Church of Scotland Geneva

Transcription

1 Spring 2013 We have not had a meal at our dinner table for several days now. This is not because we have lost the desire to eat together but is for an altogether more practical reason. The problem is that one of my sons discovered a fascination with jigsaw puzzles, meaning that one of those has been spread out over the table, the only surface large enough to hold it. And while it is his fault for starting the thing it has turned into a family preoccupation, for it is hard to walk past without picking up one of the pieces and hoping to spot where it should go. There is something strangely addictive about such an activity, even when the puzzle in question consists of 1,000 pieces and makes up a black and white image! You can pick any one piece and if you hold it and stare at it for long enough there are usually some clues as to where it should fit in. Even if the significance of the blurred image remains lost on you, you know for sure that there must be a space for it somewhere and that the picture will never be complete without it. And when you do finally see how it fits into the whole picture it suddenly looks quite obvious and makes perfect sense. I think this is why these infuriating puzzles have proven so popular over the years. It is a way of doing on a small scale something which we are actually trying to do all the time on a much bigger scale; taking all of the small experiences of life, the little things we see and hear and feel each day, and making some sense of them. The Bigger Picture Taking our bright moments and our darker days, our successes and our failures, and working out how they all fit together. All of us, somewhere deep within, hold on to the conviction that our experiences do all have some significance; that they are part of some bigger picture. Yet for now we do not have the privilege of seeing the final scene, only the many small clues which we come across. All we can do is hold them and ponder them, just as we are told Mary the mother of Jesus took all the things she had seen and heard and experienced and pondered them in her heart. For her too, each puzzling piece would only make sense much later. So a jigsaw puzzle may in some sense be a metaphor for life and I can only hope that the one on our dining table might be completed before my life comes to an end! And perhaps as the strangely shaped little bits of cardboard finally form into the picture from the box, I will also be reminded that the many joys and trials and mysteries which I come across each day can work together for good for those who love God. (Romans 8:28) Here's to the day when the final picture of God's kingdom will be revealed and the glorious purpose of it all will be clear for all to see. Best wishes, Ian Manson Minister: Rev. Ian Manson, 20 Ancienne Route, 1218 Grand Saconnex; Tel/Fax: Church Office: 6 chemin Taverney, Geneva Tel: ; cofsg@pingnet.ch Church Bank Account: UBS 279-C Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. John 11:25-26 Events Thursday, 21 March: Potluck Church Fair 19:00 Maundy Thursday, 28 March: simple Communion Good Friday 29 March: Sunday, 31 March: Easter Morning 9:30 followed by Communion Sunday, 6 April: Baroque 19:00 Tuesday 12 March: Kirk Session meeting, Tuesday 26 March: Congregational Committee meeting, Tuesday, 23 April: Annual Congregation 19: May: English Cursillo Retreat Sunday, 5 May: Youth 14:30 Saturday, 28 September: Annual Church Fair

2 Page 2 Church Life Choir But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. We are always looking for new singers for our choir... the more singers we have, the more our choir can grow in skill and explore increasingly beautiful and diverse repertoire. Whilst we warmly welcome voices of all types, having recently 'lost' two of our sopranos, it would be particularly great to find some new sopranos. Our choir prides itself on being friendly and inclusive and we meet on Wednesday evenings in the Auditoire to practice, as well as before our services on Sunday. And just to let you know, on Sunday, 17 March we will be singing a choral piece from Bach's St Matthew's Passion, Ich Will Bei Meinem Jesu Wachen, together with a soloist and instruments. Don't miss it - and why not join us? If you are interested, please get in touch with Lucie Goater at luciegoodman@yahoo.co.uk Sunday School Psalm 5:11-12 You may have noticed a few new posters up in the Sunday School area of the Salle. These are in connection with our big project for this year the Big Bible Challenge. We re using a great Scripture Union resource with this name, which encourages children to take an adventure through God s great story. The objective is to get the children into the habit of reading the Bible and reflecting about what they ve read with the help of the adults around them and the Big Bible Challenge guide. This takes the children through the Bible in an engaging way, with a selection of short readings from Genesis to Revelation. We feel this is important to enable the