RosythMethodistChurch StMargaret’sScottishEpiscopalChurch

Contact thenewsletterofthepartnershipbetweenRosythMethodistChurchandStMargaret’sScottishEpiscopalChurch

Issue92Mid-August/September2017

2

inpartnershipOurpartnershipisformallyrecognisedasaLocalEcumenicalPartnership,withaconstitutionandCovenantsignedon14June2000

RosythMethodistChurchScottishCharitySC028559www.rosythmethodist.org.ukStMargaret’sScottishEpiscopalChurchScottishCharitySC028426www.stmargaretsrosyth.org.uk

Minister: RevDrHelenJenkins 01506842333CoordinatingSteward: DavidSalthouse 01383889212PastoralSecretary: GwynethKirby 01383624779ChurchCouncilSecretary: SandraWilson 01383415885Treasurer:DaveWard 01383414944

Rector: RevAlisonCozens 01383732654VestrySecretary: SandraYoung 01383415021Treasurer: GordonPryde 01383860450

ourregularpatternofworship Sundays(except4th) 9.30am SungEucharist (occasionally9.15am—seediarypagesfordetails) 11.00am MorningWorship (includingSundaySchool) 1stSundays: 6.00pm “Sunday@Six” 4thSundays: Worshiptogether 9.00am Breakfastand“MessyChurch”(duringtermtime) 11.00am JointCommunionService

whereto indusOntheroad:ourpostaladdressisQueensferryRoad,Rosyth,Dunfermline,KY112JH,andyou’ll indusatthejunctionofQueensferryRoadandWoodsideAvenue.ThisisashortwalkfromRosythRailstation.Thecarparkisbehindthechurch.Localon-streetparkingislimited,butthereismuchmoreparkingspaceatthejunctionwithParkRoad.

* An asterisk indicates a change since the last issue

3

Contact NewsletteroftheMethodist—EpiscopalianlocalecumenicalpartnershipinRosyth

Issue92:Mid-August/September2017

Contents PageNoLetthejourneybegin–MarkJason.......................................................................................4-5Rosythjourneying–HelenJenkins.............................................................................................5Invitations–SandraYoung.......................................................................................................6-7OneMinutePlease...........................................................................................................................7Offersofhelp–GwynethKirby....................................................................................................7AroundtheDiocese–SandraYoung.........................................................................................8Sundays@Six–HowardKirby......................................................................................................9ChristianBlindMission-AdrianMasson...............................................................................9Collectionboxes–HowardKirby................................................................................................9WednesdayFellowship–SandraYoung..............................................................................10Propertymatters–MartinRogers...................................................................................10-11TheFifeClusterYouthFellowship–AndrewWedge...............................................12-13MessyChurch–GwynethKirby................................................................................................13FellowshipNews............................................................................................................................14DiaryDates.................................................................................................................................15-18God’sgraceforall–HilaryHenderson...........................................................................19-21Whatmustyoutakewithyou–EdwardIdle..............................................................22-24Envisioningthechurch–RobertMorton.............................................................……..24-29SermonontheMount3[Editor’snote]................................................................................29PuzzlePage–DaveWard............................................................................................................30Contactpointsandmeetingtimes..........................................................................................31Ournextissue..................................................................................................................................32

Editor:HowardR.Kirby12OvertonCourt,PitreavieCastle,Dunfermline,KY118TYE-mail:editor@rosythmethodist.org.ukAssistantEditor:DaveWardDiaryEditor:SandraYoungClosingdateforOctober/November2017issue:Tuesday26thSeptember2017

4

Letthejourneybegin...

IntheCircuitPlanforSeptember/November,ournewCircuitSuperintendent,RevDrMarkJason,re lectsonthestartofthenewForthValleyCircuitAnewconnexionalyear.Anewplan.Anewquarter.Anewcircuit.Anew(-ish)listofpreachersandleadersofworship...Iamveryawarethatthis'new'circuitplanre lectsanewerainthelifeoftheScotlandDistrictastwocircuitsthathavebeeninexistenceforaconsiderableperiodhavenowmergedintoone.Thisisanexcitingtimeforthecircuitwiththisnewcontextintroducing'new'preachersto'new'churches.Asthecongregationsgettoknowoneanother,itenablestheopportunityofmeetingnewpeopleandformingnewfriendships.Thelistof'new’thingsseemstogoonandon!AsIre lectonwhereweareasacircuit,whilethereisaveryrealsenseof'new-ness'Iamdrawntotheimageof'journey.'Letmeexplain.Inthemonthsleadinguptothismerger,arecurringquestionIencounteredrelatedtothePreachingPlan.Iwasaskedonseveraloccasionsabouttheincreaseddistancesthatourpreacherswouldberequiredtomake,thenewandlongerjourneyswithincreasedtraveltimesacrossanenlargedcircuitstretchingfromStirlingtoDunbar,andhowwewouldcope.Fortunately,weareblessedwithacompetentandgiftedteamofpreacherswhoarewillingtotravelandmakethesejourneystosharethegospelaroundourcircuit.Itoccurredtomethatsomewherealongtheway,

thelinesbetweentheitinerantministersandlocalpreachershavebecomeblurred,withmostofourpreachersnowitinerant,andonajourney.Butitisnotonlythepreachersinthecircuitwhoare'onajourney'-weallare,asanentirecircuit.Overthelastcoupleofmonths,manyofusmayhavetravelledforourholidays,sometoplacesfarawayandotherstolessdistantdestinations;throughtheyearmanyofustravelwell-wornpaths:fromhometoworkandback.Thatsaid,someofusmaynotbeabletotravelverymuch,orevenanywhereatall;nevertheless,weareallonthemove,participantsinagreatjourney,thejourneyoflife.Eachnewdaymarksthesilentpassageofanothermilestoneinthisjourneythatweareallon.Howwehaveallfaredsofarvariesfrompersontoperson-somemayhavehaditeasierthanothersButaswecontinueto'journey'weneedtoremindourselvesthatwehaveaGodwhotravelswithus.Nomatterhowtediousordif icultthejourney,Godistherebyourside.Thewonderfulthingaboutthisisthatwhetherwethinkofreal,physicaltravelbetweentwopointsorourmetaphoricaltravelsonthejourneyoflife,wehaveaGodwhotravelswithus.ThisisatruthfrequentlyacknowledgedintheScriptures.WhenIsaacjourneyedtothelandofthe

5

RosythjourneyingRevDrHelenJenkins

Philistines,Godsaidtohim“Iamwithyou"(Gen26:3);JacobleftLot'shouseandtravelledbacktohisownhomeinthecon idencethatGodtravelledwithhim(Gen31:3);MoseshadthecouragetogobeforePharaohbecauseheknewthatGodwentwithhim(Exod3:12);astheIsraelitestravelledthroughthedesertforfortyyears,thepresenceoftheLordtravelledwiththemasapillarofcloudbydayandapillarof irebynight(Exod13:21).WhenJoshuaeventuallyledtheIsraelitesintothepromisedlandtheyhadtheassurancethatGodtravelledwiththemintothisnewland(Deut31:23).Inthegospels,thisideaissummarizedinthewordsofJesuswhenhecommissionedhisdisciplesandsentthemonajourneyto"allnations"tobaptize,teachandpreachsayingtothem"Iamwithyoualways"(Matt28:19-20).Thisideaofa"travellingGod"emanatesfromwithintheverynatureofGod-theFathersenttheSon(Jn3:16),theSonsenttheSpirit(Jn15:26)...andthejourneygoeson.ThisdynamicmovementwithintheBeingofGodissuf icientevidencethatourGodisaGodofmovement,aCompanionalongtheway.Andso,atthestartofanewquarterinanewcircuit,whenwethinkoftheourselvesasapilgrimpeopletravellingtogetheronthisjourneyoflife,therearerealjourneysandjourneysthatmaynotinvolveaphysicalmovement,butthatneverthelessforceusto"moveon"-inourmindsorperhapsinourcircumstances.Atsuchtimes,maywe

beassuredthatwehaveaGodwhonotonlypromisedtotravelwithus,butwhoreallydoes.Journeyoninthecon idencethatGodtravelswithyou. MarkJason

Markwritesofjourneying,andformethechangesinstaf ingmeanI’llbemakingsomedifferentjourneys.I’llbeheadingovertheFifelessoften(justasthenewbridgeopenstomakemyjourneyeasier!)asI’mrelinquishingpastoralchargeofKirkcaldyandbecomingpartofthestaffteaminEdinburgh.ForthenextyearIwillremaininpastoralchargehereatRosythMethodist,soyou’llstillseemeaboutonceamonthonaSundaymorningandforchurchcouncilsandsoon.JoiningmetoworkwithyouthisyearwillbeDeaconElizabethHar leetwhomanyofyouwillhaveencounteredatTriangleCoffeeShop.ShewillbetheworshipleadersomeSundays,andwillalsotakeonsomeofthepastoralcare.IknowElizabethalreadyfeelsverywelcomeamongyou,soItrustthatwillcontinue.WehopetoleaveRMCinastrongpositionforthistimenextyearwhenwehopeanewsuperintendentministerwillarrivetoliveinFifeandministerwithyourselves,KirkcaldyandGranton.HelenJenkins

6

EnjoyaCreamTea…onSaturday9Septemberbetween3pmto5pmatthehomeofJeanandJohnHallinCairneyhilltohelptheworkofActionforChildren,forwhomJeanworkstirelessly.Thisannualeventisalwaysenjoyablewithdelicioushomebaking.Jeanlooksforwardtowelcomingyouandyourfriends....oraFamilyBarbequeonSunday17September,from2pmto5pm;thisisalaterdatethanhasbeenourcustom,butitmaybenolesswarmthanwe’vefoundinpreviousyears,andwehopeit’sdrierthanithasbeeninrecentmonths!Asinpreviousyears,thevenuewillbetheSilverSandsbeachinAberdour.Ifyouareintendingtocome,pleaseaddyourname,thenumberofadultsandthenumberofchildrentothelistintheCrushHall(orcontactDavidSalthousedirectly,addressbelow).Also,ifyouhaveanyspecialdietaryrequirementspleaseletusknowontheformtoo.Thecostisexpectedtobethesameaslastyearat£3peradult,withnochargeforchildren.Anyquestions,pleaseaskDavidSalthouse(davidsalthouse@sky.comor01383889212).

