Mission and Discipleship Council E-News Edition No 71, August 2012

Mission and Discipleship Council e-news Edition No 71, August 2012

Welcome to another edition of e-news, giving information on events and resources from the Mission & Discipleship Council. If introduced to e-news by someone else forwarding it to you, please contact us and we will add you to the distribution list. If you would prefer to be removed from the list, please e-mail „UNSUBSCRIBE E-NEWS’ to [email protected] In relation to your data, we would refer you to our Privacy Policy noted at the end of this edition.

Conferences and Events

NEW! HEART AND SOUL is the title of an evening of music and storytelling with the Moderator and friends. The Right Rev Albert Bogle will be joined by his song-writing partners Iain Jamieson and Graeme Duffin. 12 & 13 August, 8pm, Palmerston Place Church, Edinburgh. Tickets (free) are available from Alison Murray on [email protected] or 0131 225 5722 or http://www.sanctusmedia.com/products/view_product/right-rev.-albert-bogle-presents- heart-soul

NEW! RON FERGUSON IN CONVERSATION WITH SUSAN MANSFIELD OF THE SCOTSMAN Join writer and broadcaster Ron Ferguson in Edinburgh to celebrate the publication in paperback of his highly-acclaimed book – George Mackay Brown: the wound and the gift (9780715209622 £12.99). 24 August, 1–2pm, The Church of Scotland Offices, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN (Committee Room 1). To reserve/order a copy of the book, please contact Cornerstone Bookshop, St John‟s Church Terrace, Edinburgh EH2 4BJ on 0131 229 3776 or [email protected]. PS don‟t forget – St Andrew Press summer sale now on – bargains galore! Visit now – whilst stocks last – www.standprewpress.com

INSIDE OUT is a series of retreats taking place at various venues throughout the Highlands and Islands during 2012. The purpose is to encourage growth in our inner lives in ways that will transform and empower our outer lives. The retreats will include times of meditation on scripture, reflection on our own and others‟ experiences of life and faith, times of prayer and worship.

1. Adventures in Worship is the theme of retreats led by Graham Fender-Allison (Worship Development Officer) and Jenny Williams (until recently Chaplain to the Christian Fellowship of Healing). ‘Ministers think that people come to church to listen to sermons. They don’t. They come to church to pray and to learn to pray.’ So wrote author of The Message, Eugene Peterson. It is in prayer and worship that we find out who we are and who we might become. It is from God that we derive our outer purpose and our inner peace – our doing and our being, our mission and our discipleship. During this retreat, through discussion, silence and space, we will seek to refocus, not just our prayer lives, but our whole lives, on our God. Saturday 8 September, 10.30am–3.30pm, The Mission Hall, North Kessock. Friday 14 September, 7–9pm, West Church Hall, Dornoch. NEW! Saturday 15 September, 10.30am–3.30pm, „Fir Chlis‟, Tongue, Sutherland.

2. Letters from John will be the theme of some retreats led by Steve Aisthorpe (Mission Development Worker) and Merryn Glover (Author). ‘I have made this letter longer, because I have not had time to make it shorter’, wrote French philosopher Blaise Pascale. The apostle John could almost have said the opposite about his epistles. While they are brief, they contain the distillation of a lifetime‟s reflection upon the teaching of Jesus and apply it to specific situations. He wrote at a time when the church was vulnerable and faced multiple challenges. But what do they have to say to the challenges we face today? How might John‟s inspired wisdom speak into our lives and into the lives of our congregations and communities? This retreat will include guided personal reflection and prayer, interactive activities, worship and sharing. Saturday 27 October, 10.30am–3.30pm, Inshes Church, Inverness. Other dates and venues to follow……

There is no charge for these retreats. Tea/coffee will be provided and people are asked to bring their own lunch for the day ones. Pre-registration is required, and places are limited. To register, please contact Sheila Reeves on [email protected] or 0131 225 5722 ext 2239. If Sheila is unavailable, please ask to speak to someone else in the M&D Admin Team.

