’Keep talking and listening’ says Moderator on Holy Land trip

NEWS

The Moderator the Rt Rev Dr Derek Browning on his Holy Land visit.

Photos: The Rev John McMahon

THE Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has emphasised that peace in the Holy Land will only be achieved by all sides talking and listening to each other.

The Rt Rev Dr Derek Browning made an official visit to Israel, Palestine and Jordan, in January, visiting sacred sites and meeting Church of Scotland colleagues and partners, faith leaders and others.

This included visits to Wi’am, the Palestinian Conl ict Transformation Centre in Bethlehem and the Aida refugee camp, and preaching at St Andrew’s Church in Jerusalem. Dr Browning, along with the Youth Moderator Robin Downie, also visited the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem and paid tribute to the memory of Jane Haining, the Scottish missionary who died in Auschwitz.

Dr Browning and his colleagues (including Moderatorial chaplain, the Rev John McMahon and Secretary of the Church’s World Mission Council, the Rev Ian Alexander) met with Rabbi Michael Melchior, President of MOSAICA (The Middle East Religious Peace Initiative) who is also the Chief Rabbi of Norway. The Moderator said: “His vision stems from a biblical belief that everything we do in our lives should come from recognising God’s image and holiness in all and that holiness and peace are the tasks we should pursue in the faithful life.

“No understanding of life and its problems can be found without faith issues being included.”

He also visited the Nasser family at the Tent of Nations, an educational and environmental family farm near Bethlehem, which preaches non-violence, peacebuilding and runs work camps and empowerment programmes.

Dr Browning said: “The farm is located in the middle of a number of Israeli settlements, and is constantly under pressure from the state and military authorities, who dispute their (documented) claim to the land.

“Land is an issue for both Israeli and Palestinian as is justice.

“A place to belong is an issue for both Israeli and Palestinian and peace is a necessity.

“As a Christian Church, our call is to pray for peace and to act for peace for both Israeli and Palestinian.”

Dr Browning also met with Dr Bernard Sabella, Executive Secretary of the Department of Services for Palestinian Refugees, which is part of the Middle East Council of Churches.

The Moderator said afterwards: “We think of refugees as people who are forced from their homes and having to travel great distances.

“In Israel/Palestine, a refugee may be only a few miles from their home, in the next village or town.

“In the situation in Israel Palestine there are many voices in what is a complex political, economic, social and theological challenge.

“How can we in Scotland hear the many voices, all wishing to speak their own truth, and how can we discern it?

“We talk of one narrative but there are many stories of hurt on many sides.

“The complexities are self-evident, the hurts are palpable and the humanity is overwhelming.”

In Bethlehem, he visited the Holy Land Handicraft Co-operative Society, which make the crosses from olive wood that he has being giving to people as gifts during his travels.

Dr Browning said: “It was an emotional moment for me.

“These crosses made from olive wood from Nablus, crafted in Bethlehem the place of Nativity, but in the shape of the cross that speaks of Calvary and cruciixion and Resurrection.

“It is like holding Christmas and Easter in your hand.

“The family making the crosses, and other olive wood items, need the income to support their family, and their work enables me and all Christians to connect with the land of Jesus.”

During the visit, Dr Browning also preached at St Andrew’s, Jerusalem; rededicated the refurbished sanctuary at St Andrew’s Church in Tiberias, and celebrated Burn’s Night at the Scots Hotel.

Crossing into Jordan, the party visited the Al-Maghtas site, now believed to be the most likely location of the baptism of Jesus, and had an audience with King Abdullah II – briely a contemporary of Dr Browning’s at Oxford in the early 1980s.

Visiting the Tent of Nations

Meeting with HM King Abdullah II and HRH Prince Gazi bin Muhammad

Visiting the Holy Land Handicraft Co-operative Society

WELLBEING OCTOPUS

CrossReach has introduced a new tool in its work with Children and Families: Calamari SHANARRI.

The knitted octopus has been designed to help children, and people who work with them, with the Scottish Government’s national approach to supporting children, GIRFEC (Getting it Right for Every Child).

The eight legs (and the name) stand for the eight wellbeing indicators under GIRFEC: safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included.

Calamari SHANARRI has been developed by CrossReach’s GIRFEC Development Advisor, Tanya Anderson. She says: GIRFEC is important for everyone who works with children and young people, as well as many people who work with adults who look after children, so since 2014 CrossReach have been providing introductory training to all their Services on the key issues addressed by GIRFEC and the wellbeing indicators.

During the training sessions, a common theme started to emerge, principally concentrating on who and how the eight wellbeing indicators should be used, and how this related to the work CrossReach do with clients in comparison to direct points of contact such as health workers, teachers and social workers.

“Following training examples from a number of Local Authorities it became clear that the best way to look at incorporating GIRFEC in to everyday usage was by starting with the children themselves.

