summer … · web viewhere we are with another edition of crossroads. doesn’t our cover picture...
TRANSCRIPT
St. Andrew’s Scots ChurchValletta
Crossroads
Summer Edition 2018
St Andrew's Scots Church, 210 Old Bakery Street Valletta,VLT 1451, Malta, Church Office 21242602
Sunday service 10.30am
Service of Holy Communion is usually on the fourth Sunday and All Age Worship on the first Sunday of each month
CONTACTS
M IN ISTER Rev Kim Hurst; 21415465, [email protected]
SESSION CLERK Ms. Diana Nye: [email protected]
SAFEGUARDING Mrs Dot Hunter; [email protected]
TREASURER Mrs Hazel [email protected]
JUNIOR CHURCH Mrs Sharon Abbot; [email protected]
ORGANISTS Mrs Lisa Bonello; [email protected]
PASTORAL NETWORK Mrs Marion [email protected]
PROPERTY Mr Clement Okoro; [email protected]
M IS S I ON S Mr Norman Alexander; 21382506 [email protected] or Mrs Christa Wiegand 99839469
SUN D AY SHE E T S Mr Norman [email protected]
CRO SS R OAD S Mrs Pat O’Neil; 21423135 [email protected] FOO DB AN K M AN AGE R Mrs Jacqui Marshal l , 79394423
jacquimccal lum@gmai l .com MALT A M IC RO FI N AN C E Deputy Chairman Rev. Kim Hurst
[email protected] for Ritianne
EN GLI SH TE AC HI N G t.b.d.
From the EditorDear Friends.
Here we are with another edition of crossroads.
Doesn’t our cover picture look so peaceful and tranquil.
Most 0f us will be thinking of Summer holidays when we can once again meet with family and friends or just explore different places.
How would you like to share some of your experiences with those of us who will be remaining in Malta during the long, hot Summer months.
When David & I were on holiday last year we visited the church that my parents attended. To the hymn –“ I heard the voice of Jesus say” the minister had written an extra verse which I thought was a very nice way of welcoming visitors to the church. The words are as follows:-
I heard the voice of Jesus say,“You’re welcome in this place
Come, find support and friendship here,Space to receive and give”
Within the life of faith I founda peace of heart and mind
Christ’s Church has granted me a home,His family now is mine.
I am always looking for articles for the magazine and I am sure our readers would enjoy hearing your news.
Pat.
From the Manse
Dear Friends As you know I love the book of Psalms and try to read a psalm every day. Recently the Psalm I read was Psalm 40 and I began to reflect upon this verse. It is a reminder of all that God has done in our world, in our church and in my own life. I started to make a list of the many wonderful things that God has done and it amazed me just how many things God has done recently within our church communityThe Annual Congregational Report mentioned many of them, if you haven’t read it there are still some copies in
church, but there are many more. Just in the last two weeks we have raised over 3,000 euros for the charities we support. I don’t think any of us will forget the voices of the Welsh Male voice choir singing “Guide me Oh Thou Great Jehovah” from the back of church at the end of our service a couple of weeks ago and then the fantastic concert which followed the service. Last week our Annual Pasta Night was a great evening but also brought in much needed funds for Sister Catherine and her work in Zambia. On Monday evening I attended Blue Door English where over 30 people received a certificate based on attendance, with many more students who only joined the class in recent months. We have now introduced morning classes as well as the classes at the Sudanese community in Hamrun. For the first time ever classes will meet for a month during the summer. The Foodbank is now feeding 80 – 100 families per week and is looking to form an NGO so that the work can continue to grow. Malta Microfinance is looking at diversifying our loan structures so that we can reach out to even more people in need. The training of Local Preachers to share in our Worship and the Music Group which helps to lead All Age Worship Service are both exciting ways forward. Personally I am delighted with the prayer ministry team which now offers prayer support at the end of many services with the aim that this valuable ministry will eventually be available at the end of every service.As well as the continued work of the Bible study & fellowship groups, God is certainly achieving many
wonderful works in and through the ministry here at St Andrew’s.It is great to look back at all the wonderful works God has wrought within us, but we must also look forward to the things God longs to do through us in the future. What are our hopes and dreams for our own future and the future of the church? What do we believe God is telling us to do that so far has remained undone? Each year our Kirk Session has a 24 hour meeting where we ask just those questions where we pray and plan. This is not just the role of the Kirk Session as each of us needs to listen to God and share in his vision for our Church. We can then see the way forward and together look to the wonderful works God has planned for us. Please feel free to share with Session Members your hopes and visions and please pray for God’s continued guidance and blessings for us all.
