The Church of Scotland, Geneva. news. Autumn PEACE. Reflections

Transcription

1 The Church of Scotland, Geneva news Autumn PEACE Reflections

2 SAVE THE DATE! Contents The Annual Church Fair and Ceilidh will be held on Saturday 4 October 2014 from 9.30am in La Salle Communale, Grand Saconnex followed by a ceilidh. Doors from 6.30pm. The newsletter can also be read online Contributors ian Manson David Wood Setri Nyomi Freda Craeye Leslie Reddy Nan Braunschweiger Christine Colliar Ewart McKenzie 10 Years as Newsletter Editor - Thank you Suzanne! The Congregational Committee, on behalf of the congregation, extends heartfelt thanks to Suzanne Murray-Jones on completion of 10 years in her role as newsletter coordinator. This was a task Suzanne carried out mostly from a distance in her various postings with the UNHCR across the globe but she always gave the impression that she was right at the heart of all that was going on in Geneva! Welcome to the 2014 Rentree Issue A warm welcome back from your summer holidays. The church summer ended with a wonderful family picnic very generously hosted by Antonia and Michael Bruce. If you would like to write an article for the next Newsletter, please do so. This can also be a series of bullet points or just a couple of photos that you would like to share. Please send them to the address below. Also, as we are trialling a new format, please do give feedback as well - we will try very much to accommodate this as much as possible. In the meantime, happy reading! Contact: nina@thewiseelephant.com

3 Minister s Piece But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27-28 Back in my younger days, I spent part of the summer helping churches in holiday areas to run activities for young people. The small town of Campbeltown on the west coast of Scotland thus became a familiar place to me as I went there many times on Summer Mission. At one of the clubs we divided the children into teams who we named the reds and the blues. The leaders were also allocated to a team with the task of cheering and encouraging even the less able participants in a series of games. I dutifully led the cheers for the reds. It seemed like harmless fun as the winners celebrated their victories and the losing team complained about some perceived unfairness. However I still remember the moment when one girl of around eight turned to me and said with deep feeing I really hate those blues, don t you. What had started as a meaningless division created for the sake of some fun had become for her a part of her identity, and her animosity to her enemies part of her sense that people who are not in her group are somehow to blame for her feelings of unhappiness. I ve often recalled her face and her words when I see division and hatred in the world. There seems to be something deep in our nature that wants a group to be long to and an enemy to blame. It finds its expression in patriotism, racism sectarianism, homophobia, etc. etc. The rhetoric and the politics and the faces may change but it all comes from the same part of our human nature. Of course I would love to say that the church is a model of how we overcome such tendencies, but church history hardly bears witness to that. Nonetheless we go on reminding ourselves that our Lord and master taught that we must love our enemies and do good to those who hate us. (Luke 6:27) That is a challenge we need to hold on to as we relate to one another, and to the wider world in which we all live. If we are to learn to live more positively with difference, facing up to our own insecurities may be a good place to start. Ο

4 They fought for the peace we live in. We will remember them. One Hundred Years & Seventy Years Anyone around on 28 July 1914, a month after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, would have never imagined that the war that the diplomatic crisis sparked by this event with Serbia would eventually draw in all the world s major economic powers of the time and last four long, bloody and hungry years. The Great War drew in 70 million soldiers leaving over 9 million of them dead. It was one of the deadliest conflicts in history that ended all four Soldiers in the trenches in the Somme WWI (left) In essentially every area of the line, at some time or other, each side would adopt an unofficial truce while breakfast was served and eaten. This truce often extended to the wagons which delivered such sustenance. Source: w w w. firstworldwar.com Soldiers in a vessel heading for the Normandy cost for on D-Day (above) The 70th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy was commemorated by many Allied Heads of State in June. Many hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world have and will continue to visit until the end of August. Source: several Of every 20 British men between 18 and 32 years of age in 1914, 3 were killed and 6 injured. (Austro-Hungarian, German, Ottoman & Russian) major imperial powers. When it ended on November 11th 1918, it paved the way for major political change including re-drawing the map of Europe and setting up of the League of Nations so that nothing like this would ever happen again. It was The World War. Only that it did - 21 years later. This time lasted six years. Five years after the Second World War started, 70 years ago, soldiers (and a piper) landed in Normandy. This marked the beginning of the end. National War Memorial (above) The War Memorial honours the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S., the more than 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort from home. Symbolic of the defining event of the 20th Century, the memorial is a monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people. The Second World War is the only 20th Century event commemorated on the National Mall s central axis.

