Issuu

Tribute: Mr Jim Mitchell (Sauchie and Fishcross)

Having given due consideration – and if you’d prefer to talk to someone please just contact the Church office and you’ll be directed to the appropriate person – what is open to you?

As Convener of the Overseas Committee I was delighted to be asked to lead a Workshop at Dunblane on Short Term Placements. The opportunity to work overseas, with a known partner, experiencing a new culture, new understandings, values, language and traditions is an exciting and unnerving experience. A friend and colleague, who has worked in China and Hong Kong for many years sums it up as follows: We only really come to know ourselves as individuals and communities in relationship to “others”, seeing how others react to us and receive us and reflect back to us how they experience us. When we are constantly surrounded by those the same or similar to ourselves, there may be a lot which we simply don’t get a chance to see about ourselves. Going to a place where people are quite different and have very different perspectives on life, and where they simply don’t share some of our ways and values and have no need for them at all, throws our own often long-held beliefs about things in to sharp relief. The Overseas Committee would like to provide opportunities for members and friends to become involved, either individually or as part of a team, in overseas work. There are whole range of options with different partners in different countries, some of which are listed below. In order to make this a rich and fulfilling experience there are some questions people should ask themselves before deciding which option is for them:

• What do I want to do? • Where do I want to go? • How long to I want to go for? • Do I need a salary or can I fully/partially self fund? • What is the Sending Agency’s track record like? • What is the Recruitment/Preparation process? • What kind of support will I get while away? • What will the Sending Agency offer on my return?

In China through the Scottish Churches’ China Group (SCCG): British and Irish Amity Teachers ‘ Group recruit Teachers of English to work in China under the Auspices of the Amity Foundation, a Christian initiated NGO. The placement is for an initial 2 years. Adverts will be on Christians Abroad website from October. Interviews will be early 2012; Preparation Course Easter 2012; departure for China early August 2012. Applicants must be active Christians and have a degree. This is a fully funded post with a local salary. A one or two month placement teaching English to Amity Foundation staff in Nanjing. Placement Dates – July/August 2012. All travel, accommodation and insurance costs paid + small living allowance. With UFM: The first 3 weeks of July 2012 in Yagma, Burkina Faso, West Africa. The team will meet up together in the UK sometime prior to the trip for orientation, planning and preparation. The team will be involved in running a 5-day children’s holiday club where children attend for approximately 2 hours each day. The daily programme will include teaching a Bible lesson, learning a memory verse, a quiz, craftwork and games. The team will also be involved in some light practical work with the Church, eg painting and decorating. There will also be some free time built into the programme. It is hoped that accommodation will be provided at the SIM guest house. The cost of the placement will be approximately £1,200 with some help form the Overseas Committee possible. Special requirements: French ‘Higher Grade’ or equivalent is essential. Operation Centurion team to Moldova soon after Easter (end of April/May 2012) – this will be a practical team involved in building work at a home for adults with learning difficulties. The team will be led by UFM missionary, Pete Nye, and the trip will be divided up into 3 individual weeks allowing participants the opportunity to choose which week/s will be most suitable for them. More details directly from Iain Cameron, UFM, 11 Newton Place. There are some great opportunities available to serve God through serving others overseas – what are you waiting for?

Jim Mitchell was born in February 1921. As a boy, he had an accident while playing football. This meant that he was exempt from War Service. During the Second World War, he was therefore sent to work in the boatyard at Kelliebank in Alloa. It was there that he met Mary, who came from Glasgow, and who later became his wife. They lived for nearly sixty years in Park Crescent, Sauchie, and attended the U F Church. Both Jim and Mary came to a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ over 25 years ago. Jim was ordained as an elder in February 1985 and held that office for over 26 years. He gave faithful service while his health permitted. Jim and Mary renewed their marriage vows in the church on the occasion of their Golden Wedding. One of Jim’s interests was gardening, and he did work on both church and manse gardens. He was also involved with the Men’s Fellowship in the congregation.

THE MAGAZINE OF THE UNITED FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

Dunblane Event Page 7/8

OCT/NOV 2011

Short-Term Placements

Mission Scotland Team Reflections Page 11–18

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Acts 13 The Virtual Evangel Short-Term Placements

Jim’s working life was spent between the Glassworks in Alloa and the Brickworks in Alloa. He was also a lifelong supporter of Alloa Athletic, and for his 80th birthday, he received from the club, an Alloa scarf and a signed football from the team. Mary passed away in January of this year, with Jim’s passing being exactly five months later. Although neither has been able to attend church for a good number of years, we miss them both from our fellowship. Both had a sincere, genuine faith in Christ and sought to witness faithfully for their Saviour and Lord. In their loss, we remember in prayer, their two sons, John and Jim, their daughter-in-law, Marjorie, their three grandchildren and the extended family. We thank God for their fellowship in the Gospel and give thanks that they are both now at rest.

Editorial Policy All Editorial Correspondence should be addressed to: The Editor - United Free Church of Scotland, 11 Newton Place, Glasgow G3 7PR Telephone: 0141-332-3435 Email: Stedfast@ufcos.org.uk

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

Advertising and orders for Stedfast should be sent to: Rev. John Fulton BSc., BD, The Secretary, United Free Church of Scotland, 11 Newton Place, Glasgow G3 7PR Telephone: 0141-332-3435 Published by the United Free Church of Scotland. Scottish Charity SC008167

Copy is required not later than the 5th February, April, June, August, October and December, and should be written or typed on one side only.

Price £1.25

Contents 2/3

Care Conference

3/4

The Virtual Evangel

5/6

Ten Thoughts about Mission from Acts 13

7/8

The funeral of Mary Merriweather: A Botswana experience

9/10

Dunblane Event

Care Conference

11–18 Mission Scotland Team Reflections 19

Short-Term Placements

Tribute: Mr Jim Mitchell

The personal computer and the internet have transformed our lives: instant communication across the globe and easy access to virtually all of human knowledge. Mostly, the innovations are beneficial. But has it all been for the good? 5/6

11–18

9/10

Editorial Well the summer, if you caught it in between the showers, seems to have flown by. It has been an eventful time for the denomination with the visit of the team from Southern Africa to participate alongside a team from our own churches in Mission Scotland 2011. This edition of Stedfast celebrates the shared experiences of those taking part, with reflections from some of the team on the ‘fellowship, fun and faith’ they enjoyed in stepping out for the Lord in mission. In the next edition, the focus will be on the congregations taking part and how they are building on the successes of the summer. The article on Acts Chapter 13 reminds us that we all have a part to play in Christ’s Mission as we step out each day in our walk with Him. For those who feel called to step out a bit further there is an article on short term mission placements that provide an exciting opportunity to explore how God would use us in a wider context.

