Breathe on us Holy Spirit
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly, a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
It was good so many of us were able to celebrate Pentecost in church this year again. The familiar reading from Acts Chapter 2, tells how the Spirit gave birth to the church. The disciples were gathered together in one place. Not in a church building... in a place!
The birth of the church did not happen in a church. It happened in a place. The place is not important; it is the sounds and the sights as the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, that matters. Jerusalem was crowded with visitors.
Later, we hear Peter’s powerful speech, to the crowd. The crowd who thought the disciples were either mad or drunk, when they heard them speaking in so many different languages, were told by Peter that the disciples were neither mad nor drunk but were filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter’s first sermon. Peter, the great preacher.
But was this great preacher not the man who a couple of months earlier had melted away in to the shadows having denied Jesus three times. What caused the change?
Well, the Holy Spirit had filled Peter and now he showed the potential which Jesus had always seen in him. The potential which Jesus sees in each of us. We all need to fulfil our potential and do what the Holy Spirit is asking us to do for him. Are we achieving our full potential as individuals, as the church and as the Guild?
On the day of Pentecost, everyone was able to hear about the great things God had done, in their own language. Opinions differ about the phenomenon of speaking in tongues, but what is clear is that the Holy Spirit wanted to be sure that no one was left out. Everyone heard the message and everyone understood in their own language. The message of God’s love was, and is, for everyone.
What can we do to as 21st century disciples to take the message of the Holy Spirit to others. We can, in the words of the prophet, Joel, which Peter uses to speak to the crowd, have dreams and visions. Bold dreams and high hopes of what the Guild can do.
If there is a time to think big as a Guild, surely it is now. As we begin to look forward in faith, to slowly returning to normal, this is our opportunity to return to a Guild which we can make bolder and stronger. A Guild which we can be proud to leave for the future.
We may be feeling a bit apprehensive about how things will be as we exit from the pandemic but let’s be positive and forward looking. Let’s not think about losing members or Guild branches as a result of not being able to meet in person. Let’s think of the positive attitude which has kept the Guild going through the last year.
Charles L Allen, the American Methodist preacher, said, “Sometimes life has a way of putting us on our backs, so that we are forced to look up."
Let’s look up and look forward in faith.
Every blessing
Helen Eckford, National Vice Convener
Guild at the General Assembly
Huge congratulations to National Convener, Mabel Wallace, who presented the Guild report to the General Assembly. The report was well received and we are grateful to Commissioners for their support.
We look forward to working closely with the wider Church to ensure that Guilds are able to get together in the autumn.
New lectern for Channelkirk and Lauder Church Guild
Channelkirk and Lauder Church Guild shared this photo of their beautiful new lectern. The lectern was made possible thanks to a legacy from one of their faithful members, Mary White, who left a generous legacy to the Guild. Part of the legacy was used by Ian Brotherston, husband of Convener, Christine, who crafted this lovely lectern in Mary's name. It was dedicated at the service in Lauder Church on 16 May.
Guild members were invited to view the Lectern at the home of the Convener, over afternoon tea, in August last year. A special memorial for a special lady.
Interview with the Moderator
Life and Work Editor, Lynne McNeil, interviewed the Moderator, Lord Wallace, to find out about his faith and how it led him first to become an elder and now to take on the role of the Church's ambassador for 2021-2022.
We think you will enjoy the article.
Project Big Sing
Whilst nothing can replace the atmosphere of an in-person Big Sing, we will be hosting a Big Sing online on 18 June at 2pm on our Facebook page.
The event will feature contributions from each of our new project partners as well as one of our Church of Scotland Mission Partners, Gary Brough. Gary will share with us information about a project he is running in Malawi to end the practice of early marriage where children, mainly girls under 16, are married.
The offerings from the event will support the work Gary is doing. You can donate online now to support the project using the link below.
In Christ alone
Around the time of General Assembly the breadth of the Church of Scotland is often visible. However, wherever you are in that breadth, the words of this Stuart Townend hymn surely united us... In Christ alone my hope is found.
Monday memories
Our memory this week is from the Big Sing in 2018. One of the best bits of the General Assembly is the Big Sing, as Guild members from across Scotland join with commissioners and international visitors. It is a wonderful celebration of the 'Church universal' that the Guild is very much part of.
Pray this week
'Wonderful' news as Guild project fundraising surpasses £638,000
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.
Strategy 2018 - 2021: One Journey, Many Roads
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.