The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 16 - June 2009 Visit www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk Page 1 of 12 THE VIEW FROM GOD’S LITTLE AC THE VIEW FROM GOD’S LITTLE AC THE VIEW FROM GOD’S LITTLE AC THE VIEW FROM GOD’S LITTLE ACRE RE RE RE Dear Pilgrims, Dear Tourists, I have just read a book ! That is dangerous at the best of times, for all too often reading a book makes me an expert on any given subject. However, this book has made an enormous impact upon me and I commend it to you if you are looking for a mind blowing read and a book that will call into question in a gentle, but unsettling way, many of your more cherished beliefs. It certainly did mine. The book is entitled "The Shack" by William Paul Young and in parenthesis it is subtitled ( where tragedy confronts eternity ). The bare bones of the story is this: Mackenzie Allen Philip's youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation, and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his great sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment, he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever. In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant to many, The Shack wrestles with the timeless question "Where is God in a world filled with so much unspeakable pain?" The answer Mack gets will astound you, and perhaps it will transform you as much as it did Mack. The approach is a bit different, but fascinating: God is called Papa and is a black woman; Jesus is a Middle Eastern labourer; the Holy Spirit is an Asian feminine fairy-like being. One quote from The Shack will give you a flavour: "I suppose that since most of our hurts come through relationships, so will our healing, and I know that grace rarely makes sense for those looking in from the outside." Wide ranging discussions about freedom, pain, forgiveness, the Trinity, living within the boundaries, etc. form the major portion of this tantalising volume. It has traces of sad and real experiences, and also the wild soaring of creativity and imagination, as Mack threads his way through so many questions in his quest for the reality of God,. If you are looking for a good read that stretches the imagination, feeds the soul, asks the hard questions and sometimes seeks to provide the answers then The Shack is for you. Happy exploring! Yours, Wil Wil Wil Willis lis lis lis Kiltarlity and Kirkhill Churches Kiltarlity and Kirkhill Churches Kiltarlity and Kirkhill Churches Kiltarlity and Kirkhill Churches
Transcript
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 16 - June 2009
Visit www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk Page 1 of 12
THE VIEW FROM GOD’S LITTLE ACTHE VIEW FROM GOD’S LITTLE ACTHE VIEW FROM GOD’S LITTLE ACTHE VIEW FROM GOD’S LITTLE ACRERERERE
Dear Pilgrims, Dear Tourists, I have just read a book ! That is dangerous at the best of times, for all too often reading a book makes me an expert on any given subject. However, this book has made an enormous impact upon me and I commend it to you if you are looking for a mind blowing read and a book that will call into question in a gentle, but unsettling way, many of your more cherished beliefs. It certainly did mine. The book is entitled "The Shack" by William Paul Young and in parenthesis it is subtitled ( where tragedy confronts eternity ). The bare bones of the story is this: Mackenzie Allen Philip's youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation, and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his great sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment, he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever. In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant to many, The Shack wrestles with the timeless question "Where is God in a world filled with so much unspeakable pain?" The answer Mack gets will astound you, and perhaps it will transform you as much as it did Mack. The approach is a bit different, but fascinating: God is called Papa and is a black woman; Jesus is a Middle Eastern labourer; the Holy Spirit is an Asian feminine fairy-like being. One quote from The Shack will give you a flavour: "I suppose that since most of our hurts come through relationships, so will our healing, and I know that grace rarely makes sense for those looking in from the outside." Wide ranging discussions about freedom, pain, forgiveness, the Trinity, living within the boundaries, etc. form the major portion of this tantalising volume. It has traces of sad and real experiences, and also the wild soaring of creativity and imagination, as Mack threads his way through so many questions in his quest for the reality of God,. If you are looking for a good read that stretches the imagination, feeds the soul, asks the hard questions and sometimes seeks to provide the answers then The Shack is for you. Happy exploring! Yours,
WilWilWilWillislislislis
Kiltarlity and Kirkhill Churches Kiltarlity and Kirkhill Churches Kiltarlity and Kirkhill Churches Kiltarlity and Kirkhill Churches
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 16 - June 2009
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Thank you for coming to our Big Cup of Tea on Sunday, 10 May 2009. Your generous gifts
amounted to £135. So, together with the money Kirkhill Sunday School have been
collecting, a cheque for £180 has been sent to Send a Cow
HIGHLAND FESTIVAL COMES TO INVERNESS
The American evangelist Luis Palau is coming to conduct a series of meetings in our area between the 17 – 20 June 2009. Events will be conducted in the Eden Court theatre and Bught Park. There will be
activities for children and events of interests to all ages.