…oraHarvestSupperwithanIndian lavourOverthelastfewyearsourHarvestSupperhasincludedaguestspeakerwhohasbeeninvolvedininternationalprojects.Thisyear,RossStirling,thelayrepresentativeofStFinnian’s,Lochgelly,andwellknowntomostofus,willjoinusonSaturday23SeptembertotellusabouttheAruminaAIDSHospice,Kolkata,whichheissupporting.TheHospice,whichislinkedwithourDiocese,helpschildrenwhoareeitherHIVpositive,haveAIDSortheyarethechildrenofparentswhohavediedofAIDS.Itisverymuchinneedofsupport.RosshasalreadyraisedfundstosupportitandheandacolleaguefromFifeCollegevisitedKolkatainAprilwiththeaimofbuildingnewrelationshipsbetweenthehospiceandFifeCollege,aswellascontinuingestablishedlinkswithourDiocese.WewouldliketosupporttheprojectandaredelightedtowelcomeRosstogiveus irst-handknowledgeofwhatishappeningandhowthemoneyhehasraisedsofarishelpingtheHospice.ThiseveningwillstartwithsupperforwhichDorissiahasagreedtomakesomeofherrenownedcurriessopleasejoinusat6pmforsomefood,followedbyRoss’stalk.

Invitations

7

…andTheWorld’sBiggestCoffeeMorningTheTriangleCoffeeShopistakingpartinthiseventandisdonatingallitsproceedsonFriday29SeptembertoMacmillanCancerSupport.EvenifyouarenotaregularattenderonaFridaymorning,pleasedocomealongandsupportthismostworthycause.MusicatLochgellyOnSaturday16Septemberat7.00pmStFinnian’sChurchLochgellyarehostingtheirannualconcertbytheeverpopularamateur,buthighlyprofessionalinspiringchoralgroup,Ensemble.freshfromtheFestivalFringewithaprogrammeentitled"IrvingBerlin-100YearsofSong."Ticketsare£6toincluderefreshmentsandcanbereservedbyemailingRevMargaretDineleyonmargaret.dineley@gmail.com,orbyphoningheron01592358933or07931483906.Theycanalsobeboughtatthedoorontheevening.Margarethopesthatsomeofuswillcomealongandhearthisexcellentgroupwhoalwaysprovidean

Furthertotherequestmadeinthepreviousissue(onthebackpage)foradditionalhelpersfortheTriangleCoffeeShopteams,itseemsappropriatetoprovideabitmorebackground.WhenTriangleswassetup,theplanwasthat16teammemberswereneeded,sothat,with4memberstoeachof4teams,eachdidaturnjustonceevery4weeks.ButTriangleshasbeensosuccessfulthat5membersineachteamarenowneededtocopewiththehighdemand.Someadditionalhelphasbeenforthcomingfromfriendsofexistingteams,forwhichweareverygrateful.Butwecurrentlyneedtwomorevolunteerstoensureallteamshave5members.Itwouldalsobehelpfulifsomeotherswouldbewillingtobeavailabletohelp‘inemergency’.Teammemberswho indtheycannotdo‘theirturn’oneweeknormallyarrangeaswapwithamemberofanotherteam.Sometimesaswapisnotpossible,andbeingabletocallonanotherperson,notnecessarilyatshortnotice,wouldbeaboon.Dogivemeacallifinterested.GwynethKirby01383624779

Offersofhelp

Oneminute,pleaseWhatdidJesussay?“Butwhataboutyou?WhodoyousayIam?”Luke9:20

8

BishopDavidretiresSeveralhundredpeoplefromacrosstheDioceseandthewiderScottishEpiscopalChurchtogetherwithClergy,LayReadersandinvitedguestsincludingtheBishopoftheDioceseofCalcutta(ourcompanionDiocese)aswellasBishopDavidandAlison’sfamilyandgrandchildrenattendedthefarewellEucharistonSunday25JuneinStNinian’sCathedraltocelebrateBishopDavid’sministryinourDiocese..Itwasawonderful,joyfuloccasionwiththesingingledbytheCathedralChoirandapoignantmomentwhenBishopDavidlaiddownhiscrozieronthealtar.StMargaret’swaswellrepresentedandwewereprivilegedthatAlanTaylorhadbeeninvitedtotakepartintheintercessions.AftertheEucharisttherewerevaledictoryspeeches–somequitelong!and inallyaglassofproseccoandcaketocelebrate11yearsofBishopDavid’stimehere.BishopDavidretiredattheendofJuly.WethankGodforhisministrywithusandwishAlisonandDavidalongandhappyretirement.TheprocessofselectinganewDiocesanBishopbeginsthismonthandifallgoesaccordingtoplanhissuccessorwillbeannouncedonSaturday3February2018,theconsecrationtakingplaceinearlySpring2018.InthemeantimeBishopKevinPearson,BishopofArgyllandtheIsleshasbeenappointedour

interimBishop.AttheendofJune,whenBishopDavidstooddownasPrimus,BishopMarkStrangeofMoray,RossandCaithnesswaselectedPrimusinhisplace.TheGathering–YouthtasterAlanTaylorandSueMassonwrotefavourableandinterestingreportsintheSummereditionofContactabouttheirexperienceoftheGathering.SincethentheRevNerysBrownhassentashortreportwhichmentionedthatateamofyoungstersfromaroundthedioceseworkedtogethertoprovidea‘TasteoftheGathering’onvideo.This,andthephotographstheytook,canbesharedwiththosewhowereunabletojoinusontheday.Theyoungsterstookontheresponsibilityofthisroleandinterviewedaselectionofparticipants.NeryshopestohavethepresentationreadytosharebeforetheendofSeptember.WestAreaCouncilServiceThisyear’sannualAreaCouncilServiceisonSunday10Septemberat6pminStPeter’sChurch,Kirkcaldy.Inabreakfromtradition,itwillbeledbytheFifeClusterYouthFellowship,(seep12)andtheservicewillfocusontheoverallthemeof“Godlovesyou”,thethemethisyearfromtheprovincialyouthweekatGlenalmond.Weareusuallywellrepresentedattheannualservicesopleasecomealongandsupporttheyoungpeople.SandraYoung

AroundtheDiocese

9

ChristianBlindMissionChristianBlindMission(CBM)isthelargestChristianinternationalorganisationsupportingpeoplewithoratriskofdisabilityintheworld’spoorestplaces.CBMworkswithlocalpartnerstotreatandpreventblindingdiseasesandhelparound30millionpeoplewithdisabilitieseachyeartogotoschool,earnaliving,accesshealthcareandplayanactiveroleintheircommunities.CBMisdrivenbyChristianvaluestotransformthelivesoftheworld’spoorestpeople.ThisyeartopubliciseitsworkandinparticulartofocusontheneedsofchildreninKenya,CBMhasnominatedaSundayinOctoberasChristianBlindMissionSunday.AstwochurchesthathavesupportedtheworkofCBMinthepastwefeltitwouldbeappropriatetosupportCBMinthisnewventureandtocelebrateCBMSundayatourSundayatSixserviceon1October.

CouldallthosewhoholdCollectionBoxesforJMAorWorldMissionorActionforChildrenpleasereturnthemtoJeanHallassoonaspossible,forforwardingtotheappropriatecharity.Collectionboxesasamethodofgivinghavebecomelessandlesspopularovertheyears,and indingpeopletochampioneachcauseincreasinglydif icult.Collectionsthoughboxesfor‘MissioninBritain’(previouslyknownas’HomeMissions’)ceasedinRosythsomeyearsago,andJMAandWorldMissioncollectionsthroughboxeswillnowsimilarlyceaseoncecurrentlyheldboxesarereturned.NotethatJMAandWorldMissionwillcontinuetobesupportedinotherways.Andweremainactivelysupporting‘ActionforChildren’inallsortsofways,includingcollectionboxes,thankstoourlocalchampion,JeanHall.MessyChurchwillalsocontinuetousecollectionboxestosupport‘WaterAid’ HowardKirby

Collectionboxes

So,pleasedotrytocomealongat6pmon1OctobertolearnmoreaboutCBM’swork,tobechallengedabouthowwerespondtotheneedsoffolkwithdisabilitiesand,ifyouareable,tomakeacontributiontowardsCBM’sworkinKenya.. AdrianMasson

Sundays@SixSunday@Sixservicesarecurrentlyplannedforthe irstSundayinthemonth,butitiswithregretthatwehavetoannouncethattheeventplannedforSeptemberwiththeSalvationArmyhashadtobepostponed.Sothe irstoccasionthisAutumnwillbeSunday1October,whenthefocusisontheworkofChristianBlindMission,aboutwhichseebelow.

