Dear Friends
One additional exciting news item that somehow did not get into the weekly digest of news & upcoming events.
All are invited to Peebles Old Parish Church on Tuesday August 6th at 2pm to a service at which the Rev Rola Sleiman the minister of Tripoli Church, Northern Lebanon will be speaking.
Refreshments and Q & A after the service.
See you there!
Peter
From: Wood, Peter
Sent: 29 July 2024 17:53
To: Wood, Peter <PWood@churchofscotland.org.uk>
Subject: From the L&B Mission Officer
Dear Friends
The sporting summer continues apace moving from the football Euro’s in Germany to the Olympics in Paris. What sport has taken your fancy? I found myself immersed in the Women’s Mountain biking race. What drama and what courage. Two of the top four finishers had to deal with flat tires and the second French rider, when in third place, went straight over the handlebars on the rock garden stage!
“I put my whole heart and soul in today’s race,” said second placed Batten, “I had something special inside of me today. My legs never hurt for some reason. I just, I don’t know. I just wanted it so, so bad.”
Of late I have been reflecting further on the passage in Hebrews,
“since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
I think it might be fair to say these days that the race metaphor is something I was probably more enthusiastic about when I was younger! Race?! What me? Nowadays?! But Paul wasn’t young when he wrote this. The emphasis in Paul’s writing here is not of winning or speed but on perseverance & endurance. We have that fascinating phrase said of Jesus > ‘For the joy that was set before him’
In his interview post race Adam Peaty the swimmer who had to settle for silver said with a smile “ I’ve already won.” Jesus’ greatest joy was in doing the will of his Father. May we know something of that joy and hear ever more clearly the encouragement of our mentors and friends who have gone before us, cheering us on as we get nearer the finishing line.
Looking Ahead > Harvest Resources
https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-involved/churches/harvest/
https://engageworship.org/project/harvest-worship
The Farming Community Network https://fcn.org.uk/resources/
https://greenchristian.org.uk/resources/seasonal/harvest/
https://www.messychurch.brf.org.uk/latest/resources/harvest-with-christian-aid/
Eco-Congregation
We launch the EcoCongregation Scotland ’Season of Creation/Creationtide/Creation Time’ 7.30pm Aug 6th ecocongregationscotland.org/event/season-of-creation-2024-launch-event
“I’d just like to be in touch to give plenty of time for planning, to note that the Season of Creation online resource for this year is online and more or less complete. Every RCL lectionary reading is covered, with notes, there are 6 lively downloadable sermon-slot videos (also OK for small groups and individuals ) , poems, prayers, and quite a few links to elsewhere too.
The link to the main page is here: NB it does load slowly!”
https://www.ecocongregationscotland.org/creation-2024/
Presbytery Online Worship Leading Course Level 1
A five session introduction on Weds evenings
Deadline date Aug 21st
Contact your minister. Course Co-ordinator Robin Hill. Rhill@churchofscotland.org.uk
Alpha drop in for Cos Ministers
Drop in session for Church of Scotland Ministers and Alpha Leaders on Zoom 1030 on Tues 13th August .
Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89838618081?pwd=OPfFuTWDDwnhuHght4W52a34REzHnM.1
Meeting ID: 898 3861 8081 Passcode: 495835
Starting something new? A morning for those who are pioneering
Rev. Dr Ian Adams is at St Johns KP in Dalkeith on Friday September 13th to help us reflect further on discerning the next steps in pioneering new mission initiatives.
Please book in through Eventbrite. Come with a team of folks.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pioneering-practice-discerning-the-next-step-tickets-911349148837
Christian Aid -The Kilt Walk in Edinburgh.
Sunday September 15th
Middle distance 14 miles leaves from St.Andrews High Musselburgh.
Friday October 25th Presbytery Day Conference at St.Andrew, Blacxkadder, North Berwick with guest speak Prof. Tom Greggs. More info coming but open to ALL.
Seeds for Growth Update – free online webinar
On Monday the 2nd of September, we will be holding a free online webinar to work through the Seeds for Growth application process and forms.
The event will take place 1900-2100hrs and we will attempt to work through all four levels of funding application. We hope this will assist you in applying for funding.
If you would like to attend this online ZOOM meeting please email grants@churchofscotland.org.uk
Following the Assembly Seeds for Growth have added a new third criteria
- Developing mission through new church communities (including church planting and funding training in Pioneering and Pioneer Ministry)
- Developing and nurturing faith in those under the age of 40 (including engaging in intergenerational approaches to church through new worshipping communities)
- Fostering discipleship and revitalisation within established congregations, with the aim of growing the existing congregation or developing a new worshipping community.
Next Funding seminar from the Seeds for Growth team…
Next Webinar Jointly with Benefact Trust 7–8pm, Wednesday 21 August
“Our next webinar will feature Benefact Trust which since 1972 has awarded grants of over £256 million to churches, Christian charities and the communities they serve – with Church of Scotland congregations have been awarded over £250,000 in the last year alone.
This is likely to be a very popular webinar and you can reserve a place by emailing us now.”
Mission Funds List -See file attached
Scottish Interfaith Week 2024
Resources and Ideas for Primary and Secondary Schools 11 - 18 November, 2024
What is Interfaith Scotland and what do we do? Interfaith Scotland is a national organisation which runs interfaith dialogue activities in schools, with faith communities, religious leaders, members of Interfaith Scotland and local interfaith groups. Interfaith Scotland has members from all the main faiths in Scotland and it supports the work of local interfaith groups throughout Scotland. You can find out more at www.interfaithscotland.org What is Scottish Interfaith Week? Scottish Interfaith Week provides an opportunity for interfaith groups, faith communities, schools, organisations and local communities across the country to celebrate Scotland’s religious and cultural diversity by planning events that bring people together to promote dialogue, understanding and cooperation. Around 100 events are held each year. You can find out more at www.scottishinterfaithweek.org
In the Presbytery Prayer Calendar
August 4th Hawick: St.Mary’s Old linked with Teviot & Roberton
We remember in prayer this week the leadership and all involved in the life of this community.
community. Please pray for the union of our two congregations with Hawick Trinity Church on 1st September to form Hawick South Church - all the spiritual, relational, emotional and practical aspects involved.
Read / Think / Pray / Act
Monday, July 29, 2024: Philippians 4:10-20
Tuesday, July 30, 2024: Romans 15:22-33
Wednesday, July 31, 2024: Mark 6:35-44
Thursday, August 1, 2024: 1 Corinthians 11:17-22
Friday, August 2, 2024: 1 Corinthians 11:27-34
Saturday, August 3, 2024: Matthew 16:5-12
Enjoy getting out and about this summer at whatever pace you choose and may you know joy in your service.
Best wishes
Peter
Rev. Peter J. Wood
Mission Officer for Lothian & Borders Presbytery