Arbroath minister appointed as Moderator-Designate

A HIGH-PROFILE Arbroath minister has been nominated as the next Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. The Rev Dr Martin Fair, minister of St Andrew’s Parish Church in Arbroath, said that he was ‘absolutely excited’ but also ‘daunted’ to be named Moderator- Designate of the 2020 General Assembly. He said: “It’s a huge challenge for me individually, but also because the Church is in such an exciting place in its history. I feel a huge weight of responsibility, looking at some of the fantastic men and women who have gone before me in the role. But the Church has seen fit to appoint me to this role, and I absolutely feel equipped to carry it out.

“The need for the Church now is greater than ever it has been. We are in so many ways a thoroughly secular society, but this is not the time for the Church to go in a huff about that and hark back to the old days. We need to be much more creative in sharing our message, and we do that by understanding our role nowadays is about serving. If we want the right to speak about what Christianity means, we have to show what it looks like in practice.”

Dr Fair was inducted into St Andrew’s in 1992, and during his ministry the Church has been notable for growing in congregation size, for embracing technology (live-streaming its services for the past seven years) and for innovative projects including Havilah, a social action project which has helped around 1000 people since launching in 2006. Initially set up as a drop-in to help drug addicts, Havilah’s activities have expanded and now include a community choir and a therapeutic garden. More recently, the church also set up a mental health support service, following the death of Scott Hutchinson of the band Frightened Rabbit. The new service was designed by six members of the congregation.

Dr Fair, who plans to use his year in office to highlight issues around addiction and mental health, said: “Suicide is a horrendous endemic problem and we decided, as a church, that we had to do something. I have buried far too many people who have taken their own lives over the years because they felt alone and helpless in the darkness which many think is their only friend.

“I am a big fan of Frightened Rabbit and was absolutely devastated by Scott’s death. When his body was found something snapped within me and I decided that I could not go on merely saying ‘isn’t it terrible’ every time someone took their own life.”

Dr Fair was brought up in Spiersbridge Church, now Thornliebank Parish Church in Glasgow. His wife Elaine, a primary school teacher, was his childhood sweetheart, and they have three grown-up sons.

He has degrees in politics and geography from Strathclyde University and divinity from the University of Glasgow, and a doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary in the US. He spent time working for the Church of England as a youth worker in a deprived area of Leeds, and as a youth minister in Bermuda before settling in Arbroath.

A life-changing accident two years ago left him with a disabled left arm, which has curtailed but not stopped him enjoying his mostly outdoor hobbies: he is a keen walker, mountaineer, camper, and golfer. He said: “It has been a huge learning curve and for the first time in my life I have had to ask for help.

“While I wish this had not happened to me, good things have come from it because when you are dependent on people for help you take on a diff erent view of life. The support I got from my family and the Christian community was phenomenal and I think I am a more rounded person because of that experience.

“My attitude is ‘okay, let’s get on with life’ and I am not going to let it stop me or define me.

“I am now learning how to play golf one-handed.”

Assuming Dr Fair’s nomination is approved by the General Assembly in May last year, he will be the first minister from Arbroath to hold the position. Next year is the 700th anniversary of the Arbroath Declaration

CHRISTIAN AID CHRISTMAS APPEAL

Christian Aid has launched its 2019 Christmas Appeal, which is focused on gender equality and helping women – particularly mothers – live lives free from poverty, oppression and discrimination. The charity, which describes ‘gender equality as a major cause and eff ect of poverty’, is particularly focusing on the Dalit women of India, who account for 95% of the country’s 1.2 million manual scavengers. Every day, these women endure hours of degrading work that involves the removing, carrying and cleaning of human excrement from latrines and sewers in return for scraps of stale bread and a few rupees.

Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, chief executive of Christian Aid, said: “It is not right that women are still disproportionally aff ected by poverty, discrimination and violence. “If we give women the opportunity, they can be stronger changemakers who can transform our world. We all have God-given gifts we can use to help others – and ourselves. Women have the power to liberate themselves, their families and others from oppression; to challenge inequality; and to seek justice.

“Every one of God’s children has the power within them to change their lives and achieve wonderful things. They need a conducive environment to make it happen.”

For more information and to donate, visit www.christianaid.org.uk/christmas-appeal

POVERTY TOOL

The Church of Scotland has launched a new online tool, allowing anyone to see at a glance the levels of poverty in their area. Launched during Challenge Poverty Week in October, the tool is intended to help congregations understand and support their local communities. At the same time it off ers a window into the challenges facing priority area congregations, which work in communities where deprivation rates are among the highest five per cent in Scotland. Based on the Scottish Government’s Index of Multiple Deprivation for 2016, the tool highlights a range of poverty figures connected to health, income, crime, education, employment, housing and access to amenities.