RUSSIA: LESSONS & LEGACY – The Alexander Men Conference 2012 will look at the life and creative theology of Alexander Men, an inspiring Russian Christian thinker who was murdered by extremists. In 2000, Dr Donald Smith, Director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre, went on a pilgrimage to the scene of the murder as an act of witness calling for justice for Men and his family. Men‟s inclusive vision of Orthodoxy relates directly to the early Scottish missionary saints who are connected with Moffat – St Mungo and St Ninian – whose commemorative day falls in the same weekend. Dr Smith will begin the conference with „A Hundred Thousand Welcomes – Introducing Scotland‟s Character and Culture‟ following which some short films on the life of Fr Alexander Men will be screened. The programme will be interactive throughout – a weekend of dialogue, debate and discussion. 14–16 September, Moffat House Hotel. For further information and to book, contact Sarah Mathieson on 01896 800720 or [email protected] or visit http://www.alexandermenconference.com/

NEW! RESOURCING OUR LIVING THROUGH REFLECTION AND PRAYER – for Ministers and Elders This afternoon conference, facilitated by Rev Jenny Williams (formerly Chaplain to the Christian Fellowship of Healing) and Rev Derek Brown (Chaplain at Raigmore Hospital) will look: at ways of developing prayer and spirituality in congregations; current connections between health care and spirituality in primary healthcare; and questions about health and healing. 21 September, 2–4pm, St Leonard‟s Parish Church, High Street, Forres IV36 1PB. Free (although donations towards costs of the hall/tea & coffee will be invited on the day). Please indicate your wish to attend by emailing Rev Donald Prentice at [email protected]

NEW! RESOURCING OUR LIVING THROUGH REFLECTION AND PRAYER This day conference is for anyone wishing to learn: how our churches can be places of reflection and prayer; how prayer can help us grow; how to do „contemplation‟; how to create healing spaces for others; and how to pray in the midst of everyday life. Facilitated by Rev Jenny Williams (formerly Chaplain to the Christian Fellowship of Healing) and one of the brothers from Pluscarden. 22 September, 10am–4.30pm, St Leonard‟s Parish Church, High Street, Forres IV36 1PB. Free (although donations towards costs of the hall/tea & coffee will be invited on the day). Please bring your own lunch. Please book in advance at www.madstuff.biz or by calling the Mission & Discipleship Council on 0131 225 5722.

WHY BELIEVE? Bookings are coming in for the second conference, which aims to equip and encourage church members to „give a reason for the faith‟ that is in them in the context of the challenges to belief and witness in the contemporary world. The conference will focus on practical outworking of witness in real life situations, such as work, social media and so on. The format is primarily practical – a keynote address followed by a series of workshops with

2 the emphasis on participation, helping people to address the questions they are wrestling with. How can I say it? – sharing faith in a post-modern age. 27 October, 10am–4pm, Queen‟s Park Church of Scotland, 170 Queen‟s Drive, Glasgow G42 8QZ. Keynote Speaker is Jeremy Begbie, theologian, musician and professor at Duke University, USA. Delegates can attend three workshops from the following: Faith in the Workplace Led by Ruth Walker, Mission Scotland. Faith and Social Media Led by Stewart Cutler, Children and Youth Development Officer for the URC Synod of Scotland. Faith and Film Led by Jolyon Mitchell, Director of the Edinburgh University Centre for Theology and Public Issues. Faith and Learning Difficulties Led by Ivy Blair of Prospects Scotland Faith and Using the Bible Imaginatively Led by Pauline Hoggarth, writer and facilitator of Bible reading in different cultures. Conference fee is £15. Tea & Coffee will be provided, but please bring your own packed lunch. (Crèche facilities cannot be offered.) Pre-booking is essential, by the deadline date of 19 October. Please contact Sheila Reeves on [email protected] or 0131 225 5722 ext 2239 to request a Booking Form to pay by cheque; or call to book and pay by credit card. If Sheila is unavailable, please ask to speak to someone else in the M&D Admin Team. [See the Feedback section for a short report on the initial conference – What Can I Say? – held on 12 May, and details of how to purchase DVDs/CDs of some of the sessions.]

