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

MUNRO MIST!

One of these days we are going to get a good day in the Scottish hills! A poor forecast again this week, so we went to Glen Feshie near Aviemore. We climbed a top called Carn Ban Mhor, but spent most of the time walking in mist. The views on the way down across Strathespey were good and it was great to be able to see so many beautiful trees like the Caledonian Pines.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Amidst all the furore of this year's Assembly, some very inspiring events took place. There was a very significant presentation by Bishop Graham Cray on Emerging Church. This is something we are particularly interested in exploring at Hilton Church, so take a look and see what you think. Archbishop Desmond Tutu also spoke to the Assembly and received a standing ovation. I haven't had an opportunity to watch either presentation yet, but you can acess them via this link.

asbo jesus

brilliant.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

I had to go down to Edinburgh for a meeting yesterday. I'm glad that these trips are not a regular part of my work. The General Assembly is taking place, so there were some familiar faces going into the buildings above. It has been a very controversial Assembly. A Special Commission has been set up to look at the matter of human sexuality and will report back in 2 years time. The issue is now very clearly and unavoidably on the agenda of the National Church.

LECTIONARY READINGS

Lectionary Readings for Sunday 31st May 09

“The Holy Spirit brings Redemption”

Psalm 110:1 Joel 2:28-32
John 21:15-19 Acts 2:1-41

seed is sown

A good turn out on Thursday evening ensured that the grass seed was sown within 90 minutes. This included a break for refreshments while more grass seed was purchased. Thanks to everyone for helping and we look forward to seeing green shoots emerging soon.