Dear Friends,

Note

The following is a message I shared at the recent church AGM. The purpose of this message was twofold. Firstly, and mainly, I wanted to encourage, but secondly I also wanted to challenge. What I shared is taken from Christ’s powerful words concerning the Church in Matthew 16v18: "I will build my church and not even death will prevail against it."

Scrap it .....?

"KEEP THE CLAUSE!" - very catchy. Very easy to sign up to. Very easy to believe that this campaign holds the moral ground. But what exactly is going on? Whilst I do not doubt that most of these campaigners have their hearts in the right place, I question the issues at stake here and the validity of Section 28/2A Scotland.

Section 28 was introduced by Margaret Thatcher's government in the 1980s. It is a very vague piece of legislation that stops the "promotion of homosexuality in schools". But this is ambiguous. One cannot promote sexuality, one is either heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual. Research has shown that sexual persuasion is not a choice: you are who you are and no one can change that. The vast majority of people are heterosexual, so there will always be a heterosexual ideal in our society, nothing can change that either.

The only sensible thing for schools to do is to teach that sexuality is a personal matter, and then proceed to study the different types of sexuality and the issues raised by these differences. Schools should encourage thought, not dictate belief. This is the way that Religious and Moral Education is heading, and Section 28 does not reflect this shift. The replacement guidelines would. The Keep the Clause campaign has blown this out of all proportion. Your children are safe, they will not become gay if Section 28 is dropped.

Much of the argument seems rooted in misconceptions about homosexuality, born out of tradition and prejudice. Homosexuality certainly receives more attention than it is due: the Bible only mentions it five times. Going back to its original language, the Bible does not condemn homosexual relationships, only things like homosexual rape.

Just as a final thought, consider the 'heterosexual ideal' that is supposedly depicted in the Bible (Adam and Eve, the Songs of Solomon): have we literalised the metaphor? Is it their gender and their sexual orientation being advocated, or is it love and co-humanity regardless of unimportant physical things?

.....or keep it?

Section 28/2a is an emotive issue, partly because it involves children and what they are taught, but also because it makes us think about a minority group, homosexuals. Two of the reasons given by the Scottish Executive for repeal are as follows:

At present, objective discussion of homosexuality can already take place in schools. What is banned (until repeal) is the deliberate promotion of homosexuality. We all need human love and companionship, and the Bible teaches us that the first and most basic of relationships is the pairing of husband and wife (Gen 2:18-25). Its teachings on homosexuality are clear, and stress that it is wrong and unnatural (Rom 1:18-32; 1 Cor 6: 9-11). Is it right, therefore, for homosexuality to be promoted among children, not only as a valid lifestyle choice, but as an acceptable alternative to the traditional heterosexual family unit? Furthermore, is it fair that parents in Scotland will have no right to prior notice about what might be taught in classes if Section 28 is repealed? I think not. Homosexuals form a small percentage of society, although the strong gay lobby would have us believe otherwise. As Christians, we are called not to condone the behaviour of homosexuals nor to condemn them, but to love them as we love all people. But children must be taught that homosexuality and heterosexuality are not equal in status or rights, and that marriage and the family unit are central to society.

Prejudice and discrimination in the form of verbal or physical bullying are deplorable and cowardly and Christians are against this. Children can, unfortunately, be cruel, and their vocabulary and values make it unlikely that their abusive name calling will cease with the repeal of Section 28. Research has shown that this name calling is not directed at sexuality but is more general in its aim. Teachers already have in place strategies to deal with bullying, be it homosexual or otherwise. Repeal will not offer any additional anti-bullying remedies to teachers.

In conclusion, repeal of Section 28 provides food for moral thought. Let us then be very clear about the kind of society in which we would have our children grow up. We must also think hard about the moral values we, as Christians, would wish to instil in them.

Easter Thank Offering. Instead of our usual Prayer and Gift Day, we are trying something new this year. We are using Easter Sunday as an opportunity to make a special gift for God's work in Tillydrone. God has given us so much, and the need in St George's is so great. This is an opportunity to give God thanks for his work among us by giving back a small portion of all that he has given us. Please think carefully about how much you will give. And please give sacrificially - bear in mind that it is not many years since our annual Gift Day was raising close to £2000. Pray about this too!

Church Finances. We are very appreciative of a legacy from the late Miss Mary Law, and are looking at options to improve our church heating, which will require extra finance. Our general finances are not in a good state as was made clear at our recent Stated Annual Meeting. We spent almost £3000 more than we took in last year. Please think carefully about your regular giving to the church - has it kept pace with inflation over the last few years? If you are a tax payer, have you considered covenanting your giving to allow the church to recover the tax? If not have a word with Muriel Collie.

“Hold Out the Word of Life” was the theme for the year. We have tried to present this subject in as meaningful and entertaining a way as possible. Thanks to all who have helped.

The Guild is, of course, a national organisation and this year we have done some travelling. In September, Win Armstrong and Ray Hepburn joined over two thousand other Guild members from all over Scotland at the Caird Hall in Dundee for a national celebration—a source of uplift and inspiration to all who attended. Here in Aberdeen we accepted invitations from other Guilds to attend local rallies. Congratulations to Elspeth Kerr from Aberdeen on her appointment as National Vice Convenor.

As well as supporting national causes, St George’s Guild has had its own special projects. This year, as last, we sent several Christmas boxes to Eastern Europe via the Goodhope Trust. Several of our members were also busy this year knitting “Teddies for Tragedies” and a box of these was sent off via the Blytheswood Trust

The Guild will be back for another session in the autumn. Newcomers will be made very welcome. Perhaps you will be inspired by the example of our treasurer, Milly Smith, who has handled our finances with cheerful commitment for many years—our thanks to Milly!

Points for Prayer

Pray for Shirley, Tommy and Ezzy as they minister to all the folks and their needs in this parish; that they might know peace as they seek to bring God's strength to others.

Pray for our friends and neighbours, those in hospital, the ill, the disabled and the elderly; that God will give them comfort in their time of need.

Pray for our Parish, that the further proposed changes and improvements will bring better living conditions, especially for children and that these changes may lead to a more caring environment.

Pray for the world, particularly parts of the world troubled by natural disasters such as the floods in Mozambique. Also for those who work for God in difficult parts of the world.

As we approach Easter let's pray that folk won't forget the real reason for the extra services - The Risen Christ who lives among us (not chocolate eggs and furry bunnies!)

Brief news of people and events