10

FortheAutumnsession,thecommitteehasarrangedavariedandinterestingprogramme–amixtureofguestspeakersandFellowshipmemberswhohaveofferedtoshareanafternoonwithus.Lookoutforthepostersforthedetails.WednesdayFellowshiphasgrownintoareallyecumenicalgatheringovertheyears,withmembersfromalltheotherRosythChurchescomingalong.SadlywelostRosemaryCowellduringourbreakandsomeofouroldermembersarenotabletojoinusveryoften,althoughwekeeptheminourthoughtsandprayers.Sowearealwayshappytowelcomenewmembers–menandwomen-andinviteyoutojoinus,whetherregularlyoroccasionallyifsomethingappealstoyou.Youwillbeassuredofawarmwelcome.Wegatherinthechurchloungeat2.15pm,whenwe‘meetandgreet’eachother,beforewehaveashorttimeofdevotion.Ourspeaker‘stalkfollows,andwe inishwithchatandrefreshments,leavingaround3.45pm.Ouropeningmeetingis6SeptemberwhenwewelcomeMoragCrawford,DeaconatRosythParishChurchtoleadusinadevotionalafternoon.GuestspeakersatothermeetingsinSeptemberare:13th:CathyScott20th:BobLiddle27th:PadreStewartYoung

Propertymatters

Lookingafterthechurchpropertyismuchlikelookingafteryourownhome.Thereisalwayscleaningtobedone,repairstobecarriedout,roomsinneedofredecorationandlightbulbstobereplaced.Also,fromtimetotime,thereisaneedtomakesomeimprovementstothefacilities.Additionallyinthechurchwehavetohaveinspectionsofgasandelectricalinstallationsandkeepriskassessmentsuptodate.Allofthesethingshavefeaturedinour"todo"listoverthepastfewmonthsandwearegratefultoallthosepeoplewhohelpwiththisinanyway.Sowhathavewebeendoing?Someofyoumaynothaveoccasiontogointothehallveryoften.Ifyoudo,youwillseethatwehavenewcurtainsandrails.Thepreviouscurtainrailsprobablydatebacktowhenthechurchwasbuilt.Thenewpolesanddifferentstyleofcurtainsmakeitmucheasiertoopenandclosethecurtains.ThankstoMyraandMartinTarrforsourcingthematerialsanderectingthenewpolesandcurtains.Thelounge(theroomwiththestainedglasswindows)hasbeenhavingafacelift.Somepanelswhichgivetheeffectoftongueandgrooveboardinghavebeen ittedtothebottomofthewallunderthestainedglasswindowsandmoreofthisisplanned.ThankstoMartinTarrandAlanTaylorfordoingthiswork.MandyandDaveWardandSuzieandDougieKnight

WednesdayFellowship

11

havelargelyre-decoratedtheroomandthiswillbecompletedwhentheadditionalpanelshavebeen itted.MarieWalkinshawalsohelpedbyplasteringadeepcavityatthetopofoneofthewalls.Ourthankstoallofthesefolkfortheirwork.Lessobviousisthefactthatwehavehadour5yearlycheckoftheelectricalinstallationcarriedout.Iampleasedtosaythatthisdidn’trevealanyproblems.Atthesametimewehadtheoldstylefuseboxinthecrushhallupgraded(thisisinthecupboardwherethekeysarekept).Anelectricalsupplywasrunfromthefuseboxintooneofthecupboardsunderthesinkinthecoffeebartoenableawaterheatertobeinstalled.Theinstallationofthewaterheaterhasdraggedonformonthsbecauseofproblemswithtradesmen.Thishasbeenmostfrustratingformeandforsomeofthecoffeebaruserswhoareanxioustoseeitbroughtintouse.Icanonlysaytheendisinsight!ThereisalsonowanewlargercapacitycateringurninthecoffeebarwhichwillbeofhelptotheTriangleCoffeeShopteams.[Ed:Martinhashelpfullypinnedupguidanceonhowtousethenewwaterheaterandnewurn;users,pleasetakenote!]Wehavecontinuedwithourprogrammeofreplacingthewoodenframedwindowsandthelatestonetobedoneisintheoutsidestore.DougieKnightisdoingsomeworktoimprovethelookoftheconcretesillunderthewindow.Thanksagaintohim.

Werelyheavilyonusersofthepremisestokeepourpremisesingoodorderandensurethattheyareleftinatidyandsecureconditionwithlightsswitchedoffetc.Wewillshortlybesendingoutalettertoorganisationstoremindthemofsomeofthebasicstepstheycantaketoachievethisend.IwouldliketoconcludewithawordofthankstoMaryInneswhodoesalotofthecleaningrequired.Maryisveryconscientiousandaccommodatingandwellknowntothevarioususersofthebuilding.WeareveryfortunatetohaveMaryinthisroleandthankherforallthatshedoes. MartinRogersChairman,PropertyCommittee

12

YouthworktookmefromatraditionalYoungChurchsetting,whereIattendedwithmyparentseachweek,toonewhereIwasengagedwithchurchlifeandmyfaithbutmoreimportantlygoingtochurchbecamemyowndecision.IremembergettingintheYouthFellowship(YF)minibusonaSundaynightandheadingoffforwhatwasreallyarandomadventuresomewherearoundFife.Beachtrips,walksintothewoods,swimming,chips,waterights,hikes,chips,hittingsticks,BBQs,cinematripsandchipstonamejustafew.YFwhenIwasadelegatebroughttogetherthefewsporadicyoungteenagersfromacrossDunfermline,thevillagesandevenasfarnorthasKinrossintoonegroup.ThemostcommonfeelingamongstyoungChristians(orteenagerswhoaresimplyconsideringfaith)isoneoffeelingalone,isolatedandrareinaneverincreasingsecularsociety.Bringingtogetheroneteenagerfromeachchurchcreatedagroupthatcouldleanonorsupporteachotherthroughthejourneyintofaithandadulthood,acommunitystillintouchthatnowstretchesacrosstheglobeinAustralia,Dubai,EdinburghandLondontonamejustafew.ThesesameingredientsaretheoneswehaveusedtocontinueYFtoday.WestillmeetonaSundayeveningaftersix;westillgoonrandom

TheFifeClusterYouthFellowship AndrewWedge,(youthgroupleaderatHolyTrinity)re lectsonawiderinitiativeventuresacrossFife;westilleatcopiousamountsoffood(mainlychips.WhatwehavedonehoweverisjoinupwithourneighboursinKirkcaldy.AttheYouthProvincialCommittee’s(YPC)youthweekatGlenalmondacoupleyearsagowemetandinvitedadelegatefromKirkcaldytojointheYFinDunfermlinesotheydidn’tfeelliketheonlyteenager.WethenspokewithRevChristineFraserandcreatedwhatwenowmoreaptlycalltheFifeClusterYFwherewetakeitinturnstotraveltoeachchurchormanyofFife’stouristspotsinbetween.ThePYCyouthweeksymbolicallybringstogetherthecrossesofthe7Diocese(plusonerepresentingourinternationaldelegates)ofourprovince,theycomeand ittogetherandbringouryouthtogetherasonelargerfamily.

13

WehaveourselvesgonefromhavingaYFmadeofthreefamiliesandmainlysiblingstooneofmanyfamilies,morethan12whoturnupregularlyandarealenergyandpassionfortheirindividualjourneysthroughfaith.Sincethennotonlyhasthegroupcometogetherbuttheyhaveachievedsomuch.Inthephoto(oftheirfeet!)14ofthe15peoplefromacrossourwholeDiocesewhowenttoGlenalmondcamefromtheFifeCusterYF.Manynowstandonchurchcommitteesandgroups,somestandonvestry,oneisevenonthenominatingcommitteeforournewBishop.ThreeofouryouthleadersattendGlenalmondbutalsothemanyyoutheventsthroughouttheyearacrossScotland.OurYFhasspokenatSynodpassionatelyabouttheirfaithandwantingtobeinvolvedateverylevel,theyhaveattendedeventswithotherdenominationsandrepresentedourwholePiskychurchacrosstheglobe,weevenahaveamemberwhoisnowthechairofthePYC.Theseyoungadultshaveadeepfaith,personaltothembutglowingtosee.Theyarearticulate,connected,talentedandpassionatewhilstalsohavingahugeamountofenergyandcreativitytoenableourchurchestogrow.TheYFdoesn’tbelongtoonechurch,toasetofleadersorevenourYFRectorChristine,itbelongstoallofthecongregationsacrossourDiocese.