With the internet offering anyone the freedom to publish without restriction, inevitably there is also a dark and subversive side. Two contrasting personalities have each shared concerns about the internet. Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google sums up the internet as ‘The largest experiment in anarchy we have ever had’. ‘A trailer park for the soul’ was how libertarian rock star Marilyn Manson described the internet. So, from widely varying viewpoints there is agreement that the uncontrolled and unaccountable nature of the internet can bring its own dangers Publishers of pornography, freed from the limitations of printing, publishing and distributing their publications, have grasped the potential of the internet with enthusiasm. Consumers of pornography, freed from the embarrassment and discomfiture of finding an appropriate retail outlet, have responded to this new availability.

The ‘success’ of the pornography publishers has been significant; according to Microsoft 60% of all website visits are ‘sexual in nature’. Worryingly as telephone technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, reliance on a computer diminishes; anything can be viewed at any time on an iPhone – a special threat to children freed from the home supervision of their parents. The Christian social reform charity CARE has for long had a concern, and has campaigned for many years, about the dehumanising potential of pornography. This concern was initiated in earlier days by the easy availability of ‘top-shelf’ magazines. Now inevitably the biggest threat is on-line pornography. Our surveys of church leaders have shown that many – 97% in one survey – believe on-line pornography to be a serious issue within the Church, and most had been involved pastorally with parishioners struggling with a reliance on internet pornography.

Many of these church leaders felt ill-equipped in offering pastoral support in this area. Dependence on internet pornography is an addiction which brings with all the traits of an addictive lifestyle – self-absorption, deluded relationships, a distancing from the Lord, and occasionally family breakdown. Some people say that the impact of internet pornography on Christian men can be particularly damaging. The sense of shame, guilt and failure is magnified as they realise how great their separation from God’s will is. David Partington of Isaac International, a Christian organisation helping those with addiction problems, shares this view and believes that men leave the Church as a result. He says, ‘The spirit of God lives within us, it tells us what is right and what is wrong. You become aware of the conflict between that and what you are doing, and you can’t live with it. Then of course there’s shame. Your devotional life goes into neutral and eventually, many men quietly leave the Church. They don’t talk about why, they just go.’

Over the past 25 years the internet has grown in such a phenomenal way that while some have been carried away, others have struggled to keep up. There are two helpful articles, even for the less technically minded among us, that guide us through the negative and positive aspects of this change and what this can mean for us as Christians. You will notice there is a bit more colour about this edition and hopefully the photos of this years Dunblane event will helps you capture something of what has been a joyful and challenging summer. Alastair Wright Stedfast Secretary 1

The Virtual Evangel

by Anne Sanderson

Care Conference (cont.) Even if dependence on internet pornography may not yet have emerged as a pastoral issue in your church, surveys clearly suggest that within most churches there are likely to be people for whom misuse of the internet in this way will be a lifestyle and spiritual challenge. As our reliance on the internet grows, and as the availability of subversive material increases, it can be expected that this will be a pastoral concern which is likely to become more visible from people both inside and outside the Church. CARE for Scotland, in association with the counselling charity Living Waters, is holding a day conference, ‘False Intimacy’, with the aim of equipping ministers and others in church leadership to respond effectively to people with a dependence on internet pornography. The conference is being run in association with the United Free Church of Scotland and other denominations.

False Intimacy will be held in Glasgow on Thursday, 24th November.

Full details at: www.care.org.uk/falseintimacy or contact CARE for Scotland on 0141 332 7212.

Anne Sanderson is a member of Falkirk Free Church. In this article she describes the use of the internet from the cautious perspective of someone not claiming to be a technical guru. In sharing her experience she gives some a helpful and encouraging insight into the possible uses of the world wide web in sharing the Good News. A new highway of holiness has been discovered, traversing the wilderness of cyberspace, making it possible to now reach out with the gospel to masses of previously unreached people. I speak of the Internet. Many Christians are rightly concerned that the Internet is more likely to lead to godlessness than to conversion! Like all inventions, it is being abused and used for evil purposes by some. This, however, does not diminish the opportunity for Christians to use it for godly purposes. By no means am I practiced in the use of the world-wide web’s myriad opportunities, for I have limited myself to one particular use. I neither Tweet nor Twitter, but I do Yahoo! ®. I cannot tell you about other Internet outreach successes but let me mention a few examples of what can result from entering into on-line debate / questions and answers via a home computer linked to the Internet. The site I engage with is for questions and answers regarding religious and spiritual issues. It is awash with atheists, Buddhists, Gnostics, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Oneness Pentecostals, Wiccans, even a few Zoroastrians, and myriad others. This is in addition to thousands of Christians

from all over the globe. It makes for a real education into what people think about religious and spiritual matters these days. I have learned a great deal as well as noticing what current trends are occupying peoples’ minds. Some of the individuals who have also engaged with particular questions I am involved in have gone on to email me in response to points of interest. This has resulted in either brief or on-going correspondence that gives wonderful opportunities for evangelising, when appropriate. One person is a former atheist, now turned Baha’i. Islamic people do not think well of the Baha’i religion, which developed out of Babism (a break-away from the Muslim Shi’ite faith in Persia) around the 1860s. Baha’i people are pacifists, believing that true religion is based on love and compassion for all people in the world. Their world headquarters are in Haifa, Israel. Now, what chance do you and I normally have to contact Baha’i people? Another former atheist, who has explored many esoteric ideas, now calls himself an Elemental Naturalist. I’m in process of discovering what, exactly, that means. He says it’s close to Monism and Pantheism; it states

that everything is from the ‘One’. He views God as “everything – a transcendent beauty that is beauty itself.” This impersonal ‘One’ is not the God of Christianity, but what is really interesting is this person’s long journey from an atheistic upbringing that affected him for 30 years, which now clearly shows he is searching for meaning. He speaks of the need for atheists to break free from their own presuppositions, adding: “But atheists are also made through a reasoned, logical reading of church doctrine and dogma. The Church’s literal interpretation of the Biblical text propagates an atheistic rebellion. I have always read the Bible with the atheist meme instilled from my childhood experiences but now I feel free to read the Bible with open eyes and see the truths hidden esoterically within the text.” It was his son who literally placed a Bible into his hands recently. The lad came home from school with a Gideon’s New Testament and Psalms, which now occupies father’s shirt pocket. He carries it around the house, pulling it out to read. Of late he has been considering Acts chapter 2 after comments I made about Pentecost, something he had no previous knowledge of. Is that not exciting? A former atheist has a copy of the Bible brought to him at just the right time, and he is now enjoying reading it! It’s making him think and ask questions!

