Download Report

October-November 2014
www.churchofscotland.org.uk
Issue: 62
1
Wecome to
WM and to
frica and
e year of A
E
SUBSCRIB
UR STORY
WHAT’S YO
ean.
the Caribb
th
Contents
12
3 Feature
Empowering Laypeople in France
5 Prayer focus
Christians in Minority Situations
6 The Caribbean
Eldership in Trinidad and Tobago
8 Zambia
10 Things about the Eldership
in UCZ
10Malawi
A Probationer Abroad
11Scotland
Hit the Net
Join us on Facebook
ELDERSHIP
Read More...
October-November 2014
www.churchofscotland.org.uk
Issue: 62
2
Wecome to
WM and to
frica and
e year of A
th
Contents
E
SUBSCRIB
UR STORY
WHAT’S YO
ean.
the Caribb
E DITOR IAL
12
3 Feature
Empowering Laypeople in France
5 Prayer focus
Christians in Minority Situations
6 The Caribbean
Eldership in Trinidad and Tobago
8 Zambia
10 Things about the Eldership
in UCZ
10Malawi
A Probationer Abroad
11Scotland
Hit the Net
Join us on Facebook
When I returned to Scotland, I was sent with my ‘lines’ along with
a letter which said, Carol Finlay is ordained an elder of the CCAP
Ekwendeni Congregation and should not forget she is just on ‘loan’ to
the Church of Scotland!
I can’t remember exactly what year it was,
but I vividly remember where I was and much
about the occasion when I was ordained as
an elder. I am sure it would be the same
for many others. It is always a special time,
marking a decision which will not have been
taken lightly as eldership is a duty that is
taken on for a lifetime. It is a privilege to
serve within a congregation and to be part of
a leadership group with many diverse talents,
and to see how these talents can be used to
aid the spiritual growth of a congregation.
In this issue of WM, you will read about different
ways in which the role of the elder is important
and valued within our partner churches, and
there is much we can learn from them. We are
also looking forward to sharing in the Mission &
Discipleship Council Conference for session clerks
and elders, bringing a world perspective to this
important role.
And so where was I when I became an elder? I
was a member of Ekwendeni CCAP Congregation
in Malawi and the session was meeting at one
of the prayer houses of the congregation. It was
a small church building so the gathering met
outside. I, along with several Malawian friends,
was ordained under a tree. When I returned to
Scotland, I was sent with my ‘lines’ along with a
letter which said, Carol Finlay is ordained an elder
of the CCAP Ekwendeni Congregation and should
not forget she is just on ‘loan’ to the Church of
Scotland!
October-November 2014
www.churchofscotland.org.uk
Issue: 62
3
Wecome to
WM and to
frica and
e year of A
UR STORY
WHAT’S YO
E
SUBSCRIB
ean.
the Caribb
th
Contents
... over the
last few years
there has been
an increasing
recognition that
the creation of
a new national
church gives
us a unique
opportunity to
refocus on our
mission calling.
12
3 Feature
Empowering Laypeople in France
5 Prayer focus
Christians in Minority Situations
6 The Caribbean
Eldership in Trinidad and Tobago
8 Zambia
10 Things about the Eldership
in UCZ
10Malawi
A Probationer Abroad
11Scotland
Hit the Net
Join us on Facebook
ON THE PATH TO BECOMING
A CHURCH OF WITNESSES
Read More...
October-November 2014
www.churchofscotland.org.uk
Issue: 62
4
Wecome to
frica and
e year of A
04
UR STORY
WHAT’S YO
ean.
the Caribb
th
WM and to
Contents
12
3 Feature
Empowering Laypeople in France
5 Prayer focus
Christians in Minority Situations
6 The Caribbean
Eldership in Trinidad and Tobago
8 Zambia
10 Things about the Eldership
in UCZ
10Malawi
A Probationer Abroad
11Scotland
Hit the Net
Join us on Facebook
Andy Buckler, Executive Secretary for Evangelism
and Lay Training for the United Protestant Church
of France tells us about an exciting new lay
person focused approach to mission in a country
that notoriously secular.