5 Bagpipes in the World Wars Pipers were traditionally used in battle by Scottish and Irish soldiers. High fatalities during World War I resulted in the War Office banning their use. But the practice continued regardless, and the skirl of the pipes echoed across battlefields throughout the World Wars. A bronze statue commemorating the pipers and drummers who lost their lives in conflict was unveiled in Edinburgh in September Of the 2,500 pipers in the Great War, some 500 were said to have been killed and a further 600 wounded. The losses were so great in the early stages of the war that the tradition of them leading Scottish regiments into battle was banned by the War Office. Source: BBC News William Bill Millin ( ), commonly known as Piper Bill, is best remembered for playing the pipes during the D- Day landings in Normandy. Lord Lovat, Millin s commander, ignored the War Office orders and ordered Millin to play. When Millin demurred, citing the regulation, he recalled Lord Lovat s reply: Ah, but that s the English War Office. You and I are both Scottish. He played Hielan Laddie and The Road to the Isles as his comrades fell around him on Sword Beach. Millin later talked to captured German snipers who said they did not shoot at him because they thought he was crazy. Several of today s best known bagpipe tunes, such as Battle of the Somme and The Bloody Fields of Flanders were written in the trenches of World War I. Many more pieces are thought to have been forgotten once the war ended. The pipes echoed across battlefields throughout the conflict and a research project was commissioned last year to document these. The bagpipers played on the front line while they were marching to rouse them into battle and in the evening as well. Source: BBC News John McLellan, D.C.M., Dunoon ( ), composer of The Bloody Fields of Flanders was a piper in the 8th Argyllshire Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and served with the 51st Highland Division on the Western front. Wells Cathedral School 2014 European Tour ends in The Auditoire - with one familiar face playing! On 15th July, I had the privilege of playing in the Auditoire with the string orchestra of my new school: Wells Cathedral School, UK. The concert was the last on our 10 day European tour and emotional as it was the last time some of the orchestra would be play as they leave for university or conservatoire. During rehearsal (all afternoon), I was interviewed by WRS, which was quite something. The concert was full with some standing outside! We played Mendelssohn s Swiss String Symphony (very fitting), Tippet s Little Music for String Orchestra, Barber s Adagio for Strings and Strauss Metamorphosen. A big thank you to all who made it possible. Emilie Colliar

6 Church News David Taylor ( ) We were saddened to hear of the sudden death of David Taylor following a sudden heart attack on the 24th of June. David came to Geneva from Scotland in 2007 to take up the post of General Secretary at UEFA and became a well-known face around our congregation. Our minister conducted his funeral at his home church in Glasgow, which was attended by the Scottish Sports Minister and by UEFA President Michel Platini. M. Platini said We will all greatly miss his outstanding professional competence, as well as his countless qualities as a colleague and a person. On behalf of the European football community, I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to David s wife Cathy, and their children, James and Alan. Jim Paton Jr. With sadness we note the passing of Jim Paton Jr, who died after a difficult illness on the 24th of July at the age of 46. Jim was brought up in our church and his father served as an elder in our congregation for many years. We commend Jim Snr, Anne and their daughter Julie to your prayers. A Happy Welcome to Henry Anthony Hayes The Happy Hayes are happy to announce the birth of their dear little boy, Henry Anthony, at 8.19 am on 31st July, 2014 in Lausanne. The day was particularly sunny and bright (unlike the rest of the month!) Please join us in wishing Henry h e a l t h, happiness, love and success. The very proud parents, Andrew & Anfissa Wedding Bells! Congratulations to Caroline Malischuk & Christian Vazzoler who got married in our church on the 5th of July.