More sobering is his view that a “literal interpretation of the Bible promotes an atheistic rebellion”. Whether we agree or disagree with that view, we need to listen to the claim and then examine it carefully, in case we are contributing to any development of exasperation amongst those who doubt God’s existence and who think the Bible is just another man-made book. Knowing how such people think is essential if we are to break down the barriers of disbelief that surround them. Just because a person professes atheism, or agnosticism, is no reason to suppose that they are beyond the reach of the gospel! A final example: one young girl initially posted a question asking how she could undergo full water immersion as a Jehovah’s Witness, given her arthritis and difficulty in bending her knees and back. I answered to say that the Witnesses will baptise a candidate whilst sitting in a wheelchair, or have them lie down on a flat board which is then lowered below the water (and lifted back up again!) I made no attempt to say anything by way of criticism of Witness baptism – I just answered her question. But then I was able to email her privately to give some details about just what baptismal candidates declare themselves to be when they take their two public vows, quoting from Watchtower literature. She emailed me back, not to discuss the theological points about that, but to ask, “Where can I find love in the Witnesses?” That enabled me

to direct her to 1 John 4 and John chapters 1 and 3. I might not hear any further from her, but prayer continues, and the Lord will no doubt raise up other Christians to meet her and to show her love, wherever she is in the world. It’s encouraging to realise that even if we, personally, cannot move about much in order to meet people and speak to them about the things of Christ, we are only a few computer clicks away from the entire world! If we are prayerful and judicious in our use of this electronic highway, we may be led by the Holy Spirit to engage with individuals who are genuinely searching for they know not what, but the Spirit knows to be salvation in Christ. If we are prepared to share the good news – the evangel – through the virtual reality that is the Internet, who knows how many wonderful conversions to Christ might yet result? It’s all about being available and up-to-speed with fast-moving developments in our electronic age. For Christ’s name sake.

Ten Thoughts about Mission from Acts 13 By Rev Ian Lloyd

Mission and evangelism – the scary words of our own experience. By contrast, when we look at the early church, it seemed to come so naturally to them. Sometimes we kid ourselves it must have been easier then, but checking Paul’s experiences (2 Corinthians 11) we know that won’t hold. That early church saw the gospel on the move, so to see what they have to teach us we’ll take a swift tour through Acts 13, Paul’s first missionary journey, with 10 brief snapshots.

The FIRST is prayer. Serious praying. That’s the point of the church’s fasting. That devotion to the Lord that earnestly seeks what God wants. Verse 2 suggests this was not a special event, but rather their habit. These were uncertain times for them – pioneer reaching out for Jesus Christ, so the natural, pressing and consistent thing is to gather to pray. The fasting says, nothing is more important than this time with the Lord. Being honest, how strong are we in this area of concerted prayer? Perhaps a priority in our individual prayers needs to be that God would lay that burden on us, so that same urgency and desire becomes ours. It’s costly of course – costly in setting aside the normal routines of our lives; costly to the church at Antioch – they had to send off their star pastors to a new work. And that’s a great inhibitor to prayer, isn’t it? You just don’t know what God will do. Far better to keep prayers superficial, so we don’t give God the opportunity to challenge us. But we will surely miss the best He has for us! 5

The SECOND comes almost immediately. Thrust out into the field of gospel sharing, they are thrust into the field of spiritual warfare. We are unlikely to face sorcerers and false prophets. But whenever we desire to share the message of Jesus; whenever we pray for opportunities to do so, we will find we are in a spiritual battleground – the same one we’ve come through in our time. Looking back, for many of us, there will have been profound times of spiritual striving. After becoming a Christian we found life didn’t get easier, but tougher. Why? Because to the enemy of Jesus and our souls, we are lost ground – Paul nails down the devil’s wiles and lies, as he confronts Elymas. Importantly however, we’re not wrestling against flesh and blood, but against the principalities and powers so, a) we need to be careful not to treat people as our enemy – it is not a gospel winning strategy; and b) our weapons are spiritual weapons – certainly prayer; but the very message we share because –

THIRD – verse 12 is very important to those of us who have not the power of blinding and casting out demons. What was key to Sergius Paulus, the proconsul’s, conversion was not the miracle, but the teaching. What a constant temptation in our time and culture where we don’t see lots of people coming to faith in Christ. The temptation to lose confidence in the word of God to do its work. So a variety of directions are chosen. The Word of God gets toned down; or made acceptable to our audience; the bits that our culture doesn’t like – the exclusivity of Christ; judgement; sin; marriage!!

Well, they get snipped out. You cut the reading of the word and the preaching down to a bit part; and let the ‘praise and worship time’ take centre stage – a bit of dance and drama will fill things in nicely. Paul’s words in Romans need to be burned into our souls – “I am not ashamed of the gospel it is the power of God for salvation.” The sign points to the teaching in a very powerful way in the contrast between blindness (opposition to Jesus Christ) and sight (responsiveness to the word.) Now as they come to Pisidian Antioch how God uses Saul, as the synagogue gets more than it bargained for in its request for a word of encouragement! (v 15)

FOURTH, then, Paul begins where their understanding is; where there are connecting points. That’s often the hardest for us to do the longer we go on in our Christian life because we can become disconnected from the culture around us. It’s why reading the papers; watching the occasional bit of rubbish on TV (showing my prejudices!); some way of keeping a handle on how the world thinks is so important – not least because it seeps into our thinking anyway. What does the world say – and what does the Bible say? Fifth see the way the whole sweep of the Bible is used to tell the story. Our gospel does not depend on a few texts here and there, but on the continuing faithful promise, plan and work of God from beginning to end. We have confidence in this whole word.