When the Lutheran and Reformed churches
merged in 2013 to form the United Protestant
Church of France, the celebratory events focused
on the challenge of becoming a witnessing,
mission minded church. This identity is not new of
course – the call to proclaim the Gospel has always
been part of our church DNA – but over the last
few years there has been an increasing recognition
that the creation of a new national church gives
us a unique opportunity to refocus on our mission
calling.
The call to be a ‘church of witnesses’ comes
at a time when recent polls have shown that
the majority of the French population no longer
consider themselves to be Christian. As elsewhere
in Europe, secularism has become the dominant
political and social philosophy, but in France it
takes a particularly antireligious form. ‘Religion’
is largely seen as a problem, and generations
of Protestants have learnt to live their faith in
discrete, private ways. This has enabled the church
to survive, but has not served its overall witness to
a life changing Gospel.
Becoming a ‘church of witnesses’ throws out a
threefold challenge, which we are beginning to
meet through the training and equipping of lay
members and leaders within the church. The first
challenge is to enable our members to leave
behind historic reticence and become active
witnesses to Jesus Christ. We have significant
advantages here: French Protestants are typically
involved in the tissue of society and have many
relational networks. The problem is not being
E
SUBSCRIB
involved, but daring to do it in fresh ways, bearing
witness in deeds and words to our faith. To help
this process, practical training days are being
organised throughout France on the theme of
witnessing.
The second challenge is that of helping local
churches to become welcoming and missional
communities. Many parishes are small, and with
numerical decline comes the temptation to focus
on survival in a hostile environment. It is hard
for some local churches to maintain hope when
for a number of years they have had no pastor,
and they have few children or young people. And
yet, there is a widespread desire to discover fresh
ways of being church, ways that remain faithful
to our historic identity and yet which reach out to
this generation with the Gospel. Our key strategy
here is to equip local church leaders, especially
church council members, to understand their
ministry in spiritual terms, and so to exercise
collective visionary leadership.
The third challenge is to be creative in the
way we articulate our faith, taking hold of the
opportunities that God opens before us. One
such opportunity is the 500 year anniversary of
the Reformation in 2017. Rather than organising
historic commemorations, we are using this
event as an opportunity to proclaim our faith in
fresh ways. Under the title ‘Protesting for God,
Protesting for Man’, we have launched this year a
4 year project encouraging members and parishes
alike to proclaim key gospel themes in modern,
everyday ways. Thousands of calendars have
been distributed, offering reflection on a different
theme each week, with local and regional events
throughout France on 11th October 2014.
Little by little, our church is learning to live out
its calling to be confident in the Gospel in old
and new ways, witnessing to the hope we have
received in Christ.
October-November 2014
www.churchofscotland.org.uk
Issue: 62
5
Wecome to
frica and
e year of A
UR STORY
WHAT’S YO
ean.
the Caribb
th
WM and to
NEWS FLASH
Hundreds of congre
gations
responded to the M
oderator’s
Dove Campaign to
show the
Church of Scotland’s
commitment
to the peaceful reso
lution of
conflict. Rt Rev John
Chalmers
presented the dove
s to
David Cameron.
Contents
12
6 The Caribbean
Eldership in Trinidad and Tobago
8 Zambia
10 Things about the Eldership
in UCZ
10Malawi
A Probationer Abroad
11Scotland
Hit the Net
Join us on Facebook
Please Pray
Crucified Redeemer.
We pray for all victims
of torture;
Prayer for
Christians
in Minority
Situations
For those placed in prisons
and dungeons,
maltreated through solitary confinement
and cruel punishments
because they express criticism of harsh
regimes.
For those who are taunted and attacked
because of discrimination on grounds of
colour, sex or race.
For those who have been deprived of rights
or homes
and who demonstrate for justice and
freedom.
3 Feature
Empowering Laypeople in France
5 Prayer focus
Christians in Minority Situations
PRAYER
FOCUS:
Lord, give them courage, strength and faith
The crisis in Gaza has dominated our televisions
and newspapers over the past weeks and the
Church of Scotland has been praying for peace,
advocating on behalf of those who are suffering
and encouraging members to get involved
through the ‘Dove Campaign’.