* * Booking is now open for the DIFFERENT VOICES National Music Event 15-16 March 2013 * * St Cuthbert’s and St John’s churches at the west end of Princes Street, Edinburgh Musicians, composers, children‟s workers and anyone who uses music in the life and work of the church are invited to come and take part in an event designed to inspire and enable music to be used in even more imaginative and effective ways. Workshops will be run by people working nationally and locally, and include composers, writers and musicians working in the fields of Classical, Contemporary, Community and Children’s music. Full details can be found by clicking here: Music for Worship We hope you will take some time to look over the contributions and consider coming along. Please also let others know by forwarding the information to your networks, church or social groups. Early bird rate: £35 per person if booking up to and including 30 September 2012. Standard rate: £40 per person if booking on or after 1 October 2012. Some financial support may be provided for those who need it. Please e-mail [email protected] for details. Book here: http://www.madstuff.biz/index.php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat.detail&evid=51&It emid= or email [email protected] if you have any questions about the event.

Scottish Storytelling Centre and Network 43–45 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SR www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk SUBSCRIBE TO THE WEEKLY EVENTS BULLETIN by clicking here: http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001DFR05IDUFUUaoAlv4ZIClA%3D%3D

EVENTS For tickets, contact Reception on 0131 556 9579 or [email protected]

Understanding Scotland: Histories and Identity is designed for the hard-pressed Festival and Fringe-goer – visitor or local. A series of free focussed briefings on what matters in Scotland‟s culture and identity. Click on the links for further information. 11 August: Languages, Literature and Identity 3

18 August: Philosophies, Values and Identity 25 August: Constitution, Politics and Identity

Cloud Man [Puppet Theatre] Cloudia has always had her head in the clouds. She is a cloud expert and all her life has dreamt of seeing a Cloud Man, the extremely rare creatures that live a quiet life high up in the sky. Follow the clues to the very top of Cloud Mountain, where the views are always surprising, and if you are lucky, you may see something very special indeed. Featuring a wonderful blend of puppetry, storytelling and sumptuous visuals. Since appearing as part of the Made in Scotland showcase last year, Cloud Man has been delighting audiences internationally. www.cloud-man.co.uk Until 14 August (signed 12 Aug) | 11am (45mins) | £6 (£4) | Age 4-7 years

The Man Who Planted Trees [Puppet Theatre] Back by popular demand, this multi-award winning adaptation of Jean Giono‟s classic environmental fable by Edinburgh-based Puppet State Theatre Company has been touring internationally for the past three years, with appearances off Broadway and at the Sydney Opera House. A unique blend of comedy, puppetry and inspiring storytelling. www.puppetstate.com Until 14 August | 3pm (1hr 5) | £9 (£7) | 7+

The Elves and the Shoemaker [Puppet Theatre] Elvis Schumacker, master cobbler and creative craftsman, and his pet mouse Cornelius have hit hard times, thanks to the evil shoe factory boss, Bunyan Soleless. Booooooo! Things look Grimm! But, as if by magic, fabulous footwear starts appearing around his workshop. Shooooooooes! So many to choose. Delight on the feet. Soft dancing slippers, swarthy pirate boots, silver buckles and silken soles. Who can be making them? www.theatre-of- widdershins.co.uk Until 26 August (not 15) | 1pm (50mins) | £6.50 (£4.50) | 3+

