April - May 2016 Services and Prayers St Columba's Portree Newsletter Scottish Episcopal Church Diocese of Argyll and The Isles Somerled Square, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9EH E-mail: stcolumbas.portree@btinternet.com Assistant Curate, The Rev d Rosemary Bungard, Tel: 01478 660248, 07719585732 Bishop The Rt. Rev d Kevin Pearson, Bishop of Argyll and the Isles General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church: SC015962 Charity Number: SC020146 to our visitors and parishioners St Columba s, Portree Liturgy of the Word and Communion or Eucharist each Sunday at Sunday school meets during the service The Church is open daily 10am to 4pm. Candlelit Taize Hour The Taize Hour is held the first Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm. The chants are simple and the silent meditation periods between each song are short. All are welcome, please see church calendar for dates., Prayers and Thanksgivings Everyday St Columba s is open for Prayer. A book is on the table at the rear of the church for any prayer requests. St Michael and All Angels, Raasay Communion Service the 2 nd Tuesday of each month in the Community Centre. St Mary s, Sleat Liturgy of the Word and Communion or Eucharist 6pm on 2 nd Sunday of each month in the Old Gaelic College. St Columba s Newsletter April - May 2016 Page 1
April May 2016 Pastoral Letter Letter from Bishop Kevin Dear Friends, Christ is risen from the dead. Alleluia! We carry within ourselves one of the great signs of resurrection; Tears. Tears consist of two elements, water and salt. Water is the agent of cleansing, but water is the essential element of our lives. Growth and the sustaining of life is only possible because of water. The second element of our tears is salt. Salt is a preservative and is used to enhance the flavour of your food. By tradition at the Passover meal, water and salt are mingled. They symbolise the delivery of God s people from slavery through the water of the Red Sea while salt symbolises the afflictions, suffering of God s people. Our tears combine those two elements and symbols within ourselves. When Jesus spoke to Mary Magdalene in the garden of the Resurrection, we are told Mary was weeping. She was weeping tears of grief, pain, passion, and affliction. When Jesus spoke to her, simply using her name, her tears continued to flow but now they were tears of joy, hope in love. Love which makes sense of our pain, grief, suffering, affliction and love which brings growth, life from that very pain and grief. Read the story of Mary s encounter with Jesus in John s Gospel and you will notice Mary never moves, she doesn t run towards Jesus or attempt to get physically closer to him. She simply stands and weeps but her tears of sorrow become tears of joy. We carry the signs of resurrection in ourselves, in the love we share; God is with us because God is love. When in Holy Week 2016 the people of Brussels had their lives changed beyond all recognition, they wept. It was the most horrific reminder of how anger and hate and selfishness and religious certainty combined in the attempt to kill all that is best and true in our humanity, which we see in Jesus Christ. That, as we know, is not the end of the story. The people of Brussels were determined to ensure that life went on in their city. Many took to the streets weeping. They proved Love, that is of God is resilient and will defeat selfishness, is stronger, will make something positive of anger and pain. They proved the power of Love, which Jesus showed is stronger even than death. That power turns our tears of affliction and pain into tears of joy and hope. Alleluia. Bishop Kevin Argyll and The Isles St Columba s Newsletter April - May 2016 Page 2
Bryan Foskett R.I.P. Though we did not meet at the time, I believe our paths crossed while serving in the Armed Forces in Cyprus about nineteen canteen in other words: a long time ago. I first meet Bryan at St Columba s Church as a member of the New and Younger wave of church goers in the nineties and found him a very friendly and kind man. Later we worked together at the A.R.M.S. centre, helping those suffering from M.S. and other complaints or sports injuries. Bryan was always very good at attending to their needs and also brewed a fine cup of coffee for the operators of the chamber. Bryan was a loyal member of the Vestry and Church Treasurer for many years. I used to wind him up about that when he arrived at Church one Sunday in a new car. His dear old Volvo had gone for scrappage. He also did readings, said prayers, was a sidesman and altar server but most of all was a welcoming face on arrival at the main door of St Columba s. Bryan was also a well-loved actor and appeared in many of the local plays and was an ardent golfer and dog walker. Chemotherapy took its toll but he always remained cheerful. Someone once said that chemo destroys the soul but Bryan never lost his faith, shrugged it off and kept his head down and got on with life. It was a great privilege to be asked to read his family s eulogy at their thanksgiving service and I felt him alongside me as he would say to himself; he has left the stage but the show goes on. Thanks for the years and God bless you Bryan. Blues Skies Dave Parker Volunteers needed There are one or two vacant slots in the current rota for teas and flowers. Please will someone volunteer for these see Rosemary. Help needed! We are short of volunteers for the following Church Duties Leading intercessions during the Sunday service - Training can be offered Providing and arranging in Church St Columba s Newsletter April - May 2016 Page 3