children to see how our Godly Play stories fit within the whole great story of God s Word and to fill in some of the gaps in the Godly Play curriculum. We ve set ourselves the ambitious target of completing the Challenge by the end of the Sunday School year in June! Each week the children are recording their progress through the stories (look for the sticker chart near the door of the Salle) and earning small rewards along the way. It s important to point out that we don t necessarily expect all the children to read all the stories set for each week especially given the age range of the Sunday School group and it will be up to the parents to see what is possible and appropriate for their children. So far the children have been very motivated to participate and we d like to thank all the parents for their support we hope you are finding it an enriching experience too. Alongside this Challenge we are learning a song of the Books of the Bible (starting with the Old Testament) this is proving a valuable (re)learning experience for the teachers too! We ll sing the song with the congregation during our Family Service in June so you might want to refresh your memories in the meantime! We had fun preparing and selling goodies for our bake sale on 3 February again thanks to those who contributed baked goods and gave generously for the great cause supporting the Lalgadh leprosy hospital in Nepal. Church of Scotland Geneva Youth Group The Youth Group has been busy studying Romans. We also viewed Jesus Christ Superstar this fall and will be viewing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat this spring. We are planning a pizza and games evening in April (in our Salle). Each youth group member is encouraged to invite up to three friends to join in the fun. We will play board games such as Monopoly, Parchesi, Set and any others which participants bring to share (no computer games). Lidian Shark Easter is early this year coinciding with March going out like a lion or a lamb, and with the change to Summer Time! To celebrate all these things, we shall be holding the traditional Church Easter Breakfast. This will be from 9.30 on Sunday morning 31 March. All are welcome to come and enjoy this congregational act of fellowship before we go in to the Easter Communion service. No need to let us know if you're coming just turn up; you will be very welcome. There will be no lunch that Sunday, even if it is the last Sunday in March; but we hope that the breakfast will be enough to satisfy. See you there, Alice and Peter

3 Page 3 Lenten Study Course: 'Windows on the Cross' Do you have a favourite image of the Cross that has inspired or sustained you over the years? When Jesus asks his disciples to take up their Cross and follow him what do we understand by this command? How does our appreciation of what happened through Jesus death on the Cross, shape the way we follow God? Although the cross stands at the heart of the Christian gospel it may not always add up to good news for us. It may continue to baffle us rather than inspire us. Our Lenten study this year will polish different windows through which we can look and seek to understand the Cross. We will endeavour to survey the wondrous cross, through different New Testament lenses, seeking to make sense of this event with a mix of biblical teaching and contemporary thought. The sessions are designed to give room for biblical study, personal reflection and group discussions. We will not be looking for clear-cut answers, but for fresh clues as to how to Groups will meet as follows: live cross-shaped and crossinspired lives. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... 1 Peter 1:3 SUNDAY at 20:00; Holy Trinity Church, Rue du Mont Blanc 17, 24 Feb. 3, 10, 17 March Contact: Rev. Ken Kvistad, Tel: ; kakjrkvistad@gmail.com MONDAY at 10:00; F Echenevex 18, 25 Feb. 4, 11, 16 March Contact: Hazel Murray Tel: Hazel.Murray@orange.fr MONDAY at 19:00; 1292 Chambésy/1294 Genthod 25 Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25 March Contact: Christine Damary, Tel: christine@damary.org TUESDAY at 09:30; 1276 Gingins 19, 26 Feb. 5, 12, 19 March Contact: Machteld Kelsey, Tel: , denmac@clubsoft.ch TUESDAY at 09:30, 1202 Geneva 19, 26 Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26 March Contact: Alice Tulloch, Tel: , alicetulloch@voila.fr This course has been adapted from a book entitled Windows on the Cross written by the late Tom Smail, author of a number of highly acclaimed books. Smail has a knack of making quite dense theological themes accessible and of encouraging us towards a devotional and practical response. Five members of the English-speaking pastors group in the Geneva region have contributed to this Lenten study John Beach, Carolyn Cooke, Ken Kvistad, Paul Luedtke and Ian Manson. A copy of Tom Smail s book will be available for each group facilitator together with introductory notes, questions for discussion, suggested Bible passages and prayers. TUESDAY at 12:30, Ecumenical Centre, 150 route de Ferney 