INVERNESS FREE NORTH CHURCH NEWSLETTER November 2015 From the Manse Dear friends, In my daily reading plan I m making my way through Ezekiel amongst other passages in the Bible and the truth is there are sections which are difficult to understand containing language and concepts that are hard to make sense of. In chapter 1 Ezekiel sees a vision of four creatures, each having wings, a face, flying in the midst of fire, moving at the speed of lightning and each having a corresponding wheel that was intersecting with another wheel!!! How can we imagine what that looked like and what does that all mean? In chapters 38 and 39, the prophesy refers to the mysterious Gog and Magog. It s unclear who Gog is, where Magog is and when this prophesy against God s people is to be fulfilled! We read the same names in the book of Revelation as well, which is way in the future (Rev 20. 8), so does this refer to end times? There is much that is difficult for us to grasp in the Bible, not just in Ezekiel, but I am so thankful that Paul spells out clearly what is clear and what is of first importance. In 1 Corinthians 15. 3-5 he writes, For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter and then to the twelve. The death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus is of first importance and is plain for all to grasp and understand. So whilst it s important to broaden and deepen our Bible knowledge, let s never do so at the expense of what is of first importance, what is plainly evident and what is the only thing that will save- believing in and following the Lord Jesus Christ who, as Romans 4. 25 says, was delivered over to death for our sins and raised to life for our justification. Your friend and Pastor Colin Rev Colin MacLeod 1
Congratulations We wish Kenny Robertson and Kathleen Campbell all the very best on their recent engagement. Colin Congratulations to Ruth, daughter of Rona and Ken MacLeod on her marriage to David Peters on the 31 st October in Buccleuch and Greyfriars Church, Edinburgh. Ruth is Heritage Officer with Wandsworth Borough Council and David is a Planner with Network Rail and their paths met through a Christian event in London. We wish God s blessing on Ruth and David as they begin married life together and as they shortly set up home in Sydenham London... Please remember the following people in your prayers Illnesses or Hospital Mr Archie MacArthur Residential Homes Mrs Christina Morrison Ach an Eas Housebound Ms Joan Reid Aden House Mrs Margaret Grant Miss Catriona Urquhart Ballifeary Mrs Christine MacRae Miss Betty MacRae - Ballifeary Mrs Mary MacDonald Miss Nan MacDonald - Ballifeary Mrs Effie MacIver Miss Morag MacDonald Cameron House Mrs Anna Cameron Mrs Joan Macleman Fairfield Home Mrs Margaret MacAulay - Highview Mrs Joan Lamont - Highview Mrs Eila Macfarlane Isobel Fraser Home Mrs Ishbel Graham - Kingsmills Home Mr Angus Morrison Kingsmills Home 2
Kirk Session News Office Bearer s Strategy day At the recent Quinquennial, the Presbytery Committee had suggested that there should be a 3-5 year strategic development plan for the congregation with a focus on reaching the city centre. With that in mind, the Session have arranged an Office Bearer s Strategy Day to take place at Smithton Free Church on Saturday 28 th of November. Three main topics will be discussed - city centre church development, reaching in to the Free North and also strategies for growth. We are delighted that James Fraser, Presbytery Clerk has agreed to facilitate the meeting. New members At the recent Communion weekend the congregation enjoyed the ministry of the Rev Alasdair Macleod Lochbroom when he preached on Saturday evening and throughout Sunday both in the church and at Madras Street. Finally, at the congregational fellowship we learned about 3 M s relating to Alasdair - the man, the ministry and the Mission Board. The Friday Testimony evening was very well attended when Olivia Ross, Victoria Cameron Mackintosh and Stewart Vant gave their testimonies in a very personal manner, sharing some of the challenges which they ve experienced since becoming Christians. The Session was delighted to welcome Ken Cormack and Margaret Laidlaw into membership by profession and also Anne Thomson and Helen Leask by disjunction certificate. 35 associate members were received from the West Church. Deacons Court News Toilet block/fellowship area works As you will be aware the Deacons Court has developed plans to create a toilet block where the lower session room currently is and also to create a fellowship area at the rear of the church facing the pulpit. 3