Diocese of Argyll and the Isles Report on Conference Day and Synod March 8th 9th 2016 As usual, conference day preceded Synod on Tuesday 8th March. Conference day is a great occasion when all the representatives of our far flung diocese can meet and exchange news and views and hear how other charges are envisioning their mission. Conference began with an address from Alison Clark who will be retiring from her post as Congregational Development Officer (Lay Learning) in April. She will be very much missed as she has worked her socks off for the diocese. Alison, who was running the session with Isobel MacNaughton, spoke of the great spiritual journey which has been undertaken in the last five years of mission by all the charges and how heart-warming it was to see that despite our small and scattered congregations, people have seized the opportunity to renew the life of the church. She urged us to seek to refresh people not fabric; the church is its members not its house; to trust in God and not be afraid. Our biggest challenge is that we are in a post Christendom era and it is up to us to enliven Christ's message, which has never been more relevant than today, so that we rekindle the flame of His message. Presentations from the charges followed which, as usual, were very encouraging and informative. St Andrew's Fort William has the same problem as many of our charges, a very scattered congregation, many of whom are elderly. They have managed to arrange lifts for the less able to get them into church. The West Highlands charge of 6 churches which stretches from North Appin to South Argyll with an aggregate membership of 50 has been a great challenge for the diocese. The Bishop has called in the Church Army to help organize the best way to serve these far-flung congregations. Our own presentations from St. Columba's & St. Michael's were well received. Conference continued with lively discussions at tables on topics such as how to make the diocese work for our charges, what services we particularly valued, or would like to see. Conference ended with prayer and Synod started officially at 17:45 at St John's cathedral with the Bishop celebrating Eucharist. 09:30 on Wednesday saw the start of Synod business with the appointment of tellers, followed by memoriam (Brian Foskett mentioned) and apologies for absence. The last year's minutes were approved and we went on to the Bishop's report, (his 5th). Mission, ministry and money were his themes and he addressed them with his usual mix of seriousness and humour, which is always both entertaining and enthusing. He asked us especially to have love and understanding for each other and the wider community. He particularly emphasized the plight of the refugees and urged us both to pray and to give generously to the Easter appeal. It is worth noting that, despite the views of the popular press, Britain takes in only one half percent of refugees currently displaced in the world. Half a person in every hundred. Food for thought. St Columba s Newsletter April - May 2016 Page 4
Synod report - continued The rest of the morning was taken up with reports from the various diocesan committees and amendments to canon law. We were recommended by the Dean, The Very Rev d Andrew Swift to read the canons as they are not at all dull and precis the church's development. In the afternoon The Rev d Rosemary Bungard and The Rev d Elaine Garmon gave very interesting reports on 'What are our Curates Learning?' They were followed by an address from The Rev d Dr. Michael Hull, an American Episcopalian who has taken up a post in the Scottish Episcopal Institute as Director of Studies, which was a fascinating insight into the work of the institute. Last item, Delivering the Vision, by Alison Clark and Isobel MacNaughton, with plenty of input from the members, closed the session, and we ended with the Bishop's closing prayer. The Rev d Dr Michael Hull formally closed the Synod 2016. St Columba s Newsletter April - May 2016 Page 5
Pancake People Pancake People has restarted! This is a discussion group for high school students held on Raasay. Pancakes are enjoyed during an interesting hour s conversation. In February we were led by Tekela who enlightened us all on the challenges experienced by youngsters who have special needs caused by disabilities such as autism. In March The Rev d Dr Keith Riglin assured us that university chaplains were there for all students and staff alike. Help is given on everyday problems experienced when first leaving home and a wide range of other situations including relationship difficulties with others be they staff or fellow students. Our group will now meet monthly across the winter. The aim is to have a different speaker each time covering a very wide range of topics all suggestions are welcome. Many thanks to the youngsters who have contributed to lively discussions! Rev d Rosemary Come and Join Us every Wednesday to 2pm St Columba s Bread Basket Open every Wednesday Soups, breads, hot food and drinks available to 2pm All are St Columba's Bread basket opened on 20th November 2013 and been greatly supported. We are now open every week for those who want Company Warmth and Friendship. St Columba s Newsletter April - May 2016 Page 6