We’ve heard many Jewish and Muslim accounts of
the situation in Gaza, but so often the voice of the
small Christian community is not heard.
Christians in Gaza are a small minority among
the 1.76 million Palestinian population and their
numbers are decreasing. In 1997 the total number
of Christians in Gaza was 1,688 and today they
number 1303. The majority are Greek Orthodox
(89%), but 9.3% are Roman Catholic and 1.52%
belong to other denominations.
Life for these Christians is severely limited. It will
come as a shock, but Christians in Gaza have not
been permitted to visit holy sites in Bethlehem
and Jerusalem since 2007; key Christian sites
that we can visit freely. This is having a negative
impact on their ability to uphold their religious
faith. Suffering due to the occupation, Christians in
Gaza, as all Palestinians, aspire to freedom and an
independent Palestinian state.
The WMC seeks to attentively accompany Christian
communities in the Middle East on behalf of the
Church of Scotland and does so through working with
partner churches, the Middle East Council of Churches,
supporting schools and initiatives across the region.
in their continuing stand for what is just
and right.
Spirit of compassion,
you gently comfort those who have
experienced violence,
those whose lives are shattered by conflict,
who experience oppression or persecution.
You guide those who tend the wounded,
who seek to heal memories and to
encourage hope,
inspire people in all nations of our world
to show your fruit of love and joy, of
kindness and goodness,
of gentleness and peace. Amen
October-November 2014
www.churchofscotland.org.uk
Issue: 62
6
Wecome to
frica and
e year of A
Contents
ean.
the Caribb
th
WM and to
U
S
T
F
I
G
E
S I N G TH
E
L
P
O
E
P
OF GOD’S
hurch
ian C
r
e
t
y
b
s
e
r
n the P go
i
p
i
h
s
r
e
d
El
d Toba
n
a
d
a
d
i
n
i
of Tr
12
3 Feature
Empowering Laypeople in France
5 Prayer focus
Christians in Minority Situations
6 The Caribbean
Eldership in Trinidad and Tobago
8 Zambia
10 Things about the Eldership
in UCZ
10Malawi
A Probationer Abroad
11Scotland
Hit the Net
Join us on Facebook
E
SUBSCRIB
UR STORY
WHAT’S YO
Carol Finlay tells us about the active role
played by elders in our partner church in
Trinidad and Tobago.
Picture this. Good Friday, Aramalaya
Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of
Trinidad and Tobago (PCTT), the Moderator
of the General Assembly of the Church of
Scotland is invited to preach, and the parish
minister decides to preach somewhere
else! Is this because of a problem in our
relationship as churches? No, not at all.
It is because the parish minister has 5
congregations in his pastoral charge, 4 in
Trinidad and the other in Tobago, and he
needs to ensure all are ministered to. He
has faith in the ability of his elder who will
conduct the service and knows that the
Moderator will be supported throughout
the service by the Session Clerk and elders
of the church.
The elders in the PCTT have a variety of sources
for training in worship leadership; compulsory
courses at the Theological College before they are
allowed to be ordained as elders, then ongoing
annual workshops at the College as well as some
training from the Presbytery. Elders at Aramalaya
Congregation have monthly seminars focusing on
a variety of topics but at least twice a year they
focus on worship leadership. In addition to all that,
elders are given lots of opportunities to lead in
worship so they have many chances to hone
their talents!
The person conducting worship on Good Friday
this year was Susan Durbal. She had prepared her
Read More...