“Children enjoy interactive play, colour, creativity and fun. Art and music are used frequently in many of our services, especially with children and young people. To start to encourage our clients and staff to learn more about GIRFEC and make it a common terminology in everyday activities, an interactive tool was needed.”

Tanya made the first wellbeing octopus herself for the Children in Scotland Conference in November last year, and the name was voted for by CrossReach Youth Ambassadors.

“Anyone can make one of the octopuses, and it is being suggested that it may be a good session for Guilds and church youth groups, and for activities marking the Year of Young People (YOYP). A booklet, including instructions and more information about GIRFEC, are downloadable from the CrossReach website and the Church of Scotland’s YOYP resources page: http://bit.ly/2DQwgOHy

FARMING MINISTER APPOINTED

The Church of Scotland has appointed its first ever dedicated ‘farming minister’ to help support people in the agricultural industry.

The Rev Chris Blackshaw visits farms across Ayrshire to provide spiritual and family support, counselling and encourage for people to buy local produce. The 57-year-old also interacts with young farmer groups, National Farmers Union Scotland representatives, visits the weekly livestock mart and attends annual agriculture shows.

Mr Blackshaw, a farmer’s son and retired police sergeant, will also draw together groups of people linked to the industry such as vets, government agencies, livestock mart staff, those servicing the farming industry and estate workers

The Pioneer Ministry post is an initial five-year appointment supported by the Church of Scotland’s Ministries Council and the Presbytery of Ayr.

Mr Blackshaw, who was previously a minister to the agricultural community in Cumbria, said: “I absolutely love my new job and the feedback I have received since I started in September has been very positive.

“I was born and bred on a Derbyshire hill farm and have a good understanding of farming.

“There are not many jobs I couldn’t do on a farm so this is the ideal job for me – showing people the love of Christ by walking alongside them.”

Mr Blackshaw, who owns a smallholding in Cumbria and has seven English long horn cattle, said farming can be a very isolating profession.

“For some farmers there are not many people who they can turn to and have a confidential conversation with”, he explained.

“I have met vets who have told me that they often go back to farms, not to look at the animals but to make sure the farmers are okay.”

Mr Blackshaw, who lives near Maybole, says he is a “shoulder to lean upon in hard times”.

“I go to the local market and call at farms to let people know I am there to provide support and share in celebrations and happy times as well”, he added.

“My job is about letting people know there is someone there who cares and wants to help them, especially when they think there isn’t anyone and showing them that Church is very relevant in their day-to-day lives.

“It is about communicating with people in a language and context that they understand and feel comfortable in.

“I have been very pleasantly surprised by the faith that exists amongst the farming community.”

TAIZE INVITATION FOR CHURCH OF SCOTLAND YOUTH

Young adults from the Church of Scotland are being invited to spend a week with the Taizé Community in France this year.

The invitation, to people aged 18-25, has been extended by the Scots Kirk in Paris as part of the Year of Young People. It includes a night in Paris and a service at the Scots Kirk before a week in Taizé.

The Taizé community welcomes thousands of young people from all over the world to share in community, pray and explore questions about life and faith. The Scots Kirk is organising two weeks – April 14-22 and June 30-July 8.

The cost will be £120, plus travel to Paris. For more information contact scotskirkparis@orange.fr

The Year of Young People is a Scotlandwide event celebrating the contribution of young people, valuing their contribution and creating new opportunities for them. The Church of Scotland is hoping to use the year to help congregations develop and grow their ministry with children and young people, starting with a launch service on January 28 and a series of events throughout the year.

For ideas and resources visit www.churchofscotland.org.uk/yoyp

NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR HOUSING CHARITY

Scottish Churches Housing Action today announced the appointment of David Cressey as Chief Executive, to take up the role in March. He will succeed the longstanding Chief Executive, Alastair Cameron, on his retirement.

Currently Programme Manager with Forest Enterprise Scotland, David has a background in housing, initially in Lincolnshire, and subsequently with Scottish Borders Council, where he worked on strategy for housing, economic development and community planning. He is a member of Selkirk Baptist Church.

David said: “I am absolutely delighted and honoured to be asked to serve as Chief Executive for Scottish Churches Housing Action. I know much has already been done in Scotland to tackle the scourge of homelessness but much more still needs to be accomplished if we are see our vision of ending homelessness become a reality.

“I believe the church is at the heart of that endeavour and I look forward to working with partners across the churches to support ongoing work, developing new projects that support homeless people and ensuring that every person in Scotland has a secure and aff ordable place they can call home.”

Alastair Cameron said: “Having served since the establishment of SCHA in 1994, I’m delighted with this appointment. SCHA has a great track record in stimulating work among the churches to support homeless people across Scotland.

I’m proud to have been part of that, and look forward to seeing the work flourish in David’s hands.”

CEREMONY FOR GREYFRIARS BOBBY ON ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH

Local residents and tourists braved the cold weather on January 14 to mark the anniversary of the death of Greyfriars Bobby.

