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
Those who attended the recent Presbytery Conference on
the reorganisation plan may be disappointed that no conclusion was reached,
that in fact it got no further than discussing procedure - and even that was remitted
to the Business and Review Committees to consider further.
Whatever one’s view of the proposals, or even the need
to reorganise Presbytery, it is worrying, to say the least, to note that
Presbytery appears unable even to manage change, never mind agree any changes
which may be desirable or necessary. And that is the responsibility of us all,
whatever position we hold.
Conveners, Committees, etc are all appointed by us -
we need not accept the nominations put forward - we need not even accept the
make up of the Nomination Committee. It is the duty of every Presbyter to
scrutinise nominations, and deliverances, however tedious that may be. And it
is also the responsibility of every Presbyter to know Standing Orders, or at
least obtain clarification of them, if necessary, because, whether we like it
or not, that is the way in which Presbytery operates, unless we decide to
change it.
Let us hope that the recall Conference in January, to
which we have agreed, will come to some conclusions, and bring an end to what
has so far been fruitless discussion for much too long.
CONGREGATIONAL MAGAZINES
Received for the first time this month is
‘Centre’, the magazine produced by St
John’s, Hamilton.
It is produced in the usual A5 booklet format, with a
green cover.
The theme for the November issue was ‘Going for Green’
covering, as you might expect, the congregation’s efforts in recycling and
encouraging members to think about their use of the earth’s resources. It’s
also good to see that Presbytery activities and news from the wider church are also featured alongside the usual
congregational activities.
Dalziel St Andrew's’ magazine ‘Kirk Matters’, features
Remembrance Day on the cover, and contains a lively mix of features, including
a book review and church news. The back cover also gives the credits - the
names of those who, often unseen and unnoticed, work so hard to make sure it is
in members’ hands month by month.
NEXT ISSUE OF The Presbyter
Since Presbytery does not meet in January, the next
issue will be at the February meeting. My apologies for having to hold some
material over until next year.
THE MEETING This poem has been passed on by Rev
Lindsay Schlüter.
She does not know the source or writer. Can anyone
help?
Where were you Lord?
We called the meeting, for Monday evening
the 26th June.
All members were there,
except you.
Where were you Lord?
I went to speak and lost my thread,
I couldn’t think,
what sounded good in my head,
as words came out, they came out dead.
Our bodies sat on boring chairs,
our faces looked into each others’
and saw nothing real.
That’s how I knew you weren’t there.
I was stiff, dumb,
and seemed stuck to my chair. My child, I couldn’t
make the meeting.
I was at an opening,
the petals of a garden daisy,
and an evening enjoying the fragrance
of the night scented stock.
I was in the evening breeze
that called my heart to be
a cooling on my heated world.
In the rain, the sheet lightning, I sent
through the committee of nature’s elements.
I roared away my wrath in the thunder.
Where were you child?
I was waiting in the moment,
in the flowers and the trees
and the poppy head
that would not break
in the storm I sent,
nor let its colour run,
and turn the green grass red.
In the laughing from my belly
and the weeping from my heart,
in the beauty and the brokenness
of the world I love.
Have I got your attention, child
Can we start?
Can we start?
LETTER TO THE EDITOR (Letters are welcome. They do not
necessarily reflect the views of Presbytery, or the Editor)
20 November 2002
Sir,
Surely there can be no more compelling evidence for
the need for Presbytery "Review and Reform"
than the impasse reached amid the welter of procedural technicalities at last
night's conference.
I rest my case.
John Dickson
(Airdrie: Broomknoll, Additional Elder)]
STATE EDUCATION MATTERS
Most Presbyters will be aware by now of the radical
proposals by North Lanarkshire Council for the provision of Nursery, Primary
and Secondary education. Presbytery is represented on N Lanarkshire Council’s
Education Committee by Rev James Munton who will, no doubt, look at the
proposals with our State Education Committee.
While there is insufficient space here to go into
detail, it can be said that much of the finance for the reorgansation is to be
raised through the PPP initiative, which means, in effect, that commercial
organisations build and operate the new schools, charging the Council for their
services. There has been much talk of the cost implications of such schemes,
and it is unclear as to whether or not they are best value for money, or if
they will cost more, in the long run, for future generations of taxpayers.
Presbytery’s main concern is, of course, with the
provision of religious education in schools, and it is disappointing to note
that while there are to be ‘shared campuses’ in some areas, between Roman
Catholic and non-denominational schools, a sectarian approach has been
maintained. There will be many people, not just in churches, concerned as to
the implications of this, in a society which is increasingly diverse. We may
wonder what the effect will be if, or perhaps when, non-Christian religions
begin to demand, as they are at present entitled, separate religious schools.
