Church of Scotland Guild June E-News
Let your light shine
Guilds throughout the country have certainly let their light shine over the past few weeks as they have come together for Regional Gatherings in Springburn, Edinburgh, Kilmarnock, Dundee, Castle Douglas and the last one for this session in Inverurie.
How encouraging it has been to share in all of these Gatherings and meet with people in their own areas. Each one will hold a special memory for me and, as I look back in the days ahead, I’m sure these memories will bring a smile and remind me of all the Guild folks throughout the country.
Yes, these Gatherings have been a great time of Guild fellowship but I must say the highlight of last month has to have been my week in Edinburgh at the General Assembly.
The invitation to Holyrood, the Moderator’s reception, and the Big Sing at the Assembly, which gave Guilds the opportunity to ‘shine their light’ as they told their lockdown stories and, although fewer in number than normal, the singing was still a time of great celebration.
Then, of course, we had the presentation of the Guild report to the Assembly. Thank you all for your prayers, support and encouragement. The report was well received with lots of thoughtful and encouraging comments.
For those Guilds who are taking a break for the summer, I thank you for letting your light shine in the past few months, and for summer Guilds I pray that you may let your light shine in the months ahead as you share fellowship with each other.
No matter when or where our Guilds come together it is so encouraging to know that all we do is for the wider work of the Guild at home and abroad.
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” - Matthew 5:16
Have a great summer everyone.
Blessings to you all,
Margaret Muir
National Convener
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Bathgate High Guild's 130th birthday
Bathgate High Guild was formed in May 1891 with 97 members. Last year would have been their 130th birthday but because of Covid-19 regulations they could not celebrate it.
So here they are, one year later, at their AGM with afternoon tea to end this session.
Although numbers are depleted, a good time was had by all and they hope to see their numbers increase in the years to come as they continue to 'Look Forward in Faith'.
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Tartan takes flight
The Guild at Cupar Old were delighted to welcome visitors from America at a recent church service: Anne and Ray Schneider from Jefferson City, Missouri.
Anne is a former convener of Presbyterian Women of the Missouri Union Presbytery. She also served as Moderator of the Missouri Union Presbytery. She and her husband were doing a tour of Scotland and were in Cupar because Anne's ancestors emigrated from here in the 1800s.
Pictured are Cupar Old Committee (Jean, Eileen, Mary and Hilary) and Jeff, their minister, along with Anne and Ray who were presented with a Guild tartan scarf and tie.
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Life and Work General Assembly supplement
The magazine of the Church of Scotland has produced a free four-page summary of the key decisions and speeches from the 2022 General Assembly.
Inside the supplement, you will find a reader offer from Saint Andrew Press with 20% off selected books, stationery and resources until 30 June – order here <https://churchofscotland.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=29d4cd56ce6871362e9339137&id=529a1d2df2&e=43d4a1fa0e> <https://churchofscotland.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=29d4cd56ce6871362e9339137&id=dc7e8a4596&e=43d4a1fa0e> using the promotion code 'General Assembly'.
Download the supplement <https://churchofscotland.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=29d4cd56ce6871362e9339137&id=2e1fc84287&e=43d4a1fa0e>
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Regional Gatherings
We were delighted at the response to our recent series of Regional Gatherings in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Kilmarnock, Castle Douglas, Dundee and Inverurie. In Dundee, we had a full house of folks from Guilds in Fife, Perth and Kinross, Dundee, Dunkeld and Miegle and Angus who enjoyed an inspiring talk from former Moderator, Very Rev Dr Martin Fair.
All in all, over 500 Guild members were able to join together and we hope that a similar event might take place next year.
If you think your area has good transport links and a venue that can host about 100 people, please let us know and we will add your suggestion to our list of possible venues.
Email your possible regional venue <mailto:guild@churchofscotland.org.uk?subject=Possible%20Regional%20Venue&body=I%20think%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20would%20be%20a%20great%20place%20for%20a%20Regional%20Gathering.>
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The Guild at the General Assembly
The Guild enjoyed a very fruitful week at the General Assembly. It was a week full of useful conversations, encouraging comments and enthusiasm for the role of the Guild in the Church both locally and nationally.
We had a fabulous Big Sing with almost 750 people joining us either in person or on Facebook. We heard from Guilds who had been 'letting their light shine'. Very Rev Dr Susan Brown led our reflection sharing about her recent visit to Ukraine which was amazing to hear.
