Mission & Discipleship 64 – January 2012

The latest news bulletin from the Church of Scotland’s Mission & Discipleship Council contains details of events and resources that may be of interest to church people across Scotland (and beyond). Among the events listed is one called ‘Work, Prayer, Thought’ led by Ian Fraser who, according to the newsletter, “is arguably Scotland’s greatest living theologian, whose theology is lived out in action, prayer and poetry”. This conference provides a rare opportunity to explore, in the round, the ways in which Ian’s gifts of thought and language have expressed themselves, in a unique witness for our times. It takes place in Stirling on 24 March and further details are available in the newsletter.

The newsletter also contains details of a variety of events being run by the Scottish Storytelling Centre to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, information about new publications from Saint Andrew’s Press as well as details of new worship and mission resources provided by the Mission & Discipleship Council. Read the full newsletter at Mission & Discipleship 64 – January 2012

Mission & Discipleship 63 – December 2011

The December 2011 edition of the Church of Scotland’s enews from the Mission & Discipleship Council features information about a large number of events and resources to start the New Year 2012. Among them are a series of Contextual Bible Studies run by Christian Aid and a program of events focusing on worship and leadership from the Mission & Discipleship Council.

Information is given about PRAY NOW 2012 – Daily Devotions on the Theme of Time from the Pray Now Group. This popular annual collection of modern prayers, written by individuals, prayer groups and leaders of worship, is for everyone, whatever their denomination. It offers a place to start when you feel you have no words of your own, and prayer activities that allow time to think and space to listen. This year’s theme is ‘Time’. The Pray Now Group is a team of experts who care deeply about the role of prayer in our lives. Drawn from an ecumenically minded Church of Scotland group, their work is written for a wide, diverse and international readership.

In addition, there is information about PRAY IT FORWARD – a new initiative from Mission & Discipleship featuring an attractive collection of high quality cards carrying a range of blessings inspired from scripture, for churches and individuals to give away free to others. The aim of the cards is to encourage and bless the recipient, and to encourage them to pray for, and bless, someone else in turn, i.e. to focus outward, and not just on what God can do for ME! They are ideal for use in outreach, pastoral care and personal contexts, e.g. pop one in with each Christmas card you send. Each box of 80 cards features an assortment of 8 different designs. £5 per box.
Read the full enews at Mission & Discipleship 63 – December 2011

Mission & Discipleship – September 2011

The September 2011 edition of the Church of Scotland’s Mission & Discipleship newsletter is jam-packed full of information about events and resources of interest to church folk throughout Scotland. Among the items featured this month are:
An ecumenical service to mark RACIAL JUSTICE SUNDAY being led by members of Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS) and Minority Ethnic Christians Together in Scotland (MECTIS). This takes place in Glasgow on Sunday 11 September.
As part of September’s DOORS OPEN DAYS there is free (but ticketed) entry into the John Knox House on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Saturday 24 September.
There is also further further information on the staging of THE GLASGOW PASSION on 6 October, including a request for volunteers to help the event go smoothly.
You can read the full newsletter from Mission & Discipleship 60 – September 2011
We didn’t publish a separate post for the August edition of the M&D newsletter when it came out but it can now be downloaded from Mission & Discipleship 59 – August 2011

Mission & Discipleship 58 – July 2011

As ever, the latest newsletter from the Church of Scotland’s Mission & Discipleship Council is packed full of events, activities and resources of interest and covers everything from academic seminars to worship events to children’s activities, and much more. Among the many items listed this month are:
AN EVENING WITH DAVE BILBROUGH: a worship-orientated evening supplemented by some solo songs and anecdotes from Dave, who has three decades of experience in the worship arena. ‘All Hail the Lamb’, ‘I Am a New Creation’ and ‘Abba Father’ are among his many compositions that are sung worldwide by Christians of all denominations. Recent years have seen him developing a vision towards integrating musical influences from around the world to create authentic new sounds of worship. His ministry brings an emphasis on the grace and faithfulness of God, and uninhibited praise and reconciliation. 8 September, 7.30pm, Falkirk Old & St Modan’s Parish Church £8 (£6 concessions)
SAMOSA SUNDAY: Churches are invited to hold a special lunch (samosas, soup, sandwiches etc) on behalf of The Well Multi-Cultural Advice Centre in Glasgow. A resource pack (sermon outline, children’s resources and information about The Well) are now available. 11 September – the 10th anniversary of ‘9/11’. This can be used as an opportunity to show Christ’s love to those of other faiths and cultures.
THE GLASGOW PASSION 2011: a new and modern interpretation of the greatest story ever told. Over the centuries it has been expressed in different ways but this fresh adaptation, by Scottish playwright Rob Drummond, engages with contemporary culture and promises to enthral and challenge today’s audience. 6 October, 7.30pm, George Square, Glasgow. Free, but tickets are required for entry.
Read the full newsletter at Mission & Discipleship 58 – July 2011

Mission & Discipleship 57 – June 2011

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

Mission & Discipleship 56 – May 2011

The May 2011 newsletter from the Mission & Discipleship Council of the Church of Scotland lists just short of 40 upcoming events and useful resources. These vary from a lecture by Prof David Fergusson (Principle of New College) exploring the influence of Scottish philosophy and theology on approaches to counselling, psychotherapy and pastoral care to the Church of Scotland National Youth Assembly taking place in Stirling in September. The newsletter provides details of opportunities to become involved in helping churches respond to next year’s Olympic Games, a link to the website of the recent Poverty Truth Commission and a YouTube clip outlining a summary of the recommendations from the kirk’s Panel of Review & Reform. View the newsletter at Mission & Discipleship 56 – May 2011

Mission & Discipleship 55 – April 2011

The April edition of the Church of Scotland Mission & Discipleship Council’s e-news gives information on events, resources and websites that may be of interest to church folk throughout Scotland. With around 40 events and resources listed in the newsletter there is truly ‘something for everyone’.
Among the featured events are Roll Away the Stone on 22nd May when the Church of Scotland will take over a large area of Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh for a time of ‘Celebration, Inspiration and Discovery’, beginning with reflections around a huge cross. At the Bandstand, in the avenue and fountain areas, and in St Cuthbert’s Church at the west end of the Gardens, there will be space for worship, praise and singing. The programme includes: Easter Play Scenes, Storytelling, Massed Choirs, Church Stories, Fischy Music, 5-a-side football, Youth and Kids, Picnic, Comedy, Puppets, Discussion, Bands and Orchestra.
Among the resources listed in the newsletter is Oremus Bible Browser: a tool that functions as an online concordance, enabling you to copy and paste passages from the Bible straight into documents.
Read about these and much more at Mission & Discipleship 55 – April 2011

Mission & Discipleship 54 – March 2011

The monthly newsletter from the Church of Scotland’s Mission & Discipleship Council has details of events and conferences, resources and websites to interest just about every section of the church. The March 2011 edition has details of a conference called “All God’s Creatures” organised by Christians in Science, a DVD produced jointly by the kirk’s Ministries and Mission & Discipleship Council on “fresh expressions” of church, and “TryPraying” described as a a 7-day prayer guide to give to those who don’t go to church.
The newsletter also contains a Help Required / Situations Vacant section, details of various Trusts / Funding resources and links to websites that may be of interest. Read the full newsletter at Mission & Discipleship 54 – March 2011