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From the Minister
Dear friends,
As I write, spring has come at last! But are the cold days gone?! Change at
least is in the air – and so also in our common life.
I hope we welcome new members. And also we think of losses in our midst, as
some have died and others have moved on, or soon will. Anticipating moves, we
wish not least Ailsa Macinnes and Scott McRoberts God’s rich blessing as they
will continue their Christian service based elsewhere. And we remember those who
are newly married and those planning wedding days.
We have new activities. Some church organisations of course cease regular
meeting in the longer and brighter days, when the great outdoors (not to mention
the garden!) invites us to be at one with the whole creation. Young people set
off camping and hiking; holidays may be taken. So what ventures start up? The
Walkers’ Club, the various summer outings (including now informal family times
out); different rhythms of Sunday worship will come.
The nearest and dearest things matter very much. At the same time, it is
more than fitting for us to keep in thought and prayer how the winds of God’s
Holy Spirit blow to the ends of the earth. For these poor people caught up in
the huge mess of Zimbabwe’s politics; glimpsing the pain and suffering in Kenya,
Somalia, the Congo; with all the unresolved questions in China’s economy and
geography as the eyes of the world are taken to the Olympics; as uncertainties
abound over oil supplies and financial security, and so on: where is renewing
hope to be found? Pentecost, which we mark on 11 May, is a story of good news
being communicable in every possible language. It pushes us to experience in God
both a force as purging as fire, where there is dross to be burnt, and as
refreshing as a cool breeze on a hot day.
I daresay that those coming to us from Kingston, Jamaica in the week after
11th May might well help us to appreciate what this is all about! Let us pray
for that.
“O Holy Spirit, giver of light and life, free us from all that is
matter-of-fact, stale, bored, tired; all that takes things for
granted. Open our eyes to see, and excite our minds to marvel.”
(from Sri Lanka)
“Even as the water falls on dry tea leaves
and brings out their flavour,
so may your spirit fall on us
and renew us,
that we may bring refreshment and joy to others.”
Yours,
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The View from God’s Little Acre
A Jamaican Hello!
On Thursday 15 May, four members of the North Street United Church of
Kingston, Jamaica will arrive in Inverness for a "state visit" to Crown Church.
This is phase two of our getting to know you introduction to our sister church
in Jamaica. In September Mairi Telfer, David Bowen, Gus McGowan and myself went
out to visit the Kingston Church. It was a wonderful visit promoted by the
Church of Scotland in the hope that perhaps our two congregations could link our
futures together in a unique way in what is called the "Twinning Programme". We
came back very positive about the possibilities. Phase two was an invitation we
extended to our Jamaican partners to come to Inverness to visit us and get to
know us better. A deputation of four led by the Rev. Nigel Pusey will be
arriving at the Inverness Airport on Thursday 15th May.
It is important that we give them as much exposure to our congregation as
is possible. The Outreach Committee is the official sponsoring agency, but we
hope that before they leave they will be feted to genuine Highland hospitality
and many of our people will come to know and appreciate our Jamaican "twins".
A variety of activities both serious and touristy have been devised by what
has come to be called our "Kingston Quartet".
Among the activities planned will be a Ceilidh in the halls for our
congregation to welcome the Jamaicans on the Saturday evening. The Rev. Mr.
Pusey will preach on Sunday at 11, and two of his team will serve as readers.
Then in the evening worship service, the Jamaicans will conduct the service and
we will be able to meet them informally following the worship service.
Among the other activities will be a visit to Cale House, Rotary Club, a
bar-b-q at Kirkhill Manse, a covered dish supper at the home of Gus McGowan, a
visit to Cauldeen and Crown Primary Schools, a visit with the Provost, a visit
to the Merkinch Project and a quick sightseeing excursion to Edinburgh.
We are most grateful to those who have agreed to host our guests: Donald
and Beth Matheson, Charles and Linda Moncur, David and Anne Bowen and Edward and
Gus McGowan.
We know that you will enjoy getting to know these delightful people from a
warmer clime. In fact, they are absolutely terrified that they will freeze to
death. In fact, while we were there I was asked if Scots people live in igloos!
If you see them coming just turn up the thermostat a tad and swelter in the
midst of their comfort.
Missionally Yours,
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