October-November 2014
www.churchofscotland.org.uk
Issue: 62
7
Wecome to
WM and to
frica and
e year of A
UR STORY
WHAT’S YO
E
SUBSCRIB
ean.
the Caribb
th
Contents
12
3 Feature
Empowering Laypeople in France
5 Prayer focus
Christians in Minority Situations
6 The Caribbean
Eldership in Trinidad and Tobago
8 Zambia
10 Things about the Eldership
in UCZ
10Malawi
A Probationer Abroad
11Scotland
Hit the Net
Join us on Facebook
material well and delivered this in a confident and
professional manner. She told me afterwards that
the words in Romans 12.1 give her guidance as
she prepares: I appeal to you therefore, brothers,
by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a
living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which
is your spiritual worship. Susan says ‘Therefore,
as a worship leader, I must prepare my body for
presentation – heart, hand, dress, attitude, and
must express humility before our great God. This
sets the tone for the congregation to get into a
state of readiness to receive the living Word.’
It is interesting to note that it is not just within
the formal church service that the elders provide
... we should embrace every
opportunity to enhance our skills
and knowledge to uplift others
because a trained and motivated
eldership is the key to a cheerfully
enthusiastic congregation.
worship for members of the congregation. Another
example is when someone dies: the minister or an
elder is expected to carry out a service of worship
in the deceased person’s home, for friends and
families each evening, for several days before
the funeral. This is a huge commitment for a
minister and often an elder will do all or part of
these services.
Rev Adrian Sieunarine, the minister at
Aramalaya Congregation shared his thoughts
about elder-led worship, ‘We often miss the fact
that the word ‘Presbyterian’ means government
by elders. It is also true that we often get the
government we deserve. Therefore, we should
embrace every opportunity to enhance our
skills and knowledge to uplift others because a
trained and motivated eldership is the key to a
cheerfully enthusiastic congregation.’
October-November 2014
www.churchofscotland.org.uk
Issue: 62
8
Wecome to
WM and to
frica and
e year of A
ean.
the Caribb
th
things about being an
3 Feature
Empowering Laypeople in France
5 Prayer focus
Christians in Minority Situations
6 The Caribbean
Eldership in Trinidad and Tobago
8 Zambia
10 Things about the Eldership
in UCZ
10Malawi
A Probationer Abroad
11Scotland
Hit the Net
Join us on Facebook
1
Rooted in the Early Church
The qualities required for elders are the same
as the early Church used for individuals to help in
pastoring and building up the Church. They are to
be trustworthy, wise and full of the Spirit. They
are to work lovingly, generously and to lead by
example.
Contents
12
E
SUBSCRIB
UR STORY
WHAT’S YO
Elder in UCZ
Our Mission Partner in Zambia Keith
Waddell tells us about being an elder
in the United Church of Zambia.
Keith and his wife Ida were called to
Mwandi UCZ Mission, Zambia in 1994
to support the work of the Mission
Hospital and School. Theirs is an
ecumenical appointment between
the Church of Scotland and the
Methodist Church.
2
Support others in their faith and
maintain discipline
Elders are to visit the sick, those in distress and
those struggling with their faith. They are to counsel
those in error and to encourage all ages in their
faith. They participate in services and make peace.
They are to cling to God, not get down-hearted but
persevere in doing good.
3
Set a good example
They publicly affirm the Word of God is the
supreme rule of faith and life and promise to set
a good example. They will undertake their duties
faithfully and diligently, seeking God’s help for the
strength and wisdom for this.
4
Supported by the Congregation
The congregation is asked if they will love
these elected elders, take direction from them and
listen to their counsel and teaching. The Minister
then blesses them.
5
Responsible for a section
The Mwandi Congregation is split into 5
sections and each section elects 4 elders and 4
stewards. Stewards undertake a more practical
Deacon-type role.
6
Re-elected every 4 years
I talked to Catherine who is in her 50s and has
served the statutory two, two year terms and was
re-elected by her Section again. Singly, she cares
for a large extended family, does an amazing
ministry at Kandiana, our Home for the Aged, as
well as looking out for those in need in her section.
7
Share their gifts
Nañalelwa is in her early 30s and a
leading elder making the annual report to the
Congregational Council. Her other gift is music so
she also sings in the Choir.
They are to be trustworthy, wise
and full of the Spirit. They are to
work lovingly, generously and
lead by example.
8
Lead worship, preach and look after
the bereaved
Other members of the laity not necessarily elders
will lead worship, offer prayers or preach. Another
frequent task is to provide comfort and supply
practical help to the stricken family at funerals.