19, 26 Feb. 5, 12, 19 March Contact: Monika Rawcliffe Tel: , mra@lutheranworld.org or mrawcliffe@wanadoo.fr WEDNESDAY at 12:30, 1292 Chambesy 20, 27 Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27 March Contact: Janet Askew Tel: janetaskewge@bluewin.ch WEDNESDAY at 19:45, 1267 Coinsins 20, 27 Feb. 6, 13, 20 March Contact: Peta Tracey Tel: , tracey.p@bluewin.ch THURSDAY at 12:30, Emmanuel Church, 3 rue de Monthoux 21, 28 Feb. 7, 14, 21 March Contact: Rev. John Beach Tel: rector@emmanuelchurch.ch FRIDAY at 10:00, 1245 Collonge-Bellerive 22 Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 March Contact: Mary McCarthy gigimacc@hotmail.com or Marietta Dewey Tel: mariettadewey@mac.com If you wish to join one of these groups or obtain more information, please call that group s contact mentioned in this leaflet, or get in touch with: Janet Askew Telephone , janetaskewge@bluewin.ch

4 Page 4 Our Church at Home You will all recall (I hope!) our fabulously decorated Auditorie for the Family Service at Christmas time. This took some time to accomplish and was thanks to the cheerful input of our children, their parents and the Sunday School teachers. Many thanks to them all. Congregational Committee At its latest meeting, held on 29 January, the Congregational Committee addressed a wide variety of matters. Nan Braunschweiger reported on developments with the Church's commitment to "Peace with the Earth": - The donation and purchase of a series of books available for loan after morning service each Sunday; - Notice boards to be installed in the Salle and Auditoire to record our various actions; - The Kirk Session is considering signing up to the Church of Scotland's Eco-Congregation ( Lesley Reddy will soon convene a meeting to start planning our 2013 Fair and there was some discussion of dates for the 2014 Fair. Han Broere presented our 2012 accounts noting that the net result was a deficit of CHF 1,380 against a budgeted deficit of only CHF 13. [Ed: No, this is not a typo, we had only budgeted for thirteen CHF!] Han then presented a draft budget which foresaw a deficit of CHF 11,100. As was pointed out, if the list of budgeted expenses represents the Church and its activities that we wish to see in the future, then we will need to raise funds to pay for them. These accounts and the draft budget will both be submitted for approval to the Annual Congregational Meeting which will be held in April. Decisions were also made as regards end-of-year givings to others, amounts being allocated to Espace Solidaire Pâquis, Centre Social Protestant, au Coeur des Grottes - women's shelter, the Vine Trust Jubilee Appeal, a project for street children in Douala and la Main Tendue. Discussions continued on the form that our relations with our partners in Ekwendeni and Lalgadh should take on a long-term basis. Approval was given to paint and lay new carpet in the vestry and the Committee was updated as to plans for purchasing new chairs for the Auditoire and painting its interior. The painting is likely to be very expensive so there will be a need to seek financial support from a number of quarters if it is to go ahead. In addition, the Church will be contributing to the installation of a new sound system for the Auditoire which is required in order to comply with recent changes in Swiss regulations. Given the number of projects to renovate and update the premises that we use, it was decided to make these the special focus for discussions at the Annual Congregational Meeting that will be held on Tuesday 23 April, starting at 19:30, which all members of the Congregation are encouraged to attend. Arthur Askew, Secretary Church of Scotland Geneva Auditoire New Look... Many of you will have seen the various models of chairs that we have brought to the Auditoire over the past year or so. We are delighted to say that the group (drawn from the three congregations which use the Auditoire) who has been investigating options for new seating, are united on the model which they will recommend to our Congregational Committee when it meets at the end of March. The chair is natural beech which will go well with our new organ (in light oak). Through the Auditoire management committee, the three congregations are also in discussion with the Geneva authorities about repainting the building s interior and improving the lighting. Since the last time the Auditoire received any major attention was 60 years ago when it was restored in the 1950s, it is clearly time for a good clean-up and repaint!. Moreover, improvements in lighting technologies (including LED), and the need to reduce costs of power consumption, mean that a fresh look at the electrical fittings is desirable. Currently, the Fondation des Temples (the Genevois body that oversees the fabric of all church buildings constructed before 1907) is seeking estimates from various firms for all this work which will no doubt be a substantial sum. Meanwhile we are looking into ways to raise the money. There are various possibilities that can be explored, including partial grant funding for ancient monuments from the Swiss authorities, and progress will also be reported to the Congregational Committee meeting. The organ project, now coming to fruition, has given us the spur to look at these other aspects of the Auditoire. Our target date for completing this redecoration is early 2014 before our new

