SUNDAY SERVICES O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:1)

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1 Newsletter Crown Church, Inverness September 2017: No. 732 Parish Minister: the Rev (Dr) Peter Donald Probationer Minister: Mrs Heidi Hercus SUNDAY SERVICES O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:1) Sunday 10 September 9.30 am The first service 11 am The second service 6.30 pm Evening Worship Sunday 17 September 9.30 am The first service 11 am The second service 7 pm Barnabas : at St Stephen s Church Sunday 24 September 9.30 am The first service 11 am The second service: with dedication of the organisations 6.30 pm Evening Worship Sunday 1 October 9.30 am The first service 11 am Harvest Thanksgiving Worship 6.30 pm Evening Worship: with Special Prayers Our regular children s group, Treasure Seekers, meets during the second service; the first service is more generally all-age in feel. There will be a weekly Creche still on offer at 11 am. Also, every Friday at 12 noon, prayers at which people may be remembered by name

2 Dear friends FROM THE MINISTER Since we got back from our travels, connecting up with our now dispersed young Donalds, everything has been in full flight, and it s a good time of year. Time that organisations start up again like Boys Brigade and the Friendship Club, the Guild and the choir and others besides. Time that we get back into the swing of Tuesday morning Bible Studies and I hope also an evening option on that, and also Evening Services which allow for questions and discussion, so important for our onward faith journey though not alas just so practical when we gather in the morning with larger numbers. A highlight of our coming back was hearing the fuller account of the outreach in Malawi which two of our members have been leading, and were out again doing earlier this year. Progress there can be physical, in buildings still standing or needing to be built, as well as clearly emotional and spiritual, the support being given to widows and to children. And shortly we shall be sending four other members off to Jamaica, and that will be quite an adventure for them. What a blessing it is to be able to pray for one another and to encourage one another. Whether you travel or not, whether you do something very active within the life of Crown Church (say, with children!) or not, I do hope we can share the sense of how God works in His people. We have our Elders Council now as part of my regular touching base with others to consider spiritual direction in Crown Church. And again I find myself so encouraged by others taking initiatives and thinking things through by my not knowing what all is going on actually, because the church is truly made up of many members. It chimes with that text in Romans 12, where having opened by insisting on the importance of life as well as thought in following Christ, Paul immediately thinks also of lives in the plural, many people s gifts, many people s different amounts of time and possibilities of action. I pray that I might serve faithfully. I pray that you will wish to serve faithfully also. Looking forward in hope as the Holy Spirit gives us guidance. Yours, Peter

3 WALLHANGINGS IN THE CHURCH Amongst those who died in this last month, I would like to make special mention of Mrs Janette Sutherland, in order to acknowledge as we should her wonderful creative work which hangs regularly on the walls of the sanctuary. The pleasure she took in various kinds of crafts was turned to fashioning a large series of hangings for the different seasons of the church year. It is wonderful to have that colour and texture enhancing our hearing of the Word and our seeking to live it out. Janette s work adorns country churches around Inverness also, and our sister church in Kingston, Jamaica, but we are proud and so thankful to have had her worshipping in our midst. As I picture her personal warmth and courage as well as her visual legacy, it affirms how blessed we are as each offers him or herself in service. A YEAR ON WITH YOUNG CROWN SCIO We re nearly a year on now from our first Annual General Meeting of Young Crown SCIO. So you are invited to come on Wednesday 27 th September at 8 pm. When the Kirk Session released people to begin the youth project which became known as Young Crown SCIO, there was clarity that this should run for the long term, at least five years in the first instance. I have been happy to be involved, but even happier at how many others have caught the vision that Christian service and outreach to children and young people in our area needs to meet them on dedicated space, and allowing a lot of time and major commitment. And so these young folk come along, in quite sizeable numbers now, to weekly events either in the church halls or in the schools themselves. Some have gone away on weekends; in other ventures outside help has been welcomed and connections made with youth work across Inverness and Scotland. The energy and love shown by Struan McRoberts as the Coordinator has been outstanding, and again what a joy to know that others have been ready to volunteer to serve alongside him. So whether you know much about what we re doing with children and young people or not, whether you personally give to the project or not, this is a date for your diary! Come to share in giving thanks. Come to share in giving guidance for time to come. Peter