Elders are expected to know their section well.
9
Reflect the Youthful Population
Reflecting the demographics of the Church
many elders are women and both male and
female elders are young as half the population
of Zambia is under 15.
10
Balanced diversity among
the eldership
There is a balanced diversity amongst the leadership
with the older generation supplying stability and
experience and the younger elders providing
imagination, innovation, energy and enthusiasm
in this mainly spiritual and pastoral role.
October-November 2014
www.churchofscotland.org.uk
Issue: 62
9
Wecome to
frica and
e year of A
ean.
the Caribb
th
WM and to
Contents
D
A
O
R
B
A
l
R
E
N
tioner wil
a
b
O
o
I
r
P
T
a
s
A PROBA xperience in Malawi a.
12
3 Feature
Empowering Laypeople in France
5 Prayer focus
Christians in Minority Situations
6 The Caribbean
Eldership in Trinidad and Tobago
8 Zambia
10 Things about the Eldership
in UCZ
10Malawi
A Probationer Abroad
11Scotland
Hit the Net
Join us on Facebook
E
SUBSCRIB
UR STORY
WHAT’S YO
e
d
of Scotlan
s how her
u
h
c
s
r
ll
u
e
t
h
C
d
r
e
y in th
Susan Co
er ministr
h
n
o
p
u
t
impac
From 26th June to 11th July, I had the
privilege of travelling with Dalgety Parish
Church (DPC) to Malawi, as part of their visit to
their twinning partners Engcongolweni CCAP.
While I was there, I began probation, the final
stage of ministry training.
My part in the twinning visit started in February. I
had received confirmation from the Ministries Council
I would be serving probation under the supervision
of Rev Christine Sime, minister of DPC. A couple of
days after receiving this confirmation, Christine asked
if I would like to go as part of the twinning group to
Malawi. My gut instinct was ‘YES’, but wanted time
“Faith in God helps us to understand
our responsibility to take care of
the creation and the people of this
wonderful earth as stewards”
to think. After several conversations where I was told
‘you have to go’, I realised my instinct was correct.
I was excited at the opportunity of witnessing
first-hand the church – as the body of Christ – in its
broadest sense, through being with people, both
those from DPC I was travelling with and those
we met in Engcongolweni. Throughout our visit, I
never ceased to be astonished by the hospitality
and generosity extended towards us. We were
very much treated as honoured and respected
guests. I was also amazed just how pleased
everyone was that we had made the effort to
go to visit them – it really was the ministry of
presence in action.
Read More...
October-November 2014
www.churchofscotland.org.uk
Issue: 62
10
Wecome to
WM and to
frica and
e year of A
th
Contents
12
3 Feature
Empowering Laypeople in France
5 Prayer focus
Christians in Minority Situations
6 The Caribbean
Eldership in Trinidad and Tobago
8 Zambia
10 Things about the Eldership
in UCZ
10Malawi
A Probationer Abroad
11Scotland
Hit the Net
Join us on Facebook
ean.
the Caribb
UR STORY
WHAT’S YO
E
SUBSCRIB
That ministry of presence especially struck home
with me when we visited Paulus Khongola, a
village about five miles from Engcongolweni.
The reception was overwhelming and we were
treated as dignitaries. They were so grateful for, as
they put it, us having the humility to visit them.
That was exceptionally humbling and it was a
blessing to go into that community.
My experience in Engcongolweni has
deepened my sense of how important
the ministry of presence is, whether
travelling to Paulus Khongola or walking
beside the bereaved in a Scottish parish.
One of my deeply abiding memories will be how
faith and life were so intimately intertwined, in
ways in which even the most devout Scot may
not recognise. Prayer occurred before secular
and church meetings; for safe travel; for food;
constantly. And the dancing and singing of church
choirs were something to behold. We have much
to learn from their passion for and faith in Christ.
There’s no Calvinist embarrassment at using dance
and song to express love and praises to God.