5 Page 5 organ is installed. We hope very much that we can meet this target, and that very soon we shall have a brighter, cleaner looking Auditoire to last for the next 50 years! Han Broere, Christine Bunn, Douglas Murray-Jones, Alice & Peter Tulloch Annual Church Fair 28 September 2013 We have a challenge ahead of us for the Fair this year it s going to be held as normal in the Salle Communale in Grand Saconnex, but on 28 September. (other groups already booked the Salle during our normal period). Due to this earlier date, we already need to start thinking what we can include in this year s Fair including new & different stalls, bearing in mind that it would be too early this year to host a Christmas Stall for instance, or would it? I would be most grateful for all your suggestions as to what the Fair could consist of. We already have a new idea: Gift Hamper stall offering a variety of 'hampers' with categories such as Food, Wine, Baby, Household, Garden, Toiletries, etc. Any item (not too large & in pristine condition) happily accepted, even if not in one of the named categories - we can always develop new categories! (one way of recycling unused presents!). Please contact Eleanor Strittmatter & Christine Bunn. To discuss this year's Fair, I would like to invite you all to a Potluck supper meeting in the Salle at 19:00 on Thursday, 21 March where we can discuss possibilities, and see who is able to participate. Also, after many years of dedicated efforts in organizing and hosting the Ceilidh, Peter and Alice have decided the time has come to pass this rewarding task on, so if you would like to take on the task of organizing the ceilidh please advise either Ian Manson, Peter and Alice or myself. Peter and Alice would be happy to discuss what this involves, so don t be scared to ask! Meanwhile, please do contact me if you would like to make a suggestion, offer your services and become involved so we can make this year as successful as ever. Lesley Reddy, Fair Coordinator The New Organ: Visible Progress In early January, the Aubertin works in Courtefontaine were building the wooden pipes.! Although the purchase price of the organ has been achieved, the AOAC still needs to raise nearly CHF 40,000 to cover final TVA and installation costs. So maybe now is the time to help us reach our final target by sponsoring a pipe in memory of a loved one, to commemorate a happy event, or just to make a BIG NOISE! Small pipes may be sponsored for CHF 100.-, medium for CHF and large ones for CHF The AOAC concert programme continues throughout Sadly, countertenor Carlos Mena was unable to perform in January, having been injured in a road accident.! The pipes are already marked C.. C#.. D etc. We expect that a concert featuring Mr Mena will be held in October. Meantime, please put the following spring events in your diaries: Saturday, 6 April at 19:00 - the Ensemble Ysia, a Geneva group of young professional musicians directed by Damien Desbenoit will give a baroque concert entitled "Litanies romaines et vénitiennes". Sunday, 5 May at 14:30 - Emilie Colliar and friends will perform a programme with music by Bach, Mozart, Dvorak and Kabalevsky, among others. And please do watch the AOAC website for further progress reports in this exciting year. Christine Bunn, Rebecca MacDonald, Ian Manson, Jim Pittendrigh, Charles & Linda Revkin and Peter Tulloch Emilie Colliar in Shanghai playing in a children's orchestra: Albinoni Adagio in G Minor, Mozart Divertimento in D Major K136 & DvorakSerenade for Strings in E Major

6 Page 6 Church of Scotland Geneva Caring for One Another Spring is almost upon us. Soon it will be time to hang up the ski boots for another season, and to think ahead to longer days and the opportunities these bring to look around us and experience the joys of new creation as nature sheds its winter coat in favour of lighter, more springlike apparel. As Easter also approaches, I am reminded of the hymn we often sing at that time, "Now the green blade rises..." Thinking of spring - and Easter - we have new opportunities to look around us and marvel at all God has created for us. Caring for His creation is an essential part of being a Christian. With the current focus on environmental issues, we are all aware of the need to be good stewards of our natural world and all its resources. And what better way to show that we care than to think of our fellow human beings? "Caring for one another" is the ethos that guides all our efforts within our congregation. As Christians, "caring" is the responsibility of each one of us, not just the Minister or some of the elders or some other individuals with designated "pastoral