7 Following meeting to start preparations for the Annual Fair, we are looking for volunteers to help and donate on or before our traditional Fair. Your support telling friends, colleagues and others as well as your help makes the Fair a popular and succesful event. Bacon Rolls: A popular tradition at the Church of Scotland Geneva Fair. Lasts for about the first hour or so of the Fair. Smoked Salmon & Champagne: Would you be able to sell smoked salmon and champagne? Again, an hour or so mid morning after the bacon rolls are finished! Book Stall: Transport books from the Church Salle to the Fair on Friday evening and return unsold books to the Church Salle. Help at the Book Stall would be very much appreciated. Lunch: Can you spare an hour or two to serve, sell tickets or take orders? Cake Stall: Can you bake some yummy homemade cakes / biscuits? Toy Stall: Arrange and sell toys. Donations and help at the stall would be gratefully received. African Food: We always have a wonderful selection of food on offer from numerous members of the congregation. Can you co-ordinate? Ceilidh: Volunteers to help behind the bar; serve food; clear away (it s been proven that you can do this and have a great evening too!) Interesting Objects: To help or donate, please contact Rosaleen Walker on There are many varied ways that you can help, so please get in touch with either Ian Manson or myself. Donations: Please bring donations to the Salle Communale on Friday 3rd evening (not to the Church). Look forward to seeing you and your friends in October! Lesley Reddy COSG Fair Co-ordinator Tel: 0033 (0)

8 Reflecting 14 Years in Times of Change At the end of February 2000, Akpene, my children and I moved to Geneva to begin ministry as the General Secretary of the then World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC). In 2010, WARC united with the Reformed Ecumenical Council and became the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC). As soon as we arrived, we found in the Church of Scotland, Geneva our congregational home. Akpene began teaching Sunday School, and later found meaning in participation in other areas including singing in the choir. Nunana and Xoeseko went through Sunday School and Youth Group. When my responsibilities take me to different churches all over the world, it is always refreshing to return to our home congregation. We thank God for our congregational home. As I reflect on the fourteen years of ministry as General Secretary of the World Reformed and Presbyterian family a church family of more than 80 million Christians in 108 countries, there are many things to be thankful to God for. Together with the staff team, our role included fostering unity among Reformed and Presbyterian churches in particular and Christian unity in general. It also included leading our member churches in the ecumenical movement to mediate access to the fullness of life through Jesus Christ. In our understanding this includes being at the forefront of justice in the world. We accompanied churches and people going through challenging times. We thank God that our commitment to gender, economic and climate justice were strong during these years. The Accra Confession, which was adopted in our General Council in 2004, remains a key resource that is widely used by the Reformed and other churches in the ecumenical movement. We thank God that during this era we managed to unite two of the global organisations that served the Reformed Churches the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Reformed Ecumenical Council. The uniting General Council took place in June We thank God that during this era, the WCRC journeyed with churches facing challenging circumstances including, political crises, natural disasters and those threatened with division as they dealt with difficult social issues. My visits to our churches took me to more than 50 countries. We have visited and been in touch with our churches in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Madagascar, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Guatemala, Mexico, Egypt, Kenya, Togo, Zimbabwe, India, Korea, Philippines, and many others as they faced specific challenges. I have also been with churches in countries whose challenges are not often in the news including the UK, the USA, Ghana, Jamaica, Brazil, Japan, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and other Western European country among others. One conclusion I have reached is that whether facing challenges or not, Presbyterian and Reformed churches all over the world are generally alive and well in all these countries and faithfully seek to carry out God s mission. During the last year of my ministry, we (continued on next page)

9 Church Flowers: A Way to Remember or Celebrate Offering the flower arrangement for one Sunday in church need not break the budget. Janet Askew who has been managing the flower rota for many years now says the secret is greenery. Of course you need some flowers, but one arrangement at the altar is enough to do the trick. Offer a wonderful setting for a Sunday service and more importantly, for a member of the congregation to remember something important, which the rest of the congregation too can share with. All you need to do is quite simple. There are plenty of vases in every shape and size. Turn up on The last Congregational Committee meeting before the summer was held on 17 June with reports from the Finance, Mission & Fabric and Fundraising Subcommittees. Since the beginning of 2014, meetings had begun at 19:30 (as opposed to the former time of 20:00 hours); as, however, some persons experience difficulty to arrive it was agreed to change the starting Sunday morning, or before if you let Janet or Ian know and set up. This also allows you a quiet moment remembering, alone or with your family. If you cannot, or do not think your flower arranging skills are up scratch, then please let Janet know and she will arrange the flowers herself, if she knows in advance! The congregation also has a few talented flower arrangers, who sometimes include flowers from their gardens in their arrangements. At Christmas or Easter, the Church typically suggests a donation which is used towards flowers: both festive and practical. If you would like to give flowers one Sunday, whether to celebrate or to remember, please contact: Janet Askew (see Church Contact List.) time to 19:45 hours for coffee and fellowship with the formal meeting starting at 20:00 hours. The next meeting is on Tuesday 16 September in the Salle Théodore de Bèze and is open to all the congregation who are most welcome to join. Nan Braunschweiger, Secretary, Congregational Committee (continued from previous page) have had to move the office from Geneva to Hannover in Germany because of our financial challenges. In Germany, we continue to seek to be faithful to God in facilitating the mission of Reformed churches throughout the world. I am especially grateful to God for the staff teams I have worked with. Without their dedication we could not have achieved much. Some of them have also been members of the Church of Scotland in Geneva. My greatest gratitude is to Akpene who has journeyed with me through the challenges. Pray for us, as we journey with God into new spaces of service that we are being called to. Pray also for my successor, Rev. Chris Ferguson who takes over as General Secretary from September 1, Let us give thanks to God for God is good. Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi General Secretary, World Communion of Reformed Churches (April 1, 2000 to August 31, 2014)