Ben Okri's The Comic Destiny [Storytelling Theatre] David WW Johnstone‟s new adaptation finds a storytelling doorway into Booker Prize winner Ben Okri‟s surreal fable. A world of patriarchs, matriarchs, skeletons, imps, asylum escapees and a seemingly loving couple who won‟t stop quarrelling are all seeking a magical and mystical room in which to exist. Lazzi Theatre plays itself seeking a way into Okri‟s world and gets more than they bargained for as these supernatural characters invade, inhabit and possess them, telling their own stories in their own unique way. An Okrian ritual of comic mysticism. www.benokri.co.uk 14–26 August (signed 19 Aug) | 7pm (1hr 15) | £10 (£8) | 14+

Café Voices [Storytelling and Music] The Scottish Storytelling Centre‟s monthly open-floor café event returns to the Fringe for two special gatherings. Enjoy oral storytelling, poetry by memory, music and song in the relaxed ambience of the Storytelling Cafe. Come prepared with a piece to perform, or just to enjoy the evening with a special guest host each night and many friends. A perfect blend of performance and the traditional Ceilidh spirit. www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk 15 & 22 August | 7pm (2hrs) | £5

Angus: Weaver of Grass [Theatre with multimedia and puppetry] Angus MacPhee‟s life is a tale of illness, lost traditions and magical hats of grass, stunning like sunbursts. Raised on South Uist, and traumatised by WWII, Angus spent 50 years in a psychiatric hospital. He did not speak; instead he wove remarkable costumes from grass. This work is now in the Collection de l‟Art, Brut, Switzerland. Featuring Gaelic singer Mairi Morrison and grass replicas by Joanne B Kaar. Using sounds, songs and images of the Outer Hebrides this is his tale. www.angusmcphee.blogspot.co.uk Preview on 16, then 17-26 August | 4pm (1hr 15) | £10 (£8) | 12+

Guid Crack: Wild Things [Storytelling] Fringe Festival special with guest Alex Patience as we join her on a wild adventure with wild weather, wild journeys, wild animals and wild seas! Enjoy jovial company and stories shared

4 upstairs at The Waverley Bar. 31 August | 7.30pm (2hrs 30) | By donation (suggest £3) | Adults

Old and Young is the title of this year‟s TELL-A-STORY DAY 26 October Wise or wicked, brave or fearful, heroes and villains, old and young. Traditional stories bridge the generations and show how we share the same emotions and challenges. Enter a magical world of enchanting fairy tales, scary Halloween stories or treasured family legends, and bring your community, workplace or family closer together on Tell-a-Story Day. Organising a storytelling event is easy and completely free, and our team is always at hand to help you with your planning. Here you will find tips and advice from our professional storytellers, and soon we will make available our free resources and tales that you can download, learn and tell on the day. Want a preview? Click here to see last year‟s TASD resources. For more information and support in organising your event, please contact Davide Panzeri on 0131 652 3272 or at [email protected] Tell-a-Story Day is presented by the Scottish International Storytelling Festival and Luminate: Scotland’s creative ageing festival

TRAINING EVENTS To book, contact Reception on 0131 556 9579 or [email protected] Active Learning: Storymaking [Learning for Life] How do the traditional arts of music, song, dance and story contribute to „rich task‟ and „active learning‟ in schools and colleges? These hands-on sessions introduce vital sources, resources and approaches to creative learning inspired by Scotland‟s culture. 1.30-4.30pm. Storymaking: led by Judy Paterson. 7 September Songmaking and Celebration: led by Christine Kydd. 14 September Role Play, Drama and Improvisation: led by Strange Town Youth Theatre. 28 September Enabling and Devising Dance (workshop leader tbc). 5 October £28/£24 per session or £68/£62 for full series

Skills Development: Artist CPD [Professional Development] This workshop looks at diverse skills across artforms and offers useful insights and practical steps for developing your professional toolkit and will focus on working with schools. 26 August, 1.30-4.30pm. £28/£24 Network members.