care" roles. So... - next time you're in church, don't forget to turn and smile and say "Hello!" or "Good Morning!" to the person seated beside you or a few chairs beyond or behind - even if you don't know their name! (Who knows? Maybe you'll find out...) - if you think about someone - whether from the church or not - whom you haven't seen for a while, and may wonder how they're doing, take a moment to give them a call, or send them an , or perhaps even a card, just to say "I was thinking about you..." - and, if there is something specific - or special - that you can do to help someone else, do please extend a hand... It doesn't seem so long since Christmas when we rejoiced at the birth of the baby Jesus. But soon it will be Easter, when we have the chance once again to remember that Christ died for us - but rose again ("Now the green blade rises...") and is still with us. In his Name, we honour all creation, we care for all that God has given to us - and we care for one another. Temple des Pâquis For several years now we have supported a ministry of the Eglise Protestant de Genève. Jim Sharp They run a drop in centre in the Temple des Pâquis which offers welcome and support for anyone who feels the need of it. This letter was sent from them in response to a financial donation which we were able to send at the end of last year, but they also appreciate the personal and practical support which our members are sometimes able to offer. Dear Brothers and Sisters, The team at the Temple de Pâquis join me in sending you our grateful thanks. Your important and precious financial support is vital for the continued success of our mission. During 2012 we recorded 53,533 men and women coming through our centre and more than 12,000 people have taken lessons in French. We have also had 5,940 interviews to try to help individuals with particular problems. With all our best wishes, Françoise Bourquin, Deaconess Serve the City Geneva Serve the City Geneva is an organization that tries to mobilize volunteers to partner with existing service organizations to help them do what they do best. On Saturday 11 May 2013, there is a special Serve the City day planned in which a number of events will be on offer to help various organizations in the community. Other volunteer options will continue to be listed on the website ( Please sign in this website, and for the newsletter. Cursillo Retreats Over the weekends of 2-5 May and 7-10 November, English Cursillo weekends will be held at Le Cenacle, Geneva. For more information about these weekends of spiritual retreat, organized by lay people for lay people, under the guidance of clergy, contact members of the congregation such as: Jurg & Eleanor Strittmatter, Arthur and Janet Askew, Terry & Pierre Angleys, Douglas & Suzanne Murray-Jones... Jesus called to Jerusalem (his people) with tears in his eyes, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing." Luke 13:34

7 Page 7 Peace with the Earth As part of our Peace with the Earth initiative the Women's Bible study group looked at a series on water. Through a series of Bible readings such as Creation and the distribution of manna in the desert we confronted questions like: - How do we care for God's created world? - How much do we need? - How do we ensure a fair distribution for all? We learnt about the importance of water in the Bible, sometimes its lack in dry barren lands, and sometimes its overabundance as with Noah. We found it revealing to learn that most of the water we use is not in our own homes but through the production of food and other goods we buy. In any study like this there tends to come a moment when we feel burdened by guilt and helplessness that we consume so much of our planet's resources and yet find it hard to change either our own or others behaviour patterns. We can rejoice that actions like recycling paper, bottles etc have become commonplace and that cars are more fuel efficient and homes better insulated t and yet these are drops in the ocean of the finite resources we waste. We also need to remember to enjoy the resources we have, give thanks for them and as an expression of that thanks what we can to preserve them for future generations. Presbytery of Europe On the second weekend in March our representatives for Presbytery will be in Amsterdam for the twice yearly meeting. The next time presbytery meets will be from 11 to 13 October here in Geneva. Many thanks to those who have offered accommodation in their homes for presbyters. In addition we have booked rooms at the John Knox Centre in Grand Saconnex. Planning for the weekend is ongoing but nearer the time we will be asking for help with preparing and serving food and drinks over the weekend. It is a big logistical task and we would much appreciate help. If you want any more information or wish to volunteer please talk to Mary Couper, Alice Tulloch or Ian Manson. Our prayers are with: It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of young Edward Balogun. Edward was baptised in our church in August 2009 and his family left our congregation to return to Ghana only last year. Please support them all with your prayers. Welcome to: We are pleased to pass on news that our man in Malawi, Stalin Mughandira, has become a father again. His wife Mary gave birth to their third daughter, Watipa Grace, on 20 January. On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, Peace be with you. When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld. Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. Easter Love John 20:19-24 On Easter we celebrate love, love coming down from heaven, love blanketing the earth in a transforming embrace; unique and infinite love, giving more than we can imagine for us, to cleanse our sin, a perfect sacrifice, Lamb of God, the walking, talking Word. He is teacher, role model, friend, this God in human form, dying, then rising from the dead, proving all who believe will also rise to have eternal life, with Him, Lord of all. Oh, Happy, Happy Easter! By Joanna Fuchs

8 Page 8 Church of Scotland Geneva Our Church Overseas Over the years, Ekwendeni has become a place of hope for so many youth. The following are a few snapshots of young people whose lives have been changed around by the work carried out there (more information and/or details can also be found on our church's website: mission.htm). Moses Enock Nyirongo: "Before I knew about resource centre, I joined wrong group of youth at school who had bad behaviors, we were smoking and drinking beer and practicing sexual immoralities. I stated bouncing from school and my life changed to bad because of peer pressure." Luckily for Moses, in 2008 he went to a meeting at Ekwendeni Resource Centre where he met Supervisor (Stalin Mughandira) and his Assistant (Valepe Kandwe). With their encouragement he turned his life around; he retook his school exams and passed with 'flying colours', he joined Chenjezo Youth Club and, in 2011, was chosen to be the chairman for all youth clubs in the Ekwendeni catchment area. "Indeed our resource centre and youth club is serving us and my prayer is that the centre should continue doing it fantastic jobs in this community. I thank God for Good guidance through this Centre." Gift Nyangulu Youngest of six children, Gift lost his father when he was four years old. Now 18 years old, Gift - who is HIV positive - heard about the Resource Centre and started attending. "I have my friends here at Resource Centre who are also HIV positive and am the leader of teens club. I am also the leader of bible study. Resource is a better place to be. Teachings sing and library even watching educational movies is just wonderfully in my life. Am now not being discriminated by my fellows. Am a happy person because I have friends at the centre. I have now started taking ARV and am so strong... I thank the Centre for their encouragement in my life since I lost hope by the time I came to know that I am HIV positive." Group counselling HIV Testing & Counseling rooms HIV/AIDS & Gender-based violence campaign Samson Chitaya On 15 February 2013, Samson, from Chimozimozi Youth Club was elected Chairperson for the Youth Club Executive. "I will make sure that all youth clubs should be boosted up in order to bring a change upon the objective. And I will work hand in hand with our youth supervisors Stalin and Velepi to support the youth activities in the community by providing them with life skills, Loans, capacity building, livelihood, sexual reproductive health services, HIV testing and counseling and also make sure that sporting activities are going on well with available resources. I will also make sure that all youths around Ekwendeni are benefiting from the centre. Make sure that there is good security for our youth resources both in the community and at the centre." Forgotten people of Afghanistan Six million Afghan refugees returned home over the last decade, three million still live in exile in Iran and Pakistan. That is one quarter of the population of a country where already one third are food-insecure (unable to get enough nutritious food to support an active, healthy lifestyle). With all the hustle and bustle of the international troops trying to secure the countryside against the Taliban (and now to leave the country); with billions of dollars funding so many development programmes; with the world's eye now looking at a change in government next year... who cares?? The UN Refugee Agency cares. These former refugees were a forgotten, yet substantial, slice of the country - but