06 07 09

SIX! The elephant in the room. Or the subject you try to avoid when you want to talk to someone about Jesus – when the conversation has moved beyond the superficial. What do you figure he wants to raise, but you’re uncomfortable about in case it puts him off? Verse 29 is exactly that – it had been Saul’s problem. Deuteronomy says cursed is the one who hangs on a tree. And yet rather than ‘cross’, Paul confronts the issue directly – 2 Corinthians 4: we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary,(we) set forth the truth plainly. Gracious but plain, honest words, even about the hard things, may be just what that person needs to hear.

This is God’s gospel. One of the deep problems we have is our view of the human condition is so different from that which the Bible so clearly presents to us. And given the choice we will believe we know better than God. But when we grasp the whole Bible as the seamless weave it is, we see it not only fits our need; but has met our need in the promise of infinite grace. We shouldn’t be afraid of the hard bits, as though God had left us in the lurch with some issues – we don’t know everything – but we know what we need!

SEVENTH, (verse 38) the big issue. Application. The exclusive call to Jesus. Through Jesus alone is the forgiveness of sins proclaimed; can we stand in right relationship with God; can the guilt and power of sin be vanquished. And however reasonable and non-confrontational we are; how full of grace our speech – there is no escape from this. Jesus is not a religion – but the Saviour; and Saviour through faith in Him cursed on the tree for our sins; raised to life by the Father because death could not hold the sinless one. We are not asking someone to buy into a philosophy, but to come to a relationship of absolute trust in Jesus Christ as Lord with no opt-out clauses. And just because we fear it’s the point we may lose someone, it doesn’t mean we avoid it. (Though it doesn’t mean we demand decisions immediately either – if we are friends; and listening friends we will follow their path through their questions and struggles.)

EIGHT. We should expect different responses – even from the same people. Interest may shift to hostility as much as hostility to interest. What we have in verses 42 on is somewhat like Jesus from Palm Sunday to Good Friday. If they could react to the Son of glory like that, we must be aware that as His disciples we follow His way. But!

NINE. It’s not about us. This is God’s work. Verse 48 is a double-edged word. We are messengers; we surely want to be faithful ambassadors. But bringing people into the kingdom is God’s work alone. We cannot make the blind see; deaf hear – nor bring them to a birth from above.

When someone comes to faith we give God the glory, and we give thanks He has made us co-workers in such a glorious task. But to others, people are not rejecting us – but Jesus. And that actually emphasises the need for our clarity about the truth. If people are going to reject Jesus, make sure it’s the real Jesus; not our own construction.

So the TENTH challenge. The temptation by the end of chapter 13 must surely be to go back to where you know people like you; will say soothing words, and you’ll be safe. But we are in kingdom work – we have put our hand to the plough, and there is no turning back. We’re heading for a kingdom to come. Verses 51, 52 seem the most bizarre combination, but it’s the same point – it’s not about us. Jesus has enabled them, and us, to speak of unsearchable riches, and through adversity store up glory and treasure in heaven. This is our Christian life and calling. Filled with joy and the Holy Spirit!

The funeral of Mary Merriweather: A Botswana experience the Moderator, George H. McRobb

Tribute: Mary Catherine Merriweather Mary Catherine Merriweather, was born in 1931 at Manor Farm, Yedingham, in Yorkshire, England where she lived until she came to Botswana. She attended the primary school at Yedingham and later became a weekly border at St. Andrew’s school at Malton. She then moved to London where she attended teacher training college and afterwards she returned to Yorkshire where she began her teaching career in primary schools in her home area.

I received the sad news of Mary Merriweather’s death on Friday 5th. August 2011 and I had no hesitation to say I’d go on behalf of the UFCOS. By the end of that day flights had been arranged.

As the coffin left the Church after three hours a guard of honour was formed by the children from the Shepherd English Medium School, Mary’s school. Many in tears at the loss of their beloved “mother”.

I flew out on Wednesday 10th. August 2011 and was met at Gaberone airport the next day by Joy Crosbie, (my Botswana Angel). I stayed with the Crosbie family apart from one night when I stayed in Mary’s home. Then came a very different experience. I had to witness the slaughter of two cows from which they wanted me to have the tails… no thanks!

The coffin was then brought to Mary’s home where it rested over night surrounded by many women who prayed and sang until the funeral service began ay 6am.

Willie (Joy’s husband) took me and the family to the Molepolole Church for a service of Thanksgiving for Mary’s life. The Church was full and I was privileged to preach the Word and noting from the Order of Service I’d been promoted to REV. 7

After various tributes I led in prayer (they certainly know how to pray at length) we moved to the graveyard. The grave had been dug by the men of the Church the previous day and after many ministers spoke and I prayed the coffin was lowered and we all had to wait until the grave had been filled in by the men who had dug it. Then back to Mary’s House for food (the two cows) the men went to the Kgotla to eat separately from the women.

The tribal culture is still very much alive in Botswana and I had interesting conversations with the Local Chief and also the Paramount Chief. Please be much in prayer for Mpho who has been working with Mary since being adopted by her many years ago and also for her sister Ellah (also adopted) both of whom changed their name to Merrieweather. I thank God for the experience of a life time and for friendships made which will never be forgotten. Joy’s summation of Mary on behalf of all in Molepolole “Mary, our mother, sister, gran, teacher, mentor, confidant, helper and friend was our strength and our guide and will be sorely missed especially by Joy, Ellah, Mpho and the family. Thank you for this opportunity to serve the UFCOS in this very special way and I trust that what was done was glorifying to the Lord.

Mary took a break in her teaching and returned to London to the Bible College where she studied for a year. She had felt a calling to become a missionary, but this was not to be at that time.

