All people, of any age, are warmly invited to take part in all of our services

Transcription

1 Newsletter Crown Church, Inverness May 2017: No. 729 Parish Minister: the Rev (Dr) Peter Donald Probationer Minister: Mrs Heidi Hercus WORSHIP SERVICES All people, of any age, are warmly invited to take part in all of our services They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42) 7 May 9.30 am The first service 11 am The second service, with monthly Special Prayers 14 May 9.30 am The first service 11 am The second service 21 May 9.30 am The first service am Elders Preparatory worship 11 am The second service 28 May 9.30 am The first service 11 am The second service 4 June 9.30, 11am & 3 pm The Sacrament of the Lord s Supper 6.30 pm Thanksgiving Service, with monthly Special Prayers Also, every Friday at 12 noon, prayers at which people may be remembered by name ************************ AMONGST THE HIGHLIGHTS DURING MAY Until 6 May The God Dimension : the connecting of faith and science Saturday 6 May Community Fete, celebrating the place of children and young people Friday 19 May Boys Brigade Display Night From 20 May In Edinburgh, the General Assembly **********************

2 FROM THE PROBATIONER MINISTER Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. I have always loved this passage as it reminds me of the need for each of us to stir up one another to love and to good works. It reinforces the notion that has always been with me that it is good to meet together!! I have been with you all at Crown Church for 8 months now and I don't think it should come as a surprise to anyone that I just love when people get together!! My heart beats for fellowship with one another beyond our worship together on a Sunday morning. We have stirred up each other with some wonderful evenings of fellowship from the Thanksgiving feast, to the Girls Nights, The Burns Supper, music nights, Boys Brigade evening, to the Retreat and just this week my mother's 80th party. I think we like to be together at Crown and I feel we are one big family, a community of faith. Sure, we are different, we won't always agree, maybe we drive each other crazy sometimes, but do any of us belong to families that always agree, always see eye to eye, never get mad at one another? I doubt it! We just need to love one another! I think here at Crown we do love one another. If we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. As God is, so his people should be. Romans 12:4-5 For as in one body we have many members and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. We need each other, we are not meant to be out on our own. All of us have something to offer, all of us have a value and a worth! Thank Goodness we don't all have the same functions!! In Crown we have seen how good and pleasant it is to dwell in unity, working together as many members yet one body, knowing that Jesus Christ is in our midst, bearing one another s burdens, comforting each other. We need each other and are stronger together than we are individually. So in the next few months there will be several opportunities to get people together; over a meal, over a night of fun, walking together, a big day out. Let's work hard together at building this wonderful community of faith, let's work at getting together and encouraging one another! Every one of us can do this! Let's work hard at welcoming everyone in to this great big beautiful family at Crown, all are welcome all are welcome!! Let's stir one another up to love and good works!! Please see the CROWN DAY OUT invite! Let's all get together and have some fun! Heidi

3 Snow, selfies and summer the Young Crown update. At time of writing, I m both considering the snow that s been recently falling and the programme for Young Crown s summer activities. A paradox that is, in fact, quite unremarkable here in the Highlands! Whilst on the subject, I ve been thinking of some other paradoxes too I was researching some trends in UK statistics for youth and children s ministry and came across two stats in quick succession: 90% of adults who attend church had also attended as children. 48% of UK churches have fewer than five under-16s. What s going on here? Obviously these two stats don t tell the full story and there are many different strands of data filling in the blanks between them, but, I can t make these two fit together. We have an overwhelming majority amongst churchgoers for whom being in church was vital for their faith formation (another survey concluded that 72% of Christians had come to faith before the age of 20) and a following couple of generations almost wiped off the radar of church attendance! The statistics for the UK church aren t looking good. The graphs they produce are headed in the wrong direction. Thankfully we don t live in statistics. And we have a God who bends statistics. In Ephesians, He is identified as him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. As we head towards summer and the children s groups and organisations (BB, GB, Cubs, Beavers, Scouts, brownies, Guides, etc.) rest up and give their leaders a wellearned break; we re planning to fill the gap with summer clubs in a similar vein to last year. To make sure that children and young people have the opportunity to meet with us, be welcomed and invited and, most importantly, to meet God who multiplies. Who loves immeasurably, and empowers emphatically. Who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us. Immeasurably more. That s my prayer, and I hope yours too, for Young Crown as we reach out and grow and invite this summer. Ask and imagine. That s what we re doing because whilst the statistics are bad in terms of the self-preservation of an institution; what s really at stake is people coming to know the length, breadth, and depth of the love of Jesus. Pray for the summer groups, that there may be good numbers of people and excellent leaders. Pray for the upcoming lessons and prayer spaces in Schools; pray for the impact we can have on the community, and the ways we can show God s love to those in our midst! And, in case you were wondering, selfies in the title was a reference to a recent Young Crown event in which 38 youngsters went out on a photo treasure hunt. As ever, thanks for your prayers and support. Struan

