CROSSTALK. Winter Musings from the manse. Christmas

Transcription

1 CROSSTALK Winter 2014 Congregation No Scottish Charity No. SCO15579 Musings from the manse Christmas I recently watched the dvd of the BBC series The Big Silence It was made some time ago now, in 2010, and is about 5 people - Carrie, David, Helen, Jon and Trish, who volunteer to go on a silent retreat for a week at Worth Abbey monastery. They are to do everything in silence, except a brief period each day with their spiritual director. The retreat is led by a Benedictine monk called Father Christopher Jamieson, and he encourages each individual to build time for silence into their lives, as he believes that it is often in silence that people meet with God. He says: When we enter into periods of silence, we start to see things with greater clarity. We come to know ourselves, and come in touch with that deepest part of ourselves. It is called our soul. It was a fascinating series. At the beginning the participants are bored, and some of them want to escape to the pub. But as time goes on, the silence becomes their friend, and allows them to find out unexpected things about themselves, and to come closer to God. It is well worth watching, to see how the retreat, and then building silence into their daily routine, really changes things for them. (Continued on page 2) A CHURCH OF SCOTLAND PARISH CHURCH Page 1

2 In the midst of the busyness of the lead up to Christmas, rain and traffic jams and buying of presents and food, Advent often becomes the hardest time of the year, full of stress and worry and argument. However reality is, that if we make time for silence and for prayer, then we will be so rooted in God, that the stresses and strains will lessen, as we see more clearly what is really important. In Psalm 46 it says: Be still, and know that I am God. That is the best advice we could ever be given - just to stop running about and trying to do more. Maybe it is ok to do less, not to try to make so many elaborate plans, and just to simplify things. It is the spirit behind something that is important, rather than all the elaborate details. In the Christmas hymn O little town of Bethlehem it says about the birth of Jesus Christ: How silently, how silently, The wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessing of his heaven. No ear may hear His coming, But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him, still The dear Christ enters in. The mystery of God coming to earth in human form, is so profound, so full of mystery and awe, that words are not really enough. They just point the direction in which we are to look. To be open to the love of Jesus Christ, that Baby born in Bethlehem, we need to quieten our hearts, to still our souls, and to receive him in. That is challenge enough. And so I wish you a peaceful Christmas, with times of quiet and stillness in the rhythm of each day, where you can know and feel the truth of the love of our Saviour Jesus Christ for yourself. With prayerful Christmas Greetings, Fiona Gardner Page 2

3 Letters and Notice Board A Warm Welcome! We are delighted to welcome our new probationer minister Barbara Suchanek- Seitz to our congregation for her 15 month placement. Barbara is from Helensburgh, and travels over to us by train. Barbara has written an article for the magazine to introduce herself to us, and we remember her and her family in our prayers, as she settles in and begins to get to know us better. The deadline for the Spring edition of Crosstalk is Sunday 15th February 2015 Articles can be handed to me on a Sunday (I ll do the typing!) or ed to: michaelgraemeshanks@gmail.com or any other way you can think to get the information to me! Michael Shanks Upcoming safeguarding training 3rd February St James in Pollok, 7pm to 9.30pm 28th April 2015, Ruchill Kelvinside, 7pm to 9.30pm Anyone wishing to attend should let Evelyn Greechan or the minister know. Congratulations to Clare and Paul Grady on the birth of their beautiful daughter Jessica! We are so glad all is going well, and wish you every blessing, as you all get to know one another. A word of appreciation to Cassie Forbes, who has been willing to take on the role of Clerk to the Board for just now. We are grateful to you for your calmness and efficiency. Parish Register Deceased - "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" Mrs K Munn Ascot (7) New members - We extend a warm welcome to those joining our congregation Lily Fergusson Glencoe Place (12) Page 3

