Guild News - February 2016

GUI(L)D NEWS | Feb 2016 | Page 1

Church of Scotland Guild Newsletter | February 2016

The Guild is a component element of the Church of Scotland • Scottish Charity Number SC011353


Gui(l)d News is a publication by the Church of Scotland Guild, a component element of the Church of Scotland,

Scottish Charity No. SC011353

Front cover photograph: Chris Hoskins / Hoskins Gallery

Church of Scotland Guild121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN

0131 240 [email protected]

www.cos-guild.org.uk

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@cofsguildguild

Join in the conversation online!

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CONTENTSFROM THE NATIONAL CONVENER & GENERAL SECRETARY 4

CONVENERS ELECT 5

NEWS FROM GUILDS 6-11

CAPITATION FEE 12

PROJECTS UPDATE 13

COUNCILS & COMMITTEES 14-15

JUST FOR FUN 16-17

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 17

OFFICE UPDATE/ POETRY CORNER 18

GALLERY 19

Hello and welcome to the February 2016 edition of Gui(l)d news!

Thank you to everyone who has been in touch with us regarding the first edition of this new format newsletter last year. It has been such a privilege to receive your thoughts and comments and we have taken on board every piece of feedback. Please keep your suggestions coming as we want to make sure this newsletter is as helpful and informative as possible!

As editor, my favourite task of compiling this newsletter is reading all the news and updates from Guilds across the country. It is so moving to see the commitment and camaraderie of Guilds everywhere as we all seek to live out our faith in worship, prayer and action. In this edition, we’ve doubled the number of pages of news from you to include everyone - do keep sending us in what you’ve been up to!

Don’t forget that the Guild’s e-news is now up and running between hard-copy newsletters. Anyone with an email address can sign up - just email [email protected] to be added to the list.

In the meantime, I hope you have as much fun reading this edition as we have had in the office putting it together. Very best wishes for 2016 and the rest of this Guild session!

Eilidh Eilidh Marks Gui(l)d News Editor

WELCOME!


FROM the NATIONAL CONVENER

FROM the GENERAL SECRETARY

Dear friends,

Doesn’t time pass quickly when you’re having fun? For me, this year has been busy, but also exciting and fulfilling. In fact, I can’t thank you all enough for the privilege of serving the Guild as Convener.

We are making many changes within the Guild, but we are also all aware we have to change and challenge ourselves, so we can continue to grow, share our faith and speak up for the underdog.

I have enjoyed talking to many Guilds, also spreading the word about prayer shawls. There are now many more groups starting this up. Prayer is at the heart of the Guild and many of us love to use our hands.

I close by saying thank you to lots of folks; to World Mission for the Faith Share grant which allowed me a wonderful trip to Malawi; to the Leadership Team; to all Guild members everywhere for their hospitality and prayer. We are inspired by the leadership we have had in the last 128 years, so let’s go forward together in boldness and strength.

Every blessing.Linda

And so,

another year begins.

New Year is not really an end or a beginning, it is more a milestone on a journey

and this year is one in which several of us in Guild office face special milestones! At such times we can stop and take stock, but we still need to move on.

2016 offers the same challenges and the same unknowns as previous years. As people, the best we can do is take responsibility where we can and accept the things where we can’t. As individual Christians and as a Christian movement, though, we can see our responsibilities (and our challenges) through the lens of faith, knowing that we live our lives for “whose we are and whom we serve”, acting for him and because of him.

2016 is a leap year…let’s use it to help the Guild leap forward in worship, prayer and action!

Linda YoungNational Convener

Iain Whyte, General Secretary


At the General Assembly in May, the new National Convener and Vice-Convener will be appointed for 2016-17. We are pleased to introduce both to you now!

