The
Presbyter
Editor: Rev Les Thorne, Hatherleigh, 9 Chatton Walk,
Coatbridge ML5 4FH (01236 432 241) e-mail: les.thorne@presbyteryofhamilton.co.uk- to whom all contributions should be
sent two weeks before presbytery next meets
From the Editor
This month I reproduce, without apology, another article
from Alex Ross’ Booklet ‘Give it a thought’. As it was originally untitled, I
have given it one which I hope is appropriate.
Mankind’s dual nature - Alex Ross
Surely one of the most perceptive novels ever written is
Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘The Strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’. In more
than just a horror story, the author offers an open window into the perpetual
civil war that takes place within the human soul. The truth is that all humans
are Jekyll and Hyde characters, with the monster inside us striving to gain
dominance. Man can be, and often is, malicious and destructive.
This propensity to evil cannot be corrected entirely from
our own resources. We need external help to keep our dark side under control.
That is what the regular practice of religion provides. It does this by laying
down a code of conduct that we do not make up for our own convenience, or alter
at a whim. Yet over 2000 years terrible things have been done in the name of
Christ. However, the calamities perpetrated by mankind during the Christian
centuries occurred, not because men and women practised Christianity, but
because they failed to do so. Bad as it is with religion, mankind would be
infinitely worse without it.
In his book ‘Modern Times’, Paul Johnston reflects that this
is the first epoch in 2000 years in which most Western governments have been
guided by post Christian ethics, and concludes that it is unique in its
destructiveness and depravity.
The twentieth century spawned many ‘Hyde’-like figures, who
not only had no religion, but hated and feared those who possessed it. Lenin’s
‘Revolutionary Conscience’ and Hitler’s ‘Moral Relativism’ ended with the
construction of mass murder factories and the deliberate annaihilation of
millions of people.
A recent Channel 4 documentary chronicled the life and
career of former President of Zaire, Joseph Mobuto who, shortly after taking
office, fell victim to one of humanity’s deadliest conditions, megalomania. The
practice of Christianity was forbidden and a new creed, Mobutoism, was
introduced. While his country descended into chaos it became clear that
Mobutoism’s ruling principle was whatever suited Mobuto and his cohorts.
One of the great modern theologians, Karl Rahner, argued
that by cutting the umbilical cord with God, morally we would become a species
of fantastically clever monkey, and our source of ethical vitality would be
gone. Only a belief in God will make society decent; occasionally it may tax
the intellect, but in the struggle, God will stand beside us.
THE DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT, 1995
by Robin Marwick
.
The Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 has slowly been
implemented in all its sections and by 2004, ‘Service providers’, i.e.the
Church, have to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in respect of disabled people in
the way they offer these services.
When the word ‘disabled’ is used, we automatically think of
wheelchairs, but a Church which is open to all does not only have in mind those
who have obvious physical disadvantages.
There are many kinds of disablement and Church buildings are
challenged by all kinds and stages of disability. The Act requires it not to be
‘unreasonably difficult’ for a person with a disability to gain access to, and
enjoy, the benefits that can be provided from a building.
This could be:
(a) Visual impairment - assisted by large print hymn books
or in Braille, good lighting, audio taped version of the newsletter,
highlighting of steps and stair nosings, provision for facilities for guide
dogs, etc.
(b) Deafness - aided by a loop system, use of sign language,
pad and pencil at the tea stall.
(c) Toilet provision, providing a rest room for older
people, for mothers in the later stages of pregnancy or with very small
children, those who are recovering from illness or space for people with broken
limbs or excessively tall or overweight people. Church pews can be rather
unforgiving when used over a lengthy period.
(d) Wheelchair access and provision within the body of the
Church by altering pews rather than a segregated and isolated area at the
front. Also provision of adjacent seating for their companions.
(e) Ramps or lifts may be necessary which can require
alterations to the building and application for Building Warrant or Planning
Approval from the Local Authority. Approval is also required from Presbytery,
the General Trustees and the Artistic Matters Committee.
An Architect should be appointed to give advice, especially
in buildings of some architectural merit and it would be prudent to seek advice
from the Property Committee of Presbytery as a first step in any of these
works.
There is no special grant money specifically for any of the above,
although works for providing aids for disabled people are Zero Rated for
VAT purposes.
A COMMENT ON THE DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT, 1995
By the Editor - Robin has explained the legal situation
clearly and comprehensively. While one can understand the government’s
motivation behind this Act, and commend it, what is the likely effect on
congregational finances? In many older Churches, the cost is liable to be
prohibitive and unrealistic in relation to their resources and ability to fund
such extensive works and provisions. And is this requirement universal, or only
for those Churches who have disabled members? It is worrying to think of a
comparatively poor or small congregation spending, or borrowing, thousands of
pounds to provide ramps, disabled toilets, lighting, seating, etc., never to
have them used. And what about those buildings whose life span, although
extending beyond 2004, is limited? Are they to be obliged to fulfil the
provisions?