10 Spirituality and Our Children Godly Play was started at Church of Scotland Geneva by Anne Hayes, a teacher and Jane Broere who was in charge of Sunday School at the time. Both were fascinated by the opportunity that Godly Play offered to children, even young, to develop an awareness of spirituality and to explore that for themselves. Freda Craeye, who is now responsible for Sunday School speaks of the results she and the Sunday School team have seen and how it has helped, even very young children develop a sense of that part of their self, a subject that is beyond today s school curriculum, yet needed just as much. Godly Play uses storytelling in an environment that creates respect for the child. It starts with listening to a story followed by sharing of those thoughts together. The children then have an opportunity for creative expression, which is for them to do whatever they want which is individual. During this reflective time, they draw, build or make a craft which the adult leading the session can ask them about and get them to share if / what they want. The process, if one must use something to describe it, is holistic and above all peaceful. It allows the child to wonder. Why? How? Or whatever is their individual thinking at that time. With time, we have seen children evolve. The younger ones start of with more general statements and as they grow, these become more specific to what is on their mind. It allows them to think through this. The creation of the peaceful environment and time, as well as going through that reflection, also creates peace within the child. She is also quick to point out At Church of Scotland Geneva, our children are the future, theirs and ours. So we provide spiritual opportunities holistically to them. As well as crèche / Sunday School / Youth Group, members of the church also support them to build their role in the church through care and participation, which also includes lead church services once in a while! that there are no ready-made answers, there are no answers, what the child thinks and says is based on their reality. The Sunday School Team take Godly Play a step further and look for ways to link the stories to the Bible. So each year, typically, there is a theme. When asked why she does this, Freda is enthusiastic. She has seen how it has helped children. Seeing how it has evoked such an abstract concept and then developed the concept of spirituality in young children is inspiring. Sunday School is always looking for new teachers and helpers. The children s mission at COSG If you can help, we would love to hear from you. Whether a parent or grandparent or other, please let Freda know. No teaching experience required! Lord, I can t say it in words, Please just listen through my heart.

11 Our congregation has been chosen to take part in a project being sponsored by St Andrews University in Scotland. As our part in this we will organise a series of open meetings at which we will invite experts from the scientific world who are part of our congregation to share their stories and perspectives. Much of the public debate on the relationship between religion and science appears to be ill-informed and out of date, so we hope to create a space for honest and realistic discussion. Each of our gatherings these will focus on one of the big questions of our day, as with contributions from both science and faith perspectives, we look for a better and fuller understanding. The project will start in the autumn. Anyone interesting in helping to bring it all together should contact David Wood at hawood@doctors.org.uk Looking for answers to life s big questions Our four key topics will be: 1. Science and Religion What are they and how are they evolving? What is truth for each? 2. Why are we here? How do we account for life, the universe and everything? Where did it all come from? 3. So what should I do? How can we tell right from wrong? On what basis can we make ethical choices in life? 4. How to make the world a better place? What is the best way to look after the world and its Science without religion is lame, people? religion without science is blind. Albert Einstein A Key Strategic Programme The intent is to open up a fruitful dialogue to all about key questions that we face every day. From what has happened (very long ago as well as within our more immediate history), to the realities of today and into the future. Several key scientists and congregations from all over the world are engaged in this project. The dialogue that has been, will be and will continue after will hopefully re-energise local churches as well as the church worldwide. A Dialogue for Modern Times It is often claimed that there is a serious tension or essential incompatibility between religious belief and modern science. How much of this is misunderstanding? The University of St. Andrews has asked the Church of Scotland Geneva to carry out a series of debates for their research.

