THE MAGAZINE ONLINE
May 2008______________________________________
Time for Reflection……………….
I’M WRITING this during the week of the third Sunday of Eastertide, continuing to celebrate with joy the Lord’s resurrection, with the ringing out of our Alleluias, and our supreme rejoicing in the message of the promise of LIFE in the Lord.
Last Sunday (6. April) we read in the Gospel of St Luke the very familiar narrative of Jesus’ encounter with disciples on the road to Emmaus and of his being made known to them ‘in the breaking of the bread’.
There is a significant moment here, when the disciples realise that the Lord has risen:
‘Without a moment’s delay they set out and returned to Jerusalem… described what had happened on their journey, and how he had made himself known to them…’ (Luke 24.33,35 REB)
During March’s diocesan course, Leading Your Church Into Growth (LYCIG) in which I took part, we were encouraged to share with a neighbour, for a few minutes, our ‘faith stories’ – aspects of our coming to faith and significant moments on our Christian pilgrimage.
Some admitted they found this difficult. Perhaps they had never engaged in such sharing before.
But several then said they discovered that the exercise opened up for them a realisation of differing highlights from their particular journey in faith and pilgrimage, and brought an increased confidence in using a variety of opportunities to speak of their faith.
Pleasantries
I was reminded yet again of the times in my early years of ministry when I merely talked social pleasantries with those whom I was visiting, doing nothing significant to convey to them the ‘good news’ of forgiveness and life in the Lord which I was charged at my ordination to convey.
I was perhaps 14 years into my ordained ministry before particular formative experiences of the presence of the Lord in my life brought the realisation that I had to take all opportunities given to ‘give account for the faith that is in me’.
All of us on the course were reminded of our baptismal commission:
‘God calls the Church to reflect Christ’s glory, in baptism to
declare Christ’s new life, in fellowship and mission to share it.
Do you accept God’s call?’
And we were reminded of the response we give: ‘We hear and accept God’s call.’
‘Will you proclaim the good news by word and deed, serving Christ in all people?’
‘With the help of God, I will.’ (Revised Baptism Rite 2006 Scottish Episcopal Church)
We seek daily the help of God that we might have courage and forthrightness in proclaiming Jesus as Risen Lord and Saviour.
Revd Canon Kenneth G Stephen, Christ Church, Dalbeattie
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The Mission to Seafarers wins prestigious Seatrade Award
THE Mission to Seafarers was awarded a prestigious Seatrade Award for the Investment in People category at a glittering ceremony in London on Monday April 21.
The Revd Canon Bill Christianson receiving the Seatrade Award from the Mission's President, HRH The Princess Royal, and Mr Clay Maitland, the founder and chairman of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association, the award sponsor
The Mission to Seafarers was awarded the Seatrade Award for Investment in People for its floating seafarers’ centre which this month celebrates its first year serving ships held at anchorage off the East Coast of the United Arab Emirates.
“We are deeply honoured to have been recognised by the shipping industry in this way,” said the secretary general of The Mission to Seafarers, the Revd Canon Bill Christianson. “I would especially like to acknowledge the Revd Stephen Miller, our chaplain in Dubai, who has seen his vision realised, as well as thank the Dubai Committee and local fundraisers without whom the project would not have been possible.”
The international seafarers’ welfare charity beat off stiff competition to claim the award which recognises the “significant contribution to the recruitment, training, retention and advancement of the industry’s most valuable asset, its people.”
“The Flying Angel has been in operation for just over one year and during that time we have welcomed over 3,000 seafarers onboard,” says the Revd Stephen Miller. It is difficult to imagine the isolation they face whilst being held at anchorage, especially if they cannot afford the costly water taxis to shore.
A visit by the Flying Angel means they are able to access the services that seafarers will find in our land-based centres.”
Built at a cost of US$1 million, the Flying Angel serves the 100-plus ships that can be held at the world’s second-largest anchorage at any one time. Since launching in April 2007, The Flying Angel has visited over 197 ships, connected nearly 4,500 telephone calls, provided over 2,300 hours of internet time and distributed nearly 3,000 books, magazines and other items of literature.
(MTS)
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We’re not the English kirk!
After 150 years, it’s time to put the record straight about one of Lanark’s churches, writes Ron Harris.
As Christ Church approaches its historic milestone of a century and a half in existence, its current clergyman is attempting to finally rid it of its traditional but, some claim, totally unfair nickname of ‘The English Kirk’.
