TEDDY BEAR PICNIC PICTURES

TEDDY BEARS PICNIC

A great afternoon at Nairn beach. I'm leaving it for Morag to post a report on what was a wonderful afternoon. Thank you Morag for organising such a great event for everyone.Photos to follow!

SOWING SEEDS

A great service this morning led by Iain macritchie. He encouraged us to be sowers of seeds for God's kingdom. There is a wonder and a mystery in the way that seeds that are sown grow. The grass sown in the Light house garden is already beginning to emerge. The tree in the centre of the garden was only planted about 15 years ago. At first, it required a stake to keep it from falling over. Now it is tall and strong and has a central place in the garden.

CONGO MISSION

A team from Hilton Church visited N. Carolina in 2006. Many firm friendships have flowed from that trip, not least with my wonderful hosts, Randy & Barbara Walker. One of the truly impressive aspects of our visit to North America were the insights we got regarding the mission budgets of the churches we visited there. The budgets of many churches for developing world projects often run to seven figure sums anually. This Monday, Barbara is going on a team from Myers Park Presbyterian Church to the Congo. You can follow the trip blog here.

OPENING PHOTOS

OFFICIAL OPENING PHOTOS

Thank's to Arnold for his photographs during this afternoon's events.

THE OFFICIAL OPENING

I'll try and post some of the photographs from the afternoon, later this evening. We've had a very successful afternoon with the Light house being very busy from 2-5pm. It's great to see the building up and running and operating so well. A big thank you to Gwen and Michelle, together with all the many volunteers who contributed to such a memorable weekend.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I'm afraid I listen more to Radio 5 Live (Bloke FM!) rather than to Radio Scotland, so I don't often hear Thought for the Day. The following one which I found here is worth pondering on.

MORE CONGRATULATIONS

Last month, we congratulated Scott MacRoberts on being accepted for ordained ministry. This month, we are delighted to note that Michael Robertson has also been accepted as a candidate for the Church of Scotland ministry. Both Scott and Michael plan to do their training at HTC. It is great that those training for the ministry nolonger have to leave the Highlands when they embark on their training. While Scott and Michael are beginning, Rob Barlow is nearing the end of his training. He will hopefully graduate from HTC in the autumn, as well as completing his probationary 15 months in Beauly.

LIGHT HOUSE OFFICAL OPENING

The Light house is being offically opened tomorrow (Saturday). The Cafe will be offering free hospitality from 2-5pm, together with face painting, bouncy castles and various other attractions. David Sutherland CBE, will be unveiling a plaque to mark the official opening around 3.30pm.

GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS!

We have an unusually high proportion of boys in our Sunday Club at Hilton Church. We are therefore delighted to note that the balance has been dramatically redressed in recent days with the addition of 3 baby girls. Juliette to Stuart & Fiona Blackhall, Rebekah to Rod & Jane MacLean, and now a baby girl, as yet unnamed, to Stuart & Emily MacQuarrie.

Ben Mhanach

My holiday began so well - a 25km walk on the first day to Ben Mhanach. Unfortunately, I didn't manage another day on the hill. I went down with a severe throat infection which resulted in a perforated ear drum. Today, I'm not fit enough to walk 1 km! These times, as well as slowing you down, help you to appreciate your health when you have it. I had hoped to try and complete my remaining Munros this year, but it may well have to wait until 2010 now.

CHRIS MOYLES on CHURCH

In March, we all saw Chris Moyles on Kilimanjaro! I have just listened to Chris Moyles on Church! It is one of the most heart warming, funny and informative pieces of radio I have heard in a long time.

LECTIONARY READINGS

Lectionary Readings for Sunday 14th June 09

1 Samuel 15:34-16:13

Psalm 20 / Psalm 92

2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13), 14-17;

Mark 4:26-34

LECTIONARY READINGS

Lectionary Readings for Sunday 7th June 09
Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 29
Romans 8:12-17; John 3:1-17