Resources

DIFFERENT VOICES is an online magazine about church music in Scotland, produced by the Mission & Discipleship Council. It is for all those who sing in choirs, congregations and praise groups, play organs or other instruments, and all who plan, lead and choose music and hymns for worship. The price is £4 per issue and details of how to order can be found here: http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship/music_for_worship This new format allows the readership to be easily networked, mp3 files and videos of new music to be embedded into the magazine and external resources linked directly to it, allowing the reader to change font size to suit and even use voice reading software for the blind (via pdf reader programmes). The main advantage is user-generated content, ie the ability for readers to make contributions, comment on existing articles, ask hard questions and share practical ideas with one another. This opportunity for interaction is a new and exciting way of experiencing „Different Voices‟! Further enquires can be made to Anna Reid, Senior Administrator for the Faith Expression Team, on 0131 225 5722 ext 2359, or [email protected]

FUTURE FOCUS: a way forward for congregations Future Focus is a facilitated resource. General information is available to download at Future Focus information but to request a facilitator please contact the Mission & Discipleship Council at [email protected]

PREACHER PERSPECTIVES New free preaching resources are available online! A further two instalments of this popular series from Mission & Discipleship can be found on the Church of Scotland „Worship‟ pages here. The Very Rev John Christie and the Rev Lynn McChlery offer insights and reflections from their experience of regular preaching. We are very grateful to both of them for sharing so generously. Both of these articles and all other articles are free to download and share with anyone you know who is interested in creating and delivering sermons. Comments or questions should be directed to Anna Reid, Senior Administrator for the Faith Expression Team, at [email protected]

PRAY IT FORWARD This popular initiative features an attractive collection of high quality credit-card sized cards carrying a range of blessings inspired from scripture, for churches and individuals to give away free to others. The aim of the cards is to encourage and bless the recipient, and to encourage them to pray for, and bless, someone else in turn, ie to focus outward, and not just on what God can do for ME! They are ideal for use in outreach, pastoral care and personal contexts (eg pop one in with each greetings card you send throughout the year). Each box of 80 cards features an assortment of 8 different designs. £5 per box, plus postage. To order, visit www.madstuff.biz or email [email protected]

SCRIPTAID – help is at hand! You probably know about the Scottish Storytelling Centre‟s workshops and courses. But do you know about the stories, sketches and drama scripts produced by the Centre for congregational use in worship (without copyright charges)? The average cost of an item is £5, including a 50p/£1 postage charge. For a link to the full range, visit http://scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk/network/scottish_storytelling_church_faith.asp#resource for descriptions of over 100 items. These include stories for use in education and worship, as well as sketches and dramas. Also available is the Art of the Parish learning resource to support worship leaders, which can be used by individuals or groups. You can order and pay for items by phoning reception on 0131 556 9579. If the phone is busy, e-mail your enquiry to [email protected] You can, of course, also inspect items at the Centre. If you need advice on a script or story, want to develop something or have a script to contribute to Scriptaid, contact [email protected] One satisfied customer said, “We are one of the many churches without a minister at present. I am sure more churches could share and benefit from your scripts.”

SEEDS & ROOTS This DVD tells the stories of seven „fresh expressions‟ of church, most of which are not quite what are generally recognised as church yet, but the missional instinct of these pioneers is driving them on to plant new expressions of church in areas and among networks not presently being reached by our churches. Discussion starters are included for use with Kirk Sessions, Bible Study groups or other small groups to see if they might feel called to consider a new expression of church where you are. The DVD can also be shown during worship or in other public meetings simply to raise awareness of this important agenda for today, to inform and to encourage those who are interested in one of the ways God‟s spirit is moving in our land. £10. To order, visit www.madstuff.biz/browse-resources/details/48/seeds- &-roots-dvd.html Three of the initiatives are featured in the report by John and Olive Drane – ‘Reformed, Reforming, Emerging, and Experimenting’, a study in contextual theology reflecting the experiences of initiatives in emerging ministry being funded by the Church of Scotland – copies of which are available free of charge by contacting [email protected]

