Thomas Baldwin reports on a new scheme in which small children have playdates with the residents of a Crossreach care home.

A GROUP of pre-school children are helping to combat loneliness and boost the wellbeing of elderly people at a care home run by CrossReach, the social care arm of the Church of Scotland.

Residents at Whinnieknowe, a 24-bed care home in Nairn, near Inverness, are taking part in ‘playdates’ with children from a local family support centre. Aged between 65 and 100, the residents take part in a range of activities including singing, arts and crafts and storytelling with their young friends.

The initiative – named WOW (Wee Ones at Whinnieknowe) – was inspired by a Channel 4 documentary, Old People’s Home for Four Year Olds, about a similar intergenerational project in Bristol, as well as research – particularly from America, where such inter-generational schemes are becoming increasingly common – showing that they can drastically improve the quality of life of care home residents.

The project began in the summer when Sarah Butters, activities co-ordinator at Whinnieknowe, asked via social media if local parents would be interested in taking part.

After Sarah received a positive response, home manager Lynda Wilson approached Jayne Macintosh, manager of the family centre Junior World, with whom Whinnieknowe had an existing partnership. Jayne contacted the parents of the 150 children registered at the Family Centre and very quickly received 70 consented responses.

Meanwhile, Sarah approached the residents at Whinnieknowe to ask them if they would be interested in such an initiative.

She took the time to show them the documentary, and six residents said they wanted to sign up to the initiative.

In addition, Sarah and Jayne undertook a specialist Intergenerational Training Course for Trainers and Practitioners and over the months of September and October the practicalities of Health and Safety, policies, insurances and safeguarding were put in place.

The first weekly session took place on Tuesday October 31, with the residents and young visitors spending an hour sharing craft activities, chatting about the materials they were using and instructing each other in how to make the best pictures.

Lynda said the response had been ‘fantastic’.

She said: “We wanted to see our clients having the same response the older group had in the documentary, to combat loneliness, improve health and wellbeing.

“We also wanted to reach out to the local community and to be a catalyst for integration for all ages.

“The response so far has been fantastic to see.

“The interaction between the ages, the communication and the joy expressed, was what we hoped for and more.

“We know that this pilot project will go from strength to strength.”

CrossReach, the social care arm of the Church of Scotland, runs a wide range of services across Scotland for the elderly and other vulnerable people.

The concept of intergenerational care is thought to have begun in Japan in 1976, when a nursery school and home for the elderly in Tokyo were merged. There are now successful projects across Asia, Europe, Australia and the US. A joint housing development for older people and students in the Netherlands made headlines last year, while in the UK, the first care home-based nursery, the Apples and Honey Nightingale Nursery, opened in London in September 2017.

During the Channel 4 documentary, 11 residents of Bristol-based St Monica Trust were found to have improved moods, mobility and memory after spending six weeks with children.

CHURCH PROJECT WINS SOCIAL ENTERPRISE AWARD

A social enterprise that grew out of a Church of Scotland outreach effort has been named Social Enterprise of the Year at the Social Enterprise Scotland Awards.

The Grassmarket Community Project, which was created by Greyfriars Kirk and the Grassmarket Mission in 2010, helps vulnerable people break out of cycles of homelessness and unemployment by offering work experience, education, training and support in a nurturing environment.

The Rev Dr Richard Frazer, minister at Greyfriars Kirk, said: “I am so proud of the wonderful team at the Grassmarket Community Project who have won this marvellous award. GCP is a key part of our mission and outreach at Greyfriars.

“Long ago we recognised that people who have experienced poverty and hardship in their lives also have untapped capacity and often deep wisdom about the things that truly matter in life.

“It is the members of the project who make it the success that it is, and the energy, hard work and entrepreneurial flair of this marvellous community deserve all the credit for this great achievement.”

As well as running a busy café, an events centre, and an innovative furniture workshop, the project runs a café in the Church of Scotland’s administrative offices in Edinburgh. It also has its own tartan, which it markets as clothing, scarves, hats, bags and other handmade products.

Jonny Kinross, chief executive of the Grassmarket Community Project, said: “We are so delighted to win Social Enterprise of the Year 2017. I’m so proud of our team, our volunteers, our staff but above all the members of our project who inspire and motivate us.”

MODERATOR’S ‘PRIVILEGE AND DELIGHT’ TO MEET POPE

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland said it was ‘an absolute privilege and delight’ to meet and pray with the Pope in October.

Meeting as the Reformed churches marked the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, the Rt Rev Dr Derek Browning and Pope Francis shared ‘prayerful concerns about the vulnerable and isolated in our world’, and discussed the improved relations between the Church of Scotland and the Roman Catholic Church.

