People tell peopleWho volunteers with us and why do they do it?

SUSCOTLAND.ORG.UKNOVEMBER 2014@su

Our vision is to see the children and young people of Scotland exploring the Bible and responding to the significance of Jesus. As a Christian charity we are part of the worldwide family of Scripture Union movements that began nearly 150 years ago and now operates in over 120 countries across the world. In Scotland around 2,000 volunteers are supported by over 100 staff and associate workers. We work in partnership with local churches wherever we can, training, equipping, and working with children and young people. Wherever you find children and young people – in schools, on holiday, in local communities or online – you’ll find us providing opportunities to explore the Bible and respond to the significance of Jesus

whilst making friends and having fun.

SU Scotland 70 Milton Street, Glasgow, G4 0HR t. 0141 332 1162e. info@suscotland.org.uk w. suscotland.org.uk

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A large print edition is available on request.

Editor: Hilary Phillips, cygnus-extra.co.ukDesign: Innovivid, innovivid.co.ukPrinted by: Verve, vervegrp.co.uk© Scripture Union Scotland, 2014Scottish Charity SC011222 ISSN 1357 - 7171

contents

5 Gap yearIs a gap year with SU Scotland like spending a whole year on a Holiday or Mission team? Rachael Duff explains.

10 Running SU GroupsWhat’s it like to run not just one SU Group during the week, but four? Christine Galloway shares with us.

20 Celebration of ministryThis autumn, as Christine Murison retires from SU Scotland, we celebrate over 30 years of hugely successful ministry.

18 A return to UkraineAlexander Jones returned to Ukraine this summer to take part in an international event and children’s missions.

14 Brand new SUrf camp The surf was up on the east coast this summer and a new holiday venture made the most of it.

We’re not keeping this to ourselves, we’re passing it along to the next

generation—God’s fame and fortune, the marvellous things he has done.

Psalm 78:2 (The Message)

andy’s column

SU ingenuityIf you really want to do something you will never be stuck in fi nding ways to do it.

In his study of evangelism in the early church, the evangelist Michael Green

demonstrates that the fi rst Christians never struggled to fi nd methods of evangelism and never waited for the right circumstances before engaging in evangelism. They used every possible means they could fi nd, in favourable or unfavourable circumstances, because their hearts were overfl owing with a desire to make Jesus known.

That kind of ingenuity thrills me when I look at SU movements around the world. These movements do not have our level of resourcing. Unlike us, they tend not to have well-honed strategic plans, while often they work against a background of economic and political instability. But their desire overcomes these barriers.

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I think of the work of believers like Grigori Stupak in Urkaine. If it demands taking responsibility for overseeing 6-8 Baptist churches as well as leading SU ministry, then so be it. Or our colleagues in Tajikistan: if there is no offi ce base or venue for meetings then somehow you juggle the family responsibility for 3 young children so that your home can be available for children, mothers and others to engage with scripture and discover the truth about Jesus. If funds are short, you take on another job or make jewellery or sweets to sell or you do without, for the sake of the gospel.

And, thank God, it happens here too; like those who give up chunks of holiday to devote time to reaching children and young people through camps and missions; like those who see the opportunity in their love of surfi ng to create an opportunity to share faith.

Things are never going to be ideal. Let nothing hinder us in making the good news known.And as we face changes in

SU Scotland, our prayer is that change will enhance our mission rather than distract from it. As Christine Murison retires we have not sought to replace her role. Rather we have created a new arrangement in which Robin Maclellan will head up a new Residentials and Resources Department while Jackie Ringan moves from being Regional Team Leader in the east to come into the role of Director of Development, overseeing communications, church partnerships, leadership development, prayer, support and volunteers. Phil Wray will continue to lead the Regional Team but under the new banner of National Ministries. Please pray for them and their teams.  

Andy BathgateChief Executiveandy.bathgate@suscotland.org.uk

Andy Bathgate

This special volunteers’ edition is a celebration of all those people who contribute to SU Groups in schools, SU Holidays & Missions and all the different activities and ministries with children and young people.

Our new look!We hope you like the new look and smaller size of @SU. Although the format is different we’ll still be producing three editions a year. While we’ve taken the opportunity for a different approach this time, future editions will have the usual mix of news, feature articles and stories about SU Scotland’s ministry. We welcome your feedback at suscotland.org.uk/magazine.