The ceremony took place in Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh, where Bobby guarded his master’s grave for 14 years and where his own headstone was erected.

Councillor Lezley Cameron led the tributes, and Lisa Fleming and Bob – mascot of the One O’Clock Gun Association – laid a wreath from the Lord Provost and citizens of Edinburgh. Jennifer Hutcheon, the association’s piper, played ‘Tribute to Greyfriars Bobby’.

Also at the ceremony Bert Hutchings, an elder at Greyfriars, spoke about the life of Dr Robert Lee, the minister of Old Greyfriars while Bobby was alive. Dr Lee, who died 150 years ago this year, was a trailblazer who was responsible for installing the first stained glass in a post-Reformation Presbyterian church in Scotland, and one of the first organs.

Following the ceremony and refreshments, visitors were shown round the church and kirkyard, including the spot where ‘Auld Jock’, Bobby’s owner, is said to be buried.

Life and Work staff are available for talks to Guilds and other church groups. Please contact us through 0131 225 5722 or magazine@lifeandwork.org

PARISH NEWS

CATHEDRAL GUIDES APPEAL

An appeal has gone out for volunteer guides to show tourists round Glasgow Cathedral.

Many thousands of people from Scotland and all over the world visit the 12th century Cathedral, Church of Scotland parish church and ‘Mother Church’ of the city every year.

The Guides are part of the Society of Friends of Glasgow Cathedral, a nondenominational body, and applicants need no particular church allegiance or prior knowledge to apply. Training is provided. Most Guides work a half-day shift, once a week, between Monday and Saturday over the summer months.

Anyone interested should message the Convener of Guides via www.glasgowcathedral.org.uk where there is more information. Alternatively, call the Cathedral Office on 0141 552 8198

EPIPHANY CONCERT

A concert celebrating Epiphany in Dunfermline Abbey, featuring professional opera singer Frances McCaff erty and the Abbey’s Master of the Music, Matthew Beetschen, raised over £2200 for the Abbey’s Restoration Fund.

LONG SERVICE

At the social part of the evening following the recent induction of the Rev Rosemary Frew to Bowden & Melrose Parish Church, a presentation was made by William Windram on behalf of the congregation to Ewan Rintoul, an elder for 50 years who has retired after 37 years as Session Clerk. He was presented with a framed certificate signed by all the elders, as well as the Interim Moderator and a cheque on behalf of the congregation by William Windram.

PRAYER GARDEN

On the first Sunday of 2018, a prayer path that has been created in the grounds of Dunbarney Church, Bridge of Earn, in the Presbytery of Perth, was officially opened by the Rev Trevor Jamison from Eco- Congregation Scotland. The garden, which is open to the community, has seven designated spaces that are designed to help visitors think and reflect on their journey in life and, if desired, an accompanying leaflet enables people to go deeper spiritually.

DICKENSIAN DRAMA

Wardie Parish Church, Edinburgh, welcomed the Year of Young People with a drama presented from the Wardie Players Youth Ensemble.

‘Dickens’ Children’ by Nick Warburton comprises six short scenes from Dickens’ novels, each portraying an aspect of Victorian childhood, from Pip’s encounters with the convict and Miss Havisham in ‘Great Expectations’ to Nicholas Nickleby’s dramatic confrontation with the horrific Mr and Mrs Squeers.

WELCOMING YOUNG PEOPLE

On Sunday December 17 Cranhill Parish Church celebrated the baptism of three young people and the confirmation of three others. This followed a six-week ‘Discipleship Lab’ with the young people exploring Luke’s Gospel.

As part of their preparation, each young person prepared an introduction for themselves, telling about hobbies and interests but also about their desire to be ‘a child of God’ and to ‘live a new life’. This was shared with the congregation a part of the service.

The young people – Divine, Wisdom and Lucy (confirmed) and Priscila, Miracle and Terry (baptised) – are pictured with family members, Cranhill minister the Rev Muriel Pearson and minister in training Sonia Blakesley.

BUSY HANDS

Patients at Banff ‘s Chalmers Hospital were kept cosy this winter following a gift of 30 blankets (with more to come) from the Banff Parish Church knitting group Busy Hands.

The group have also donated small blankets along with jumpers and cardigans (mostly for under 5s) to the local branch of Homestart; hats, mitts and cardigans to Aberdeen Maternity Hospital premature baby unit, and to the Loving Hands Group for distribution to national and international charities and hospitals.

Representatives of Busy Hands visited Chalmers Hospital where Helen Gibson (seated) accepted the blankets on behalf of fellow patients. From left: Roseanne Youngson, Mary Cameron, acting senior charge nurse Doreen McGregor, Trauty McBain, Elinor Smith and nurse Irene Bowie.

Life and Work staff are available for talks to Guilds and other church groups. Please contact us through 0131 225 5722 or magazine@lifeandwork.org

This article appears in the March 2018 Issue of Life and Work

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