Manse Re-Development Project

The manse re-development project, for a variety of reasons, has struggled to get off the ground. In recent days there has been very encouraging progress with the establishment of a new project team under the leadership of Iain Ross. An update will be given to the congregation next Sunday morning, and we will post the update on this blog. We are grateful to God for the way that a team of very able members of our congregation has come together so swiftly with an enthusiasm to see the project suceed. At our Kirk Session meeting last night, we agreed to have a gathering for prayer in the former manse at 7.30pm on Thursday, 6th December. We believe that prayer is a vital element in this project and we hope that as many people as possible will be able to gather that evening.

DM

Musicians welcome!

Over the past few years, we have come to a place where we have 4 different bands playing at the various services. Last Sunday, we launched a new service at 11.30am. It was encouraging to see over 40 people there, and we see exciting possibilities in terms of new people being able to exercise their gifts. We have 4 bands for the first service, but as yet we have no definite commitments from any musicians to lead at the second service. It may be that you are reading this and you would like an opportunity to serve through playing at the second service. If so, we would welcome you with open arms. You can contact me here.
DM

IYFC

IYFC are doing a marvellous job working in very creative ways to reach out with the gospel to young people across the Highlands. You can read about some of their outstanding work here.
DM

A Historic Day?

We live in an age that is uncertain about the future and obsessed with the past. Cynicism prevails too often and sows subtle but deadly seeds into the hearts of any that dare to look orward and dream of what could be. Relationships are not expected to last, new jobs will turn sour and we will be left dispirited and disillusioned....at least you could be forgiven for picking up these signals.

Contrast that with Gods people who look forward to eternity, a people that encourage, support and forgive one another. A people that dare to plan, and believe in a good and better future for all. A people not living on past glories (or failures!) and then you have to wonder whether yesterday was a historic moment for Hilton Church. After all, starting a second morning service is a daring and risky move. Failure would be visible to all and lets face it we all hate failure!

I have to admit that I wondered how it would go. Would anyone turn up for the second service at all? Would the first service still be full and buzzing in its usual manner now that we had moved it back half an hour to a 10am start? One of my Dad's favourite expressions is 'If it ain't broke don't fix it', and I am sure that many of those involved in the decision to change the format at Hilton worried that we might be doing just that, messing up something that was clearly working well, even though we have been planning and praying for growth for some time now. So, what happened.....?

Well, it was a great day of encouragement. The 10am service was packed with all of our usual folk, old and young, some back from holiday, and the team back from Peru. Murray and the gang led us in worship and a multi-national team from Operation Mobilisation told us of there work both at home and overseas. Phew!... one down and two to go...

The second service started a little late but we had 40 plus people present which was just great. Rodney from OM led us through the service and even led us in worship as a one man band (no problem he was given 5 minutes notice after all!). I was on the sound desk with Tom and we had to keep turning up the guitar because folks were drowning it out with their singing. Oh sure we had lots of empty seats but we had left them deliberately to remind us of all those folk that God has planned to come and fill them. So the second service had finally happened... great!

On to Impact Cafe and I am sure we had our biggest attendance yet. We had 10 tables out and must have seen 70+. As usual I had great difficulty getting them to stop talking and start the 'not so formal' proceedings. Our youngsters did their usual immaculate job of serving everyone and OM once again did a great job of informing and encouraging us; in fact it was very fitting that all of the services were led by OM, a Mission organisation about to celebrate Fifty years of International Mission. We learned of work in India where there have been thousands of so called 'untouchables', or Dalits as they are known, renounce Hinduism and embrace Christianity - a faith that would give them value, purpose and hope. We also learned of the work that OM is doing in London amongst the 1 million or more Muslims that now live there. The team from OM gave us a glimpse of what is happening around the world and I found it very encouraging against the background of our own efforts to 'mobilise' and go for it.

There are not many moments in life which one can look upon and say 'that was a Historic day', but I look forward to some time in the future when we all might look back and say ' that was indeed a Historic day for Hilton', a day that meant Hilton could go forward, a day without which many would not have had the chance to hear or know about the goodness, the hope and future certainty that is available for all those that belong to God's people in Christ.

Thanks to everyone for your prayerful and practical support.
Now lets move on and fill those empty seats! Amen.

Rob Barlow

Words of Thankfulness

Christine Grant and family would like to thank everyone in the Hilton Church family for their love, care and for all of the practical expressions of support that we have received over the last months of Hugh's life. Thanks also to all those who attended Hugh's funeral on Tuesday and to
Duncan and Hector for the beautiful service. Hugh would have been delighted by it all! We greatly appreciate the many examples of true care and fellowship that we have experienced over the past weeks and months.

Richard Gibbons

This Sunday, Richard Gibbons is installed as senior pastor of Ist Presbyterian Church, Greenville. You can read his latest prayer letter here.
DM

Hugh Grant

It has been a very sad week for us all at Hilton Church. On Tuesday, the funeral took place of Hugh Grant, a greatly loved and much respected member of our congregation. Hugh was with us for only two years, but in that short time he made a huge impact on us all. Last Sunday morning, one of our elders Doda Dennis gave the following tribute during our morning worship service, which reflects our thoughts at this time.
DM

Peru 2007

The members of the Peru workparty began arriving home last Sunday night, with a sizeable group arriving home in the early hours of Thursday morning. Some members of the group are still exploring various parts of Peru, and one member of the team is heading for Bolivia. From all accounts it was a wonderful trip, and hopefully the various members of the team will write about their expereinces in some future posts.
DM

Social Action

I see my role as being one of stirring the pot and seeing what inspires people. Here's an idea which I think would be well worth exploring at Hilton.
DM

Gibbons Update

Many folk have been asking about how Richard Gibbons is getting on in Greenville. I hadn't heard from him since his departure in August, until last week when he phoned. He was asking warmly after everyone. It sounds like it has been quite a challenge to come to grips with the sheer scale of the church, with 600 attending the contemporary service and another 2000 going to the other services. They have bought a house which they move into in mid August.Ruth and Michael are both settling in well too, although for all of them they still feel the distance in terms of missing family and friends. Hopefully, Richard will find some time when he gets to grips with his 60 plus committees to send us an email with all the news.
DM

Arrivals as well as departures

Great news from the Brown clan! Yesterday, Gillian gave birth to Grace Molly, who weighed in at 10' 15.'' Congratulations to Alan and Gillian and we look forward to seeing you at Hilton in the near future.

WOW!

Less than 48 hours until departure for the Peru Workparty, and a final e-mail has just arrived from Calum Munro, the Vine Trust co-odinator of the trip. He writes,

"Many thanks indeed for all your fundraising, so far the group has raised over £25,000- an absolutely amazing total."

That is a remarkable fund raising effort! Well done team members and thank you to everyone who has given to the project in so many different ways.
DM