4 Luther for the Church 500 years on Saturday 20th May 10am 4.30pm Martin Luther is one of the most well-known and influential Christian thinkers in the modern world. This year is the 500 th anniversary of his nailing of 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. With this act he raised fundamental questions about how to understand the Christian faith and what it means to be a minister of the gospel that reverberate today. This day-long workshop, Luther for the Church 500 years on ; offers time and space to study some of Luther s works and to discuss them with theologians from Aberdeen, Glasgow and Oberursel Universities. The day of worship, lectures, seminars and fellowship promises to be a time of inspiration, challenge and refreshment. Presenters: Professor Robert Kolb, Rev Dr Charlotte Methuen, Dr Brian Brock, Rev Dr Ken Jeffrey, Dr Mike Laffin,Mrs Caireen Likely, Miss Ivana Sopuchova. Location: Sir Duncan Rice Library Aberdeen University Fee: 45 ( 25 student) Includes lunch Contact: clare.davidson@abdn.ac.uk On the subject of photographs! As you will see when you have a chance to read through this month's newsletter, our photographers have been very busy and there are a number of lovely photographs ecording various church events over the last month. The editors are well aware that our present printing facilities limit the quality of the photographs on the printed page. However, the photographs can be viewed in glorious colour on the church website. We also wish to express our gratitude to our photographers, Donald Matheson, Bill Mein and Stewart Robertson.

5 LIFE AND WORK Life and Work is now available as a digital edition for computer, tablet and smartphone. Subscribe from for six months or buy a single issue for 1.99 from MAY 2017 Sowing the Seeds of Peace in South Sudan Thomas Baldwin reports on the man-made crisis which has led to famine in the world s newest country and the peace-building work being led by the Church of Scotland General Assembly 2017 Interview with the Moderator-Designate Assembly reports Business and fringe timetables Heart and Soul preview An invitation to visit the historic library collections of New College Behind Every Number is a Name Ahead of Christian Aid Week, why the work of the charity is more vital than ever Pilgrimage Through Life New columnist the Rev Lezley Stewart introduces herself A Place of Renewal John R Hume considers the history of Motherwell with a focus on Dalziel St Andrew s Parish Church Life on a Food Parcel How a deacon and her husband raised funds for a local foodbank Plus news, reviews, letters, registers and crosswords Online visit us at for regular news and exclusive features, find us on Facebook and follow us on Gaelic The Gaelic Supplement for May will be available as a free download from from April 24. If you would like an notification when it becomes available, please contact us on magazine@lifeandwork.org

6 On Thursday May 11th, from 7.30 to 9.00pm, you are invited - regardless of singing ability! - to come and enjoy singing through some of the new worship songs and hymns that we have used over the past year or so. It's not always easy to learn songs while singing in the worship services, so, with Peter Donald on the piano and Hannah Donald on guitar and helping lead the singing, this evening is intended to remind us of some of the new songs we've sung and help them become old favourites. When I first organised this a couple of summers ago or so, some people thought it was intended for existing or past or potential choir members; this is not so! There is no hidden agenda or intention to pressgang people to join the choir; the evening is simply offered to enjoy singing over new songs. So please consider coming to enjoy. Thursday 11th May, 7.30 to 9.00 in the Small Hall. Any questions please contact me. Brigid Sing a New Song 2 Many thanks to Margot Tuley for these photographs of the final meeting of the bridge club for the present season which was held on 4th April.

