INTRODUCTION

A Muslim community elder described to me how young Muslim women walking down the road wearing the Hijab scarf are attacked, have the scarf torn off their heads and are spat on. The speaker wasn’t describing some far off place or even England, he was telling me about some of the things his community face in Glasgow. I am sure that if you asked your Muslim neighbours in this area you… click here to read more

Paul K. Chapman

Priority Areas, Church of Scotland

I am very pleased to be asked to start off this Lenten series on Faith and Violence – topics that have consumed my thinking for many years, perhaps since the days of the Civil Rights movement in the United States when non-violence was the defining quality of that historic change in national values.  Interestingly, the same dynamic May be manifest in today’s struggle for social change in some of the countries in the Middle East.

I’ll begin with some definitions:  I think it is useful to look at violence… click here to read more

Christianity and Creation (CRAGs) Outline: Sessions 1 and 2

(Tues. 22 Feb. 2011 @ 2pm, St. P’s; Mon. 28 Feb. 2011 @ 7.30pm, St. James’)

1.      INTRODUCTION
1.1    What are we doing? Looking at relationship between faith/environment; thinking about the particular perspective that our faith can offer in the contemporary discussions regarding the environment.

1.2    Why are we doing it? Think about stewardship of the earth; engage with a contemporary; emphasise the relationship between environment and Christ’s calling to care for most vulnerable; encourage people to participate in Carbon Fast for Lent.

1.3    Outline Provide outline for this session and talk through.

Time: 5-10 mins.

Materials: Flip chart; copies of syllabus/plan.

[NB: Use ppt. throughout to reduce paper… click here to read more

CHRISTIANITY AND CREATION:

faith in our environment;  faith and our environment; faith for our environment.

Two discussions examining the biblical and theological basis for environmental stewardship.

Session 1

Tuesday 22 Feb 2011 @ 2pm; St. Philip’s
(repeated Monday 28 Feb. @ 7.30pm; St. James’)

Session 2

Wednesday 2 March @ 2pm; St. Mark’s
(repeated Thursday 3 March @ 7.30pm; Old Parish; venue to be confirmed)

Each session lasts approximately 90 minutes.

More details on… click here to read more

St Philip’s Church, Joppa will be holding a series of Lent Lectures on the Sunday evenings of Lent, beginning at 7.30pm.  The theme of the lectures will be Faith and Violence.  Our speakers have a wealth of knowledge on these subjects as authors, academics, activists and practitioners.

On 13 March Paul Chapman will be speaking on Faith and the Violence of Poverty.

Paul has sought all his life to live a non-violent life style, having been introduced to that theme by Martin Luther King, Jr. with whom he worked in the Civil Rights movement in the United States in the 1960s.  Most of his life he has worked with impoverished and excluded people, and is now in his fourth year of working… click here to read more

Tuesday 14 December 2010 at 7.30pm:
A Service of Peace and Remembrance (for those who have lost loved ones)

Wednesday 15 December 2-4pm:
The church is open as a space for reflection

Sunday 19 December (4th Sunday of Advent)
9.30   Communion
11.00  Worship with Nativity Dialogue

Friday 24 December (Christmas Eve)
4pm             Carols 4 Kids (Songs and stories for babies, toddlers and carers)
6.30pm      Family Service (Songs, story and Jr. Choir for older kids)
11.00pm    Community Carols (Fun Christmas songs)
11.30pm    Watchnight Service

Saturday 25 December (Christmas)
9.30am      Communion
10.30am   Family Service

Sunday 26 December
9.30am     Communion at St. Mark’s
11.00am   Joint Service with St. Mark’s

He did this to raise money to help fund a trip to Africa for one of our Breakfast Club alumni to volunteer for six months. His efforts raised over £2000 towards the cause.  Here’s what David had to say…

I completed the Three Peaks Challenge over the bank holiday weekend by scaling the highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales all within the space of 24 hours.  To make the “challenge” a little more difficult I opted not to complete the challenge with the assistance of a… click here to read more

COMMENTS FROM THE EDITOR

Your editor was up late collating the election results, cheering for the Liberal Conservative Democrats Labouring in Green Scottish Nationalist Socialist Fields, and though it was tempting to rest, it was thought best to send.

After all, it is better to send than receive.

Who voted this editor into office?

THOUGHT

Politics and religion are often uneasy partners.  And so it should be: part of our faith is speaking truth to power.  One of the most articulate exponents is the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and your editor has always appreciated his comments.  Even if questioned or, more likely, only partially understood, they require thought.  Because education is an essential part of this election, here’s something for us. 

At present in the United Kingdom, education is suffering a steady attrition of resources and imagination, and is at every level under pressure to give

… click here to read more

The Session have recently been discussing the possibility of moving to a form of structure called the Unitary Constitution. At present, our two main committees are the Congregational Board and the Session.  The Board typically deal with the buildings and the money, whereas Session oversee the organisations, the spiritual welfare of the congregation and are responsible for the pastoral oversight as well.

The national church has been encouraging congregations to move to the Unitary Constitution, in which the matters once reserved for the Congregational Board now fall under the remit of the Session.  Not only does it streamline the leadership of the church but it also reflects our faith.  The way we use our money and buildings cannot and should not be separated from a faith in the God who came to us in flesh and blood, a real part of this physical world.

One of

… click here to read more