12 Annual Congregational Meeting 2014 The 2014 Annual Congregational Meeting (ACM) was held on Sunday 15 June in the Auditoire de Calvin following the morning service. It was well attended by 49 members of the congregation. A new format was tried out whereby the official business part of the agenda was carried out in the church and later followed by the opportunity to participate in small discussion groups in the Salle to allow for more in-depth conversation and fuller deliberation on topics that participants were particularly interested in. Thus the formal part of the meeting: - Received a message of deep gratitude from Graeme and Meena Clugston for the support of the mission work at Lalgadh Leprosy Hospital; - Approved the minutes of the 2013 Annual Congregational Meeting and the E x t r a o r d i n a r y Congregational Meeting held on 23 April and 10 November 2013 respectively; - Received a report from the treasurer exhorting the congregation to strive to redress the recent pattern of deficit budgets in 2014, preferably though increasing income; - Formally approved the 2013 accounts and the budget for 2014; - Appointed Rawlinson and Hunter as auditors for the 2014 accounts; - Received with appreciation the Annual Report as representing a record of the life of the church in 2013; - Elected Ellen Walker as a new member of the Congregational Committee and re-elected Nan Braunschweiger, Christine Bunn and David Hogg, all to serve a three year term of office up until the 2017 ACM. Following a moment of refreshment and fellowship, the ensuing small group discussions in the Salle - on the areas of caring, fellowship, finance, teaching and worship - proved to be an extremely enriching moment for those who wished to deepen their thoughts and reflections Themes A Short Background to the Nobel Peace Prize The Grand Prix of Peace Prizes A CARING TEACHING FELLOWSHIP FINANCE WORSHIP on these diverse aspects of our church life. If you would like more information about the discussion groups or to be involved, please contact Alice Tulloch. lfred Bernhard Nobel ( ) was a Swedish chemist, engineer, innovator, and armaments manufacturer. He was the inventor of dynamite and held 350 different patents. Through baptism and confirmation, Nobel was Lutheran and during his Paris years he regularly attended the Church of Sweden Abroad, where one of his Ministers would some later be the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Despite the lack of formal secondary and tertiary level education, Nobel gained proficiency in six languages: Swedish, French, Russian, English, German and Italian and developed sufficient skill to write poetry in English. In 1888 his brother Ludvig died while visiting Cannes and a French newspaper erroneously published Alfred s obituary. It condemned him for his invention of dynamite. The obituary stated, Le marchand de la mort est mort and went on to say, Dr. Alfred Nobel, who became rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before, died yesterday. Alfred was disappointed with what he read and concerned with how he would be remembered. He never married, although one of his loves remained a friend throughout his life and their dialogue through amongst letters would be instrumental in the set up of the Nobel Peace Prize. On 27 November 1895, at the Swedish-Norwegian Club in Paris, Nobel signed his last will bequeathing his estate to establish the Nobel Prizes, to be awarded annually without distinction of nationality. After taxes and bequests to individuals, Nobel s will allocated the equivalent of USD 450 million today to establish the five Nobel Prizes. Source: Internet, Wikipedia

13 Church Finances Round Table Discussion at the Annual Congregational Meeting More precise points were raised at the table dedicated to discussing church finance than the strategic ones during the main meeting in the Auditoire. The main issue addressed was security both related to e-banking and how secure the Church was in terms of being able to finance itself. While the format of separate group discussions worked well, many questions were directed to the Missions Committee. Church Finances to end May 2014 At the end of May, the Church had a budget deficit: planning on having income of CHF 77k and expenditure of CHF 90k. As it turned out, by virtue of a couple of generous donations earlier in the year and keeping expenditure under control, income was closer to CHF 80k and expenditure only CHF 76k. While this shows things to be balanced, there are a few factors which should make us a little cautious. 1. Cash offering has been decreasing since March and, especially over the summer, cannot be relied on to stay at the level while expenditures are more fixed. 2. To remind ourselves of the broader situation, the Church has planned for 2014 to see income of CHF 211,500 and expenditure of CHF 218,900. This includes the Church Fair and likely donation from the Salvesen Grant, but not Mission support. If we take out considerations of all three, that would mean that on average, we would need to see income each week of CHF 3,500. Given the donations at the start of the year, the average per week looks about right. However, without those donations and with the traditional slowing down over the summer (as well as the fact that a deficit was budgeted for initially anyway), the Church would really need to see extra income of between CHF 250 and CHF 300 each week in order genuinely to break even. The 2013 income and expenditure trends (see below) seem to provide a possible prediction of what the trends in 2014 might look like. Assuming these hold to a reasonable