The necessary funding for the works is now available and revised quotations have been obtained from contractors. Representatives from the Deacons' Court have met with the contractors and the works are likely to start in January 2016 and will take an estimated 6-8 weeks. While some disruption is expected, it is hoped that this will be kept to a minimum so the usual church activities can continue. The Deacons Court would like to thank the congregation for their continued financial and prayerful support on the matter. Further information on the exact nature of works - including a schedule of works and any potential disruption will be presented in due course. If you have any questions please speak to me and I will try and assist. Brian Cameron Clerk to the Deacons Court Bdcameron77@googlemail.com / 01463 715429 Congregational News and Activities 30 s/40 s Multiply A number of men in their 30 s/40 s meet every month in the Manse to engage in studying material called Multiply. It s a resource that walks us through the big ideas in the Bible with the aim of helping us to become and to encourage others to become, followers of Jesus. The emphasis of the material is to remind us that our whole lives are part and parcel of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. We enjoy a time of study, discussion and prayer and the group has really served to help us get to know one another better. If you re in this age group and would like to come along please do. You can access the material on line at https://www.multiplymovement.com/material and look out in the notice sheet for the meetings to be announced. We next meet on Tuesday 22 nd December at 7.30pm. Colin 4
20s / 30s Group Update The 20s / 30s group has been enjoying a varied syllabus of praise, prayer, doctrine and conversation since coming back from the summer break. So far this session Colin has given talks and lead discussions on two topics: Heaven and Capital Punishment. We have also been going through the book "Short Steps to Long Gains", an A to Z of key Christian terms and topics. It's a great resource for informal one- to- one chats or group conversations. We're only on the letter 'B' so far, but that alone has been an education! We're looking forward to continuing with Short Steps, and have a talk on The Trinity scheduled to take place before Christmas. We also have a praise evening coming up, as well as a testimony night. Anyone in their 20s or 30s is most welcome to come and join us for our evenings of payer, praise, doctrine, discussion, friendship and food. Thanks always to Jessie for preparing the aforementioned food and of course to Colin for leading and organising the group. In addition, Darren Graham has begun a Bible Study for those in their 20s and 30s, which meets in the church on Tuesday evenings fortnightly. Please contact Darren if you would like more details. Robin Women s Meetings Blythswood Boxes At the October Women's Meeting nearly 50 boxes were filled mainly for men, women and teenagers. However, there was enough left to almost fill another 18 boxes. I had been given a few donations with the instruction to buy what was needed so was able to complete these boxes before delivering them all to Blythswood. The Treasurer sent all other donations to Blythswood towards transport costs. Thanks to all who donated cash and items, covered boxes with wrapping paper and filled the boxes. Jane MacLeod Women s Meeting 3 November Known internationally as a deep haven facility, The Port of Invergordon is visited by some of the world s largest cruise liners and many cargo vessels. Less well known is the global reach of the local Church Of Scotland s Mission To Seafarers. Drew Anderson, Chaplain, addressed our WfM meeting and highlighted the diverse nature of their work. 5
The church was built in 1818, the spire being unusually high, to serve as a beacon to mariners. Nowadays the building serves as a Christian beacon of warm hospitality to ships crews and passengers alike. Crews from around the world can be on vessels for many months at a time and often lack basic necessities. The Mission volunteers provide Bibles in different languages, Christian books, warm clothing, food, blankets, Wifi etc. They also use the Mission minibus for outings to local areas. Loneliness can be a problem for the crew members. The kindness extended by the Mission is a lifeline and some have become Christians as a result. We were encouraged to pray for this vital work and to help in any practical way we can. (Knitted hats are ALWAYS welcome!) Your path is in the sea; Your way through the mighty waters. Ps 77:19 Joan Casey Other News Inverness and North Free Church Missions Support Group Report for AGM 2015 George Maclean, Chairman - AGMs are usually unexciting, but that statement may reveal more about us than about AGMs, as far as congregations and especially missions are concerned. Anything to do with Christ s kingdom should absorb our attention, for his glory is bound up with it, and mission surely has nothing dull about it. It confronts the powers of darkness. It faces the resources and hostility of the world with faith, prayer and the scriptures. It turns the world upside down. It is the greatest rescue attempt anywhere or in any age. Should we not all be excited and humbled that we are called to participate in mission? This mission support group may be a tiny part of the mission of the church of Christ on earth, but may we ever rise to the challenge and sense our privilege to be called to this work. September 2014 saw the first coffee morning fund- raiser in Helmsdale, thus truly justifying the inclusion of the word north in our title. It was a gratifying occasion, with an encouraging turn- out, a good spirit and 700 raised for the school in Chhapara. The second event was a 6
