www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk Kiltarlity and Wardlaw Churches FROM THE INTERIM MODERATOR Dear friends, This morning’s news told of the kidnapping of a bishop in Syria whom I met when I was there in Aleppo in 1995. Alas it’s a tiny though nevertheless horrible part of the current Syrian crisis – and a reminder of there being nothing impersonal about struggles and suffering in today’s world. Whether or not we know people caught up in the Boston bombing or the earthquakes in Iran and China, each and every human being are known and precious. ( How much we come to realise that when trouble comes close to us ! ) I preached recently on a passage in John’s gospel where people were asking hard questions. Quite right, for the next issue is what are the good answers ? People ask very reasonably, what is good religion; how important is faith ? How do we answer that ? Around Jesus, and I suspect in many people’s minds nowadays, understandably, feelings ran high that someone who is very fired up by their faith is dangerous. They are potentially unstable, a firebrand who could cause damage as much as bring help. So are we just going to be moderate and reasonable and perhaps not too much one way or the other ? The food for thought is how Jesus dealt with this. Jesus had a strong faith. There was teaching that he was utterly committed to, an outlook on life which he would not compromise. And his primary response to those who asked, is all this passion a good idea, was to say well, let’s think about what actions have followed. Certainly there are passions which are destructive, so let’s use as the acid test of good believing the nature of the good life. Jesus offered his own conduct up as a witness to what he held dear in his faith. Well, I rather like this. I believe it matters hugely how we live. How we live is very much a sign of what we believe. Yet as human beings we are remarkably good at masking realities. It isn’t just politicians who are good at flannelling ! So I offer you the challenge, which I know I myself am also challenged by. How might I live well ? What faith, in God and in my fellow human beings, might encourage me to incarnate the best humanity ? How do my deeds speak to others ? Am I someone who believes only in me and my own prosperity ? Or do I not need to grow in generosity of spirit; to grow, offering love and service to my fellow human beings and the world in which we are placed ? Jesus gave an alternative to perpetually sitting on the fence on the one hand, and on the other to misguided passions or just shifting always with one’s opinions and moods, i.e. being kind one day and rather miserable the next. So he draws me to be led by him; so, vindicated by God through his death and resurrection, he lives to challenge us all. Praying for you to be a blessing, Peter The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 63 – May 2013 Page 1 of 22 www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk The U in JesUs The Gardener’s Hymn Before U were thought of or time had begun, God even stuck U in the name of His Son. And each time U pray, you'll see it's true You can't spell out JesUs and not include U You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name, For U, He was born; that's why He came. And His great love for U is the reason He died. It even takes U to spell crUcified. Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand He rose from the dead, with U in His plan ? The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew, and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U. When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension, He felt there was one thing He just had to mention. "Now go into the world and tell them it's true That the love I have shown is not just for U." So many great people are spelled with a U, Don't they have a right to know JesUs too ? It all depends now on what U will do, He'd like them to know, But it all starts with U. th When - Saturday 18 May 2013 Where - Tomnacross School, Kiltarlity Thanks to Maureen Matheson for this contribution Time – 2 – 5 p.m. Various stalls; bungee trampoline; Being happy doesn't mean everything is roundabout; ribbon and fan dancing; perfect. It means you've decided to see birds of prey display; tug-o-war; teas beyond the imperfections. and food; live music; dancing and much, much more. The nicest place to be is in someone's thoughts, Come along and enjoy a great family the safest place to be is in someone's prayers, afternoon out. and the very best place to be is ........ in the hands of God The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 63 – May 2013 Page 2 of 22 www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk It all began in 2008 when the then Moderator, Very Rev. David Lunan, challenged all Presbyteries to raise money for the HIV / AIDS Project, as it was then known. Enterprising Lothian Presbytery minister Rev Dr Robin Hill dreamt up “Souper Sunday” as a way of raising £10,000 in one day, while also giving ministers a day off. He wrote a complete order of service which could be led by elders; with the content focussed on the HIV / AIDS Project, the service was to be followed by a fellowship lunch with soup, and donations invited for the Project. Robin persuaded all the churches in Lothian Presbytery to do this on the same day – “and we raised £12,000 in only two hours !” The idea was enthusiastically taken up by the General Assembly the following year, and the iconic date of 10.01.10 chosen, when churches throughout Scotland were invited to hold their own Souper Sunday. Many such services were planned, but because of awful weather conditions, many had to be postponed till later in the year; they still went ahead eventually. The date chosen for 2011 also fell foul of the weather, but by then it was realised that it was easier for churches to choose the date which suited them best, any time in the year. In 2012, Souper Sundays were held in every month; in some cases, sandwiches replaced soup, ice cream replaced soup, in Super Sundaes ! In Scotland, the programme are proud to support the work of Positive Help in Edinburgh. There are an estimated 5,000 people in Scotland living with HIV ( about 25% of whom are unaware of their status ). While treatment is readily available to anyone who needs it, the biggest issue facing people in Scotland who are living with HIV is the fear of stigma and discrimination. Established in 1989, Positive Help continues to meet the individual needs of HIV positive people for assistance with day to day living. They recruit, train and supervise volunteers who give practical help through home support, transport and children and young people befriending services. In 2011 / 12, they had 3,226 requests for assistance with transport, of which they were able to meet 2,000; volunteers did 861 hours of driving. The programme’s grant will enable them to recruit and train 12 new drivers over the next 12 months, and to meet some of the costs incurred by the transport service. It links closely with the other services which Positive Help offer. By providing lifts for food shopping volunteers are also able to offer home support assistance with cooking, cleaning and companionship. By helping with transport to school and holiday clubs they are able to foster relationships with families that can benefit from Positive Help’s children and young people befriending service. nd Sunday, 2 June is the date for Wardlaw Church’s “Sandwich Sunday” service, the fourth year this type of service has been held. This years’ service theme is “Setting Things Straight.” This service is conducted by a range of Church Elders and members of the congregation. After the service, everyone is invited to stay on for a lunch of sandwiches and home baking with tea and coffee – there is no charge for this, but donations towards the work of the HIV project will be welcome. The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 63 – May 2013 Page 3 of 22 www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk The night was very dark, but from the deepest of the darkness, the shadow of the trees on the opposite bank, came the sounds of the dragging of the nets and the handling of the boat, by men who spoke not a word. Suddenly, the two young men broke the night air with their challenge across the river, "Who the hell are you ?" They could get no answer, and then they blazed with their guns, with the unfortunate result that three at least of the offenders were peppered with shot. One, a very decent man called John Allan Fraser, was shot by thirty or forty pellets over the head and face, and he was injured in the left eye so severely that the eye had to be removed, and there was a danger to the other eye, and so of complete loss of sight. The circumstances were these. Two sons of an American millionaire had fired by night at a party of Scottish gamekeepers, peppering them well and blinding one to the loss of one eye and to the danger of another.