PENTECOST IMAGES

We had a very special Pentecost party at Hilton Church on Sunday morning along with John and Olive Drane. The morning began with hospitality together with various stations on the front lawn. The weather was ideal. We began our worship on the front lawn and then processed into the church. After the service we created two new banners using hand and foot prints. A service like this involves a massive amount of preparation, but the outcomes make it really worthwhile.Thank you, Morag for sharing some of your images from the morning.

MIND BODY SPIRIT

Jonny Baker has a post about exhibiting at a Mind Body Spirit Festival in London this week. It reminds me of a similar experience I had in Sydney in 1999. Here is the list of exhibitors for the same festival in 2010. Can you find the Christian presence?

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

I'm sorry I haven't been posting anything this past week on the blog, but there has been rather a lot going on. Normally I try and avoid trips south of Inverness as much as possible. For one reason or another, I have been back and fore to the Central Belt 4 times in the last 12 days! I have just arrived back from the General Assembly this afternoon. If you want a flavour of what I was experiencing, you can read the GA blog HERE.

REALITY WORKS

I have just had a really interesting meeting with Richard Morrison of Reality Works, a Christian organisation seeking to support the physical, spiritual ,emotional and mental needs of young people. In the Highlands there focus is especially centred around young people with autism. If you would like to find out more, you can do so here.

lighthouse

The Management team for the Lighthouse meets tonight. I was in and out of the Lighthouse at various points today, and was struck by just how busy it was. We have continued to make progress on both customers and room bookings which is encouraging. Major items on the agenda tonight will include agreeing to open in the evenings from the beginning of June, probably Tuesdays to Fridays 6.30-9.30pm. Andrea Boyes, our student assistant minister, will be working for the Centre during the summer months and will head up this new initiative. We will also be looking at a marketing strategy to increase awareness of the Lighthouse, and be considering a funding strategy to ensure sustainable staffing of the Centre in the years to come. Running a Centre like the Lighthouse which depends on very committed staff and volunteers is undoubtedly hard work, but it is very rewarding to see the Centre increasingly serving and meeting the needs of its immediate neighbourhood.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland begins in Edinburgh on Thursday. I am a commissioner this year, the first time I've been one for 6 years. If you want a flavour of what is happening, here's the page from the Church of Scotland website.

Pentecost Sunday

I have a bit of a crazy schedule this week, so I'm spending Monday night, trying to get some planning done for the services next Sunday. I'm wondering if you can help me out, with ideas and resources for our pentecost service?

We're planning to begin our time together by gathering on the front lawn of the church.

I'm wondering whether I might be able to get 3 or 4 folk with gazebos, willing to have them erected on the lawn by 9.30am, ready for the congregation beginning to arrive from 9.45am?

We also need the use of 2 slow cookers during the service, and finally any ideas for how to create a flame effect at the front of the church. In these days of health and safety, I don't suppose we can light a fire, so we need to try and work out some kind of flame effect with wind and fire!

I would really value responses to duncan@hiltonchurch.org.uk

The dream ends!

The dream of Scottish Cup victory for Ross County came to an end at Hampden Park yesterday afternoon. Dundee United deservedly won the match 3-0. It was my first time at such an event, and I found it a profoundly moving experience. Some 20,000 fans travelled to Glasgow from the Highlands for the game. It was great to be there just to see and hear the crowd as the teams marched onto the pitch. I was wondering in historical terms, when a group of Highlanders would have last been been gathered in such large numbers? It may possibly have been during the First World War? So no visit of Barcelona to Dingwall after all, with Motherwell getting the final European spot, but the journey to the final was a wonderful experience for all who shared in it.

HOMEGROUP WORSHIP

I think this cartoon from asbo jesus sums up the mystery of God which Jonathan was talking about in his sermon today. This morning, the Brown's homegroup were leading the service. I particularly appreciated the adapted use of Lectio Divina in relation to our Scripture reading. I find it very helpful to hear the scripture passage read three times, with some space for reflection and prayer in between. I was also blessed by the reminder of the breadth of the church in the world during the Sunday club time, when everyone who could speak a language other than English was invited to speak. In a wee congregation like Hilton, we had Polish, Gaelic, French, Africaans, Nepali and Swedish (and that was just those who were willing to share!) The Brown group also has a very International dimension, with one of the members, Matt currently serving with Oasis in Zimbabwe. He constructed a very impressive presentation with music for the service before his departure. Thank you and Happy birthday tomorrow, Matt! The purpose of asking groups to lead worship was to hopefully release the creativity of a team in a Service. I thought there were many encouraging signs of this in our worship today.