7 CHURCH FAMILY OUTING TO KINCRAIG With this in mind we would like to run a coach to Kincraig Wildlife Park on Saturday, 9 th September for the whole church family. There will be no charge for entry into the Park or the coach, but you may buy your own refreshments as necessary. So whatever age you are 8 or 80 you will be welcome! We plan to leave the church about 1 pm, and hope to return at approximately 5.30 pm. There will be a tour round the park to start with, and then those able may go off exploring on foot, while others may choose to stay in the café and watch the wildlife from the observation window. There will be activities provided for the youngsters as well. Obviously to pay for this we shall have to do some fund-raising! There will be a Tea and Roses afternoon on Saturday, 12 th August in the Lower Hall from 2 pm 4.30 pm and the tickets will cost 5. This will take the form of afternoon tea served on a pretty tablecloth, in nice china, with sandwiches and home baking on the tables (not quite Tea at the Ritz but close!). We hope you will buy a ticket for this, and so fund the outing to Kincraig. Heidi *************** TEA AND ROSES in the Crown Church Lower Hall on SATURDAY, 12 TH AUGUST from 2 pm to 4.30 pm All welcome! Funds towards Church Family Outing to Kincraig Wildlife Park on 9 th September TICKETS - 5

8 Crown Women's' Retreat at Glenfeshie Hostel March 24th to 26th 2017 It was a memorable weekend. We enjoyed brilliant weather and scenery, excellent food and company, fun, love and laughter with some moments of sadness. We had opportunities to walk and to talk, sharing experiences and confidences with others. Morven led us through yoga. Everyone felt the benefit. Even Holly, Elspeth's dog, found it most relaxing!! Heidi gave us fun exercises and thoughtful ones, doing things we would not have previously expected to take part in much less enjoy, but did. There was some time spent alone, to reflect on those sessions in the stillness and beauty of the countryside, where cows and sheep fell silent to join in our meditation. (continued on next page)

9 This experience made me think of William Cowper's words: How sweet, how passing sweet, is solitude! But grant me still a friend in my retreat, Whom I may whisper solitude is sweet. Our communion was special and very moving, uniting us all in Christ's presence and love. I feel sure I speak for all the ladies who were at the retreat when I say we were reluctant to leave and full of gratitude to Heidi for giving us such a worthwhile and never to be forgotten experience. Lena Save the date! * The Highland Malawi Trust Strawberry Tea will be held on Saturday 10th June 2017 From 2pm to 5pm At 6 Raasay Road, Inverness Reay

10 Here are a few of the photographs taken at the birthday celebrations of Pat Willis taken at the church on the afternoon of Sunday 23rd April No words necessary!

11 Some more photographs, this time of the Maundy Thursday meal held at the church on Thursday 13 April. Not to be outdone, the choir celebrated the end of the season with a "Potluck" supper where our retiring accompanist, Ross Fairfield, was presented with a gift in recognition of the choir's appreciation of his services.

12 Is it OK to Believe? Why science hasn t buried God. This topic was obviously of interest to a large number of people as the lower hall was filled to capacity to hear Rev Dr Alistair Donald (chaplain to Heriot-Watt University) on Tuesday 2 nd May, when he came to lecture as part of our week - long look at science, faith and the universe which we entitled The God Dimension. We were delighted to welcome guests from many different churches and none, and to hear discussion from a wide range of viewpoints. Dr Donald addressed the questionable stance of the new atheists who have had such a pervasive influence on the country s media, and argued that faith and science both in their different ways can tell us about our world and the universe, and that both are needed. However, he warned that scientists while able to talk knowledgeably about their own subject areas were amateurs when they tried to stray into theology or philosophy and should not try to pass off these pronouncements as being anything other than their own personal opinion. Dr Donald s talk followed on an excellent sermon given by Rev Doug McRoberts on the previous Sunday which gave us three big thoughts about science and faith - much to chew over and assimilate. (E mail or paper copies can be requested from the church office.) Eileen Ardern