VICE-CONVENER ELECT

Rosemary is a retired college lecturer, having previously worked in industry as a Market Research Analyst. An elder, former Presbytery elder and past convener of Presbytery Finance Committee, she has served the Guild over the years in several roles, currently as Council Convener and National Vice-Convener, as well as previously convening the Guild’s Finance & General Purpose committee at national level. Rosemary also enjoys gardening, DIY, reading, and when she has time, painting and drawing landscape, flowers and birds in watercolour, pastel and graphite. She also helps out with some projects in her local community.

Rosemary says, “I am honoured and delighted to have been asked to serve this dynamic movement at this stage in its development into a more forward and outward looking organisation, attractive to all members of the Church family and beyond – there are so many exciting things happening in the Guild, living out the 'Be Bold, Be Strong!' strategy.”

Rosemary Johnston, Perth Presbyterial Council

Marge Paterson, Ayr Presbyterial Council

Marge became a Guild Member in 1991 while living in Pittenweem, Fife. Marge moved to Cumnock in 1994, when her husband became minister of Lugar linked with Old Cumnock Old Church where she is member of both Old Cumnock Old and Lugar Guild. Marge has served on Ayr Presbyterial Council since 1996, as Secretary, Convener and National Committee Rep (twice). Marge sings in the choir of both churches and is President of the Cumnock and District Handbell Ringers, serving on the HRGB Scotland Committee as Secretary and Scottish Representative on the Handbell Ringers of Great Britain Executive.

In Cumnock Marge is Chair of the Management Committee of the Church’s Coffee Shop and Bookshop. At present, Marge works in a local Primary School three days a week.

NATIONAL CONVENER ELECT



Left: St Cuthbert's, Clydebank & Trinity Guild on their recent trip to Inverness. The group stayed at the Royal Highland Hotel - sounds wonderful!

Below: Canisbay Guild enjoying some puzzles.

At its first meeting of 2016, Redgorton and Stanley Guild was treated to a cookery demo by three Guild members (from left to right: Rev. Bill McGregor, John Napier and Alec Cockburn). They demonstrated, cooked and served lunch and we’re told they did it in such a charming and hilarious manner that this has every chance of becoming an annual event!

On 29 September, Corstorphine Old Parish Church Guild celebrated its 121st birthday at the opening social. Doreen Hood, the Convener, (right) spoke of other events which took place in 1894 and cut the cake with Isobel Stewart (left), the longest serving member.

NEWS FROM GUILDS


Lochmaben Guild recently celebrated 120 years since its founding. Pictured are members who received long-service awards to mark the occasion (from left: Irene Robertson, Jean MacMillan, Catherine Crawford [seated] and Margaret Wilson). Absent from the photo was Nell Carver. The Rev. Paul Read made the presentations.

Above: Committee Convener, Marian Macintyre, celebrated her birthday with Lochcarron Guild!

At High Church Hilton in Aberdeen, the Guild had a display to celebrate the Church’s 80th birthday. The display was opened by local MP Kirsty Blackman who was particularly interested in the Feed the Minds project.

more news on the next

page!

Duntocher Trinity Guild enjoyed afternoon tea with the Provost recently, after he

visited their Guild last session. The members were shown around the town hall and taken to the JoLoMo exhibition.


London Road Guild started off Guild Week with a visit to Ardgartan (pictured) and completed the week with a Soup Sunday. They attended the Big Sing in Dunfermline and, along with their congregation, opened up the front of the Church onto London Road on 19 December to serve coffee and mince pies.

Callander Kirk Guild invited three neighbouring Guilds and three local church groups to their meeting for Guild Week, with a talk and a lovely tea afterwards. The gentleman pictured loves the Guild meetings and is a member of Callander Kirk Prospects group.

Carnoustie Guild did a spot of yarn bombing for Guild Week! Members knitted a large waistcoat for their church notice board which, once removed, was made into knee blankets for local residential homes.

The Ayrshire Big Sing took place on 19 Nov in St Nicholas Church, Prestwick. All three Ayrshire Presbyterial Councils got together for the very first time to celebrate Guild Week. The event was so popular that every one of the 360 printed programmes ran out, and guests had to be encouraged to “coorie up” in the pews!

