Crown Church
Kingsmills Road
Inverness
IV2 3JT
Church Office:
01463 231140
Go to: Appreciation of Revd Dr Peter Donald
Intrepid in Israel
It was only eight days really – packed with new experiences, the spiritual highs of unchanged tranquil Galilee, the poverty and despair of ghetto Bethlehem and most states in between as our caring, sharing wee group travelled on exchanging views, texts from home, health updates, the occasional Imodium/pink mixture and deepening friendships as we went.
Galilee
In Galilee we meet Jesus in his ordinary life – the builder (it seems carpenter is a slight mistranslation) with the very ordinary name, going about his business following the traditional tracks, around Nazareth down to the shore of Lake Galilee. And we meet him in his extra-ordinary life – we visit Cana where He quietly turned the water into wedding wine; we follow the shoreline where He called the disciples and sail on the lake in a traditional boat on the calm waters He once stilled; we visit the remains of Capernaum, a trader crossroads then and Jesus’ HQ in his teaching years, where archaeologists have identified the foundations of the synagogue of his time and the likely remains of Peter’s mother-in-law’s house. We visit the Mount of the Beatitudes and see the bowl in the hills where thousands could listen; we look at the open landscape round the lake and understand how crowds were able to see and follow Jesus and his disciples on foot or by boat from place to place.
The sites are all close to one another – as people then walked everywhere – and some have more than one association; for example, following the Resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples practically on the site where 5,000 were fed, with the same menu of bread and cooked fish, and the same powerful message ‘Feed my lambs’. It is also amazing to think that teaching given to so few people in a very small rural area has made its way right round the entire world.
Moving on
Pilgrims there are in plenty here but somehow the Galilee countryside, a riot of spring flowers when we visited, absorbs us all and peace prevails. We then take the road to Jerusalem via the Jordan River, all its water diverted to irrigation projects, an eco-disaster in the making. We pass by ancient Jericho, where the walls have indeed tumbled down, and take the parable road to Jerusalem through desert and desolation which must have made it a truly terrifying place for the lone traveller. We cannot begin to imagine the thoughts of Jesus, walking this way to his crucifixion with his companions unable to comprehend the situation.
Jerusalem
In Jerusalem we jostle, and compete for space, with thousands of pilgrims and with ordinary city life. Walking the very steep route of the of the Palm Sunday approach to the old city with its striking views of hill tops, city walls, domes, steeples and minarets is deeply moving as is the site of Gethsemane. Within the Old City, it’s harder to find direction and picture events – traditionally Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac here – and the Wailing Wall, Dome of the Rock and the sites of the Via Dolorosa, Crucifixion and Holy Sepulchre are all concentrated on this one City hill top…. not to mention a thousand souvenir sellers! Most moving moment for me – standing in darkness and silent prayer in the prisoners’ pit in the remains of Caiaphas’ palace – where Jesus most probably spent the last night of his physical life – and yes, some of us did hear the cock crow.
The West Bank
In Bethlehem we enter the West Bank experience – through checkpoints manned by heavily armed soldiers and an 8 metre high wall – into a world of poverty and economic collapse which has quite simply become one large scale open prison for any Palestinian – Christian or Muslim – under the age of 40, for none are allowed to enter or leave without ‘special permission’. We see the site of the Nativity, church still marked from earlier Israeli shelling and we see the failed businesses and the half built houses, victims of funding cuts by the West’s ‘economic blockade’.
Impressions
Realising the multi national nature of Christianity as we queued with French, Polish, Indian & Sri Lankan (among others) at holy sites and round the buffet table; also, more soberly, realising how much of their life savings some of the pilgrims must have invested in this journey. On a lighter note, marvelling at the range of souvenirs devised for the devout – illuminating babies, Virgins (all with haloes) and, most doubtful of all, a crucifixion painting which blinks as you pass by.
Then there is the dignity and hospitality of the Palestinians – not least our excellent guide Jarir - as we meet them in shops, hospital and university and learn more of their dire situation and humiliating treatment. We also recognise our own resentment of situation and soldiers but recall that Jesus too taught his message of love, healing and reconciliation in an occupied country to anyone who would accept it – we are indeed truly challenged by this and all we have seen.
Finally heartfelt thanks to Willis for his inspiring leadership of the group and to everyone for their prayers for our safe journeying.
Mairi Telfer
An Appreciation of Revd Dr Peter Donald
The following is taken from ‘The Blue Book’ of Reports to the 2008 General Assembly.
“Rev Dr Peter Donald completes his term of office as Vice Convener of the Council and Convener of the Worship and Doctrine Task Group at this year’s General Assembly. He had previously served as Convener of the Panel on Doctrine and has contributed, for a number of years, in a variety of ways, to the Church’s exploration of important theological and liturgical issues.
Throughout his period of office, he has brought to the various Groups he has led and guided a broad understanding of the world church, and a careful appreciation of the ecumenical impact and importance of any Report or Deliverance suggested to the General Assembly. His wide knowledge of resources and his interest in the historical traditions of the whole heritage of the church catholic have also made a vital contribution to the often complex and controversial debates necessary for the preparation of Reports that have theological integrity and contemporary application.
It is the hope of the Council that his talents and gifts may still be used in future. The Council welcomes his willingness to continue to be involved in the Task Group’s work in the area of human sexuality and theology. While Rev Dr Donald’s commitment to the ecumenical movement and, in particular, his involvement with the work of the World Council of Churches will continue, this is an opportunity to record the gratitude of the Church of Scotland for his high level of commitment, his time, energy and engagement in a wide variety of Working Groups which have enriched the Church.
