Barnhill St. Margaret's Parish Church
A Church of Scotland Parish
OSCR SCO 11017
FROM THE MANSE
Dear Friends
We are all passionate about something? What about you? What is it that you love to talk about, that you love to think about, that you love to give your free time to? Put your finger on that thing, and that’s an example of passion.
This morning I have been preparing the order of service for Sunday, when we will celebrate ‘Pentecost’ – the birthday of the church. Peter is turned into a mighty preacher overnight. He stood up in front of a huge crowd and with passion explained that God was fulfilling all the promises he made to his people in the Book of Joel. On that day 3,000 people of every nation committed themselves to Jesus. It happened in Jerusalem, where 50 days earlier Jesus was rejected and crucified. Yet here in Jerusalem the church is born. 2000 years on, I ask myself, are we passionate about the church?
Bill Douglas, Aileen Hutcheson, Lynsey Martin, Bruce Pandrich, Norma Pestell and Linda Wightman were ordained as new elders in May and were admitted to membership of the Kirk Session along with Helen Wenseth. This was a very special service for me – the first time I have ordained elders. I look forward to them joining us, for these are people who are passionate about the family of God and who are willing to invest their gifts in it.
More and more people are coming down to the hall for refreshments each week after the service and new volunteers are being added to the tea rota. Invitations to the various District Meetings have been welcomed and I have really enjoyed these as I can now put more names to faces. All this shows that people are willing to give their time and build a community.new volunteers are being added to the tea rota. Invitations to the various District Meetings have been welcomed and I have really enjoyed these as I can now put more names to faces. All this shows that people are willing to give their time and build a community.
Beth and our leaders are enthusiastic about our holiday club. This year our theme is ‘Rocky’s Plaice’ and we will be sharing with the children stories about Peter and how he lived for God. For many of us, that is our passion. Beth has written an article in the newsletter about the holiday club which I encourage you to read. I thank God for all the work that goes into making this week so special. It is energetic, fun and refreshing, not just for the children, but for all of us taking part.
Along with 22,000 churches in Britain and Ireland we were involved in Christian Aid week. We all have the same vision – an end to the outrage of poverty. Through the money raised we want to offer thousands of people around the world the chance to make a better life for themselves. Thank you to everyone who supported our Coffee morning as £1,015 was raised at this event. Also a big thank you to Ellenore Foulis, our new Christian Aid Convenor, to all volunteers who collected around the parish and to those who counted the money which raised a further £3,525.97. What a tremendous effort.
I hope that you can sense from this letter that the church – the family of God - is my passion. Like me, are you willing to dream about it and think about it and ask how can we make this more successful for God’s glory? My prayer is that your answer will be a ‘YES’.
Have a wonderful summer and remember to keep in touch with us by sending a postcard.
Your friend and minister Susan