STARTERS FOR SUNDAY offers a range of suggested material which can be used each week for individuals and congregations to develop. Sometimes there may be background material to the readings, at other times it may be ideas for deepening prayer, or involving children, or using drama. Musical suggestions are usually included. For further information, visit www.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship/starters_for_sunday

NEW! CREATION TIME: Sustainable Energy (2 September – 14 October) Creation Time is an opportunity for congregations to explore issues of Climate Justice and to ask themselves how should we live in the world and how should we take care of it? This year the Church of Scotland is setting aside space on its much visited Starters for Sunday 6

webpages to share resources for worship during the Creation Time Season. These seven Sundays worth of materials take their theme from the each of the seven days of creation and include sermon ideas, prayers, readings and commentaries along with music and resources for children. The Starters for Sunday Creation Time Resources have been produced by Mission & Discipleship and the Church & Society Council and can be downloaded for free by clicking here

WHY BELIEVE? is a resource to encourage the Scottish churches to provide a reasoned case for Christian belief (apologetics) amid the challenges and opportunities of today‟s Scotland. It brings together a group of Christians of different denominations, administered within the Mission & Discipleship Council, and also supported by ACTS (Action of Churches Together in Scotland). To download the „What Can I Say?‟ leaflet, giving brief responses to some things that people say about Christianity, click here: http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/5479/what_can_i_say.pdf [See the Events section for details of an October conference and Feedback section for a report on the May conference.] The group has created a new website, providing access to a wide range of resources, including text, audio and video clips. “If you always wanted to know about God... but were afraid to ask”, visit www.godsearchscotland.org.uk

Rural Church

NEW! NEW BRIEFING FOR CHURCHES LOOKING FOR FUNDING Rural Direct were invited to be present on the Churches in Rural Scotland stand at the Royal Highland Show in June. To coincide with this, they produced information on funding for churches and other faith based groups. To download the document, visit http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/sites/default/files/A%20guide%20to%20finding%20funds%20f or%20Churches%20final%2014%20June%2012.pdf

THE SCOTTISH CHURCHES RURAL GROUP now has a Facebook page. To view and/or join, visit http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/churchesinruralscotland/

UNDERSTANDING RURAL DEPRIVATION is the title of a report written following an investigation of social deprivation in rural Church parishes, commissioned by the Rural Strategy Team and carried out by representatives of the geography departments of Dundee and St Andrews universities. It provides an account of how social deprivation differs between rural and urban congregational areas, and how social deprivation varies within rural congregational areas. Readers wishing to understand technical details of how congregational areas were identified, classified as either rural or urban and matched to government statistical „Data Zones‟, should refer to the sister Technical Report. To read both reports, visit http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about_us/councils_committees_and_departments/missi on_and_discipleship_council

FEEDBACK / GOOD NEWS / HELP REQUIRED

NEW! LISTENING TO – AND LEARNING FROM – CHRISTIANS IN THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS is a research project being carried out under the supervision of Glyndŵr University and the Centre for Studies in Rural Ministry. The lead researcher is Steve Aisthorpe, the Mission Development Worker for the north of Scotland. The study being carried out in 2012–13 is concerned with those Christians, living in the Highlands and Islands, who are not currently engaged on a regular basis with a local church congregation. Part of the challenge of the project is making contact with a significant number of people who fit the criteria.

Your help is needed. Do you know people who fit these criteria (ie Christian, resident in the Highlands and Islands and not engaged on a regular basis with a local congregation) and who might be willing to participate in an informal (and confidential) interview? If so would you please do one of the following: Either: 1. Contact Steve Aisthorpe and give the contact details of the person/people. Steve will then send an invitation letter, which will mention that you suggested to Steve that they might be interested in this project. Or: 2. Contact the person/people directly, asking whether they might be interested in participating in the project and sending/giving them copies of an Information Sheet and a Consent Form which Steve will send you beforehand on request. Steve‟s contact details are as follows: Steve Aisthorpe, 2 Orchard Cottages, Kincraig, Inverness-shire PH21 1NA; email [email protected] ; phone 07966 286617. If you have questions about the project or would like further information, please contact Steve directly.

