StedfastOct10

October/November 2010

Encouraging Mission

Moira Currie and Famie Crawford, the two Missionary Secretaries, invited Missionary Contacts from congregations in the West Presbytery.

Hugh Gavin Remembers

A group of eight Church Missionary Contacts from as far as Lochwinnoch to Wishaw met together with us at the Church Office on Saturday 11th September for an in-service day.

and how we could work better and closer to see more done in this area.

We started with coffee and cake, then looked at a short passage of Scripture from Acts 13 and opened in prayer. After introductions were made we enjoyed a lively discussion time in which we shared openly together, learned from each other and brainstormed some ideas for future implementation!

Together we looked at how the denomination’s missionaries are promoted throughout the churches

After lunch we had a report on this year’s Missionary Sunday programme followed by a sneak preview of next

The meeting closed with prayer and we hope that the contacts who came went home with a greater sense of purpose in their role and were encouraged to keep on with their good work on behalf of the missionaries associated with the denomination.

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year’s. Before the meeting was closed we heard an account from a survivor of the 9/11 attacks which served as a reminder that God is in control even when we can’t see or understand what is going on.

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Asia’s Forgotten Nation Page 14

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HOLIDAY CLUB!

In this Issue...

2 12 4 1

Holiday Club

8

20th Anniversary at Torry

16

Update on North Korea

2

Together in Christ!

2010 and 2011

10

The Holy Spirit: Then & Now

18

End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill

4

Hugh Gavin Reme mbers

12

Thy Kingdom Come

20

Appointment of our New Minister

6

BIBLEFRESH!

14

Asia’s Forgotten Nation

21

Training FM10 picture

Editorial Is it good to be part of a small congregation? I ask that because all of us in the UF Church belong to small congregations and we could debate the advantages and disadvantages of being ‘small’. There is always the danger that we become rather inward looking and burdened with the task of keeping things going and lose sight of the bigger picture.

At ‘Together in Christ’ at Dunblane it was good to have Martin Dudgeon of Asialink speak about the challenges facing Christians in North Korea and to see ways in which opportunities are opening up for Martin and others to serve in that very closed, atheistic society. Grasping more of the mission of the Church helps us to look beyond the local so that we see that God is at work in many ways around the world.

And why has God placed our congregations where they are? So that we can also serve him in our local communities and share with people around us something of the love of Jesus through what we do and say. We are not called to ensure the survival of the Church, we are called to be witnesses to the One who can transform the lives of individuals, families, communities – and of a world that desperately needs a Saviour!

John Fulton

Some of the Leaders involved in the “Starship Discovery”

For the past six years St Ninians have held a three night event after the summer holidays for Primary School children. We find that this has been more effective than running a Holiday Club for five mornings during the summer holidays as we make more contact with more children.

Over the years the halls have been transformed from an Olympic Stadium to Narnia and from a Mountain Explorers Sub Camp to the Seaside. This year we decided to make a Spaceship.

“The Starship Discovery” ran for three nights during the last week in August. Each night we had 30 children aged between 5 and 10.

Over the three nights we looked

at Peter and his relationship with Jesus. Using dramas and DVDs we heard about Peter meeting Jesus for the first time, Peter walking on the water and Peter denying Jesus three times. At the end each child went away with a copy of Lukes Gospel.

Other activities including a wide range of games from Space Hopper Races to the “Milky Way” game.

As well as games we had different crafts each night such as making rockets and decorating star and moon biscuits.

It’s encouraging to see children coming back each year and also the many new children we made contact with over the week.

The church run a weekly club during term time called the XTB club (Xplore the Bible) which runs along the same format as our Holiday Clubs with stories, games and crafts.

Many of the young people we have made contact with through the holiday clubs have come along to the XTB club. We are looking forward to the XTB club starting up again this September and the opportunity it provides to share Jesus with the young people in our community.

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Together in Christ!

2010 and 2011

Stephen Fischbacher gets everyone involved

Allan and Nathan leading the praise

This was the theme of the event and this was very much what we experienced on the day as around 250 gathered at Dunblane High School on Saturday 28th August.

Some folk travelled quite a distance from Balintore, Lossiemouth and Aberdeen in the north and at the other end of the country from Cumnock and Ayr - and many points in between. This was our second year at Dunblane and it is a bright, modern venue.

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There is plenty room for people to park and the team from Milngavie soon got people through registration so that the team from Bannockburn could provide them with tea and coffee and a chance to relax before the start of the programme. It is always good to have an opportunity to meet with folk from other churches. Several people commented on how good it was to see

quite a number of ‘new faces’, people they hadn’t met before including a number who came from churches of other denominations.

The opening session began with praise and worship as we sang a variety of songs, some of which were new to some. During this session there was an opportunity to present Martin Dudgeon of Asialink with a cheque for £10,827 for their work in North Korea and he gave an update on what is happening there. Another guest was Stephen Fischbacher, one of those people with the ability to get everyone singing a song they have never sung before and all in a very few minutes. The main speaker was David Miller, Vice-Principal of International Christian College who helped us reflect on the theme One, true, free, Together in Christ by looking at some verses from Galatians. We thought about unity, truth and freedom and how these work out within our

togetherness in Christ. This left us with a lot to think about!

Following this we had our first round of workshops and these were repeated after lunch. There were 11 topics covering a variety of themes Serving Christ in the world of politics, Jesus – the Evidence, Evangelism in our local

David Miller reflecting on the theme

community, Singing to God, The challenge of global mission, A best-seller shouldn’t gather dust (Biblefresh), Investing in strong marriages, Is Christ Unique?, Mediation – in the church?, Sitting under the authority of the Bible and Lectio Divina.

There was then a final session to draw the day to a close before people headed off. Feedback forms suggest that people found the day very worthwhile – enjoyable, challenging, informative, exciting even! ‘A quality event’ is how one person described it. Plans are already being made for next year – when we hope to meet together at Dunblane on Saturday 27th August. The event will come at the end of the planned visit to Scotland by a group of 12 young people from the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa. They will be working with a similar team from Scotland and assisting in a variety of activities in a number of congregations and elsewhere.

We anticipate the group playing a significant part in the event as they share some of their experiences with us and help us all to think about the challenge of mission whether we are in Scotland or Africa.

Browsing the bookstall

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was going to invade Britain.