13 Thy Kingdom Come - Inverness Prayer Space and Joint Churches Celebration It is fantastic that so many churches of different denominations across our city are signing up to pray together for our city and communities. As of today, we are the only city wide Cathedral event happening in Scotland! If you aren't yet involved, please do have a look - the more the merrier! If you are involved as a church, there is likely to be a few small costs for us to cover between us for resources for the prayer room and celebration plus it would be nice to be able to give the CYC a gift who are kindly not charging us for the use of the prayer space. We had the figure of 50 per church in mind & if you could give us an indication of whether you are in a positon to make a donation it would be appreciated. We absolutely don t wouldn't want money to get in the way of us engaging in this together, if money is a problem then it s not a problem!. If you aren't familiar with Thy Kingdom Come, please do have a look at Thy Kingdom Come. There are short videos on social media #thykingdomcome that give you more information if you feel you want or need that. It has been suggested that it would also be great to explore how we can encourage our congregations in missional engagement during this period of time, to link prayer and action. I wonder whether the best way of us looking at doing this is if as churches we pursue this to a model that we feel would work for our own people. I spent some time on a Skype call with David Hart, one of the key guys from Try Praying who feel their Try Praying literature works best where there is a personal ongoing relationship that people have with their not-yet Christian friends, neighbours, family members and colleagues so they can check in with people to see how they are getting on with it. They are offering a 10% reduction in the cost of literature in April so maybe worth exploring further. I have pasted below some information from a recent they sent out. I'll leave this to you to decide what you feel you want to do, or not. I am really excited as to how this is coming together! Please feel free to use the attachments for the publicity you need. If you don't have access to colour printing then please do let us know & we can help with that, Carngorm has a good printer we can use! Please do help us spread the word for what I feel is a really significant event for our city. Many Thanks Chris

14 Dear Friends, So May is upon us and the maidens are on their way!! On the 9th they will travel to Malawi - first visit since 2014 and their excitement knows no bounds!! Whilst there, they hope to engage mainly in building and maintenance of existing structures at the care centres. They will be able to spend more time in the school as it's not holiday time and obviously visit the hospital where hopefully they will see the difference that the support given by the Trust via donors has made. They pray earnestly that a solution will be found for the water saga at Chamalaza. On the 1st of April the maidens helped to load the very last container being sent out by The Raven Trust from Dundee. It was a bittersweet experience given it was something they had always wanted to do but also knowing it was the end of an era. Much time, effort and love has gone into the banana boxes over the years and the maidens want to reiterate their appreciation once more for the goods, the packing time and monetary donations given by the congregation at Crown. Some bad news came to them on the 22nd of April when they were informed that a lorry with container 105 which had left Dundee in January had overturned 20 km south of Mzuzu. Fortunately no one was hurt and as far as they know all their boxes were retrieved and they hope that Mr Lupia will be able to at least hold some, to enable the maidens to deliver them personally during their trip. The maidens ask you to pray for a safe and fruitful trip for them and although the banana boxes have come to an end, the Trust work will continue. There is no doubt that the coffers will be empty on their return in June and no doubt that there will be many more requests for aid around Mzuzu so if you are free on Saturday 10th June please come along to the annual Strawberry Tea at 6 Raasay Road. If you have been before you know it's good, if you haven't, give it a whirl and catch up on all their news. With much love to you all. Chrisanne and Reay