Itbelongstoallofusbecauseitispartofallofus.Manyrectorstellmetheycan’thaveaYF,theycan’tdoyouthworkbecausetherearenoteenagersorjustoneortwobutsimplytakingtheoneortwooutforacoffeeorsomefood(freefoodalwaysgotmeinterested)onceamonthisayouthgroup.Weareinaveryfortunatepositionthatwehaveagroupthatisgrowingandset(duetomembersofouryoungchurchesgrowingup)togrowevenmore.Iaskyoutofeelproudandtakeownershipoftheseyoungadultswhoarefromourlocalarea,engagewiththem,supportthemandknowsimplytalkingtothemorturninguptotheAreaCouncilservicethattheyarehelpinghostinKirkcaldynextmonthisallyouneedtodoto ireandenabletheirfaith. AndrewWedgeMessyChurchWelookforwardtoseeingeveryoneagainonthe4thSundayinthemonth,startingon24Septemberwithbreakfastat9am.ButbeforethenyoumightliketojoinusfortheFamilyBarbequeon17September;forfurtherinformationseepage6.GwynethKirby

14

FellowshipNews

PeopleDorissiaForsythwishestothankeveryoneforthesupportandprayersafterthesuddendeathofhernieceJuliette,aged37,on25JuneintheSeychelles.PleasecontinuetorememberDorissia,andalsohersisterMaryroseandfamilyastheystruggletocometotermswiththistragicloss.Onahappiernote,wecongratulateDorissia’syoungerdaughterSabinewhohasgraduatedfromEdinburghUniversitywithanhonoursdegreeinTheology.WewishSabinejoyandsuccessassheshortlytakesupateachingpostinphilosophyandreligiouseducationataboy’sschoolinSurrey.Welldone.RosemaryCowellpassedawaypeacefullyon29June.HerlifewascommemoratedatourchurchinapackedserviceledbyDeaconMoragCrawford,re lectingherChurchofScotlandandGuidingconnections.JeremyMasson,AdrianandSue’seldersonandhis ianceeCarleen,‘tiedtheknot’atthelovelyvillagechurchofStJamesBramley,Hampshireon24July2017.Congratulationstoyoubothandbestwishesforthefuture.

AliceMirrenIrvinwasbaptisedattheJointCommunionServiceconductedbyRevHelenJenkinson23July.ItwasajoytowelcomeAlice,herparents,godparentandfriendsonthatday—adaythatwasalsoher irstbirthday.ThelmaandDavidCouchcelebratetheir65thweddinganniversaryonSunday27thAugust—congratulationsandbestwishestothemboth!RevDeborahandJohnCornishgaveJeanandJohnHallawarmwelcomewhenthelattervisitedthemrecently.ThiswasjustbeforeDeborahandJohnmovedtoBrighton,whereDeborahbecomesCircuitSuperintendentoftheBrightonandHoveCircuit.DeborahandJohnsendsgreetingstoallatRosythandsaythatfolkwouldbewelcometocomeandstay.[Ed:infoforournewermembers,Deborahwasourministerfrom2004to2009]

WednesdayFellowshipseepage10.

15

DiaryforendAugusttomid-October2017

Sunday20AugustPentecost11 9.30am SungEucharist RevAlisonCozens 11.00am MorningWorship MrsLouiseGilchristTuesday22Aug 7.00pm StMargaret’sVestrymeetinginthesmallloungeFriday25Aug 9.30am TriangleCoffeeShopintheCrushHall onwards tea,coffeeandhomebaking 7.00pm ChoirpracticeSunday27AugustPentecost12 11.00am JointCommunionService RevAlisonCozens Traidcraftgoodsonsaleaftertheservice Note: NoMessyChurchtodayTuesday29Aug 10.15am EDWJmeetsatMaryKidd’shomeinLimekilns 7.30pm InaugurationoftheForthValleyCircuitandWelcomeServiceforRevLaurentVernetinGrahamstonUnitedParishChurchFriday1Sep 9.30am TriangleCoffeeShopintheCrushHall onwards tea,coffeeandhomebaking 7.00pm ChoirpracticeSunday3SeptemberPentecost13 9.30am SungEucharist RevAlisonCozens 11.00am MorningWorship MrsHilaryHenderson Note: NoSunday@Sixtoday(seepage9)Monday4Sep 6for7pm FirstCircuitMeetingoftheForthValleyCircuit, atCityofEdinburghMethodistChurch 7.30pm EcumenicalStudyGroup,RosythParishChurchTuesday5Sep 7.30pm Coffee,CakeandCrafts–amonthlyeveningcraftclubrunbyJeanHallandfriends 7.30pm RosythMethodistCouncilmeetsintheChurchLoungeWednesday6Sep 2.15pm WednesdayFellowship:OpeningSession DeaconMoragCrawford

16

DiaryforendAugusttomid-October2017Friday8Sep 9.30am TriangleCoffeeShopintheCrushHall onwards tea,coffeeandhomebaking 7.00pm Choirpractice

Sunday10SeptemberPentecost14 9.30am SungEucharist RevAlisonCozens 11.00am Allageworship Localarrangements 6.00pm StAndrewsWestAreaCouncilAnnualPraiseService,StPetersKirkcaldyledbytheFifeClusterYouthFellowship(seepage*)Tuesday12Sep 10.15am EDWJmeetsatMaryKidd’shomeinLimekilnsWednesday13Sep 2.15pm WednesdayFellowship: Guestspeaker:CathyScott-LionsClubInternationalFriday15Sep 9.30am TriangleCoffeeShopintheCrushHall onwards tea,coffeeandhomebaking 7.00pm ChoirpracticeSaturday16Sep 7.00pm ConcertbyEnsembleatStFinnian’sChurch,Lochgelly(seepage7forfurtherdetails)Sunday17SeptemberPentecost15 9.30am SungEucharist RevAlisonCozens 11.00am MorningWorship MrBrianCurtis 2.00pm FamilybarbequeatSilverSands,Aberdour 7.00pm TaizeserviceinStFinnian’sChurch,Lochgelly ledbytheRevDrMargaretDineley.Allinvitedtothisquiet,re lectiveservicefollowedbyrefreshmentsintheHallWednesday20Sep 2.15pm WednesdayFellowship: Guestspeaker:BobLiddleFriday22Sep 9.30am TriangleCoffeeShopintheCrushHall onwards tea,coffeeandhomebaking 7.00pm Choirpractice

17

DiaryforendAugusttomid-October2017Saturday23Sep 6.00pm Saturday@SixHarvestSupperfollowedbyatalkfromRossStirlingabouthisAruminaHospiceProject,Kolkata(seepage6)

Sunday24SeptemberHarvest 9.00am MessyChurchandBreakfast 11.00am All-ageCommunionService RevDrHelenJenkins DavidSalthouse(WorshipLeader) TraidcraftgoodsonsaleaftertheserviceTuesday26Sep 10.15am EDWJmeetsatJackFowell’shome 7.30pm JointmeetingofStMargaret'sVestry/MethodistCouncilinChurchLoungeWednesday27Sep 2.15pm WednesdayFellowship: Guestspeaker:PadreStuartYoung,Chaplain3RIFLESFriday29Sep 9.30am TriangleCoffeeShopintheCrushHall onwards ‘TheWorld’sBiggestCoffeeMorningforMacmillanCancerSupport’ tea,coffeeandhomebaking–allproceedsforMacmillanCancerSupport 7.00pm ChoirpracticeSunday1OctoberPentecost17 9.30am SungEucharist RevDrMichaelPaterson 11.00am MorningWorship MrIainHampson 6.00pm Sunday@Six ChristianBlindMission,withAdrianMasson(seepage9)Monday2Oct 7.30pm EcumenicalStudyGroup,RosythParishChurchTuesday3Oct 7.30pm Coffee,CakeandCrafts–amonthlyeveningcraftclubrunbyJeanHallandfriendsWednesday4Oct 2.15pm WednesdayFellowship: Guestspeaker:GeorgeBeattie–ThehistoryofStephens,BakersFriday6Oct 9.30am TriangleCoffeeShopintheCrushHall onwards tea,coffeeandhomebaking

18

DiaryforendAugusttomid-October2017Friday6October 7.00pm Choirpractice

Sunday8OctoberPentecost18 9.30am SungEucharist RevAlisonCozens 11.00am MorningWorship RevDrHelenJenkins DeaconElizabethHar leet(WorshipLeader)Tuesday10Oct 10.15am EDWJmeetsatMaryKidd’shomeinLimekilnsWednesday11Oct 2.15pm WednesdayFellowship: Guestspeaker:LouDavidson-HaitiHelpupdateFriday13Oct 9.30am TriangleCoffeeShopintheCrushHall onwards tea,coffeeandhomebaking 7.00pm ChoirpracticeSunday15OctoberPentecost19 9.00am SungEucharist RevAlisonCozens 11.00am MorningWorship RevKeithPearce DavidSalthouse(WorshipLeader)Monday16Oct 7.00pm PropertyCommitteemeetingWednesday18Oct 2.15pm WednesdayFellowship: MaryKidd-StLuke’sDayFriday20Oct 9.30am TriangleCoffeeShopintheCrushHall onwards tea,coffeeandhomebaking 7.00pm ChoirpracticeSunday22OctoberPentecost20 9.00am MessyChurchandBreakfast 11.00am CommunionService RevDrMichaelPaterson Traidcraftgoodsonsaleaftertheservice