However Germany abandoned Operation Sea Lion following the Battle of Britain. He returned to Scotland and recalls visiting Clydebank on the day after the blitz and seeing the terrible devastation. Then he was sent to North Africa just before the battles of El Alamein. He said there had been ‘skirmishes in the desert’ with the Germans and Italians. He was in Tunis, Tripoli and Salerno. You can’t help feeling that Hugh glosses over what

He remembers the victory parade in Berlin and explains that ’normally such parades were led by the Royal Navy as the “senior service” but on this occasion the 3rd Royal Horse Artillery were given the honour of leading off’. One commentator describes it ‘At 10am on 21st July 1945 the guns of ‘J Battery, 3rd RHA, fired an 18 Gun salute in honour of the Right Honourable Winston Churchill who had arrived to hold the Victory Parade and to signal the start of the ‘End of

orces Armed F

stationed at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow even before the war started. It wasn’t an ideal location as it had a glass roof.

As he quips with a characteristic smile, ‘Everyone else had an air raid shelter and we had a glass roof!’ One of their first tasks was to dig slit trenches on the land across the road. He saw bombing in Glasgow and recalls a row of houses where the blast hit the first, missed the second and hit the third.

From Glasgow he was sent to Dover at a time when it was thought Germany

reserved

His service began in the Queen’s Own Royal Glasgow Yeomanry and he was

“Monty” leading the troops

Hugh is delighted that Remembrance has become much more significant in recent years, sadly because of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan - there was a time when it was diminishing in popularity. He has welcomed opportunities to visit a local school where he has found interest not only from the children but also from teachers and parents. He observes that ‘you can learn a certain amount from books but it is important for people to hear from those who were actually there’.

He is encouraged that Remembrance is much more popular and ‘people are so interested in it now’. He takes part in events to mark Armed

“All rights

It was a very poignant experience for him as he stood there remembering many comrades and incidents from the Second World War. Where did he serve? ‘Everywhere except Burma’ was his reply and he saw action in North Africa, Italy, Germany and other places. Hugh was in the artillery and by the end of the war he had become Regimental Sergeant Major of The 3rd Regiment of Royal Horse Artillery, 7th Armoured Division. One definition I came across describes ‘the RSM as primarily responsible for maintaining standards and discipline and acts as a father figure to his subordinates’.

Having known Hugh for quite a while I could see him in that role and ensuring high standards while being very supportive of the men.

During his time in the army Hugh was often called upon to be a lecturer in a whole variety of topics and he reckons that helped his rapid promotion so that by the end of the war he was Regimental Sergeant Major – ‘the highest NCO Rank.’

During his time in the army Hugh’s faith became more real for him.

He often found himself praying and recalls times when he was conscious that ’God was with us – again!’. He also recalls times ‘when I was guided in the things I did.’

Opportunities to meet for worship were very rare because, he explains, an armoured division was always on the move so there wasn’t time to meet together for a service. He does remember a small group meeting with the padre for a drumhead communion service ‘in the fields between Belgium and Holland’.

rmissionv

Hugh with a young admirer

Hugh began by speaking of a visit to the Menin Gate on a recent 11th November at 11 a.m. The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing is a war memorial in Ypres, Belgium dedicated to the commemoration of British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the Ypres Salient of World War I and whose graves are unknown.

Hugh recalls standing there with thousand of others as they stood in silent remembrance.

Hugh was later involved in the D-day landings on Gold Beach and proudly states that his was the only division to go all the way from Alamein to Berlin.

They were involved ‘in fighting their way up to Berlin and were involved in ‘’various battles’, says Hugh; again he seems to make light of the experience.

They were stopped 10 miles outside Berlin by the Russians at the ironically named ‘Friendship Bridge’. They had to wait for the outcome of the Yalta Conference when Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin agreed Russia should enter Berlin first – ‘but we were the first British troops to reach Berlin’ says Hugh. The Russians had lost 7,500 men in 3 days and much of Berlin was in ruins. He recalls raising the union flag on the Reichsportsfield (where the 1936 Olympic Games had been held).

He was in Berlin for 3 months helping to deal with the devastation and they were not allowed to fraternise with the local people who worked hard for them and were paid in food. Commenting on Hitler Hugh observes ‘He was a brilliant man who could have been used for good. He had a presence about him and if he had used his power rightly Germany could have been a very successful country’.

d with pe

Soon we will be gathering to mark another Remembrance Day. Someone with more to remember than most is 92 year old Hugh Gavin who is a member and regular attender at Cathcart UF. Recently John Fulton met with Hugh to ask him about some of his wartime experiences.

Forces Day in June and will be out again this year selling poppies at the local supermarket. He bemoans the fact they (in Europe) decided we must sell ‘poppies with no pins’. Last year he just bought some safety pins and gave them out with the adhesive poppies so people wouldn’t lose them! That’s the spirit that got him through six years of war.

the War Parade’. The fact that the Desert Rats were given such a significant role in the parade was a fitting epitaph to a formation that had fought its way from the Desert to the heart of Nazi Germany.’

Hugh says it was a day of very mixed emotions. It took him a long time to get over the trauma of war, for a while he would waken up screaming and flashbacks still occur occasionally. After the parade he recalls a colleague being killed by a German soldier hiding in the rubble.

and” Use Day Scotl

Hugh Gavin Remembers

must have been traumatic experiences.

In recent years he has visited local primary schools to speak of his experiences. ‘Sometimes the children ask “Were you frightened?” and my answer is ‘All the time”. What comes to the fore is the thought “If I don’t do him, he’ll do me.”’ Hugh particularly remembers the leadership given by General Montgomery and speaks highly of how he was there with his men and giving excellent leadership in the thick of the action.

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BIBLEFRESH! When did you last attempt to learn a ‘memory verse’?

One idea, from the Biblefresh book, was to write a verse on 7 different sheets of paper stick them on the kitchen wall and each day at breakfast say the verse with the family and then take down one sheet each day - the kids will love it and remember the verse better than you will!

Peter Chirnside, recently appointed Church Partnership Manager for Scottish Bible Society, spoke about Biblefresh at ‘Together in Christ’ and introduces us to this new initiative marking a significant anniversary.

400 years ago something special happened which would lead to the most radical and revolutionary manuscript becoming available to everyone in the land from the powerful in their mansions to the peasants in their hovels. The seeds of the most dramatic and deepseated revolution was about to be spread throughout the land. This manuscript, now in English, would lead to schools being started so that young people could be taught to read. Another result would be for families to gather round as the head of the family read from the words of this important book.