The Festival is a contemporary family celebration for the Highlands. It is an outreach of faith, fun and
hope that will have a lasting spiritual impact on many lives. This two day festival will attract the
community through top Christian music artists, an interactive children’s’ activity area and a powerful
message of hope and Good News presented by international evangelist Luis Palau. More information can
be obtained from the table in the entry to the churches.
Tomnacross Tomnacross Tomnacross Tomnacross Church Club (Church Club (Church Club (Church Club ( TTTTCCCCCCCC )))) In aid of fundsIn aid of fundsIn aid of fundsIn aid of funds
We will be hosting tea, coffee etc. on the last Sunday of each month commencing Sunday 28 June at 1:00 p.m. ( after Sunday service ).
Love to see you there !
Kirkhill Church joins in expressing its condolences to Shona on the death of her father, Iain MacDonald. The funeral for Iain was conducted within the Free Presbyterian Church of Balblair on Friday, 1 May 2009. We remember the family in our prayers.
Friends and neighbours of John Munro, and they are legion, crowded their way into the Kiltarlity Church on Wednesday, 13 May 2009. John was a well known and well loved member of the Kiltarlity community and died after a long battle with cancer. John will be sorely missed.
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 16 - June 2009
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Compiled by James MacKenzie, Phoineas
See page 11 for answers
1 2 3 4 5 6
7
8 9
10 11 12 13 14
15
16
17 18 19
20 21 22
23
24 25
26 27
28 29
30
Across Down
1. Religious high point. 2. Greeted. 8. Mount of ******, where Jesus preached. 3. Sea of the Mediterranean. 9. Where Joshua did some damage! 4. Holy week day. 10. Beware of these in March. 5. Priest of old. 12. Holy isle of Scotland. 6. Remarkable point in time. 13. An old way of saying “have”. 7. David’s opponent. 15. Collected information. 11. Helpful people from Samaria. 16. Ancient tribal leader. 14. White faced? 17. Our species. 18. To employ. 20. Came back. 19. Alternatively. 23. To portray. 21. Woman at the well. 25. Lots of land. 22. Run away over wasteland. 26. Talkative. 23. He hit one in the eye for Israel. 28. Dreary. 24. Changed names on the road to 29. Eastern ruler.. Damascus. 30. To extinguish. 27. Woodland nymph.
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 16 - June 2009
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� The congregants of both Kirkhill and Kiltarlity Churches continue to pray for Peter Gloag, son of Anne Gloag, who was critically injured in a car crash in Kenya. He is in intensive care with a broken neck and other serious injuries.
Anne and David have been so wonderful in their loyalty and support that our hearts break at the suffering they are undergoing. They are never far from our thoughts.
☺ On Wednesday evening, 20 May, an enormous number of friends and relatives gathered
in the Old North Inn to celebrate the birthday of Nancy Patterson. Nancy was 90 years
young on her birthday. In lieu of gifts, she asked that people make a contribution
toward Kirkhill Church, and they most certainly did, for £600 was presented to the Kirk
Treasurer on Sunday 24 May. Thank you so much, Nancy, for your generosity and may
you have many more birthdays with health and happiness.
☺ Congratulations to Natalie Priestly and Sam Hall upon the occasion of their wedding
in Kirkhill Church on Saturday, 20 June, at 1:30 p.m.
☺ Willis Jones will conduct a series of three classes for sitting elders and those
considering ordination to the office of the eldership:
Sunday 14 June 8:00 p.m. at Kirkhill Church. Theme: The Archaeology of the Office.
Sunday 21 June 8:00 p.m. at Kiltarlity Church. Theme: Eldership in the Church of Scotland
Sunday 28 June 8:00 p.m. at Kirkhill Church. Theme: The Eldership in Kirkhill and Kiltarlity
☺ There will be a family service in the Kiltarlity Church on Sunday, 28 June at 12 noon.
☺ The Kirk Session granted approval for the Baptism of Eve Lily Jesse
MacNamara, daughter of Elizabeth and Kenneth MacNamara, and granddaughter of Sheila Moir, for Pentecost Sunday, 31 May at Kiltarlity Church.
☺ The Kirk Session also granted approval for the Baptism of Erin and Lewis, sons of
Amanda and Ian Campbell on Sunday 7 June at Kirkhill Church.