In 1986 Mary and Alfred returned to Molepolole when Alfred “retired” and began his private practice. Mary, who has always loved children and teaching, began to teach 5 children in the old mission house, first occupied by Dr David Shepherd in the 1930’s. Since then, her small school, the Shepherd English Medium School has grown and developed under her dedicated guidance into a well-known and highly respected Christian school, with over 500 pupils, many of whom commute daily from Gaborone. Latterly, Mary became increasingly frail but she bore her infirmity and chronic ill health with courage and without complaint. Her lifelong faith and love for the Lord continued to radiate with such joy that she inspired and encouraged all she met and her lovely smile lives on in our memories forever. She has now been released from the pain and discomfort of her last weeks and has been taken to her eternal home by God to be with Him. Mary, our mother, sister, gran, teacher, mentor, confidant, helper and friend, was our strength and our guide and will be sorely missed especially by Joy, Ellah, Mpho and the family.

Mary and Dr Alfred Merriweather were married in Scarborough, Yorkshire on the 30th October 1976 and they returned together to Molepolole in early 1977. This became her home where she and Alfred always welcomed visitors from all walks of life with generosity and wonderful hospitality. Mary encouraged and supported Alfred in his work, and soon became involved in the church in Molepolole. She was very active in Christian teachings amongst women and children. From 1981 to 1986, when Alfred was the superintendent of Princess Marina Hospital, and they lived in Gaborone, Mary taught at Northside Primary School.

Dunblane Event

One World, One Vision, This year’s ‘Dunblane event’ took place on Saturday 27th August when around 280 people gathered at Dunblane High School. ‘What a fabulous day!’ was one person’s comment on the event. It is always good to meet up with folk from different parts of Scotland and 37 (out of 60) congregations were represented. 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. A group travelled overnight from Cunningsburgh in Shetland and we really appreciated them making the effort to be there. With them came the members of the mission team who had been in Shetland for the previous week. As people arrived in good time for a 10 am start, the team from Milngavie soon got them through registration so that the team from Bannockburn could provide them with tea and coffee – which they would have done if the sockets hadn’t ‘tripped’. People had to wait a little longer for their caffeine! It was a particular pleasure to welcome this year the team of young people from southern Africa and Scotland for whom this was the final event in their busy 3 week programme (which you will read about elsewhere in the magazine). The team members may have been tired but their faith, passion and enthusiasm shone through all that they did that day and they were an inspiration to many.

The opening session began with praise and worship as we sang a number of songs, some of which were new to some. The praise was led by the members of the Youth Team and they also sang a couple of songs in this session. Fiona Stewart did a sketch to help set the theme of the day which was the mission we have in Christ and how that is central to all that we are as a Church.

Following this brief session we then moved into the series of workshops which covered a variety of topics including ‘What are God’s plans for the world?’, ‘Healing’, ‘Welcoming the stranger’, ‘Mission and transition’, Church scene in southern Africa’, Drama, ‘Art and Prayer’, etc. Opportunities to try something new, to consider ideas we haven’t considered before and to reflect on what the Bible has to say to us. The only problem was a lack of time – but then the workshops can only be ‘tasters’ which people can take further if they wish.

After lunch we had a two hour ‘celebration’ – and the time flew past! After a further opportunity for praise and worship, we heard a little from two congregations about the great time they had with the mission team – you can read about that elsewhere. The main speaker was Rev John Carrick, UK Director of Middle East Christian Outreach, who spoke from Ecclesiastes 11 on ‘Cast your bread on the waters’. Using stories from various places in the Middle East he told of ways in which God has been and is at work even in very difficult situations. It was both inspiring and challenging.

Then we had more from the mission team with songs, drama and interviews with several members of the team. It was clear this had been a life-changing experience for them - again you can read of this elsewhere in the magazine. At the end the young people led us out of the hall singing ‘Thuma Mina’ – ‘Send me Lord’ (from Isaiah 6) and they lined the way as we moved out reminding us that mission is an ongoing activity for all of us as we respond to the Lord’s call. The real test of such a day is not whether we had a good time but what we do about it after we go home!

Mission Scotland

Mission Scotland Team Reflections

Team Reflections Natham Owens Drumchapel

Greyling Koopman Namibia

Andrew Brown Darnley

As one of the members of the 2008 Scottish team who visited Southern Africa, I awaited with anticipation the second-leg of the project, where Southern Africa arrived in Scotland. Having been over in South Africa and Botswana, I had experienced the passion, energy and vibrancy of my brothers and sister in the faith, and was keen to see that faith in those people on these shores. All of this said, I still wasn’t sure exactly what or who to expect when the bus pulled up at the centre for our orientation weekend, and so it was with nervous excitement that I greeted our guests! Thankfully I am pleased to say that after a short period of time, I quickly saw the faith that I had seen in Southern Africa and the same fire burn in these people as I had seen in those people 3 years ago and 5000 miles away; Scotland Mission 2011 had definitely started!

Wow what an EXPERIENCE!!! This has been one mission that I will never ever forget in my life. Starting off in Windhoek preparing myself, I realised that I was not sure what to expect. I had doubts about what we were going to do and how we were going to be received. Everything changed once I met the team that we are going to work with.

These three weeks has been an amazing experience. At Lapwing Lodge things began awkwardly with the Scottish side of the team and the southern African side of the team staying to their own sides of the room. After some attempts at conversation though we began to gel as a team and when we joined our teams for the first week –for me being the Croftfoot team - we started to feel like a proper mission team and I began to enjoy myself more and more. We were working in the children’s club in Croftfoot and the large number of children who came was very encouraging and the enthusiasm of the congregation at Croftfoot was inspiring.

I think the best way to sum up week 1 of Scotland Mission 2011, is to use the same headings that we used in our youth cafe up in Torry, Aberdeen. So with that in mind I would like to sum up team 2’s experience by mentioning Fellowship, Fun and Faith.

Fellowship:

The fellowship between the eight of us, three from Scotland, five from Southern Africa, was wonderful; and what struck me the most was how easy and natural it was to be in each other’s company. Each morning we had devotions and prayer, each afternoon we went into groups and wandered round the community of Torry speaking to people and handing out leaflets, and every evening was the youth cafe programme. Again it was a genuine pleasure and delight to see our little group of people become closer as the days went by, which was a blessing especially in the evenings because we knew we could rely on each other as we adjusted and worked through the programme; we knew we had each other’s backs, and we knew this because of our fellowship together in Christ.