19

God’sgraceforall

ThesermonbyMrsHilaryHendersonon18thJune,withreadingsExodus19:2-8a;Romans5:1-8;Matthew9:35-10WeallknowthestoryoftheIsraelitenation’sdeliverancefromslaveryinEgypt,andMosesroleasGod’sspokesperson.InourOldTestamentlessonthismorning,we indthepeoplecampedatthefootofMountSinai.ThroughMoses,Godspeakstothepeople,promisingtoalwaysbethereforthemandcontinuetograntthemblessinguponblessing.Godinvitesthepeopleintoaspecialcovenantrelationship-abindingcontract-dependentonthempayingheedtoGod’sword.Thiscovenant-making,betweenGodandtheIsraelites,istheessentialpatternofGod’srelationshiptoallpeople.FirstGodshowshisloveforhispeopleinactsofkindnessandgenerosity,towhichthepeoplerespondbyenteringintoalovingrelationshipwhereevenmoreblessingsarepromised.ThecovenantthatMosesbringstothepeoplefortheiracceptancepromisesthat…’outofallnations’theywillbeGod’s‘treasuredpossession’and‘a

kingdomofpriestsandaholynation’(Ex19:5-6a).GodisofferingtheIsraelitesasingular,privilegedroleinHisplansfortheworld.TheyaretobeGod’sspecialambassadors–authorisedtotakeGod’swordtotherestoftheworld,andtoshow,bytheirlives,

theiractionsandtheircharacters,whatitmeanstoliveunderGod’swill.Israelhasnohesitationinresponding–sayingtogether:“WewilldoeverythingtheLordhassaid.”AndsoGodgivesthepeopleasetofrulestohelpthemtoliverighteouslives.Unfortunately,thepeoplebegintoseedisadvantagesintheirsituationandprefertodothingstheirwayandnotGod’s.ThecovenantsoonceasestobeupheldbythemajorityofpeopleandGodhastoapplyothermeanstoreachtheirhardenedhearts.Ascenturyfollowscentury,thepeopledrawfurtherandfurtherawayfromGodandcontinuetodisobeyhislaws.God,however,continuestoloveeachandeveryoneofthem.Godchoosestosendasuccessionofprophetstospeaktothepeople-totellthemofhisgreatloveforthemandtocallthembacktoHisside.Throughtheseprophets,GodseekstobringHispeopletoatrueandlastingfaithfulnesstotheOnewhocreatesandlovesandcaresforthem.WhileGod’scompassionatelove lowsthroughthelivesandworkoftheseprophetsproclaimingHismessage,tencenturiespass.Andthenthereissilence–asilencethatistolastforover400years!!Duringthatsilence,thepeopleholdtothebeliefthatonedayGodwouldspeaktothemagain.

20

SoendsthestoryofGod’sdealingswiththepeopleoftheOldTestament.Butonthestorydoesn’tendthere-aneweraisabouttounfold.WithnoprophetstorelayGod’sword,theLeadersoftheJewishpeople,takeituponthemselvestobeGod’svoicetothepeople.TheyworkonamplifyingGod’slaw,addingmoreandmoreconditionssothatthere’snottheleastpossibilitythatanyonecanadheretoallofthem.ToapeoplealreadysufferingunderRomanoppression,theextraburdenthisplacesontheirlivesisimmense–suchanoverwhelmingpressureofhavingtoconformtosomanyrulesinordertogainaccesstoGod.Athoughtbeginstofesterinpeople’sminds-thenotionthatthere’snoearthlywaythatanyonecanbecomeworthyofGod’slove.Thepeoplecontinuetodespair,believingGodhasabandonedthem.WithoutGodtoprotectthem,they‘re‘likesheepwithoutashepherd’.ButGodhasn’tabandonedhispeople.God’scompassionatelovingnaturecannotseehispeoplesuffering.SomethingspecialmustbedonetomakeitpossibleforthepeopletobemaderightwithGod.That’swhenacryshattersthe400yearsilence:“Repent,thekingdomofheavenisnear…PreparethewayoftheLord”,(Matt3:2,3)asarough&readyheraldcomesstridingoutofthedesertannouncingtheimminentarrivalofGod’ssavinggrace.

That‘somethingspecial’isGodchoosingtocomehimselftosavehispeople.SoGodinJesuscomes!Butnottotherichandpowerful;nortothehealthyandcomfortable–GodinJesuscametothesickandtheneedy,andthedowntroddenandthedestitute.HearagainthewordsofMatthew:“Jesuswentthroughallthetownsandvillages,teachingintheirsynagogues,proclaimingthegoodnewsofthekingdomandhealingeverydiseaseandsickness.Whenhesawthecrowds,hehadcompassiononthem,becausetheywereharassedandhelpless,likesheepwithoutashepherd.(9:35-36)God’scompassionatelovecouldbenomorefaithfullyexpressedandactionedthanthroughthelifeandministryofHisownSon,Jesus.Lovingly,GodinJesusshowscareandcompassiontoeveryonehemeets.Tirelessly,GodinJesusworkstobringhopeandhealingtoasufferingpeople.Graciously,GodinJesusgiveshiswholelifeforothers.InJesus,Godmakesanewcovenant,openingthewayforallpeopleto indatrueandlastingrelationshipwithGod.Thosefeelings-ofunworthiness,guiltandshame-ofhelplessnessandhopelessness-areallwashedawaybythebloodofthecross!BytheamazinggraceofChrist’ssacri ice,forgivenessisfreelygiven,andfaith,peace,love&hopebecomepotentwordsforasongofgrace.GodinJesus,comestoteachusthatwhatcountsisnotaboutouraccesstoGod–butaboutGod~saccesstous.It’snotaboutbeinggoodenough

God’s grace for all: continued from p 19

21

orwiseenoughorobedientenoughtogainaplaceinGod’sheart;it’sthatGod’sloveissogreat,wearealreadyinhisheart.ItisbyGod’sgracethatwecanhaveaspecialrelationshipwithGod.Allittakesisfaith;abeliefinJesus;andouracceptanceofChristasourLordandSaviour.Paul,inhislettertothechurchinRome,writesforaworldinwhichpeoplearedesperatelytryingto indsomethingthatwouldgivethemaccesstoGod.Heexplainsthat,“Atjusttherighttime,whenwewerestillpowerless….”(Ro5:6a).“…Godshowshisloveforusinthatwhilewewerestillsinners,Christdiedforus,”(5:8).Jesus’sacri icialdeathonthecrossputshumanityrightwithGod.And“…sincewehavebeenjusti iedbyfaith,wehavepeacewithGodthroughourLordJesusChrist.Throughhimwehavealsoobtainedaccessbyfaithintothisgraceinwhichwestand,andwerejoiceinhopeofthegloryofGod.”God’sgraceinChrististhepromiseallbelieverscanrelyonandthemessagewe’reallcalledtoproclaim.(5:1-2).MatthewwritesofthetimeGodinChristsendsouttwelveofhisdisciplestogoonthe irstmissionaryjourneyintotheheartoftheJewishnation.Andfromthat irst‘sendingout’theChurch,theBodyofChrist,isauthorisedbyChristtobecomeGod’sambassadorstakingthegoodnewsofGod’sgracetotheworld,toministertotheneedsofall.Those irstmissionarieswerecalled‘apostles’becausetheywerebeing

‘sentout’andwetooarecalledinthesamemannertogooutandspeaktopeopleaboutthesavinggraceofGodandtoserveChristinourlocalcommunity,andthewiderworld.Thosetwelveapostleshad irsthandexperienceofJesus’lifeandministry,hisdeathandresurrection,andwereabletospeakfromapersonalexperienceofknowingandlovingandbeinglovedbyGodinChrist.Paul,whoseproli icwritingsinformourfaith,didn’tmeettheearthlyChrist,buthedidmeettheRisenChristonasunlitroad.WetoocanknowChrist’spresenceinourlivesandspeakofthepeace,loveandhopeGod’sgracebrings.WehaveGod’sWord,writtendownallthosecenturiesagobytheOld&NewTestamentwriters,andwehavethefellowshipoftheChurchandtheguidanceoftheHolySpirit.These,togetherwiththesacramentsofbaptismandHolyCommunion,arethemeansofgracewhichGodhasgivenus,tonurtureandstrengthenourfaith.GodinChristspeakstousandinvitesustoenterintoapersonalcovenantrelationshipwiththeTriuneGod:Father,Son&HolySpirit.Canwerespond,withheart-feltconviction–‘WewilldoeverythingtheLordhassaid’.Andcanwedeterminetoshow,byourfaith,ourlives,ouractionsandourcharacter,whatitmeanstoliveGod’swayandnotourown? HilaryHenderson