4 Treasurer s Report I had a pretty serious report in the last edition of Crosstalk and was hoping to have a light hearted one this time but unfortunately as our finances have not improved greatly it will need to be a serious report once again. As my great niece says to me at times How is Mr Grumpy doing today. Mind you this is usually after I have given her a row for something.. Personally I have no reason to be grumpy at the moment as I am shortly off to Florida to play golf in the sunshine. As I always say to her indoors I only go to make up the numbers. Well I do say it with tongue in cheek. Or maybe it is just cheek!!!!!! To give you a comparison on givings to 30 th September over last three years they have been as follows Plate ,104: ,590: ,529: WFO ,265 : , Although the drop in givings from 2013 to 2014 is not too bad it is still a reduction and considering the drop 2012 to 2013 it is very worrying. I know that a good number of our congregation are very generously givers but there are others who I am sure could do better. Remember a 1 per week increase from every member would bring in 16,640 per annum plus gift aid of 4,160 if everyone was able to gift aid. Which reminds me of my usual plug IF YOU PAY TAX AND HAVE NOT YET SIGNED A GIFT AID TAX FORM PLEASE CONTACT ELISABETH ROBERTSON ON TELEPHONE NUMBER Therefore it does not need a big increase from everyone to rectify the position. I have not yet been informed of the contribution we have to make to the Church for 2015 but I know it will be around 58,000. Our contribution is based on a three year average of income and is around 60% of income The contribution for 2015 is therefore based on income 2011, 2012 and We also have Presbytery Dues of around 3,000 in Cont... Page 4

5 Therefore before we pay any other bills we have to find around 61,000 in As I have stated before we are quite fortunate that we have saved or should I say put money into a Reserve Fund over the years to ensure that if we do have a bad year we can cover it. That is okay for say one or maybe even two or three bad years but not ongoing therefore we really have to address our decrease in givings now rather than let it be ongoing. We still have to remember to give to others and over the last few months we have given by way of collections to Tearfund Appeals plus we sent them gift aid forms totalling 384 which will raise a further 96. Christion Aid was sent a total of re Gazza and Iraq Appeals and was sent to the Scottish Bible Society. To date in total this year we have given (excluding gift aid) 3, and I am pleased to say this is up on last year. Another thing which is up this year is my golf handicap which is of no use to anyone to know about but I thought I would just mention it anyway. Once again I did not enjoy writing this report and I am hoping with everyone s help I will be able to write a light hearted report next time. We have had decreases in the past and have addressed them therefore I am sure with everyone s help we can address this problem once more. Fergus A Place for Hope We continue to work with Place for Hope over the months to come, and seek to learn more about how we can relate to one another in positive and helpful ways, and to build relationships in our congregation and beyond. Please pray for this process, as it continues through a series of workshops. Fiona Page 5

6 Messy Church Messy church continues once a month, for people of all ages, from babies of a couple of months to senior citizens. It uses the values of creativity, celebration and hospitality to encourage people to explore the love of God in Jesus Christ. Thanks so much to our team for working so well to put everything together! Our Christmas Messy church is on Saturday 20th December from pm. All welcome. Vision In October/ November, we have been reflecting a little on our vision for our church family. We are aware of our place in the Presbytery plan of Glasgow Presbytery, and we also seek to try and build up our Christian community - life and witness - here in this place. We are praying about better admin and space to develop this, and more helpers, especially new elders, to help us as we build. If you have any thoughts or ideas regarding this, please do let me know. And please pray for God s will to be done. New Website In the next few weeks we will be launching a new Temple Anniesland Church website. The communications team have been busy behind the scenes making sure everything works okay. The web address is unchanged: So keep checking back over the next few weeks to see the new website go live! Page 6

7 247 Boys Brigade We have twenty two boys in total across our three sections, who come along each week and enjoy the games and activities that are planned. We have taken part in some outdoor activities recently. Firstly, with the four older boys in Company Section, we headed off to Callander at the end of September for a weekend camp. The boys had a great time and enjoyed visiting Blair Drummond Safari Park on the Saturday afternoon. We were very fortunate in that, during the day, the weather was warm and dry, although it was a tad chilly at night to say the least! Our next adventure in the great outdoors was to PGL in Dalguise on the weekend of 24th October. Fourteen boys from Junior and Company Sections were busy all weekend canoeing, raft building, mountain biking and learning how to survive in the wilderness, to name but a few of their activities. Again, we were blessed with good weather and the boys really only got wet when they fell off their raft or jumped into the water when canoeing. However, the rain did start on the Sunday at teatime, just as the boys were playing outdoor games... So we did bring home some very tired and muddy children. We have many more activities planned and hope to have a visit to the helipad in the near future. Oh, how could I forget... the leaders also enjoyed a team building weekend to London at the beginning of October. The bus journey down, is one that we will never forget! Gail Grieve Page 7

