Church Magazine - April 1997
Dear Friends - from the minister
Friendship Hour - What's On
Girls Brigade news
Easter - Four Pictures
In Brief - People
Snippets
Events
Woman's Guild
May Fayre
Fly on the Wall
Christian Aid
Open Door - Points for Prayer
Church roll - "missing persons"
Since the last issue of our magazine, we have held another Annual Meeting When thanks were given to the many people who serve in our congregation. Although our financial position still causes heart-searching and sadness, nevertheless, the Lord gave us encouragements, especially in the message brought by Rev. Louis Kinsey of St Columba's, Bridge of Don. He spoke to he significant impact made by Alpha courses held in their congregation, and you will read elsewhere in this issue that we plant to start an Alpha course in the autumn.
Straight after the Annual Meeting, I went off on study leave for ten days, and some may have suspected that was just another name for a holiday! I was glad to take up this new scheme introduced by the Presbytery, and found my chosen course of study most stimulating: it connects up with small groups for Bible Study and prayer, which is one way of describing what goes on at an Alpha Course. I wanted to study more about the groups of lay folk who kept spiritual life bright in the difficult days for the Scottish Church in the late 17th and 18th centuries. These groups were know as the "Praying Societies", and they based their existence on texts such as Malachi 3:16: "Those who feared the Lord talked with each other and the Lord listened and heard"
The great religious revivals of the mid 18th century in Cambuslang, Kilsyth and other places were "prepared for" by such praying societies, and they linked in to the stirrings of the Spirit in North America and England, which eventually resulted in the first Protestant missionary societies in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. As I delved into some church history, I reflected on whether we are witnessing a rekindling of concern to pray in small groups, and to meet to intercede for the outpouring of God's Spirit on our nation. I believe God is surely stirring up His people to pray and to long for His Name to be glorified, when so many in our land lack any "God-consciousness".
Does that touch you in any way? I hope so.
With loving and prayerful good wishes.
Shirley A. Fraser
Apr 3 Penny Wallace will speak about Christian Aid
Apr 10 Mac and Ada Graham will show slides of Iona
Apr 17 "Follow that which is good" Catherine Evans
Apr 24 "Bonnie Scotland, I adore you". Slide show by Noel Evans
May 1 Mary Ross will speak about the work of Crossroads Caring Scheme.
May 8 Storytime with Violet Gauld
May 15 Charles Alford will speak about God's guidance in recent years.
May 22 May Scott Cameron, a divinity student will give her testimony and
play the accordion.
May 29 "The Avenue and Garden in Thunder Bay, Canada". Slides
by Ray Hepburn.
June 5 Storytime with Alice Harper.
June 12 An American Summer. Ron McDowell
June 19 No meeting (We are at Crieff)
June 16 - 20 Trip to St Ninians Crieff
June 26 Keith Lindsay of the Faith Mission
July 3 Friendship Hour and Guild outing to Maritime Heritage, Peterhead.
Congratulations to our Seniors for winning the Grampian Regional Trophy for physical movement. Well done! The Seniors will take part in the Annual Display in the Music Hall on Friday 21st March and will receive their trophy during the display. Our Open Night is fast approaching; it is on Friday 30th May at 7.30pm. Please come along.
First Picture: Gethsemane
Jesus kneeling in anguish, desperately pleading with God not to send Him to death. God's answer is not a comfortable one.
The is for everyone who has ever cried, "Please God not that"!; for everyone who has seen urgent prayer unanswered.
Second picture: Golgotha
The Lord of the world tortured, humiliated, killed - and forgiving. How can we grasp this? God forgives the worst that we can do: and forgiveness is so difficult it kills Him. Forgiveness is never and easy or a painless option.
This is for everyone who secretly thinks their sins are not really that bad; and for everyone who thinks they are too bad for God.
Third picture: Saturday
The disciples, bereaved and bewildered. Wandering around, unable to concentrate on anything, facing the shattering of their whole world. If God is dead, how can we even pray?
This is for everyone who is afraid that after all there is no-one there, and no hope.
Fourth picture: the garden
A few sad women, chosen by God to meet their risen Lord. Sadness turning to the greatest joy the world has ever known. Here is the joy that goes on for ever.
This is for everyone without exception.
God's love - God's forgiveness - God's joy - for all of us.
Penny Wallace
People
Jane Howitt writes from Riga in Latvia. She is thankful to have another flat, with central heating! As well as being very busy with Scripture Union work in the Baltic States, she has been invited to do some training for camp leaders in St Petersburg, Russia and to be part of an International Commission looking at the "theology of the child".
Rhona Cruickshank arrived safely at her expected base in February, and is getting settled in and beginning to learn Mandarin, in the company of a couple from Germany. She met Sheila Kendall when in Thailand!
February was a month with a strong "missionary" focus in St George's: we welcomed Willie and Katie Black, of OMF Korea and Mike and Jane Fucella, sent by Church of Scotland to Thailand. Pray for the Blacks as they have to decide whether to return to Korea, and for the Fucellas who leave for Thailand in April.
Ian Lui is back in Tillydrone after settling Susan and Heng into Vancouver, Canada. Pray for them in this period of separation.