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Honesty and integrity, compassion and commitment, sacrifice and generosity were the hallmarks of those who joined this revolution and brought lasting change to the land. Today

many people still have access to this manuscript. In fact it is a best seller.

It has been translated into more languages than any other book.

People still believe it but only a few read it on a regular basis.

Under the banner of Biblefresh many churches, agencies, organisations, colleges and festivals want to help people to read this book and have come together to re-ignite and reenthuse the church in it’s passion for the Bible. Sadly for many in society the Bible has become tedious and toxic rather than treasured, trusted and true.

The aim of this initiative is to encourage a greater confidence and passion for Scripture across the Church.

Biblefresh is asking churches to agree to raise the level of biblical understanding amongst their members by taking practical steps in four areas:

Reading, Training, Translation and Experience. Biblefresh is encouraging each church to pledge to do something in these four areas and the Biblefresh book is available to help individuals and churches through this coming year by giving simple practical ideas in these four areas.

Bible Reading How do you ‘plan’ to read your bible?

If you don’t have a plan then it is likely that your Bible reading may not/does not happen, as regularly as you would like. Make a plan!

Have you thought of reading the Bible on a regular basis with a friend?

Have you tried searching the internet to find resources to help you with understanding the Bible passage?

It is easy to get a daily Bible reading sent to your computer/mobile phone (wordlive@scriptureunion.org.uk).

Biblefresh is also promoting a book “Essential 100” which highlights the 100 essential passages in Scripture which help to give an overview of the whole of the Bible. Wouldn’t it be great if whole congregations read these passages during 2011? It is just 2 readings a week – should be quite straight forward. But you’ll need a plan - http://www.e100challenge.org.uk/ Bible Training Now this is a question for all Bible teachers - ministers, Sunday School teachers, bible class leaders, pastoral visitors, house group leaders - any who have to explain God’s word to others how much training have you received to equip you to do the task assigned to you?

Biblefresh wants this year to be a time when training will be given for the vitally important task to handle the truth with creativity, confidence as well as with accuracy and integrity.

The Biblefresh book gives a very brief ‘Big picture of the Bible’, leaving you with a feeling that there is much more.

The book extols the value and importance of a good concordance, and looks at other topics such as the cultural relevance of Scripture.

But if you do want to delve deeper and be a better teacher then why not look at some of the Bible colleges that offer courses - part-time, full-time, distance learning, online, evening and one-off courses. In Scotland there are numerous courses from the Cornhill Training Course for preachers to a variety of courses offered by International Christian College in Glasgow, Faith Mission in Edinburgh, Highland Theological College in Dingwall.

Bible Translation We have access to so many different translations and paraphrases of the Bible and yet only 12% of Britons read once a week or more. 61% don’t read it at all. But at least we have a Bible to read, if we choose to read it.

Many people would love to have the Bible in their own language and would make sure they read it every day and more. We want to give more people throughout the world the opportunity to read the Bible in their own language.

We want to raise funds. How many Bibles do you have in your home?

Could you give £1 for each copy to Biblefresh?

But it is more than just simple translation. We also have to translate the Bible for our children into “languages” and concepts they can understand. The same is true of other sectors within our society - students, business people, prisoners, the poor and the rich - each group has their own ‘culture’ and we need to learn how to communicate the gospel in their “language”. The Biblefresh books gives some ideas as to how to do this.

Bible experience What experience have you had of the Bible? Can you recall the time when you were just bowled over by biblical truth as God revealed himself to you as a God who wanted a relationship with you? What was it that gave you that feeling when you became so conscious of God’s presence. How can we help to replicate these times for other people. Have you seen Riding Lights perform any of their dramas?

Does the nativity play at Christmas bring a tear to your eye because you understand something new about the Almighty God becoming a helpless frail human being in the body of a tiny vulnerable baby?

Ever thought of taking a book - such as Esther - and turning it into a film?

How would you portray Haman or Mordecai? What sort of person would play such a part? What are the words you would give these characters to speak.

Rev Alex Macdonald has written a book “Tell me the Story” (Christian Focus) which re-tells well known Bible stories from the perspective of the character featured in the Gospel account. So you get to read what Blind Bartimaeus or the woman at the well felt like. It is all very powerful and creative. Damaris has helpful comments on the media www.damaris.org.

All these are just ideas for what we can do to celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the Bible becoming available to everyone in the English speaking world.

More information available at www.biblefresh.com

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20th Anniversary at Torry

It was in June 1990 that the Rev. Ian Lloyd began his ministry in Torry. Thus it was after morning Service on 20th June, 2010 the congregation gathered for an anniversary lunch. The lunch was provided by the church’s Lunch Club and afterwards Ian and Jane cut a special anniversary cake and presentations were made to both.

We look back with thankfulness to God for the way Ian has led us over these last 20 years and we look forward to a continuation of his ministry in Torry.

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Ladies Day Perth Wednesday 9th June 2010

by Mrs Jean Armstrong

It was a dull morning when we arrived at the Salutation Hotel in Perth for Ladies Day, but the atmosphere inside the Moncrieffe suite was anything but dull, when ladies from all over Scotland, (including Shetland) arrived for our annual meetings.

The meetings were chaired by Mrs Ann McFie, Convener. Mrs Moira Patterson, Vice Convener read the scriptures and Mrs Mary Parsons led in Prayer.

Secretary Mrs Jean Baguley carried through the business and thanked all the Women’s Associations for their help and support throughout the year.

This was followed by the uplifting of the special gift offering from Women’s Associations when the magnificent sum of £4010 was gathered for the Pandidta Ramabai Mukti Mission.

Mrs Margaret Robertson from our Ayr congregation accepted this offering on behalf of the Mission and spoke very movingly of the Mission’s work in India reaching out to the poor.

Total offerings for the day, including collections and £2276 from our winter project, amounted to £7466.45 - well done ladies!

In her remarks Mrs Ann McFie spoke in her usual jovial manner of her visits to other churches including Shetland where she and Mrs Moira Patterson had a wonderful time. Along with Mrs Baguley she visited Rev. Joe McPhee and Jean, also Mrs Nan Campbell.

The morning speaker was Miss Elaine Duncan of the Scottish Bible Society.

This year the theme being “In Christ;serve one another in love”, Miss Duncan took us to John 13 - The Story of Jesus washing the disciple’s feet. After dividing into small groups she asked us to discuss the reactions of the disciples to what Jesus had done.