Fun: It would be far too easy to write pages on the topic of fun, because our week seemed to be filled with laughter, so I will restrain myself to a couple of remarks. On the Tuesday we were treated to a meal at a country club, and I’m pretty sure we were the loudest rabble they had ever had through their tranquil doors... On the Thursday three of our team conquered the mighty “Ashvale Whale” which is a very large portion of fish and chips, which if you eat you get a free mug; there were three very happy new mug-owners that day... My final remark is that no report on this topic would be complete without mentioning the infectious laughter and merriness of Aroschell: suffice is to say that no film will ever be the same when watched in her company! We really did have fun together, in each other’s company and in Christ.

Faith: Although our fellowship was sweet and fun-filled, the glue of it all was our faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. At the end of the day I have no doubt that life-long friends have been made, but that was not the ultimate purpose of this trip which was for young people of Scotland and Southern Africa to join together to proclaim the gospel of Jesus to the lost. With joy I can say that our little team were undoubtedly ambassadors for The King in Aberdeen that week. Our prayer-time in the morning was earnest as we prayed for each other and for the kids that would come, and the youth cafe at night was focussed ultimately on telling them about our faith. So with true fellowship and real fun, nevertheless our week was one where we were simply beggars telling other beggars where to find bread.

We started off the first weekend getting to know each other and we were taught a few dramas and we sang a few songs not knowing we will be singing them every single day for the next three weeks! Than we got divided into the different teams and it all started to come together. Going out into the different towns and meeting new people, everything thing was so exciting and I enjoyed it so much being in Scotland. Than reality struck! I could not believe all the restrictions and procedures that had to be followed and adhered to. Everything seemed so difficult; at times I was so frustrated and did not know how to handle it. As time went by and the weeks progressed I started to experience more and more of Scotland and I could appreciate why all of these things have happened and why we had to come here.

The second week was in Corstorphine for me and we were working using music a lot, the highlight being the service in St Giles cathedral. During that week the generosity and the kindness of the people in both the congregation there and in other churches in the Edinburgh area in taking us into their homes was very kind.

The final week I was in Cumnock. This was a very enjoyable week sharing fellowship with the people and going into several schools and singing in the local shopping centre. The reaction of the people of the area was incredible and it was so rewarding to see people who had never been involved with any church coming along to the service on Wednesday because of the outreach that the team and the members of the church had been doing. It was an amazing experience and I have made and increased friendship throughout the time. The members of the team have served as a great encouragement to me and I look forward to building on the 3 weeks through the coming months and years. I pray that the work done will continue in the various congregations as this is just the beginning and if even one person comes to faith because of the work it will all be worth it in my opinion; but I pray that the Lord will continue to use the members of the team and the congregations to continue to show his glory and honour.

I praise the Lord for taking me out of my comfort zone and allowing me to experience all of these things and places. I know that He will make a way in all situations and circumstances. I trust and believe that all things are possible with God. I praise Him and thank Him for Laura and Gordon, may He bless them abundantly, Amen.

Mission Scotland Team Reflections

Aobakwe Morobong (Elliot) South Africa

Kirsten Boettcher Cathcart

It was indeed a privilege for me to be selected by the UCCSA to represent the church on the mission trip in Scotland. The trip was about the Youth exchange programme and I came with my own expectations, not knowing what God prepared for me. Three weeks of mission was properly planned as I had visited Aberdeen; Drumchapel and Bo’ness; we went on the streets singing; sharing testimonies and the word of God. One the challenges we faced was that the Scotland country had many restrictions and we were not able to speak about Christianity freely.

Three words to describe the mission: inspiring, challenging and exhausting! I spent the first week in Croftfoot helping to lead a holiday club for local children as well as a cultural evening on Wednesday evening. We also went down to Lochwinnoch on Thursday and Friday to help them promoting for their own cultural evening. This was mostly singing in the rain but we powered through. Most of the songs we were singing were taught to us by the Southern African half of the team. They were in Afrikaans, Setswana, Zulu and a few other languages, however us Scots couldn’t quite pick up the dance moves as quickly as the song words. In return, we taught the rest of the team some of the dramas we had learnt at our training weekend in June.

Some of my highlights are that we met different people with different needs and God gave us the strength to share the gospel with them. I had a culture shock when I met with the young people who were saying that they are non-believers and they will never read a Bible and we continued to spread the word of God as the scripture gives us assurance not to be afraid for God will strengthen us (Isaiah 41:10). I also need to mention the warm welcome that we received and the congregants who opened their houses to host us; we didn’t ‘feel’ at home, we felt that we were at home. This was just a beginning of the mission as I learned many things through this Mission trip and I was encouraged by the scripture that says the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few(Matthew 9:37). I felt challenged by the mission trip and pray that God will guide me as I continue His work in His vineyard.

Mission Scotland Team Reflections

The second weekend together was spent shopping in Glasgow and sightseeing in Stirling Castle. We then got back to work with our second project in Drumchapel. Most of the time was working in the Living Room, talking to people who dropped in as well as singing in the street and in Drumchapel High School.

We had the opportunity to sing in St Giles which was an amazing day for the whole team. At the end of week 2, the congregation at Uddingston held a ceilidh which the team was invited to attend and sing at. The evening was enjoyed by all, especially the Southern Africans. On the Saturday, Milngavie congregation treated us to a sail on Loch Katrine and fish suppers for dinner. Luckily the weather held up and we all got to enjoy the scenery. Then we moved onto our final project in Bo’ness. We spent the week leading assemblies in 3 different schools and all the kids were singing along and were laughing at the guys in the dramas. The trip culminated with the denominational event at Dunblane. We all enjoyed dancing out the hall singing Thuma Mina (one of the songs we learnt) and seeing people from the churches we had worked with. Then came time for the emotional goodbyes although we are looking forward to visiting our new friends in Southern Africa soon!

Macmillan Teku Botswana

Ross McNaughton Darnley

Nobuhle Sunshyne Luthuli South Africa

Coming to Scotland from Botswana was an experience for me, meeting the young people from a completely background and culture to do the undying work of mission. In Christ the power of his word has proven to unite us despite these differences and to God only does the glory belong. Starting my first week in Lochwinnoch was incredible as I came to cut across age groups and particularly to let God use me to His pleasure in children’s ministry, something I was not familiar with doing. In this process God taught me to break away from the norm, be open-minded and follow His will to let the people receive the message of the gospel, which was in various format even to various age groups.

