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Welcome to Synod of Scotland Enews.
Remember, this is YOUR Enews so please tell us what your church is up to. Please, email your stories and information about events in your church.
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Synod Prayer Cycle 2021
Prayers for churches around the Synod and the world are on the synod website and Facebook Page. Please join with the rest of the Synod in prayer, and pray for the following congregations
November
21 1st in Advent 28th
The dawn is breaking over the sea, the reflection is like a myriad of tea-lights flickering and bouncing over the waves.
I sit in awe and wonder of our Creator.
My journey is early. I have a purpose, I have a mission, I need to be travelling these 500 miles.
It leaves me wondering. Did Mary really know her purpose, her mission, when she said ‘Yes!’? Did she know what her journey would entail? Not for her any comfort as she travels 80 miles on a donkey whilst heavily pregnant. Not for her a beautiful landscape to look at in awe and wonder.
As November draws to a close may we have the courage to say our ‘Yes!’ and put our trust in God. May we discover the awe and wonder of the Advent journey, and offer our praise and thanks to God – Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer. AMEN
28 St Andrews Day 30th
Lamb of God, at this time we remember your first-called apostle Andrew, patron saint of our land, and so we pray that we too may readily embrace the call to share the good news of your kingdom with others, and to bring them to you.
December
5 Thurso
12 Wishaw
Our Church is not meeting regularly on a Sunday as the Community Centre we meet is remains closed at weekends.
Our Womens’ Union has restarted face to face meetings fortnightly on a Wednesday while our Girls’ Brigade continue to meet online.
Some of our members are joining with Craig Jesson for online worship which has been a blessing during these taxing times and we thank him and the others within this online community fellowship.
Prayer:-
Father, we look over all you have made and we are thankful.
Thank you for the many blessings you have given us.
True joy is found in sharing what we have with others.
Help us to reach out to those in need and follow the example of your son and our saviour.
Amen
19 Christmas
Waiting, Visitation, 'Yes!' Prophecy, Embarrassment, Social Outcase; Journey, donkey, sheep, Shepherds; Hustle and Bustle; too busy; Youth/the Aged/ Kings and paupers.......
All relate and bring us to the manger and the greatest gift ever given
Geberous God,
"ThankYou!"
Amen
26 New Year
The clock ticks relentless
A countdown to midnight
As we say 'Goodbye' to one year and 'hello' to another.
May be in welcome or anxiety.
Compassionate God,
We prayer for peace at the dawning of not only a new day, but also a new year.
May we walk confidently in your footsteps as we embrace 2022.
We prayer for help with our anxieties, may we draw on your strength and wisdom.
We prayer for peace for all nations and for renewed vigour in promoting your Gospel message.
Amen.
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Update of the work of
Synod Committees:-
SYNOD PASTORAL COMMITTEE
North of the Clyde Cluster
A service of Recognition and Induction took place on 24th October at Morison Memorial URC led by the Moderator Rev Paul Whittle with Rev David Coleman preaching. Four congregations belong to the new cluster – Drumchapel Essenside URC, Dumbarton URC, Helensburgh URC and Morison Memorial URC with Rev Dr Mitchell Bunting (Bungie) as minister.
Ministers on the move
Rev Alan McGougan moved to a pastorate in Northumbria at the beginning of November.
The committee warmly noted that the Rev Andy Braunston has been appointed to the new role created by General Assembly, Minister for Digital Worship. He will be leaving Southside in early February.
Rev Alan Poolton has resigned from Annan URC
LMMR
Rev Sarah Moore has been supporting the LMMR to review the current process and it is hoped to switch the focus of the process to a mission action, future planning focus rather than looking historically. Meetings with Synod ministers are planned for November and December before coming back to committee in January with the intention of taking a resolution from the committee to Synod in March.
News from the Accreditations (CRCW&SCM) Sub Committee
- Transition Champion Review - Committee noted the positive feedback following a preliminary review of the role. The next review should take place in around 18months time (3.5 years into post)
- CRCW role within Southside - Our request to renew the post with an amended Job Specification was received positively and was fully approved subject to final budget submission. The post is unlikely to be declared until the new year.
