Lent: give or give up?
A preacher at our church recently pointed out that the 10 Commandments give Christians a bad press.
For years, those who do not attend worship have heard only “DON’T”. A much clearer message is given in the Beatitudes: blessed are you if you DO! Blessed just the way you are. A way to live your life and all the blessings for those who mourn, who are hungry, who show mercy to others, are pure in heart, even pray for those who persecute them, the peace-makers and many more blessings. You can study them yourself in Matthew Chapter 5.
For years I believed I should give something up for Lent, because of the suffering of Jesus for 40 days and nights. But I cannot pretend that giving up chocolate was really suffering. Yes, it was hard, but I always knew I could make up for it at Easter.
However, a few years ago. I started to follow 40 Acts (which is the 40 day Lent generosity challenge from Stewardship). This gives you actions to do every day during Lent. Kindnesses like putting wee pots of flowers on doorsteps with no note, so you got no thanks or recognition. Reading parts of the Bible I wouldn’t normally choose. Maybe I was asked to pray for folk I didn’t normally pray for and perhaps didn’t really like. One day, I was asked to give out chocolate randomly to folk I passed in the street. As I was in Edinburgh for a meeting, I gave it to those homeless people around the train station and Princes Street. A simple “God Bless you” was met by a smile; very rewarding, though a very small gesture in their circumstances.
However you choose to mark Lent, we always enjoy saying “Hallelujah He is risen!” on Easter morning.
I love the Townend and Getty hymn 'See what a morning'.
Verse 3 ends with:
“And we are raised with Him
Death is dead, love has won
Christ has conquered
And we shall reign with Him
For He lives
Christ is risen from the dead.”
God bless you,
Helen Banks
National Vice Convener
National Conference Update
We were delighted that over 80 people, representing Guilds the length and breadth of Scotland, were able to join us for our National Visioning Conference. The event was facilitated by Ishbel Smith and used the story of Israelites as its basis.
The day was full of energy, ideas and enthusiasm. There was also an opportunity for a Q&A with Karen which raised lots of important issues.
From here, the plan is to put together a workshop that will be used by Guilds over the summer and autumn and then bring representatives together in regional areas to reach some consensus as to how we best enable the Guild to thrive in the years ahead. We hope that you will engage with us over the coming months. From wee seeds grow big trees, and that has been true in the past and will be true in the future.
Christmas lunch at last
Due to Covid restrictions, Ruthrieston West Church Aberdeen Guild had to cancel their planned Christmas lunch. As the restrictions were lifted they enjoyed a lovely lunch at the Gordon Highlanders' Museum Restaurant in Aberdeen, where they were made very welcome. Great to see everyone looking so happy.
Say hello to some new members
It is so encouraging to hear about Guilds welcoming new members. Two of our new members at Duntocher Trinity are Margo and Margaret who are spotted enjoying the Guild Afternoon Tea after their AGM.
Why not take a photo of new members who have joined you this year and email them to us using the link below so we can welcome them to our Guild family?
Send us your photographs email: guild@churchofscotland.org.uk
Chicks by the dozen in Freuchie
The members of the Guild spent the winter knitting and produced about 100 charming Easter chicks all with a chocolate egg inside. These chicks will be displayed in local businesses all over Freuchie and will be available to purchase for a donation. All money raised will be donated to the Guild projects which help people all over Scotland and beyond.
Past Guild Convener Margaret Hill and her husband Everett are helping to get the chicks to their new homes.
Coffee, cake and a chat at Forfar
Forfar East & Old Parish Guild were delighted to finally be able to hold their annual coffee morning recently. There were the usual stalls and £354 was raised. Thanks to everyone who made it a success, it's good to be getting almost back to normal!
Easter offer
We have teamed up with Life and Work magazine again this month and they have a great offer available. Subscribe to Life and Work and stay connected with the Christian community in Scotland and further afield. You will also be supporting the vital and vibrant work of the Church of Scotland.
Print: 12 issues for the price of 10. Offer price: £30. Use the promotion code EAST22 to receive a £6 discount. UK delivery address and new subscribers only.
Digital: 12 issues for £14.99 (normally £20.99). No code is required, simply select the introductory offer option.
Stamp appeal 2022-23
This year's stamp appeal, run by the Faith Impact Forum, will go to support the work of the church in Lebanon.