9 Page 9 from Martha Gandra: I am fine here in Brazil. I am currently working as a researcher at the Center of Judiciary Studies of the Federal Justice Council, but I am looking for another job. I feel it is time for big change in my life. I am planning to spend a month in Europe next year (during the World Cup in Brazil). PS: I am sending a picture of the prayer group in my church in Brasilia. We pray for the Church of Scotland in Geneva regularly. needed our help. In 2011, I was asked to get involved with negotiations with the governments of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan on a strategy aimed at helping these refugees (former and present) find a proper niche in life. To no longer be a forgotten element. Two years later, after countless of meetings, negotiations, compromises, and mini-tantrums; after innumerable long days, and sometimes even longer nights; after thousands of miles travelled by air (sometimes comfortably seated in Emirates or Air France, sometimes not so comfortably in a UN helicopter or small prop plane) and by road; after reams and reams of writing; after shedding tears and drinking lots and lots of green tea (very popular in Afghanistan and now very popular with me!!)... we have a strategy. Approved not only by the three countries of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, but also by nearly 50 other countries worldwide who agreed that not enough had been done not only for these families who returned home to rebuild their countries, but also for those who cannot return home for one reason or another. Now, my colleagues are working on implementing the strategy and, with a sad heart, I left Afghanistan in January. What will stay in my memory? Obviously the people... so many different ethnicities although Pashtoons and Tajiks make up the vast majority. Their hospitality knows no bounds. Lunches and dinners spent sitting on cushions around the dinner 'floor' scooping up The ubiquitous trucks carrying Afghan refugees going home food with the delicious nan bread (being careful to use only my right hand!) and washing it all down with cups and cups of green tea. - Their readiness to laugh and joke (the latter often being rather ribald!) and include me in their conversations - even when it meant translating from Dari into English for the only foreigner in their midst! - The call to prayers that woke me up each morning and could be heard throughout the day. The seasonal changes in fruit and vegetables: strawberry season, mango season, pomegranate season... which made one look forward to each change. - Elaborate official banquets so elegantly spread out over the floor cloth. One particularly unforgettable banquet in the Central Highlands, with my most favourite Afghan colleagues... a large temporary tent set up and filled with carpets and cushions, food all brought (we were in the middle of nowhere!) and treated us to a wonderful picnic and an unforgettable day (and all this in the middle of Ramadan, which meant that they all had to add on an extra day of fasting to make up for this 'travel' day feast). - Visiting the site where two huge Buddha statues once stood and marveling at the cave dwellings in the area - many still inhabited; mucking around in swan-shaped pedalos on a pure blue lake located 3,500m above sea level in the Central Highlands. - A rare moment on a hill-side orchard enjoying the sunshine (having escaped our armed escorts at least for one day)!; hunting in Chicken Street bazaar (Yep, some of the street names are interesting!!) for things to turn my little bedroom into a home or to bring back for the family; climbing up a steep hill to show VIP American visitors some of our work and watching their mini-army of American soldiers - armed to the teeth - circling around us, some going

10 Page 10 Church of Scotland Geneva out as far as two-three kilometres to 'secure' nearby hills. - Sitting cross-legged in countless mosques and community rooms talking with the elders; similar talks with the women (with inquisitive older children poking their heads around the doors / windows wanting to know what all the women were talking about!! ) and listening to them talking about the lives - past and present - and their hopes for the future. - Loving the sight of the mountains (covered with snow, scrub, mud houses...) as the little planes flew over them taking me to different places. My lasting impressions of Afghanistan is a country full of wonderful people and sights, and an abiding wish that this beautiful country could enjoy peace. So my sojourn in Southwest Asia has come to an end, although a part of me is left in Afghanistan, and I wonder where my next assignment will take me as I continue to try my best to help people displaced by war and violence; people who are often the 'forgotten' element of their society. Suzanne Murray-Jones Scots Hotel: Church of Scotland Galilee Getaway Back in the 1880s, a group of Scottish missionaries led by a surgeon, Dr David Watt Torrance, came to the Holy Land to preach, convert and heal. Torrance built a hospital in Tiberias which served patients from as far away as Damascus. After the new Israeli state built its own hospital in the region in 1959, the three buildings housing the Scottish one were converted into a hospice for pilgrims, and then a modest guesthouse, owned by the Church of Scotland. By the 1990s, the guesthouse was crumbling due to lack of investment, and the Church faced a dilemma: sell it, and its beautiful grounds by the Sea of Galilee, including a little cemetery