Is there is the danger of fragmenting our universal education system, and if
so, is it a prospect which so far seems to have gone unaddressed?
PRESBYTERY WORLD MISSION CONFERENCE
By George Baird
On 16th November the Presbytery held a conference in
Dalziel St Andrew’s Halls in Motherwell. It was attended by 43 people
representing 25 of the parishes in the Presbytery.
The conference had an opening address by Dr Daleep
Mukarjee, who is Director of Christian Aid. He spoke of his early life as a
doctor in India and of how he had set up clinics in outlying districts with the
help of Christian Aid funding. His involvement with the organisation had
developed over the years and he is now its Director. Dr Mukarjee went on to
outline some of the work of Christian Aid and related cases where its help has
been of major significance in the improvement of the welfare and wellbeing of individuals
and communities.
The representatives present then attended three
workshop sessions.
One was on Fair Trade, and the Trade Rules, led by
Eildon Dyer. She spoke on a current campaign which is being led by Christian
Aid, calling for fairer trade in the world and asking for legislation to be
changed. She also spoke of the important role of the World Trade Organisation,
and how regulation of transnational corporations was essential.
The second session was led by a representative from
the Co-operative Wholesale Society, Pat McNaughton. She spoke on the principles
behind the Fair Trade Movement and gave examples of how individuals and
communities had been helped by this approach to trade. She went on to say that
the Co-op had become involved in the sale of fairly traded goods and in fact,
the Co-op now produces a range of its own brand of goods made and distributed
under fair trade principles. This has proved very successful for the Co-op
movement, as well as benefiting the producers of the raw materials. We are all
encouraged to look out for the ‘Fair Trade’ logo.
The third session was due to have been taken by Carol
Finlay, Assistant Secretary of the Church of Scotland Board of World Mission,
but she was unable to take part, and her place was taken by Rev Klaus Buwert,
Convener of Presbytery’s World Mission Committee. He led a discussion on how
the representatives had become involved in World Mission work and the interest
which was shown by each congregation.
Discussion also took place on how better communications
could be introduced.
The Conference
closed with an act of worship.
COURSES AND LECTURES
The following are available through the Board of
Ministry.
More details from Shaw Paterson, or direct from
Edinburgh.
The 2003 Warrack Lectures 13-15 April 2003:
Creative Adventures in Biblical Preaching, by
Professor Paul Scott Wilson from Canada.
Advance registration is necessary, with Mrs Dorothy
Davidson at the Board of Ministry.
Joint Institute of Theology
Offered by the Board of Ministry, St Mary’s College,
and Princeton Theological Seminary will take place in St Andrews from 11 to 22
August 2003. Speakers include Dr John Swinton from Aberdeen University and
Professor John Barclay from Glasgow University.
Overcoming Violence -
Policies and Strategies
Gartmore House,
Monday 3 to Friday 7 November 2003. Among some of the areas to be
considered are: bullying and harassment; religious bigotry; world debt; sexual
violence; social exclusion; and the language of violence.
Deadlines for Study Leave applications in 2002/2003:
Monday 2 December 2002
Monday 3 March 2003
Monday 2 June 2003
Monday 6 October 2003
For those wishing to use Study Leave for any of the
events listed, or for other events, applications should normally be submitted
to the Board of Ministry at least three months ahead of the event.
Contact Details:
Rev Angus R. Mathieson (e-mail: amathieson@cofscotland.org.uk)
Rev Nigel J Robb (e-mail: nrobb@cofscotland.org.uk)
Mrs Dorothy Davidson (e-mail: ddavidson@cofscotland.org.uk)
Mrs Fiona Cunningham (e-mail:
fcunningham@cofscotland.org.uk)
HAMILTON PRESBYTERY - children’s ministry 2003
A REFRESHER COURSE FOR NEW AND
INEXPERIENCED LEADERS
THE FUNDAMENTAL ASPECTS OF
TEACHING CHILDREN IN CHURCH’
19 January - 2 February
at Cadzow Parish Church, Hamilton
course fee £10.00 contact Sheena Wilson (01355 222
027)
Church Education Committee Courses
Jan-March What is a leader?
15 Jan-12 Feb Christian Life and Work
20 Feb-13 March Knowing and doing the will of God
13 Jan-24 March
Caring (incl dementia issues)
19 Feb-12 March
full details/registration
David Geddes (01355 235 998)
geddes@the holdings.freeserve.co.uk
Souls & Singers holy night - a mix of traditional and contemporary
festive music
on Sunday 15th December at 7 30 pm in St Columba’s
Church Thrashbush Road Airdrie
£3.00 including Festive Supper.
Details from Margaret Currie
01236 763 173