Indeed, the Episcopalian place of worship in Hope Street should, by rights, be known as ‘The Tartan Church’ instead, argues Dan Gefvert.
Perhaps taking the purely neutral view you’d expect from a Swedish Lutheran, born, brought up and educated well away from the given history and myths of this country’s religious, cultural and political conflicts, Dan has used the forthcoming anniversary of the founding of his church in Lanark to correct some popular misconceptions about the Scottish Episcopal Church. (DNS)
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Our thanks to Rev. Mr. Okeke and family
We owe a great ‘thank you’ to Rev. Christian Okeke, Curate at St. Silas’ Woodlands for being with us as Celebrant on the two Sundays when Canon Barnabas was having a well-earned rest from his labours.
It was also a pleasure to welcome his wife and son as well as his mother-in-law.
Thank you also to St. Silas’ for allowing him to come and celebrate and preach. Hopefully we might be able to welcome him back again.
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Southside drama a ‘breathtaking moment’
Three churches collaborated along with other locals to stage The Southside Passion in Holy Week. Paul Hibbert reports on the new production which also marked the centenary of St Margaret’s Newlands…‘THIS crowd’s flush, they’ve got deep pockets. The only trouble is they’ve got short arms.’ So said the temple trader at the start of the second act of The Southside Passion.
However, the audiences proved him wrong, as the ticket sales, sponsorship and audience contributions raised a tremendous sum for the work of the Lodging House Mission.
We certainly got our money’s worth.
The cast and crew worked together seamlessly to show us our most cherished story in a new work of art.
Familiar truths were arranged in new, thought-provoking ways. By bringing the story to recent times it was suddenly shocking again.
The play owed much to Deacon Blue frontman Ricky Ross’s original idea and personal drive. But it was also a tremendous piece of teamwork, produced to a professional standard.
Even the transformation of St Margaret’s into a theatre was astonishingly complete. One visitor was convinced that the stage and lighting were permanent fixtures!
If the conversion of the space was astonishing, so was the way in which our friends rose to the challenge of performing a play covering most of Jesus’ life.
The actors were energised and uplifted, and spoke from the heart. How wonderful it was to see such depths in the quiet, reserved people that we knew well, and be surprised and moved by new friends.
Of course, the children were wonderful. As they danced at Cana and welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem, we saw a joy that was released, not acted.
But, as one would expect in a passion play, there was also much sadness and the actors gave of their all in the heart-wrenching scenes.
How deeply we felt Peter’s anger and frustration; how closely we shared in Jesus’ agony in the garden; and how we wept with Mary, on the way of the cross.
Above all, the down-to-earth, loving and beloved Jesus was just right. I will never forget his question, almost at the end of the play: “What were you expecting – someone grander?”
In addition to the excellence on stage, the choir and musicians added further depth and energy to the production, richly complementing the emotional tone of each scene.
They also sang familiar and new tunes so powerfully and so well that they touched our hearts by themselves.
But, as the play powerfully reminded us when we witnessed the disciples squabbling, it is wrong to worry about who is the greatest. Is it the visionaries, writers and gifted performers? Or is it the stalwarts managing in the wings, at the doors and in the kitchens? Or is it (to speak in parables) the gardener who can only stand in the background, while onlookers admire the orchids blooming in the soil he has tilled?
No, no-one stands above another – this was a breathtaking moment in the life of a number of Christian communities united by love and moved by the same Spirit.
In the end, it is the message that is triumphant and, for me, the most moving part was the conclusion.
I’m sure none of the audience will ever forget how the bread was passed into our hands by the disciples, and the drama enacted for us Sunday by Sunday came to be shown to us on the road to Emmaus.
Neither will we forget the closing words, addressed to all who come to know Christ’s passion: ‘We have to share this… with everybody.’
Staged in St Margaret’s for two nights, The Southside Passion was based on Mark’s Gospel. It was a collaborative production with Eastwood Parish Church (CoS) and St Mary’s Pollokshaws (RC).
(DNS)
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Jazz Eucharist for Pentecost
LIVE American jazz provides the setting for the Eucharist at St Mary’s, Hamilton, on Pentecost Sunday (11 May).
John Rapson and a group of jazz musicians from Holy Trinity, Iowa, will lead the Auchingramont Road congregation that day.
Said Rector Ian Barcroft: “Jazz reminds us of the freedom and liberation to improvise.
“Jazz can remind us occasionally that as worshippers we are not simply ‘performers’ who try to repeat exactly what the writer envisioned.