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16 Christian Aid Week: standing with refugees like Nejebar Nejebar and her family have fled horrors in Afghanistan, where her husband was threatened with torture and death by the Taliban just for being a government worker (a teacher). But now they ve arrived in Greece, all they have is a tent. They have no other protection against wind and rain. There s no school for their five children. And they have no certainty or clear idea of what will happen to them now. They thought they would stay here for 10 days, but it s already been six months and there s no end in sight. Nejebar and her husband Noor Photo credit Christian Aid Nejebar s husband Noor describes their initial reaction to arriving in the camp in Greece: It was like suicide for us. But we took the decision that it is better to die here than to die there from war. You ve helped us be there for refugees since 1945 Christian Aid was set up by British churches in 1945 to support the hundreds of thousands of refugees who had lost their homes and possessions in the Second World War. Christian Aid Week was launched in 1957 to raise funds for vital work like this that was still continuing in the long running aftermath of the war. For 60 years, tens of thousands of dedicated volunteers have come together for Christian Aid Week each May to raise vital money for those most in need. Thanks to you, we ve been there for refugees, providing essential food, shelter and legal assistance. Your support is more vital now than ever. Let s not turn our backs on refugees now. Please support our volunteers here in Crown in your prayers. David Crippin

17 INVERNESS FOODSTUFF (SCIO) is a charity in Inverness providing a Drop-in Centre at Ness Bank Church Hall for homeless and vulnerable people and we are seeking to employ a VOLUNTEER MANAGER to work with us and be the person responsible for developing and managing the role of our Volunteers. The Project has 60 volunteers involved in the project at any one time. The successful candidate would be expected to work 12 hours per week; 5 hrs on a Tuesday and Thursday (11am to 4pm) at Ness Bank Church Hall. The Board is happy to be flexible as to where and when the remaining 2 hours are delivered, to suit the successful candidate. The salary for the post is 14 per hour. The successful candidate would report directly to the Secretary of the Board of Charity Trustees. We are looking for someone with proven communication and organisational skills who has the desire to work constructively with a range of people and other agencies to help tackle food poverty and loneliness amongst homeless and other people in need. Applicants should be computer literate with the ability and motivation to work on their own initiative for the continued development of the project. Inverness Foodstuff is a registered charity and has secured funding for this post currently for one year. If you are interested in finding out more about the post please contact Joyce Muir on invernessfoodstuff@gmail.com for a more detailed job and person specification along with an application form should you wish to apply. Closing date for applications is 12 May Please note we are hoping to be in a position to interview for the post week beginning 15 May Starting the position as soon as possible thereafter (dependant on current notice period etc.) Inverness Foodstuff (SCIO) Charity Number SC045221

18 Daily Bible Readings for May / June 2017 May 7, 2017 Sunday: Ethiopian Comes to Believe, Acts 8:26-39 Monday: The Death of Herod, Acts 12:20-25 Tuesday: Barnabas and Paul Commissioned, Acts 13:1-3 Wednesday: The Apostles Preach in Cyprus, Acts 13:4-12 Thursday: Paul and Barnabas in Iconium, Acts 14:1-7 Friday: Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe, Acts 14:8-20 Saturday: Return to Antioch in Syria, Acts 14:21-28 May 14, 2017 Sunday: Council at Jerusalem, Acts 15:1-18 Monday: The Conversion of Lydia, Acts 16:11-15 Tuesday: Paul and Silas in Prison, Acts 16:16-40 Wednesday: Paul Sails for Rome, Acts 27:1-12 Thursday: The Storm at Sea, Acts 27:13-38 Friday: The Shipwreck, Acts 27:39-28:16 Saturday: Paul Preaches in Rome, Acts 28:23-31 May 21, 2017 Sunday: Living by Faith, Galatians 1:13-17; 2:11-21 Monday: Welcome to the Galatians, Galatians 1:1-12 Tuesday: Paul Defends His Apostleship, Galatians 1:18-24 Wednesday: Paul and the Other Apostles, Galatians 2:1-10 Thursday: God s Promise to Abraham, Galatians 3:10-18 Friday: The Purpose of the Law, Galatians 3:19-22 Saturday: Paul Reprimands the Galatians, Galatians 4:8-20 May 28, 2017 Sunday: One in Christ, Galatians 3:1-9, Monday: Hagar and Sarah, Galatians 4:21-5:1 Tuesday: The Nature of Christian Freedom, Galatians 5:2-15 Wednesday: Works of the Flesh, Galatians 5:16-21 Thursday: The Fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-26 Friday: Bear One Another s Burdens, Galatians 6:1-10 Saturday: Final Words and Blessing, Galatians 6:11-18 June 4, 2017 Sunday: Pentecost, Acts 2:1-4; Galatians 4:1-7 Monday: Paul Greets the Ephesians, Ephesians 1 Tuesday: One in Christ, Ephesians 2 Wednesday: Paul s Ministry to the Gentiles, Ephesians 3 Thursday: New Life in Christ, Ephesians 4 Friday: On Being Christian, Ephesians 5 Saturday: Put on the Armor of God, Ephesians 6

