St George's-Tillydrone Church of Scotland

Dear Friends,

Times of parting are hard, and all the harder when there is love shared between those being parted. It is therefore with a real and heartfelt sense of grief that I write this letter, because, as you will know, it marks the end of my period with you all at St George's. My time among you has been a time of learning, of experience, and of challenge, but most of all it has been a time of great joy in the privilege of sharing fellowship with you as brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ. And it is quite impossible to share such fellowship in our wonderful Saviour without there being an overflowing of love! And so there has been-to the extent that it is now very hard, and indeed painful, to wrench away and move on.

But this time has come, and since we trust in the wisdom and providence of our gracious God, we can look to the future together with confidence and thanksgiving, knowing that despite the pain of parting, 'the tie that binds our hearts in Jesus love' cannot ever be broken, and will keep us united in a fellowship that geography, time and even eternity itself cannot sunder. And since we shall forever remain partners in the gospel in this way, will you permit me to express something of my ongoing desire for you as the fellowship of God's people here in Tillydrone?-what I have desired for you from our beginning together and will go on desiring in our parting.

Perhaps only those who have known the particular joy and privilege of shepherding the Lord's people can begin to understand something of the depth of care and concern that grows and flourishes in a pastor's heart. Certainly it is only in recent years that Paul's opening lines in his letter to the Philippian Church have struck me with such force. For this is literally a love-letter, in which he lays bare most movingly his feelings for a people deep 'in his heart', whom he longs for with an achingly physical affection -with real 'Jesus-love'. And this kind of love cannot be a selfish love, but, if true love, always seeks the greatest and best for those it cherishes. It is a love that always leads to prayer. And my prayer for you, as Paul's was for his people, is that "your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God." (Phil 1:9-11)

My prayer is indeed that you should go on. Not to something new, but to more and more of what you have already - to love unlimited, abounding and overflowing with the love of Christ himself. People characterised by love; real sons and daughters of our father, the God of Love. And this kind of love, Paul says, comes as knowledge and insight deepens. It is not wishy-washy sentimentalism, but love born of an ever deepening knowledge of God, revealed to us by his Spirit in his Word. So I pray you will go on seeking and desiring his Word, and so learning thus to love.

The first goal of this is so that you should know what is best. Not just what is good from what is bad, but what is the very best; for (as one writer has put it) 'love, shaped by knowledge and discernment, is the ultimate requirement for acquiring a sense of what is vital.' My prayer is that in your continuing life as a body of God's people working together for Christ you should always have a sense of what is vital - a sense of spiritual perspective, a sense of vision for what is best and most urgent, not for yourselves, but for the glory of God, in your life together as Christ's church in Tillydrone. And this springs from a 'knowing-love', born from 'Word-love'.

The second goal is that you may be the very best people possible. This means, as Paul says, being 1. Pure, or spotless even in the sun's glare (lives coming up to scratch in the Monday morning light as on Sundays!); 2. blameless, so as not to cause others to stumble (either harming others in the church, or putting outsiders off by our lives); and 3. Filled with the fruit of righteousness, our lives characterised by the ripe fruit of the Spirit, and by fruitfulness for Christ. This too springs only from the deepening work of the Spirit, moulding us into the likeness of Christ as he applies his Word to our willing and receptive hearts.

But not for our own self satisfaction; rather, as Paul says, all 'to the glory and praise of God.' Isn't that a worthy goal? And isn't that a worthy spur to prayer for all of us, one for the other, whether together or parted?

My thoughts will continue with you in this coming year, and especially with Shirley and Helen as they serve you, and enable you to better serve Christ. May you increasingly work alongside one-another with a unified vision in serving our Lord Jesus in Tillydrone. And may the blessing of our gracious God and father be with you always.

Yours, in his abounding love,

Willie Philip

Willie has now finished his probationary period in St George's. He has been with us as Assistant Minister for almost 18 months! In that time, he has involved himself in many aspects of our life, seeing us "warts and all"! We thank God for all he has shared of his gifts and himself with us. Rebecca, too has been a quiet helper in the fellowship. We do wish Willie and Rebecca and baby Joanna God's richest blessings as they move on, Willie back into Cardiology at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on a locum basis, as they wait for God's leading.