People tell peopleWho volunteers with us and why do they do it?

gap year

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Is a gap year with SU Scotland like spending a whole year on a Holiday or Mission team? Rachael Duff shares how it feels.

My name is Rachael and I am doing SU’s gap year this year. I

am taking part in the gap:fusion programme which involves spending half the year at one of the year-round centres and the other half working alongside a Regional Worker. In my case the centre is Alltnacriche and then I’ll be working with Martin Boyd who is a Regional Worker covering Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde & Argyll.

I applied for the gap year after a year at Edinburgh College studying Childcare. While I was in my 6th year at school I had heard a little about the gap year and this sparked my interest. During my

year at college I thought a little more about applying as I was not sure at this point what I was going to do when my course finished. I became a fully qualified nursery practitioner on finishing my course and although I love working with young children I’m not sure it’s what I want to do all the time.

SU Scotland’s gap year is a brilliant opportunity for me to gain experience of working with both primary and secondary aged children. I am hoping that this whole experience will give me more of an idea of what I want to do next with my life. Also I feel it will be a great chance for me to grow as a person and learn more about myself, especially when I am living in a flat of my own at Alltnacriche. This is the first time that I have lived away from home and so I really hope to get better at doing even just the simple things such as cooking and cleaning for myself. I will also be doing all my own food shopping which will be a big learning curve as I figure out

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A brilliant opportunity for me to gain experience

what I really need to buy on my weekly food budget.

Throughout the year I really do hope to build a deeper relationship with God. I will be spending a lot of time reading his word and helping others to look more closely at it. At the same time I will be constantly growing and learning more myself through the influence and teaching of others around me, both adults and children.

Overall I hope that this year will be a big learning experience for me, about how I work with other people, both the children and the adults that I encounter, and also that I will learn a bit more about myself and my own personal journey with God.

Rachael Duff

Find out more about our gap year programme:suscotland.org.uk/gapyear

Lots of young people in Laura Brown’s home church, Holy Trinity at Wester Hailes, have a connection with SU Holidays. She asked some of them to say why.

Over the last few years, we have taken part in several successful Motiv8

camps. We love working with the groups of volunteers, who come from all walks of life, but share a heart for opening up the gospel to some of the most vulnerable young people in our society.

We love seeing God break into camp life year after year. We love seeing how he grows the young people, young adults and other volunteers involved.

At home in Edinburgh, Phil and I come back from camp every year brimming with encouragement. Many of our fellowship seek us out to ask about camp and what they can be praying for. It’s infectious to hear about God’s work with young people, who are disadvantaged in

every way… and people want to help, even the young people…

A young person (11) goes with his Dad on work parties to Scoughall. He commented,

‘I cut back all the buckthorn and built a bonfi re. It looks really good and I want to go to a camp.’

Another boy (8) went to mainstream camp where his parents were serving. He said,

‘I defi nitely want to go back, ‘cause it was good fun. I would encourage my friends to go too.’

It’s infectious to hear about God’s work with young people

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God’s work with

motiv8 camps

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When I asked one parent what they thought of SU Holidays their answer summed up why we do it.

‘It really works, it is about relationships, fun and sharing the good news…’

Our church sent a 12 year old, just about to go to secondary school, to a Motiv8 camp at Scoughall. He had never been on anything like it and described it as, ‘immense!’ Moreover, Ian Emery (Team Leader) described the lad as ‘a repeated source of immeasurable blessing to the team.’ Both the young person and Ian are counting down the days and weeks until next summer.

One young person (11) retreated to Alltnacriche for a week after returning home from Tel Aviv (where her family live and work). She noted,

‘It was amazing! Taught us a lot, actually. I enjoyed the Bible stuff and not just the activities.’

She will take these experiences back to Israel.

Our own story is that Phil had been volunteering with SU Scotland throughout his adulthood. I found the call a little later in life, but things got really special in July 2011. We saw God bless us abundantly

To find out more about our Motiv8 programme and work in urban areas visit suscotland.org.uk/urban

when we both joined the team at Scoughall for a Motiv8 camp. This brought us together and we were married 15 months later. This year Phil led S2 and I was there as a general helper with our 7 month old son.

