News in Brief
Make Poverty History
As part of the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign to raise public awareness, St John's, along with many other churches throughout Scotland, will display a banner. Although the preferred display point is around the steeple, it was felt that our steeple was too inaccessible and dangerous to reach. Consequently, our banner was displayed prominently on the outside wall of the church.
At 1:45 pm (1345hrs) on Thursday 7 July, many churches, including St John's will be ringing their bells. This, again, is an gesture to make folk stop and think about world poverty, as the G8 meetings take place at Gleneagles. The time was chosen to reflect the fact that 13% of the worlds population produce 45% of the world's greenhouse gases.
Youth Church Promotion Service
19 June 2005
The morning service was given over to a celebration of the past year in Youth Church. Superintendent, Moira Elliott, reported to the congregation on the excellent work done by the Youth Church staff during the past 12 months, both the regular teachers and the "stand-by" staff - folk who were willing to stand in for absent colleagues at the drop of a hat. She expressed thanks to those staff members who were retiring from their posts, and welcomed new members who would be starting in the new session. She noted that the number retiring was greater than the number of new members and invited anyone in the congregation who might be interested to contact her to discuss volunteering for this worthwhile and rewarding ministry to our young people.
Gifts were presented to those young people who were moving up from one department to the next. As each department was highlighted, staff and children came forward to present a short example of their work: poetry, song, prayer. Three young adults were leaving LInK2, having reached the end of their secondary school career. It was good to hear that two of them had taken the next step in their Christian journeys by becoming full, communicant members of St John's.
Rounding up, the minister expressed, on behalf of the congregation, thanks to Moira for her work throughout the year to keep the Youth Church running as smoothly as it has done.
Traidcraft Stall raises nearly £1650
In the year to March 2005, the Traidcraft stall at Time for Fellowship has raised £1649.36.
The national average for Traidcraft stalls is £1385. The organiser of the stall, Greta Stratton thanks everyone who contributed in any way.
Long Service Awards
Three of our elders: Jim Braynion, Alex Forrest and Stuart Murray have served for no less than 30 years. At the morning service on 5 June 2005, Alex was presented with a certificate by the minister, the other two being unable to be present.
Dream Pitch wins TWO awards
Dream Pitch was St John's entry to the short film competition organised as part of the National Church Celebration of Church without Walls on 28 May 2005. A delegation from LInK2 was present to receive two major awards - for acting and editing. This was the first attempt of this kind by St John's. With one success behind us, it may not be the last!
Overseas News
Heather Dunn has written from Central Asia, where she returned after an extended spell back in Scotland. The project she in involved in, helping to establish a palliative care is progressing well. Her accommodation situation is also working out well, and her letter was a happy and positive one.
Scott and Nok Murray continue their important work at Manorom Christian Hospital in Thailand. Scott reports that numbers of staff and patients continue to come to faith in Christ, including one surgical patient who attends their Manorom church and has gradually been bringing many members of his family with him.
Scott has also been working in Cambodia, and recently gave a lecture on reconstructive eye surgery at the Royal Thai College of Ophthalmologists, where he learned that he is the only person doing this kind of work in the country.
He and Nok have recently celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary
Correspondence Received...
The Fairtrade Foundation's newsletter arrived recently, in which it reported that there are now over 1000 Fairtrade Churches (of which St John's is one). Not bad for a project that only began in May 2004!
The Barnabas Fund wrote to thank St John's for a recent gift. In their letter they mention a prayer request received from West Java in Indonesia, where three Christian housewives are on trial in a criminal court for "Christianising" children.
They were charged because several Muslim children had been attending the Sunday Schoolactivities which they organised. The women face up to five years in prison if found guilty.
Church Hymnary Fourth Edition
The new edition of the Church Hymnary was dedicated on Sunday 21 August, and is in full use, replacing the old hymn books. The new edition contains a wide range of hymns old and new, compiled from different authors in Scotland, Britain and around the world. The hymnbook also has a welcome stress on the psalms, with an opening section containing more than 100 psalms in various settings. Come and sing!
Christian Resources Exhibition
Thousands of new ideas for the church - all under one roof. It all happens at the Christian Resources Exhibition in the Highland Hall, Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston. Edinburgh, 13-15 October, 10am - 5pm (Saturday 15th - 4pm) Seminars galore on a wide variety of topics. Free entry.
Highly recommended for office-bearers and those involved in ministry among young people. Information leaflets are available in the church vestibule. Or visit www.creonline.co.uk
Young Womens Group
The Young Womens' Group is starting again on Tuesday 6th September at 1.30pm in the Small Hall.
We would love to have new members, anybody interested either come along or phone Shona Keay.
We have various speakers and have lots lined up. We also have a creche if you have little ones. We are out in plenty time to pick up school kids.
So why not come along!