Egyptian Adventure

I am looking forward to another overseas trip, from Jan 11 to Feb 1. Manel Gendy's invitation has met with a ready response, and it will be lovely to meet up with her and the boys (and perhaps their cousin Sammeh as well, as he is a student in Cairo now). As in previous visits, I hope to be able to visit some who have links with the same Fellowship, particularly Elaine Dawson who is also in Cairo. Please pray for the trip, for safety and good health and good contacts.

Hello ! from Karel Matejka

Let me introduce myself: my name is Karel Matejka but many of you know me as Charlie. I arrived two months ago from Prague, the most beautiful, the loveliest, and awesome capital of the Czech Republic (and my birthplace as well) to study for a one year Masters degree in divinity at the University of Aberdeen. I have long thought about Scotland for its old reformed tradition, its interesting history and culture and, of course, its beautiful landscape. Last year I was awarded a bursary by the Church of Scotland and I am very thankful for this opportunity to study in Scotland. Because fees are high, I think I am the only Czech student at the University. I am staying at Linksfield Hall, very nice and comfortable accommodation and I am contented in every respect: life near the sea was always my dream!

Let me give you warm regards from The Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren. The church was formed by a merging of formerly Lutheran and Reformed congregations. The church is organised in a similar, Presbyterian way to the Church of Scotland. The pastors of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren do not have - and never had - a uniform theological pattern. What seems important to us is to maintain in this church an open dialogue between different theological emphases.

On the 17^th of November we remembered the bloody events of 1989 after which the spontaneous "Velvet Revolution" started and brought about the end of the 42-year totalitarian regime of the Communist Party. Many Christians supported changes to democratic renewal. In our new freedom, all churches throughout the republic have found doors open for developing both their own and shared ecumenical activities. The churches can now work in such areas as education, evangelism, social work, and publishing.

I have two brothers and one sister and until the beginning of last summer we all lived together. My older brother has just finished his studies in cybernetics and is working now while the younger brother and sister are still studying. My mother's job relates to railways, and so we get free train tickets and travel a lot. My father is a university professor.

A few years ago I discovered the old Protestant roots of our family when I came to know that my grandfather returned as a five-year child with many others from Poland after almost two hundred years in exile. Since then I have helped to set up the Exulant Association which takes an interest in the exile of Czech Protestants in the 18th century and helps to unite re-emigrants and their descendants. It is a very engaging and enriching activity.

Although it was the Board of World Mission that originally chose Tillydrone Church for me, I am very satisfied here and I identify with that choice. My very first experience was openness and the warm welcome of the Christian community here. I have found that in spite of different languages and different habits we can share common faith in our Saviour Jesus Christ that unites us in worship, prayer and around his table. My experience at the University has been very similar and I am very pleased by this. I am now an Associate Member of St George's and I am looking to the next year as a year of mutual enrichment and spiritual growth.

[Webmaster's note: you can find out more about Karel's alma mater at http://www.fjfi.cvut.cz/k417 and http://www.etf.cuni.cz]

Open Door

• Pray for the services in December, especially the Celebration by Candlelight service on the 20^th and the Christmas Eve Service. Pray that people won’t be caught up in the commercialism of Christmas but will want to share in celebrating the birth of Jesus.
• Pray for those who will find it hard to cope at Christmas because of illness, the loss of a loved one, unemployment or loneliness. Pray for those who are far from home and loved ones.
• Give thanks for the work done by the Board of Social Responsibility remembering especially the loving care shown locally at Deeford and Balmedie House.
• Pray for Helen McDougall and her team as they reach out to the children who come along to the Chatta Natta Saturday Club.
• Prayerfully consider your giving to the Church so that we might be in a position to meet our financial commitments next year.