John Swinton has been appointed Lecturer in Practical Theology in Aberdeen University, after his brief time in Glasgow.
Congratulations to one of our Girls' Brigade Officers, Mrs Vivienne McLeod, on the birth of a daughter, Lauren.
We express our sympathy to the family and friends of two of our members who died in recent weeks: Miss Helen (Nellie) McRobbie and Mrs Edith Mathieson. Miss McRobbie, at 97, was our oldest member, a beautiful Christian lady who was always appreciative of everything done for her, and who was cared for so devotedly for many years by Miss Elsie McGregor, our senior elder.
Welcome to Bernard Kamya (with his daughter Sylvia) who has recently come into membership form the Church of Uganda, and the following who are new Associate Members: Rev Paul, and Mary Mumo from Kenya and Zambia; Eileen Smith from England and Philip Wilson from Northern Ireland.
On March 23 we said our official goodbye and thank-you to our Divinity Student, Charles Alford, who has been with us since October. We wish him (and Anne) God's richest blessings in future service.
Willie Philip, our Probationer Assistant Minister, hopes to begin with us in St George's in June. More about him in the next issue!
At the Stated Annual Meeting on March 3, Kay Murray retired from the board, and the following were elected to serve on it for 3 years: Alan Duncan, Vi Gauld, Gina Jones, Douglas Ogston and Elizabeth Park.
Mrs Ann Duguid, Voluntary Services Co-ordinator is looking for people to visit the elderly at Royal Cornhill Hospital. Anyone interested can contact her on 663131 Ext 57354/57906 between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm, Mon-Fri
CARE (Christian Action, Research and Education) has compiled a pack entitled "Make the Cross Count" to help the Christian public cross examine candidates in the General Election. Phone 0171 227 4717 to receive CARE's free election pack.
"Rise Up and Pray" is a new bi-monthly prayer bulletin for members of Scottish churches and prayer networks. Do look at the copy on the prayer board. To order your own copy, contact RISE UP, Whiteside House, Whiteside Industrial Estate, Bathgate EH48 2PX (tel. 01506 815229)
St George's Prayer Chain has got underway, co-ordinated by Mary Ross, to whom requests can be made.
Blythswood, the Christian charity which sends aid to countries in the former Eastern Bloc, tells us of the implications of the political crisis in Albania. At present Blythswood has £500,000 worth of medical aid waiting to be sent but does not have cash to meet the transport cost. "Sooner or later Albania will re-open and the need will be greater than ever". Please support Blythswood's shop in Aberdeen (21 Huntly Street).
A new Christian Basics group at a new time begins on Thursday April 10th at 11am in the church. Anyone is welcome. Please speak to Shirley Fraser.
Andrew Randall and Kay Murray will be part of the Church of Scotland Youth Assembly from April 9-11, as will Murray McCheyne of St Mary's Banff.
A National Day of Prayer for Children in Scotland (organised by S.U.) will take place from 7pm on Sat 26 April to 7pm on Sun 27 April.
Question Time. On Mon April 28 at 7.30pm the Order of Christian Unity will be inviting prospective Parliamentary Candidates to answer questions put by the Order and the audience. The meeting will be chaired by Rev Prof W.P. Stephens of the Faculty of Divinity and will take place in the Lecture Hall of Aberdeen Grammar School in Skene Street.
Our annual May Fayre will take place on May 10 from 9.30 am - noon.
Aberdeen will have its very own March for Jesus, to coincide with marches being held all over the UK on Sat May 31. We hope for 1000 Christians to walk along Union Street and /or meet for a celebration in the Castlegate (or Salvation Army Citadel if wet). More details later.
Church Picnic: Sat June 21st. Put the date in your diary.
With the Tall Ships Race coming to Aberdeen this year it is hoped to hold a Songs of Praise event at the harbour on Sun July 13th with many churches joining in. More details later.
Watch out for publicity for the Alpha Course starting in the autumn! The course will be held on Thursday evenings from 25th Sept to 11th December. Not to be missed.
Our morning services on April 27th, May 18th and June 22nd (close of Junior Church) will be "all age services. The service on May 18th will be on the theme of Pentecost and will be taken by the local Scripture Union Reachout team.
The Woman's Guild restarted last autumn after a break of two years and has proved quite successful with a faithful membership of twenty-two. We have been grateful for speakers from within and outwith the church who have informed and entertained. Our session is almost finished with just two meetings remaining: On Monday March 31st we have our "Easter Programme", a bit of seriousness and a bit of fun; and on Mon April 14th we have our Annual General Meeting. For the outing this year we will join the Friendship Hour on their trip to Peterhead on Thursday July 3rd.
This last year, following much discussion, we have seen the culmination of changes to the Woman's Guild Movement. A new constitution has been drawn up meeting with the approval of Guildswomen. Not so the proposed new name "Woman Together" which was widely rejected. The most popular alternative amongst other suggestions is "The Church of Scotland Guild" to be known as "The Guild". So next session, as seems likely, we here at St George's will leave home, fortnightly on a Monday, and go as we have done for years past to "The Guild".
