news

This is the

churches' news-sheet

for May 2010

from the Manse. . . . .

As if you haven't heard, on account of invisible volcanic ash in your auricle, Election Fever is gripping the country! We are bombarded by canvassers and budding candidates at every street corner and our letter boxes overflow with glossy pictures and rosy promises. For the media, it is a feeding frenzy. For the rest of us it can become a tiresome intrusion into our routines. Sadly, these sentiments have been brought about by the very people for whom we are invited to vote! At one time, the country would listen to candidates who had gravitas and inspired rhetoric. Now, but for a few, candidates need a tick from the local polytechnic and a good sales pitch. Canvassing, however, does have its unintentionally humorous moments. Amongst the more memorable and repeatable of days gone by, were Dennis Healey speaking from Moscow when he said: 'In Russian they are praying for a Labour victory. A strange view coming at that time from an atheist state! Or Mrs Thatcher being asked by a reporter 'In a word, Mrs Thatcher . . . . ' and receiving a 53-word reply. We at least have freedom of choice to speak out and vote for whom we please and so we should. Even the early Christians were faced with a dilemma amongst their own ranks, as some claimed 'I am for Paul' or 'Apollos' or 'Cephas' and forgetting that it was to God in Jesus Christ that they owed their true loyalty and faith. So, who will have your vote . . . . ?

Yours aye, Duncan

The 10 commandments (part 2)

2: You shall not make for yourself a graven image

If the first commandment concerns the object of our worship, the second concerns its manner. In the first God demands our exclusive worship, and in the second our sincere and spiritual worship. For God is spirit and those who wqorship him must worship in spirit and truth. We may never have manufactured some gruesome metal image with our hands, but what hideous mental image do we hold in our minds? Further , although this commandment does not forbid the use of all external forms in worship, it implies that they are useless unless there is inward reality as well. We may have attended church; have we ever really worshipped God? We may have said prayers; have we ever really prayed? We may have read the Bible; have we ever let God speak to us through it and done what he said? It is no good approaching God with our lips if our hearts are far from him. To do so is sheer humbug.

The Christian vote counts !

Hundreds of hustings events are due to take place in churches across the UK in the next two weeks. A Christian group has suggested that the Christian vote will become increasingly important as the prospect of a hung Parliament grows. Andrew Marsh, national co-ordinator of the non-party-political Christian and Candidates organization is urging churches to get involved in the political process. He said that 'all the main political parties are starting to wake up to the importance of the Christian vote, and the need to stop taking it for granted. As the prospect of a hung Parliament looks increasingly likely, it raises the stakes for Christians and all the political parties. . . . . Christians need to scrutinize things carefully, as all parties need every vote. There has been a real sea change of the place of Christianity in British life since the last election five years ago.' He cited the tribunal cases of nurse Caroline Petrie and and registrar Lillian Ladele as possible reasons why Christians are more interested in engaging in the political process this year.

the concept of ELECTION : think 'divine Selection'

In Christian theology, the word 'election' refers to the divine choice of people for salvation. Both Luther and Calvin held to a doctrine of unconditional election in which the choice is sovereign and not dependent on us. In the Old Testament, election is applied to Abraham and to Israel; and in the New Testament Jesus is the chosen (selected) one in Matt12:18 and 1 Peter 2:4-6. Christians are exhorted to make their calling and election sure in 2 Peter1:1-10

Kirk's major restructuring

The Church of Scotland has announced major plans on how it aims to grapple with the changing face of ministry in Scotland. Reports of the Ministries Council and the Panel on Review and Reform are to be considered at the General Assembly; they affirm that the Church must restructure now if it is to grow in the future, particularly with the current financial climate. In 2010 the Ministries Council is budgeting for a deficit of £ 5.7 million - an unsustainable situation. Because 87 % of Ministry and Mission funds come from congregations this is a problem for the whole church and not just for the Council. The report claims the only way to deal with the deficit is by reducing the amount of money spent on paid ministries. The Council sees this as an opportunity for growth in new ways and not just a cost-cutting exercise. The Ministries Council wants to move towards 1000 full-time equivalent posts for ministry, rather than a 'one minister, one parish format. Among the options are bi-vocational ministers - clergy who do another part-time job. Also, the Council is exploring ways to tap a wider range of the talent in church membership. The Panel of Review and Reform will propose a scheme to pilot an alternative presbytery structure. If approved by commissioners it would take account of local circumstances and bring decision-making about deployment of resources for mission closer to congregations. Just as John Knox envisaged 450 years ago, the Church of Scotland will continue to be a national church with a pastoral concern for the people and the nation. But as Presbyterians know, reformed churches are constantly reforming, and next few years are likely to be ones of significant change for the Kirk as it balances the books and gets to grips with new and exciting forms of ministry.

Guild: THE SEARCH 12- 18 JULY 2010

As last year, a team led by Sarah Airlie and supported by our Church, is planning a week of different activities for the young people of the village and beyond. There will again be a Morning Club from Monday 12th to to Friday 16th July for 5 to 12 year olds. The mornings will be based on the S U holiday Club Materials, Seaside Rock.
We also plan to have evening activities for teenagers.

At a practical level we need:

• Prayer support
• Help with the week's activities
• Accommodation for some of the team
• A main course or sweet each weekday.
• A midday snack
• Financial support.

If you could help in any way, please contact Ruth (01343 835 946) or Moira and Bob (01343 835 021)

Bible Wordsearch

This month's Bible WordSearch was not found by the webmaster. Sorry.

Blythswood

Collections are made from Burghead, outside the Church Hall (but not obstructing the door) between 1.00 and 1.30 pm on the following Tuesdays [May 25, June 22]. Please don't leave bags at other times.