Mission and Discipleship

Every month I receive a very lengthy email from the Mission and Discipleship Council which contains all sorts of information about conferences, events and resources. I thought I would post it here, because there may be information in it which could inform, help or inspire you. If so, you can subscribe and receive the email yourself on a monthly basis.
DM

Necklaces and bracelets (a.k.a wristbands!)

A massive thank you to all the people that have so far bought the necklaces and bracelets (or wristbands as the boys called them). Today alone we collected £249!!! We are selling the pieces for £2 or £3, and as Caroline would sell these in Uganda for about 80 pence, we are already helping to make a HUGE difference in this little girls life! There will be a last oppoprtunity to buy something this Sunday coming (sorry about the late post Rachel - admin!), and then we will be sending all the money raised to Caroline - via Laurence and Mhairi. Thank you to everyone, and please pray for Caroline as she uses this money to pay for her school fees in Uganda. Please remember to pray for her, and Laurence and Mhairi as they continue to help individuals through their Good Samaritan Fund. Thanks again.
Rachel

Can you keep quiet?

STREET PASTORS

Street Pastors is an interdenominational Church response to neighbourhood problems; engaging with people on the streets and in night-time venues to care, listen, talk and offer practical help. Ingrid and I have volunteered for the Street Pastors initiative in Inverness. We are currently undergoing training and hope to be out on the streets in Inverness in November. In reality, this will mean going out in teams of 4 one Friday per month from 10pm till 4am.
We are both very excited at being given the opportunity to GO with the Good News expressed through love as Jesus commanded us. Street Pastors is only one way of doing this.
Our first training day was last Saturday. A husband and wife team from Brixton undertook the whole day's training. They have been Street Pastors for five years in a very tough city centre and their stories were an amazing testimony to God's faithfulness. Listening to their stories was amazing, but THEN they landed us in real-life scenarios through role-play. Very testing! Training is imperative and that is a good thing. Altogether there are 12 training sessions. Some of these sessions will be undertaken by the police and some by social services.
If you want to find out more speak to Ingrid or myself or see the web:
www.streetpastors.org.uk
www.underthecanopy.net
We would appreciate your prayers for us as individuals and for the initiative as a whole
We shall keep you posted.
Doda

Golf

The anual golf evening took place at Fairways last night. The temperature was warm, but there was a fierce wind which made conditions tricky. 36 of us had a great evening battling it out for prizes as varied as the best chip and the highest score! The best adult score was recorded by Jim Neil and the best youth score by his son, Calum Neil. Well done to both of them, and thank you, Iain and Mairi Ross for organising such an enjoyable evening. Hopefully, you will see some pictures of the vent posted here in the near future.
DM

PRAYER AT THE CENTRE

At the centre of the NEXUS 2007 EXHIBITION was a prayer space which was very thoughfully laid out. There was a large cross which you could sit on, laid across the floor with each point marked according to its direction (N, S, E & W). It was a very attractive space with bright colours, interesting art and a variety of different plants and flowers. On the cross and amongst the pieces of art were many aids to prayer which you can find here. Food for thought as far as stimulating prayer within our fellowship. For me, it was a welcome oasis amidst the frenetic activity going on all around the hall.
DM

Spirituality To Go!

Yesterday, I was down in Glasgow at the SECC attending NEXUS Scotland 2007. It was an opportunity to network with many different people working in local churches and church based organisations across Scotland. A group from Hilton are going down on Saturday to see Duggie Dug Dug, so hopefully they'll tell us all about it when they get back.

I attended a seminar called More afraid of living than dying by Olive Drane in the afternoon. You can listen to the talk here. Much of the presentation was based around her recent book Spirituality to go. The book is an exploration of ways in which you can discover God in and through the every day rituals of your life. I think it is a book that many people will find very helpful. Olive has also started a website called Spirituality to go, which gives an opportunity for people to share their experiences and wisdom in terms of spiritual exploration. I had added the site to my favourites and look forward to reading it during the coming months.
DM

BLOG ON

Life is returning to normal after the summer holiday, and we would love you to email us here with news of events and activities which you are involved in as part of Hilton Church. The more news and views you can pass on to us, the more interesting the blog will be.

