Mission and Discipleship Council

e-news

Edition No 33, May 2009

Welcome to the latest edition of e-news, with information on events, resources and websites that may be of interest to church folk throughout Scotland. As always, although some of the Conferences and Events listed are outwith Scotland, we consider it important to keep you abreast of what is happening elsewhere and to offer you the opportunity of accessing additional information through website links.

Conferences and Events

MARION MACPHEE: LEGENDS OF THE MINCH is a new exhibition exploring the landscape and fables of Skye. To coincide with this there will be a week of travellers’ tales, with stories of epic journeys, legendary adventures and exploration. 2 May – 13 June, The Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh. For further information, contact 0131 556 9579 or visit www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk

TRAINING DAYS are available for those who work with children, featuring workshops by the Fischy Music Team – new songs specially written for churches and religious assemblies; the Music & Worship Foundation – ‘Songs that work for all ages’; and the Mission & Discipleship Council – ‘All Age Worship’. 23 May (Oban: Kilmore & Oban); 13 June (Dornoch: Cathedral); 19 September (Dumfries: Maxwelltown West Church); 24 October (Aberdeen: Queen’s Cross Church); 14 November (Dalkeith: St John’s & King’s Park Church). Each day will begin with Registration at 12.30pm and end at 8pm following an hour-long concert by Fischy Music. £5 for the day. For further information contact Wendy Kerr on 0141 352 6946 or wkerr@cofscotland.org.uk

EMERGING CHURCH IN SCOTLAND: Special Evening Event with Bishop Graham Cray What is emerging church? How is the central church supporting this agenda? How do you see emerging church changing the Church of Scotland and the Church in Scotland? Commissioners to the General Assembly, non-commissioners and friends from other denominations are invited to take the opportunity of participating in this conversation. 25 May, 7–9pm, Assembly Hall, The Mound, Edinburgh. For further information, contact David Currie on 0131 225 5722 or dcurrie@cofscotland.org.uk

2009 NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST ‘calls the people of Scotland to prayer and the study of Christian scriptures; encourages the prayerful support of those in influence and authority in Scotland; and promotes the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and its values as a model for living in home, work, community and nation’. 27 May, 7am, Macdonald Houston House Hotel, Uphall, West Lothian. For further information, contact Neil Innes on 0131 4495928, 07860 419017, NInnes2743@aol.com or visit www.npbs.info

ANSWER TIME is a ‘Faiths Forum’ panel discussion on topical issues, featuring representatives of many of the major world religious traditions. 29 May, 7.30–9pm (preceded by a light supper at 6.30pm). Galashiels Trinity Church, High Street, TD1 1SE. Free entry, no booking required. For further information, contact Morag Dawson on 01896 752420, moragdawson@yahoo.co.uk or Iain Stewart on 0141 352 6946, istewart@cofscotland.org.uk

FRESH HORIZONS is a day conference for ‘third-agers’ – those contemplating retirement and seeking to serve in various ways thereafter – with the aim of galvanising a fresh army of newly retired and able-retired into mission and ministry wherever God calls. It is also a day to envision pastors as to how the maturity and experience of their third-agers can be released into church, community and world. (Please note, this is not a course on ‘what church can do for seniors’.) 30 May, 10am – 4pm, Stirling Baptist Church. £10. Closing date for bookings is 15 May. For further information, contact 0141 433 4551 or mission@scottishbaptist.org.uk

CITY OF SANCTUARY NATIONAL CONFERENCE There are currently 11 towns and cities throughout the UK working towards recognised ‘City of Sanctuary’ status. This day conference offers an opportunity to find out how local City of Sanctuary groups are building a culture of hospitality and networks of practical support for refugees and people seeking sanctuary, and to explore how your town or city can build a City of Sanctuary initiative. 3 June, 11am – 4.30pm, Sheffield. Free, but places are limited so advance booking is essential. For further information and to register, contact craig@cityofsanctuary.org or visit www.cityofsanctuary.org

