Press Releases Pledge for peace in Pakistan following Bin Laden death Scottish Charity Number SC011353 www.churchofscotland.org.uk 1 Local News Moderator visits Tiree page 5 page 2 page 8 The Church of Scotland Communications Department May 2011 Reverend Roshan Thapa and Dr Miku Foning of the Eastern Himalaya Diocese of the Church of North India are currently visiting the Presbytery, and on Sunday evening (8th May) there was a ceremonial signing of the twinning agreement with former Moderator Very Reverend Dr Andrew McLellan preaching the sermon. Established in 2000, the twinning is now in its 12th year, and there is regular communication through email at Presbytery and congregational level. Last year Reverend Sandy Horsburgh from Dalkeith and Reverend Alison McDonald from Musselburgh visited the Diocese of the Eastern Himalaya and came home greatly inspired. Reverend Matthew Z. Ross, minister at Lasswade and Rosewell and convener of Lothian Presbytery’s World Mission Committee, said: “The Presbytery of Lothian is pastorates in the Diocese. “Given our tendency to worry about challenges our own local parishes, such links help us to see the much broader perspective.” Mr Ross also revealed a surprising link to another former Moderator as he continued: “There are strong historic links between the Church of Scotland and the Diocese of the Eastern Himalaya, notably the work of Scottish missionaries including the Very Rev Dr John A. Graham, founder of Dr Graham’s Homes in Kalimpong and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1931.” Following the current visit, the World Mission Committee of Lothian Presbytery will assess future plans and it is very much hoped that there will be future visits and contacts will continue to be strengthened. Lothian Presbytery welcomed a church delegation from India last weekend as both parties celebrated their twinning arrangement at a special service in Rosewell Parish Church. Lothian Presbytery celebrates India twinning We greatly value our twinning link; it helps us to focus on the reality of being part of the one worldwide Church of Jesus Christ. LOCAL NEWS delighted to welcome Dr Miku Foning and the Reverend Roshan Thapa from the Diocese of the Eastern Himalaya of the Church of Nor th India. “We greatly value our twinning link; it helps us to focus on the reality of being part of the one worldwide Church of Jesus Christ. “There are also twinning links between many individual congregations in the Presbytery with individual Plus... Internationally important art works come to Scotland
Transcript
Press ReleasesPledge for peace in Pakistan following Bin Laden death
Scottish Charity Number SC011353 www.churchofscotland.org.uk
1
Local NewsModerator visits Tiree
page 5page 2page 8
The Church of Scotland Communications Department
May 2011
Reverend Roshan Thapa and Dr Miku Foning of the Eastern Himalaya Diocese of the Church of North India are currently visiting the Presbytery, and on Sunday evening (8th May) there was a ceremonial signing of the twinning agreement with former Moderator Very Reverend Dr Andrew McLellan preaching the sermon.
Established in 2000, the twinning is now in its 12th year, and there is regular communication through email at Presbytery and congregational level.
Last year Reverend Sandy Horsburgh from Dalkeith and Reverend Alison McDonald from Musselburgh visited the Diocese of the Eastern Himalaya and came home greatly inspired.
Reverend Matthew Z. Ross, minister at Lasswade and Rosewell and convener of Lothian Presbytery’s World Mission Committee, said: “The Presbytery of Lothian is
pastorates in the Diocese. “Given our tendency to worry about challenges our
own local parishes, such links help us to see the much broader perspective.”
Mr Ross also revealed a surprising link to another former Moderator as he continued: “There are strong historic links between the Church of Scotland and the Diocese of the Eastern Himalaya, notably the work of Scottish missionaries including the Very Rev Dr John A. Graham, founder of Dr Graham’s Homes in Kalimpong and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1931.”
Following the current visit, the World Mission Committee of Lothian Presbytery will assess future plans and it is very much hoped that there will be future visits and contacts will continue to be strengthened.
Lothian Presbytery welcomed a church delegation from India last weekend as both parties celebrated their twinning arrangement at a special service in Rosewell Parish Church.