4 A YEAR IN THE BIBLE As I was saying when I taught ministry students from across Scotland recently, there are many ways to structure readings from the Bible in church on a Sunday. The one we have followed now for the last three years is called the Narrative Lectionary, and on 10 September we begin Year Four, which is the last in the series. That encourages us to dwell on the Old Testament for these weeks all the way nearly up to Christmas beginning, as we have done in autumns previous, in the book of Genesis and moving through. But not all of it of course! Just some selections, to keep a narrative thread, i.e. so that we can think about beginnings AND think about follow-on AND think about ultimate goals. Every story will have a beginning, a middle and an end, with the end frequently beyond all that is to be seen for now. So I invite you to be part of our worshipping family, and to come on that journey. Daily readings will fill in at least some of the gaps between Sunday readings, and you might like to give time to those also. Peter The Fair City Singers This teenage girls choir, from Perth, given an excellent and varied performance at Crown Church on the evening of Monday 3rd July. Some 24 young people sang items which included opera, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and "Westering Home". It was a relatively small audience but was augmented by friends of the singers and at least one couple from America who happened to be passing the church. The entertainment included solos, duets and one of the choir members also give a performance on the fiddle, both accompanying the choir and as soloist. An old favourite "the Dark Island" was included in her repertoire. The choir conductor and accompanying pianist deserve congratulations for what was an excellent evening of entertainment.

5 AMAZING IRAQI WOMEN When Mosul was captured by Isis in 2014, many Christians in the west changed their social media profile pictures to the Arabic 'n' sign the symbol used by ISIS to identify Christians. But now these Iraqi Christians have found another use for the sign... When ISIS captured Mosul in 2014 they branded the houses of Christians with the Arabic letter N, 'nun', for Nazarene to indicate the inhabitants were followers of Jesus. Christians were given three options: pay a fine, flee or be killed. Unable to pay the fine, many Christians fled and now live as displaced people in surrounding countries or perhaps even further afield. But now the 'nun' symbol has a new purpose. While in Jordan, the Bible Society met a group of amazing Iraqi women who are embroidering bookmarks with the nun symbol. Unable to get jobs in Jordan due to their nationality, they're selling these bookmarks to make a living. They can work at home and not get into trouble for leaving the house. Making the bookmarks is having a big impact on women in Jordan. 'The money from that means that I can buy shampoo and basic medicine if someone is ill,' Maryam explains. She hadn't sewn being introduced to making bookmarks, but now it's her only source of income. 'It restores my dignity because I can do this. I love the idea of it and like sewing them all.' What had been a sign of loss, has become a sign of life. ***************************** Millburn Academy is organising a Christmas Fayre on Monday 4th December from 6pm. and are looking for crafters interested in taking a table for 15. Anyone interested should contact Emily ejstokes@yahoo.co.uk Muriel Choppy

6 Young Crown Summer 2017: Looking back, then forward. Dear reader, Thank you so much for your interest in the activities of Young Crown. At the time of this newsletter s creation, there is simply too much to be thankful for + prepare for to write about any of it at length. As someone who causes the wonderful editors of this newsletter enough headaches, I m going to try and be brief so here s a short list for your delectation Over the summer: We ran three clubs including Energize on Thursdays; LP Club and Kick on Fridays. This meant we provided a space of fun, games, enjoyment and Christian nurture for children from nursery up to S2. These clubs were reasonably well attended and also very appreciated by families as well as the children themselves. We explored all sorts of different Bible teaching from looking at Jesus miracles with the youngest, through exploring in depth the Prodigal Son with upper Primary and looking at themes with the older children. We ve had five young men going through the Youth Alpha course over the summer. We had some great conversations with families interested in getting a little more involved with other church activities which was an unexpected bonus. Well, I say unexpected, but I invite you to re-read my previous article on God multiplying our efforts! So much to give thanks and praise for! But I can t fill an article with just looking back, because there s SO MUCH to do going forward! Including: Toddler groups: We have spent a good deal of time supporting the toddler groups on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, generally ensuring the kitchen activities are all dealt with. A simple but very appreciated ministry of service. We could really do with some more volunteers to join the rota one or two mornings per month. Could this be you? (continued on next page)