(See page 19 for photos of the Dunfermline Big Sing!)

Left: Queensferry Guild served teas and coffees to, among others, the Moderator at The Boys Brigade World Mission Service during Guild Week!

GUILD WEEK 2015


Left: Mid Deeside Church Guild celebrated Guild Week in style with a Posh Afternoon Tea served by Guild committee members dressed in stylish waitress outfits. One satisfied customer remarked that the baking was better than he had recently had at Gleneagles! The Guild raised £615 for church funds.

Below: New Laigh Kirk Guild decided to fill shoeboxes for Blythswood Care for Guild Week. This picture shows the boxes being presented to Blythswood rep, Margaret Tooth.

Above: Dumbarton Presbytery gathered 400 pairs of wellies for refugee children at their carol concert!

Pictured are those from East & Old Parish Church Guild in Forfar who led the Guild Week service on 15 Nov. (From left to right, back: Sally Shepherd, Bob Kidd & Jean Smith and front: Margaret Robertson & Esther Kidd)

The Guild at ChristmasTop left: South Ronaldsay and Burray Guild enjoyed a three-course candlelit Christmas dinner together in the church sanctuary. It was the first time the group hadn’t gone to a restaurant for their celebrations and it was voted a huge success!

Bottom left: New Monkland Guild members at their Christmas Fayre.

Kilmarnock Kay Park Guild took their Church service on 22 Nov. Pictured is Ellen MacLeod, Convener, in her Guild t-shirt!


Above: Seven members from Lochee Parish Church Guild recieved Long Service Awards totalling 270 years of service! (Left-right: Jean Moir, Mhairi MacMillan, Lilian Walker, Mary McLean, Margaret Ross, Betty Stewart, May Christie.)

At Crossmichael, Parton & Balmaghie Guild’s Christmas Party, members were honoured with Long Service certificates, ranging from 5-30 years service! (Back row, left-right: Anne Carstairs, Margaret Wilson, Netta Adams, Jimmy Adams, Olive Kirkpatrick, Christine Collier, Sue Beddows, Heather Bell, Stella Dickson, Jean Galloway. Front Row, left-right: Jean Gourlay, Sylvia Livingston)

As part of the Church Christmas tree festival, Cults Parish Church Guild sponsored one of 30 trees and decorated it with doves made by members. Visitors could decorate a dove and take it home.

The Guild at Christmas (cont.)

Left: On 21 September, the Fraserburgh Old Parish Church Guild celebrated its 90th anniversary with a meal in the local golf club restaurant. Mrs Isobel Massie and Mrs Mary Simpson cut the cake. Both ladies still attend Guild and Church regularly and are very supportive with baking for Guild fundraisers. Mrs Massie turned 102 on 23 September!

Right: Giffnock South Guild celebrated its Centenary with a church service on 1 Nov and a party on 4 Nov 2015. The cake was cut by minister Catherine Beattie and oldest former president, 95-year old Mrs Kay McMillan. Kay has an MBE as a founder of the telephone Samaritans in Glasgow, along with her late husband Donald.

Congratulations to seven members from St Rufus, Botriphine & Grange Guild who recently received certificates for over 30 years service. (Left-right: Agnes Riach, Isobel Shanks, Anne Cameron, Doris Smith, Joyce Paterson, Eleanor Gordon, June Cairns)

MORE NEWSAboyne Dinnet Guild wish to

congratulate 18 members who have received long service certificates,

particularly Jean Maxwell who has been a member in Dumfries and

Galloway, then Aboyne, for 60 years!

Tay and Lyon Guild decided this year to celebrate Guild Week

by holding a Quiz Night to raise awareness and some funds for the

SCAA. A very enjoyable evening was had by 55 people from the

communities and £350 was raised.

