The Presbyter
The newsletter of the
Presbytery of Hamilton
No 10 -
May 2003
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
Through the kindness of
a friend, I recently obtained the March and April issues of ‘The Scottish
Episcopalian’. It was interesting to read about the activities and life of our
sister denomination. What did strike me, however, was the nature of the
comments on SCIFU - the proposals for union of four reformed churches in
Scotland. In the letters page there was great concern about the loss of the
Episcopalian heritage, the downgrading of the bishops, and the loss of what was
called the ‘historic episcopate’. There was also deep concern about the
bureaucratic nature of the union proposals, and the layers of committees. In
short, it was seen as a sell out to Presbyterianism.
There are many people in
the Kirk who see SCIFU as the very opposite - a sell out to episcopacy. Now I
have no problems with bishops, provided they are selected in a responsible -
dare I say democratic - manner, and are under the authority of the church as a
whole. But putting that aside, it seems to me that the main thrust of the
argument, in both churches, is that of the need to defend their respective
heritages - at almost any cost. Well, that is what may well happen. It would be
a pyrrhic victory indeed if, at some time in the not-so-distant future, the
parties to SCIFU become unviable as separate institutions, and collapse. Will
the respective folk who turn out the lights for the last time say ‘well, we may
have closed down the reformed church, but at least we held on to our
Presbyterian/Episcopalian heritage to the end’? Surely what we need to sustain,
maintain and proclaim is the witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Surely that
is more important than maintaining denominational traditions, both of which are
built on, at best, defective readings of ecclesiastical history.
MISSIONARIES OVERSEAS
As I write, news is
coming in that the Kirk is withdrawing its field staff from Pakistan, due to
the increase in violence against Christians, and others, there. We sometimes
forget the danger these good and dedicated people place themselves in to serve
the cause of Jesus and, according to our lights, improve the lives of ordinary
people by bringing skills and education to them. It has also been announced
that the work on a Christian centre at Tiberias has been suspended until the
situation in Palestine/Israel becomes more stable. To the people of oppressed
areas, however, our outreach may seem like a very welcome breath of fresh air
in an age when ‘battle lines’ seem to be becoming drawn between ‘Christian
west’ and ‘Muslim east’.
SPRING: THE SEASON OF
GRACE
The beauty of each
season’s span
how true reflect the
life of man.
First to look at
nature’s realm,
a Saviour there a
pointed helm.
Creation’s plan is many
fold,
with seeing eyes the
story told.
A meadow lark in
voiceful dream,
soft clinging grass by
running stream.
Sweet scented flowers,
in picture lush,
sheer beauty seen in
summer blush.
Tall slender trees, clad
emerald gown,
peace-whispering breeze
in silent sound.
In nature’s amber
changing hush,
the autumn stems the
winter rush.
But yet as endless
seasons go,
the ever-nearing time to
sow.
Nature goes through
timeless lace,
no second lost for
endless grace.
Then! on the scene the
human clan,
it’s there; the beauty
in mortal man.
For look I at each
passing age,
life’s seasons come to
fill the page.
The babe was born to be
our spring,
a mother’s joy with song
to sing.
New beauty of the
Gospels give
true summer to each soul
that live.
In trial and suffering
autumn rang,
to cross and death be
winter’s span.
But just as nature’s
seasons bring,
the risen Lord: man’s
endless spring.
Jack Weedon (from “Kirk
Matters”)
24/7 WITH SUNSHINE AND
FUN FOR CHILDREN ON THE BALL
by Sheena Wilson
On a gloriously sunny
Spring day in March, 24 teams of boys and girls from Sunday Schools across the Presbytery
took part in the Seven-a-Side Football Tournament organised by Presbytery’s
Children’s Ministry Advisers at Strathaven Rugby Club. The Advisorate Team
normally run training courses for leaders or visit Sunday School Groups, but
this is the first time that the Team, of Lynette Jardine, Iain Shaw and Sheena
Wilson, have tackled an event for children. The day proved to be a very
successful one, with around 260 children in the age range P5 to P7 being
attracted to the event. Eighteen churches were represented from Airdrie,
Coatbridge, Blantyre, Bothwell, East Kilbride, Hamilton, Larkhall, Stonehouse,
Strathaven and Uddingston. Some churches were able to send more than one team
and many of the teams were mixed (i.e.,boys and girls). Approximately 60 girls
took part. To add a touch of authority to the proceedings, four SFA referees
supervised the games. Thanks to the punctuality of the participating teams, the
serious business of playing got under way just after 2pm. Throughout the
afternoon, crowds of spectators flocked to the Rugby park to show support and
cheer on their teams. It was great to see so many church families gathered
together enjoying the warm sunshine while chatting with friends and watching
some excellent football techniques from the youngsters. Some spectators really
made a day out of it and brought picnics or bought snacks from the Clubhouse.
