‘We are ordinary people doing extraordinary things’

IF one word could sum up this year’s annual Gathering of the Church of Scotland Guild it would be ‘joyful’.

This had much to do with the spirit of the day, enlivened (perhaps more than usual) by music and the warmth brought to the day by guests from the Malawian Women’s and Men’s Guilds, resplendent in sparkling white uniforms.

The Malawian guests from the Livingstonia Synod CCAP, spent Guild Week (which followed the Gathering at the Assembly Hall in September) meeting different Guilds and learning more about their work in different parts of Scotland, including Shetland, Ayrshire and Arran.

The tone for the day was set by their singing and dancing in helping to present a communion led by the Moderator of the General Assembly, the Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson at the opening of the Gathering.

But this was not to say that the Guild was hiding or shirking the challenges it faces – in common with the rest of the Church, made clear in an address by the outgoing National Convener, Rae Lind.

As she described the journey towards a new constitution and ‘new ways of doing Guild’, she said: “It has been challenging for us all in the Guild over the last few years.”

The tone for the day was set by their singing and dancing in helping to present a communion led by the Moderator of the General Assembly, the Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson at the opening of the Gathering.

Reflecting on her year in office, she spoke of some of the journeys and events undertaken during her year in office and thanked the Guild for its trust and enthusiasm.

After leading communion at the Assembly Hall in Edinburgh, the Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson offered an address to the Assembly and warmly praised the ongoing work of the Guild.

He said: “My theme for the year is ‘build together’ – not buildings but as the people, who are the church we need to be working, co-operating, building with and for the Glory of God… and I have to say that the Guild has been a beacon over the years of the church at work – not only supporting the local entity that we know as the church, but the whole of the church across the country and around the world.”

Offering encouragement to the 700 Guild members gathered together (and hundreds more joining online), Dr Paterson paid tribute to the ongoing work of the Guild and despite the challenges of today, urged them to continue with their work.

“Having committed ourselves to Christ we have a duty, we have a calling to serve Him in the world – and that’s what the Guild has done for many years. Not only has there been worship and prayer at meetings, but action.

“Local congregations have benefited from the fellowship that Guilds provide. They have also benefited from financial help that Guilds donate.”

He added: “All of this has seen its members reach record levels of giving, for the focus of the Guild’s work is to journey together with our communities, nation and world, both in sharing our faith and resources, and in doing everything in our power to bring about positive change.”

The Moderator added: “God can bless what we do and do so much more than we could ever imagine.”

Dr Paterson was presented with a newly launched ‘Friend of the Guild’ badge and a special scarf in Guild tartan by the outgoing National Convener Rae Lind. The scarf, she said, was a gift for HM King Charles, as the Moderator headed north to preach at Crathie Church, near Balmoral.

Details of the Guild’s four new partner projects were shared with the Gathering. The four projects are Bibles for Bairns (the Scottish Bible Society), Build my Church (the Bear Necessities for Bulgaria), Operation Hope (Release International) and Playful Beginnings (CrossReach). (Full details of the projects are available in the September and October issues of Life and Work. Subscribe or buy a one-off copy at https://www.lifeandwork.org/subscribe/ subscribe).

There was also an update on the work of LIFT – a recently formed branch of the Guild for young people, but rebranded LIFT (Love in Fellowship and Trust) but firmly and proudly supported by the Guild as a place for young people of faith to gather and meet.

Music and worship were firmly at the heart of the afternoon’s business as the guests from Malawi joined the Gathering in singing We Are Marching In The Light of God, with the last refrain sung in the language of Malawi.

A pop-up choir, comprising delegates attending the Gathering, also featured.

Musician Finlay Morse, supported by friends, offered a selection of hymns leading on a fiddle with drum and guitar before some ceilidh music which prompted an impromptu display of traditional reels on the floor of the Assembly Hall.

The day concluded with the installation of new National Convener, Christina Paterson, who was sworn into the office by her parish minister, the Rev Dan Harper, minister at Bridge of Allan Parish Church, as the badge of office was handed over by outgoing Convener, Rae Lind.

After a warm tribute to the service of Rae Lind, the new National Convener acknowledged there were challenges ahead in change: “This is not an easy time for the Guild or even the Church of Scotland,” but added: “We are ordinary people doing extraordinary things within a national movement.”

Outlining the challenges and changes the Guild was facing, she said: “When has the Guild ever shied away from a challenge?” adding: “As a result we have survived for nearly one and a half centuries, but we do not do that as individuals.”

She said: “We are many members but all one part of one body with Christ as our cornerstone.”

She added: “My hope for the Guild this year and into the future can be summed up in three words: enthusiasm, encouragement and unity and that together we will continue to play our part in building a house strong and secure on the cornerstone Christ Jesus, whose we are and whom we serve.” ¤