7 (continued from previous page) YFC touring teams: After the success of last year s visit to Millburn Academy, we re bringing the YFC teams back, but this year we re bigger and better with mission teams focussed on music, dance and football! Could you help out? We need to house 18 people from the 29th Oct 4 th Nov, and also give them an evening meal together on Monday Friday evenings that week. Could you host, or could you cook? Drop In: The Millburn Academy youth worker drop in has changed to Thursday lunchtimes due to the school s new timetable. We could use an extra volunteer or two to come, serve hot chocolate and hang out with the young people. Do you know anyone who could help out? Friday Drop In: Alongside the change to Thursday for the school drop in; we ve got an opportunity to help many people at the same time The new timetable sees Millburn pupils off on Friday afternoons. This has led to a lot of them heading into town and perhaps not being quite welcome where they have gone. We want to at least trial the idea of running a drop in club for them right here at Crown Church giving the young people a place where they most definitely are welcome; as well as serving local people and traders who feel perhaps a bit overwhelmed with lots of young people suddenly upon them. Could you be involved? SU at Crown Primary: Is re-starting after the October holidays. We re always on the hunt for new team members! Weekends Away: We re taking a bunch of P5-7s away for an adventure weekend from September. And some S1-6s away on November. Prayers appreciated for these There s more, but I fear I may already have exceeded the reader s (and editors!) limits with all of that. As ever, thanks for prayers and support. Struan

8 MAFIA (MILLBURN ACADEMY FRIENDS IN ACTION) FUNDRAISING EVENT Indian Cookery Demonstration and Indian Buffet Meal on Monday 18th September 2017 at 6.30 pm in Cinnamon Restaurant Tickets 15 - or 12 for under 16s Friends and family very welcome (Please for tickets)

9 We are grateful to the Rev Morven Archer for these pictures of the "prayer spaces" initiative which took place at the end of July.

10 We are equqlly grateful to Heidi for these photographs which represent a truly memorable record of the trip to Iona to scatter her father's ashes.

11 Remember, these lovely photographs can be viewed in colour on the church website!

12 LIFE AND WORK AUGUST 2017 Scotland s Crosses John R Hume looks at what we know about the country s oldest Christian monuments The Kirk, the Festival and the Fringe Bruce Cannon looks back at the Church of Scotland s key role in Edinburgh s August festivals, which celebrate their 70 th anniversaries this year Ministers of the Future Jackie Macadam catches up with the three would-be ministers we are following on their journey to a parish My Journey Has Been Long and Difficult Interview with the Rev Boitumelo Johanna Gaborone, a South African minister who attended this year s General Assembly A Role Model for Malawi Thomas Baldwin learns about the work of Pansi Katenga, country manager for Christian Aid in Malawi The Gift of Life A donor, surgeon and assessor, all with Church connections, give their experiences of altruistic kidney donation We Live in Hope Calum MacSween reports on a pilgrimage with a difference to the Holy Land Plus news, reviews, letters, registers and crosswords, from as little as 1.75 an issue (12 month digital subscription). Speak to your church s Life and Work coordinator or visit for print and digital subscriptions. Online: The Best of James Simpson Every Monday over the summer at our much-loved columnist chooses his favourite meditations from his 10+ writing for Life and Work Find us on Facebook and follow us on