FRENZY 2009 is the UK’s largest one-day Christian music festival. 6 June, Royal Highland Hall, Ingliston, Edinburgh. For further information, visit www.frenzyfrenzy.com or contact the ticket hotline on 08708 748748. Youngsters visiting the Church of Scotland stand, which will be providing information and promoting discussion and action on some of the issues facing society (poverty, climate change, injustice, medical ethics etc), will be invited to ‘Use your energy to make a difference’, eg by lobbying their MSP or encouraging their church to become an Eco-Congregation. Facebook users can join in some of the discussion topics (or start their own) by searching ‘Groups’ for the Church and Society Group (look for the big banana) at www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=45318197008

OPEN FARM SUNDAY is an opportunity for everyone to enjoy the countryside, to get in touch with the land, taste the produce and discover at first hand what it means to be a farmer. Each event is unique, with activities based around the host farm’s own individual story, but activities may include a farm walk, nature trail, tractor and trailer rides, pond dipping, activities for kids, a mini farmers’ market or picnics. 7 June. For further information and to find your nearest Open Farm, visit www.farmsunday.org

INTEGRATE – a non-conference that joins the dots – is for paid youth workers ‘who want to explore the bits between their profession of faith and their profession as youth workers’. It will feature Enneagrams (a system of spiritual psychology to categorise personality types) with Dorothy Neilson, and Worship with Graham Allison and Stewart Cutler. 24-26 June, St Andrews University. £75 if paid by the youth worker, £100 if paid by their church. For further information, contact Jane McCarthy on 0131 225 5722 or jmccarthy@cofscotland.org.uk Register at www.madstuff.biz/latest-events/index.php

COACHING II – Coaching Teams Empowering leadership has been identified as one of the crucial characteristics of a healthy church and coaching is about empowering individuals, ministry teams and local churches. Although arranged by NCD-UK, this is not a Natural Church Development workshop but a coaching workshop, led by Christoph Schalk, relevant in all ministry situations where help is required for people to grow and achieve their goals. 29-30 June, Luther King House, Manchester. £150. For further information, contact 01767 692938, info@ncd-uk.com or visit www.ncd-uk.com

CLAN (Christians Linked Across the Nation) is a family event for all ages with worship, teaching, prayer for people, youth events, fun events, billed as ‘excellent equipping of the people of God to go and take God’s presence into their local communities and work places’. 18-24 July, Madras College, St Andrews. For further information and to book, visit www.new-wine-scotland.org

BE THE CHANGE – WELLBEING OF PEOPLE AND PLANET is the title of this year’s Edinburgh Festival of Spirituality and Peace, with a programme comprising Public Talks, Conversations, Film, Drama & Spoken Word, Prayer & Meditation, Exhibitions, Concerts and Workshops. In addition, organisers are open to proposals and suggestions for an international volunteer programme on the theme ‘The Call of Home’. 3-24 August. For further information, click the Festival website

FIELD OF DREAMS This year’s National Youth Assembly, for those aged 16-25 with a connection to the Church of Scotland, is billed as ‘four days of dreaming together on the idyllic campus of Stirling University, with special guests the Immanuel Gospel Choir from Sweden and a myriad of other talented, gorgeous and wonderful people’. 4-7 Sept.. For further information, contact Jane McCarthy on 0131 225 5722 or jmccarthy@cofscotland.org.uk Register at www.madstuff.biz/latest-events/index.php

HOMELESSNESS HURTS This conference from Scottish Churches Housing Action reflects the urgency of the current situation and will pull together threads of various church activities and draw links between the churches and the world of professionals working in homelessness, care and construction. There will be four workshop streams and the opportunity to network widely. 24 & 25 September. For further information and to note interest, contact Valerie Sparling on 0131 477 4500 or val@churches-housing.org

SESSION CLERKS’ CONFERENCE for new, prospective and experienced Session Clerks will look at topics such as ‘The role of the Session Clerk’, ‘Leadership and the Session Clerk’, ‘Session Clerk and Minister’ and ‘Working with the Kirk Session (coping with the task)’. 30 October – 1 November, Carberry, Musselburgh. £180 for the weekend (single, en suite rooms). For further information and to book, contact Gael Coupar on 01738 630514 or gcoupar@cofscotland.org.uk