☺ Which two gentlemen from the Kirkhill congregation were so keen to meet Willis’s
request to wear something red for Pentecost Sunday that they dressed in their red
outfits on the Sunday before ? One realised in time before leaving home, the other
was resplendent in red shirt for morning service. Answers on a postcard to Willis (
Duncan and Ian cannot enter this contest ). Way to go, gentlemen – full marks for
effort !
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 16 - June 2009
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On Pentecost Sunday, 31 May, the following persons became members of the Church:
Kirkhill Parish Church:
Ian Deering: Transfer from Carrick Knowe Parish Church, Edinburgh.
Flora Morrison: Transfer from Gairloch and Dundonnell Parish Church.
Neil and Emily Wilson: Transfer from Old Cumnock Parish Church, Cumnock.
Richard and Elizabeth Piesse: By resolution of the Kirk Session. Richard from the Anglican
Church of Australia and Elizabeth from the Presbyterian
Church of Australia.
Suzie Dobson: By resolution of the Kirk Session. Suzie was formerly a
member of the Baptist Church.
Irene MacKenzie: By Confession of Faith.
Elma Rorison: By Confession of Faith
Robert and Lilias Wilson By Confession of Faith
Kiltarlity Parish Church
Nicky Guthrie: By Resolution of the Kirk Session. Nicky comes to us from the
Church of England
Neil and Louise Watson: By Confession of Faith; Louise will receive the Sacrament of
Holy Baptism.
Ali and Ruth Mackenzie: By Confession of Faith.
Sheila Moir: By Resolution of the Kirk Session.
1 June Isaiah 61,62 Hebrews 12 16 June Jeremiah 25,26 John 10
2 June Isaiah 63,64 Hebrews 13 17 June Jeremiah 27,28 John 11
3 June Isaiah 65,66 John 1 18 June Jeremiah 29 – 31 Psalm 119: 1 – 24
4 June Jeremiah 1,2 Psalms 112,113 19 June Jeremiah 32,33 John 12
5 June Jeremiah 3,4 John 2 20 June Jeremiah 34,35 John 13
6 June Jeremiah 5,6 John 3 21 June Jeremiah 36,37 Psalm 119: 25 – 48
7 June Jeremiah 7,8 Psalms 114,115 22 June Jeremiah 38,39 John 14
8 June Jeremiah 9,10 John 4 23 June Jeremiah 40,41 John 15
9 June Jeremiah 11,12 John 5 24 June Jeremiah 42,43 John 16
10 June Jeremiah 13,14 John 6 25 June Jeremiah 44 – 46 Psalm 119: 49 – 72
11 June Jeremiah 15,16 Psalm 116 26 June Jeremiah 47,48 John 17
12 June Jeremiah 17,18 John 7 27 June Jeremiah 49.50 John 18
13 June Jeremiah 19,20 John 8 28 June Jeremiah 51,52 Psalm 119: 73 – 96
14 June Jeremiah 21,22 Psalms 117,118 29 June Lamentations 1,2 John 19
15 June Jeremiah 23,24 John 9 30 June Lamentations 3 - 5 John 20
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 16 - June 2009
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The young families group of Kirkhill Church will meet at the Manse on Saturday, 6 June 2009
at 2:30 p.m., to chart the way forward on several projects.
1. Lemonade on the Lawn after worship in Kirkhill Church will begin immediately. In event of
inclement weather, lemonade, coffee / tea and biscuits will be served in the Church.
2. On the last Sunday of June ( 28th
), July ( 26th
) and August ( 30th
), we will gather at the
Village Hall for breakfast, Bible study, singing, recreation and crafts at 9:00 a.m. We will be
out in time to attend church. This is an intergenerational happening for young and old alike.
The first of these events will have Noah's Ark as its theme and everyone who cares to do so is
invited to bring their pet to the hall for a service of BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS on 28 June at
9:00 a.m.
3. In September, we will launch four "house churches" of from 6-8 persons in each. It will
provide an opportunity for our members to get to know each other better, to study together,
pray and play together. More information to follow in next month’s Parishioner.
All of these ideas have been presented to the Kirk Session and they have given their
The inaugural holiday club will take place at Beaufort Castle and will have a cowboy and
cowgirl theme. Suitable for children in Primary 1 to 7 All children welcome
More details will be available during June 2009
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 16 - June 2009
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Revival of Beauly Gala
Beauly Gala is making a return this summer after an absence of several years.
The four-day event will take place from 16 to 19 July 2009 and will feature attractions such as a pipe band display, a tea dance, a shinty competition and
stalls. There will also be the crowning of a Gala Queen and her attendants.