What was going on in their hearts?

What was he showing them - was it a) Holiness and humility, or b) The need for daily cleansing and forgiveness?

How do we react?

Another highlight of the day was musical items by Mr Ian Walker of Vangel on his auto harp and guitar.

The Rainbow Singers and their conductor Mrs Nancy Cowan excelled themselves.

In the afternoon meeting representatives from other churches were welcomed and the Moderator Rev. Martin Keane performed one of his last duties of thanking and encouraging the ladies for all their work.

Other speakers included Peter and Ella Mclntyre of F.E.B.A. (Far East Broadcasting Association), our winter project. They spoke and showed slides of their Radio Ministry in the Philippines and were presented with a cheque for £2,276.

At the end of the afternoon meeting our new Convener Mrs Moira Patterson was introduced and a lovely basket of flowers presented to Mr Ann McFie, retiring Convener. Mrs Janette Neil was then welcomed as new Vice Convener. The closing Hymn “We’ll walk the land, with hearts on fine and every step will be a prayer” brought a wonderful day to a close.

Rev Martin Keane, Moderator, pronounced the Benediction.

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The Holy Spirit Then and Now

Rev J G McPhee This is second article on the Holy Spirit by Rev Joe McPhee. He began the first article by saying “No one could disagree with the statement that the Church of the New Testament was a Church of dynamic life. The people of God then were powerful to do the works of God. That extraordinary day called Pentecost when the people were gathered to celebrate the harvest, was the day the disciples of Jesus came alive to the things of God. However, it was not all plain sailing for that early Church and through their experiences they came to appreciate the vital difference made by the Holy Spirit.

Acts 19 tells us that when Paul came to Ephesus, he asked a very pointed question of the Ephesian believers, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They did not because they had not yet heard of Him when they believed in the Lord Jesus.

They had not received the Holy Spirit because they had no understanding of Him. They did not know of Him, and therefore they did not know Him. That is a simple explanation of a very involved question. When a reader comes across difficult to understand passages of the N.T. it is best to go and read again what the Lord says about the given subject. Christ’s teaching on the Holy Spirit is of profound significance for all His people.

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Christ addresses the subject of the Holy Spirit in John 14-16: - 14:16-21; 14:25-27; 15:26; 16:12-15. A careful reading of this part of the Gospel will reveal that the burden of the Spirit’s work is in the believer, and much of it is silent and fruitful in the believing soul. The Saviour emphasises the

important factor - that He is promised to be within you. If believers live in the expectancy of an explosion of sound and an exciting vision, then most will be disappointed. If however he/she is seeking for a deep and enriching experience of Christ that equips for service and enables people to live as living disciples of the Risen Lord, then this is where to begin. Does that mean that speaking in tongues is to be pushed aside? It does not. The Spirit is a gift sent by the Father and the Son and He gives the gifts according to His purpose in His Sovereign will. The gifts of the Spirit in all their variety are for the honouring of Christ; they are for the enriching Church. Believers understand this and live and work

to serve the Lord, His Church and mankind using the gifts He gives.

Look now at John 14: 15-21.

LOVE, OBEDIENCE, SPIRIT. John 14:15-21. There is not room in this article to teach all these verses contain. The Lord tells us three basic things for our benefit. These are: a. The Holy Spirit is a gift from the Father. As God the Father gave Christ, so now Jesus says He will give the Spirit. No one must presume it is a right to receive the Spirit. Pentecost was a day of a great gift. He gives the Spirit to His people because of His love and because also of their need.

b. The Holy Spirit is a Counsellor.

He is given in place of Christ.

Christ was about to begin the journey by which He would leave the world. The Spirit will never leave us. He will be with His people forever to counsel and to help in the journey of life as Disciples of Christ. c. The world cannot receive Him. The people of God are the people in whom He is known and in whom He lives, never to leave. This leads Christians to the deep knowledge that Christ is in the Father; His people are in Him, and He is in His people. This is the work of the Spirit who brings the knowledge of the Father and the Son and in the mystery of it all, still retains His own individuality and God’s people know the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Christian life is a life of the Spirit.

This is the heart of what it means to be a Christian. It removes all the trappings of religion and expects from Christian people a relationship with the Father and with Christ leading us into an increasing awareness that Christ’s people live in Him and He in them. Paul states so clearly, “Christ lives in me.” This is the work and power of the Holy Spirit in every believer. What good is it if we yearn for power to do the works of God and do not know Him in our lives? The Important part is, “That I may know Him.” The relationship is love. The result is obedience. “If you love Me, you will obey what I command.”

Loving Jesus the Christ of God is no simple matter. Jesus used this expression of love frugally because He knew what the cost would be.

This kind of love is a development of our discipleship growing out of our faith, our learning of Him and an ever deepening experience of Him. Love grows because everything we know of Him leads to love.

Everything He is, is that His people should love Him. Gladys Aylward had found a child whom she had given to a Chinese woman to look after. However the woman later gave the child back saying, “Here

take her she is yours. She will love you much when she learns what you have done for her.” Christ has redeemed His people and they should love Him with fire that burns with intensity and heat.

How can God’s people do anything but love the Son who has been revealed to them? The wonder of Christ captures the soul of the believer who grows in the knowledge of Him. Therefore He is to be loved with a genuine passion and zeal from which the issue is obedience.

This is a love that is human, robust, manly or womanly, strong, burning in the soul. It brings men and women to learn of Christ and then to love and then to obey Him. The Scripture says that obedience is better than sacrifice.”

It is the heart of discipleship. The believer is to follow Him and to do the things He says. The relationship is Spirit. He is God the Father in us.

He is God the Son in us. It is a mistake to say this is spiritual. That seems to diminish the work of the Spirit of God in us. Everything of God and of His Son Jesus is of the Holy Spirit of God for, “No man/ woman can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.”

Sidlow Baxter once said of the Spirit, “Everything that begins with the Holy Spirit ends with Christ.”

The Spirit of God bears witness to Christ in everything He does.

He does not speak of Himself, but of the Lord, the Redeemer King. People fasten on to the things that may attract others for their sensational differences. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is not that. If there are any extraordinary revelations or works, they must point to Christ to be genuine and not feed the egos of men or women. Christ sends the Holy Spirit that He may be with His people, and that they might live their lives in the quality of this amazing gift to the Church, the Body of Christ in whom He has chosen to live by that same Holy Spirit.