YOUTH ALPHA TRAINING DAY Youth Alpha, a 10-week course, provides a way for young people in Scotland to explore the Christian faith. A training day is available for people who want to run Youth Alpha, those who are running it and want to keep up to date, and people who have no idea what Youth Alpha is and want to find out more. 14 November, 10am – 4.30pm, Stirling Baptist Church. £10 (includes lunch / refreshments). For further information, visit www.youthalpha.org/conferences

Resources

CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS ideas, service outlines, video, audio and imagery are available for download at www.cwwresources.org.uk

COOKING FOR ONE: Tasty, Healthy Food for Less is a booklet from Scottish Churches Housing Action, especially designed for single people who have not had many opportunities to learn how to cook but would like a few tips to start. £6.50 + P&P (with reductions for bulk orders). Contact 0131 477 4500 or info@churches-housing.org For general information of the work of this charity, visit www.churches-housing.org

GET READY, GO! A child’s first day at school is a big moment in their lives (and for parents, too!) To ensure everyone is prepared, this Scripture Union activity book is designed for parents to work through with their child and covers topics such as assemblies, teachers, lunch and friendships. Further information: Get Ready, Go!

HOPE Theos, the public theology think tank, was commissioned to carry out an independent evaluation of Hope08. The evaluation illustrates how Hope08 happened, what worked, what didn’t, what was learned and what’s still being planned. It also indicates how many people were involved in making Hope08 a success. To download the report, visit www.hope08.com/Publisher/Article.aspx?ID=146307

IT’S YOUR MOVE! is a book from Scripture Union which has helped over a million children make the transition to secondary school. It offers practical advice in an easy-to-use format and includes topics such as homework, bullying, teachers and coursework. Further information:It’s Your Move!

RELATIONS WITH OTHER FAITHS The May edition of this newsletter from Iain Stewart, the Church of Scotland’s Inter-Faith Support Worker, features an article on the Martyrdom of Guru Arjan, and details of forthcoming inter-faith events. Visitwww.churchofscotland.org.uk/extranet/xmissiondisciple/xmdresources.htm#rwof

THE SCOTTISH STORYTELLING CENTRE, 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh, is the ideal place to discover live oral storytelling. Make it the first port of call if you want to nurture your own storytelling skills, develop a community storytelling project or find out how to work with a storyteller. The Centre also presents an extensive public programme of storytelling, theatre and literature, supported by exciting visual arts, craft and multimedia exhibitions. For further information, contact 0131 556 9579, or visit www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk

Rural Church

CARE FARMING aims to promote mental and physical health by giving people the opportunity to spend time working on the land. A launch is planned to promote awareness of Care Farming Scotland, and as a platform to discuss ideas and suggestions. 19 May, 10am – 3pm, MacRobert Pavilion, Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh. For further information and to book a place at the launch event (spaces are limited), contact Adele Thomson, 0131 335 6205 or adelet@rhass.org.uk For further information on the Care Farming Initiative, visit www.ncfi.org.uk

RURAL CHURCH FRINGE EVENT during General Assembly 2009 David Leggat, Executive Chairman of United Auctions, Perth Agricultural Centre, will speak on ‘Challenges in Rural Scotland Today’. Organised by the Church of Scotland’s Rural Strategy Team, this seminar will provide an opportunity to reflect on rural issues and to consider the Church’s response in support of local communities. Lunch will be available on a first-come-first-served basis. 22 May, 12.30-2pm, Augustine Church Centre (Sanctuary area), George IV Bridge, Edinburgh. For further information, contact Sheila Reeves on 0131 225 5722 or sreeves@cofscotland.org.uk

ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW ‘The Churches in Rural Scotland’ stand, adjacent to one of the Showground’s main thoroughfares, will be staffed by representatives of various denominations. Its presence is a statement that the churches are committed to making a positive difference to rural life and experience, and is a reminder too that the churches are visibly and centrally located in many rural communities. Thursday and Friday will feature seminars for school groups, both on the stand and in the showground’s Discovery Centre. Saturday and Sunday are family days and the stand will have Christian clowns, face-painters and puppeteers to entertain young and old alike. In addition, there will be an interactive display in the Discovery Centre on the theme: ‘Rural Scotland/Rural Africa’, exploring the differences and similarities in life for young people. 25–28 June. For further information, contact Sheila Reeves on 0131 225 5722 or sreeves@cofscotland.org.uk

RURAL MINISTRY STUDY LEAVE COURSE The Mission & Discipleship Council and Ministries Council of the Church of Scotland are organising this event for those already in rural ministry and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of what rural ministry means. 3–6 November, Balmoral. Study Leave can be used for the course, the cost of which is £225, and some bursary funding may be available to ministries in the Church of Scotland not covered by the Study Leave scheme. Preliminary registration of interest should be lodged with Sheila Reeves on 0131 225 5722 or sreeves@cofscotland.org.uk

WHAT A GOOD IDEA!

THE AMBULANCE SERVICE has suggested that it would be very helpful if everyone who carries a mobile phone registers details of a person to get in touch with in case of emergency. Put the name and number in your contacts list under ICE, i.e. as well as the normal entry in your phone for "John Smith" (or whoever your emergency contact is) create a new entry in your address book as "ICE John Smith" with the relevant contact details. (ICE stands for "In Case of Emergency", in case you were wondering!)

Trusts/Funding

ALLCHURCHES TRUST provides grants to churches for building projects, renovation and community initiatives. There is no deadline for applications. Read case studies of awarded funds, complete an application form, email them or phone 01452 336 370.

EMERGING MINISTRIES FUND was set up in 2008 by the Church of Scotland to explore and encourage new patterns of church around Scotland. The fund is available to congregations and Presbyteries, who can apply for grants in relation to local or Presbytery-wide need. Applications will be considered by the Emerging Ministries Task Group at regular meetings throughout the year, the next one being 11 June. For information on how to apply and to download the guidance notes, visit www.churchofscotland.org.uk/councils/ministries/minecindex.htm

FiSCAF – Faith in Scotland Community Action Fund – has been launched to work with local faith groups as they build hope and struggle against poverty, by providing grants and support for their initiatives in Scotland’s most fragile urban and rural communities. FiSCAF is an initiative of Faith in Community (Scotland), an anti-poverty organisation working with and through people of faith. For more information about the project and how to apply for a grant, contact 0141 221 4544, info@fiscaf.org or visit www.fiscaf.org/index_files/Page1027.htm

PARISH DEVELOPMENT FUND/PRIORITY AREAS STAFFING FUND All over Scotland there are congregations who have found that they are able to do what they never thought they could do because of money which they have received from the General Assembly through the Parish Development Fund. If you are seeking to develop work which is community focused and is responding to local needs and issues, the Fund may be able to help. If you are a Priority Area parish on the main or supplementary list, funding is available towards staffing costs for posts additional to those agreed in your Presbytery Plan. For further information, contact Amy Norton on 0131 225 5722, anorton@cofscotland.org.uk or visit http://churchofscotland.org.uk/councils/pdfund/index.htm

SPECIAL MISSIONS TRUSTS provide funds for projects which will further mission and outreach in some form or another. Enquiries and requests for application forms should be directed to Mrs Eva Elder on 0131 225 5722 or eelder@cofscotland.org.uk

Some Websites to Explore

www.acts-scotland.org.uk is the website of the National Ecumenical Body of Churches in Scotland. Among the resources available is the ‘Together’ newsletter, Spring edition.

www.careforthefamily.org.uk/ Care for the Family is a national charity which aims to promote strong family life and to help those hurting because of family breakdown.

www.edinburgh2010.org contains news, events, study themes and resources in advance of the celebration of the Centenary of the 1910 Missionary Conference from 2-6 June next year.

www.resourcingchurches.org.uk is an online place for the churches in Scotland to use as a portal for resources that will help in everyday congregational life.