My experience in Engcongolweni has deepened
my sense of how important the ministry of
presence is, whether travelling to Paulus Khongola
or walking beside the bereaved in a Scottish
parish. This will stay with me throughout my
probation and into my future ministry.
A real sense of the world-wide church will also
stay with me: its breadth; its depth; its faith. A
faith which crosses all divides. All only possible
through taking the risk by beginning my probation
in a World Mission supported twinning visit. I pray
wherever I will be called to be their minister, I can
show a little of what I learned and, hopefully, help
develop our own twinning.
October-November 2014
www.churchofscotland.org.uk
Issue: 62
11
Wecome to
WM and to
frica and
e year of A
E
SUBSCRIB
UR STORY
WHAT’S YO
ean.
the Caribb
th
Contents
12
3 Feature
Empowering Laypeople in France
HIT
THE
NET
Glasgow 2014
Legacy Project
5 Prayer focus
Christians in Minority Situations
6 The Caribbean
Eldership in Trinidad and Tobago
8 Zambia
10 Things about the Eldership
in UCZ
10Malawi
A Probationer Abroad
11Scotland
Hit the Net
Join us on Facebook
The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow was a
roaring success with 100 new Commonwealth
Games Records and 5 new World Records set,
not to mention the 1.2 million tickets sold
and a staggering 3.5 million people passing
through Central Station. There is no doubt
that these games revealed the great sporting
talent across the Commonwealth as well as
being a celebration of the diversity of the 71
countries and territories represented.
However, beyond the dancing teacakes and the
medals, there is a darker reality for people living
in many Commonwealth countries, and that is the
threat of malaria. People in nearly two thirds of
the Commonwealth are at serious risk of insect
borne infection, with the African, Asian, and South
American Nations being the prime targets. The
consequences are dire with over 627,000 people
dying from malaria each year, 90% of which are in
Africa. The World Health Organisation predicts that
malaria is set to increase in the coming years due to
global weather changes, so the time to act is now.
One simple and effective way to combat
malaria is for people to sleep under mosquito
nets, which cut malaria cases in children by half
and reduce child deaths by 20%. In a pandemic
were a child dies every minute these nets,
which cost a mere £5, are invaluable.
Read More...
October-November 2014
www.churchofscotland.org.uk
Issue: 62
12
Wecome to
WM and to
frica and
e year of A
12
3 Feature
Empowering Laypeople in France
5 Prayer focus
Christians in Minority Situations
6 The Caribbean
Eldership in Trinidad and Tobago
8 Zambia
10 Things about the Eldership
in UCZ
11Scotland
Hit the Net
Join us on Facebook
E
SUBSCRIB
ean.
the Caribb
th
Contents
10Malawi
A Probationer Abroad
UR STORY
WHAT’S YO
“Who knows we may just have
saved the life of an athlete of the
2030 Commonwealth Games, but
even if not we will have made
a difference and saved a child.”
Rev Neil Galbraith,
CEO Glasgow the Caring City
net
ideas
There are loads of different ‘net’
themed events you can have at
your church. Here are some of our
suggestions, but feel free to be
creative and do something that
your congregation will love!
· Hold a sports event: perhaps a football
or badminton tournament. Or beat
the goalie.
· Have a bake sale or a congregational
lunch after your church service with
people wearing hairnets.
· Take a congregation fishing trip with
donations going to ‘Hit the Net’.
· Have a harvest offering and decorate the
church with fruit in nets – e.g. oranges.
· Have a ‘surf the net’ evening.
It is for this reason that Glasgow the Caring City
and the Trades House of Glasgow are working in
partnership with The Church of Scotland World
Mission Council and other organisations in their
Glasgow 2014 Legacy Project, Hit the Net. They
are encouraging people to hold ‘net’ themed
events to fundraise in order to buy mosquito nets
for people in Commonwealth countries through a
chosen charity. As a living legacy they are hoping
to deliver 2014 nets in the first instance followed
by many more!
You can get involved by holding an event in
your church, whether that is a sporting ‘net’
event or a ‘hairnet’ event, anything that suits
your congregation or group, and then donate the
money that you raise via our MyDonate page.