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Thy Kingdom Come The Church & Society Committee observed that in many of its responses to what is happening in society today, it tends to be reactive and it would be good to have something more positive to say in terms of how the Church today should relate to society in crisis.

We need the Church to engage with the world at large and help people handle the many problems. The Church tends to be conservative when there is a need to be radical.

There is a danger we are preoccupied with preserving our own position rather than engaging with society including our local communities and the people there.

In the next few issues of Stedfast we want to think about some of these Kingdom values and what they mean for us today. In this first article Archie Ford introduces us to the theme.

A harassed mother queues at the check-out of a busy supermarket.

Her two year-old is attracted by the array of chocolate and sugar-coated goodies all around him. “Mummy, I want sweets.” His mother refuses the request. “Mummy, I want some sweets.” he shouts “I need them,” the little boy rants “I need them and I need them now!” He stomps off screaming “You’re not nice, you’re not my mummy.”

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This is not a scene confined to children as the lyrics of a Queen song remind us “I want it all, I want it all, I want it all and I want it now.” I was told of an educational seminar of recent years where the members of staff attending were reminded by the consultant leading the course that before children, parents, fellow members of staff and anyone else they must put themselves first. A recent secular humanist poster proclaimed “There is probably no God, so go and enjoy your life.”

It is a good starting point from which to look at life and the world. As the early chapters of Genesis indicate, God created the heavens and the earth.

God made us as people in his image and has given us the tasks of taking care of the world and taking care of one another.

An opposite view is that we and the world are here by a monumental series of accidents and live in a purposeless existence. We are born, live and die and should make the best of our time and opportunities as we see fit – for good or bad.

What joy we have in God that the world is created by God’s purpose and we are born to respond to God’s call.

God has work for us all to do and a way for us to live.

At the heart of all of these stories is an outlook that sees life as first and foremost about me! The effect of this is selfishness? “Me and mine before others.” “What can I get?” What about me?” If this attitude is the over-riding one in relationships, business, sport, church, community and nation the results are destructive.

If they underpin mankind’s attitude to the environment and the world’s resources, the poor, other nations, global issues then the implications are potentially devastating.

As reported in the previous edition of Stedfast, the Church and Society Committee has challenged the Church to discuss how we can share a Biblical and Godly view of the world with our society on a whole range of important issues – “Kingdom Values”. In this series in Stedfast we hope to explore a Christian way to build relationships, ethical business, scientific research, community, church and much more.”

Thy kingdom come” we pray but what does God expect in the practice of our lives and the lives of others?

The wonderful thing is that as Christians we have an exciting and better option to offer the world – God’s way! As an alternative to the “me” focused way popular today we

have a clear Christian view that the Bible sets out. A way with love at its heart. As the Apostle Paul describes it in 1 Corinthians chapter 12: 31 – “... the most excellent way”. I am sure we could all offer a clear basis of this from the Bible and may use different texts or examples but I would like, as a starting point, to contribute the great commandment. Luke 10: 27.

The first part of the commandment “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind,” Immediately we have such a contrast from that of looking after No. 1. There is no place here for children having self-centred tantrums. Life is about growing up in God – we firstly love God. Who is this God we are to love?

God the Almighty, creator, sustainer, provider. God the ultimate authority, judge and Lord of all. The God who sent his son Jesus, in whom we see the fullness of God’s love and through whom we receive mercy, forgiveness, grace and life. The Spirit of God who comforts, renews, inspires, guides, rebukes and sustains us.

Again, we could add so much more.

God’s way of truth Jesus told his disciples to follow his narrow way.

There is a broad way that leads to destruction and his narrow way that leads to life. In our times there is an understanding among many that there is no such thing as truth. We ourselves decide what we think is right and what is wrong. This can be worked out by politicians, by poll or phone-in, expert or committee. I think this takes us back to Genesis chapter 3 where the serpent tells Adam and Eve that if they eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil they will be like God, knowing good and evil. In a world with no sense of God many decisions

are made on the basis of expediency or current popularity. Following this line of thinking it is very difficult to find consensus for unpopular longterm solutions that will benefit future generations but restrict life today.

Love God and follow his way is a wonderful alternative to share with our world. The world is God’s and truth, wisdom and the knowledge of good and evil come from God. We are not left to fend for ourselves, God is with us and has given us his word to guide us. Jesus told those who believed in him “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” John 8: 31-32 When we tackle issues of life and morality, when major ethical dilemmas arise or recur we have a framework of truth to lead us and God’s Word to light our way.

“And, love your neighbour as yourself.”

Luke 10:27 The second part of this great commandment reminds us that God expects and demands of us that we take care of one another. In Genesis chapter 4:9 when Cain asked God “Am I my brother’s keeper?”, God clearly indicated that he was. The Parable of the Good Samaritan was told by Jesus to explain the scope of “neighbour.” It tells us that everyone we encounter who needs our help is our neighbour. We can add to this Jesus commands to love one another, even our enemies and the focus of our lives broadens incredibly.

Tribute to BOB BRYCE Croftfoot Bob Bryce passed from this life on 13th July 2010, a few months after his 90th birthday. He became a member of Croftfoot UF when he married Isabel, daughter of one of our founder members. Bob and Isabel were the first couple to be married in our present church building.

Bob soon became a Board member and in 1965 became an elder. In the meantime he was very much

What a wonderful effect this has on our lives and the lives of others.

Liberated from self-interest and the insatiable appetite to please ourselves God changes the world around us and beyond. If, by the power of the Spirit of God, we love others as we love ourselves the nature of our relationships are changed and blessed.

The questions we may ask are - “what can I do?” “What do they need?”

What have I to give?” “How can I help you?”

Can you imagine how this builds relationships? How following God’s way leads to the deepening of communities? What changes this would bring in business and the work of government? Extend this to the environment, international relations, areas of conflict and the world becomes a different place.

This is not difficult for us to understand as Christians. This was the message given to the people of Israel when they were given the law. It resounded around the nations in the voice of God’s prophets and it is the heart of the life and teaching of Jesus our Lord. It is so simple to understand and imagine.

As our society confronts the issues of today we have a wonderful opportunity to point to God’s way of love as we pray: “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

involved in the Sunday School of which he became Superintendent at a time when there were over 100 children on the roll. He was also an enthusiastic member of the Choir, singing with them until just a few weeks before his passing.