8 May I introduce myself... My name is Barbara Suchanek-Seitz. Roughly a month ago I started as a probationary minister here in Temple Anniesland and am delighted with the opportunity. I have just finished the necessary university courses to become a minister in Scotland at Trinity College in Glasgow and feel privileged to now continue to learn in Temple Anniesland. I was born and grew up in Kassel, Germany (somewhere between Frankfurt and Hannover), where both my parents served as ministers although my father, discerning his practical gifts, became a social worker in his later years. I have a younger brother Jan who has been fascinated with computers since the first C64 hit the market and now works in programming and system administration in the South of Germany. My school years were quite uneventful, until in my final year I met my husband Bjoern and a few years later we got engaged on a holiday in Scotland (near Pitlochy)! Little did we know then that this would be our future home. Having passed my Highers with some trepidation as two sciences were obligatory (not my strong point!) - I studied Theology and English Language and Literatures in the nearby university towns of Goettingen and Marburg a time I look back to with fondness and which was, through friends and professors, formative for my faith and theological thinking. I began my working life, however, as a teacher for adults and as a journalist in Germany both jobs I enjoyed greatly and so it was not until I came to Scotland and had to rethink my priorities in life that, after long reflection, I applied for the ministry. As I brought a degree from Germany, studies in Scotland were not too onerous, but I did have to brush up on Scottish Church History and similar subjects. All in all, however, I could concentrate on the practical work on placements and I am grateful for predominately positive experiences in very varied congregations and for a real affirmation of my calling. Page 8

9 I married Bjoern just before finishing my first degree, who now lectures nuclear physics at Glasgow University and in 2003 our daughter Annika was born. She was eleven in August and lives and breathes horses. We have come to Scotland eight years ago, because of my husband s job. All three of us enjoy living in Helensburgh a wonderful place to bring up children - and feel quite settled in Scotland. I enjoy reading and knitting or just being with my wee family. I love singing and joined a local choir (although practice times are too awkward now for me to continue this commitment) and I watch all episodes of Dr Who and Strictly, when I can - hurray for autumn evenings before the living room fire. I am excited about the year to come, and am looking forward to meeting you all, to live and to worship among you and to grow in my ministry. Every blessing, Barbara The Guild We are well into our session and the format now is to have a speaker on alternate weeks and tea & chat on the other week. This is proving to be popular and in fact we had the local community policeman on the first tea & chat day which proved to be both interesting and informative regarding security in the home! Please think about coming along any Tuesday, either when there is something on the syllabus that appeals to you or to our tea & chat day where you will be made most welcome. Remember we are a good bunch of ladies and I am sure that there will be some folks in the congregation who would enjoy our Tuesday Afternoon Guild. Fay Platt Page 9

10 Love at Christmas Our world is constantly changing and this summer has seen a mixed bag of fortunes for some, with the world lurching from one crisis to another. The Scottish Referendum the rise of ISiL and the Ebola crisis to name just a few. These events have happened in different locations around the world, yet because of the connected nature of our world, they have sparked interest in far flung places around the globe and have occurred under the full and unforgiving glare of the world s media spotlight. These events do show different ways that change can happen, peaceful, forceful and natural process. The end result, the status quo is altered for good or bad, time will tell. We are heading ever closer to the festive season and that means in the church Advent leading up to Christmas. Christmas is good news for all and that is something we can all do with based on current world events. It is refreshing to focus on something permanent and everlasting, the love God has for his people. That Love was aptly demonstrated by God sending his only son Jesus Christ at the first Christmas to be born among us, experience the human condition and later show the full depth of his Love. At Christmas our thoughts are drawn to Jesus and his all-embracing love for us. I wonder what our definition of Love would be? Love is Submitting to the Will of our Lord. Love is Making time for Prayer. Love is having a mutual Respect and Tolerance for differences in culture; Love is having Patience, making space and taking the time to Listen. Love is showing Compassion and Forgiveness Love is never passive but Active in helping at the point of Need. Love is Being Involved, operating outside of our comfort zone. Love is Giving Freely of the Gifts Our Lord has blessed us with. Love is ultimately Sacrificial in nature. The embodiment of these features of love is best defined by example, in the character of Jesus Christ. Christmas would not be Christmas without presents given and received, yet the best present we can give has no monetary value, the testimony of our life, lived under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and serving our Lord Jesus Christ. John Brown Page 10