NEW MORNING SERVICE

Last Sunday morning , the church was packed. The Kirk Session is meeting next weekend to make a decision on introducing a second morning service in the autumn. We believe that it is important to respond to the situation of operating near capacity by making space for further growth within the congregation.
DM

Fore

Iain Ross has been busy with all the last minute details of organising Hilton's anual golf night at Fairways on Friday evening from 5pm. We have a record entry of 36 players for the event. As yet, we don't have a major prize sponsor for the event, so if you are reading this and would like invaluable publicity for your business, please contact Iain here.
DM

Prayer Gathering

After a summer of hanging loose as far as many of the regular gatherings of the congregation are concerned, the lunchtime prayer gatherings resumed for an hour from 12.30 today. For many years, a small but committed group of intercessors have met to pray for the congregation, the local community and anything else that needs praying for. On a number of occasions, we have been blest to see some very immediate and powerful answers to our prayers. Prayer is powerful, and it is great to be able to pray together in many different groups as part of Hilton Church. On Wednesday 26th September, there is a prayer gathering for the whole church at 7.30pm. The last major prayer gathering was wonderful and you can read about it here.
DM

Anybody for a helicopter ride?

I think taking to the skies to pray OVER the city is a brilliant idea. I shall join you in the helicopter , Duncan!
Doda

Praying Over the City!

Prayer walks have become increasingly popular in recent years, but today I came across something entirely new - PRAYER ONE. Pastors in Denver are taking to the skies to pray over their city! Only in America!
DM

Peru Update

More about The Vine Trust's post earthquake appeal can be found here. There are also details on the webpage if you want to contribute to the appeal.

Makes you think

A brilliant post below this morning by EMERGENT KIWI. While you're at it, you might want to read LIVING WITTILY'S reflections on THE HIGH COST OF BOTTLED WATER. We live in a complex world which confronts us with many difficult moral and ethical questions.
DM


The parable of the missing talents
I have been preaching on the topic of Jesus and money. One of the business people in the church asked me what I thought was an excellent question: what would Jesus have said if one of the people in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-28) had lost money. It got me thinking about how domesticated the Parable has become, and prompted me to have a go at contemporarising the parable in light of contemporary ethical issues.
Any suggestions to the "What would Jesus say? gratefully accepted, as Sunday's coming!

"Again, it will be like a businesswoman going on a journey, who called her servants and entrusted her property to them. To one she gave 3.5 million dollars, to another 1.5 million, and to another 700,000, each according to their ability. Then she went on her journey. The one who had received the 3.5 million went at once and put his money to work and gained 3.5 million more. So also, the one with the 1.5 million gained 1.5 million more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, and placed it in Kiwisaver.

"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the 3.5 million brought the other 3.5 million. 'Master,' she said, 'you entrusted me with 3.5 million. See, I have gained 3.5 million more. I set up a sweat shop in Thailand and used bonded labour to supply cheap chairs for growing churches.
What would Jesus say to that?

"The one with the 1.5 million also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with 1.5 million. I invested them in the share markets and foreign exchange currency. But I lost my money when the Kiwi dollar crashed.'
What would Jesus say to that?

"Then the man who had received the 700,000 came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard woman, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was careful and cautious and planned for my retirement and I invested in Kiwisaver. When I retire, I am sure that you will get what belongs to you.'
What would Jesus say to that?

Peru Earthquake

Last night an earthquake hit the coastal region of Ica. The province of Ica is about 150 miles south of Lima. There have been significant casualties and according to the BBC reports it was a terrifying experience. The Vine Trust have a street childrens project in the city of Ica which I visited last January. As yet, I haven't heard any news from the Vine Trust, but will let you know when I hear.
DM

Disturb us, Lord

Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves;
when our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little;
When we arrive safely because we sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly - to venture on wider seas where storms will show your mastery;
where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars.

Holiday Club

Holiday Club was great. We had over 50 kids there for the whole week. The theme for the week was Going Wild, set in the jungle. Scott McRoberts and I were playing the parts of Jeff and Zac, two beach dudes who got lost in the jungle. We had a great time trying to find our way out of the jungle.

The set looked amazing...thanks to those who helped set it all up...thanks too to those who helped knock it down. The kids loved going through the tunnel we created in the foyer, with real jungle sounds (CD player).

I just want to thank the team for such a great week. We all worked together really well, so thanks. I hope and pray that all 50+ of those kids will have learnt something of God, and how He loves each and every one of them, and that they will want to find out more and more.....

CW

HOW CAN I REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Over the next two weeks, we will have the opportunity to buy handmade Ugandan jewlery through in the large hall at coffee time after the morning service. All of it has been made by a young orphan girl who has been helped by the Good Samaritan Fund which our own Laurence and Mhairi have set up in Uganda. All the money raised will be given direct to young Caroline, who is making the necklaces and bracelets to help fund her schooling. A great chance to make a real difference in one little girls life! Further details about Caroline are available through previous post giving info. about the work of Laurence and Mairi.
Rachel

Taize! Taize! Taize!