TREVOR DRUMMOND

We have all been very saddened at the news of the sudden death of Trevor Drummond while on holiday in Eastern Europe. Trevor together with Margaret were very involved in the life of our congregation for over 10 years before moving to Edinbane on Skye several years ago. Trevor was unfailingly positive about life and laughter was seldom absent from any meeting I ever had with him. He was an outstanding man who enriched all of our lives through his presence and service as part of our congregation. We will all remember him with great fondness and thanksgiving at Hilton Church.

Eilidh flew out yesterday to Budapest to be with Margaret while arrangements for returning to the UK are made. We hold them both in our prayers today together with Andy, Fergus and Iona, as they go through this sad and difficult time as a family.

A NEW APPROACH

It's pretty clear that the church across Scotland is facing terminal decline if it sticks with its historic approach. But all is not doom and gloom - anything but! Across Scotland lots of creative responses and approaches to Church are being adopted, and it was good to see some of them being mentioned here in the P&J.

GRASS

Despite the unseasonal weather with hailstones falling this week and a cold northerly wind, the grass has continued to grow. Iain Ross was busy last night keeping it all under control. One of the features of the last few years has been the diminution of areas where grass requires to be cut, as space for car parking has been created around the Lighthouse. It's possible that there may be even less grass cutting after the re-development of the garden area happens. A meeting takes place tonight for all interested parties in the Lighthouse at 7.30pm. I also received a very interesting link from Dorcas regarding ideas for garden spaces which you can read here. The images in the link look really good.I will be interested to see what plans emerge. I'm off today to Edinburgh for a 25th Anniversary Reception for the Vine Trust at Holyrood House. I'll tell you all about it when I get back!

MISSION SCOTLAND

I've just received information about a Mission School taking place in Glasgow at the end of August.

SNH

I was up at Great Glen House at lunchtime today. What an impressive building and what a great view over the city. On the way back, I drove along the edge of the River Ness. The Churches along the river are very striking on such a beautiful day.

No Songs Please, We're Blokish.

From Sorted Magazine:
Two out of three confessed to feeling ill at ease in a pew, while only one in two said the same of a ladies underwear shop. Most off-putting are the hymns. Sixty-seven per cent say they do not feel comfortable singing in church. Almost eight out of 10 are happy to croon in the shower while 53 per cent chant cheerily at football matches. But just one in three will willingly open a hymn book at a religious service.

CHURCH BUILDING CLOSES

The final service of worship took place at St Columba High on Sunday am. Services for the congregation now continue at Holm Primary School every Sunday at 4pm.

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 2010

Christian Aid week begins tomorrow. Read here about a most remarkable book sale venture in support of Christian Aid.

Politics and Faith.

The election is now over and the various political leaders are engaged in a process of dialogue in an attempt to form a viable Government. I suspect that we may be back at the polling booths before too long. Some interesting questions at Eternal Echoes to reflect on. After a period of increasing apathy regarding the political realm, it's encouraging to note the high level of turn out at the election and the re-engagement of so many people in the process. Politics touches all of our lives, and its vital for the health of our society that we are involved. Our own local community is faced with some very challenging issues at the moment which are directly linked to the turmoil which is taking place nationally and globally. We were praying about these issues this morning at our meeting, and we plan to be engaged in the process on the ground too.

END OF LIFE ISSUES

Stephen Hutchison has written an article on the End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill which you can read here.

cherry blossom

After the Leaders Prayer time this morning at the Lighthouse, I couldn't help myself from taking some more photos of the cherry blossom. It really does look so beautiful.

NEW LIGHTHOUSE POST

The Church of Scotland is a living community which covers people throughout Scotland and beyond.