The mission has brought the UCCSA and the UF closer together! It has allowed us to grow as a united group for Christ. We have been able to share experiences and testimony with people in Scotland over the three weeks. In Lochwinnoch, Corstorphine and Boness I loved being able to share my love for Christ with people through Drama and singing. My hope is that out of all the people we had contact with in school, on the street and in supermarkets.

My ear heard of the diverse cultures of Scotland like a checked weaving in a vast array of colours. God opened my ear to the realities of restrictions towards the Gospel which to an extreme extent has motivated me to radically keep the flame in Africa for as long as possible. Preaching, giving to the poor, praying for the lost and laying hands on the sick had been my preconceived ideas before week one in Lochwinnich where I came to learn just how games and music are such great tools of evangelism. In week two at Corstorphine, at the care centre, I came to understand that one can grow old in the Lord. Singing at the crossing, performing in St Giles Cathedral and doing a sketch at the Leith church are just to mention a few things that my mind had not conceived. Leaving for South Africa I hold Scotland’s hospitality close to my heart. I have learned that faith with no action is somewhat meaningless, and as Alisdair said ‘walk the talk’ is something that has challenged me, to reach out to community I have come to learn that it is fulfilling, pleasing and a great part of evangelism. My eye has seen, my ear heard and my mind has conceived in Scotland just part of the long journey ahead in my Christian walk. Over a WEE cup of tea I’ll tell SA about my LOVELY experience in Scotland.

Though we were starting to get weary on the second week, the Lord continued being faithful to provide us with strength to continue. Personally I was overwhelmed by our visit to two nursing homes in Edinburgh, how the elderly received the words of truth in song was a total blessing. The Lord continued His faithfulness to the last week, renewing His mercies and strengths in us daily. I saw the Lord at work where I was in Cumnock, opening doors for us in schools where normally Christians would not openly go to share their faith. The three weeks were a blessing, a lifelong lesson in the mission of God, an opportunity to explore cultures and unite with the saints unto service. In Christ we all are one body and to the glory of God let this mission trip and the work that follows it be. AMEN.

On reflection there were many happy and moving moments from the three weeks. I have felt truly blessed with the support from all the congregations that we had been in contact with as they did so much work to support us and put us up. I was truly blessed by the hospitality of the host families as you opened your home to strangers. I hope that someone will be touched by the word of God that we have shared over the three weeks; it has given me the encouragement to continue serving and continuing to spread the Good News. “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” the things God has prepared for those who love him’ 1st Corinthians 2vs 9. These words are the most appropriate in expressing the past three weeks. My eye has never seen such beautified scenery by the likes of Shetland, well preserved legendary buildings by the likes of St Andrews ruins, Stirling and Edinburgh Castle amongst the well nurtured gardens and well maintained parks, and might I mention the moves we pulled at the Ceilidh in Uddingston Park church!

Mission Scotland Team Reflections

Ruth Fulton Cathcart

Aroshell Meyer Namibia

Meegan Diergaardt Namibia

Nico Lekoko South Africa

Jade Esau South Africa

Dudu Molathegi Botswana

One word that sums up the three weeks of mission for me is inspirational – I’ve been inspired by each member of the team, by the people we’ve come into contact with, and most importantly, by God and the amazing work he’s been carrying out. I wasn’t really sure what to expect before we began our weeks of mission, and felt somewhat apprehensive of what the coming weeks would hold, but within a few hours of arriving at Lapwing Lodge and meeting the rest of the team, my anxiety turned to excitement at what challenges were in store for us.

My expectations of this mission trip were to just be prepared for the unexpected. I realised that I was going to be placed outside of my safety zone and that I needed to become adaptable. During my first week I had a major culture shock. I was very appreciative of the fact that the children we worked with were very open and honest.

Go therefore and make disciples (Matthew 28) Wow! What an amazing experience I have had. The Lord has been truly faithful during this time. I look back to our planning meetings with the United Free Church in 2009 and am amazed at what He has done from that time until the end of the actual mission trip now.

Well, where can I start? This has been amazing yet challenging at the same time. I have gained so much from my fellow team mates, the challenges that I faced were so difficult but it allowed me to grow spiritually and emotionally. God has truly been my pillar of strength and has guided me in the right path and he unfolded himself unto me. I am looking forward to God’s plan with me as I depart home as he has promised in Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

For me this whole mission trip had many challenges – to my way of thinking and basically to the way I am used to doing things. Despite all that, God was reminding me not to fear, for He is with me and that this mission is in line with my calling. Jeremiah 1:5. From the first day I felt so humbled. That God has chosen me a totally nobody to be in this beautiful country with all these beautiful and amazing people. The weekend was training and getting to know the rest of the guys in the team. It was really wonderful.

When I got to Scotland, I assumed change would happen over night, but I realised that God works in different ways. I was in Croftfoot, Corstorphine, and Bo’ness. I was able to work with children and I was so glad to be able to give them a safe environment to learn about Jehovah, to play and interact with other children in a free manner.

The first week in Lochwinnoch was spent helping at the holiday club in the mornings and running a teenage programme in the evenings, while working in the community in the afternoons, handing out leaflets and singing at the cross. I was really encouraged by the young people who came along each night and the time that was spent with them. Week 2 in Corstorphine involved singing at a couple of residential care homes and holding a cultural evening. A highlight that week was the opportunity to sing in St Giles Cathedral as part of the Fringe Festival.

Mission Scotland Team Reflections

The final week in Cumnock was mostly school-based work which I really enjoyed. Taking assemblies and having the chance to interact with the children was great. I’ve had a fantastic time on this mission, and as I return to ‘normal life’, feel challenged to implement all that I’ve learned over the weeks, and put into practice the bible verse on the back of our hoodies: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…”

In the Living Room at Drumchapel the Holy Spirit made it known to me that it is not about me, but about what can be done through me. I had a servanthood experience and realised that just because someone is an alcoholic or homeless, doesn’t mean God doesn’t love them. Just being privileged enough to talk to them and hear their stories, made me realise that everyone has a story and God can change circumstances. My week at Cumnock was very emotional as I was challenged with dealing with accepting different reactions from the team, when having to make joint decisions. I was very humbled by the experience of spending time with mentally and physically challenged children. Although they are in such a condition they have a peace and joy that glows and a smile on their faces that is indescribable. I was taken back to the word that says to enter the kingdom of heaven, we must become children. This trip has been the beginning of a new season in my life and has allowed for growth and introspection to take place. Blessings!