Raasay Lenten Studies Whilst formulating our Mission Action Plan last Autumn, St Michael and All Angels congregation chose to experiment with different forms of Lenten studies this year. Some of us watched the film of Babette s Feast which stimulated a great discussion we thought that the Danish village community of 100 years ago was probably quite similar to what life would have been like on Raasay. They were a God-fearing community who were challenged by an outsider living and working in their society. Our second session was a bible study on John 3:16-21. This led to a lively debate on life after death. Those taking part look forward to more sessions in the future. Invitation from Skye Bible Church Following the Open Doors inspired event at Skye Bible Church last October which focused on the problems in Syria and the struggles of being a Christian there, Skye Bible Church is inviting us all to another Open Doors event on Saturday 9th April at 7pm in the old library building. Adrienne Malcolm, a guest speaker and Colin Mutch, the head of Open Doors Scotland will be coming. We will hear about the ongoing persecution of Christians around the world. We are invited to join this evening of worship and prayer together followed by a cup of tea! St Columba s March 2016 St Columba s Newsletter April - May 2016 Page 7
St Columba s Church Calendar. April Sunday 3 rd Liturgy of the Word with Communion Wednesday 6 th Taizé Hour 7.30pm Sunday 10 th Liturgy of the Word with Communion St Mary s, Sleat Liturgy of the Word with Communion 6pm Thursday 14 th Eucharist The Rt. Rev d Bishop Kevin 1pm Vestry Meeting Sunday 17 th Liturgy of the Word with Communion Dave Parker Tuesday 19 th St Michaels Raasay, Liturgy of the Word with Communion Sunday 24 th Liturgy of the Word with Communion May Sunday 1 st Liturgy of the Word with Communion Dave Parker Wednesday 4 th Taizé Hour 7.30pm Thursday 5 th Liturgy of the Word with Communion Sunday 8 th Eucharist with Baptism The Rev d Robert Breaden St Mary s, Sleat Liturgy of the Word with Communion 6pm Tuesday 10 th St Michaels Raasay, Liturgy of the Word with Communion Sunday 15 th Liturgy of the Word with Communion Sunday 22 nd Family Worship Liturgy of the Word with Communion Sunday 29 th Eucharist The Rt. Rev d Bishop Kevin Future dates for June Wednesday 1 st Taizé Hour 7.30pm Sunday 5 th Thursday 9 th Saturday 25 th Liturgy of the Word with Communion Dave Parker St Columba Day Eucharist The Rev d Sr Clare Ordination to the Priesthood of Rev Rosemary The Rt. Rev d Bishop Kevin Other Events at St Columba s 2pm Bread Basket Every Wednesday -2pm Friday 1 st July Fund raising Concert 7.30pm St Columba s Newsletter April - May 2016 Page 8
Readings and Rotas 3 rd April 2 nd Sunday of Easter 10 th April 3 rd Sunday of Easter Acts 5.27-32 Psalm 150 Revelation 1.4-8 John 20.19-31 Acts 9. 1-20 Psalm 30 Revelation 5.11-14 John 21.1-19 14 th April Tba Tba Judith Bell Moira Fowler Trevor Mann Barbara Rutterford Chrissanne McInnes Moira Fowler Marcus Ridsill-Smith Tony & Christine Wilkinson Dawn Campbell Chrissanne McInnes 17 th April 4 th Sunday of Easter 24 th April 5 th Sunday of Easter 1 st May 6 th Sunday of Easter Thursday 5 th May Ascension Day 8 th May 7 th Sunday of Easter 15 th May Pentecost 22 nd May Trinity Sunday 29 th May Pentecost 2 (Proper 9) 5 th June Pentecost 3 (Proper 10) Thursday 9 th June St Columba Day Acts 9.36-43 Psalm 23 Revelation 7.9-17 John 10.22-30 Acts 11.1-18 Psalm 148 Revelation 21.1-6 John 13.31-35 Acts 16.9-15 Psalm 67 Revelation 21.10,22-22.5 John 14.23-29 Acts 1.1-11 Ephesians 1.15-23 Luke 24.44-53 Acts 16.16-34 Psalm 97 John 17.20-26 Acts 2.1-21 Psalm 104.25-35,37 Romans 8.14-17 John 8.8-17,25-27 Proverbs 8.1-4,22-31 Psalm 8 Romans 5.1-15 John 16.12-15 1.Kings 18.22-23,41-43 Psalm 96.1-9 Galatians 1.1-12 Luke 7.1-10 1.Kings 17.17-24 Psalm 30 Galatians 1.11-24 Luke 7.11-17 Helen Danter Helen Danter Marion Roberts Dave Parker Tony & Christine Wilkinson Neil Colquhoun Moira Fowler Trevor Mann Chrissanne McInnes Jackie Torrence Marcus Ridsill-Smith Helen Danter Helen Danter Tony & Christine Wilkinson Robert MacDonald Eileen MacDonald Trevor Mann Barbara Rutterford Archie and Beth Edwards Marion Roberts Sunday School Tony & Christine Wilkinson Dawn Campbell Chrissanne McInnes Neil Colquhoun Marcus Ridsill-Smith Trevor Mann Eileen MacDonald Moira Fowler Helen Danter Eileen MacDonald Jackie Torrence Rev Rosemary 12 th June Pentecost 4 (Proper 11) 2 Samuel 11.26-12.10,13-15 Psalm 32 Galatians 2.15-21 Luke 7.36-8.3 Judith Bell Moira Fowler Tony & Christine Wilkinson Barbara Rutterford Chrissanne McInnes St Columba s Newsletter April - May 2016 Page 9
Contact Us Scottish Episcopal Church Diocese of Argyll and the Isles Somerled Square, Portree, Isle of Skye, IV51 9EH E-mail contacts General stcolumbas.portree@btinternet.com Pastoral Care paststcol.portree@btinternet.com Web Address: www.argyllandtheisles.org.uk Sat Nav coordinates:- Latitude N 57 24 50 Longitude W 6 11 44 General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church: SC015962 Charity Number: SC020146 Dolly Parrot Productions Kildonan, Isle of Skye. April 2016 St Columba s Newsletter April - May 2016 Page 10