Bob always carried out his duties in a quiet, unassuming and efficient manner and was a muchloved elder among his district and, indeed, the whole congregation and his many contributions to congregational life will be sadly missed.

He is survived by Isabel, sons Gordon and Kenneth, daughter Anne, daughter-in-law Cathy and granddaughters Leighanne and Angela, all of whom we will remember in our prayers.

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Asia’s Forgotten Nation It’s one of the ‘Big Five’ Communist countries remaining in the world today. Along with China and North Korea, Vietnam and Cuba, Laos, in South East Asia, is among the world’s most severe abusers of religious freedom and one of the few nations whose government has expressly declared its intent to eliminate Christianity.

Martin Dudgeon, of Asialink, was one of the speakers at ‘Together in Christ’ at Dunblane. His theme was ‘The Challenge of Global Mission’ and we invited him to share part of what he said in Stedfast.

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Communist control is one thing but in Laos there are other major players to contend with – not least of which is the chaos of karma. Buddhism is widely seen as the dominant religion of the people but animism plays an equally important day to day role particularly among the 130 or so different rural and tribal people groups. It’s a world of malevolent spirits, of fear and fantasy as the dead are appeased and the living drown in a fog of apathy, resigned to fate and the unruly forces of life.

“They continue to work in the rice fields then three times a week they gather for evening worship, to pray, encourage one another and hear the Gospel message. Sometimes the village chief complains they shouldn’t be doing this, but like Paul they say they have to carry on. They build up teams of others to go out and preach. When there are enough to meet in village a meeting begins there. And so the church grows.”

Outreach There is now outreach to the Khmu in every province of the country except for one right in the north. Sombat travels to them all. His job is to build up critical leaders. “When we hear people have received Christ we don’t just leave them but make sure they learn from the Word.

“I went with three other leaders to a remote place. We walked for 10 hours

Intimidation The authorities use violent intimidation and threats in trying to force Christians to renounce their faith. When that fails, they expel them from their homes and villages. And when that fails, they arrest and torture them. In recent years, more than a few have been martyred.

During a recent visit, one woman told us of how her father had been shot dead while riding his motorbike. Her younger sister was on the bike with him. His crime was to preach the gospel while not registered with the controlling official ‘church’. It cost him his life. Warnings to stop had been given but he knew he had to continue telling the lost of their need for Jesus.

There are many more like him – Lao believers willing to die so that others will hear.

and they know how to share and disciple.

from the road into the mountains and then spent three days teaching bible.

They are really hungry for Word of God. In the morning we woke at 5am to read and pray together and then taught all day. 21 were baptized on a Sunday morning in a river.

It was very cold!

“The local leader killed his own pig for the Sunday meal, he was so excited about us coming. He said, ‘Oh brother, come again and open our eyes. We became Christians many years ago and read the Bible many times but our eyes are still closed. But your words open our eyes. He held me and cried ‘please don’t leave’. There are so many others like this and they all need teaching.”

With an eye to the future, the equipping of the next generation of Khmu leaders is paramount in Sombat’s mind. Fourteen of the very best have been set aside by the churches for special training. They will go out to be regional representatives. They will

Tribute to LENA CAPE Knightswood Church So how is the church doing against this background of serious political persecution from one side and religious opposition on the other? Well you won’t be surprised to know that the church of Jesus Christ is growing at a considerable rate. Our main work is among the 600,000 Khmu people where latest reports indicate more than 60,000 believers. Records from 1997 show about 15,000. That’s some change!

We recently spent time with Sombat, one of the Khmu church leaders.

He explains, “Our model is found in Colossians 1: 28, ‘We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may

present everyone perfect in Christ’.

He travels the country preaching and teaching but not everyone is happy.

The law now demands that anybody who preaches must have a license.

Sombat hasn’t applied for one. He says it would prohibit him from talking about sin or the change Jesus brings.

Every time he preaches he is at risk but adds, “I have preached many times but we pray and God protects me.”

Sombat oversees a network of 212 pastors, but he doesn’t like to call them pastors. “In the Khmu church we have people who have come to just love God. They don’t have an education or title but their lives have been changed

Lena –in fact - Catharine Buchanan Bowie was born in 1914 and brought up in Glasgow and then in Dunblane where the family had a grocery shop. The family returned to Glasgow and set up home in Knightswood where she became a founder member of Knightswood United Free Church. The church was her great interest and she was heavily involved especially with the Girl Guides. Over the years she had a reputation for getting things done and was strict and demanding!

Rev Taylor Cape was inducted into the congregation in 1938. At this time Lena met his son Robert Cape who also was also a minister of the United Free Church serving as an Army Chaplain. They were married on the 1st May 1943 and set up home in the West end of Glasgow. Duty meant he returned to his regiment – tragedy struck and on 24th June 1944 - Bob was killed by a bomb blast during a selfless act of ministering to his men.

be the ones to lead the work onwards.

One student has also been sent across to Bible School in Thailand and two long-term Bible Schools have been set up within Laos itself.

This is the reason the church grows – a network of local people who just love sharing. It’s that simple! Sombat adds, “They are not highly educated but they are finding that sometimes the educated come and ask them to explain about Jesus Christ.”

If I didn’t know God now I don’t know where I would be. My life is changed.

I thank you a lot for your help and I pray for you all. Because of you we are able to do this. Please stand behind us and enable this ministry and pray for us – Sombat.

For more information on Laos have a look at our website: www.asialink.org.uk

Her involvement in the church never flagged.

She was Girl Guide Leader, through which she had a wide circle of friends. She loved music and taught piano and singing from home and was widely involved in performing as accompanist of singers and choirs. Her musical gifts were used widely in the church as organist and choir leader. Her faith and commitment were extraordinary and shaped her life and values. She was at church every Sunday without fail as mid week bible study and prayer meeting, choir practice, and women’s sewing bee. She served as youth leader, organist, choir mistress, elder, and member of the congregational board.

Over and above that she would take the ladies singing group to minister in deputation work and was involved in many other aspects of Christian service in the church and beyond. She had many good and close friends.

For the past four years she has been in residential care and missed church dreadfully but always kept up-todate with the news. At 95 she often said “Why am I still here?” She was ready to go to be with her Lord.

It was our privilege to have her with us so long.

Lena Cape brought genuine friendship, human warmth, a sense of good humour and fun, with a very deep faith and sincere love for her Lord and Saviour into a world that is all to short of them.