22

MywifeandIrecentlyattendedthegraduationceremonyofourNo2grand-daughter,Ruth,atGlasgowUniversity.Itwasawonderfuloccasionandourchestsswelledwithprideandpleasuretoseethisyoungwomanreceiveheraward.ItseemedlikeonlyyesterdaythatshewasdancingtothetuneofoneofAbba'ssongsinourlivingroom.ButinGlasgow,itwascoolandthewindwhistledthroughthequadrangleinthecentreoftheUniversitycomplex,sowewerehappytogetintotheover lowhallwherewewatchedproceedings.[GrandparentswerenotissuedwithticketsforButeHallwheretheactiontookplace.]Ittookoveranhourtonameeachofthegraduates,fortheDeputyViceChancellortotapthemontheheadwiththecapandforthemtoreceivetheirdegreescroll.Variousthoughtswentthroughmyheadwhileallofthiswasgoingon.OnewastomarvelatthecomposureanddexterityoftheDeanoftheFaculty,ashecalledoutthenames.Whatalist;itwentonandon!AndIcouldonlyguessattheircountryoforigin.Here'sasample.ToolikaGupta,LeilaNicoleRiszko,YuanWang,DeboraAgazzoni,DariaKatarszynaBarambas,AgnieskaMariaChecka,RuthMargaretDougall.Here'sanotherlistofnames,thistimefromanothersource

AnthonyDisson,IsaacPaulos,KhadiyaSaye,StevenPower,OmarBelbadi,DenisMurphy,MaryMendy,GloriaTrevisan.ThesearejustsomeofthenamesofpeoplewhoperishedintheGrenfellTowertragedy.Sowehavetwolistsofpeoplewhosenamesshoworiginsfromacrosstheworldbuthavecompletelydifferentreasonsforbeingincludedonalist.WhenPeter“stoodupwiththeeleven–…andaddressedthecrowd”aswearetoldinchapter2ofActs,hespoketopeoplefrom15differentcountriesand,miraculously,theyheard“intheirownlanguage.”Theyunderstoodwhatwasbeingsaidtothem-andwenowknowthattheGospelofChristreachesouttoallmenandwomen,whethertheyrejoicelikethegraduatesormournlikethebereavedanddesolatefromGrenfellTower.ThemulticulturalcrowdthatPeteraddressedcalledonhim,andthesmallgroupofJesus'followerswithhim,toaction.Inthesamewaythesetwoverydifferentlistscallustorespond.FortheUniversitygraduateswiththeirenormouspotentialtothosewholosttheirlivesortheirlovedonesandeverythingtheyhave,eventotheclothestheywear,weneedtorespond.Butwhatshouldthatresponsebe?

Whatmustyoutakewithyou? EdwardIdleledCafé-styleMorningWorshipon2ndJulytoconsiderActs2:8-12

23

WhenAbraham,orAbramaswashisnameatthattime,respondedtoGod'scalltoleave“hiscountry,hispeopleandhisfather'shousehold”,hedidasGodhadtoldhim.ButunlikethepeopleinGrenfellTower,orthethousandsandthousandsofpeopleonthemovefromtheircountry,Abramtookwithhim“hiswifeSarai,hisnephewLot,allthepossessionstheyhadaccumulated,andthepeopletheyhadacquiredinHaran,andtheysetoutforthelandofCanaan.”(Genesis12:1-5).Soundslikequiteaconvoy!Abrahamtookanawfullotwithhim.Imagineyouareathomeandaheavyknockcomestoyourdoor.Whenyouansweryouarefacedwithagroupofuniformedstern-lookingpeoplewhotellyouthatyoumustleaveyourhouseimmediatelyand indyouwaytoanothercountry.Youhavenochoiceinthematterandaregivennohelpastowhichcountrytogoto.Howeveryouaregivenabagcontainingvariousitemswhichyoumight indusefulonthejourneyyouareabouttomake.Theonlycomplicationisthatyoumustchooseonly3thingsfromthisbag.Whichdoyoufeelyoumusttakewithyou?

Thelistisshownbelow.

Whydidyouchoosewhatyouchose?Howdidyoudecidewhatyoumusttake?Howdidyoufeelasyouwerechoosing?OverthelastfewweeksourChurchofScotlandMinisteratLivingston,hasbeenclearingouthismother'shouse.Hesayshehasnumerousthingswhich

MapofEurope BarofSoap Torch Knife KitKatbars MobilePhone Waterproof BoxofStickingPlasters BottleofWater Cleanpairofthicksocks GoodNewsBible BoxofParacetamolTablets

24

hedoesn'tknowwhyhismotherkept,photosofpeoplehecan'tidentifyandpostcardsofplaceshecan'tremember.Decidingwhattokeepandwhatnottokeepisadilemmaforhim;hisgarageisover lowing!Butithasalsoconcentratedhismindonwhatheshouldkeepforhimselftopassontohischildren.Themorehekeepsofhislatemother’sthelesshehasroomforhisthings.Mostofusareveryfamiliarwiththisproblem;certainlyweareinourhouse.Wehavehundredsofbooks,andourchildrensignaltousthattheyarenotparticularlyinterestedinthemajorityofthem.Choosingwhattokeepandwhattopassonisnotalwayseasy.Choosingwhatwereallyneedforourjourney,orwhatothersmightneedisequallydif icult.Iwonderwhatwewillpassonfromthischurchtothenextgeneration.IhopeitwillbegoodthingsoftheknowledgeofGodinChristJesus.Willitbethathereisaplacewheremenandwomen indrefuge,comfort,forgivenessandpeace.Aplaceofjoy,encouragementandstimulus.Aplacewhereallarewelcomeandnotafraidtocrossthethreshold.AplacewhereworshipmeetstheneedsofconversationswithGodandspiritualrefreshment.Aplacewhereeveryonehearsthegospelandcanunderstanditfortheirownneeds.Aplacewhereweknowwhattotakewithusandhelpotherstodoso.

Oneofthethingsyou indaboutthebibleisthatitusespicturelanguagesomanytimes.Andnonemoresothanwhenthepicturesaretryingtode inewhatthechurchis.Thepicturelanguagethatisused,particularlyintheNewTestament,isfortheChurch.It’scalledtheBodyofChrist,it’scalledtheTempleofGod,it’scalledthelivingstones.It’scalledGod’s ield,God’svine,God’svineyard,it’scalledtheHouseholdofGod.AndinthepassagethatwewanttolookatfromEphesians,Paulputsitthisway.“YouarenolongerforeignersandaliensbutcitizenswithGod’speopleandmembersofGod’shouseholdbuiltonthefoundationsoftheApostlesandprophetswithChristJesushimselfasthechiefcornerstone.”Allofusareheretodayonewayoranother,whetheryouareaMethodist,oryou’reanEpiscopalianorwhetheryou’reChurchofScotlandorwhateverdenominationyouareorwhetheryouhavenone.Allofushavehadsomeconnectionsonewayoranotherwithachurch…thechurchasabuilding.Andyettherealityisthatnowhereinthescripturesdoyou indreferencetotheChurchbeingabuilding.It’salwaysfocusedonitbeingapeople,andyetbuildingsareimportanttous.It’stheplacethatwegather,it’sthe

EnvisioningthechurchRevRobertMorton’ssermonforthe101stAnniversaryofRosythMethodist

Churchon5March2017.Readings:Ephesians2:13-22;John4:19-26

25

placethatwecommunicate,it’saplacethatstandsoutasapointofwitnesstothecommunityaroundus.Idon’tknowaboutyoubutIoftenlovetodialogwithsomeofthebuildings,whetheritbeaCathedral,orasmallMethodistChapelinthemidstofthecountrysidesomewhere.BecauseIbelievethat,likethisbuilding,everystone,everyjoint,everypieceofwoodcouldtellitsownstory.Itcouldtellusthegreateventsthathappenedhere.Itcouldtellusthesadoccasionsthattherehavebeen;itcouldtellusoftimesofdisappointmentandfailure.Itcouldtellusoftimesofgreatrenewalandresurgenceoffaith,becausethatiscertainlytrueinthesituationconcerningRosyth.‘CosifyoulookatthatbriefhistoryinyourmagazineontheCentenaryofRosyththerewasthatlovelypartwhere,aftertheclosureoftheold,the irstbuildingthemembershipdeclinedsigni icantlyfrom115downto26andyetitgrewdramaticallyandImeanttobringwithmemydiarythatIkeptwhenIwasherewaybackin1975duringthesummerperiodandIdidmyplacementhere.AndIkeptadaytodaydiaryandIcan’trememberitallbutIcanrememberthechurchwasfullincludingthatstagebehindyou.And,youknow,sometimeswelookattheChurchandwealmostgettheideathatourdaysarenumbered.WellI’msorry,I’mnotapessimist,I’manoptimistandIdaretosaythatifanyonehasafaithandabeliefandatrustand,moreimportantlyan

interestinChristianhistorytheywillseethatthehistoryofthechurchthroughoutthegenerationshasbeenpeaksandtroughs,peaksandtroughs,peaksandtroughsandwemaywellbedowninatroughbutIbelievepassionatelywithallmyheartthatthetroughthatweareinjustnow,we’rebeginningtomoveoutofit.Isenseanewoptimism,anewsenseofhope,anewsenseofexcitementwithinsomeofthechurchesthatIvisitandpreachinduringrecentmonths.ButwhatIwantustodothismorning,istoputonourvirtualrealityhats,youknowyou’veprobablyseenthesespectaclethingsthatareadvertisedontelevision.Youputthemon,thesebigglassthingsandyouhavethisvirtualrealityexperience.YoumightimagineyouaredrivingalongBrandsHatchoryoumightimagineyouareoperatinganaeroplaneorwhatever.AndIwantustoputonourvirtualrealityspecsthismorningandIwantustoaskourselvesorrathertoaskthebuildingtogiveussomeindications,somemarkersforthefuture.Somemarkersforthewayahead.Andthe irstmarkerIthinkourbuildingswouldspeaktousabouttheywouldbeaboutvision.Beforethisbuildingwasbuilt,itexistedasavision.Adream,ahopeintheheartsofperhapssomeofyouheretoday,perhapsthoseofyouwhohadnopartinit.WaybackatthefoundationofMethodisminthiscommunity,1917,whentheArmyandNavyBoardoftheWesleyanMethodistChurch,decidedtoappointsomeoneheretoinstituteachurchherewithinthiscommunity.Andin