For every £5 we receive, a net will be bought
and distributed by our partners in Malawi and
Zambia. The number of nets will then be added to
the total number of the Legacy project, which will
be announced at the Scottish Cup Final in 2015!
Visit our MyDonate page:
https://mydonate.bt.com/events/
hitthenet/168590
October-November 2014
www.churchofscotland.org.uk
Issue: 62
13
e year of
and to th
ome to WM
bbean.
the Cari
Africa and
Wec
nd Aids
a
V
I
H
h
t
i
E: Living w
U
S
S
I
T
X
NE
ORDE
NOW R
!
s
Resource
3 Feature
Empowering Laypeople in France
5 Prayer focus
Christians in Minority Situations
6 The Caribbean
Eldership in Trinidad and Tobago
8 Zambia
10 Things about the Eldership
in UCZ
10Malawi
A Probationer Abroad
11Scotland
Hit the Net
Join us on Facebook
uch!
ers
rs & Partn
Contributo
Please pray for the protection and good health of all
the staff and family members serving overseas with
World Mission.
AFRICA and THE CARIBBEAN
Malawi: Rob and Ritu Jones, David and Rebecca Morton,
Helen Scott, Ruth Shakespeare.
Zambia: Jenny Featherstone [EA], Ida and Keith Waddell
[EA], Glen and Wendy Lund.
Learn
Co nn ec
t : R es ou
sp ir
rc e : In
e
World Mission are looking forward
to seeing you at the Learn Session
Clerks & Elders Conference!
This month the Church is delighted
to launch Learn. The first publication
explores the role and nature of eldership
in our church today. A variety of great
writers explore a range of topics to
equip new and experienced elders
alike for the future. Find out more at
www.churchofscotland.org.uk/learn
SUBSCRIB
o
Keep in T
Editor: Katie Bradley Development Officer
Carol Finlay: Twinning and Local Development Secretary
Susan Cord: Probationer, Dalgety Bay
Andy Buckler: Executive Secretary for Evangelism
and Lay Training of EPUF
Keith Waddell: Mission Partner, Zambia
Contents
12
E
UR STORY
WHAT’S YO
ASIA
Bangladesh: Pat Jamison [EA].
Nepal: Joel Githinji, Malcolm and Cati Ramsay [EA].
MIDDLE EAST
Israel and occupied Palestinian territory:
Colin Johnston, Kenny and Ali Roger, Antony and
Darya Short.
PRESBYTERY OF EUROPE
Amsterdam: Lance and Sally Stone.
Belgium: Andrew and Julie Gardner.
Bermuda: Barry and Hilda Dunsmore.
France: Jim and Margaret Cowie.
Germany: Jimmy and Heike Brown, Rhona Dunphy.
Gibraltar: Ewen and Audrey MacLean.
Hungary: Aaron and Edit Stevens.
Italy: William McCulloch.
Malta: Kim Hurst.
Sri Lanka: Roderick and Susan Campbell.
Switzerland: Ian and Roberta Manson, Ian McDonald.
[EA] = Ecumenical Appointments
The World Mission Council is the channel through which
the Church of Scotland responds to the command of
Jesus “Go into all the world and preach the good news
to all creation”
(Mark 16:15).
The Council works in many countries worldwide, usually
on the basis of partnership with national churches and
institutions and always with a view to involving church
members in Scotland in the development of the work.
Our mission is to empower everyone to discover,
experience and share the challenges and opportunities
gained by connecting with the World Church.
Get the latest news concerning our partners and the
World Church by subscribing to our weekly e-mail
newsletter, Update. Large print copies of this magazine
are also available on request.
Contact us at: 121 George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland,
EH2 4YN.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0) 131 225 5722
Fax: +44 (0) 131 226 6121
Visit our website:
Copyright © 2013 World Mission Council, Church of
Scotland. All rights reserved. Permission is granted for
the reproduction of texts from this publication for Church
of Scotland use only. For all other uses, please contact
[email protected]
World Mission Council
COS889 10/14
Scottish Charity Number: SC011353