This year is my year to attend the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. It is now only every fourth year that we, as a local church, are represented at the Assembly. As I write this I am still contemplating what the Assembly may bring but it will be over by the time you read it. There is often controversy and determined debate at this annual gathering of ministers and elders of the Kirk. Last year saw a major area of controversy opening up in the church – dealing with same sex relationships and the ministry. It will be taken up again at future Assemblies but this year different issues will be coming to the fore.

Perhaps the issue of greatest concern today is the financial situation of the national church. The Ministries Council will report that the church’s financial reserves will run out in a few years and that there will be insufficient income to support the current number of ministries in the church. Only about a third of churches pay sufficient funds to support a minister. All the other churches, including our own, are supported by the overstretched wealthier churches. The solution presented by the Ministries Council will be that of aiming to reduce the number of ministries by over 110, a reduction of 11%, in the next four years.

These are serious economic times, but wouldn’t it be far better if the people of the church were to say: “We are sure that God wants his church to grow and thrive in this nation. We will do what is necessary, including giving in a more committed and sacrificial way, to make sure this is the case!” Perhaps the church does need to review its deployment of ministries. But, for the future, it is up to each one of us how we respond to the needs of the times. We may look around us at the state of the world and think how much it needs God’s Word and the forgiveness and life he offers. A strong, well resourced, church can make a difference but even more than that, a church which honours God will know the power that God gives to change the world. At Pentecost we are reminded that God gave his Spirit and his power to a small group of Christians who lived to honour him – and the church was born. God can do the same today through a people committed to honouring him. Surely we can also make that our aim.
Your friend and minister,
David

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Evening Praise Services

We have been holding an evening praise service once a month since September. These evenings are about simply enjoying ourselves and praising our amazing God. We are trying to introduce some of the new songs which are found in the new updated ‘Mission Praise’ book. The band have had fun learning and performing these songs but nothing makes it more rewarding and worthwhile for us than having a large group of people to sing along ‘with gusto’. Hope you will join us next time.

Pb2

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The Lord Loves a Cheerful Giver

These special offerings have been sent to aid the work of:

Easter Appeal Barnabas £ 137

Praise Evenings Compassion £ 120 (HAITI)

Worldshare £ 45

CHAS £ 120

Mission Africa £ 100

Conferences
A few of us attended the Mission Africa Conference in Stirling, hearing firsthand about the January riots in Jos which resulted in many Christians being killed and others made homeless when their houses were burned down. Pray that the present peace will continue.

Musa and Pamela are returning to Jos after a long furlough, they now have a new baby called Gracie. Ricky and Angie are going to serve in Nigeria for the first time, they too have a young baby called Noah. Both couples ask for prayer as they settle, also for daily protection.

Our church recently hosted a conference by ‘Release Women’. We had quite a few ladies from our own congregation as well as others from as far afield as Pittenweem and Edinburgh. It was a very meaningful experience, opening our eyes and our hearts to the trials our Christian sisters face in many parts of the world.

Linda, who led the conference, introduced Yasmin, a lady who grew up in Pakistan, came to England where she later became a Christian. Yasmin had an extraordinary testimony, first keeping her conversion secret, then facing persecution from her own family when she made it known.

Florence from Belfast shared about a recent visit to China, where many Christians face fear and persecution daily as they follow their faith. Linda had many similar person stories to tell from her recent visit to Egypt.

Please pray for Christians who don’t have the freedom we do to openly follow their faith.
Reta McManus