26

thefullnessoftime,achurchwasbuilt,anarchitectwasappointedandplansdrawnup.Butitdoesn’tmatterwhetheritwaswithintheArmyandNavyBoardoftheMethodistChurchorwithintheheartandmindofthepeoplewhobuiltthisbuilding.Itbeganasavision;andthebookofProverbsremindsusthat‘wherethereisnovision,apeopleperish’.AndthereisawidertruthtothisaswellbecausetheChurchofJesusChristhasitsbirthinthevisionnotofonemanoragroupofmenbutinthevisionofGod.ToooftenwespeakabouttheChurchasifitwereaclubandIdaresaythatiswhysooftenwe indourcon idenceshakenandwebegintoquestionanddoubtwhatitisallabout.Butmyfriends,whatweneedtoremindourselvesofisthattheChurchisGod’senterprise,notmans.Thereisalovely,lovelypictureoftheArk.It’sgotthishugebigArkandthesetinylittlepeoplerepresentingyouandItryingtosupporttheArk.Andwehaven’tasnowball’schanceofsupportingtheArk.It’sfartoobigforus.AndsowiththeChurch,it’sGod’senterprise,notyours,notmine.Itbegan17centuriesbeforetheChristianera,whenGodcalledaparticularnation,whenhecalledthepeopleofIsraeltobehisown.ItwasreconstitutedwhenGod’sownsoncalled12Apostles,markthatmyfriends,12.Not12thousand,not12millionbut12.AndyouandIaretheproductsof12faithfulmenandtruewhofollowedinobediencetoJesusChrist.There’smorethan12ofus

heretoday.Yougetmymessage;youseewhatIamtryingtosay.TheChristianChurchcameintobeing,notbecauseafewfollowersofacruci iedsaviourdecidedthatthereshouldbeonebutbecauseJesusChristsaidIwillbuildmyChurchandthegatesofhellshallnotprevailagainstit(Matthew16:18).Anddownthroughthecenturiesthechurchhasbeenbesetbytrials,bydecline,bydisruptions,bycontroversy,yetstillitgoesforward.Andwhyisthat?Itgoesforwardbecausethechurchwasborn,notinthemindofmanbutinthevisionandpurposeandwillofGod.Ourbuildingspeakstousofavisionbutitalsospeakstousofsacri ice.Youseeit’snotenoughtohaveavision,youhavetopaythepricetomakethisvisionareality.Ibelieveeverychurchstandsasamonumenttohumangenerosityintermsofmoneyandlabour;andIoftenthinkitoughttochallengeustoourattitudeattimes.WegetuponaSundaymorningandthink,ugh,can’tbebotheredgoingtoChurchtoday,mybedseemsmoreinviting.OrIcan’tbebotheredgoingtoChurch,it’slooksasifitmightrainbeforeIgetback.OrperhapswegoonholidayandweenteralocalChurchandwegoinandwethink,hmm,don’tlikethischurchverymuch.Notlikeours,noit’snotveryniceplaceisit?Bitoldfashioned,abitultra-modern,ugly,orsomeotherchoicephrase.Andyetitdidn’tseemsotothosefaithfulmenandwomenwhopaidthepriceforitanddedicateditwithasongintheirhearts.Strengthandbeautyareinhissanctuary.And

Envisioning the church - continued from p 25

27

myfriends,thistruthappliestothewiderchurch,everychurch,everychurchbuildingremindsusthatwearedebtorstoaGodwhoshowedhisloveforusintheultimatesacri icethroughdyingonthecross.Howlikelywesooftentakethisawfulcosttosetusfreefromsinanddeath.StPaulremindsusinthispassagefromEphesiansthatwehadbeforeusthismorningthatthewholechurchinheavenandonearthrestsuponanendlessrowofcrosses.WiththefoundationcrossofCalvarybeingasPaulputsit“thechiefcornerstone”.Soourchurchspeaksofvision,itspeaksofsacri ice.Butitspeaksalsoofhistoricalcontinuity.Youknow,nopoorministercanenterthepulpitwithoutfeelingasenseofinadequacy.Inadequacyasherecognisethefaithfulnessofthosemenandwomenwhohavestoodinthatsameplaceandpreachedthegospelwithsuchfulness.Prayingthatheorshemightbeworthysuccessorsofthepreacherswhostoodbeforehim.IrememberwhenIwenttomy irstappointmentintheScotlandDistrict,my irstappointmentasaMethodistminister,itwasintheClydebankChurch,theClydebankMethodistChurch.NowithadbeenmygreatprivilegetogotoCliffCollege,theMethodistlaytrainingcollegeforevangelismandmissionfortwoyearsbeforeIevercandidatedfortheministry.AndoneofthegreatPrincipalsofCliffCollegewasamanbythenameofSamuelChadwick.OneofGod’sgreat(saints).Hewrotetwo

classics;“ThePathofPrayer”and“ThewaytoPentecost”.AndSamuelChadwickbeganhisministryinClydebankin1877,andhewastherefor13years.HewentandtherewasnoChurchandtheybuiltachurchashegatheredaroundhimthroughhisopen-airpreaching,acongregationandapeoplewhowouldcallthemselvesMethodists.NowIrememberasIwenttoClydebankandbeingtoldthatthatwaswheremyirstappointmentwouldbe,thesenseofinadequacythatyouwerefollowinginthefootstepsofonlyonesuchgreatmanthatIknewandthereweremanyothersI’msure.InevergottopreachfromthepulpitthatChadwickpreachedinbecausebythetimeIarrivedtheChurchhasbeenpartiallydestroyedby ireandwewereabouttobuildanewone.ButIdidgetintothebuilding(thatwasagainstalladvice),Ididgetintothebuildingthatwasallboardedupafterthe ireandmanagedtostandinthepulpit.AndtothisdayI’llneverforgetthatexperience.TorealisethatIwasjustoneinagreat,agreatchainofmenwhohadstoodinthatsamepulpit.Becauseatthattimeitwasonlymenintheministrywho’dstoodinthatsamepulpitandwitnessedtoJesusChrist.Andthesamecanbesaidofmenandwomenwhoweekbyweeksitinthepewsthattheyhavesatinandbeingsurroundedasitwerebyanunseencloudofwitnesseswhohavestoodthere,sattherebeforeus.AfewweeksagoIhadtheprivilegeofreturningtomyhomechurchinArmadale,justacrossthewater.I

28

wentthereandinsomerespectsIdon’tknowwhatIexpected.ProbablyIexpectedtoseeallthefacesofthepeopleI’dknowntheregoingbacktothelate60s.Buttherewasjustahandful,literally,ahandfuloffacesthatIrecognised.ButonethingIdiddoatthatChurchwasthatIrememberedthepeoplewhohadtouchedmylife;IrememberedthewitnessofoneparticularmancalledJimmyGracie,whomademeaskthequestion.“Whatisityou’vegotinthepersonofJesusChristinhislife?”IlookedattheChurchandrememberedhowIkneltatthefrontoftheChurchandcommittedmylifetoChristandsoughttofollowhim.Yes,Ididn’trecogniseverymanyfacesinthecongregation;buttheonethingthatbroughtthecontinuitywasthebuilding.Itwasstillthesamebuilding;itstill….hadthebulgeinthesidewallthat’snevercollapsedyet.ItstillhadthepulpitwhichwasdedicatedtomySundaySchoolSuperintendentandSundaySchoolTeacher.ItstillhadtheorganthatwasdedicatedtoJimmyGracie.Somuchaboutthatbuilding,thecontinuitymademefeelathome.Theoneconstantfactoristhechurchthatbringsthatsenseofhistoricalcontinuity.AndmyfriendsthereisalargertruththatPaulseekstobringhere.HesaysinEphesians2:22“InhimwearebeingbuilttogethertobecomeadwellinginwhichGodlivesbyhisSpirit.”AndtheApostlePeterputitthisway.“Youarecalledasliving

stones,beingbuiltintoaspiritualhouse.”(1Peter2:5).ThechurchthatGodisbuildingisnotoneofbricksandmortar,importantthosetheseare.Itisachurchthatisbuiltofmenandwomen,livingstoneswhohavebeenmadealivethroughtheSpiritofChristsharedandbroadentheirheartsandbeingbuiltintothatspiritualtempleinwhichChristlivesbyhisHolySpirit.JustastheexistenceofScotlandmakesitpossibleforyouandItobeaScotsmanoraScotswoman,sotheexistenceoftheChurch,acommunityofmenandwomen,withtraditions,withahistory,makesitpossibleforamanorwomantobeaChristian.SoourChurchspeaks,ourChurchspeaksofvision,itspeaksofsacri ice,itspeaksofhistoricalcontinuityandone inalthought,itspeaksofstewardship.YouandIarecalledtobecustodiansofthebuildinginwhichweworship.Itisourresponsibilitytomaintainthefabric,tokeepitcleanandingoodrepair.IventuretosuggestthatthereisnothingdishonoursthecharacterandnameoftheChristianChurchmorethanadilapidatedchurchbuilding.ItspeaksvolumestotheworldoutsideastowhatyouandIthinkofourSaviour,ofourLord.Itdisplaysinnootherwaythangratitudetothepastandpoorstewardshipofthatwhichhasbeenentrustedtousforthepresentandthefuture.Myfriends,youandImaynotenjoybuildingaphysicalchurchalthoughIknowthatsomeofyoudidenjoythatprivilegeinbuildingthischurch.Butallofuscanandallofusmustsharein

