news

This is the
churches' news-sheet
for
February 2009

From the Manse

Much has been said and will be made this year about the 'Year of Homecoming' which to some may at least be a welcome panacea, taking our minds away from the state of our nation! There will of course be visits from one or two wealthy 'Celebrities' who may return to the homeland with kilts, TV appearances and largesse (cynical me, never!) before scuttling home to count their dollars!

On the other hand, there will be many more who will take this opportunity simply to return and visit families and loved ones! Whatever the reason, they will be welcomed in the way that only Scots can, with parties, ceilidhs and an outpouring of genuine affection.

Coming home to our roots is important socially, but also psychologically, if only to lay ghosts from the past and to enable us to move on in our lives. In its broadest sense, it can be a very spiritual experience. Anyone who has attended a school re-union can witness to this especially as you find your old classroom, perhaps even sit at your old desk, while memories flood back and we reflect on how life has treated us. Homecoming is a truly spiritual experience, and so it is that we in our churches shall warmly welcome those who return and seek out their family roots. Throughout this year we should all be aware of those who plan to return, encouraging them to visit and share their stories.

There is of course another spiritual Homecoming, and that is of those in our community who have lost touch with their own spirituality. They, as much as those who have returned from afar, must know and feel their right to, and the warmth of welcome that awaits them when they return to our church community.

"Return home and tell how much God has done for you"

- I'll see you on Sunday then! - May God bless and keep you - Duncan

Parish Register

Marriage

9th January Miss F W Ferguson, Alves and Mr D Macleod, Balmedie

Guild

Burghead

Tuesday, 3rd February - Pets Therapy with Gladys McCulloch
Tuesday, 17th February - Anne Abernethy

Sunday Services - Scripture Readings

A NEW list of Bible Readings for each of the services for the next three months is on the Notice Board at the church entrance. Anyone who would like to read a lesson during the service, please append your name to the sheet.

Blythswood

The monthly collection will be on Tuesday, 17th February.
Please ensure that no bags are left until the day or the night before the collection.

Who's Who in the Bible

Aaron (meaning uncertain)
Although he plays a major role in the early history of the Israelites, Aaron always stands in the shadow of his younger brother, Moses. Aaron first appears in the in biblical narrative at the age of 83, treking from Egypt into the Sinai desert to find Moses, who had left the land of his birth 40 years earlier. Aaron was born in Egypt, perhaps about 1360 BC to a couple from the tribe of Levi named Amram and Jochebed. Aaron had an older sister, Miriam, who helped save the life of the infant Moses.

An elder son, Aaron evidently came to maturity as the leader of his own prominent family and perhaps the tribe of Levi. The younger Moses probably seemed lost to his family and people after he was rescued from the river bank and taken into the house of Pharoh's daughter.

Married to a woman named Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab, a leader of the tribe of Judah. Aaron had four sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

Aaron's life changed dramatically at the moment when God spoke to him in Egypt: "Go into the the wilderness to meet Moses". When he found him, Moses told Aaron that God had commissioned him to deliver the Israelites from slavery. Together the brothers returned to Egypt, and hence to the wanderings in the wilderness which ensued leading to freedom, although neither Aaron nor Moses would be allowed to accompany the people into the promised land.

The book of Leviticus records how Aaron and his sons were ordained as priests, but tragedy befell Aaron's family in the process. His eldest sons, Nabab and Abihu, presumptuously ignored the laws of holiness God had prescribed for sacrifices in his santuary and were destroyed by fire.

Aaron began a a priestly dynasty that continued more than 1000 years till the Romans put an end to the temple worship when they captured Jesusalem on 70 a.d. (Ed.)

Christian Café Culture?

A BORDERS restauranteur opened up on an act of faith on a Sunday thanks to a Church of Scotland minister. John Robertson, owner of Le Jardin, Kelso, was taken aback by Reverend Marion Dodd's idea. He said: "I was surprised that a minister of all people would ask us to open on the Sabbath, but after discussing it with my wife we decided to give it a shot and followed pastoral advice." Reverend Marion Dodd, of Kelso Old and Sprouston Parish Church, is a regular at Le Jardin, and wanted her congregation to help the business out as trade quietened at the end of the tourist season. So she decided to stop one of her Sunday morning services after the sermon, and invited people to join her across the road at the café to finish worship there. Instead of having the usual collection, members of the congregation were encouraged to buy tea and cakes. She said: "We've been very fortunate financially in recent years, and it felt only right that we were helping our neighbour." She also said the church had become richer for the move, as many non-churchgoers who had been in the café at the time have now taken an interest in Kelso Old and Sprouston. The Kirk Session is now exploring plans to hold the occasional service and other events at Le Jardin, in an endeavour the better to link the church with the local community. What do YOU think about that then? There are a number of churches that include coffee and tea in a relaxed setting and as part of their morning worship.(Ed)