Laura Brown

4 @SU October 2014

When volunteers were needed for a local SU Weekend, Lisa Christmas was quick to respond.

It really all started with the children. My son Matthew had the chance to join a local

weekend, bringing children from lots of different primary schools and churches together for a weekend of fun activities and teaching at Lendrick Muir.

When he first heard about the weekend, Matthew was really keen to go and we got him signed up. But then I heard there was a need for volunteers to join Bruce Lockhart, who is involved in our church and was leading the weekend… and it just all went on from there really.

I first got involved in St Madoes church around 7 years ago and go there with our two children Matthew (10) and Ruth

(8). The Christianity Explored course was really important to me in growing my faith and developing friendships with other people in the church and the village. It ended up with some of those same people – friends Lorraine, Lindsay, Angie and Kirsty – volunteering alongside me!

For me the highlight of the weekend was probably a sense of community. People on the team didn’t all necessarily know each other beforehand, but there was a real sense of working together. People were all there for the same reason – wanting to bring a wee bit of Jesus into the kids’ lives. There was loads of fun and humour about the way the teaching was done (there always is with Bruce!) and the kids clearly loved it all.

The other things that really impressed me were how well behaved the kids were. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and calm event – quite an achievement when you are talking about a large group of 9, 10 and 11 year olds!

A great shared experience

weekend away

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I was a group leader for the first time at the Perth weekend for a small group of children and found it enjoyable and rewarding – not scary at all!

As a volunteer I was able to take my younger daughter Ruth along as well and she had a ball too! What a great shared experience to have with some of my church friends – a fabulous way of growing and serving together.

Lisa Christmas

To find out more about local activities in the Perth, Kinross and Fife area contact Regional Worker, Bruce Lockhart: bruce.lockhart@suscotland.org.uk

For activities near you visit suscotland.org.uk/regional

What’s it like to run not just one SU Group during the week, but four? Christine Galloway talks about running groups in schools in the Dumbarton area.

When I was in first year at Dumbarton Academy – about 45

years ago – a very enthusiastic Christian guy just a couple of years older, asked me, knowing I was a Christian, to go along to the SU Group in the school. Not knowing anyone who went I asked every girl in my class if they would go along with me till finally one said she would. We started attending the group

and loved it. We went to SU Holidays and my friend became a Christian and that’s how my love for SU started! 

I have been running SU Groups in the Dumbarton area for quite some time now. I started about 25 years ago with a lunchtime group of about 30 lively primary 6 and 7s. I then realised that these children, who were very interested in the Bible stories and in Jesus had no follow-on SU Group when they went to the Academy, where I had gone all these years previously.

I contacted the SU Scotland office and met with the head teacher and the RME teacher, who kindly agreed to let me use her room for the group.  

I’ve gradually ended up with four SU Groups and have had a lot of help, support and encouragement from Kenny McKie, our Regional Worker. 

Elizabeth Stewart, a maths teacher who moved to this area fairly recently, has been a

God-send and is now helping me to run two of these as well as running her own groups. We both have husbands who encourage us in this work and also pay for prizes, snacks, Freddos and petrol! 

It is very rewarding. All the children who come have their own stories and are full of potential and usually full of questions too.

I’ve seen young folk I thought weren’t really interested coming along to SU Holidays, deciding to follow Jesus Christ and then going on to become leaders at camps and in their churches too. I’ve learned never to make my own predictions but to give equal value to all those who attend and pray that God will work in their lives.

We also have to be adaptable and ready for the unexpected. A young guy at our Academy SU Group has been coming along since first year when he said he was an atheist. He is now in sixth year and says he

I’ve learned never to make my own predictions

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su group

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schools

is a believer and thinks ‘SU is awesome’!

He off ered to close our session in prayer and asked if anyone had any prayer requests, including the RME teacher who lets us use his classroom. The teacher asked if we could pray that the Yes vote would win in the referendum! So our keen pupil then proceeded to pray for us all and fi nished (through stifl ed giggles) by asking that the No vote would win! Thankfully the teacher had a sense of humour! 

We have to nurture these young ones carefully and not expect them to turn into mature Christians overnight. This requires wisdom, enthusiasm and love that only God can provide in full. If God is prompting you to run an SU Group, don’t hesitate. You’ll be a blessing to others and be blessed beyond words!