13 The Reverend Dr Margaret Rae McDonald Forrester Rev Dr Margaret Rae McDonald Forrester (76) has been awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity for being part of a group of women who, in 1967, petitioned the General Assembly to allow women to be ministers of Word and Sacrament. The move, which was met with fierce resistance and anger at the time, led to the landmark ruling by the Assembly in favour of the proposal the following year. It was the culmination of an issue which arose in 1963 when Mary Levison, then an assistant chaplain at the University of Edinburgh, asked the General Assembly to ordain the position but was met with deaf ears. This is really an honour for everyone who was involved in that struggle and I accept it on their behalf too, Dr Forrester said. I worked with five other great women to ensure the proposal was debated in the Assembly because, remember, at that time, women couldn t even debate in the hall. My thanks also go to the great men who supported our cause and debated so well that day. For me, it has always been a question of education, said the retired minister. The words struggle or fight don t come easily for me. Education was key in understanding the Bible. I still have a sense of wonder and awe that I was caught up in God s plan for reform of the Church. There were great women and great men involved in this reform. Ultimately it was men who voted for this. (Text from the Church of Scotland website. Photograph courtesy of the University of Edinburgh)

14 BARNABAS MUSICAL: A lively Christian musical about the biblical figure of Barnabas by Roger Jones will be performed by Christian Music Ministries and four local church choirs, including our own, on Sunday 17 September, 7 pm at St Stephen s Church. Get your free tickets from any choir member. Donations can be given at the door. Any profits will go to Christian Aid. For more information contact Katharina Nimmo CROWN CHURCH CHOIR: We start up again on Thursday 7th September at 7.00pm in the Small Hall. Any singers welcome! For more information please contact Brigid Donald. CHURCH FAMILY OUTING TO KINCRAIG The coach to Kincraig Wildlife Park on Saturday, 9 th September will leave the church at 1 pm, and return at approximately 5.45 pm. There will be no charge for entry into the Park or the coach, but you may buy your own refreshments (or bring them with you as there are plenty of picnic areas). So whatever age you are 2 or 80! you will be welcome! There will be a tour round the park to start with at 2 pm, and then those able may go off exploring on foot, while others may choose to stay in the café and watch the wildlife from the observation window. There is also a well stocked shop.there are some animals within a short walking distance, ie red pandas, lynx, wildcat. Activities will be provided for the youngsters as well. Anyone wishing transport to or from the church please let Ruby know. Let s hope the sun shines! (Regrettably there are no seats left on the coach) Ruby Coe

15 The Leprosy Mission Coffee Morning The local Committee is holding its annual Coffee Morning on Saturday 7th October at 10am in the Free North Church Hall, Church Street (via the gate between New Start and the Clansman Hotel ). Tickets are available from Marion Barbour at 3 each or at the door. Offers of baking or donations for the sales table are welcome. Marion will uplift, if necessary. T Please support this worthwhile cause. Marion Barbour The Guild After having three very successful summer coffee mornings we are now thinking ahead to the new session. The committee have been busy making as interesting a syllabus as possible hoping that there will be plenty to interest everyone. The Dedication Service is on the 17th September and our first Guild evening is on September 19th when we meet Reay Macgill and Chrisanne Robertson for an update on their project in Malawi. We look forward to welcoming old and new members on that date. The syllabus includes Old Inverness on film, Street Pastors, miniature quilts, home security, a musical quiz and the Haiti Project among other topics. We have a Christmas meal and a visit to the panto. It is our turn to provide the entertainment at Cameron House for the month of September. The dates we are going are 13th ( the week before our new session begins) and 27th when we will be having a singalong so we need as many Guild ladies as possible there to swell the singing. Please meet there for a 2pm start. It is up to us to keep the spirit of the Guild going. Worryingly numbers are falling but our Guild is still one of the largest in the area. Let us keep it that way! Dorothy Mein Guild Correspondent

