Events

Gardner Memorial Church of Scotland

22 hours ago

Sunday 27 September 2020

Had all things been equal the members of Farnell would be returning to their seats in the Church this weekend with Gardner members following the week after.

However in a world of facemasks, bubbles, safe distances, hand washing and so on all is not equal.

And in a world where some are contracting a potentially lethal and life debilitating illness and some are not, all is indeed not equal.

Technically if all the various precautions had been taken then we could have opened our Churches. However sometimes technicalities and legalities must be laid aside and common sense prevail.

If other churches around the land are open then that’s their choice. Our choice is to put the health and well-being of our members and their families first and stay closed.

Please contact me by phone or e mail if you wish to talk about that decision

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Had we been on on the go this weekend then I would have followed the recommended Lectionary passage …

Matthew 21:23-32
Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him.

“By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”

They discussed it among them.

But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”

So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.

For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

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The Rev David Coleman is Chaplain for Eco-Congregation Scotland and he writes about this passage from Matthew’s Gospel…

Today we are privileged to read one of the immensely significant body of stories of Jesus, effectively yelling, “Get on with it!” to those who ought to know better than to keep things as they are.

As this passage shows, arguing about matters of authority when the truth is staring you in the face is not likely to get us very far.

In the wake of such acute crises as we have encountered in recent months, we can now add to this how dangerous it might be to long for a return to ‘the way things always were.’

Change is inevitable and irrevocable. We get used to it, or perish. We are not even the same people, or the same churches that we were at the beginning of this year.

Power and privilege, in religion as in politics, can entrench the status quo, and hinder the vital responsiveness that goes with the leadership of any sustainable society.

‘Talking the talk’ is often an effective way to avoid ‘walking the walk’.

In recent years the Church has learned to talk positively about ‘Creation’, and about ‘stewardship’ as though our fellow creatures were mere property that we were paid to take care of.

The science is sufficiently clear, authoritative, and prominent: if you want to survive in time of crisis, the status quo has to go. And yet, beyond movements like Eco-Congregation and Eco-church, the sacrificial lead is being taken by young climate strikers and non-violent protesters.

But this mandate is not just “of human origin” (v.26), but from God.

It is a covenant, to be responsible – as the head of a long-standing family business might be, rather than merely as an employee – for what we are part of: the entirety of the world.

A world that God loves so much that “He gave His only Son....”

In Jesus’ response to the attack on His credentials, we also note that those most marginalised (the tax-collectors and prostitutes) may also be the most responsive to the pressure to change.

Those whom we most overlook may be the ones to watch, when we’re seeking direction. Or those living in poverty, and on the sharp-end of climate change, who have nothing further to lose.

Finally, trust, explore and test your own inspiration and reaction to Scripture, and to world events.

As a Christian writer on environmental matters, I’m frequently frustrated that so few people, even amongst scholars, are prepared to take the risk of coming out with what they really think and feel.

It seems Jesus had the same problem.

But here, He is equal to it!

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As you know, I am passionate about the environment, how we value it and how we fail to value it. I am very concerned about the world we will live the generations to come to inherit.

Please share this passion. Share my concerns. Ask what kind of world we are creating for the generations to come. Don’t talk the talk, walk the walk.

Footprints In The Sand
by Carolyn Joyce Carty

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed
he was walking along the beach with God.

Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to God.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.

He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.

He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he
questioned God about it:

“God, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you’d walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me.”

God replied:

“My child, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you.”

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Prayer

May the road through life rise to meet you
May the wind be at your back
the sun shining on you
May any rain that falls be soft and light
May you all be held in the hollow of God’s hand

May you walk with God

Amen

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The old lady handed her bank card to a bank teller and said, “I would like to withdraw £10
The teller told her, “For withdrawals less than £100 please use the ATM.”
The old lady wanted to know why ...
The teller returned her bank card and irritably told her, “These are the rules. Please leave if there is no other matter. There is a queue behind you.”
The old lady remained silent for a few seconds, then handed the card back to the teller and said, “Please help me withdraw all the money I have.”
The teller was astonished when she checked the account balance. She nodded her head, leaned down and respectfully told her, you have £30,000 in your account and the bank doesn't have that much cash currently. Could you make an appointment and come again tomorrow?
The old lady then asked how much she could withdraw immediately.
The teller told her any amount up to £3000
"Well, please let me have £3000 now", she said
The teller then handed it over to her.
The old lady put £10 in her bag and asked the teller to deposit £2990 back into her account.
the moral of this tale .......
Don't be difficult with old people, they spent a lifetime learning the skill

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On-line this week…

Eaglais Ghàidhlig Air-loidhne - Gaelic congregations of Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh and Saint Columba's Gaelic Church, Glasgow. New services every Sunday on their YouTube channel, from a range of preachers.

or

Abernyte linked with Inchture and Kinnaird linked with Longforgan

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And so, to the members of Gardner and Farnell, may the touch of God on your hearts bring you a sense of peace, belonging and love.

Malcolm
E: malc.rooney@gmail.com M: 07909993233 ... See MoreSee Less

Gardner Memorial Church of Scotland

1 week ago

Dear fellow members of Farnell Parish Church and Gardner Memorial Church September 2020

We are writing to you on behalf of the Kirk Sessions to let you know that both Churches will reopen soon. However the re-opening pattern will be different than before the Covid 19 Pandemic. To begin with both Churches will only re-open for one Sunday service per month on different Sundays. The Churches will also re-open for weddings and funerals.

Farnell will re-open on Sunday 27th September at 9.30am and thereafter on the last Sunday of the month. Gardner Memorial will re-open on Sunday 4th October at 11.00am and thereafter on the first Sunday of the month. We will review the frequency of opening as we move through the winter period.

The Kirk Sessions understand that not everyone will feel comfortable about coming back to Church at this time and we would urge extreme caution if you were in the shielding or high risk categories during the lock down period. We will follow the guidelines set out by the Scottish Government and the Church of Scotland and this will mean that coming to church will take on a new format. For example…

• facemasks must be worn at all times in the buildings
• two metre distancing must be maintained and physical contact avoided
• hand-sanitisers will be available of the Church doors and must be used entering and exiting the buildings
• Test and Protect arrangements mean that the contact details of all present must be recorded
• only the downstairs areas of the buildings can be used
• pew cushions have to be removed but you may wish to bring your own cushion which you must take home with you
• there will be marked seats to ensure two metre distancing and you will be directed to a seat
• the number of seating areas available will be limited to 20 in Farnell and 38 in Gardner
• there will be no hymn singing but we will play hymns and other forms of music
• the service style will change with increased use of multimedia resources
• offerings and FWO Envelopes should be left on entry or made by standing order
• please do not hang about in the church entrances
• there will be no teas of coffees after the services
• AND the minister will bring his belt from teaching days to ensure all guidelines are followed.

We recognise that none of the above is very welcoming but if you do feel ready to return to Church, then you will be warmly welcomed.

The Office is not yet open but it would be helpful if you could let us know by phone [01356 629191] or e mail [office@gardnermemorialbrechin.org.uk] if you are intending to come to Farnell or Gardner so that we can make sure that we are able to accommodate everybody.

Finally if you have any questions about the return to services please contact us. ... See MoreSee Less