Christine Galloway

<< Find out more about volunteering in a school near you at suscotland.org.uk/volunteers

>> To fi nd out more ideas for serving your local school visit syls.org.uk

A Christian who they know from their school

As a retired teacher, Margaret McWhinnie loves serving her local school as an expression of her Christian faith.

As one of several volunteers at the homework club run by Stirling Baptist Church, I was aware that I might be able to off er more help to some of the youngest children who were already starting to fall behind. An approach to the school to consider how we could work more closely with them on this brought a warm welcome from the Head Teacher. Her suggestion that I register with the national Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (csv-rsvp.org.uk) smoothed the way for the particular level of involvement that I have taken on. Each Tuesday and Wednesday I join P1 and P2 classes to help teach groups that the teachers have identifi ed for me. If I can’t make it for holiday or other planned reasons then they are very understanding when I give them notice. That reliability is very important to the staff . 

Outside in the playground another church volunteer takes a turn at playground duty each week. That additional adult help improves the atmosphere of the playground and reduces the number of “incidents” the school needs to deal with before getting down to the afternoon’s lessons. Volunteers from another church lead games on the same basis. None of us are there to speak about our faith with the children but we’re all able to pray in a more informed way for the school, their children and its staff . 

Having started in SU Missions on the beach at Montrose in 1970, I’ve been involved on a yearly basis right up till our recent church holiday club, Fit for a King. The children I meet there and at the homework club talk to  me as a Christian who they know from their school. 

Margaret McWhinnie

Lindsay Stewart talks about SU Missions at Prestonpans, Port Seton and Cockenzie and explains where it all started for her.

My involvement with SU Scotland began when I attended an SU Holiday

at the age of 12. My mum, who had gone to similar camps growing up, encouraged me in this and I found myself at Belhaven School in Dunbar, experiencing something of God I never had before. A joy in the leaders and the truth of the

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gospel were unmistakable and on my return I prayed, asking Jesus into my heart.

I began helping at SU Missions when I was 14 and am very grateful to those who introduced me to this way of serving God. I grew up through these events, beginning as a young helper and then moving into the role of Trainee Leader. I was able to attend events such as Go Conference and Basecamp which served to encourage me in my own relationship with God, developing gifts and leadership skills.

So it was with delight that I saw my own church join with others in the town of Prestonpans to run their own summer holiday club. This summer a new format for older children saw those who seemed to have grown out of

holiday club re-engaging with the gospel message in ways which were relevant and meaningful to them. There was a series of youth events for young helpers and their friends. The team was united in the love of Jesus, sharing and encouraging each other. Young people involved in the club grasped the bigger picture God has. I could go on but the list would be endless.

More recently I was invited to participate in the Mission Leadership Course, which led to leading at Cockenzie and Port Seton’s summer mission. In 2012 we held two activity days, last year saw the first week long club and this year’s event built on both these experiences, drawing together a more experienced team and establishing the good work that had begun.

Young people involved in the club grasped the bigger picture God has

@SU November 2014

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We decided to use the Fit for a King material and found it worked really well within our setting. The children loved the sports theme and especially enjoyed singing and acting out the theme song. Memory verses were another favourite with the young people, remembering and saying different parts of scripture each day. The team came together from some of the local churches, joined by some people from further afield but united in purpose and vision. The young helpers we had were a source of great encouragement over the week as they lived out their faith and grew in knowledge and love of Jesus as they helped those younger than themselves do this too! We also held a family night and it was exciting to see many families and friends engage with

what their children had been learning over the week. This even led to an opportunity for a team member to pray with one of the parents. I have been involved in various different SU events over the years, including many missions and holiday clubs, and I can honestly say it has been a joy. Having benefited from SU Scotland and its ministry, it is amazing to pass this on to others and help them discover Jesus for themselves. It has been exciting to be involved with Cockenzie and Port Seton mission from the start, seeing it develop from its very early beginnings. I look forward to seeing it continue to grow in the future.

Lindsay Stewart

This summer saw many churches across Scotland using the Fit for a King material, written especially to coincide with the Commonwealth Games. Over 430 copies were sold (double the original target). It is estimated that around 20,000 children will have heard about a “king with a difference” through this resource.

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The surf was up on the east coast this summer and a new holiday venture made the most of it.

