A Message from Our Interim Moderator
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk Kiltarlity and Wardlaw Churches A MESSAGE FROM OUR INTERIM MODERATOR Dear Friends, Lions Attack a Buffalo Separated from the Herd I am sure that we have all watched these brilliant wildlife films which show nature in close up. You know the kind of thing; stunning photography; brilliant commentary. But often we get a bit more of reality than we wanted ! One writer tells how he was watching a programme about a herd of buffalo and six lions. The lions were plotting to have a buffalo for dinner. Well, they found one buffalo that had strayed from the herd, maybe a couple hundred yards, and they went after that buffalo. So how do a few lions stop a buffalo ? One lion grabbed the heel of one back leg of the buffalo, the other on the other back leg. And they just hung on until that buffalo slowed to a stop. The outcome was inevitable. But here's what shocked him. There were perhaps 100 buffalo, if not more, all standing and staring and watching this happening. But they did nothing. Now imagine if this herd had decided they were not going to let those lions get away with anything, and together they ran thundering in that direction with their horns down. Those lions would have scurried away immediately. The lions would never have had buffalo for lunch, if the buffalo had stuck together. There's a lesson for us there. As Christians we come under lots of spiritual attacks. On our own it is difficult to resist them. But together we can stand firm. Whenever someone else in the “herd” comes under attack we should stand together. Alone we fall. Together we can prevail. With best wishes Edgar Ogston The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 53 - July 2012 Page 1 of 22 www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk God in Music - ‘In sweet music is such art’: Chariots of Fire This month our country will be hosting the Olympic Games, and London will be welcoming participants from all over the world who come to give of their best in their particular sport. There are always memorable achievements at each Olympic Games, and many of us will remember special moments of triumph - perhaps Steve Redgrave in 2000, Daley Thompson in 1984, Mary Peters in 1972, the first Paralympics in 1960, and Jesse Owens in 1936. Further back in time, in 1924 in Paris there were two remarkable victories: Harold Abrahams in the 100 metres and Eric Liddell in the 400 metres. The story of these two men is the subject of the film ‘Chariots of Fire,’ originally released in 1981 th th and re-released on a new digitally re-mastered version on 13 July by 20 Century Fox. The title comes from Blake’s poem ‘Jerusalem’ where the poet says that he will not rest until he has built God’s kingdom in the midst of human lives. We hear the hymn of that great endeavour being sung at the end of the film, but it is the opening credits that captured the hearts when the film was first shown. We see the athletes in training for the 1924 Olympics. They are running in slow motion across the beach at St. Andrews to the electronic synthesizer and piano of the music of Vangelis. The relentless beat sounds out, and then we hear a triumphant, exultant melody as we feel the exhilaration of the British team running against the wind at the edge of the sea. In that year the Olympic Games officially adopted the motto ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius’ – Faster, Higher, Stronger. That desire to achieve and give of their best is seen in the drama of two lives, Harold Abrahams played by Ben Cross and Eric Liddell played by Ian Charleson. The first runs to overcome anti-Jewish prejudice, the second for the glory of God. Eric tells his sister that he will indeed leave his homeland to serve as a missionary, but first he must take part in the Games for ‘God has made me for China, but he has also made me fast. When I run, I feel his pleasure; to run is to honour him.’ We hear the hymn verse ‘Run the straight race through God’s good grace’ as Eric reads from Isaiah that those who wait on the Lord will run and not be weary. There are snippets of Gilbert and Sullivan and other melodies in the film, but it is Vangelis’ powerful music that truly expresses the drama and discipline of the two athletes, training and running to their highest endeavour to be an example and inspiration to the world. As we watch the Olympics during these two months, we shall see sportswomen and men giving of their best. We shall even hear Vangelis’ music ringing out as the Olympic flame is carried through the land to London. Credit to the Rev Michael Burgess for this article. Ten fun things to do during boring sermons 1 Pass a note to the organist asking whether he / she play requests. 2 See if a yawn really is contagious. 3 Slap your neighbour. See if they turn the other cheek. If not, raise your hand and tell the Minister. 4 Listen for your Minister to use a word beginning with 'A' then 'B' and so on through the alphabet. 5 Sit in the back row and try to take the handbag of the lady in front of you by putting your toe through the handle. 6 Using your church newsletter to make a paper airplane - test-fly it. 7 By unobtrusively drawing your arms up into your sleeves turn your shirt around backwards. 8 Twiddle your thumbs. 9 Twiddle your neighbour's thumbs. 10 If all else fails, look up at the ceiling, point, and scream. The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 53 - July 2012 Page 2 of 22 www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk Tomnacross Church –“Raise the Roof” Kiltarlity Church needs to replace its roof, at a cost of approximately £50,000. We have set ourselves an ambitious target of raising £20,000 and Mrs Ann Gloag has very generously offered to match, pound for pound, all money that we raise. Together with a grant from the Church of Scotland General Trustees, this should take us to the total of £50,000. We are therefore embarking on a programme of events between October 2011 and October 2012, with the aim of involving as many people in the community as possible. Fundraising should be fun! Progress towards Target - as of 24 June 2012 : £2k £4k £6k £8k £10k £12k £14k £16k £18k £20k £21k Calendar of Events Date Time Event Location Details 4thNovember Ceilidh Raised £545. 2011 th School 19 November Christmas Raised £512 2011 Fayre Throughout Christmas Raised £130 December Quiz 24th February Kiltarlity Quiz Night Raised £420 2012 Village Hall Inverness Friday, Tomnacross Gospel Male Raised £370 13 April 2012 Church Voice Choir Friday, Car Treasure Kiltarlity th Raised £250 11 May 2012 Hunt Village Hall Kiltarlity Saturday, Tomnacross th Community Raised £80 19 May 2012 School Gala Achnagairn Tuesday, Silent th House, Raised £10,090 5 June 2012 Auction Kirkhill 3rd / 4th Look out for us at Belladrum August 2012 Belladrum ! September To close the year of Ceilidh tbc 2012 tbc fundraising There are a number of other on-going opportunities to participate in our fundraising efforts: Buy a slate : Please ‘buy’ a slate for £3 or a nail for £1, and receive an attractive ownership certificate - contact Louise Watson – 741 876. Tea Towels and These commemorative items, decorated with a line drawing of the Canvas Bags : Church, can be purchased from the Post Office or from the Tomnacross Church @ £6 per tea towel ( or 2 for £10 ) and £3 per bag. Updated as at 24 June 2012 The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 53 - July 2012 Page 3 of 22 www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk The Other Ten Commandments 1] Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble; it is a “steering wheel" that direct us in the right path throughout life. 2] Do you know why a car's WINDSHIELD is so large and the rear view mirror is so small ? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, look ahead and move on. 3] Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write. 4] All things in life are temporary. If going well enjoy it, they will not last forever. If going wrong don't worry, they can't last long either. 5] Old friends are like Gold ! New friends are Diamonds ! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold ! Because to hold a Diamond, you always need a base of Gold ! 6] Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end !” 7] When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities, when GOD doesn't solve your problems, HE has faith in your abilities. 8] A blind person asked St. Anthony: "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?" He replied: "Yes, losing your vision." 9] When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them; and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you. 10] WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES; it takes away today's PEACE. These wise words were uplifted from the Summer 2012 edition of the Kirklink, newsletter of the parishes of Westray and Papay.