Dr Browning said: “It was also important to share the forthcoming 50th anniversary of the ordination of women to the ministry of word and sacrament, and to note with gratitude the role of women and men in the Church of Scotland Diaconate.”

He presented the Pontiff with a Guild tartan scarf, Rosalind Marshall’s new book on Columba’s Iona, and one of Columba’s prayers translated into Spanish.

Pope Francis, who also received the Rev Dr George Whyte, Principal Clerk to the General Assembly, the Rev Dr John McPake, the Church’s Ecumenical Officer and the Moderator’s chaplain, Anne Mulligan DCS, said all Christians were brothers and sisters.

“For so long we regarded one another from afar, all too humanly, harbouring suspicion, dwelling on differences and errors, and with hearts intent on recrimination for past wrongs,” he added.

“In the spirit of the Gospel, we are now pursuing the path of humble charity that leads to overcoming division and healing wounds.

“We have begun a dialogue of communion, employing language befitting those who belong to God.”

Dr Browning said he and Pope Francis led the Scottish delegation group jointly in saying the Lord‘s Prayer together.

“It was one of those wonderful moments of unity which reaches across our denominations and reminds us of the centrality of our faith based on Jesus of Nazareth,” said the Moderator.

“The interview was not all seriousness and there was a lot of laughter and fun.

“The Pope noticed my socks and commented that I was certainly more colourfully dressed in my footwear.”

AWARD NOMINATION FOR CHRISTIAN AID FILM

An animated film based on the real-life story of a refugee from Serbia who found safety in Scotland after the Second World War has been nominated for a Charity Film Award.

Theodor: The Refugee Who Never Forgot, was commissioned to mark Christian Aid Week’s 6 0 th anniversary and to highlight the organisation’s long term commitment to supporting refugees.

It tells the story of Theodor Davidovic, a member of Auchterderran Kinglassie Parish Church in Fife. He received life-saving support from Christian Aid while living in refugee camps in Italy and Germany after World War 2, and has expressed his gratitude by supporting the charity since he arrived in Scotland in 1947

The film’s illustrator, Karrie Fransman, from Edinburgh, said: “It was an honour to be asked by Christian Aid to bring Theodor‘s incredible story to life. We hope we‘ve done Theodor and Christian Aid proud.”

The Charity Film Awards aims to demonstrate that a charitable video can inspire, excite and change behaviour. The first round of judging was decided by a public vote, ending on December 15 (at www.charityfilmawards.com), with finalists announced in February 2018 and the winner in March.

FOODBANKS PROVIDER CALLS FOR UNIVERSAL CREDIT REFORM

The largest provider of foodbanks in Scotland has called for urgent changes to the Universal Credit benefits system, which it says has led to a major increase in demand for emergency food where it has been introduced.

The Trussell Trust released its mid-year statistics in November, showing a 20% increase on the number of food parcels given out compared to last year.

However, across the UK, foodbanks in areas where Universal Credit has been rolled out have seen a 3 0 % average increase in demand. The Trust says that the sixweek wait for a first payment is causing serious problems, and payments are being delayed by poor administration.

Tony Graham, Scotland Director at the Trussell Trust, said: “In the first half of 2017 a record number of people facing destitution and hunger were referred to the Trussell Trust foodbank network in Scotland. Foodbanks will be working hard to provide dignified, non-judgmental support to people but we are concerned that the ongoing impact of welfare reform – especially Universal Credit roll-out – combined with increased demand we traditionally see over winter, will leave foodbanks struggling to feed everyone that comes through the doors.”

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: “The reasons for foodbank use are wide and complex, and for this report to link it to any one issue would be misleading.”

The Trussell Trust operates more than 50 foodbanks in Scotland, many of them from churches. Between April 1 and September 30 2017, this network distributed 76,764 emergency food supplies, compared to 63,794 over the same period in 2016

EMMS MALAWI CAMPAIGN

Edinburgh-based charity EMMS International has launched a new campaign to improve healthcare in Malawi.

The campaign, Every Life Matters, has the backing of the UK government which will match donations from the public.

Children in Malawi with cancer spend their days in pain and hunger because poverty puts pain relief, quality healthcare and even basic food out of reach.

The Every Life Matters campaign will raise money to train more healthcare workers, improve access to healthcare for 10,000 patients and support 50,000 family members to grow their own food.

James Wells, Chief Executive, EMMS International, said: “Every life matters and no life should be wasted in hunger and pain, especially that of a child. However, that is all too often the case in Malawi.

This campaign gives us a wonderful opportunity to change this and end preventable suffering, thanks to the generosity of the public and match funding from the UK government.”

The campaign is being promoted by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

You can find out more and donate at www.emms.org

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CHURCH SHORTLISTED IN ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS

The eco-group of Inverkip Parish Church was shortlisted in the Church Times Green Awards in the Green Congregation category – the only Church of Scotland congregation to be shortlisted at the awards.