Hi. I’m Brian. I like my tea green and my coffee black. I love crisp,

early mornings and the smell of wood-smoke on a frosty day. I surf as often as I can and prefer riding a bike to driving a car. I juggle the demands of working life, family life and church life and often wonder whether I’ve got the balance right. I want to make a difference to the world around me. In many ways, I think I’m a lot like you.

Last October Stephen Jones of SU Scotland approached me and my wife, Vicky, with an idea for a new surf specific SU Holiday. There was such a shared sense of enthusiasm that the only question we were left with was, “Why wouldn’t

we want to try to pioneer this?” Since then, it has been humbling and affirming to recognise how quickly things came together as we launched the inaugural SUrf Camp at Scoughall this summer.

The camp provided a fun-filled and action packed week. Fully accredited surf lessons were provided every afternoon whilst retaining a laid-back flavour with plenty of time to chat and chill out. By partnering with Christian Surfers UK, we were able to bring a host of surf specific resources to explore what Jesus meant in John chapter 10 about coming to bring us “life to the full”. Honest testimonies, camp-fire worship, small-group times and mini road-trips in our 1967 VW camper-van, Davina, enabled all of us to explore our ongoing journeys of faith in Jesus and the way in which these are never static, sometimes challenging and often adventurous. The infrastructure, experience, expertise and permissioning attitude of SU Scotland has birthed a wonderful starting

I surf as often as I can

SUrf camp

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point from which to develop this SUrf Camp ministry.

It was also a delight that non-churched friends from Coast 2 Coast Surf School and Surfers Against Sewage were so willing to help us facilitate the camp, and that they spoke so highly of it. We pray that, through this and future SUrf Camps, our key aim of being an authentic Christian presence and witness in the Scottish surf community would be realised. Through partnership and servanthood we want to be such good news that many would be encouraged in their own faith and others would come to believe.

Brian Allen

To find out more check out thesoulsurfers.wordpress.com, twitter @soul_surfers, or facebook at Christian Surfers Scotland

Ben had been on holidays at Lendrick Muir as a camper and then as a volunteer. Now it was time to try something new.

Hi, my name is Ben Cruickshank. I am 19, am currently at

Edinburgh College studying HND Mechanical Engineering and go to Central, a church in Edinburgh. I’ve been going to SU Holidays for around 8 years – it all started when I went to KX4 on Arran and had such a great time. I’d never seen leaders with such enthusiasm before. I became a Christian at an SU Holiday. The leaders opened my eyes to see the truth about God. Ever since that point I knew that I

wanted to become a leader to help spread the gospel to the kids who might not have heard it. Why Elie? Well I was planning on going back to Lendrick Muir in the summer when I bumped into Bruce Lockhart; he asked me if I wanted to do something different. By that time I had been to Lendrick Muir for six years and I’d never done a mission before. So I thought rather than staying in the comfort zone I’d step out and try something new.

I have many highlights this summer but some I cherish more than others. One of these would be how you can be thrown into a team where you know some people but not many. Instantly though you bond with the leaders because you have one main thing in common: a burning love for God. This means that no matter what problem comes your way you feel more able to cope. There are many privileges being a leader, but one of the best must be seeing God

working in young people’s lives. You many not think that a week is a long time, but it’s amazing watching the impact it can have. Children and young people seem to quickly understand what the talk is about and how serious it is. It’s a real honour to spread God’s word and to plant mustard seeds in their lives.

Ben Cruickshank

I thought I’d step out and try something new

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beach mission

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commission

In between 5th and 6th year at high school, Euan Robertson chose a summer full of serving with the COmMISSION programme.

I really wanted to give back as much as possible.

