Life & Work Magazine
Life & Work Magazine

Life & Work - December 2019

CHRISTMAS IN THE HOLY LAND
- Tiberias and Bethlehem contrasts

DISCIPLESHIP AND ME
- Following Jesus around the world

'A REAL HONOUR AND A REAL PRIVILEGE’
- Mark Evans DCS, President of the Diaconate Council

....plus much more packed across 60 pages

Life and Work December 2019 Articles

From The Editor
ADVENT and Christmas are probably my favourite seasons
AS THE COLD WEATHER BITES
SEND WINTER FUEL AND FOOD TO ANSWER PRAYERS OF VULNERABLE ARMENIANS
PRAYER
Advent God, as winter dusk pulls the solstice close
LETTERS
At a recent conference held by the three Church of
The Big Question
This month’s question is: ‘What was your most memorable Nativity?’
A genuine hope
Ron Ferguson explains why he believes the current problems of the world are rooted in the spiritual.
Someone is coming
The Rt Rev Colin Sinclair reflects on the messages of Advent and Christmas.
Big ideas
The Very Rev Albert Bogle explains why God is with us.
Christmas contrasts in the Holy Land
The Rev Kate McDonald offers her thoughts for Advent and beyond from Tiberias.
Christmas in Bethlehem
The Rev John McCulloch describes Christmas in the town of Jesus’ birth.
Discipleship and me
In the second part of our focus on discipleship, contributors from around the world offer their perspectives on following Jesus.
’A real honour and a real privilege’
Jackie Macadam learns about the work of the newly elected President of the Diaconate Council, Mark Evans DCS.
The Big Picture
Right photo: Summit of Meall nan Tarmachan, Killin by Lynn Smith Below: Peacock Butterfly, West Kilbride by Brenda Stewart Bottom: Roe deer on Baberton Golf course, Edinburgh by June Scott
A very pleasing country church
John R Hume reflects on the place and history of a church in the Mull of Kintyre.
’My story is also my work’
Jackie Macadam highlights the background to a new series of portraits hanging in the halls of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Transforming lives in Christ’s name
Viv Dickenson reflects on a year of social care celebration for CrossReach and the Church of Scotland.
Leo
Leo is one of Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home’s longest
’We feel sad that going to Church is not common any more’
Two young Fife sisters describe their experience as part of the Church family.
Arbroath minister appointed as Moderator-Designate
Thomas Baldwin reports on the appointment of the Moderator-Designate to the 2020 General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
Consider an Indian Christmas card says charity with Lanarkshire roots
Iain Park introduces unusual Christmas cards helping impoverished women in India to support their families.
Speaking and acting
The Rev Dr Martin Fair continues his study of 1 Thessalonians and emphasises the need for words in spreading the Christian faith.
CROSSWORDS
£15 book token will be awarded to the senders of the
REGISTERS
Compiled by the Ministries Council
Bethlehem reality
The Bethlehem of the celebrated carol did not reflect reality at the time of Jesus’ birth nor today explains the Very Rev Dr John Chalmers.