Hilary Cameron, convener of the group, explained: “The group was recognised for their significant achievements in just over 12 months since they were formed through having monthly Fairtrade stalls, recycling everything from postage stamps to bat dirt, supporting the youth club building a bug hotel and organising litter picks in the local area.”

Hilary and the church’s Depute Session Clerk Morag Cowe attended the award ceremony at Lambeth Palace. They were presented with a highly commended certificate by the Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Rev Nick Holtam.

SCARVES FOR THE HOMELESS

Members of Cardonald Parish Church Friendship Circle in Glasgow, supported by the congregation, have knitted 208 scarves for the homeless.

The scarves – and 170 donated hats – were dedicated and handed over at the Circle’s opening meeting on October 5 to the Salvation Army for distribution to homeless people in the Glasgow area.

The group had set themselves a new crafting challenge following the success of a project knitting ‘twiddlemuffs’ for people living with dementia last year.

COMMUNITY DAY SUCCESS

A successful community day was organised by Granton Parish Church in Edinburgh in September.

A wide range of organisations, charities, businesses and clubs from across the area, were invited to set up stalls and displays to showcase the best of what they do.

LONG SERVICE

The Moderator of the General Assembly, the Rt Rev Dr Derek Browning, attended a service to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the building of Dunoon High Kirk. During the service he presented long-service certificates to six elders and the organist who between them have nearly 300 years’ service.

Pictured from left: minister, the Rev Aileen McFie, Donald Manson (31 years), Donald McDiarmid (53), Edna McIntyre (34), Dr Browning, Marion Tudhope (42), Jane Fisher (36), J Cameron Smith (45), Sandy MacPherson (50 years organist and choirmaster).

LONG SERVICE HONOUR

Ian White, Greenlaw received a Certificate for Long Service 40 years as Treasurer earlier this year. He was presented with his Long Service Certificate by the Rev Bruce Neil, Moderator of Duns Presbytery.

ECO AWARD

Renfield St Stephen’s Church in Glasgow welcomed the Head of Christian Aid Scotland, the Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, to morning worship on Sunday November 5. Mrs Foster-Fulton presented the church with its first Eco-Congregation award, and challenged both congregation and individuals to keep taking action to address environmental issues.

Pictured from left: Diane Green, Christian Aid campaigns officer; Helen Hughes, Renfield St Stephen’s eco co-ordinator; Mrs Foster-Fulton, Kenneth Rogers, session clerk.

60 YEARS’ SERVICE

The congregation of Gask Kirk, near Perth, gathered to celebrate 60 years of service by organist Grace McFarlane.

Grace first played the organ at the church on Sunday January 6 1957.

She also led the choir, winning the cup for church choirs at the Perth Musical Festival more than once.

Minister the Rev David Denniston (pictured with Grace) said: “It is a story of remarkable and much appreciated and valued service.”

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Mural marks town anniversary

Thomas Baldwin reports on a church-backed artwork celebrating a new town’s 70th birthday

A MURAL in the form of a map of East Kilbride has been unveiled in the nearby National Museum of Rural Life, on which children of Kirktonholme Primary School marked places in the town featuring Scots words.

The concept of the mural, which marked East Kilbride’s 70th anniversary in 2017, came from conversations between the minister of the church in Stewartfield, on the north of East Kilbride, local schools and the museum.

The Rev Douglas Wallace, who is the minister of Stewartfield New Charge Development and Kirktonholme school chaplain, spent time with the primary six class last year, asking them to investigate the meaning of Scots words in various East Kilbride placenames.

They found that the name of ‘The Whirlies’ Roundabout, for instance, was much older than the New Town, and is in a poem of 200 years ago by local bard, John Struthers, referring to the winds there. In fact, many names of schools, the hospital and the farm at the National Museum of Rural Life, as well as street names, have a long history and contain Scots vocabulary.

The outcome of these investigations was a hand-made book and artwork.

Artist Julie Arbuckle was then brought in to arrange the children’s work onto a map shape of the town. She met with the children, now in primary seven, at the start of this school year to paint the mural.

Three art students at Duncanrig Secondary School (where Douglas is also chaplain) added final touches, including a striking version of East Kilbride’s coat of arms, with its bird of St Bride (the Irish saint from whom the town takes its name).

The Moderator of Hamilton Presbytery, Roberta Hutton, who remembered previously visiting the museum with a schools group, opened the mural and accompanying book to the public in a ceremony on October 26 attended by people from school, council, business and church, including former provost of the town, Bill Niven.

Some of the children from Kirktonholme had earlier worked on a mural of the farm and museum which Douglas planned with them in 2011. The cost of both murals was borne by the church.