Older member of the congregants will recall galas being held in the 1950s when a float parade was an integral part of the event. After an absence of several
years, it was revived in the 1970s although in recent years it has been missing from the village’s summer calendar.
Members of the gala committee are now in the process of organising the
programme for July and are also planning fund-raising events ahead of the gala to help with running costs. A baking stall on 2 May in The Square has already
raised an amazing £214.55 towards these costs. Extract from the Beauly News – Spring Issue
The Church of Scotland’s Annual Supreme Court meeting
The 2009 General Assembly opened on Thursday 21 May 2009 and closed on Wednesday 27
May 2009. The General Assembly, which meets each year in Edinburgh, has the authority to
make laws determining how the Church of Scotland operates. It also is the highest court of
the Church ( the other courts being the kirk session and the presbytery ) in which cases can be heard in matters of litigation.
The Moderator and the Lord High Commissioner
The Rev William Hewitt has been appointed as Moderator of the General Assembly for 2009.
The role of Moderator of the General Assembly is an honorary one, held for 12 months.
Meetings of the General Assembly are chaired by the Moderator, who leads worship, rules on points of order and signs documents on behalf of the Assembly.
After the Assembly, the Moderator generally travels as a Church representative in Scotland,
other parts of the UK and overseas in an ambassadorial capacity. During his Moderatorial
year, Mr Hewitt should be addressed as 'The Right Reverend'. After his Moderatorial term is over, he should be addressed as 'The Very Reverend'.
Every Moderator carries out a series of visits to several Church of Scotland presbyteries as well as undertaking a number of international tours.
The Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2009 is The
Right Honourable George Reid.
Further details of the 2009 General Assembly can be obtained by visiting
Visit www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk Page 8 of 12
PAT'S CORNER Dear May Blossoms, I hope you have enjoyed the merry, merry month of May as much as I have. The weather has been lovely. The lilacs are in bloom. The birds are "twitterpated". In addition to all of that, I have enjoyed National Poetry Month. The focus on the telly has been poetry, and I have been inspired to "dance with the daffodils." Being so exhilarated, I decided to wax lyrical writing a poem myself and dedicating it to you all. As our great Scottish bard Robert Burns wrote, "The best laid plans gang aft agley." When I was writing this column, Willis was away doing something like " Four weddings and a funeral” (or two) .I was deputised to take the messages to give to the minister at the end of the day. I am accustomed to this, but this day had been wall to wall telephone calls and everyone who ‘phoned was either a Mc or a Mac and clearly I had to concentrate. The idea of writing a poem flew out the window and wafted on the breeze. Instead of a poem, you will get my list of "Big Mac" messages: 1. Mr.McFruitful's wife just had a baby. 2. Mr. McKay’s in Raigmore with the ‘flu, But Mrs. McKay understands that maybe He'll be right as rain in a day or two. 3. Mrs. McReeky says her roof is leaky. She won't be at church because she has caught a cold. 4. Mrs. McFrail she's feeling creaky, But that could be because she's growing old. 5. Mr. McFarmer brought along some onions ( I'll throw in some meat and we'll have a lovely stew ) 6. Mr. McPheat is laid up with his bunions But he'll be back up on his feet when he sees you! 7. Mrs McAngus is feeling great elation, Her cow had a calf who really is a star ! She wanted you to tell the Kiltarlity congregation She'll be back to church when the cow is up to par. 8. Mrs.McSpinster's sister has a mister; She'll come by the manse to show her lovely ring The girl fell for him the moment he kissed her; When she weds she wants the Celestial Choir to sing. 9. Mr. McShepherd is searching for his sheep herd;
99 sheep are missing I am told He wanted to be sure you got the right word One is still safe in the shelter of the fold. 10, Mrs. McGage Says she has lost the last page of St.John's book of Revelation Please tell her my dear friend How does the story end ? Before she goes away on vacation. After the tenth message I decided to take a break, when the door bell rang. At the door was a real poet and a good friend. To celebrate National Poetry Month, nothing could be better than to receive a poem from a true poet. My messages may have a little bit of rhythm and rhyme, but they are only verse. True poetry is the kind written by Nicky Guthrie. It makes me think, feel, be aware, reflect on my own inadequacies, and identify the poet's message. Most of all, it made me grieve and hope for a better world at the same time. True poetry is incarnational ! It reminds us that God is with us in the flesh and in the Spirit. I am sure that none of you will fail to be moved by "Ten O'clock News". The starving woman looks but is elsewhere, Her quiet baby peaceful in her arms. Serene. No pleading eyes, no upturned palms, Her life beyond the pain that she can bear. Her struggle's past, she does not look to find Her errant husband, son; she saw them leave Their torn and tattered bodies, does not grieve. She's handsome and does not seem to mind. Turn down the sound and fetch a glass of red, A comfort snack before you go to bed. Get cosy on the sofa with your man. Your bodies pressed together while you plan To put the world to rights, complacent, wise, While in another world, her baby dies. In the beginning was the Word and it became flesh and dwelt among us. Bless,
PatPatPatPat
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 16 - June 2009
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THE KIRKHILL MAKEOVER DAY
The Make Over Day at Kirkhill on Saturday 2 May attracted 22 brave volunteers who battled
with ancient ivy that had colonised the churchyard wall, overgrown bushes, dead branches
on trees, bramble patches, pathways in need of edging and weeding – and more! The old
church and manse signs were taken down, soon to be replaced.