16 Next stop Kingston Jamaica! Our intrepid team of Heidi Hercus, Lena Clarke, Mairi Fraser and Pat Crippin are preparing to visit our partners in North Street United Church, Kingston in time for the graduation of the first Crown sponsored secondary school students on 15th September and the church's 140th anniversary on Sunday 17th September.... and we'd like to add a little something to their luggage!! Working in a very deprived area, our partner Church supplies the school of 230 students with all their stationery, so would really welcome donations of pencils, pens, rubbers, rulers and exercise books. Scottish themed e.g. tartan patterns, sheep, Highland cows etc would be brilliant. Carriage/postage costs are prohibitive so this is a great opportunity. Heidi has a box for donations in the church office... latest gifts by Sunday 10th please. Many thanks from the Outreach Team. ***************** Stay on for Soup! Over my year here we have had some lovely opportunities for fellowship over soup lunches and I just love it! Many of you will know I find great joy being with "my family" at Crown and I do believe you all like being together too. So with a few like minded folk, we have thought of bringing back the Soup Lunches in the winter months. Days can be long and lonely especially during the Winter months. It is good when people are together. So the hope is to have a simple soup lunch from the months of October-March, once a month after the 11am service, starting Sunday 29th October. A team will be formed and we will work closely with Treasure Seekers Staff and the Coffee crew to make sure this can all work for us smoothly, and all can enjoy this time together. If you would be willing to make an occasional pot of soup for this fellowship, please see me. Heidi

17 Highland Foodbank - Harvest 2017 Harvest Thanksgiving continues to be the most appropriate time to reflect on the needs of others and a very significant time of year for giving to Foodbank from Highland Churches. Foodbank has provided a high level of help to families and individuals in crisis, over 6000 people have been helped throughout the Highlands. Foodbank has a shopping list of items they re- quire:- Tins of Ham UHT Milk Tins of Potatoes Tins of Fruit Packets of Biscuits Shower Gel Donations of used or new ' bags for life' would also be very welcome and much appreciated. The Harvest Thanksgiving Service will be on Sunday 1st October. As we reflect on the bounty given to us by our Lord let us not forget those in need. Many thanks for your support. Liz Gray ************** Save the date! Make a note in your diary to save the date to join us at our St Andrew 's Ceilidh on Saturday 25th November to celebrate 30 years of Launchpad. Eileen Ardern

18 Daily Bible Readings for September 2017 September 3, 2017 Sunday, 1 Samuel 21:1-9, Matthew 12:1-8 or Mark 14:12-25, The Lord s Supper Monday, Psalm 43, Grace Tuesday, Romans 3:23-24, Justified by Grace Wednesday, Romans 8:8, Definition of Grace Thursday, Ephesians 2:4-5, 8, By Grace We Are Saved Friday, Lamentations 3:24-25, Hope in the Lord Saturday, Psalm 33, Hope in God September 10, 2017 Sunday, Genesis 1:1 2:4a, Creation by the Word Monday, Genesis 2:4b-25, A Second Account of Creation Tuesday, Genesis 3:1-13, The First Sin Wednesday, Genesis 3:14-24, Punishment Thursday, Genesis 4:1-16, Cain Murders Abel Friday, Genesis 4:1-26, Beginnings of Civilization Saturday, Genesis 18:1-15, A Son Promised to Abraham and Sarah September 17, 2017 Sunday, Genesis 21:1-3; 22:1-14, Binding of Isaac Monday, Genesis 24:1-27, Choosing of Rebekah Tuesday, Genesis 24:28-49, Choosing of Rebekah Wednesday, Genesis 24:50-67, Marriage of Isaac and Rebekah Thursday, Genesis 25:19-28, The Birth of Esau and Jacob Friday, Genesis 25:29-34, Esau Sells His Birthright Saturday, Genesis 26:1-33, Isaac and Abimelech September 24, 2017 Sunday, Genesis 27:1-4, 15-23; 28:10-17, Jacob s Dream Monday, Genesis 27:30-40, Esau s Lost Blessing Tuesday, Genesis 27:41-28:5, Jacob Escapes Wednesday, Genesis 28:6-9, Esau Marries Ishmael s Daughter Thursday, Genesis 29:1-14, Jacob Meets Rachel Friday, Genesis 29:15-35, Jacob Marries Laban s Daughters Saturday, Genesis 30:1-24, Rachel s Jealousy October 1, 2017 Sunday, Exodus 2:23-25; 3:10-15; 4:10-17, God s Name Is Revealed Monday, Exodus 6:28-7:7, Moses and Aaron Obey God s Commands Tuesday, Exodus 12:1-13, The First Passover Wednesday, Exodus 12:29-42, Death of the Firstborn Thursday, Exodus 13:17-22, The Pillars of Cloud and Fire Friday, Exodus 14:1-25, Crossing the Red Sea Saturday, Exodus 14:26-31, Pursuers Drowned