In Lebanon, and in response to the financial collapse in the country, the pastors in Syria and Lebanon initiated a scheme in 2021 where they gave half of their salary to establish a relief programme as an expression of support to the neediest families around their congregations.
The National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon employs more than 1,000 people including their pastors. The economic crisis in the country and the consequences of the huge explosion in Beirut have struck hard and the Synod is struggling to pay salaries for pastors which range between £100 to £150 per month. Some pastors have left their vocation to take other jobs as they are unable to provide for their families. Others are really struggling to make ends meet. Pastors are key people supporting the spiritual and institutional life and ministry of the Synod and deserve to be supported.
The Stamp Appeal is a really easy way of raising money for a good cause. For more information visit the Church of Scotland website.
Download a Stamp Appeal poster
A four-legged visitor!
Cupar Old Guild had a fabulous meeting recently with Margaret, a speaker from Guide Dogs for the Blind. She brought along Chris and his guide dog Ian. Here is Ian, a golden retriever, proving that once he is off his harness and not working he is like any other dog and looking for any titbits.
Support for Ukraine
The Guild in St. Mungo's Parish Church, Alloa, was asked by the congregation to use sunflowers they had made to decorate the church in tribute to the people of Ukraine and serve as a symbol of our prayer for peace in this tragic situation. There is still the opportunity to donate to the Church of Scotland's Ukraine appeal. Follow the button below to find out how.
See what a morning
We hope that you are uplifted and inspired by listening to this hymn from Kristyn Getty. We hope it helps you focus on the journey to the resurrection of Jesus and the hope it gives us as Christians.
Pray this month
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It seems like only yesterday that we were setting out on our journey, One Journey, Many Roads, and what a journey it was, in so many ways, on so many different paths for each of us. Yet here we are at the beginning of our new three-year strategy, Look Forward in Faith.
Looking forward in faith is something which comes naturally to us as Guild members and Christians.
Our new three-year strategy begins in 2021 and we look forward to starting our session stronger than ever and with confidence and trust in the one who brings us safely through all our difficult times.
The words of the well-known chorus sum up how we go forward, placing our trust in the one who guides us and protects us, Whose we are, and Whom we serve.
I know who holds the future, and he’ll guide me with his hand;
with God things don’t just happen, everything by him is planned.
So as I face the future with its problems large and small,
I’ll trust the God of miracles, give to him my all.
From 2021 – 2024 our Strategy will be Look Forward in Faith.
As Christians we are called to walk in the light and to be a light for others. Our light shines from the inside out when we live following the example of Jesus. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, light is used as a positive symbol. In the psalms we have the verse which, for me, describes our way forward as children of God,
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (Ps 119:105) (NIV) Our theme comes from the instruction that Jesus gave, after the Sermon on the Mount, that we should let our light shine and not hide it. It is found in Matthew’s gospel:
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. (Matt 5: 15) (NIV)
Do people look at us and see our light shining?
Do we let our light shine or do we stay hidden in the background?
Do we use our God given talents?
We all have them. Some skills we have had for years. Some we have learned in later life. Perhaps, some we have learned quite recently. Did you think you would have developed the skills to communicate with family and friends online? Some of our skills are learned out of necessity, and some we have perfected over time because we have a particular interest. Whatever skills we have, we have them thanks to God’s good Grace, and He wants us to use them.
... let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matt 5:16) (NIV)
I hope you will find the material in the theme guide useful in planning your Guild meetings in the coming session, and don’t hide it away in a cupboard.
Use it; share it; let it shine.
Helen Eckford
National Vice Convener with responsibility for resources
AIM AND PURPOSE
The Guild at Fetteresso is a movement within the Church of Scotland nationally which invites and encourages both women and men to commit their lives to Jesus Christ and enables them to express their faith in worship, prayer and action.
Our Guild has a leadership team who coordinate the various aspects of the Guild.
Every three years a strategy with three annual themes is decided by the Guild. The Guild also decides on a discussion topic every year. See below for the current theme, topic and strategy.
Annual themes were introduced to encourage Guilds to plan their programmes more effectively. These resources were introduced in the 1950s to give a focus for Guilds but are sufficiently broad to allow for imaginative planning.
Topics offer a chance to explore a particular issue of current concern, possibly leading to some local action.