“Together we can create the mood of the ‘author of all being’.
“There’s always a new interpretation, a changing melody, a different harmony, even a new time signature, expressing the challenge in any age of new possibility and a different rhythm to our lives.”
More information about the musicians can be found online at
www.trinityic.org/_howweworship/Music (DNS)____________________________________________________________________
CUMBERNAULD
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 7th May @ 7.30pm. This will be
in the church as our speaker, Elspeth Russell, from
"Project Linus U K " will need the room to show her Quilts.
We hope many church members will join us at this meeting as it open to all. Elspeth, who is Voluntary Co-ordinator Lanarkshire for
Project Linus will bring with examples of her work.
Last month we downloaded the cards from the "National conversation" and discussed the questions asked. We did not have time
to discuss all the questions. The evening did encourage us to think about Scotland`s future.
Hope to see you on Wednesday 7th May at 7.30pm. Tea will be served after the meeting.
Joan McKechnie
Branch Leader.
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Ecumenical Prayer Group
First Monday of the month
11.00am-12noon
(stay for as long or short a time as you like)
Prayer Meeting in the Lady Chapel
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UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE ANGLICAN CHAPLAINCY
Thursday Eucharists have resumed at 12.10pm in the Chaplaincy Centre 90 John Street.
This is the only celebration of an Anglican Eucharist in the City Centre ALL WELCOME
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Overseas companionshipIT’S HARD to believe it’s a year since we welcomed visitors from Kentucky and Byumba for the Growing Together Project, writes GILL YOUNG, convenor of our Companion Dioceses Action Network.A DVD of some of the photos was shown at Synod and is available for anyone interested.
Since those visits we have been exchanging news with both dioceses and continuing our links.
Byumba
The Rev Meg Gillebaud, who has visited us over the years, is retiring from her role in charge of clergy and catechist training in Byumba.
Her successor is Canon Pheneas Zimulinda who was with us last April. He has started his new job and his family have moved from Muhura to Byumba town.
Bishop Onesphore tells us that many more clergy are needed and training is a priority. The Provincial Overseas Committee of the SEC has agreed to help with a grant towards theological training in his diocese.
Our diocesan project is also still running. Over the first two years we sent almost £30,000, in roughly equal allocations, to each of the seven projects we are supporting.
St Andrew’s Milngavie has well established links with Byuma. These started as a personal link with pastor Elson and his parish of Muhura. However, Elson and his family have now been sent to take charge of a distant rural parish. So now as well as support for Muhura, with its new priest, Dismas, they help Elson in his new responsibilities.
Four-hour walk to church
St Andrew’s had raised money to buy a motorbike for Muhura parish which, of course, Elson had to leave behind.
Pastor Samuel, one of our visitors last year, told us: “I have to walk four hours to reach some of my churches.”
That hit home with many of us, and a fundraising project is being started to buy motorbikes for pastors in the remaining six regions of Byumba.
So far we have got ₤1,500, but at ₤2,500 per bike it is very much an ongoing fund! If you wish to contribute or do some fundraising please do contact me.
gill.young@ukonline.co.uk(DNS)
Kentucky News
Kentucky connections continue. Bishop Ted, with wife Barbara, will be one of the bishops visiting the diocese before Lambeth, 11-15 July. Look out for more publicity.
Bob Nesmith, whom we met last April, is continuing to explore the possibility of a micro-credit scheme with Byumba.
Bob has passed on a request from his church, St Matthew’s Louisville, which is seeking a link with Glasgow North-East region and hopes to visit Scotland soon. Another Kentucky church is planning a link with Milngavie.
Do let me know if you already have a link with either of our companion dioceses that’s not mentioned here, or have other overseas interests, so that all information about overseas connections can be drawn together. Resources to help with making new overseas links are always available.
(DNS)
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QUICK NOTES
> AN ART and craft exhibition will raise funds for Christian Aid at St Mary’s, Auchingramont Road, Hamilton, on Saturday 10 May, 10am-4pm.
Exhibitors donate 25% of takings to the charity. To submit paintings or reserve a craft stall, contact Barbara Stobie
(barbarastobie@yahoo.co.uk).>A FUTHER date for your diary is Saturday 30 August when a morning workshop at Holy Trinity, Ayr, will discuss ecological matters including climate change and how these issues may affect us personally and also our churches.
Refreshments and lunch will be provided.
This will be followed in the afternoon by hearing about the work of Church in Society.
bravenet.com