Find out more about the programme: suscotland.org.uk/commission

This year, I took part in the COmMISSION programme, which involved the Basecamp training weekend in February, placements

throughout the summer, and a review weekend in August. Over the summer, I was blessed to be on the team at a primary residential at the Compass Christian Centre, led by Colin Carmichael, at both weeks of Elie Beach Mission, led by Bruce Lockhart, and at the Fit for a King holiday club that the churches in my local area ran. I’ve really wanted to do this sort of volunteer work for SU Scotland for a long time, and I’m so glad that I took the opportunity this year to take part and serve God in this way. SU Scotland has had such a huge impact on my life and my faith, and so I really wanted to give back as much as possible this summer. One of the most encouraging things that I experienced many times, throughout the events I was involved in, was the obvious enthusiasm that children all over Scotland have for God and their hunger for his word. So many of the children I talked to, and built relationships with, wanted to learn about him as much as possible. To see this kind of spark and joy in so many children really made me realise the importance of the work that SU Scotland does, and the huge impact it has. It has been an incredible experience, and I would strongly urge anyone who is interested in youth work, and who wants to share the love of God, to get involved. Not only has the training on the COmMISSION programme helped me in the way that I interact with kids and spread the Christian message, but my experiences over the summer have also greatly strengthened my faith, and my drive to serve God.

Euan Robertson

Alexander Jones returned to Ukraine this summer to take part in an international event and contribute to children’s missions.

Ukraine has been hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons this

year. So, it may be surprising to fi nd out that eight of us from SU Scotland spent time out in Ukraine this summer. This was the second time I have been to Ukraine with a team from SU Scotland. Despite increasing stories of political unrest from November 2013 onwards, there

was never any doubt in my mind that I should go back this summer. In many ways people’s needs are much greater during a period of unrest – how could we think of not standing by our brothers and sisters? Our team was there for an International Leadership Camp, bringing together people from the UK and former Soviet Republics. The fi rst week was spent at Open Bible’s camp site, Vorzel. We studied 1 Peter, worshipped together, built friendships and planned for the second week. Then we went out in smaller teams to work with local churches around the Kiev region, by organising and leading ‘day camps.’ If you ask me what to pray for ahead of most missions I have participated in, I could give you a

list… probably quite a long list. In advance of the Ukraine trip I felt thoroughly under prepared when asked that same question. Yes, we needed prayer for safety, wisdom, etc., but above all we were there to be missional. As I thought about it, my prayer became very simple – ‘God, use me.’ In preparation for our day camp, during the second week, various people estimated how many children my team would be working with. These guesses varied from 50-200, all with a team of 7 leaders and some people from the local church, again numbers of helpers unknown. If I had been leading in the UK these numbers would have been a real worry – in Ukraine it is treated as normal! The only thing I could really do was pray ‘God, use me.’

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international mission

As I thought about it, my prayer became very simple – ‘God, use me!’

@SU November 2014

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He did. My team were sent to work with a Baptist church in Brovary, a city suburb of the capital, Kiev. We experienced extraordinary favour with the local authorities – our day camp was held in the City Park, with hundreds of people walking past our activities over the week. We had a manageable number of children, and were able to clearly talk to them about the gospel. Many parents also stayed around and watched from the side, allowing members of the local church to get to know them. A large number of the children we came into contact with had no current connection with church, but a follow up club was planned to ensure contact continued. There was no point during the trip where I or any of the team

was in real danger. It was more the potential for danger which loomed in our minds. Some locals loved to remind us that Russian tanks could be with us in a matter of hours. With talk of increased military action against rebels in the east, that possibility remained throughout our time there. However, Ukraine is the largest country in Europe, and the fighting was hundreds of miles away. Everyone who has been part of the team in Ukraine talks about how difficult it is coming back to ordinary life in Scotland. While away we were living and serving alongside brothers and sisters in Christ from different countries; hearing from God’s word, worshipping together and getting to know one another in an international multi-lingual

community of believers. Even within that short time, deep friendships were built as we shared our lives together. The more I think about it, the more I feel like we got just a tiny glimpse of God’s coming kingdom while out in Ukraine. It’s not the country, not even the people. It’s the deep community of faith that stands out to me, as God takes and uses us however he wants.

Alexander Jones

We recently launched an international appeal for Ukraine. Find out more at suscotland.org.uk/internationalappeal

This autumn, as Christine Murison retires from SU Scotland, we celebrate over 30 years of hugely successful ministry.

Anyone who works enthusiastically for the    same organisation for

over 30 years deserves honour, but such devotion also raises questions; how did they do it? What kept them going? Christine Murison’s 33 years of service in varied roles on the staff of SU Scotland shows remarkable commitment and sharp-focused vision. It can be explained to some extent by Christine’s early experience of SU through her school SU Group and, even more importantly, through SU camp at Kingscross where the lives of leaders demonstrated what they taught from the Bible. Christine came to follow Jesus through this ministry and her gratitude for that has never waned.