Our National Convener, Margaret Muir, presented the report to the General Assembly and we were heartened by the positive response and the range of questions and comments our report generated. The week ended with us ready to speak to three local congregations about their desire to start new Guilds.
All in all, it was a very good week.
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Platinum Jubilee Guild celebrations
We hope you enjoy this selection of photos from Platinum Jubilee events held across the country.
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Long service at Sauchie & Coalsnaughton
Sauchie & Coalsnaughton Guild celebrated the long service of two of their members, Marion Young Thomson and Cynthia Aide (octogenarian and nonagenarian respectively), who have loyally served their Guild through many a long winter Monday night, in all weathers and various mishaps, extreme weather conditions, poor heating, no speakers and of course Covid!
Huge congratulations, ladies.
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Monday memories
For this month's memory, we look back to the Ayrshire Gathering where a few of the participants were up doing the 'slosh' to the ukulele band. Seems like everyone had fun.
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Hymn of the month
As we come towards the end of our theme, 'Lights and Bushels', we thought that you would enjoy this rendition of 'This Little Light of Mine' from the Soweto Gospel Choir.
We hope you enjoy singing along to this in your own living room!
Listen now <https://churchofscotland.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=29d4cd56ce6871362e9339137&id=be67236c90&e=43d4a1fa0e>
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Pray this month
Monday 13: giving thanks for Guilds in the Glasgow area and asking God to richly bless them and help them to find ways to work more closely together.
Tuesday 14: giving thanks for the work of the World Day of Prayer and asking that God will richly bless them as they work together.
Wednesday 15: giving thanks for Guilds in the Forth Valley and Clydesdale area and asking God to richly bless them and help them to find ways to work more closely together
Thursday 16: remembering particularly all living in areas of conflict and asking for God to bring justice and peace to each situation.
Friday 17: thinking especially of the children and families who are now staying at Kazunzu Village of Hope <https://churchofscotland.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=29d4cd56ce6871362e9339137&id=a7ea280ae5&e=43d4a1fa0e> .
Saturday 18: giving thanks for Guilds in the Lothians area and asking God to richly bless them and help them to find ways to work more closely together.
Sunday 19: remembering all who are currently considering a call to the ministries of the Church in a range of situations. Asking that God will guide their thoughts and give them a strong sense of where He wants them to serve.
Monday 20: thinking especially of our new Regional Support Worker, Christine Fulcher, who will be working with Guilds in the West of Scotland.
Tuesday 21: giving thanks for all those who are considering being foster or adoptive parents.
Wednesday 22: remembering all who are currently struggling with an eating disorder and praying that they will find help and support.
Thursday 23: giving thanks for Guilds in the Ayrshire area and asking God to richly bless them and help them to find ways to work more closely together.
Friday 24: thinking especially of our new Regional Support Worker, Joanne Brown, who will be working with Guilds in the East of Scotland.
Saturday 25: thinking especially of the young women being supported in their theological training by our project with UNIDA <https://churchofscotland.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=29d4cd56ce6871362e9339137&id=b6886e43ad&e=43d4a1fa0e> .
Sunday 26: giving thanks for Guilds in the North East area and asking God to richly bless them and help them to find ways to work more closely together.
Monday 27: especially for all our former National leaders, praying that God will continue to find ways in which they can serve the Guild.
Tuesday 28: giving thanks for Guilds in the Highlands and Islands area and asking God to richly bless them and help them to find ways to work more closely together.
Wednesday 29: remembering the children with special educational needs who will be supported through the Starchild project <https://churchofscotland.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=29d4cd56ce6871362e9339137&id=5e8f04581e&e=43d4a1fa0e> in Uganda.
Thursday 30: giving thanks for Guilds in the Clyde area and asking God to richly bless them and help them to find ways to work more closely together.
Friday 1: especially for our staff in the national office: Karen, Mandy and Dorothy. Giving thanks for all that they do to support the Guild.
Saturday 2: giving thanks for the production of chocolate by Paul and Sarah, our partners with Pioneers <https://churchofscotland.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=29d4cd56ce6871362e9339137&id=5b23573c9e&e=43d4a1fa0e> , and praying for its safe arrival in the UK.
Sunday 3: remembering especially our Moderator, Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields, as he serves the Church in this special year and praying God’s richest blessing on him and his family.
Contact us
Phone: 0131 225 5722 <tel:+013120225205722>
121 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4YN