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Update on North Korea

Optimistic Yet, as a Mission we are optimistic!

We realise that for God, there are no ‘closed countries’. At this time of great need doors are open to get food and medical supplies into the country. It has been a joy for us as a Mission to be able to supply the medicines for a number of TB clinics across the country.

Bread factories are producing vital supplies for hungry people and yes, it is important that we care for the physical needs of the people.

However, we also realize that the spiritual needs are of greater importance and we need to make sure that North Koreans have the opportunity to hear the Gospel.

That’s where the MP3 players come in! We are able to record the whole of the Bible onto a tiny MP3 player and deliver it into the hands of a North Korean who can hide away quietly and listen to God’s word. People are responding to the Gospel. Lives are being transformed - which is why I am writing to say thank-you for your wonderful

and most generous gift towards this ministry. I know that a lot of hard work and sacrifice went into making giving possible so we are grateful for all your interest, prayers and support for the work in which we are involved. We use 100% of gifts as designated so you can be sure every penny will be used for this ministry.

Do keep praying for the work going on.

I also value your prayers as I travel to North Korea in October to participate in the opening of a new TB research centre. Surely God is opening doors and we look forward to all that He has in store for this nation in the years ahead.

A boy searches in the mud for grains to eat

During the ‘Together in Christ’ event at Dunblane on 28th August, Robert Owens, Moderator and Convener of the Youth Committee, presented a cheque from this year’s Easter Scheme to Martin Dudgeon of Asialink. This appeal to support the work of Asialink in North Korea and the amazing amount of £10,872 was raised! We are most grateful to all who contributed. In the article below Martin comments on the situation in North Korea and says how much this gift is appreciated.

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The Central Church in Pyongyang was bursting at the seams. People came to worship God, to pray and to listen to His Word. Nights were spent in confession of sin, weeping and much prayer as revival spread across the country. The city became known as ‘the Jerusalem of Asia’ because there were so many Christians there.

That was 100 years ago. Today North Korea could be described as a madhouse! This is a country now in

free-fall, a country where the whole population could be described as clinically depressed. A country with very little food, power, heating...it’s just not there. Newsweek, a respected current affairs magazine, visited North Korea and concluded that ‘this was the worst of the worst’.

The cross changes everything If you look up countries where Christians are being persecuted these days you will always come across the familiar names… Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Iran, Iraq, China... but always top of the list, always number one is North Korea. If we didn’t have the privilege of looking at the situation from the perspective of the cross of Jesus Christ the situation would be hopeless, we would be dejected, give up in despair.

But...the cross changes everything!

It changes our whole outlook, our whole perspective on the world in which we live.

Yes there is idolatry, nationalized, state imposed idolatry. The people are required to worship their leaders as gods. Yes, there is persecution. If you are not allowed to criticise, not allowed to express any kind of unhappiness then it puts you in a very difficult position, and people dare not step out of line. Step out of line and you will find yourself in a North Korean prison camp, or sent to hard labour for many years. Yes, people are hungry. Many have simply starved to death over the past years. It’s not like Africa where because of lack of rainfall the crops don’t grow, it’s a different situation.

This is a Communist country so any food produced goes up the line to the top, so the Government leaders are catered for first followed by the massive military force which must be fed, then, if there is any food left it slowly trickles down through the population. The fact is there is simply not enough food left to go around.

Tribute to MRS ANNIE B LIVERSIDGE Shieldhall & Drumoyne Annie was (with her sister May Sommerville), a life long member of Shieldhall & Drumoyne Church. She came through the Brownies, and Girl Guides, became a Guider in due course, and went on to serve the movement in various capacities. She was still an active member of the Trefoil, which she served as Chairperson. Many years of serving in the guides made her very popular with girls and the Guiders and this was shown by the many visitors she received.

Annie attended Govan High School, and went on to become a primary school teacher. She was Head Teacher at Cardonald Primary School when she retired. She married Harry in 1954 and her family was important to her. It was a great loss to her when Harry died in 1997.

She was much involved in the church, and Sunday school and became an Elder as well as serving as

Treasurer, Clerk to the Congregational Board and, since her sister May’s death, was Session Clerk.

Annie also served as a member of Presbytery.

Her deep-rooted wisdom was often sought in various matters. It was a joy to be able to approach her for background information of the church because she had been there for the greater part of its history. To visit her remained an experience right up to the end, she always had an enquiring mind and it seemed that she had a list of questions to be answered during any visit. Annie’s welcome to her home and in due course her care home remained warm.

It was a sad loss for all at Shieldhall & Drumoyne when Annie was called home to glory to serve alongside all the other saints.

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End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill

By Dr Donald Macdonald

Margo Macdonald speaking to reporters

Copyright Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

In a recent issue there was an article by Bill Baird of CARE, about this Bill which Margo Macdonald MSP has introduced to the Scottish Parliament. At present a special committee of the Parliament is considering the content of the Bill and they invited submissions from organisations and individuals. The following is the submission made by the Church & Society Committee of the United Free Church which was prepared by the Convener, Dr Donald Macdonald.

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Within the next few weeks the committee will also be encouraging people to write to their MSP’s expressing concern over some of the proposals in this Bill. This will be around the time the Bill is debated in the Parliament which we understand is likely to be in November. Information about this will be sent out nearer the time.

The End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill introduced to the Scottish Parliament this year raises an important question for Christians. The question is this: is it right or wrong for us to end our own life or to participate in ending another human being’s life?

In our morally subjective society there is a view expressed that if we or another human being is suffering or finds their life “intolerable” as the result of disease then suicide or assisted suicide should be allowed.

In answering this question we need to ask if there are rules to guide us for such an important ethical question as this. For both the Jew and the Christian there is guidance in the Five Books of Moses which are found in both the Hebrew and Christian Bibles.

These Five Books of Moses have been the foundation of our Justice system in the UK and in fact have been a civilizing influence in our Western society as we know it today. No other

piece of literature, book or previous civilization has made such an important contribution to our society in this country as the Bible. The Bible not only tells us how to relate to God but also gives us clear, unmistakeable guidance in relating to our fellow human beings and the guidance is contained in the Ten Commandments.