- Special Category Minister/Eco Congregation Chaplain - Committee welcomed the feedback that a third term will be considered. A review group with members who are not involved with Eco Congregation Scotland will be set up convened by Rev Helen M Mee
Safeguarding Training
Many ministers and safeguarding officers completed their training in May 2018 and so are overdue to renew their training. Committee heard feedback from Ruth Goold, Safeguarding Coordinator – It is planned to hold training in the new year once the C of S complete their current updating of their training. In the longer term URC congregations will be able to access training via their local presbyteries
Committee Membership
Rev Jan Adamson was welcomed to the committee in her role as Synod Clerk. The new Synod Clerk job description, agreed by PPS indicates that the Synod Clerk will be an ex officio member of Synod committees.
Authorisation to preside at Holy Communion normal length of service
Committee agreed that we would introduce a three year term which can be renewed. The term will end on the 30th of September for ease of administration. Authorisation will normally be dependant on participation in appropriate training.
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Deadline for next e-news
is 10 December 2021.
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Adventures in Faith
To receive the newsletter email adventures@dioceseofedinburgh.org or visit www.facebook.com/DioceseEdinburgh |
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To sign up to the Eco Congregation Newsletter click the link below
http://www.ecocongregationscotland.org
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JPIT
Click here to receive the Joint Public Issues Team newsletter
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The latest newsletter from the Scottish Churches Disability Group is available on their website |
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For more information visit: http://www.placeforhope.org.uk/events
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URC Update and Newsletter
Please click here to join the URC Newsletter. |
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Supporting Communities Safely
from Public Health Scotland
The website gives advice for Community Groups, Organisations and Volunteer Networks fighting Covid-19
https://www.scdc.org.uk/supporting-communities-safely |
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URC Children & Youth Newsletter
The bi-monthly newsletter can be downloaded here. |
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Christian Aid
https://www.christianaid.org.uk
What happened at COP26?
Thank you so much for your support, in Glasgow and beyond, during COP26. You prayed, you marched, you came along to events online and in person, and through every action you helped us amplify the voices of our global neighbours. You can read our COP26 week two round up blog here, and post-COP summary here.
Christmas Appeal
This year’s Christmas Appeal focuses on South Sudan. No mum should have to face the impossible choice of dirty water or none at all. But this injustice is the reality for many on the frontline of the climate crisis. From flooding to droughts, climate chaos pollutes water, kills crops and destroys livelihoods. Stand with mums this Christmas and help the next generation grow. You can find all our Christmas resources available for this year on our website.
Christmas Appeal Resources
We are asking churches to sing our Christmas Carol, When Out of Poverty is Born, during Advent. The hymn, written by Kathy Galloway, is a song of hope and prophetic witness. Kathy writes, ‘In looking for inspiration for the song, I found a thread of story that linked the great call of John the Baptist to ‘prepare the way of the Lord’ with the experience of people living in poverty through the centuries’. You can read more about her inspiration on our website.
There are multiple arrangements and recordings on our website for you to use, as well as lyrics and sheet music.
Christmas Campaign Action
Send the Prime Minister a Christmas card asking that he keep climate justice on his agenda. From 24 November, you can find more details and some suggested Christmas card messages on our website. Please encourage your friends, family and church to join the action and send a card too!
Scotland Online Supporter Gathering
Tuesday 22nd February 2022 10am – 12pm
We’re delighted to welcome staff from Christian Aid South Sudan to our virtual Gathering in February. Yitna Tekaligne and Mbaraka Fazal will speak about the impact of climate change and conflict on vulnerable communities.
We’ll also talk about new ways of participating in Christian Aid Week, celebrate the Kiltwalk’s success and let you know how you can get involved in 2022.
This will be an interactive session with lots of opportunities to ask questions of our staff and other supporters.
Please do save the date and invite others to join us.