To celebrate Guild Week, Bucksburn Stoneywood

Church Guild participated in the Sunday morning service and also has a wonderful afternoon of fun and music with entertainment by

Major Violet Leiper of the Salvation Army and her group ‘The Miriams’.

It is with sadness that St Mary’s Greyfriars’ Guild in Dumfries

reports the passing of Maggie Bisset on 18th October at the age of 101. Maggie joined the Guild when she

was 17 or 18 so had been a member for over 80 years. She was so thrilled

to receive a very special certificate a couple of years ago from the

Guild congratulating her on her long service. Although she had not been to a Guild meeting for about three

years she did come to the Dumfries Presybterial Council 125th tea party and they had a special tea party for

her last year in our church hall to mark her 100th birthday when she was the first to try out one of the new chairs which were installed in the church in September last year after the removal of all the pews.

Six office-bearers from Pilrig St. Paul’s Parish Church Guild recently received Long Service certificates recognising their outstanding service and contribution to the Guild. Together they have given a total in excess of 232 years service. Rev Mark Foster is pictured with the recipients (Left-right, back row: Marjory, Maureen, and Jeanette. Front row: Irene, Ella, and Jean).

Dunbarney Women’s Group recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Pictured are those able to attend the party who had been members at some time during the last 25 years.


Here are some ways your money has been saved this Guild session:

WHERE DOES MY CAPITATION FEE GO?Without the support of its membership, the Guild simply couldn’t continue. It is so important that all members feel confident that their money is used wisely and with consideration.

How your £10 is spent*:

£5.49 on staff costs

£0.75 on conferences

£0.14 on Programmes & Resources

£0.66 on Marketing & Publicity

£0.78 on annual office rent, rates

& services

£0.42 on committee expenses

£0.34 on postage

£0.75 on Annual

Gathering

£0.03 on Finance &

General Purpose

£0.03 on staff

development

£0.15 on Projects & Topics

£0.27 on office expenses

£0.02 on annual subscriptions £0.27

on overseas representation*based on 2015 budget figures

£ The Theme Guide & Discussion Topic resources were combined, reducing printing costs

All design work was done in-house, rather than paying an external designer

Mailings have been combined to reduce the cost of postage

More communication has been digital where possible, which is largely free!

£££


GUILD PROJECTSThank you to everyone who has already supported the current Projects.


£0.42 on committee expenses

£0.34 on postage

£0.75 on Annual

Gathering

£0.03 on Finance &

General Purpose

£0.03 on staff

development

Current donation totals (to 31 December 2015):

£7,839.12 £4,700.25 £2,983.20

£5,261.22 £3,874.27 £2,820.00

CALL TO WORSHIP National Convener, Linda YoungHYMN Be bold, be strong!WELCOMETHANKS TO RETIRING CONVENERS MODERATOR’S PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

Rt Rev Angus MorrisonMUSIC National Guild ChoirGUEST SPEAKER Rev John McMahon

HYMN Put peace into each other’s handsNEWS & INTIMATIONSLUNCH

HYMN Give thanks with a grateful heartCELEBRATION OF MARY SLESSOR

Dona Robertson & Brenda Ewell-SuttonNEW PARTNERSHIP PROJECTSMUSIC National Guild Choir CLOSING WORSHIP National Vice-Convener, Rosemary Johnston

Church of Scotland G

uild • Annual Gathering 2015 • H

ighlights DV

D

Church of Scotland GuildAnnual Gathering - ‘Go in Peace’ Saturday 5 September 2015

Highlights DVD

On Saturday 5th September 2015, 2000 Guild members and special guests gathered in Dundee’s magnificent Caird Hall for the Annual Gathering - a celebration of everything the Guild is and does. We hope this DVD of highlights captures the essence of the day and inspires viewers everywhere to ‘Go in Peace’!

