news

This is the
churches' news-sheet
for
June 2009

From the Manse

I write very uneasily this month, especially as a large letter, in canary yellow, 'lies'(sic) on my desk imploring me to vote for the European Parliament at the forthcoming Election thereto! There are some 13 Parties seeking my vote. Some I recognise, but many I wouldn't know from Adam! So, WHO are these people? There are no manifestoes, just lists of individuals who purport to represent a particular Party's 'cause celebre' .

Many of us are still coming to terms with the fallout from recession and the vast sums of money lost by many or gained by a privileged few in the hallowed chambers of Westminster and Holyrood ! We are now being asked to choose who will represent us in Europe! One party is reputedly a Christian party. Surprisingly, I know nothing of these doubtless, well intentioned individuals. Having been in the ministry for over 25 years, I should have thought that at least a few names would have rung a bell or two with me, but no, not one - Hm!

Making choices and selecting anything from MPs to marshmallows is difficult isn't it? I mean by that, we have our own preferences in what we select to eat, to wear, to follow etc. Perhaps the American wit, James Thurber had the answer when he wrote, "Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around us in awareness." Turning to the Scriptures may better assist us. How about 1 Kings 3 vs 9 -

So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.

Later on, in 1 Kings 18 we read of Elijah perhaps facing a not so different dilemma as us, as his people determine on whom to support. He in frustration at verse 21 says,

How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God then follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him!

I think I'll settle for words from Joshua 24 vs 15 -

. . . .as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord

How about you and yours ? - With every blessing to you all - Duncan

Parish Register

We extend our condolences to members of the families

8th May Miss M Mackenzie, 40 Dunbar Street, Burghead
25th May Mrs A Ross, 20 Fraser Road, Burghead

Communion

A joint Communion Service will be held at Alves on Sunday, 7th June. There will be no service in Burghead.

Summer Mission

The Guild has a new venture.
A Summer Mission Week for all will be held between Monday 20th and Sunday 26th July in the Community Hall.
Planned events are:-
Monday to Friday - a morning holiday club for 5 to 12 year olds
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday:- an evening café for the 12 - 18year olds
Saturday:- an event for all at 6pm
Sunday - Family and children's service
The activities are being led by a student team of 12, mainly from Aberdeen.

To make things happen, we need:-

• 1: Offers of B & B for 6 of the team
• 2: Volunteers to help with practical arrangements at the Holiday Club
• 3: Volunteers to help at the café evening
• 4: Offers of sandwiches or soup for the team at lunchtime
• 5: A main course or dessert for the team each day
• 6: Help with the cost of hiring the the Community Hall amd other expenses
.
• 7: People willing to pray for this week.

There are lists on the Guild notice board in the hall. Please put your name against anything you could provide or see Ruth Wyllie, Sheila Farquhar or Margaret Mackenzie.

Who's Who in the Bible - by Brian Millar

Adam (meaning human being or mankind)
The book of Genesis provides two versions of the creation of the first man, Adam. In the first chapter, a male and female are created 'in the image of God' on the sixth day of creation. Blessed and set above the other animals, this pair is given a specific command : 'be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.' Furthermore, God makes clear that sufficient food has been provided for all living creatures, humans included, in the form of green plants and fruit bearing trees.

In the second chapter, which is apparently based on a different oral tradition, the creation of of all heaven and earth was not yet complete when God scooped up some dust from the ground, shaped a man from it, and brought him to life by breathing into his nostrils. Perhaps the name Adam originated with the Hebrew word adom, meaning red, because of the colour of the clay used to make him, or from adamah, which means earth.

God created the world's animals and birds to be companions and helpers for the lone human, who was given the reaponsibility of naming them. When none proved to be a suitable helper for him, however, God put him to sleep, took one of the man's ribs, and used it to form Eve, the first woman.

The two separate versions of Adam's creation contain significant theological points. In the first, the human is created on the same day as the animals but is purposly set apart, infused with thew divine spirit and given dominance over earthly creation. In both, he is given a life of ease and abundance, blessed as the favourite of the Lord God of the universe.

The next turn in the story is indicated by the word Adam since it was frequently used in ancient times to mean human being or mankind. Therefore, when he decides to commit the first sin and suffers the consequences, Adam represents the plight of all humanity in struggling to be worthy of God's love. Mortal existence would henceforth be burdened with tribulation and woe from cradle to grave, when man would return to the very dust from which God had created him.