Win Armstrong (President)
The time of year has come around again when we start to think about the church's annual fund-raising event. We ask you to note the date in your diary and come along to support the effort. As in past years we shall be relying on the generosity of members and friends by way of donations for the various stalls e.g. Home Baking, Preserves, Fancy Goods, Bric-a-Brac, Groceries, Books, Plants etc. The decision made last year not to have a clothing stall remains, there being ample opportunity to buy good used clothes week by week at the Wednesday Coffee Morning.
We do hop you will be free on the morning of May 10th and that we may welcome you at the Fayre. Why not bring a Friend? Have a browse amongst the stalls, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and some home bakes, a chat with friends and all this for an entry charge of only 70p (children 30p). Watch out for the publicity around the area nearer the time.
Win Armstrong
Before we go on, I must introduce myself. Writing this article is of course, the fair hand of Mr Andy Hay, a fine young man by any standards. However, he is merely being dictated to and I am the brains behind the operation. My name is W. Ingles and I am a fly and this "fly on the wall view" is, my friends, the real thing!
I lived until recently in the church flat. It was good for me there, plenty to keep me in the high flying style I've become used to. That was, however, until the aforementioned Andy Hay moved in. Now it is awful (no offence to him). No more dust to roll in, no crispy bites behind the fridge to nibble on, soggy lumps behind the ... well you can imagine. So I'm moving. I'm doing a flit. Next Sunday in church, if you happen to see a feisty wee fly buzzing round your head, don't swat it, it will be me. I'm moving into your place, St George's Church Tillydrone, and I'm looking forward to it.
Way, way back, an ancestor of mine used to live in a church, and we still tell his stories today. His church wasn't a grand building like ours, and it was in a really hot climate, but he loved it. The part of that church he loved the most, was the chatter. It wasn't just taking mind, it was excited chatter. The people there were always keen to meet and talk to each other and when they asked "How are You?", they made an effort and stayed around for the answer. Our fly wee ancestor also said, that he rarely heard the words "Mine!". The people there were all more concerned with what each other wanted or needed. Hardly a day went by without someone saying: "Oh! I've got one you can have"! Or "Visitors you say? I've got a wee mattress you can use". There was a feeling too, that people were never expecting thanks. They did things not to be noticed, but to really show their love. There was even on man who was nicknamed "The Encourager" because of the kindness he gave. It wounded like such a great place to live. Well I can't wait to see St George's. I wonder what it's like.
Hold on, I see that Andy's noble hands are tiring and I suppose I'd better get on with the move. So, I'll see you on Sunday, and remember, don't be shy with those biscuit crumbs.
Acts 4 verses 32-37
Andy Hay
Part of Christian Aid's Statement of faith for its fiftieth birthday reads: "We believe that rich and poor alike can be generous, wise and creative because all are made in God's image and that all are made poorer when any are left out".
Christian Aid is an official agency set up by many different church denominations in the UK. It works to relieve poverty by supporting local initiatives in poor countries. As everyone knows, its major source of funds is Christian Aid Week, which this year will be May 11-17, and will focus on the theme of Freedom and the country of India. Over the past few years, St George's Christian Aid Co-ordinator has been Billy Rae, and we are most grateful to him for his faithful and efficient carrying out of a task that sometimes seems thankless (i.e. raising money for other people!) Billy has now decided to retire and the baton has passed to two people: George McLeod and Penelope Wallace. Recently Christian Aid has been placing more emphasis on campaigning: working with ordinary people in this country to change the rules by which the world's rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Watch out for more information on how YOU can help.
Penelope Wallace
PS We will be holding a "Hunger Lunch" on May 18th after the morning service in aid of Christian Aid.
Give thanks for the Prayer and Gift Day and for the encouragement of so many people who came a long and shared in the prayer times.
Pray for the many needs of our church and that we might be able to fulfil our financial commitments.
Pray for the May Fayre on May 10th and for the preparations already underway.
Pray for the children who come to church each week, those in the Junior Church and the younger children in the crèche. Continue to pray for the need for teachers to replace those who will be moving on this summer.
Remember Rhona Cruickshank and give thanks that she has arrived safely in China. Pray that she will learn the language quickly and be able to communicate with the people she comes into contact with daily.
Church Roll. We try to keep abreast with the many changes in people's addresses etc but we have "lost" some folk. If anyone who receives the magazine can help us with a current address for the following folk do please let Shirley Fraser or George McLeod know:
Dr Helen Whitaker Germany
Mrs Lorna Goode Windsor
Miss Kirsten Campbell 8 Back Road
Dr Joan Brodie 71 Clodien Avenue
Dr Jane McNeill 62A Fern Avenue
Mrs Dawn Matthews 37 Aulton Court
Miss Catriona McLean The Law Mill
Mr Roy Razey 1 Harris Drive
Mrs Elizabeth Leiper 12D Hayton Road
Mrs Grace Mutch 17 Grandholm Court
Mr Alex and Mrs Edith Ewen 226 Formartine Road
Mr Graham and Mrs Lynne Forbes 25 Tillydrone Ave
Mrs Shirley Deans 56 Tillydrone Avenue
Miss Jan Davis 87 Formartine Road
Further information from George McLeod