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Christine acknowledges the ups and downs in her discipleship in her student years, but points to a quite remarkable experience when preparing a talk for camp when God gave her a compelling sense that the Bible was true. That formative moment is something else that has held Christine steady throughout her time with SU. You don’t need to spend much time with Christine to understand her commitment to God’s word – she believes its promises; seeks to live under its authority; teaches it with passion; she loves to discuss it. But what was created in Christine’s heart was not just a love for SU and a commitment to the Bible. Alongside these, she learned a servant heart and a deep concern for the children and young people of Scotland. She learned that as she watched the lives of leaders like Billie Smith, Esme Duncan and Naomi Lidwell. Just look at the varied roles Christine has taken on in SU Scotland. She started out in 1981 as Camps Organiser, moving to become Missions Coordinator in 1990 and then taking on the role of Director of Holiday Activities, subsequently adding the responsibility of Centres

and, when the need arose, moving to Lendrick Muir to bring leadership to the centre in addition to everything else. This demonstrates a remarkable breadth of ability, something akin to a Cabinet Minister who can move department, master the new brief and take the work forward. It also demanded huge stamina, long hours and great people skills. However, above all, it was made possible by Christine’s servant heart. If there was a need, Christine was ready to answer it. It was not primarily about her fulfilment; rather it was about how she could best serve the children and young people of Scotland through SU. Time and again in discussions about vision and strategy in SU Scotland, it has been Christine who has had the clear sightedness to keep us focused on the needs of the children and young people and not to get distracted by interesting but secondary issues. That dedication to the cause has at times worried some, thinking that she was putting in too many hours for her own good. But the time was never given unwillingly, she always sought to ensure a Sunday remained sacrosanct

Thank you, Christine!

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and she still made time for her Munros! Most people struggle to complete all the Munros in one lifetime; Christine is close to completing her third round.

There are so many people who have cause to give thanks for Christine’s ministry in SU Scotland – children who have come to faith, young leaders who have been mentored, Holiday Team Leaders who have sought her advice, staff who have been challenged and supported. Her encyclopaedic knowledge of SU has proved a safeguard to us on many occasions.

Christine, you will be greatly missed, and I suppose we will only recognise how much in the coming months. Undoubtedly God has other fruitful service planned for someone with such a desire to live for the Lord Jesus.

Andy BathgateChief Executive

What’s on?

To fi nd out more about these and other events visit: suscotland.org.uk/whats-on

Lendrick Muir, 28-30 Dec

Including:

Chill out with friends & family

Fully catered, good food

New Year ceilidh & party for all ages

Murder Mystery game

Sleep, walk, read, play, sleep

Prayer & Bible engagement

Board Games & Jigsaws

New Year’s Day dinner

Table tennis, pool, nukemball etc

Enjoy the warmth of Lendrick Muir

Some optional Bible workshops

Midday to Midday

Wed 31st December

to Fri 2nd January

Hosted by

Kenny & Alison

McKie

NEW YEAR BREAK

LENDRICK MUIR

Join us as we seek God together at the start of a new year.

suscotland.org.uk/dop

Name DOB

Address

Town Postcode

Email Phone

School/College/Uni Year

Your church

Parental Consent: (required if you are under 18.)

I consent to the young person, as named above, being part of the COmMISSION programme. In the event of a medical emergency I authorise Scripture Union Scotland to sign any required declaration on my behalf.

Print

Parent/Guardian’s name (delete as appropriate) Parent/Guardian’s signature (delete as appropriate) PaymentWe ask you to raise £275 as a contribution to the costs of the COmMISSION programme. Please contact the Volunteers Unit if you require more information, or if you would like us to send you a fundraising pack to help you raise support. You can make a partial payment now, but please pay your contribution in full by 21 August 2015.