ANGUS MORRISON, Convener JOCK STEIN, Vice-Convener
LINDA DUNNETT, Vice-Convener DOUGLAS A O NICOL, Council Secretary
STEVE MALLON, Associate Secretary ALEX M MILLAR, Associate Secretary
NIGEL J ROBB, Associate Secretary The Mission and Discipleship Council”
The Congregational Board has appointed Stewart Wilson and Neil Morrison as Joint Facilities Conveners to take over from Gordon Falconer. Many thanks to Gordon for his good stewardship of our buildings.
‘If we come together, we can achieve amazing things.’
Rekha Biswas from Bangladesh provides the most humbling and inspirational example for Christian Aid Week. This courageous lady goes from house to house, talking to families about the problems they face getting water. And vitally, she challenges gender roles. She encourages women to come to meetings of the local pani parishad, the village water council. Getting clean water is a problem throughout Bangladesh. In the northeast, water scarcity and lack of infrastructure create difficulties for the many landless communities living there. In the central low-lying wetlands, the land is flooded for more than half the year and underground water sources can be contaminated with arsenic. In the southwest, the rise in sea-levels, partly as a result of climate change, is making fresh water salty. People often have to walk for up to 24 hours to collect water to drink.
Through the new village pani parishad (water council), Minu Basar has learned how to harvest rainwater safely so that she doesn’t have to travel for a whole day and cross a dangerous river to fetch drinking water. And when water’s not on tap, as it is for most of us in the developed world, it’s women and children who suffer the most. They spend hours carrying heavy pots of water to their families. Lack of water can also lead to family disputes, with women and children bearing the brunt of their husbands’ or fathers’ short tempers at the end of a day’s labour, and risking abuse. Women also have no economic independence as their lives are spent collecting water. And they end up caring for family members who become sick through drinking dirty water. Children lose out on education because they have to spend long periods fetching water. Rekha has voiced this injustice and given hope to the whole village.
Now that the village has clean water, the pani parishad is working to establish schools, as well as looking at plans to reconstruct roads and take action to stop child marriage. The villagers now have the power to make their lives better. And the pani parishads encourage women to take an active role. Each council must have more than 50 per cent female membership and the president must be female. Rekha explains that: ‘In the pani parishad, we give training to help [people] understand what they need and then how to achieve it. But most importantly, they understand that they can do things for themselves.’ Rekha tells people that if they come together, they can achieve things that they couldn’t if they were alone. By giving up a couple of hours during Christian Aid Week, you are collecting so much more than money. Your gifts can mean water, rights and courage. By coming together, we can achieve amazing things.
David Crippin
Please support the collectors in the Crown parish with your prayers. Please also support the members of Cloud Ten who are providing a Hunger Lunch on Sunday May 11th after the morning service.
Inviting people to stop awhile and enjoy the beautiful garden at the side of the church is a new memorial bench, gifted in memory of Mrs Margaret Mackay, nee Burns, who was actively involved in Crown Church in her early years along with her parents Willie and Dolly Burns. After marrying, she spent most of her life in Africa, returning in 1986 to live in Buckinghamshire. The parents of husband Ian were Roderick and Jessie Mackay, Roderick being an Elder until his death in 1977.
Do make use of the bench if you are passing on a sunny day!
Have you heard of the Resource Centre? Do you know where it is?
The Centre is to be found in Crown Church, just off the upper hall and is open during term time on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings from 10 am until 12 noon. It holds a library of books, videos and music as well as a supply of craft materials. These resources are available to anyone who wishes to come and explore. We have something for everyone – Guild members, Sunday School teachers, the general public, youth organisations, elders and even ministers!
The following Christian Aid materials have just arrived and are available to borrow:
 |
Empowering People – This DVD rom is loaded with videos, songs and worship ideas for all ages. |
|
Justice and the Heart of God – a set of ten studies suitable for small group use. |
|
The Poverty Challenge – a simulation game where players take on the role of families from different countries to experience the impact of poverty and how sustainable development training can improve their livelihoods. |
|
Feeling the Heat – a selection of activities to help young people get to grips with some of the issues surrounding climate change. |
We also have Alpha course materials which can be lent out either through the centre or Colin Baillie.
Books, music and an overhead projector can be borrowed at no cost. Videos can be hired at a small charge and craft materials are available to purchase. The Centre has both a black and white and a colour photocopier for use at competitive prices. There is also a guillotine and a laminator to give your notices a professional look.
Why not visit the centre soon? All are welcome.
Dawn Cooper
New Start Highland began in 1999, to support people previously homeless with "starter packs" and recycled furniture. There were 14 volunteers from the local churches to start it off; I remember the meeting we held in the Old High Church hall. Now there are 27 full-time staff, 5 part-time and 3 relief staff, and 55 volunteers. There is a community shop in Dalneigh; towards 600 starter packs will be issued this year; maybe some 1750 households will be part-furnished. This is no longer just in Inverness, as at the start, but into Ross and Cromarty, Badenoch and Strathspey. The church links are still very strong, but there are also now partnerships with both statutory bodies and other voluntary organisations. A big thank you to everyone who has donated furniture and other items to New Start. The quality of life has been improved for many others; and many items have been kept out of landfill!
Peter Donald