MISSION FORUM Mission has an integral role within the public and spiritual role of the church in society at large. This has a myriad of expressions, changing in its particular manifestation at different times and places in history; however, mission has remained at the heart of our understanding of church. From its formation in 2005 the Mission and Discipleship Council was charged by the General Assembly with the remit to hold mission before the church, which it has sought to do through the work of the Mission Forum. Following the review of the whole Council‟s work in 2009-2010, the Mission Forum has been discussing the nature and expression of mission in Scotland in the current cultural climate. The Mission Forum is made up of a range of people from relatively diverse backgrounds in terms of life experience and theological tradition. The discussions thus far have been lively and energetic, in a bid to conceptualise meaningfully what mission looks like in Scotland today. We are currently exploring four stages: historical appraisal of mission in Scotland; brief overview of mission today; theological reflection on mission; and report and recommendations to the 2013 GA to further facilitate mission. Last year we invited you to take part in The Big Blether. At this juncture in the work, the Forum is keen to hear from a range of expressions in the Church in order to provide a report that helpfully and accurately reflects mission in our day. This will take the form of interviews and visits of different projects, churches and ministers. We are keen to hear from you, particularly regarding: how you understand mission, why you engage in it, what you hope to achieve, and the range and variety of missional engagement across the Church of Scotland. If you would like to be involved further in this conversation, please in the first instance send an email (with Mission Forum in the subject line) to [email protected] with details of who you are and how we can contact you. It may not be possible to visit or interview everyone, but we will be in touch with you in the near future. Many thanks – we look forward to hearing from you!

‘WHAT CAN I SAY?’ Report on the Conference held on 12 May 2012 in Edinburgh Keynote speaker Amy Orr-Ewing from the Zacharias Trust and Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics spoke most effectively on „What Can I Say? – commending faith in a sceptical age‟, followed by a choice of workshops on some of the cultural challenges we face in communicating the Christian faith: apathy, suffering, scientism, pluralism, materialism and illusions, eg „Christianity is the root of all evil‟. The day concluded with a plenary Q&A forum. Delegates found the day both stimulating and helpful in equipping them to „give a reason for the hope‟ that we have in Christ. One lady had faithfully attended a Bible-teaching church for more than 40 years, but commented that she had never before heard how we could respond to the questions and objections that are commonly raised. The aim of the

8 day was to affirm that apologetics is not just some rarefied activity for a few theological PhD students, but that folk „in the pew‟ can have the confidence to talk about their faith and tackle the difficult issues. DVDs and Audio CDs of the Opening Session and some of the workshops are available for purchase. See Order Form below.

------WHAT CAN I SAY? DVD and Audio CD order form This should be sent to Sheila Reeves, Mission & Discipleship Council, Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN, with a cheque for the right amount payable to ‘The Church of Scotland’. There are four options: A Two DVDs covering Keynote Address, Workshops led by Amy Orr-Ewing (“No God could allow this!” What can I say in an age of SUFFERING?) & Colin Sinclair (“Christianity is the root of all evil!” What can I say in an age of ILLUSIONS?) , and the Final Session. Cost £10. B1 CD for Keynote Address. Cost £4. B2 CD for Amy Orr–Ewing Workshop. Cost £4. B3 CD for Colin Sinclair Workshop. Cost £4.

NAME ……………………………………………………………………… EMAIL ……………………………………………………………

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I would like A B1 B2 B3 [circle as appropriate] and enclose a cheque for £ ……………….

Alternatively, you can call Sheila on 0131 225 5722 x2239 to order and pay by credit or debit card.

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