I will give my initial contribution online at www.suscotland.org.uk/give

I enclose an initial contribution by cheque, made payable to “Scripture Union Scotland” for £

www.suscotland

.org.uk/commission

select one event below:Age 16-18 (S5-S6):Book only one Basecamp:

Basecamp Pitlochry6–8 February 2015Basecamp Lendrick Muir12–14 June 2015Basecamp Kingscross15–21 June 2015

Age 18 plus, orBasecamp GradsLeadUP @ Alltnacriche.19–26 June 2015

I am available for service:

From: DD/MM/YY to: DD/MM/YY

I would prefer a placement at:Holiday / Mission / Both / Don’t mind

I would prefer to work with:Primary / Secondary / Both / Don’t mind

Please specify any teams you have already been invited to join:

I understand that to serve, I will have to fill in an SU Scotland application form, provide two references and complete the Disclosure Scotland PVG police check process.

Review Weekend @Lendrick Muir 21–23 August 2015

I plan to attend

I cannot attend

I’ll let you know ASAP

Return to: Volunteers Unit, Scripture Union Scotland, 70 Milton St, Glasgow G4 0HR.

Registered in Scotland as a charity (no. SC011222) and as a company limited by guarantee (no. SC54297). Registered office: 70 Milton Street, Glasgow, G4 0HR.

Design: www.seesawcreative.co.uk. Print: www.vervegrp.co.uk.

SU Scotland‘s training and discipleship programmes are designed to equip you with the skills and confidence to grow and serve in leadership, whether in your church, school, university or workplace...

Learn together at a Basecamp (S5 & S6) in February or June, and LeadUP (for 18+ and Basecamp graduates) in June.

Volunteer at SU Holidays and Missions during the Easter and summer holidays, and SU Weekends and SU Groups in term time. You’ll see God at work in countless ways.

A weekend of celebration towards the end of August with time to share and reflect on the part you and hundreds of others have played this summer in sharing Jesus with Scotland’s young people.

Our national youth conference for S4-S6 pupils who want to grow in their relationship with God and understand how the Bible shapes all areas of life... home, school and church. Held at Lendrick Muir over a long weekend in October.

Join us for a chance to relax together and explore the Bible in a blend of worship, workshops and activities at a pace that suits the Christmas holidays. Held at Lendrick Muir between Christmas and New Year, for S4 – age 19.

TRAINING

Action

Review

ACTION

REVIEW

TrainingTraining

Make a di� erence in 2015. Join our short term mission and discipleship programme in Scotland.

Basecamp Pitlochry 6-8 February 2015

Basecamp Lendrick Muir 12-14 June 2015

Basecamp Kingscross 15-21 June 2015

LeadUP 19-26 June 2015

COmMISSION Review 21-23 August 2015

More info at suscotland.org.uk/commission

Nov 2014 - Feb 2015Join us for an exciting Sunday afternoon prayer event for children and their families.

WEST Sun 02 Nov 2014, 2:30—4:30 pmMacdonald Crutherland House Hotel, East Kilbride G75 0QZ

NORTH EAST Sun 16 Nov 2014 2:30—4:30 pmAberdeen Christian Fellowship, Union Grove, Aberdeen AB10 6SR

EAST Sun 01 Feb 2015 2:30—4:30 pmMacdonald Houstoun House Hotel, Uphall, EH52 6JS

More info at suscotland.org.uk/prayanyway

Wed 31 Dec - Fri 2 JanJoin us for a chilled out, fully catered experience at Lendrick Muir including a ceilidh to bring in the New Year.

More info at suscotland.org.uk/newyearbreak

Sun 28 Dec - Tue 30 Dec Come join us at Lendrick Muir for that funny weekend between Christmas and New Year when every day feels like a weekend anyway. S4 to age 19

More info at suscotland.org.uk/chp

Pray Day for Schools Tuesday 18 NovJoin the thousands of others across Europe setting aside Tues 18 Nov to pray for their schools.

suscotland.org.uk/prayday

PRAYERPRAYERDAY

28 JANUARY 2015

OF

what’s on : highlights

Going to Rwanda was a life changing experience. It was great to witness Going to Rwanda was a life changing experience. It was great to witness

a different culture up close and it was very humbling to work with

people who had a lot less materially than we do' and yet they were ' and yet they were '

enthusiastic about what was happening and they had a heart for God.

My faith was strengthened through the bond the team had as we ate together

' planned together and prayed together.' planned together and prayed together.'

That was a real encouragement which made the trip amazing.

Andrew Forsyth – S umm e r 2 0 1 3

For an application form visit suscotland.org.uk/Rwanda and look out for other international opportunities on our website.