Lothian Presbytery celebrates India twinning
We greatly value our twinning link; it helps us to focus on the reality of being part of the one worldwide Church of Jesus Christ.
LOCAL NEWS
delighted to welcome Dr Miku Foning and the Reverend Roshan Thapa from the Diocese of the Eastern Himalaya of the Church of North India.
“We greatly value our twinning link; it helps us to focus on the reality of being part of the one worldwide Church of Jesus Christ.
“There are also twinning links between many individual congregations in the Presbytery with individual
Plus... Internationally important art works come to Scotland
Press ReleasesPledge for peace in Pakistan following Bin Laden death
Scottish Charity Number SC011353 www.churchofscotland.org.uk
2
Local NewsModerator visits Tiree
page 5page 2page 8
The Church of Scotland Communications Department
May 2011
The overseas department for the Church of Scotland, the World Mission Council, has already received reports from its partners in Pakistan that communities have been under siege, with many unable to leave their homes for fear of reprisals.
Reverend John Chalmers, Principal Clerk of the Church of Scotland, has written to the Bishop of Lahore assuring him of the Church’s prayers at this difficult time.
Mr Chalmers said: “I write following this event and other events of recent days to express our solidarity and support for the Church of Pakistan and stand together with you, your congregations and the whole Christian community in Pakistan.
“We are aware of your increased vulnerability at this time and are praying for your safety and security.
“As members of one family, when you are troubled, we too feel your pain.
“Jesus said ‘blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God’ and together with you we
PRESS RELEASES
A Church of Scotland minister has warned that Christians overseas may be facing the backlash following the death of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
Pledge for peace in Pakistan following Bin Laden death
continue to pray for peace in our world today.”One partner from Gujranwala, where tensions are
already heated following a spate of recent incidents, said that the lives and properties of thousands of Christians are in grave danger and that a seminary and other Christian institutions in the area are prime targets.
In 1800, an estimated 2,500 Christians died as a result of opposition to their faith. In 2009 this figure rose to an alarming 176,000.
At a day conference held in Perth in 2009, the Right Reverend Mano Rumalshah, former Bishop of Peshawar in Pakistan, spoke movingly of threats to the lives of clergy within his diocese and of a struggle to support those who, on converting from Islam to Christianity, are rejected by their families and left facing death threats and destitution.
At last year’s General Assembly the Church of Scotland voted to stand in solidarity with its Christian brothers and sisters facing persecution abroad.
Rev John Chalmers, Principal Clerk of The Church of Scotland
Jesus said ‘blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God
Plus... Internationally important art works come to Scotland
Plus... Internationally important art works come to Scotland
Press ReleasesPledge for peace in Pakistan following Bin Laden death
Scottish Charity Number SC011353 www.churchofscotland.org.uk
3
Local NewsModerator visits Tiree
page 5page 2page 8
The Church of Scotland Communications Department
May 2011
Both the mosque and the church are signatories of the Charter for Compassion www.charterforcompassion.org – the global movement that affirms, “The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves”.
The invitation to preach was extended to Sheikh David Munir, the Imam, by the congregation following a visit to the Central Mosque by members of the English-speaking community in Lisbon during Lent 2011. This visit was part of the church’s commitment to inter-religious dialogue and co-operation.
Minister of St Andrew’s Church, Reverend Graham McGeoch said: “It was a unique opportunity to explore our interdependence, transcend our fears and to discover the common cause of compassion that lies at the heart of our traditions”.
The service was held in St Andrew’s Church, Lisbon.St Andrew’s Church is a charge of the Church of
Scotland in the Presbytery of Europe. It has been offering English-language worship in the Reformed tradition in Portugal since 1866 and is fully committed to ecumenical and inter-faith relations.
LOCAL NEWS
The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves
Last Sunday (8th May) the Imam of the Central Mosque in Lisbon preached at the Kirk’s St Andrew’s congregation in the Portuguese capital.