Email to register and receive the joining instructions: edinburgh@christian-aid.org |
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All the latest news from See Me is https://www.seemescotland.org/news-and-blogs/ |
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SAVE THE DATE
FAITH IN OLDER PEOPLE, CHURCH OF SCOTLAND GUILD AND
CHRISTIANS ON AGEING
Wednesday 17th November 2021
The importance of spiritual care |
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Flickr Album from before and after the COP Celebration Service 7th November 2021
Taken by Karen Bass, sorted and edited by David. Enjoy, and have a good remaining COP
https://www.flickr.com/photos/digitalministry4/albums/72157720115436968
Rev David Coleman EcoChaplain, EcoCongregation Scotland chaplain@ecocongregationscotland.org |
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This Christmas, Drama Kirk is delighted to have some wonderful resources, freely available, for you to include in your celebrations!
Bob Hartman’s Rhyming Bible
We have filmed a delightful series of four performed poems to take us through the Christmas story, with the familiar nativity characters in the background helping to tell the story visually.
A Woman Called Mary
Mary is a well-behaved young woman, getting on with her chores, when she has an unexpected visitor…an angel! The angel has some amazing new. Mary is going to have a baby! A very special baby! Join us for the first of these festive poems and see how Mary reacts.
Joseph, Don’t Worry
Mary is engaged to Joseph, but now he hears she is going to have a baby. Will they still get married? Join Joseph for a sleepless night, when he has his own special visitor.
It Begins in Bethlehem
Shepherds, on a hill, have their encounter with the Angels; who explain why this baby is so very special. And so the very first Christmas begins, in Bethlehem.
One Hump, Two Hump
The Wisemen are watching the skies and see a new star, meaning a new king has been born! They follow the star to King Herod, expecting to find the Royal Baby in a palace. Will the Wisemen find the baby? And how will Herod react to a new King?
The poems are a fun and engaging way to share the Christmas story, especially suitable for primary-school aged children. Each last around two to three minutes and could be used together or as a series.
“Shepherd’s Christmas” by Jeannette Walters
We are also pleased to offer a lovely short film, which tells the story of a young boy on a farm, helping his Dad with chores. A little reluctantly. His Dad tells him the story of the Shepherds that very first Christmas, tending their sheep on a hillside. An angel appears to them, bringing glad tidings of the new King, born that very night.
Share the wonder of the Shepherds this Christmas as they go from tending their flock to being the very first visitors to the newborn King.
Both Christmas projects will be available free for schools, churches and community groups to use, and can be accessed via our YouTube playlist, for download or streaming. DramaKirk - YouTube
Resources will be available from Monday 22nd November. If you have difficulty accessing the resources, we can provide DVDs. Please do contact info@dramakirk.org
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World Day of Prayer
Calendars 2022 available from Ruth Laing £3 each contact ruthlaing@outlook.com
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Pictures from COP26
[Pics courtesy of Bungie]
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News from new North of Clyde Cluster...............
On Sunday 24th October Bungie (Rev Dr Mitchell Bunting) was inducted in addition to be minister of Drumchapel Essenside URC and Morison Memorial URC at a special Synod service also dedicating the new ’North of the Clyde Cluster’.
This new mission grouping brings together Dumbarton URC, Helesnburgh URC, Drumchapel Essenside URC and Morison Memorial URC (Clydebank) with Bungie now as their minister.
[Bungie, having been inducted with Drumchapel Essenside URC & Morison Memorial URC gives the closing words of the service that also dedicated the new ’North of the Clyde Cluster’.]
A new website is being set up for the cluster
https://urc.scot
with new sites for each of the congregations in development:
https://clydebank.urc.scot
https://drumchapel.urc.scot
https://dumbarton.urc.scot
https://helensburgh.urc.scot
and new forwarding email addresses for the respective Church Secretaries:
clydebank@urc.scot
drumchapel@urc.scot
dumbarton@urc.scot
helensburgh@urc.scot
A recording of the Induction Service can be viewed at https://urc.scot |
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