19 CONTACTS MINISTER Rev Dr Peter Donald, PROBATIONER MINISTER Mrs Heidi Hercus, Church Vestry, OLM ASSISTANT Rev Morven Archer, YOUTH WORKER Struan McRoberts, SESSION CLERK Brian Macgill, ORGANIST/CHOIRMASTER Brigid Donald, SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPT Patricia MS Crippin, BOARD CHAIRMAN Bill Mein, LERK TO BOARD Judith Macleod, TREASURER Donald MacKenzie, FREEWILL OFFERINGS Robert Shanks GIFT AID TREASURER Robert Hendry, CHURCH SECRETARY Gloria Mackintosh, Church Office SAFEGUARDING Lynn Forbes FACILITIES -CONVENER Gordon Cameron David MacLellan HALLS BOOKINGS Irene Whyte, CARETAKER Eilidh Ross GUILD SECRETARY Adrienne Adie LADY VISITORS Jane Wilson FLOWERS CONVENER Ruby Coe NEWSLETTER EDITORS Bob & M Forrest CHURCH OFFICE Crown Church Tues-Fri ( ) office@crown-church.co.uk WEBSITE Sept Oct 1 8 Readers Communion David Crippin Chrisanne Robertson Eddie Adie Alice Morrison Alastair Macleod Creche Kay MacDonald & Sheena Ferguson Helen Grant & Irene Munro Jane Smith & Reay Macgill Muriel Choppy & Rhona Mackenzie Marjory MacKenzie & Sheena Ferguson Helen Grant & Kay Macdonald Communion Coffee Alison Caird, Lena Clarke, Isabelle MacKenzie Eleanor Ross, Janet MacPherson, Mairi Main Marion Barbour, Seonaid MacLellan, Mary Ann Buchanan Liz Forbes, Irene Munro, Irene Sutherland Vi Gollan, E Ardern, Kimm Currie September Count Team Pat Douglas Heather Beck, Robert & Aileen Laing, Helen Boynton October Count Team Sheena Ferguson Ian Akers, Richard Ardern, Alastair MacPherson, Robert Shanks September Welcome Team North Door Chrisanne & Stewart Robertson South Door Evelyn Reid Midmills North Robert & Aileen Laing Midmills South Elspeth Gibson October Welcome Team North Door MarjoryMacKenzie & Ann Johnston South Door Valerie Little & Alister MacCallum Midmills North Lucy & David Livingston Midmills South Seonaid MacLellan

20 NEWS OF THE CHURCH FAMILY DEATHS Mrs Janette Sutherland, on 5 August Mr David Main on 5 August Miss Susan MacLennan 19 August Mr Donnie Godsman,on 23 August Mrs Elsie Williamson,on 23 August Mr Ronald Mackay on 23 August Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15) The Halls Management Committee have decided that to help the congregation and the people who use the halls to find items left behind there should be - Some changes about Lost Property Items left in the Sanctuary are to be held in the front pew of the right hand transept as usual for a time. Then they may be moved to storage. Things left anywhere else in the Halls will be kept for one - two weeks in a box on the windowsill at the Midmills Road end of the Lower Hall. They will then be moved to storage. To access the store, please speak to the Church secretary Gloria during office hours or phone the Lettings Officer Irene Whyte. Items reaching the store will be kept for six weeks and may then be given to charity, recycled or disposed of. Joan Merchant The copy deadline for the next Newsletter will be Sunday 24th September. Contributions should be sent to the Forrests or left in the "F" pigeonhole. Please note that the newsletter can also be accessed via the church website where you will be able to see all the photographs in colour Published by Crown Church, Inverness (Church of Scotland) Registered Charity SC The Church website is to be found at