Community Development Worker
£22,220 - £26,605, Inverness
Leading the ongoing development of our Lighthouse project, you will also bring forward new initiatives to strengthen our engagement in areas of community need and service. A catalyst for extending congregational participation, you will organise activities, recruit volunteers and help develop a strategy that meets the needs of all age groups. You will be flexible and creative with good communication skills, a heart for people and their needs, a commitment to partnership working and a full driving licence.

Find out more about us at www.churchofscotland.org.uk and to obtain an application pack e-mail recruitment@cofscotland.org.uk or call 0131 240 2249 (24 hour answering service) quoting reference xx/xx/10.

Closing date: Friday 21 May 2010.

The Church of Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland SC011353.

SAVE HILTON COMMUNITY CENTRE

I had a meeting yesterday with Maureen Ross, chairperson of the Hilton Community Centre Management Committee. She was really encouraged by the level of attendance at the Public Meeting on Wednesday evening. 100 people turned up including all 4 local councillors, and there were many offers of practical support. The Community Centre plays a vital role in Hilton, and its good to see such a robust case being made for it remaining open.

JUMP

The next 'Jump' event will take place at Inshes Parish Church from 10am till 12pm on Saturday, 15th May 2010. Cost is £1 per child, payable at the door.

'Jump' is a creative praise and worship event for primary aged children who attend SU groups, kids clubs and/or church groups in Inverness and surrounding areas. Through a programme of fun, fast-paced, stimulating two hour sessions, children will experience all together worship, lots of different activities, and workshops. Encourage the children to come along! You can access further information at Jump website - www.jumpinverness.org.uk

If you wish to reserve places, phone Morag Macritchie (235204) or email her at morag.macritchie@tiscali.co.uk no later than Wednesday 12th may 2010.

CHERRY TREE IN BLOSSOM

LIGHTHOUSE GARDEN

I took a few pictures in the Lighthouse garden this afternoon, just as a record of what it's like before we get under way with any works. A planning meeting has been organised for 13th May at 7.30pm in the Lighthouse, to which anyone who has any interest in being part of the garden developments is very welcome. If we can get sufficient interest and support, we would hope to have the garden open to some extent by the end of June.

ELECTION DAY

And so another election day dawns. I can remember watching the people flooding into Hilton Church to vote in 1997 when Tony Blair became Prime Minister. I recall being in Queensland, Australia when John Major was surprisingly elected in 1992, and I even remember sitting my French O Level the day Margaret Thatcher was elected in 1979. It was snowing! I can also remember Heath and Wilson being elected in the 1970's.I wonder what the outcome will be today. Personally, I like GadgetVicar's take on it.

Youth Inclusive

Tonight the Board of Youth Inclusive meets at the Lighthouse. It has been a real blessing to have Drew Kuzma and Brian Irvine sharing our church office space, and even sharing in serving at the Lighthouse over a busy lunchtime last Friday. We welcome the opportunity to partner with YI in their work amongst youth within the community, and we hope that we can increasingly do more to help.Another great cartoon above by asbo jesus.

Why vote?

Another great cartoon by Dave Walker.

Tribute to Raymond Manson

At the memorial service in Hilton on Friday evening and at the funeral in Mallaig on Saturday, Donald MacDonald made this very moving tribute to Raymond. here

"What I didn't mention..."

One of the challenges of Sunday is having far more material than you can possibly include in a limited period of time. In relation to the lectionary reading from John's gospel, here is an excellent post from Tim Chester. I also spoke abour reflecting on our personal story of coming to faith in Christ. Here's a fascinating post by Steve Taylor on 10 different ways people might understand the gospel.

CRASH HELMET CHRISTIANITY!

Here's a Eugene Petersen quote I am going to use this morning. It highlights the question of whether as Christians we grasp the radical nature of God's call upon our lives?

“On the whole, I do not find Christians,
outside the catacombs,
sufficiently sensible of the conditions.
Does any-one have the foggiest idea what sort
of power we so blithely invoke?
Or, as I suspect,
does no one believe a word of it?
The churches are children
playing on the floor with their chemistry sets,
mixing up a batch of TNT
to kill a Sunday morning.
It is madness to wear ladies' straw hats and
velvet hats to church;
we should all be wearing crash helmets.
Ushers should issue life preservers
and signal flares;
they should lash us to our pews.
For the sleeping god may wake some day
and take offense, or the waking god may draw
us out to where we can never return."