19 CONTACTS MINISTER Rev Dr Peter Donald, PROBATIONER MINISTER Mrs Heidi Hercus, Church Vestry, OLM ASSISTANT Rev Morven Archer, YOUTH WORKER Struan McRoberts, SESSION CLERK Brian Macgill, ORGANIST/CHOIRMASTER Brigid Donald, SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPT Patricia MS Crippin, BOARD CHAIRMAN Bill Mein, CLERK TO BOARD Judith Macleod, TREASURER Donald MacKenzie, FREEWILL OFFERINGS Robert Shanks, GIFT AID TREASURER Robert Hendry, CHURCH SECRETARY Gloria Mackintosh, Church Office SAFEGUARDING Joan Merchant FACILITIES -CONVENER Gordon Cameron, David MacLellan, HALLS BOOKINGS Irene Whyte, CARETAKER Eilidh Ross GUILD SECRETARY Adrienne Adie, LADY VISITORS Jane Wilson, FLOWERS CONVENER Ruby Coe, NEWSLETTER EDITORS Bob & M Forrest CHURCH OFFICE Crown Church Tues-Fri ( ) office@crownchurch.orangehome.co.uk WEBSITE May Jun 4 Readers Lucy Livingston David MacKenzie Mairi Main Jude Madeleine Communion Creche Kay Macdonald, Sheena Ferguson Heather Beck, Gillian & David Thomson Helen Grant, Irene Munro Jane Smith, Muriel Choppy TBA Coffee Mairi Main, Eleanor Ross, Janet MacPherson Kimm Currie, Vi Gollan, Eileen Ardern Irene Sutherland, Liz Forbes, Irene Munro Alison Caird, Lena Clarke, Isabelle MacKenzie Communion May Count Team Pat Douglas Heather Beck, Robert & Aileen Laing, Helen Boynton June Count Team Sheena Ferguson Ian Akers, Richard Ardern, Alastair MacPherson, Robert Shanks May Welcome Team North Door Isabelle & Donald MacKenzie South Door Mairi & David Main Midmills North BBs Midmills South BBs June Welcome Team North Door Sheena Ferguson & Douglas Taylor South Door Jane Smith & Lena Clarke Midmills North Peter & Joyce Collinson Midmills South Jude Madeleine

20 NEWS OF THE CHURCH FAMILY WEDDING David Merchant and Dawn Beatty, on 21 April DEATHS Margaret Fraser, on 15 April Kenneth MacDonald, on 16 April Janet Flett, on 19 April Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep (Romans 12.15) Volunteer Cooks Needed! Highland Gateway (formerly known as Highland Homeless Trust) is a charity which provides emergency accommodation in Inverness throughout the year for the most vulnerable in our society. The charity recognises that in times of crisis a home cooked meal can be very comforting. The emergency accommodation provided by the charity has a freezer and a microwave. The freezer is stocked with home cooked meals provided by volunteers. Highland Gateway wishes to recruit volunteer cooks to prepare the meals for the freezer. What is required of volunteer cooks? Prepare six or more individual meals each in a labelled plastic box Meal suggestions include: meat casserole with potatoes, mince and tatties, pasta bakes, macaroni cheese, soup. The charity advise that you might be called upon to cook once or twice a year. If you are interested in helping, please contact me for further details. Janet MacPherson The copy deadline for the next Newsletter will be Sunday 29th May. Contributions should be sent to the Forrests or left in "F" pigeonhole. Please note that the newsletter can also be accessed via the church website where you will be able to see all the photographs in colour Published by Crown Church, Inverness (Church of Scotland) Registered charity SC The Church website is to be found at