© Church of Scotland Guild. All right reserved. The run-time of the DVD is a little

over one hour. Produced by Simon Jones & Oscus Media. The Guild is a component

element of The Church of Scotland. Scottish Charity Number SC011353

guild DVD cover.indd 1

30/09/2015 11:10

Responding to the Projects - A personal story

When Hugh Henderson of Mission International visited Lochcarron Guild, members Richard and Claire Munday were moved into action on hearing about the Haiti Project and the need for children to be sponsored there. Richard and Claire are now sponsoring Lenskaelle, 5, who loves learning about Jesus and whose favourite item is her doll. As Claire explains, “In Haiti, more than 300,000 children are victims of domestic slavery. Parents who live in poverty often give their children to more affluent families in the hope they will have a better life, but many become slaves.” However, by receiving an education, Lenskaelle can hope to achieve her ambition of becoming a nurse.

Our thanks to Richard and Claire for sharing their story. Look out in the next edition for a focus on another one of the Projects.

The Project interviews from the Annual Gathering are available as a special feature on the DVD!

COUNCILS and COMMITTEESThe Church of Scotland’s day-to-day policy-making and practical decision-making at local, national and international level is organised into six main councils, a number of associated committees and other departments. Read on for some updates - if you would like any further information on anything here, please contact [email protected].

WORLD MISSION

Just before noon on Saturday 25 April, 2015, was when the first earthquake struck Nepal. Lasting just 45 seconds; causing devastation, changing lives forever. 45 seconds that caused over 8000 people to lose their lives and over 6 million families to lose their homes.

45 seconds was all it took for Sumitra’s house to collapse, all except the corner where her one-month old grandson was sleeping – she believes that God saved him.

45 Seconds is the time it takes to sing a verse of the hymn, ‘Let us build a House’.

On hearing directly from our partner the United Mission to Nepal (UMN), our Mission Partners Malcolm and Cati Ramsey, and Joel Githinji, and first hand from Rev Ram Kumar Budhathoki at last year’s General Assembly, the World Mission Council is challenging Guilds, congregations and Presbyteries to raise money towards building houses costing £500 each, as part of a three year project in partnership with UMN.

Can your Guild help rebuild homes and lives in Nepal? We have everything you need from information leaflets, to videos from Nepal and collecting ‘houses’. To find out more or to arrange for someone to come and speak to your Guild about this project please get in touch: 0131 225 5722 or [email protected]


CHURCH and SOCIETY

Church and Society’s campaign launched in September 2015 has reached its target of asking 10,000 people from across Scotland to speak out for change. Over the last four months we’ve taken Speak Out directly to eight presbyteries, had engagement from over 200 ministers, translated the material into Gaelic and British Sign Language, and worked with the National Youth Assembly to ensure young people in the church and across Scotland can have a voice. We’ve also visited over 60 church and external events– and encouraged people far and wide to take part. From the Boys Brigade, to the launch of Scottish Interfaith Week, from the Guild Annual Gathering to the Moderator’s visit to Westminster…we’ve even been to New York and Sao Paulo!

Over the next few months we will be consulting with those affected by the issues emerging from the Speak Out process, and looking at how the Church of Scotland can take a long-term approach and speak prophetically to tackle inequality and injustice. Thank you to all Guild members who embraced Speak Out – we look forward to sharing the results with you and working together to create a fairer, more equal and more just society.

GUILD and NYA


Following an instruction from the General Assembly, the Guild is currently part of a working group with the National Youth Assembly to explore intergenerational issues in the Church. Pictured here are some members of the working group who are excited to explore this subject together!

JUST for FUN!


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WIN A GUILD GOODY BAG!