11 Hymns and their writers Christians Awake, Salute The Happy Morn (John Byrom ) He lived in Manchester with his daughter Dolly who, when asked what she would like for Christmas, replied Please write me a poem. When she came down on Christmas morn, she found on her plate a piece of paper Christmas Day for Dolly and this was the hymn. Soon after, John Wainwright, the organist of Manchester church (now Cathedral) heard it and composed the tune for it. On the following Christmas morning, Byrom and his daughter were awakened by the cathedral choir under their windows singing his hymn. What a Friend We Have in Jesus (Joseph Scriven ) He was born in Ireland of wealthy parents and educated at Trinity College Dublin. At the age of 25, on the eve of his wedding, his fiancée was accidentally drowned after which he suffered deep depression and emigrated to Canada where he was a private tutor to students. He tried to live completely according to the Sermon on the Mount and, as he never refused to help anyone, died in poverty. His only hymn is this one which a neighbour found while looking after him in his last illness. Asked how he came to write it, he replied The Lord and I did it between us. What excellent advice it is. Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer. My Hope is Built on Nothing Less than Jesus Blood & Righteousness (Edward Mote ) He started as a businessman in London and later became a Baptist minister in Sussex. One day, while he went off to work in Holborn, he said the chorus just came to him On Christ the solid rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand. By the end of the day, he had written 4 verses. As he came out of the church the next Sunday morning, a friend told him his wife was ill so Mote went to see them. The husband thought they should sing a hymn but could not find a hymn book. He said he had some verses in his pocket and would sing them if she liked. The wife asked for a copy of it. Others heard of it and Mote had 1,000 printed. It is now included in many hymn books. Elizabeth Gordon Page 11

12 Two becomes three...! On behalf of myself and Paul, I would like to thank our church family for your prayers of support both while I was pregnant and on the birth of our daughter, Jessica Patricia Nancy. I would also like to thank you for your very generous gifts. I apologise that I have not done personal thank you cards but I just don t seem to have the time. I hope this will suffice. Jessica is going to be the best dressed baby in Glasgow that is when she finally fits into them. Her wardrobe is packed with beautiful clothes from you all. Jessica was only 5lb 14oz when born but she is steadily gaining weight (while Mummy is trying to lose it) and is a very happy, contented and healthy baby. She is very blessed to have, not only her own family who love her very much, but also the family she has here at Temple-Anniesland who I know will love and support her as she grows up within the church. I thank God every day for giving us this miracle she really is a dream come true the most wonderful gift that God could have given us. Thank you all very much once again for your generosity. It is very much appreciated. God bless each and every one of you. Clare, Paul and baby Jessica Blythswood Shoebox Appeal This year we filled 354 boxes for Blythswood Care, up from 280 last year. Thanks to all who covered the boxes, contributed money or goods to fill them and a special thank you to Graham Small who filled all 70 pencil cases. This year we concentrated on teenage boys and elderly women, as they are often left out when it comes to getting shoeboxes. Next year I ll be looking for hats and gloves - if you have any let me know! Last year Blythswood sent out 118,000 shoeboxes which bring joy to so many people living in great poverty. Thank you again. Alison Gray Page 12

