‘A future not our own’
Dear Friends
It’s been quite a week for us as a family.
My daughter is back home having spent four years at Aberdeen University; Our eldest son announced his engagement to his long time girlfriend; our youngest son lost his job at the café where he had started working and I ‘celebrated’ turning 60!
And so life turns and I ask
-was it not just the other day that these kids were toddlers?!
-where has the time gone?!
-and hey! what happened to my youthful energy and where is my hair going!
(And by the way I’m not into this “sixty is the new forty” nonsense!)
One of the joys of our role and working with others is to plant seeds.
Seeds that are individuals planted in God’s love who grow into their God given potential.
Seeds are projects planted by churches venturing out in faith to engage with others in love in costly ways.
In all this I do what I can. With the days and the energy and the breath that God puts in my lungs.
As Presbytery Mission Officer is to so good to know that it has always been, and will be, God’s mission not mine! So, we delight in noticing small shoots emerging out of the darkness.
This reminds me of a verse that is fundamental to what I do as Mission Officer.
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3.6
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.”
There is also a poem to which I return not infrequently…
Written by Bishop Ken Untener in honour of the Oscar Romero
This is what we are about: We plant seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something, and to do it well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for God's grace to enter and to do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders, ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own. Amen
Enjoy the whole poem http://www.romerotrust.org.uk/romero-prayer
Know your community day in Coldstream
Last week a number of gathered in Coldstream to think about how to know our local community. We had a great day with the folks from Priority Areas. They have kindly offered to come again to the south West of our presbytery if folks were interested.
Tomorrow! Faith in the Outdoors zoominar 715-830pm
How do you change gear over the summer? Jesus spent much of his ministry outdoors!
Gather online to first hear a few observations and insights from our guest Fiona Lough, who works with the Canal Trust and then share some ideas or plans or things that worked well last summer…
All welcome to come and join the conversation. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82933104999?pwd=HzULCLrzzg7si1MbfOwaWs2KcH8y5K.1
Summer book group
Michael Moynagh is a leading thinker in mission. In his latest book ‘Giving the church’ he talks about the nature of church and mission. Could be helpful as we consider stewardship?
It is sometimes easier to be part of a group to get a book read!
‘Giving the Church: The Christian community through the looking glass of generosity’
We are looking at having three or four meet ups through late June and early August.
If interested do get in touch with the Mission Officer.
Partnership with North India
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the successful twinning arrangement between churches in the Lothian area with friends in the Church of North India Diocese of the Eastern Himalayas.
Receiving folks from India
The CoS have provided a Faithshare grant and we are looking forward to hosting two visitors from India in September. The dates are not yet fixed but it is likely to be in the first two weeks.
Work has started on planning a programme and as this stage I was wondering if any churches would like to connect with the guests and show them around your parish for part of a day?
We are also looking for anyone who might be able to offer accommodation in the East Lothian area or possibly donate to assist with the cost of the visit.
Going to India!
We also have an opportunity for two members of Presbytery to make a reciprocal visit to India in November. If you are able to help at all, would like more information or interested in possible visiting India please do let me know. Bill Stevenson, Presbytery Mission Committee sessionclerk@parishoftraprain.org.uk
Church of Scotland LEARN Online learning.
Taster session for four new modules -Thursday 19th 1300
https://church-of-scotland-learning.circle.so/c/show-tell/church-in-a-changing-landscape
“We’re excited to tell you about our next live stream event on the Church of Scotland Learning platform! We’ve launched a number of new modules over the last few months, all of which share a common thread of responding to change. Change continues to be present in our church and these times of change can be unsettling for everyone – church leaders and congregations alike. In that light, we are hosting a webinar exploring the subject of change and introducing you to the variety of modules which have recently launched.
We’ll introduce you to four modules, new to the platform – Navigating Your Way Through Change, Being an Intergenerational Church, Future Focus and Ways of Working Together. These four modules demonstrate different aspects of the nature of change and how we can respond in the church.
We hope this will be a stimulating and encouraging time together, we’d love to see you there.
Join us on Thursday 19th June 2025: 1:00-1:45pm.
Borderlands Men’s Christian Conference 2025
20th September 1000-430pm Ednam Village Hall with speaker Stephen Crothers
Flyer attached
Seminar & short courses:
CMS mission in the neighbourhood…June 25th 1200-1300
Some great speakers at this free online event.
Messy Momentum -Friday July 11th 1200-1300
https://www.messychurch.brf.org.uk/latest/events/messy-momentum-project-launch-6/
You are invited to join the Messy Church team online to hear all about our exciting new project, Messy Momentum, and how you can get involved. Messy Momentum is seeking to enable Messy Churches to better engage with young people and more fully encompass our ‘all-age’ value through a range of pilot approaches, and to do that, we need your help.
https://www.messychurch.brf.org.uk/latest/news/messy-momentum-the-project-springs-to-life/
Spiritual Intelligence: a Free course from GoHealth for church groups
OR
Ugly Duckling Resource
10:10 is a well being resource to help children & young people discover hgow to live differently and find their best life. https://www.1010.org.uk/
Managing Change -New CCX Resource
How to lead church initiatives well in a faith based way
https://ccx.org.uk/change-resource/
Short courses at Trinity College, Glasgow
https://www.trinitycollegeglasgow.co.uk/short-courses
In the Presbytery Prayer Calendar
Week beginning June 22nd
Newbattle: St.Nicholas Buccleuch
We remember in prayer this week the leadership and all involved in the life of this community.
Please pray for the service of union which takes place on June 22nd; for growing in love and service together and also for the preparations to call a minister to the charge.
And so, this week whatever happens or doesn’t( !) may you cherish those that you love and whom love you and may that great love of God lead us on no matter how old or young we feel or are!
Peter
Rev. Peter J. Wood
Mission Officer for Lothian & Borders Presbytery
Website: www.lothianandborderspresbytery.org.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552394798223
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LothianandBordersPresbytery/videos