The Rev Bob Mallinson, minister of Menzieshill church in Dundee and convener of the Kirk’s Priority Areas committee, said: “This is a great tool for any congregation which is serious about breaking down the divide between church and community and finding ways to be with local people – especially at the hardest edges.”

Mr Mallinson added that the tool can be used to start a discussion in kirk sessions and community gatherings and to encourage people to come together and agree on the best ways to meet local needs and aspirations. The deprivation statistics tool is available through the Church Finder section of the Church of Scotland website.

NEW COMMUNITY HUB CHURCH OPENS

A new £2.5 million community hub church at the heart of the biggest regeneration project in Scotland has officially opened. St Rollox Church is a flexible and versatile, multi-purpose space that symbolises the ‘rebirth’ of Sighthill in Glasgow.

The Rev Jane Howitt, minister of the church, said: “We are hugely excited because our accessible new building is the first public space to open in the area. “It is a very light and airy facility in the heart of a new and growing community, a place where everyone is welcome and can call home.” The opening ends a tumultuous period for the congregation who were told in 2014 from latrines and sewers in return for scraps of stale bread and a few rupees.

Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, chief executive of Christian Aid, said: “It is not right that women are still disproportionally aff ected by poverty, discrimination and violence. “If we give women the opportunity, they can be stronger changemakers who can transform our world. We all have God-given gifts we can use to help others – and ourselves. Women have the power to liberate themselves, their families and others from oppression; to challenge that they had to leave their old church building. It was subject to a compulsory purchase order by Glasgow City Council which needed the land to build a new access road to Sighthill, where hundreds of new homes, a new school and shops are being built in a £250m regeneration.

Described as a “real asset” to the community, the new building construction was funded by the local authority and furnished by the Church of Scotland. The General Trustees, who own most Kirk buildings and land, pledged £78,000 to the project, £31,000 has been provided by five neighbouring churches, the St Rollox inequality; and to seek justice.

“Every one of God’s children has the power within them to change their lives and achieve wonderful things. They need a conducive environment to make it happen.” For more information and to donate, visit www.christianaid.org.uk/christmas-appeal congregation raised around £20,000 and money was secured from other funds and trusts.

The congregation, 85% of whom were born outside the UK, have been meeting in temporary accommodation next to the new building since November 2018.

The Rt Rev Colin Sinclair, Moderator of the General Assembly, preached at the inaugural thanksgiving service. He said: “As they start a new chapter in their story, my prayer is that those who have journeyed from many lands may find a home with those who have lived in Glasgow all their lives.”

WORK NEEDS TO FOCUS OUTSIDE CHURCHES SAYS MODERATOR

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has said the work of congregations needs to be firmly focussed outside its buildings and extended outside the Church.

Delivering the annual Marion Fraser Lecture at his own church in Edinburgh: Palmerston Place in October, the Rt Rev Colin Sinclair said the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris earlier this year had attracted an outpouring of emotion and dominated global headlines for days, clearly demonstrating that ‘buildings are tied to faith through emotion as well as functionality’.

He explained: “We need to respect this, not least when buildings have sadly outlived their usefulness and need to be closed. We need to understand this when changes are being proposed to buildings, so that the reason for their being is enhanced, not sacrificed. Those who use such buildings must clearly demonstrate that they are in sympathy with its purpose. Churches are a place to glorify God in worship, to gather the faithful in fellowship, to give identity to the surrounding community and to be a light to bear witness to Christ’s love in service and mission.”

He added: “When news of the fire at Notre Dame went global, it was clear that some who were writing about it had no understanding of what it stood for or what it meant. For them it was just a building, a piece of art, a popular tourist centre in Paris but that was all. Is that what our churches are seen as today, if they are seen at all and not airbrushed out of people’s consciousness?”

The Moderator said in the past the church had been considered the hub of the local community with influence beyond its walls.

“It was … the religious hub, the political hub, the economic hub and even the social hub of the community. The Church was known by the impact Christians were making as a community, in their respective communities. The question we might ask is ‘If your church burnt down this week, would anyone notice?’ Would the poor notice? Would the schools notice? Would the hospital notice? Would politicians notice? Would your neighbours notice? Have we lost our influence or have we lost our focus?”

’FLOATING CHURCH’ BOOST

Plans to buy a canal barge for spiritual and educational pursuits have taken a huge step forward.