13 Thanks I would like to say a sincere thank you for the good wishes I received for a speedy recovery after breaking my ankle while attending a wedding in Santorini. I truly appreciated the visits, flowers, cards, phone calls and texts which I received from so many of you. The kindness of the church family in Temple Anniesland is certainly worthy of its reputation. Annette Wright Rainbows We have 9 Rainbows this session but we would welcome any girls to our Rainbow Unit who are in Primary 1 or 2 to come along on Monday evenings from 6.15 till Rainbows have great fun playing games and they enjoy making different things. We have made wands, butterflies, spiders and we made a colourful wreath as we were learning about Remembrance Sunday. Fiona MacIntyre Page 13

14 Extracts from Presbytery Notes Extract from the Report of Glasgow Presbytery, meeting on 9th September 2014 The Rev David Keddie was appointed as interim Moderator at Jordanhill Church from 17th August With reference to education, Presbytery was asked to note the changing demographics across the pupil population. In primary schools, 20.1% came from an ethnic minority background and in secondary schools it is 15.1%. The greatest proportion is from the Asian-Pakistani community which makes up 7% of the total secondary school population. Wellington Parish Church student project have applied for funding to further develop worship, teaching, discussion groups, projects and pastoral care for the student community. A conference on the Power of the Church Website was held at St Georges Tron Church on 13th September Foodbanks - the current list of foodbanks is available on the Presbytery website. Extract from the Report of Glasgow Presbytery, meeting on 14th October 2014 The guest speaker was Mrs Heather French who is the National Vocations Promotions Officer, of the Ministries Council, and will be encouraging vocation to the Ministry. The aim is to recruit 30 ministers per year for the years The congregation of Jordanhill Parish Church have been given permission to call a minister on a basis of reviewable tenure. This appointment will be reviewed after five years and in terms of the Presbytery Plan, progress will continue towards linkage, and ultimately union between Jordanhill and Balshagray Victoria Park churches. Cont... Page 14

15 Presbytery was asked to agree the transfer of Barbara Suchanek-Seitz as a candidate in training for full-time Ministry of Word and Sacrament at Temple Anniesland Church from the Presbytery of Dumbarton to the Presbytery of Glasgow. A special meeting of Presbytery is to be held on 25th November 2014 to discuss and note on the decisions reached by the General Assembly on Ministers and Deacons in Civil Partnerships. On World Mission - the World Mission Council Europe Report from this year s General Assembly has been distributed to all congregations. The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is being organised by CSW and was held on Saturday 15th November at Findlay Memorial Church. Potential twinning partner for Glasgow Presbytery - the Church of Pakiston Diocese in Hydrabad has requested to twin with a Church of Scotland Presbytery, possibility Glasgow. It is hoped to further investigate this proposal. Presbytery of Glasgow Children s Ministry has organised a meeting for all who work with children. This was held on Monday 10th November from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at Girlguiding Headquarters. Also organised by the Church of Scotland Stewardship and Finance Team was a workshop on Online Fundraising at the Renfield Centre on 20th November. Anne Weir, Presbytery Elder L o r d J e s u s, Please forgive me for being so grumpy as I trudge through the never-ending tasks set before me this holiday season... My to-do list seems to keep growing with shopping, church services, and family gatherings---and I'm running short of time! Restore the joy of Christmas to my heart... and help me to relax each day and make time for YOU-- my one true Source of Joy. Page 15

16 Church Calendar Sat 6th December - 10am -12 noon - Christmas fair Sun 7th December - 11am the sacrament of communion 6.30pm The sacrament of communion. Sun 14th December - 11am worship 6.30pm Prayers for healing Sat 20th December pm Christmas messy church! Sun 21th December 11am - Family service 4pm choral service Wed 24th December 7pm - Christingle service Watchnight service ( carol singing from 11.15pm) Thursday 25th 11am Christmas service Sun 28th Dec - 11am worship (no evening service) Sun 4th Jan 11am Communion Vision for the future (no evening service) Sunday 11th Jan -11am Theme - being forgiven 6.30pm service Sunday 18th January forgiving others 6.30pm service Sunday 25th January - Theme - What is happening in our community? 6.30pm Prayers for healing Sunday 1st February 11am Souper Sunday service 6.30pm service (Sunday 22nd February - 11am Thinking day.) Page 16