news

This is the
churches' news-sheet
for
March 2010

From the Manse . . .

It is a fact of life that we all face trials and tribulations that drag us down. It may be the result of an illness or the loss of a friendship or loved one. The Old Testament writer of the Book oif Ecclesiastes, (which may or may not have been Solomon) came to the conclusion that 'the same fate comes to all whether good or bad' Reading through the book you may be left wondering why in earth it was ever included in the Scriptures with its gloomy and pessimistic view on life! It does, however, serve to remind us that Christians don't float 6 feet above the ground We are as prone to the downside of life and anyone else. To that extent Ecclesiastes is right.

Perhaps there is a difference though. Recall the parable Jesus told about the two builders, one building his house on sand, and the other on rock. Until the flood waters rose, the same fate befell the two men, but the end of the story is different because one house was swept away while the other stood on its firm foundations. A simple story and so true of the storms we often have to face in life. What happens in the end is not determined by the outward circumstances, but by what is within you. That still small voice that keeps us going, when all that we hold dear appears to be collapsing. If our inner foundations are secure, and if we have faith in God and are convinced that he will always stand by us, then we have reserves of strength to help us get over any time of trial and to see beyond this present darkness.

Our troubles and difficulties won't suddenly go away , but once shared with God, they become much more bearable. ' . . . that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his glorious light! ' (1 Peter 2;9)

Why not spend a little time with God today and recharge your inner spirit?
Oh yes, and by the way . . . don't let the pessimists of life get you down!

May God bless you and keep you. Yours aye, Duncan.

Lent Challenge live for one week on food parcel !

CHRISTIANS taking up a national Church Action on Poverty (CAP) challenge have been living as refused asylum-seekers for a week in Lent. The Home Office allows refused asylum-seekers two weeks to leave their accommodation, after which the £ 37-a-week financial provision ceases. Some receive a basic food parcel from projects such as the Boaz Trust in Greater Manchester, which works in conjunction with the Rad Cross.

Those undertaking the Lent Endurance Challenge are exchanging their weekly food budget for such a parcel. It contains 10 items of tinned goods per person, and 250g each of dried pasta, rice, sugar, semolina, and salt. It also contains one sliced loaf, 12 tea bags, one carton of juice and one of milk, a bottle of vegetable oil, a packet of biscuits, a bar of chocolate, salted peanuts, and a few pieces of fruit and vegetable. Each box costs £ 10.

Andrew Halstead, a lay minister on the Oldham Methodist circuit, said his family of four had been hungrier at mealtimes, and appreciated the food more. 'You've got what you've got and you have to make it work for yourselves.' he said, although, unlike his family, refused asylum-seekers might be on the streets, with no means of cooking the food items, or keeping the one carton of milk fresh. 'The advantage was that with four of us doing it we had four cartons of milk, and could open one at a time', he said. His family usually spends between £ 100 and £ 120 per week and Mr Halstead asknowledged: 'We couldn't live like that for ever, but we managed on it. It made us ask, after we'd done this, what we were buying and why we were buying it. We're not beating ourselves up over it, but we're just buying from week to week now, and only what we need.. And we're happy buying the smart-price stuff.'

Basic food parcels often come about because of the good will and charity of faith and community groups, says CAP. It accuses government policies on immigration and asylum of creating 'living ghosts'. Many feel their grounds for claiming asylum have been poorly represented, or they simply fear returning to their home country. They are essentially airbrushed out of existence as 'failed' asylum-seekers. But they remain here, and this goes unnoticed by society.

Moderator hits our at 'destructive' selfish society

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland today hit out at Britain's 'destructive' selfish society in his message for Lent.

Right Reverend Bill Hewitt urged people to sacrifice their time and talents in service to their neighbour rather than pursuing individual greed. The Moderator said: 'This Lent I'm calling on Kirk members to take something up, rather than give something up.. Many people use the discipline of these weeks to give up chocolate or fish suppers or the like, but I prefer the idea of Lent being a time of giving of ourselves in service to others. This runs contrary to a culture that suggests that the only thing that motivates people is money. As Christian people we are not motivated by financial gain or by living hedonistic celebrity lifestyles, but instead by humbly serving others. Selfish desires lead us on the path to social and moral destruction. No one can fail to see the devastating effect the selfish pursuit of money has had in the financial sector and beyond. The 40 days of fasting and prayer before Easter represent the time Jesus spent in the desert overcoming the temptations to use power in the pursuit of wealth, fame and popularity. These same temptations face us today. Jesus chose to follow God by humbly serving others and so should we.

Easter Services . . .

'LET'S CELEBRATE EASTER 2010'
Palm Sunday 28th March 1130 Burghead Kirk

Maundy Thursday 1st April
Together in Kinloss Church 7.30pm
'Twas on that night
Service with an informal celebration of the Last Supper

Easter Sunday 4th April
Carsehill by Alves at 8.00 am
Outdoor Service followed by Coffee and Croissants in Alves Church
(Please share cars where possible)

Burghead Kirk 11.30
Easter Morning Service

Church Roll

Funeral
15 February 2010 Alex-James Cumming of Burghead

Bible Wordsearch No 174 'The vicious vinekeepers'

If you are reading this, you can find the puzzle at
http://biblewordgames.com/wordsearchintropage.html

And Finally . . . .

'So far today, God, I've done all right. I haven't gossiped, lost my temper, been greedy, grumpy, selfish or indulgent. I'm thankful for that. But in a few minuted, God, I'm getting out of this bed and from then on I'm probably going to need a lot more help. Amen'

. . . . . . . and if you are driving this week, remember that the most dangerous part of the car is the nut that holds the wheel.