Imam preaches compassion at church service
Reverend Graham McGeoch, Minister of St Andrew’s Church
Plus... Internationally important art works come to Scotland
Press ReleasesPledge for peace in Pakistan following Bin Laden death
Scottish Charity Number SC011353 www.churchofscotland.org.uk
4
Local NewsModerator visits Tiree
page 5page 2page 8
The Church of Scotland Communications Department
May 2011
million has been brought in for the charity.The event is now an Edinburgh institution and one
which provides a unique opportunity for supporters of Christian Aid and book-lovers alike.
In this way a Scottish city centre church has become a focal point for churches in action with the world’s poor.
Christian Aid gives relief to the poor of the world, wherever there is suffering, disaster or famine, and helps to rebuild shattered lives.
This sale is one of the biggest charity book sales in the world and for many years it has been the largest single fundraising event in Christian Aid Week.
Ms. Lochhead, Scotland’s national poet, is renowned for her award-winning works, such as the Saltire Society Scottish Book of the Year for Medea in 2000.
Alexander McCall Smith, Ian Rankin, John Bellany and Brian McMaster have been some of the previous patrons of the book sale in recent years.
The sale, which raised £106,000 for Christian Aid last year, opens on Saturday 14th May.
It will be open each day, apart from Sunday, until Friday 20th May, with a late night opening on Thursday 19th.
The 2011 advance catalogue of books is available to download from the St Andrew’s and St George’s West website, containing details of some of the antiquarian and Scottish books and pictures that will feature in this year’s sale.
It has been held annually at the church in George Street for the last 37 years and, in that time, nearly £2
PRESS RELEASES
Scotland’s Makar Liz Lochhead is the patron of the 2011 Christian Aid book sale at St Andrew’s and St George’s Church in Edinburgh.
Scotland’s Makar to open Christian Aid booksale
This sale is one of the biggest charity book sales in the world
Plus... Internationally important art works come to Scotland
Press ReleasesPledge for peace in Pakistan following Bin Laden death
Scottish Charity Number SC011353 www.churchofscotland.org.uk
5
Local NewsModerator visits Tiree
page 5page 2page 8
The Church of Scotland Communications Department
May 2011
The free-admission exhibition will take place at New College, University of Edinburgh, on the Mound from May 14 to June 11, 2011.
Based on the renowned Methodist Art Collection, it features works by 20th century greats Graham Sutherland, Georges Rouault, Craigie Aitchison, Elisabeth Frink, Peter Howson, Patrick Heron and Eric Gill.
These pictures will hang alongside works by contemporary Scottish and Scottish-based artists John Bellany, John Byrne, Ken Currie, Paul Martin, Robert Powell and Adrian Wiszniewski.
The exhibition ‘Shadows of the Divine’ also sets these original works alongside a display of one of Scotland’s rare first editions of the 1611 King James Version of the Bible, combining historic words and artistic images in this 400th anniversary year of its publication.
Through this new translation, King James VI of Scotland and I of England sought to bring together conflicting religious groups. The exhibition explores how pictorial and literary creations can represent and even contribute to the search for peace.
Monique Sliedrecht, curator of the exhibition, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity to view some of our most inspired and inspirational artworks.
“The chance to see pieces responding to what has been dubbed ‘the greatest story ever told’ alongside a rare first edition of the King James Version of the Bible, which has done so much to affect the nature of our society, is too good to miss.
“Lovers of great art as well as church people will learn much and will, I am certain, go away from the exhibition hugely stimulated by what they will see.”
PRESS RELEASES
A selection of outstanding works of religious art and one of the most significant collections of modern religious art in the world is coming to Scotland.
Internationally important art works come to Scotland in anniversary year
Plus... Internationally important art works come to Scotland
Press ReleasesPledge for peace in Pakistan following Bin Laden death
Scottish Charity Number SC011353 www.churchofscotland.org.uk
6
Local NewsModerator visits Tiree
page 5page 2page 8
The Church of Scotland Communications Department
May 2011
On Saturday 4th June both newcomers and church music leaders are invited to the unique event which explores the possibilities for introducing ringing instruments into their church, or to develop churches which already have handbells, handchimes or belleplates.