Situated in South Lanarkshire, East Kilbride was a village of about 900 people when it became the first of five new towns to be designated to alleviate housing shortages after the Second World War (followed by Glenrothes, Cumbernauld, Livingston and Irvine). It has celebrated its 70th anniversary with a series of events including an oral history project involving 35 young and 35 older residents.

Stewartfield Church New Charge Development was created in new housing developments on the northern edge of the town, and meets in the community centre.

The National Museum of Rural Life, based at Wester Kittochside Farm between East Kilbride and the village of Carmunnock, was opened in 2001 – at about the same time the church was launched. A working farm, it offers visitors the chance to see and experience both animal and arable farming as it was in the 1950s.

“They found that the name of ‘The Whirlies’ Roundabout, for instance, was much older than the New Town, and is in a poem of 200 years ago by local bard, John Struthers, referring to the winds there.”

‘RED WEDNESDAY’ SUPPORTS PERSECUTED FAITHS

Landmarks in the UK, Ireland, Iraq and the Philippines were floodlit in red on November 22 to highlight the persecution of faith groups for their “peacefully held beliefs”.

The “Red Wednesday” initiative was in its second year and has been pioneered by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). This year it was also organised by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) – both charities advocate chiefly for persecuted Christians.

Ahead of the event, ACN, a Catholic charity, said in a communique: “Red is the Christian colour of martyrdom. Christians are the most persecuted faith group in today’s world… Red Wednesday will shine a light on Christian persecution but also highlight the injustices perpetrated against other faith groups.”

Organisers said around 50 buildings in the UK were be lit up in red, including London’s Houses of Parliament, 12 cathedrals – some Anglican, some Catholic – as well as schools and universities. More than 80 Catholic churches and universities in the Philippines were expected to be floodlit for the event after the country’s bishops’ conference endorsed the initiative.

In Iraqi Kurdistan, Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil said his church would be lit in red. Warda, whose diocese has been caring for more than 100,000 mainly Christians who fled Islamic State in 2014, said local Catholics would also take part in a prayer vigil that will end in a church he opened last year, to cater for the influx of refugees.

According to ACN, the decision to illuminate the Houses of Parliament in red was made jointly by Commons speaker John Bercow and Lords speaker Lord Fowler following lobbying from parliamentarians.

ACN spokesman John Pontifex said the event aimed to highlight not only the suffering of persecuted Christians but also the role of UN institutions and the international community, which he said had so far “failed to help persecuted faith communities”.

(World Watch Monitor)

SUDAN CALL

The US Deputy Secretary of State has called on Sudan to ‘immediately suspend’ its demolition of churches and to hold a roundtable discussion with Christian leaders to resolve disputes.

John J Sullivan, speaking at the Al- Neelain Mosque in Omdurman on Friday November 17, said ‘the treatment of members of religious minorities is often the ultimate indicator of a government’s commitment’ to religious freedom.

He added that the US State Department’s recent International Religious Freedom report ‘noted instances of the arrest, detention, and intimidation of religious leaders, and the denial of permits for the construction of new churches; restrictions on non-Muslim religious groups from entering the country; and the censorship of religious material’.

His comments came a month after the US lifted economic sanctions on Sudan, and as Sudanese church leaders continue to face calls from the government to hand over control of their churches.

(World Watch Monitor)

‘REFORMATION MUST CONTINUE’

“The Reformation must continue as a living experience of the people of God.” Speaking about the ongoing reformation in his morning devotion, The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) President Archbishop Dr Musa Panti Filibus, brought this message to members and guests of the 12th General Synod of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany (VELKD), which took place from November 9-11 in Bonn, Germany.

He said exploitation, greed and abuse of power still showed up as central problems of society and the church, and had to be addressed responsibly. “Both the church and the world desperately need leaders that take more seriously their responsibility to care for the people they are called to lead and do not misuse their positions for selfish ambitions,” he said.

“We are called to seek the lost and reach out to people who are brutalised, discriminated, violated, undermined and violently dismembered. Liberated by God’s grace, we are bound to Christ as agents of liberation in a broken world.” From the bond to Christ followed a clear mission – to ‘feed the people with God’s truth’and to be ‘living examples of what we preach and teach’.

In a panel discussion with Professor Dr Wilfried Hartmann, president of the General Synod, President Filibus highlighted advocacy for gender justice as being one of the current priorities of the LWF.

In view of the political situation in Nigeria, his home country, he said that it was the task of the church and all Christians to oppose violence: “We share a world as fellow human beings, as fellow creatures. It is our duty to raise our voices against violence in the world.” Even though the churches were facing challenges there was still no cause for despondency, the LWF president concluded. “God has so far guided us by divine grace and will continue to do so. The best is yet to come.”

(Lutheran World Federation)

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