In the end, Hamilton Old were the overall winners with Western Overton (A)
worthy runners up. The final result had to be decided by a penalty shoot-out.
Medals were presented to these winning teams by Rev Karen Harbison, Convener of
the Church Education Committee. Every team was given a goody bag at the end of
the tournament so there were really no losers. To date there has been much
positive feedback about this event. Should there be an opportunity to repeat it
in the future, perhaps a few more churches will feel able to join in the fun.
Thanks to David Geddes and the members of the Church Education Committee for
their encouragement in enabling us to organise this tournament.
PARTNERSHIP WITH
ETHIOPIA
An interesting and
challenging project is being undertaken by the congregation of Strathaven:
Avendale & Drumclog and a community in Ethiopia. The country is desperately
poor and underdeveloped, with inadequate communications and infrastructure. The
project aims to provide finance and assistance to the Karayu people, one of the
many minorities within Ethiopia. They are a semi-nomadic tribe, part of the
larger Oromo people living in the Fantalle area, who have lost their
traditional grazing lands due to other agricultural developments. There are
other pressures on them from outside influences, and, of course, there is the
problem of drought, which has been persistent over a number of years. Christian
Aid are working in the area, and it was decided that as part of the
congregation’s millennium project, money should be raised for a period of five years. This money is routed through
Christian Aid and the Gudina Tumsa Foundation, an Ethiopia-based charity. The
project incorporates a primary school, adult literacy classes, promotion of
women, a grain mill and store, animal care and husbandry, water development,
crop and vegetable production, and woodland management. There are also ‘fringe’
activities based at the school, including AIDS advice, health and hygiene,
sports and music. Everything is, of course, run at a very basic level. For
instance, there is no accommodation at the school for the many children who
live too far away to attend daily. These children build their own dwellings and
are responsible for their own wellbeing, receiving a monthly ration of 10kg of grain. They are all well behaved, and
very eager to learn. There are extra tutorials after school finishes at 12.30pm
(it starts at 8am), and almost all students stay on for them. 12 children are
being financed at secondary school in Addis Ababa (the school is primary level
only). However, permission has been given for a secondary school in Matehara,
18km away. Adult education is also in progress at various sites in the
territory, some in houses, and one in a school building at Banit Mogasa, where
72 people attend. A library has been built as a gift from the Japanese Embassy,
but there is at present a shortage of books. An important part of the project
is the provision of a grain mill and store, which saves them paying for
grinding, and transport to another mill elsewhere. It also provides paid
employment - important in a primitive agricultural economy.
Animal care is based
round a vet clinic and a breeding programme designed to improve the quality of
the livestock.
Tree planting is also
under way. As well as providing shade, trees help to conserve moisture and bind
sandy soil. People have also been encouraged to grow vegetables to provide a
more varied diet. The Karayu women, in common with those in most primitive
cultures, work very hard. They are being helped to better their own lot and now
run a shop and day care centre. There are many other projects in the pipeline,
but all depend on finance, and the availability of skilled people to show the
Karayu how to improve their farming, husbandry and agricultural methods and
practices. All this is, of course, at a very basic level, and far behind what
we would expect to find in this country. However, it is only by gradual,
grass-roots developments that sound progress can be made, and people educated
to take responsibility for their own lives and future. Few of the Karayu, if
any, are Christians; a few are Muslim, and others follow indigenous religions.
They mostly do, however, have some kind of religious faith. Much more needs to
be done, far more than the congregation of Strathaven: Avendale & Drumclog
can finance. However, what they are doing is of vital importance. In October
2002, a group of four church members travelled to Ethiopia, primarily to visit
the Karayu people, but also to see other Christian Aid projects. They have
produced a full and comprehensive report, and would be willing to speak to
congregations about the project, and the developments in Ethiopia.
Contact the Session
Clerk, Mr James Spence, 01357 520 077 for information about arranging a
speaker, or ways of supporting the project.(The above draws on the report of
the visiting team from Strathaven: Avendale and Drumclog.)
Rev ADAM LEARMONTH
News has just come in of
the sudden death of Rev Adam Learmonth, Minister Emeritus of Airdrie: Wellwynd.
He retired from that charge in 1993, and it is now part of Airdrie: New
Wellwynd. His funeral took place on Friday
25th May at Clarkston Parish Church, where he was a member.
Our sympathy and prayers
go to Adam’s family, and to all to whom he was important.
West Church, Bellshill New and active Church Badminton Group looking for matches with
any other church Badminton group Contact Alan Newman: 01698 732 529
Church Education
Committee - Child Protection Training Courses
The following courses have been arranged for the coming session
7 May: Motherwell South
Dalziel
18 June: Larkhall St
Machans
Both start at 7pm.
Remember! Everyone who
works with young people under the age of 18 is required by the church to
undergo child protection training. Please make sure ALL your youth leaders and
workers are trained and registered
Further
details/registration: Eileen Milne 01698 264 320
eileenmilne29@btopenworld.com