The Congregational Board has been reviewing our financial position recently and felt it right to explain the situation to the membership – that task has fallen to me. At the last meeting of the Board, we welcomed the Rev Ian Maclean of Summerhill Church who deals with finances for Aberdeen Presbytery. He explained that he had been reviewing the finances of various churches in Aberdeen. He pointed out that given our current levels of income and expenditure, our current debt to Church of Scotland HQ is unlikely to be reduced over the coming years. He explained that this was partly due to the newly introduced "Service Supplement" which adds around £2,500 per annum to our Ministry Costs. He commended us on the efforts that we have made recently to meet our financial obligations but felt it might be time to seek a more permanent solution to our problems. The Board had a full discussion of the possibilities and, to cut a long story short, have opted to ask Mr Maclean to request that we become "aid-receiving" on a temporary basis. It may be that if the request is granted that we can reduce our debt burden over the next 3 to 4 years at which time we can review the situation. The Board view this as a positive way out of our current difficulties.

Nothing is certain yet but meanwhile, as your Stewardship representative can I thank those of you who give seriously to God’s work at St George’s. Can I also encourage each of you to review your giving and consider whether it is keeping pace with inflation!

In brief - News of people

St George’s folk were very sad at the loss of Miss Ella Glennie (see tribute). We remember her sister-in-law Nellie in prayer.

We were also sad to lose another elderly member, Mrs Gladys Thomson. Our thoughts are with her family and friends in Meadow Court.

We welcome several new members into our fellowship and pray that they will find it to be a real spiritual home: Mike and Barbara Duncan with young Jamie; and Elizabeth Gatima. In addition, several students have come into Associate Membership: Karel Matejka; Ruth Martin; David Starbuck.

On Sunday Nov 8^th we had a special baptismal service in Hebron Evangelical Church, when Kyumah and Hyangmen Dawuda were baptised after professing their faith.

Mike and Jane Fucella are preparing to return to the UK where Mike will do further study. We look forward to seeing them before long.

Jane Howitt with SU in Latvia, will be visiting Katya (who helped in St George’s when with Reachout) in Novisibirsk in Siberia, where Jane will help with SU training. More SU staff are required for the 3 Baltic States.

Rhona Cruickshank has had to take up English Language Teaching earlier than she had expected, but hopes to continue with learning Chinese.

Woody and Elena Hingle have been blessed with another son, Nathan, a brother for Norwood and Emily. They now live in Monroe, Louisiana.

Mike and Rhona Goss have also had another baby Aileen, a sister for Andrew.

Gerry and Shirley Wiseman will be moving to Inverness where Gerry has a new post with Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

It took place! Thanks to all the work in preparation for this, particularly by Helen McDougall, a team came together and ran a successful week with 40 children. The children enjoyed the "box times", the songs, the Chattabox video and the games. This was the launch pad for a new venture for St George’s, a Saturday morning Club, with a breakfast included. The name for it has changed to the Chatta Natta Saturday Club, and it is held from 11 am to 12.30 pm each week. Occasional additional help would be welcome - please see Helen.

P.S. Helen has a place in a flat now. Thank you for praying!

Northfield Parish Church

As many of you realise, I have been Moderator in the vacancy for a long time – since last October. I have been so grateful to Duncan Ross, their Deacon, and Rev. Dan Pochi, the locum minister, for making my job relatively light. At last the end is in sight, because Rev Scott Guy from Lhanbryde (who preached in St George’s on Nov 1) has been elected as their minister, and we look forward to his induction on Dec 17. Please pray for him, the Northfield folk and the Pochi family at this time of change.

Church Telephone Directory
The church magazine in print includes a list of telephone numbers of contact persons within the church. We do not intend publishing this on our web site - however if you would like a copy, please e-mail George and we will gladly send you one.

St George's-Tillydrone magazine is edited by Alan Duncan. The church web site is at http://www.ifb.co.uk/~tillybin/stgeorge. Submissions are welcome by email, on disk or on paper (in that order of preference). Contributions may be edited. Copy date for the next magazine is 18 Jan 1999. Thanks to Ray Hepburn, Dorothy Irvine, Jackie Hamilton and Helen McDougall for regular help with photocopying, folding etc. Web site mastered by George McLeod at Tillybin.