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2 ___ in Peace

4 Often sung in churches7 Guild leader8 The Guild has a stand

at Heart & ____10 Guild members are

committed to worship, prayer and this

13 Just one of the ways to contact the Guild office

15 Number of Projects in each cycle

16 ___ of Silence - a book about the Guild written by Mamie Magnusson

18 The current Discussion Topic looks at working through this

19 Whose we are and Whom we serve

20 The new Convener & Vice-Convener will be appointed here

21 Magazine of the Church of Scotland

22 Name of hall where Annual Gathering will be held this year

23 There is a new one every three years!

1 Theme for 2016-2017

2 Name of the street where the Guild office is

3 One of the most popular items for sale in the Guild shop

5 In 2015, a Guild team visited this country

6 Who is welcome at the Guild?

7 Founder of the Guild9 This was held in

Dunfermline in 201511 One of the Guild’s

current Project Partners12 Frequently used to

describe the Guild!14 A change of constitution

in 1997 opened up Guild membership to this group

17 Number of Guild staff members

ACROSS

DOWN

Congratulations to Mrs MORAG SHEARER

from East Mainland Guild in Orkney who has won the last newsletter

competition. Completing the sentence “I like being part of the Guild because...”, Morag writes “...I am among friends and feel

needed, wanted and loved.” Well done, Morag - a bundle of goodies is on its way to you!

For a large-print copy of the crossword, please contact the Guild office!

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

LEADERSHIP MEETINGS

National Executive

• 22 April• 16 June

Conveners & Annual Gathering Planning

• 14 April• 9 June

GUILD WEEK • 13-20 NOVEMBER 2016

OTHER EVENTSProject Co-ordinators’ Conference, 28 April General Assembly, 21-27 MayPresbyt. Council Conveners’ Conference, 2 June

Annual Gathering, 3 September

RESOURCE DAYSCome along to be inspired about the new Theme & Discussion Topic for 2016-2017!Glasgow, Dundee, 12 March Edinburgh, 17 March Aberdeen, Ayr, 19 March

Check with Presbyterial Councils for

local Resource Day details!



Since the last newsletter, there have been a few changes to the staff team. Eilidh Marks has been appointed as Associate Secretary and Bonnie Downie has come on board as Support Assistant. The Guild staff team is very happy to be back to five members and look forward to serving you all in the coming session!

The Christmas card competition is back! Could you design the 2016 Guild card? We're looking for designs for an A6 card to tie in with the theme 'Go in Joy!' and the format is totally up to you. Anyone can enter, as long as their designs are submitted by 1 June 2016. Three winning designs will be chosen and included in each pack. For more details, contact the Guild office.

There are now more ways than ever to stay in touch with the Guild. You can find the Guild on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube and anyone can sign up for the monthly e-news via email. If you would like to know more about any of these, please get in touch!

POETRY CORNERAileen McIntosh, Convener at

Springburn Parish Guild, wrote to us about a poem that her Kirk’s minister wrote which he shared on 1 October 2015 at the Guild’s opening meeting of their session

on the theme ‘Go in Peace’. Rev Brian Casey wrote the poem based on an experience he had

when scattering the ashes of a friend on a hill in Glencoe and two eagles appeared overhead.

We are at peace?Eagles soaring

high abovePeople below,

gathered in loveSaying goodbye or maybe adieu

We all will miss you and still love you.

God, bring him peace.

Bombs are falling high from abovePeople are losing

those that they loveFleeing in terror, looking for rest

Frantically they try to come to the west.

Christ, bring them peace.

People are praying in Church on Sunday

Maybe we should pray on more than the one day

Lifting to God the things of our worldHead bowed in sorrow

and heart unfurled.

Holy Spirit, bring us peace.

OFFICE UPDATE


Images from Guild Week's BIG SING in Dunfermline Abbey on 20 November 2015.

Photographs by Chris Hoskins / Hoskins Gallery


Get ready to

Join us in the Caird Hall on 3 September to hear Sally Magnusson, or stream the event live online like Kirk Yetholm and Lanark Greyfriars did in 2015!

Pick up a Theme & Discussion Topic Guide and join us for a Resource Day to dig into the new theme!

Stock up on Guild shop goodies for the new session - brand new items will be unveiled before the Annual Gathering!

Documents

Guild News - February 2016