Polwarth Parish Church in Edinburgh and partner charity, People Know How, have secured a £50,000 grant for the All Aboard project. The money, awarded by Ecclesiastical Insurance’s Movement for Good scheme, will help fund a three-year Union Canal project, aimed at promoting community cohesion, wholeness and wellbeing. The Rev Jack Holt, minister of Polwarth Parish Church, said the grant award underlined the value of the ambitious community plans.

Polwarth Parish Church estimates that it will cost £271,000 to run the project over three years.

The congregation has raised £32,000 and hopes to secure a £45,000 grant from the Church of Scotland’s Go For It fund. Mr Holt said: “The congregation has been fundraising to turn our ambitions into reality for around seven years and this announcement is the first major milestone for us.

“It is quite amazing that our project was one of 10 successful applications out of nearly 800 that were submitted from across the UK.

“We are very excited to see the value of this very worthwhile community project recognised and we are hopeful that other grant funding bodies will also see the merits and be encouraged to support us too.”

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

571 YEARS SERVICE

Members of Larbert East Church were recognised for a total of 571 years’ service at a recent ceremony. Pictured from left: Back: Kelvin Cairns, Senga Smith, Christine Robinson, Dave Tooth, Ronnie Summers, John Green, Ann MacDonald.

Front: Laura Dignan (student in training for the ministry), Audrey Hunter, Elizabeth Martin, Kate Duncan, Robin Duncan, the Rev Melville Crossthwaite (Larbert East minister).

Not able to attend: Ken Drummond, Jetta Grieve, Gordon Whitelaw, Andy Sinclair, Dorothy Sinclair.

GUILD SUNDAY ON SHETLAND

Sandwick Church of Scotland Guild members in Shetland led the worship on Guild Sunday when they celebrated 150 years of CrossReach. A presentation of slides illustrated the history of the organisation and the services they undertake. Beth Johnson baked and iced ‘The Grey Cake’, promoted to highlight mental illness. The grey exterior represents the mental illness and the brightly coloured layers of sponge within the cut cake represent the fullness of life and happiness once recovered. Everyone enjoyed a slice of the cake after the service. The Walter and Joan Gray Eventide Home in Scalloway received the remainder of the cake as they celebrate their 50 years.

ABBEY CHURCH IN NEW YORK CARNEGIE CELEBRATION

A minister and members of a Fife congregation were among guests at a prestigious philanthropy medal presentation in New York. The Rev MaryAnn Rennie, Angus Hogg, Douglas Scott and Fiona Robertson from the Abbey Church of Dunfermline were among representatives of the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, who were invited to attend the presentation of the Carnegie Medals for Philanthropy. Winners of this year’s nine medals included Scottish businessman Sir Ian Wood and the film director George Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson.

The Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy, awarded by Carnegie institutions since 2001, seeks to inspire a culture of giving by recognising philanthropists who reflect the values of Andrew Carnegie. The Dunfermline-born philanthropist, who was the richest man in the world at that time, famously gave away his fortune. The winners of this year’s medals were announced in Dunfermline in August after the dedication in the Abbey Church of a Tiff any Window commissioned by Carnegie. Mrs Rennie said: “It has been a privilege to be invited to be part of the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy celebrations in a year when the Carnegie Trusts, organisations and family have been marking the legacy of a child from Dunfermline, Andrew Carnegie. His own story of what can be achieved when off ered support and encouragement from others is inspiring. However, to hear the stories of those today who continue to give from their wealth so that others might be off ered opportunities of education, health and well-being was a real reminder that even when we may not be financially wealthy we may be gifted in other ways that allow our world to thrive.”

Mrs Rennie (centre left) is pictured with the delegation from the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust including members of the Abbey Church in New York ahead of the presentations.

GHANAIAN CELEBRATION

Visitors from Ghana sang and danced as they shared worship in Greenhills Parish Church where the congregation all wore Kente print scarves. The Africans are part of the Ghanaian community in Glasgow, and they invited Greenhills to join their annual dinner dance for the Ghana Welfare Association. Irene Anderson from the Presbytery of Hamilton spoke of the twinning with Kwahu Presbytery in Ghana.

BIG SING

Orchardhill Parish Church, Giffnock, is again hosting a concert in support of the Scottish Huntington’s Association on Sunday December 1, starting at 6.30pm. This year’s concert features Rock Choir, Falkirk Gaelic Junior Choir and Giffnock Primary School choir. Refreshments and home baking will be served at the interval. A similar event last year was a resounding success and a sell-out. Tickets at £10 can be purchased online at www.hdscotland.org or call Linda on 0141 848 0308. All proceeds will support families affected by Huntingdon’s disease.

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