14 extent in 2014, income is declining after an initial boost until the post-summer increases normally seen from September onwards. Expenditures should be more variable to start with but follow a marginal decline on average until the last quarter of the year. The reality of figures in 2014 up to May seem to indicate that the trends from 2013 may be similar to what we can expect to see this year. 3. Finally, however, the good news is that this Church is by no means broke. If it is to continue reaching out to visitors to Geneva, supporting Missions across the world,

15 educating and caring for children, and serving its own Congregation, this Church does not require a fortune. It simply needs to increase the amount it is currently able to raise by a relatively small amount. We all saw at the end of last year how the Minister s appeal to raise the level of the Free Will Offering could help, and it did indeed help to cut the projected deficit by around two thirds. Everything is possible, provided that the Church is willing to move forward and provide itself with what it needs to do the work which we all value so much. Ewart MacKenzie, Treasurer S e r v i c e Volunteering Usher to welcome the congregation to church. Arthur Griffith griffith@bluewin.ch lesson reading during the service. Nicola Hollyman or n i c o l a h o l l y m a hotmail.com Flowers for the service. Janet Askew or janetaskew@ bluewin.ch tea and coffee is served after the service. Terry Angleys or angleystak@ wanadoo.fr Help Fundraising SHARE A GIFT Babysit, Dogsit, Help a Neighbour or any other idea and donate some of your earnings to the Church Contact: Lidian Shark ~ dsharksharks@gmail.com MUSIC AND SONG The Adults (and Junior) Choir rehearses on a Wednesday evening under Lucie Goater s direction and the Children s Choir rehearses after the service on Sundays led by Rebecca MacDonald. Both choirs learn and performe wide, fun, repertoires. The Congregation includes a number of gifted musicians who contribute to worship and concerts. Contact: Lucie Goater Tel: luciegoodman@yahoo.co.uk Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love, Where there is injury, pardon Where there is doubt, faith, Where there is despair, hope, Where there is darkness, light, Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, not so much to be understood as to understand, not so much to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in dying that we awake to eternal life. St. Francis of Assisi BURNS SUPPER slainte mhath Saturday in January or February 2015 Contact: Lidian Shark dsharksharks@gmail.com 1 PLACE DE LA TACONNERIE GENEVE

16 An Evening of Fun and Games BEETLE DRIVE La Salle Théodore de Bèze Lidian Shark z NOVEMBER DATE TO FOLLOW z La Salle Theodore de Beze Last Sunday of the Month! SUNDAY LUNCHES Get together after the Service on last Sundays over a freshly prepared meal. No need to book! New faces Occasional faces Regular faces ALL WELCOME! ROBERTA MANSON OR ALICE TULLOCH FELLOWSHIP FOOD FRIENDSHIP Buy & Give Books AFTER SUNDAY SERVICE Mary Couper BOOKSTALL Salle Theodore de Bèze, next to Church HOLA! MEXICAN DINNER MEET UP! November Lidian Shark dsharksharks@gmail.com Salle Théodore de Bèze WOMEN S GROUP Fellowship around a visit, lunch, discussing awork of art, an outing and more. All ages welcome. Christine Bunn Phone: bunnc@bluewin.ch