coffee morning in the Free North in November. It was better attended than the previous year and raised a creditable sum of money for the new project, which was to raise money for a computer lab in the Colegio San Andres, Lima. There was a good turn- out in February at Knockbain for the missions lunch. Catriona MacDonald gave an excellent and at times inter- active talk about her work in the Colegio. There was a substantial sum raised for the school. In March there was a coffee morning in Tain, which was very successful. The Dingwall coffee morning in May was slow to start but gradually filled up and was a worthwhile event. A new departure was the meeting we had on 2nd May with Adam. It was arranged following a request from the Board to consider whether we could support Adam. The lunch at Sandra Bain s house at Tore was an uplifting occasion and there was much discussion of the way forward. The Missions Support Group is aware that there are significant changes in the structures of the Free Church and in what used to be the International Missions Board. As a result of the appointment of a Missions Director we hope that the Missions Support Groups will have a higher profile. For 2015-2016 the Board wishes us to support Adam, but advises that we consult Rev. John MacPherson and Sarah Macleod regarding publicity for our fund- raising events. The Missions Support Group wishes to acknowledge the work that Sandra Bain has done over many years as Secretary. She has done her work with the minimum of fuss and the fact that she has been difficult to replace speaks volumes. We welcome Murina Anderson as our new Secretary and she takes over from this point on. Thanks are due to a host of others: the committee, as all have played a valuable part; to Moira Bauld, our efficient Treasurer; to Mary Gillies for producing the newsletter; to Helen Sharp for her organisational abilities, especially at the Knockbain lunch; to Dr Alan Fraser for handling publicity and display materials; to William Wylie for dealing with Gift Aid administration; to Kate MacKeddie for organising the Tain Coffee Morning; to Catriona MacDonald for agreeing to speak; and to the Deacons Courts of Dingwall, Free North, Greyfriars, Helmsdale, Knockbain and Tain & Fearn for the use of their buildings. Let us do what we do with enthusiasm, as unto the Lord, 7
and he will surely bless. A copy of the Financial Statement is available from the Treasurer. A total of 4750 was sent to Colegio San Andres in Peru to upgrade their computer department. Praise the Lord for His generous people. Rev David Meredith, newly appointed Director of Missions for the Free Church, joined us for part of the AGM and of the Committee Meeting that followed. He gave a brief overview of the Church s present concept of mission either at home or overseas - which will include expansion into new territory, a willingness to work with other mission organisations, and a recognition of past work in India, Peru and South Africa but with an emphasis on these missions being in charge now of their own work. Partnership is the key word and people going abroad from the home church would serve for different lengths of time as required by the receiving church. Raising their own financial support would become normal practice although there is a small fund to enable young people to go overseas to work with mission. We look forward to learning more. Our Programme For 2015-2016 - Following our meeting with Adam, we felt that we would like to support him for a year with the money that was raised. The Board was also encouraging us. Information about his specific activities is not always available but we can leave the distribution to himself who does keep in touch with our churches. The details are still to be sorted out so we will let you know shortly. Events - We hope to have the same as before and dates are being planned. Wonderful team work where everyone contributes and generosity is shown to an amazing degree has kept our Mission Support Group going from 1985 onwards. We hope that by God s grace we will still continue to serve Him by serving others. Dochas has been going for just over a year now, and the need for volunteers and pool staff members has arisen. Please pass this on to anyone who you think could help and ask them to get in contact with the unit in Edderton. Thanks for your help, and we d also value your prayers in the work we re involved in. With Christian Good Wishes, Martin Maclean, Project Worker, Dochas Project, Bethany Christian Trust, Balblair House, Edderton, IV19 1LF Tel: 01862 821521 8