The June edition of the Church of Scotland’s Mission & Discipleship enews is, as ever, packed full of events and resources of interest to church folk throughout Scotland (even though, as they admit) some of the events take place outwith Scotland. Some of the varied events listed in this edition include:
An afternoon Discovering the Healing Sounds of Aramaic which “provides an opportunity to learn the Lord’s Prayer in the language Jesus spoke” on 10 July in Edinburgh.
This year’s National Youth Assembly of the Church of Scotland has the title Love Life. This Assembly is for 16–25 year-olds with a Church of Scotland connection and takes place in Stirling between 2 – 5 September. John Bell from the Iona Community will be giving a daily input, to nurture and challenge their faith. The Daily Debate will provide an opportunity to explore issues and to tell the wider church what they think. Each day there will be times of worship, prayer, celebration, fun, exploring faith, encounter, exchange and conversation.
Man Alive is a day event specifically for men, to hear inspiring Bible teaching from Jeff Lucas, with a specific vision to encourage and equip the church. Worship will be led by singer/songwriter Stuart Townend. The event is on 3 September in Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and tickets are £25 (with a reduced price for early booking). Later that day there is An Evening With Stuart Townend (for men & women!)who is best known as writer of such songs as ‘In Christ Alone’ and ‘How Deep The Father’s Love’ and many others. More information in the newsletter (click on the link below).
Among the resources listed is information about changes in Copyright Law as it relates to the playing of recorded music, a new interactive website developed jointly by Eco-Congregation Scotland and the Church of Scotland for anyone involved in a church to share their thoughts and experiences on reducing costs and saving money and a new DVD produced by the Mission & Discipleship and Ministries Councils of the church. They have been supporting some fragile experiments in new models of church over the past couple of years and this DVD tells the stories of seven of these ‘fresh expressions’, most of which are not quite what are generally recognised as church yet, but the missional instinct of these pioneers is driving them on to plant new expressions of church in areas and among networks not presently being reached by our churches.
All of the above and much more can be read at Mission & Discipleship 57 – June 2011
Cumbernauld Old Parish Church 