LETTERS

Reference assumption

I refer to the April issue and ‘The Big Question’ in particular.

The Rev Sandy Strachan refers to the Polish priest and I quote: ‘We all know the story of course’. He is not the first minister of our Church to assume that we all know whichever story they are quoting from.

I find many ministers in churches saying for example ‘We all know about…’ and often it’s something in the Bible. The ministers assume we have all read it. Many have not, visitors will probably not have either, but are interested enough to visit! This is not an encouraging message in my opinion.

Maybe our ministers could omit this type of reference from their teaching. Returning to the Rev Strachan’s story, I would like to know the background to the story of Maximilian Kolbe, as it does sound interesting.

Marcia Blackie , Edinburgh

Australian parallels

A number of your magazines came to me recently from a relative in Glasgow. I read John R Hume’s comment on recent innovations in Church services (February 2019) with interest.

I have to say that I agree entirely with what he says.

Such things as he is concerned about are here too in Australia. A service that uses a screen instead of hymn books always leaves me wondering what to do with my hands after holding a hymn book for 50 years or more!

I have noticed some of the men have their hands in their pockets and some of the ladies raised their hands slightly above their heads! I visited another church service (not Presbyterian) which was in total darkness with all the action on the screen and the stage.

As has been said, the loss of hymn books and especially the loss of pew Bibles prevents people from finding the hymns and readings for themselves and seeing their context. Let us keep our pew Bibles.

Thank you John R Hume

Robert Boan (Rev) , Victoria, Australia

‘Let go and let God’

I have been connected, in one way or another, with fourteen different church communities in my lifetime so far. All of them were nominally Presbyterian – if I can be allowed to include the Uniting Church of Australia in that way, which, on reflection I realise might not be acceptable to many. And therein flies the dilemma in which the Christian Church now finds itself. Instead of coming together in any meaningful show of solidarity, we have continued to fracture and splinter until what is left resembles the shattered windscreen of a car wilfully driven at speed into a brick wall. The airbag has deployed, the driver is battered and bruised, and the view forward has lost all clarity. It is a situation from which we appear incapable of extricating ourselves. In short, and to change the metaphor, we are drowning in a morass of dogmatic stubbornness.

In recent conversation with a Church of Scotland elder – a man in his eighties – he remarked that he was convinced the only way forward was to close all the kirks and wait for God to reclaim His people in some new and meaningful way. ‘God will not be denied’, he said.

I suspect this sentiment is being repeated by many across the country. I was born a son of the manse and have been closely aligned with the kirk all my life – Sunday School teacher, elder, session clerk, theological college student, lay preacher – yet now, in my seventy ninth year, I find it dii cult to envisage a way forward. My faith has been severely tried. Not my faith in God, my faith in the Church. The intransigence of the few remaining members of the several congregations I have recently been associated with goes beyond belief.

In this regard the notion of ‘Presbyterianism’ has failed most notably and the Church of Scotland appears incapable of salvaging anything from a chaos of its own making.

So what is the answer? Indeed, is there an answer?

Perhaps my elder friend is right. Perhaps the Church will have to close in order that God might enter the hearts of the faithful few and show them the way forward. Admit we got it wrong and pray God will make it right.

Here in Shetland the Church has, to all intents and purposes, already closed.

It is surely time to let the dead bury the dead. (Luke 9:60). Forget worldly aspirations. The Lord has work for His people and it has little, if anything, to do with putting a new roof on an old kirk; especially where the kirk is rarely able to muster a congregation in double figures.

The enthusiasm with which I first became an elder and of which I wrote when contributing to Reflections on ELDERSHIP (Saint Andrew Press, 2014) has largely dissipated in the ensuing years and it is for this reason I now feel the need to express my dismay regarding the future of the Church.

There was a time when congregations reflected the communities in which they existed. Average age of membership was not an issue.

The old inspired the young through their love and spirituality, while the young invested eagerness and passion to further what for them was a worthy cause. Not any longer. Now a disgruntled few remain glued to their well-worn seats and heaven help any who attempt to shift them.

It strikes me the expression ‘let go and let God’ has never been invested with greater meaning.

Alastair Christie-Johnston , Aywick, Shetland

Iolaire note

I found the article in Life and Work about the sinking of the Iolaire very interesting. In our family we have a tale to tell about this.

My grandfather was at Kyle waiting to get home and looking for my father. (Both were RNR).

An officer asked Grandpa to guide more men to the mail boat, The Sheila, as too many were going to the Iolaire. He did so and followed them aboard and so was saved.

Our home was in Lower Sandwick and the bodies were washed ashore there, not far from Holm.

One of those who lost his life was a man from Lower Sandwick. (My father came home safely three days later).

I’m looking forward to reading the newly published book about the loss of the Iolaire which I got as a Christmas present.

My Grandpa wrote Gaelic poetry, some of which was published in Life and Work, probably in the 1920s.

Nora McLellan , Blairgowrie

Moray mistake

Ahem…. I expect you will get many corrections to John Hume’s article in the April issue*, entitled A lovely and largely unexplored part of Scotland, Encountering a hidden church in Argyll.

Keith: St Rufus in the county of Moray [formerly and traditionally in the county of Banf shire] will remain unexplored and hidden if people go looking for it in Argyll…! The charge of Keith: St Rufus, Botriphnie & Grange is currently vacant and am sure would love an intrepid explorer minister to find their way to this stunningly beautiful and vibrant part of Scotland! Other wonderful charges are also available! The Moderator found her way to one, Findochty l/w Portknockie, to help celebrate Portknockie’s 150th anniversary. (Photo on p42 of April issue). This is in MORAY too! Come and see.

But mistake apart, can I say how much I enjoy and use the magazine in prayer meetings, Guild devotions and in pulpit supply? I have written you scores of letters (in my head!!) picking up points raised in the letters, articles and Big Questions. I have greatly enjoyed the Moderator’s honest, challenging contributions, but always with praise, hope and faith in our living God. I like the photographs which often make me stop for a moment of awe and wonder at God’s creation. I like the news snippets from around the Scottish and world church scene. I love the inspiring life stories of people and the organisations they work in with Christ’s love and compassion.

So thank you, well done…keep it going!

Margaret King DCS (Retired) , Fochabers, Moray!

*Thanks to everyone who has pointed out the erroneous headline which occurred during the final production processes.