Envisioning the Church - continued from p 27

29

thespiritualhomeinwhichitisenshrined.Forthoughthismaterialstructuremaybecompletedandpaidfor,yetthechurchitself,thefamilyandhouseholdofGodmusteverbeexpandingandreachingnewheightsofwitnessandservicewitheachsucceedinggeneration.TheChurchofJesusChristisnotfullybuilt.ItwillcontinuebeingbuiltbymenandwomenbeingmadealivebythespiritofGodwhoputtheirtrustinChristtheSaviourandcontinuetodothatuntilthedaythatChristreturns.Andthatmyfriends,isthestoryoftheChurchinthepurposeofGod.Aspiritualstructure,buildingandbeingbuiltupon.Andyes,imperfectthoughtheChurchmayseemitisstill,itisstillandalwayswillbeGod’sbuilding.ThevisiblestructurethatgiveshistoricalcontinuitytothefaiththatyouandIshare.Thetaskwefacetodayandinthefutureisnodifferenttothatofthoseearlydisciples,northatofJohnWesley,northatofthosefaithfulmenandwomenwhoahundredandoneyearsagoboretheirwitnessfortheMethodistcongregationinthiscommunity.AllofthemthroughwordanddeedwitnessedtothegoodnewsofGod’sloveinJesusChrist.AsChristianmenandwomenwearecalledtonolessanhonourabletask.Wearenotcalledtobuttressupatopplingstructurelikethosewhoweretryingtoholduptheark.Rather,wearecalledtoenlarge,tobeautifulabuildingthatrisestoheightsofgrandeur.Wedothatbest,wheninthePowerofGod’sspiritweproclaim

hislove,hisforgivenesstoatiredandneedyworld.Becausemyfriends,thegospelthatweproclaimisthegospelofalivingchurch,belongingtoalivingGod.Andhecallsusfornomorethantobeworthystewardsofthattask.RobertMortonAcknowledgement:thissermonwaskindlytranscribedbyDavidSalthousefromtherecordingmadeoftheService.

SermonontheMount3Ed:ProfessorJohnSawkinsgavethreesermonsonthistheme,basedonRichardHolloway(1981)‘BeyondBelief:theChristianEncounterwithGod’.The irst,givenon30October2016,wasreproducedinIssue90,pp25-29;thesecond,givenon6November2016,wasinIssue91,pp24-29.Thethird,givenon29January2017,wasintendedtobeinthisissuebuthasbeenheldback,butaprintedcopy(oraCDoftheservice)canmeantimebeobtainedfromtheEditor(tel01383624779).

Ed:Transcriptionisatime-consumingtask,thoughnotveryoftenneeded.Itwouldbehelpfultohearfromanyonewhomightbewillingtoofferhelpwithsuchataskshouldtheneedariseagain.(Typicallyithappensonceayear;in2016DavidtranscribedtheCentenarysermonbyRevLeslieGrif iths;in2015SandraYoungtranscribedasermonbyRevDavidEaston).

30

Newpuzzles1)CountinghighHowhighwouldyouhavetocounttobeforeyouusedtheletterA? 2)ExtraordinarytimesWhatwasextraordinarilyaboutthe5thJune1978at26minutesto1? 3)MirrormagicIfyoulookedintoamirrorandsawthatyouwereholdingtheletter‘d’inyourlefthand,whatwouldyouactuallybedoing? 4)SoundsthesameWhat5letteredwordintheEnglishlanguagewouldbepronouncedthesameifyouremovedthelastfourletters? 5)ThePigandWhistle ThreeGiantsOG,GOGandMAGOGliveinalandcalledTeetotal.EveryFridaytheyliketogoforadrinkatThePigandWhistlewhichislocatedontheborderofalandcalledBooze.OGtakes5Leaguestepsandcantake40stepsinanhour,GOGtakes6Leaguestepsandcantake30stepsinanhour,whereasMAGOGtakes7Leaguestepsandcantake20stepsanhour.TheborderopensatExactly8pmtoallowvisitorsin,butclosesagainifnooneisthere,theborderbackintoTeetotalisopenallthetime.Theproblemisthattheyallhavetoarriveatthesametimeorelsetheycannotgettheir

PuzzlepageWithpuzzlesfromDaveWarddrink.HowfarawayistheborderfromtheirhouseinLeaguesandatwhattimesdotheyallhavetoleavetoallgetthereatthesametime?NBTheyallmustreachtheborderattheendoftheirpaceexactly,alsotheywillallleaveatdifferenttimes.

AnswerstoSummerpuzzlesA1)Hewillneedtotake5socksoutofthedrawertoguaranteeapair.Ifhetakesout4hecouldhave1ofeachcoloursothe5thmustmakeapair. A2)Mikewouldtake24days.Geoffnormallymows2/3ofthelawnsandMike1/3ofthelawnsin8dayssoifMikehastodoitonhisownitwouldtakehim3x8days A3)2999. A4) Theymustbothbelying.Ifonlyonehadbeenlying,thentheybothwouldhavesaidthattheywereboysorgirls,sotheblueeyedchildisagirlandthebrowneyedchildisaboy. A5)Thecabinisthecabinofaplanethatcrashedinaforest,themendiedinthatcrash.

31

ContactpointsandmeetingtimesThislistsupplementsthelistofformalcontactsgivenontheinsidecover,andisfortheactivitiesandorganisationsrunbytheMethodistChurchCouncil,StMargaret'sVestry,andbyaf iliatedbutindependentorganisations.

ChurchactivitiesMethodistGiftAidenquiriesto StuartFowell 01383823936 Stuart.Fowell@tbtinternet.comPropertymatters&lettingenquiries: MartinRogers 01383415458 martin.rogersl3@talktalk.netStMargaret'sChoir *MyraTarr 01383723989 myra@mtarr.co.ukStMargaret'sGiftAidenquiriesto GordonPryde 01383860450 gordonpryde@btinternet.comSundaySchoolandMessyChurch: GwynethKirby 01383624779 gmkirby@hotmail.comToddlers’Group(Wed/Fri0930–1100) ElaineLambert 01383417071 elaine.lambert1@sky.comTraidcraft MyraTarr 01383723989 myra@mtarr.co.ukWednesdayFellowship(Wed1415–1600) MaryKidd 01383872332 cmarykidd@btinternet.comOrganisations meeting

inourpremisesParahandiesDisabledClub(Mon0930–1400) PeterMerckel(sec) 01383822940 peter.merckel@yahoo.co.uk

ScoutGroupGroupScoutLeader seeMartinRogers 01383415458 martin.rogers13@talktalk.netBeaverScouts(Tue1730–1830) DavidSinclair 01383410255 davidgraeme31@yahoo.co.ukCubScouts(Tue1830–2015) MartinRogers 01383415458 martin.rogers13@talktalk.netScouts(Fri1900–2115) AlanConnery 01383731391 scouts_13th_ ife@btinternet.comExplorerScouts(Fri1900–2115) GaryDewar 01383411938 gary.dewar@sky.comGuideUnitRainbows(Mon1800–1900) SusanWarren 01383414355 susarren@aol.comBrownies(Mon1800–1930) NicolaByrne 07956005996 NicolaByr44ne86@hotmail.comGuides(Thu1800–2030) LindaWallace 07455213809 6throsythguides@gmail.com* Anasterisk indicatesa change since the

lastissue(ineithermeetingtimeorcontactdetailsorboth)

32

OurnextissueGratefulthankstoallthosewhohavecontributedtothisissue.ThenextissuewillbepublishedinearlyOctober,sopleasesendusyourcontributionbyTuesday26thSeptember2017.Youcansendittoeditor\ rosythmethodist.org.uk.

CONTACTon-lineYouwill indthisissue,andmanypreviousissuesofCONTACT,onthearchivepagesofbothofthechurchwebsites,whereyouwillgetthebene itsofcolourwithouttheextraprintingcost.