Hello everyone,
Peter is on holiday at the moment so I’m afraid you are stuck with me. I am at the GA all next week so you are getting an early email. No Monday email next week!
Right now we are in the midst of the General Assembly which for many people is a love it or hate thing. The opening pomp, some love it, some hate it. Being out of your parish for a few days, some love it, some hate it. Speaking about all the different things your denomination does, yes that’s right, some love it and some hate it. It is very rare that someone comes back from the General Assembly entirely happy with their time there.
But what is it? On one level it is the annual general meeting of the Church of Scotland where we make policy for the whole church. Whilst true that is not the whole truth because actually this is a cross section of the church gathering to discern the will of God for the us. Every day we pray…. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, therefore there is a spiritual dimension to our everyday lives and that includes the General Assembly; it goes beyond mere business. Whatever you think of the proposals around assisted dying, ministerial tenure, assistant ministers or the myriad other things that will come please remember your brothers and sisters are wrestling with the question. What is Gods will for us?
We should all be praying fervently that God helps the church to find His will and His Spirit helps those gathered there to come to Spirit filled decisions. Often times Jesus prayer for his followers was that they would see and they would hear. We pray for all involved in the GA to hear and see what God would have of His church at this time.
Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
No new decisions under powers in the last 4 days.
Presbytery Prayer Calendar
May 25 Cockpen and Carrington l/w Lasswade and Rosewell
We remember in prayer this week the leadership and all involved in the life of this community
'We continue to give thanks for our outreach to young people in our community. Please pray for more leaders to help with the Drop-In Cafe on Thursday evenings so more young people can be invited along.'
A number of things are attached.
We have been asked by the Nominating Committee of St Laines and Lecropt church to advertise their vacancy. I always took the view that whenever something like this came in you had to give it serious consideration because you never knew where or when God was calling you. It is only right to put it out so its going out.
There is a praise night for Midlothian and Borders churches at Penicuik Trinity Church on Sunday 1st June at 7pm. These are joyous worship occasions, go along and be inspired!
Musselburgh Northesk are looking for a Locum whilst Hayley Cohen their minister is on maternity leave.
Resourcing Mission agenda from their meeting this week.
See below for another couple of things.
Dear Presbytery Clerks,
Please can you share the following within your Presbytery, as follows:
Ai, Theology and Ministry webinar; Thursday 12th June, 7-9pm.
Register for free here and ideally by 10th June https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/aNDCN73BTSuC-NF8gGjrkQ#/registration
Join us as we navigate the intersection of artificial intelligence, theology, and ministry with renowned international speakers, questions, and space for worshipful reflection.
Our speakers are Archbishop Emerita, Most Rev. Dr. Antje Jackelen; ‘In pursuit of the optimal: AI and eternal questions’ and Dr. Jonas Kurlberg; ‘Ai and Bible engagement’ which is his research with the Bible Society.
For any queries, please contact Rev Ruth Kennedy, Digital Ministries Advisor rkennedy@churchofscotland.org.uk
We look forward to welcoming you on the 12th June. Phill Mellstrom, Worship Development Worker, Dr. Murdo MacDonald, Science, Religion and Technology, and Rev. Ruth Kennedy, Digital Ministries Advisor.
Grace to you,
Ruth
Rev Ruth Kennedy, Digital Ministries Advisor, Faith Action, The Church of Scotland
Remember to hold the church and its people in your prayers this week. Pray especially for those at GA who will be making big decisions about future directions of our church.
Feel free to share this email far and wide. If you have something you want shared, sent it in, if you have any ideas on how we can better serve God, send them in. If you have requests for help, don’t be shy. We take seriously our family commitments to one another.
God Bless you in all you do, may you know his presence in your waking and your sleeping.
Norman