What do Presbyters think?
CONGREGATIONAL MAGAZINES
- Recent issues
received
The Editor would like to thank those Editors of
congregational magazines who continue to send in issues month by month. The
variety in style and content reflects the wide range of witness in this Church
and Presbytery.
New additions to the collection are the Blairhill Dundyvan,
Coatbridge ‘Monthly News’ and the Greenhills, East Kilbride ‘Open Door’.
The Blairhil Dundyvan magazine features the retirement of
their Minister, Rev Iain Black, and includes an appreciative ‘thank you’ letter
from Iain and Margaret for their retirement presentation (This brings the
number of vacant charges in Coatbridge to 5 out of 7).
Arising from a comment made in this feature last month, we
note, too, that Blairhill Dundyvan do include a financial report. The magazine
also reflects a lively congregational life, especially in the youth
organisations.
‘The Open Door’ also includes details of congregational
life, as well as matters of more general interest, including recipes (a matter
close to the Editor’s heart, and adjacent digestive organs!), two of which are
reproduced elsewhere. It carries a number of illustrations (what a boon desktop
publishing is) to lighten and enliven the presentation
PRESBYTERY REVIEW CONFERENCE
This takes place on the November Committee evening, and all
Presbyters are asked to make every effort to attend. The Review Proposals
should be in the hands of Presbyters beforehand. It is an important conference,
as it will affect the shape of Presbytery, and the way in which it deals with
its business, for some time to come, whatever the outcome. While change,
especially radical change, can sometimes be uncomfortable, we do live in a
world where circumstances, especially the situation of the Church of Scotland
in this area, is changing rapidly. If we are to meet the challenge, then we
need to have the right tools with which to do so. This conference is an
opportunity to look at an alternative procedure, and we should not be afraid of
comparing it critically with our present way of doing things, and, if
necessary, changing.
This need not be a once-for-all exercise. If we are to live
up to the beliefs of the Reformers, then we need to be both a Reformed and
reforming Church, always prepared to accept and initiate change in the whole
life, discipline and teaching of the Church. If we shirk the challenge, then
the Church, and Scotland, will bear the consequences.
PRESBYTERY WEB SITE
Many of us are familiar with the Internet. We see web site
addresses every day, in advertisements, on TV, and in the letterheads of
correspondents. Many of us have e-mail addresses (even the Editor), and both
the Church of Scotland, and Hamilton Presbytery, have Web sites.
The Presbytery Web Site is under the direction of David
Findlay, who will welcome contributions for inclusion, from Committees and
congregations. It is hoped that in the near future, The Presbyter will also
appear.
David’s contact details can be found in the Presbytery
Handbook
THIS MONTH’S RECIPES from Greenhills, East Kilbride
APPLE TART TATIN
125g/4½ oz/½ cup butter
125g/4½ oz/½ cup caster sugar
4 dessert apples, cored & quartered
250g/9 oz ready made shortcrust pastry
Heat butter & sugar in a 225mm/9” pie tin until mixture
begins to caramelise. Remove from heat, arrange apple quarters skin side down
in pan. Roll out pastry slightly larger than pan. Place over apples, tucking
down sides to seal.
Bake at 200° (gas 6) for 20/25 mins until golden. Place
plate over pan, turn out & serve warm with crème fraiche.
TUNA PAELLA
1 Cup long grain rice
2 Cups water
1 small onion
1 tin Tuna in brine
1 Chicken stock cube
Small amount of garden peas
Dilute stock in pot with water, add chopped onion to soften,
add rice and peas and bring to boil.
Stir, place tight lid on pot, turn heat down as low as
possible, do not remove lid, leave 15-20 minutes.
Add tuna and stir.
Delicious hot or cold, and slimming.
Children’s Ministry Advisers
HAMILTON PRESBYTERY
Christmas Workshop
presented by Lynette Jardine, Iain Shaw & Sheena Wilson
on Sunday 24 November at
South Dalziel Church Motherwell
October/November, 2002
Course Fee £2.00 per person
bookings to Sheena
Wilson 01355 222 027
HAMILTON PRESBYTERY
Children’s Ministry 2003
A refresher course for new or inexperienced leaders
‘THE FUNDAMENTAL ASPECTS OF
TEACHING CHILDREN IN CHURCH’
19 January - 2 February
Details in the December issue of‘The Presbyter’
World mission committee
CONFERENCE FOR CHURCH WORLD MISSION TEAMS
Saturday 16th November Motherwell Dalziel St Andrews from 10am to 1pm WORKSHOPS ON FAIR TRADE
UNFAIR TRADE AIDS AND TRADE“ DETAILS FROM/BOOKINGS TO Rev Klaus Buwert 01698 372 356