There will be two guest presenters from the USA and a wide range of sessions on offer.
The programme will also include a concert of music for the combined forces of handbells and organ, featuring Dunblane Cathedral’s magnificent Flentrop organ.
One of the organisers, Malcolm C Wilson, has directed the Dunblane Cathedral Handbell Ringers for 24 years, having been a founder ringer in the group 34 years ago.
More information about the seminar, including travel and accommodation details, can be found at www.ringinpraise.org.uk or by emailing [email protected]
Equipment and tutorials will be provided on the day, and individuals and groups are equally welcome.
PRESS RELEASES
Dunblane Cathedral is set to host the 23rd national ring praise seminar for church musicians next month.
Plus... Internationally important art works come to Scotland
Press ReleasesPledge for peace in Pakistan following Bin Laden death
Scottish Charity Number SC011353 www.churchofscotland.org.uk
7
Local NewsModerator visits Tiree
page 5page 2page 8
The Church of Scotland Communications Department
May 2011
held at the Informatics Forum, University of Edinburgh.Since it was established in 1970 the SRT Project has
added a great deal to the life of the Church and its capacity to comment on difficult issues in society.
Its aim is to help the Church in being faithful to Jesus’ call to his followers to be the “salt and light” in the world, including areas of science and technology. In its 40-year history the project has engaged in a wide range of issues from nanotechnology to synthetic life.
Dr David Pullinger, the Head of Digital Policy at the Central Office of Information, and former Director of the Church of Scotland’s Society, Religion and Technology (SRT) Project, recently spoke about the impact the web has had in everyday life at the Edinburgh International Science Festival in April.
Dr Pullinger has been associated with work on online information systems from 1979. He saw the introduction of the internet with the first online electronic journals, and helped establish standards for their display while working in commercial publishing companies.
He is currently Head of Digital Policy for the Central Office of Information where he sets the strategy and standards for how government uses digital media.
The talk called, “The Internet: In Whose Image?”, was sponsored by the Church of Scotland’s SRT Project and
PRESS RELEASES
The Internet is now an integral part of our lives as we shop, find partners and share news through it. More and more, governments, broadcasters and advertisers are using it as a way of communicating with the masses.
Prominent web expert at science talk
Since it was established in 1970 the SRT Project has added a great deal to the life of the Church and its capacity to comment on difficult issues in society. Dr David Pullinger, Head of Digital Policy at the Central Office of Information
Plus... Internationally important art works come to Scotland
Press ReleasesPledge for peace in Pakistan following Bin Laden death
Scottish Charity Number SC011353 www.churchofscotland.org.uk
8
Local NewsModerator visits Tiree
page 5page 2page 8
The Church of Scotland Communications Department
May 2011
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland recently returned from a visit to the island of Tiree.
On a glorious Sunday morning Heylipol Church was filled with residents and visitors from all denominations.
Tiree’s interim moderator Donald Mackinnon introduced Right Reverend John Christie, and the Moderator’s chaplain Reverend Alastair Cherry gave a very uplifting service.
During the service the Moderator also presented local elder Donald MacIntyre with a long-service certificate 55 years.
It was Mr MacIntyre who proposed Mr Christie to be an elder in Tiree Parish Church when he lived on
the island as a school teacher, before later entering the ministry.
During the Moderator’s address to the children, he included the memory of the clock and Tiree marble stand, both previous presents from locals.
Other activities during the visit included a ceilidh and a visit to the local care home, Tigh an Rudha, where the residents enjoyed talking to the Moderator and his wife, Annette.
Mr Christie completed the visit by leading the school assembly where he had previously been a teacher.
Local elder Jennie Niven said: “During this wonderful weekend John touched many hearts on Tiree with so many lovely memories, compassion and understanding.”