17 notices Children and Our Church Creche, Sunday School and Youth Group Welcoming all ages of children at Church of Scotland Geneva The Church runs a Crèche during each service which is run by volunteers and parents. This also provides a social and support network for young parents in our congregation. The Youth Group meet every Sunday and as well as using Scripture Union materials using a wide range of activities, they also have a games day each month. During the year, they have the opportunity to meet and discuss with the elders as well. Each year, some of the Youth Group prepare for and are Confirmed. 12 to 20 children attend Sunday School each week in a multi-age format using Godly Play. Children are introduced to the Bible and its structure and sometimes collectively run a project. After the formal part, there is time for play or reflection at the child s choice. Children also get to participate in the community of the Church by making Christmas decorations or biscuits to sell. Funds raised from the latter are donated to the nominated charity, a leprosy hospital in Lalgadh. Each year, the children also prepare a Christmas Concert which is 100% by them. Older children play instruments, the organ, some sing in choir and all are invited to join in the Christmas play. CONTACTS Creche: Sunday School Kathryn Moreno Freda Craeye kmoreno@neuf.fr freda.craeye@neuf.fr Youth Group Lidian Shark dsharksharks@gmail.com Songs of Praise and Afternoon Tea Date Time The Church of Scotland Geneva Contact Name Contact Details Sunday, September 28 th pm Now the leaves are falling fast Jeremy Burrows (cello) Lucie Goater (mezzo-soprano) and friends Vivien Liu (soprano) Rebecca MacDonald (organ and piano) Auditoire de Calvin. 1 Place de la Taconnerie, Geneva Free concert with retiring collection for Lalgadh Leprosy Hospital, Nepal Bach, Barber, Britten, Handel, Quilter, and Rutter Can you help with the Tea/Coffee Rota? Please contact Terry Angleys or angleystak@wanadoo.fr

18 Psalm 122: A Song of Ascents. Of David. 1 I rejoiced with those who said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord. 2 Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together. 4 That is where the tribes go up - the tribes of the Lord - to praise the name of the Lord according to the statute given to Israel. 5 There stand the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure. 7 May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels. 8 For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, Peace be within you. 9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity. Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.

19 Church of Scotland Geneva Contacts Brigadoons - Betty Morris elizabeth.morris@bluewin.ch Bible Reader Coordinator - Nicola Hollyman nicolahollyman@hotmail.com Caring for One Another - Jim Sharp jimsharp@bluewin.ch Choir Director: Lucie Goater luciegoodman@yahoo.co.uk Church Fair: Lesley Reddy lesley.reddy@yahoo.co.uk Church Flowers: Janet Askew janetaskew@bluewin.ch Congregational Committee - Nan Braunschweiger gen.cong.sec@gmail.com Crèche - Kathryn Moreno akmoreno@neuf.fr Cursillo - Eleanor Strittmatter jurgstrittmatter@yahoo.co.uk Diary Coordinator - Fiction Bookstall - Mary Couper coupermar@gmail.com Free Will Offering - Jurg Strittmatter jurgstrittmatter@yahoo.co.uk Fabric Sub-committee -Douglas Murray-Jones dmurrayjones@aol.com Mission Projects - Eric Gerelle erg@ibex.ch Newsletter - Nina Milne nina@thewiseelephant.com Session Clerk - Alice Tulloch alicetulloch@voila.fr Sunday Coffee Rota - Terry Angleys angleystak@wanadoo.fr Sunday School - Freda Craeye freda.craeye@neuf.fr Treasurer - Ewart MacKenzie mackenzieje@hotmail.com Ushers - Arthur Griffith griffith@bluewin.ch Women s Group - Christine Bunn bunnc@bluewin.ch Website - Eric Gerelle erg@ibex.ch Youth Group - Lidian Shark dsharksharks@gmail.com Church structure and organisation Minister Ian Manson has been our minister since He is happy to respond to enquiries about the church or to meet up to discuss issues in more detail. Kirk Session Alice Tulloch is the Session Clerk and takes responsability for organising the elders who form the ruling body of the congregation. Congregational Secretary Nan Braunschweiger co-ordinates the Congregational Committee which deal with matters of finance and fabric in the life of our congregation. Freewill Offering Jurg Strittmatter oversees our pledged giving scheme and provides tax certificates for charitable giving. Caring for One Another Jim Sharp co-ordinates and promotes pastoral care within the life of the congregation. Fundraising Committee Lidian Shark runs the newly formed Fundraising Committee. With ideas and help from the Congregation the team plan social fundraising events. cofsg@gmail.com OR

20 Church of Scotland Ceilidh Featuring the Whirliejig Ceilidh Band all the way from Scotland Come and dance the night away! 4th October Salle Communale de Grand Sacconnex 7-10pm Doors open at 6:30pm Adults 25chf Drinks and Food will be on sale Contact for tickets