Church of Scotland Guild Weekly E-News
Dependence on God
I really need to get my new Guild diary. Despite having spent much of 2021 in or near my own home or community, it is amazing how full the diary has become, often with online meetings replacing face-to-face meetings. The back pages are already crammed with dates for next year.
How often have you agreed to do something but when the time comes you regret having committed to it because you have so many other things that also need to be done? How often have you said, "It seemed like a good idea at the time but now ..."
This will almost certainly strike a chord with many Guild members because we are known for our willingness to help others. When volunteers are needed, you will find Guild members at the front of the queue.
We are now well into our theme of Lights and Bushels and I know we will be busy letting our light shine, getting out of that dark corner and using our talents to promote the Guild. However, human effort is useless without God’s blessing. In all our work it is God’s blessing which contributes to our success. We should see work not as a chore, but as an opportunity.
The theme of Psalm 127 is the dependence on God for life, for health, for wisdom and for the desire to work and to work for success in what we do. The Psalm helps us to see work as God wants us to, to see family as God wants us to and to see life as God wants us to.
　
Unless the Lord build the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for he grants sleep to those he loves.
　
"The house" might refer to an ordinary house or a place of worship, or to the success and prosperity of a family, or of course the Guild. Children and family are a blessing. Our Guild family is a blessing. All we have, family, community, church, and Guild, comes to us with God’s blessing. Whatever we build, regardless of our skills or strength, we are entirely dependent on God. We are totally dependant on a God whom we love and who loves us, a God, whose we are and whom we serve.
Let’s build the Guild house for Him.
　
Let us build a house where love can dwell
And all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell
how hearts learn to forgive
built of hopes and dreams and visions,
rock of faith and vault of grace
here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
All are welcome,
All are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.
　
Helen Eckford
National Vice-Convener
　
PS: Order your diary using the link below
Order your diary <mailto:guild@churchofscotland.org.uk?subject=Guild%20diary&body=Please%20send%20me%20%20%20%20%20Guild%20diaries%0A%0AName%0AAddress>
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New General Secretary announced
It is really good to be able to tell you that, following advertising and the selection process, Karen Gillon will become General Secretary of the Guild from January 2022. We are sure you will join us in congratulating Karen on her appointment.
　
We are confident that Karen will be an excellent General Secretary and will lead the Guild with energy and imagination as we emerge from the pandemic and look to a bright future.
　
Speaking today Karen said, ' It is a tremendous honour to follow Iain Whyte as General Secretary. Iain has been a great ambassador for the Guild and we have a great deal to thank him for. The last five years as Associate Secretary has helped to equip me for this important role and I pray, that with God's help, I will be able to support this great movement as we move forward into an exciting new chapter of our story.'
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Christmas Cards
We still have some Christmas cards available at a cost of £3.50 per pack of 10. You can order them using the link below.
Order Christmas cards <mailto:guild@churchofscotland.org.uk?subject=Christmas%20cards&body=Please%20order%20me%3A%0A%0APacks%20of%20Christmas%20cards%20x%20%0A%0AName%0A%0AAddress>
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Strutting our stuff for Haiti
The Guild at Auchterderran & Kinglassie helped to run a very successful fashion show for a local charity Help for Haiti who provide medical help in Haiti, an island that has been traumatised by flooding and cyclones.
The funds raised, £816, will be used to support that ongoing work in the months ahead. The Guild have also helped to raise £1,800 to install a defibrillator on the wall of their church hall.
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Monday memory
Our Monday memory takes us back to 1984 and a special meeting that brought together past National Presidents and National Conveners. A wonderful group of hardworking and faith-filled Guild members.
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Jesus is Lord, creation's voice proclaims it
Our hymn this week helps us to focus on the Lordship of Jesus reminding us that Jesus was born, died and has risen and we have so much to be thankful for.
Listen now <https://churchofscotland.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=29d4cd56ce6871362e9339137&id=e46e876860&e=43d4a1fa0e>
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Pray this week
Monday: remembering especially our General Secretary, Iain Whyte, as he and his wife Elaine prepare to retire.
Tuesday: thinking especially of Guilds in the North of Scotland, asking for God's guidance as they think about how they can improve the way they work together.
Wednesday: joining hands and hearts with survivors, activists, decision-makers, and people from every walk of life, to shine a light on the need for funding, essential services, prevention and data that shapes better-informed response.
Thursday: thinking especially of Guilds in the East of Scotland, asking for God's guidance as they think about how they can improve the way they work together.
Friday: remembering our former project The Lodging House Mission as they support vulnerable people at this time of year.
Saturday: thinking especially of Guilds in the West of Scotland, asking for God's guidance as they think about how they can improve the way they work together.
Sunday: particularly for all who live in the Occupied Palestinian Territories that a peaceful solution will be found in a place of continued conflict.
Contact us
Phone: 0131 225 5722 <tel:+013120225205722>
121 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4YN