and honourable service to His Lord and to the Erskine congregation. We will greatly miss Jim for his passion, candour and faithfulness as we commend Ellen, his widow, into God’s care.

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