where Dr Torrance and his family are buried, or invest in it. Expert advice suggested that the best way of recouping any investment would be to turn it into a top class hotel which might not only pay its own way but even generate profits for Galilee is a very special place for Christians, full of biblical resonances. This is where Jesus preached, where he is said to have performed miracles and gathered his band of disciples. It was 'unthinkable' that the Kirk could "abandon work on the shore of the lake that saw so much of Jesus' ministry". So, in 1999, the General Assembly voted to upgrade the property and create a place of reconciliation in the Middle East. The General Assembly was particularly won over by Palestinian Christian delegates who pleaded with the Kirk not to abandon its position in Israel. And so the Scots Hotel exists, and thrives. The three old hospital buildings have been superbly refurbished, retaining the Ottoman feel of the late 19th Century - the territory was at that point in time part of the Ottoman empire - while incorporating some Scottish elements in the furnishings and interiors. It is the hotel's policy to employ staff from all the region's religions confessions: Jew, Muslims and Christians. In the cosy 'Ceilidh' bar you can be served by a Russian Jewish barman wearing a kilt. The gardens are magnificent. You do not have to be a pilgrim to enjoy sitting in the share of flowering jacaranda tress and date palms contemplating the origins of Christianity on the shores of Galilee. Opened in 2004, the Scots Hotel was declared Israel's Boutique Hotel of the Year Rev Colin Johnston, Church of Scotland minister in Tiberias, is involved in liaising with Palestinian Christian communities, most of whom are Greek Catholic or Greek Orthodox. In the village of Reineh, near Nazareth, Father Samuel Barhoum tells how proud he is of the links with the Kirk. "We are a forsaken minority here," he says, alluding to the fact the outside the Middle East many people are unaware that there are Palestinian Christians as well as Muslims. For him, the Scots Hotel in Tiberias is "an oasis". ( The Church of Scotland has a second church in Israel: St. Andrew s Scots Memorial Church in Jerusalem. So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, Greetings! And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me. Matthew 28:8-10

11 Page 11 Contact List Brigadoons Betty Morris Bible Reader Coordinator Nicola Hollyman Caring for One Another Jim Sharp Choir Director Lucie Goater Church Fair Lesley Reddy Church Flowers Janet Askew Congregational Committee Arthur Askew Crèche Kathryn Moreno Cursillo Eleanor Strittmatter Diary Coordinator Michelle Buckingham Fiction Bookstall Mary Couper Free Will Offering Jurg Strittmatter Fabric Sub-committee Douglas Murray-Jones Mission Projects Eric Gerelle Newsletter Suzanne Murray-Jones Session Clerk Alice Tulloch Sunday Coffee Rota Terry Angleys Sunday School Freda Craeye Treasurer Han Broere Ushers Arthur Griffith Woman s Group Christine Bunn bunnc@bluewin.ch Website Eric Gerelle erg@ibex.ch Youth Group Lidian Shark dsharksharks@gmail.com An Intern looking for summer accommodation My name is Erin Nolan, a 28 year old graduate student who will be interning at CERN this summer. As you can imagine, I will be looking for housing this summer, and I thought, if possible, it would be more enjoyable to deal with a church family than a hostel. I grew up in and currently attend a Presbyterian church, so this seemed like a good place to start. I am looking for a bed and a roof over my head for 2.5 months. (I have spent the summer in a sleeping bag at a summer camp before, so I am low-maintenance and flexible.) I am hoping for something around the rate of CERN s lowest-priced hostel rooms, which are about CHF 420 per month. If anyone has a lead on a place I could live, my address is ms.e.nolan@gmail.com. Thanks, Erin For the past five years, I have been coordinating the monthly Diary, but I am now moving back to Canada (on 2 March) as my husband, David Winch, has accepted a position with the International Civil Aviation Organization in Montreal. Working on the Diary all these years have been a pleasure as I always thought it was a worthwhile job. I liked the concept. Through the Church of Scotland website, the Diary lets everyone know what is going on in the Church and sometime in the community. The new Diary Coordinator will be Michelle Buckingham (mbuckingham@bluewin.ch; ) and I wish her all the best. I will miss you all, Carleen Knowlton The Fabric Sub-Committee is looking for a competent handyman who can handle small works (painting, carpentry, plumbing, etc.). If you know of any one please contact Douglas Murray-Jones ( , dmurrayjones@aol.com) It's always interesting hearing about what members of our congregation are doing. So send something for the newsletter. It can be a short article, a poem, a drawing, a photo... Contact Suzanne Murray-Jones, Editor (murrayjo@unhcr.org) at any time. Our newsletter comes out four times a year