It was with great reluctance and a rebellious heart I went to church this evening. When Duncan told me that it was to be a Taize service , I thought 'Oh no! I am not going!'
As soon as I sat down in the large circle and looked at people's faces, I became aware of God's presence.
The music, singing, Scripture readings and prayers brought the peace that only comes from God. The low communion table situated in the centre of the the circle and the way Duncan reclined at the side of the table, reminding us that that was the way Jesus shared the last supper with His disciples must have impacted the whole congregation. The whole setting made partaking of the Lord's supper a meaningful experience.
AFTER THE SERVICE, I HAD TO ASK A NUMBER OF PEOPLE FOR FORGIVENESS!
As for God, well, He is full of surprises. He is true to His Word and can melt a rebellious heart.
I am glad I went to church this evening and thank you to all involved .
Doda

AMAZON HEARTBEAT

The series got off to a good start on Monday evening, and the second episode is tonight at 8pm. The STV homepage has lots of interesting backround information about the making of the programme which you can read here. You can also read the Scotsmans positive review of the first episode here, together with an excellent article by Emma Cowing .
DM

Laurence and Mairi

Many of you will have been keeping track of Laurence and Mairi's work in Uganda over the past while. For the latest news on their adventure click here. The last paragraph refers to a story of a women called Prudence.
SMacQ

Peace - perfect peace

"True peace is a product of God, not of circumstances."

The above is a quote from Stuart MacQuarrie's sermon last night and it certainly struck a chord with me. I find it so easy to give in to the devil and get burdened by worries. Then, the enemy's job is to kill, steal and destroy. It was great to be reminded by Stuart that God puts our sorrows in a black box with a hole in it and our joys are stored up in a gold box. I am so grateful that God's peace is not dependent on our circumstances AND WHEN WE RECEIVE IT BY FAITH, our circumstances fade into insignificance. Thank you, Stuart. Gun robh an Cruthaidheir gad bheannachadh!


Doda

The Forgotten Ways

Several months ago, I read the following quote, and it has prompted me to reflect on the shape of Hilton Church as far as mission is concerned. To what extent are the ministries of Hilton Church driven by a missional imperative?

"In a remark ascribed to Gordon Cosby, the pioneering leader of that remarkable community Church of the Savior in Washington, D.C. He noted that in over sixty years of significant ministry, he had observed that no groups that came together around a non-missional purpose (e.g. prayer, worship, study, etc.) ever ended up becoming missional. It was only those groups that set out to be missional (while embracing prayer, worship, study, etc. in the process) that actually got to doing it.... Experience tells us that a church that aims at ministry seldom gets to mission even if it sincerely intends to do so. But the church that aims at mission will have to do ministry, because ministry is the means to do mission. Our services, our ministries, need a greater cause to keep them alive and give their broader meaning. by planting the flag outside the walls and boundaries of the church, so to speak, the church discovers itself by rallying to it--this is mission."

In thinking more deeply about this I have been greatly helped by Alan Hirsch's book THE FORGOTTEN WAYS. If the notion of being a church which aims at mission fires your soul, this is a book worth reading. You will find many of the book's key ideas in Alan's very engaging blog, also called The Forgotten Ways.

DM

Simon Returns

We are delighted to hear that Simon Varwell is moving back to Inverness after the summer. Simon introduced many of us to blogging through his hilarious accounts of his attempts to find a new church in Glasgow. St Silas' loss is most dinfinitely Hilton's gain!
DM

John Stott Retires

The Rev. Dr. John Stott concluded his final public engagement this past week, asking evangelical Christians in England, "What is God's purpose for his people?”

World-renowned British Anglican evangelist, Dr John Stott gave his final sermon, July 17, at the Keswick Convention. He now has retired from public ministry.

Giving his last major address before retiring from public ministry, the man whom many regard as one of the most celebrated evangelists of the modern era told the crowd at this year’s annual convention in Keswick, England: “I want to share with you where my mind has come to rest as I approach the end of my pilgrimage on earth.

“God wants His people to become like Christ,” Stott said, as he was greeted with a standing ovation. “Christ-likeness is the will of God for the people of God.”

Stott, who has been called by the Rev. Billy Graham as “the most respected clergyman in the world today,” spoke Wednesday night as his last speaking engagement before he is to retire from public ministry at the age of 87, moving to a retirement community for Anglican clergy.

The full text of his sermon can be read here
DM

Hope on the Amazon

In 2 months time a team of 37 from Hilton Church is heading for the Amazon and the Andes to help build homes for street children. The Vine Trust is going through a time of unprecedented growth and activity. Princess Anne recently visited the projects on the Amazon and recommissioned AH2.

Next week, the series Amazon Heartbeat begins on STV. The trailer is very stirring and can be watched below, with Willie MacPherson in his own inimitable style saying, that when he gives an account for his life,

"I'd rather be found guilty for doing something, than be found guilty for doing nothing"

DM