LOCAL NEWS
Moderator visits TireeThe Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland recently returned from a visit to the island of Tiree.
Plus... Internationally important art works come to Scotland
Press ReleasesPledge for peace in Pakistan following Bin Laden death
Scottish Charity Number SC011353 www.churchofscotland.org.uk
9
Local NewsModerator visits Tiree
page 5page 2page 8
The Church of Scotland Communications Department
May 2011
That was the verdict of three very satisfied customers who attended the Presbytery’s special conference in Callander Kirk Halls at the end of March.
Over 120 Presbyters and members of most Church of Scotland congregations from Killin to Dollar shared in a packed programme of talks, discussion and the opportunity to network and to browse the many stalls and exhibitions of church and related enterprises on display.
Presenting his vision of the local church in the 21st century, keynote speaker Very Reverend Dr David Lunan drew on his 40-year experience of ministry in different parishes and finally as Clerk to the Presbytery of Glasgow. He illustrated the huge inheritance of the Church as it sought to pass on its message to present and future generations.
PRESS RELEASES
“One of the most exciting events held by the Presbytery of Stirling for years!”
Church alive! Stirling Presbytery conference
Another way of being the church and meeting a considerable community need was described by Reverend Liz Clelland of Alloa’s Ludgate Church.
Recognising the plight of the homeless and unemployed in the area, her congregation had started “The Soup Pot”, to offer food and a warm welcoming place to which those in need could go during the day instead of being on the streets.
Over the years volunteers had also developed a clothing and toiletries service, a food bank, a listening service and a programme to assist those being granted tenancies and setting up home for a first time on their own.
The Reverend Alex Mitchell of St. Blane’s Dunblane, current Convener of the Presbytery’s Business Committee, introduced the final session of the day. This allowed the audience to share, in small groups, their
vision of the future in the Stirling Presbytery area.Referring to the national Report “20:20 Vision”, explaining
some of the reasons why ministering to the people of Scotland will need to be done differently in future, Mr Mitchell invited local congregations to take a fresh look at themselves and their communities with the aim of offering sustainable, viable local ministries for the 21st century.
Commenting on the event, Mr. Mitchell said : “The whole day exceeded our expectations. At a time when the church appears to be struggling over many issues, the enthusiasm of the participants and the excellent input from our speakers showed that in fact the church is very much alive.
“My hope is that some of the energy of the day will carry the Presbytery forward into new expressions of work and service to our parishes and communities throughout Stirlingshire.”
Plus... Internationally important art works come to Scotland
Press ReleasesPledge for peace in Pakistan following Bin Laden death
Scottish Charity Number SC011353 www.churchofscotland.org.uk
10
Local NewsModerator visits Tiree
page 5page 2page 8
The Church of Scotland Communications Department
May 2011
With the election over the focus will rightly shift to the development of a programme by a new government.
The interests of the poorest and most vulnerable in society must be at the forefront of decisions made by MSPs at Holyrood over the next four years, a prominent Church of Scotland figure said today.
Reverend Ian Galloway, Convener of the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland, paid tribute to the winners and losers of the Scottish elections as the shape of the new Parliament becomes clearer but reminded those taking their seats at Holyrood of the importance of the task before them.
Mr Galloway said: “We wish well all who are preparing
to take up the challenges that face our MSPs in the months and years ahead, and thank those who will not return for a new term.
“But it is crucial that the interests of those in our society who are the poorest and most vulnerable are given real priority as choices are made about how best to use our scarce resources.
“Parliament has an opportunity to show that deeply held principles of social justice are a mark of the character of the Scottish people in facing the difficult times we are in. While an election rightly has winners and losers, we remain together in the need to build a Scotland everyone can be proud of.”
With the election over the focus will rightly shift to the development of a programme by a new government.
MSPs reminded of the importance of the task before them by church convener
Reverend Ian Galloway, Convener of the Church and Society Council