The Ivy League working on the front wall got a telling off from the Master of Works for too
much hilarity. Catering of the first degree was provided by Avril Marr at morning break and
lunchtime, and by Pat and Willis Jones at their convivial barbeque at the end of the day.
Many thanks to everyone who helped. Simon Fraser says it was all so much fun that we’ll
have to do it again sometime soon!
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 16 - June 2009
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This is the fifth part of a series of articles sourced from the BBC on the Church of Scotland that will,
and have, appeared in The Parishioner over the coming months.
Beliefs
The Church of Scotland is one of the Reformation churches. It believes that this means
that it must continue to reform as new insights are gained about the church and how it can
meet the needs of the times.
The main beliefs of the Church of Scotland are found within the Bible, in the New and Old
Testaments together.
Like all mainstream churches, it accepts the doctrine of the Holy Trinity; that God is
experienced as Father, Son (in Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit.
It sees Jesus Christ as the only head of the church and teaches that the church is his "body".
The Church of Scotland believes that God demonstrated his love for humanity through his
son Jesus Christ and offers to reconcile people to each other and to God.
The Church believes God wants the world to be a just place where people show concern for others and treat each other with equality and respect.
The Church believes God exists alongside people in a spiritual form. The Holy Spirit
provides strength, security and peace, yet also challenges pride, hostility, dishonesty and other faults.
The Church believes that the Holy Spirit is present in today's world, challenging human
pride and aggression which cause conflict, and offering strength, security and peace to
those who become followers of Jesus Christ.
Holy Books
The Bible has a central place in the life and worship of the Church. It is usually read and
preached from at services.
The Church of Scotland does not have a prayer book which has to be followed but does have
a book of resources and models for worship.
The singing of hymns is an important feature of services and most members possess their
own hymn book.
Customs and practices
As a 'national' church, the Church of Scotland sees its duty as being to relate to all citizens
and institutions, providing opportunities for learning about the Christian faith, and for
worship and pastoral care for all. As well as service to local communities and other social
programmes it provides a comprehensive structure of institutional care.
The Parishioner Newsletter Issue 16 - June 2009
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Stevie Wonder and Tiger Woods are in a restaurant having dinner. Woods turns to Wonder
and says, "How's the singing career going"?
Stevie Wonder replies, "Not too bad. How's your golf ?”
Tiger replies, "Not too bad, I've had some problems with my swing, but I think I've got that going right now."
Stevie says, "I always find that when my golf swing goes wrong, I need to stop playing for a while and not think about it. Then, the next time I play, it seems to be all right." Tiger says, "You play golf ?”
Stevie says, "Oh, yes, I've been playing for years."
Tiger says, "But you're blind! How can you play golf if you can't see"?
Stevie replies, "I get my caddy to stand in the middle of the fairway and call to me. I listen for the sound of his voice and play the ball toward him. Then, when I get to where the ball lands, the caddy moves to the green or farther down the fairway and again, I play the ball toward his voice" "But how do you putt ?” asks Tiger. "Well," says Stevie, "I get my caddy to lean down in front of the hole and call to me with his head on the ground, and I just play the ball toward his voice." Tiger asks, "What's your handicap ?”
Stevie says, "Well, I'm a scratch golfer." Tiger, incredulous, says, "We've got to play a round sometime." Stevie replies, "Well, people don't take me seriously, so I only play for money, and never play for less than $10,000 a hole."
Woods thinks it over and says, "Okay, I'm all for that. When would you like to play ?”
Stevie says, "Pick any night you want.”
Tomnacross Word – answers
Across 1. Church steeple. 8. Olives. 9. Jericho. 10. Ides. 12. Iona. 13. Hath. 15. Data.
