Guilds are now able to meet, subject to local restrictions, when you can enjoy a cuppa and a biscuit as well as fellowship. With this in mind the
co-ordinators met to discuss how this could be done safely.
We propose to continue to meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month beginning on
14th September but in the AFTERNOON from 2.00pm to 4.00pm
instead of evening meetings. The rationale was that over the past 18 months there may have been significant changes in members' circumstances and dark winter nights are not particularly appealing when it comes to socialising again.
If anyone has any comments or uncertainties regarding this proposed change then please let me know either by phone or email.
Joan Macdonald - 07917 756779 / 01569 760471
joaniemac75@hotmail.com
The power of peace
My wife, Elaine, and I recently returned from our annual trip to Arran.
We spent two happy, sunny weeks on the island and once again were refreshed by its stunning beauty and variety.
Over our time there, we walked around 60 miles across rocky and sandy coastlines, up and down steep and rugged hills, through forests and over streams. We saw beautiful lochans and views as far as Jura. We shared time with friends and had quiet times of reading and relaxing.
It’s good to be able to unwind in a place like that but it is also good to use the time to reflect on the wonder of creation and, without being overdramatic, your own place in that.
One thing that really struck me, though not for the first time, was the power of the peace that pervades vast outdoor spaces.
On a walk up and down Glen Rosa, I stopped and looked around me. The mountains and the corries between them, the sweeping hills and the big sky, the rushing Rosa Burn, buzzards and fish and rabbits...so much history and vitality, yet amongst all that there was this sense of silence and of infinity and eternity.
At times like that, I wonder how atheists can believe that this is all an accident, a random gathering of particles and physical forces. For me it is in places like Glen Rosa that God speaks loudest, as well as in music and words…places where we are alive in our thoughts, but also in all of our senses.
I wonder if the story of Jesus spending 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by the devil says something of the same…was he just considering what was being asked of him, doing that in solitude and coming up with answers? Or was the wilderness key to it all…the sense of the wonder of creation inspiring him and moving him?
We should never underestimate the power of peace and the power of beauty…we are sentient and emotional beings and words are not enough!
Iain Whyte
General Secretary
Daring/caring?
A number of people have been in touch to let us know about a great sermon from Rev Laurence Twaddle, the husband of our former General Secretary, the late Alison Twaddle. It really is a fantastic reaffirmation of the work of the Guild and all that the Guild achieves for God when we dare to care.
Creation care banners
Could your Guild create a patch to be part of two banners that will be hung at the Mound in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh New College is inviting community and faith groups to send a message for tackling the climate crisis to the COP26 conference, scheduled to be held in Glasgow in November.
The banners will be hung on the towers of New College overlooking Princes Street. Each patch will contribute to this one overall artwork that will raise awareness of the climate emergency and be a faith-based statement of support for the COP26 conference.
Designs should be big, bold and striking, reflecting the theme of care for creation, and should use green, natural, found and/or recycled materials. The predominant colour should be green. The words 'Creation Care not Ecocide' will form part of the design on the 22-metre banners.
Life and Work Coronavirus Diaries
In this week's edition of Life and Work's regular feature on living through the coronavirus pandemic, the Rev Isaac Mulongo, Moderator of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Synod of Livingstonia, reports on his experience in Malawi, including financial struggles, food shortages and spiritual growth.
Monday Memories
As we pray for our past national leaders over the next few editions, we hope that you enjoy this picture of some of those who led the Guild, snapped in 2010.
Abide with me
As tuberculosis ravaged his body and the knowledge of his approaching death plagued his mind, 54-year-old Henry Francis Lyte used his personal time of tragedy and trial to pen one of the most beloved hymns of all time.
Reflecting on personal mortality and a relationship with God, the hymn helps us to reflect on the need for God to stay near "as the darkness deepens." Or indeed 'through cloud and sunshine Lord, abide with me'.
There have certainly been times over the past year when all of us could relate to that.
Pray this month
Enews is on our summer holidays!
We are taking a few weeks off over the summer. We hope the sun shines on you all and we will be back on Monday, 9 August.
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.