What is the Bible’s guidance on this question? In the second book of the Bible the sixth commandment says “Thou shalt not kill.” 1 This statement is repeated in the fifth book of the Bible.2 This statement tells us in clear, unequivocal language that we have no right to either end our own or another human being’s life. For over three thousand years this has been one of the guiding rules in our relationship with others and nowhere in the Bible is there an exception to this rule.

This means that the condition stipulated in the End of Life Assistance Bill i.e. “finds life intolerable” cannot

be accepted as justification for either ending one’s own or another human being’s life. This does not mean that we are not allowed to fight for our country in a just war. Nor does it mean that we are against the administration of a pain relieving drug to a terminally ill patient that may end the Patient’s life provided that the patient’s family are aware of this. The other major religions of the world give similar guidance on this issue.

Underpinning this commandment “Thou shall not kill” is the Biblical concept that human life is a gift from God. Job says “the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”3 This concept is first encountered in the first chapter of the first book of the Bible: “and God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: “4 It is this transcendent part of humans that gives us our God given dignity and our essential difference from the rest of God’s creation. Our life is God’s gift to us and therefore we have no right to either end our own life or someone else’s prematurely.

Some take the view that to help end the life of people who are suffering or terminally ill is a “mercy killing.”

The meaning of mercy is “compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone

whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.” Implicit in the word mercy is the concept of sparing life and one of the physician’s basic rules “Do no harm”. For Christians being merciful would involve “Loving our neighbour as ourselves” and so our approach to the suffering and terminally ill would be to care for them in a loving way that would give them dignity at the end of their days.

So the term “mercy killing” contains an inherent contradiction in terms which is alien to any understanding of the Bible or the ethical guidance it gives in our relationships with other human beings.

Others take the view that if we are allowed to “put our pets down” then we should be allowed to do the same to humans who are suffering or are terminally ill. This view makes the false assumption that we are no different from animals. Although we must treat animals with compassion as they are also God’s creation, humans have much greater intelligence than animals, are able to tell others the intensity of their suffering and as we have seen above have within them a God made transcendence which makes humans completely different from animals.

We must therefore treat human beings differently to animals and have a great respect for human life.

The Bible teaches Christians to have a reverence for human life and to care for those who are suffering and who may be terminally ill. In addition to all the resources that modern medicine brings to these situations we must also care for them with a tenderness and love that will give them dignity and respect at the end of their days.

We, as a Church, would respectfully but firmly advise that to abandon the Biblical guidance given in the sixth commandment “Thou shalt not kill” which has been our guide for over three thousand years would be a serious error of judgement and would not serve our nation well. However, we are greatly encouraged by the plans to increase the provision of Hospice facilities in Scotland and suggest that this provision would be much more beneficial for our people than putting this Bill on the Statute Book.

References: 1. Exodus chapter 20 verse 13 2. Deuteronomy chapter 5 verse 17 3. Job chapter 1 verse 21 4. Genesis chapter 1 verse 26 5. New Oxford Dictionary of English page 1158 6. Gospel of Matthew chapter 22 verse 39 7.www.scotland.gov.uk/ Publications/2008/10/01091608/0

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Appointment of our New Minister

Croftfoot church was full on the evening of 29th June 2010 for the Service of Ordination and Appointment of Rev Ann R Deacons BD. Public worship was conducted by Rev Ian Robertson, Rev Deirdre Lyon, Moderator of Presbytery, carried out the Ordination and Rev Colin Brown gave charges to Minister and congregation. Tea and buns were enjoyed in the Large Hall after the service.

On Sunday 4th July Ann was “preached in” by Rev John Fulton and after the service a Welcome

Rev Ann Deacons with Rev John Fulton and Mr Jim Ellis (Session Clerk)

Buffet Lunch was provided for the congregation and the many visitors.

This was followed by a few short and succinct speeches. Rev John Fulton presided and among the speakers were Jim Ellis, Session Clerk, Marion Milligan, Clerk to the Board, Lesley Matheson, Session Clerk at Cathcart, Rev Colin

Brown, Darnley, Rev Sandra Black, Toryglen CoS and Rev Mike Gargrave, Clincarthill CoS. Ann now embarks upon her first Ministry with the prayerful support of her congregation and of her many friends and colleagues.

Tribute to JEAN DAWSON Sauchie & Fishcross Jean Jeffrey was born in Alloa in 1920. She met Joe Dawson when they both worked in the Danish Butter Company, and they were married in St Mungo’s Parish Church, Alloa in 1942. After her marriage to Joe, Jean came to worship with Joe in Sauchie, where they have both given many years faithful service. Jean was elected to the then Committee of Management.

For many years, she took charge of the Young Worshippers’ League. She was a member of the Church Choir and, for many years, at Harvest Thanksgiving, she helped with the distribution of gifts to the elderly in the congregation. Jean was also one 20

of the first lady elders in the congregation, and when her health permitted, she served very faithfully in this office.

Jean’s health gradually deteriorated, especially during the last eight or so years, but she maintained a healthy interest in everything which was going on. Outwith the church, she was involved for many years with the Guides and Brownies and also with the Temperance Association. Today, we remember Jean’s husband, Joe, her daughter Anne and son Jeffrey, and the extended family in their loss. We give thanks to God that Jean is now at peace.

Wishaw Kirk Session. When this photo was in the magazine previously we regret one of the elders was omitted!

Tribute to JIM ALLAN Sauchie & Fishcross Jim Allan was born in Sauchie in 1923. After leaving school, he served his time as a gardener. During the Second World War, he served as a Rendering Mines Safe Officer, a position which saw him serve in this country as well as in America, Canada and Malta.

After the war, Jim worked as a long-distance lorry driver, after which he became a Depot manager with the Co-operative.

Jim met Peggy Stein and they were married in Clackmannan Parish Church in 1944. Although as a boy, Jim attended Sunday School, he did not come to a personal faith in Jesus Christ until he was 57 years of age. From that time onwards, his life was completely changed. Along with Peggy, who had previously come to faith, he joined this congregation and was

an inspiration to many. He became a member of the choir and then an elder. Jim had a great desire for others to come to know His Lord. Jim and Peggy were blessed with three children, Joyce, Gordon and Jim, and Jim was always a good, generous, family man. Happiness, for Jim, was being in the garden with Peggy and the family around him. Jim also had a great interest in football, in particular Sauchie Juveniles and Sauchie Juniors. Peggy passed away two years ago, and especially since that time, Jim’s great desire was to go home to be with His Lord. We thank God that his desire has been met and pray for the family in their loss.

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