It's Saturday night, but Sundays coming!

It's Saturday night, and I'm working on the service for tomorrow morning. I met a minister recently who had just completed his sermon a fortnight in advance! I'm afraid I can't work that way. I always need a deadline for the creative juices to flow. Having said that, I don't normally leave it as late as this, but with a particularly busy schedule this week I haven't really had much time to sit down and prepare before tonight. I read the key passage on Tuesday morning -Acts 11, and I have been meditating on it ever since. Tonight is all about getting all my thoughts down on paper!

Wedding

Congratulations to Jenna Cumming and William Morrison married at the RNI Chapel this afternoon.

ONE WEEK TO GO!

The General Election takes place in one weeks time. If you want an insight into the local candidates, here's a link to help you. In relation to our PM's recent unguarded statements , here's a piece to give the matter a bit of perspective!

Moderator visits Lighthouse

The visit to the Lighthouse by the Moderator William Hewitt went very smoothly. He has a very relaxed manner and spent about 45 minutes meeting and chatting with a variety of people in the Centre. It can't be a very easy role having to meet with numerous people day after day (ask Gordon Brown!) but this moderator is certainly able to perform this job well.

LIGHTHOUSE GARDEN PROJECT

The Lighthouse is taking shape step by step. One of the next major steps is to do something significant with the garden area. We're delighted that Emma Watson has agreed to become the co-ordinator for this Project. Do you have ideas, plants , green fingers, time ( all or any!). We have a blank canvas! A planning meeting, to which everyone who is interested in being involved is invited to, will take place in the Lighthouse on Thursday 13th May at 7.30pm. If you would like any further information speak to Duncan or contact Emma at

emmawatson@doctors.net.uk

Minister cut

On a week when the Moderator of the Church of Scotland is in Inverness and on a day when he is visiting the Lighthouse, here is an interesting report outlining the shape of the future. It is proposed to cut the number of ministers by 20% in the next 4 years. This proposal is primarily driven by decline - not enough members to pay the salaries - but I believe it's impact may well be very positive, in that it should effectively vest more responsibility on the people within the church rather than one "professional". Personally, I believe paid staff/ministers have a vital role to play within the life of any missional church, but a key focus in that role should be releasing and engaging the gifts of all the people. We are facing challenging times ahead, but I welcome the challenge and think that it may well lead to a much more purposeful and engaged Church of Scotland.

VISION FOR THE FUTURE

We are facing some major expenditure issues in relation to our buildings, which are now over 50 years old. Tonight at our Board meeting, we were considering our medium and long term vision for our buildings. Should we persevere with a scenario where the church isn't big enough for the number of people who attend every Sunday morning or should we look at increasing the capacity? Do we need a major overhaul of our large hall which is pretty drab and doesn't really provide the right kind of enviroment for anything other than a game of badminton? Over a meal and coffee, we talked around these issues for a couple of hours, and it was very helpful to listen to all the various points of view. There appears to be a strong consensus that it's important to reflect together on our vision for the buildings over the next few months. It will be discussed again next month. In the mean time, our chairman Mike Robertson will be consulting with and recruiting a number of folk within the congregation with particular skills and insights to contribute to the discussions.

CIVIC RECEPTION

I attended a civic reception last night in the Town House for the Moderator who is currently visiting Inverness. The Town House is a remarkable building and well worth a visit if you have never been in. Perhaps people might accuse me of being a fundamentalist, but one of the things which struck me last night was that in this gathering to honour the visit of a church leader and the contribution of the Church to the local community, I don't recall in any of the speeches one informal mention of the person of Jesus/Christ! It's striking how often He is marginalised, when He is ultimately the reason we are here in the first place.

RAYMOND MANSON

A service of thanksgiving for the life of Raymond Manson is to take place in Hilton Church on Friday at 7pm. The funeral will take place at 12 noon on Saturday in Mallaig. We continue to hold Marion and the family in our prayers at this difficult time.