My journey started in Aberdeen where I learned to pray and have a passion for the young people of Scotland. I struggled with kids I felt did not have respect for others because they play on their mobile phone, talk to each other, laugh, etc while we are busy with a programme. Young people from 8 years being so bold as to say she does not believe in Christ and would not want to read the Bible ever. In Edinburgh we went to care centres for older people and we wanted to pray individually for this sick people. But we were told about the restrictions. What, can I as a Christian do in Scotland with so much restriction I thought? It came back to prayer and trusting the Lord to open the right doors at the right times. Being challenged and tested especially in the first 2 weeks, the Lord came and assured me in the third week that He is still in control and still reigns as King over Scotland and the rest of the world. Through it all I learned to obey and trust in the Lord with everything I have and am. I do believe we need to continue to pray for each other because we need each others prayers. We in the UCCSA just have different challenges. An amazing journey that will have a lasting effect in my life. Thanks for this opportunity and your hospitality. Galatians 6: 9-10

It was indeed a privilege for me to be selected by the UCCSA to represent the Church on the Youth Mission trip to Scotland. During my 3 weeks of mission in Scotland, I went to Aberdeen, Drumchapel and Bo’ness. The purpose of the mission trip was to spread the word of God around Scotland and one of the challenges that we came across was the restriction of the country as we were not able to speak about out Christianity freely. Some of the highlights is that we met people with different needs and we shared the word of God with them.

Mission began with honestly looking at the programme and the people we were reaching out to in Aberdeen. He taught me that He knows the people that He wants to reach and how. I’m just a vessel in His hand. In every week God showed me something new and I saw Him do something in me. First week I learnt to work in a team, Second week in Corstorphine I learnt that we come from different cultures and backgrounds of faith but God is God, Third week I got to experience the love of God and be able to bring a smile to people who were not respected much in society. Being celebrated by people of Bo’ness was just humbling. At the end of it all, I give glory to God and I do realise that people need God.

I found out that the Fringe Festival was another excuse for Satan to flourish, so one of my proudest moments was singing in St Giles Cathedral, one of the focal points during the festival. I was disheartened when I found out we were not allowed to speak freely of our faith, but was also surprised when we went to care homes and shared scriptures and they were very happy that we had come and ministered. I never thought I would be standing in the rain and in supermarkets to get people to church. I went to schools to spread God’s word and to try and get more youth in church. As terrified as I was, it was thrilling to see the younger children so welcoming and excited and hopefully eager to go to church. What I will take home is how welcoming the Scottish people are. Having had no prior knowledge of us, they took us in and treated us like family. It is a challenge to me to welcome people without judging them. I feel so blessed to have been part of the team.

Shetland

Mission Scotland Team Reflections

Lisa Ndlovu Zimbabwe

Loreen Dladla Zimbabwe

I can say I encountered God’s faithfulness from the time I applied for this Mission programme, in the preparation and up until the end of it all. From what I have learnt, experienced, seen through this journey, I am really looking forward to new beginnings in my Christian lifestyle. Yes, we had been told we would be living with host families and working in different groups on different projects every week, but I had not pictured it as to how much I would enjoy it. The organisation, determination and pursuit of it all really challenged me as all the things aligned for the day were completed as planned.

I have learnt that just as God created the heavens and the earth and finished his project, so we need to finish all that we have started through him, who strengthens us. In my congregation or community, I have never spent my time with children, older people or just being there for people of the world (like it is in the Living Room at Drumchapel). Surely I want to believe I have come to learn this in Scotland so I can make the best out of my Christian lifestyle till the Saviour comes. My prayer request to you is that God may grant me opportunities to live a life of a missionary wherever I will be. In Christ there is a future, and here we are yielding to deeper lengths of the will of God.

Wellington M Sibanda Zimbabwe UCCSA Youth Convenor 3 weeks has been a blessing as I was on yet another journey of discovery, a time to discover how I can be engaged in Gods Mission all my life having attended both short term and long term mission every time its always a new day, new challenges, new people and yes a time to move out of my comfort zone. I had the time to explore the exciting and enriching experiences that was planned for us in different placements like singing at the cross while it was raining “my major highlight”, street evangelism, testimony and sharing. The good thing was to begin the journey with an open mind, heart and spirit and in turn that made me give my best to the team and all the people that l met meeting, leaving behind a positive impact and getting the best in return. Our life in Christ can be the greatest story we can ever share -my experiences, faith and vision was an asset to the mission week as I became open to learn more in a wider setting. I would gladly say that the God we serve doesn’t want us to just barely get by in life. He wants us to thrive and experience the fullness of his blessing. He wants us to not only have our won needs met, but be in a position to reach out and help meet the needs of others too. The message on obedience was close to my heart the 3 weeks in Scotland and I chose to summarize my experience in points.

• Aligning myself with Gods will and surrendering to it.

Mission Scotland Team Reflections

Croftfoot

• To be where God wants me to be – When you is where God is environmental condition doesn’t matter.

Torry

• To be where God wants me to be at a particular time. • To be where God wants me to be regardless of circumstances I was not there to receive ‘Thank Yous’ and praises, but to just simply express love for God. If I’m not doing that in my work then I’m really not working for God, but rather for myself. So I was motivated to just press on, not looking at what I’m doing as a sacrifice, but as a token of love to my Father in heaven. Besides, no sacrifice is too great that it could eclipse what Jesus accomplished when He gave His life for me. That I must remember always; to remember what He did for me. It has been both exciting and challenging but I am certain that I took the best of everything offered to equip myself and others for a successful mission wherever I may be. I pray that God may continue to bless us as we surrender ourselves to be in God’s Mission.

Cumnock

Bo’ness Costorphine