Love and Prayers, Kim
What do children deserve
Mankind owes to children the best it has to giveTheir life is fragile
If they are to have a tomorrowTheir needs must be met today
Many things can wait but not the childrenNow is the time that their bones are being formedTheir blood composed and their senses developed
We cannot answer their “tomorrows”
Their name is “today”
Gabriella MistralChilean Poet
Dependence and Community
My plan for 2018 was one focusing on decluttering, one where I put every object in my university office in order – mainly in paper recycling bags. We are now close to midway through the year. I could measure the first half through the books now sitting in 12 boxes at home since no more bookcases can be put up and 14 large grey bags of paper moved out to be recycled. This may seem a bright calculation and, admittedly, gave me a sense of great liberation. However, there is a much larger volume that needs to be moved out somehow at least by the time I complete my sabbatical. So it is necessary to balance myself on the right side of the liberation to depression scales!
So how is this linked to mission you might say? Well, think of everything that appears urgent in your ‘to do’ list, all that appears irreplaceable in our homes, and of the reluctance to get down to something we are asked to do at times. Those are the boxes and papers waiting to be filled and moved in the right direction – out. We need to question our assumptions, our comfortable perspectives from time to time.
I was fortunate to attend an inspiring lecture by a well-known philosopher, Prof. Eva Kittay from New York. She enabled the
audience to transcend the parochial view of dependence by addressing personhood instead. She showed us how all humans – not just people with severe and complex disability - are dependent on others. Consider our passing through childhood, through times when we are hospitalised or even very unwell at home, and other ordinary events in our lives. We are dependent on goods being
Fellowship and Food at the 2018 Pasta Night at St Andrew’s
delivered to shops, on professionals, on different workers offering their services. It is simply a matter of relatively more or less dependence throughout our lives. We expect these people to care not just dish out their service.
Care giving must always be sensitive to and respectful of the other’s view, respectful also of the needed symmetry of carer and cared for. Hence we need to establish equality and recognition of mutual need. Of course, Prof. Kittay was considering the situation of people with disability and various care providers, paid professionals or loving family members
and friends. There is, in fact, a very narrow path between neglect and paternalism such that even ‘caring too much’ can constitute ‘failing to care’. Good intentions do not constitute good care but are in fact paternalistic behaviour. The balance needs to be negotiated between the two parties involved with the cared-for determining the kind of care needed and desired.
Helping ourselves at the pasta night
Have we struck the right balance between the needs of the people of Tugwashanye and our commitment to mission? Over the years, with Sister Catherine’s guidance, we have contributed to the development of the Tugwashanye community from funds for food to funds for emergency needs and funds for education. The various projects such as the chicken project enabled the community to earn a living by selling eggs. When the chickens were destroyed by illness the maize and fertiliser project took its place and various women were able to harvest enough maize to give back bags of seeds for the following year’s harvest to other women via Sister Catherine. Now we are investing mainly in education. Thanks to the great generosity of an individual member of St Andrew’s
a lady managed to roof her little house just in time before the rains arrived. Yet it is clear that no-one likes to be dependent. Thus Nhamo Phiri, whose college education was made possible by our funds, became the activist for the independence of the younger members of the community. He took on a risky enterprise and enabled the first class of students to be successful and become computer literate thanks to the IT classes he set up for youngsters who could not afford to pay. Now, some of them are helping to teach others, jumping from dependence to independence and altruistic activism.
So this year’s Pasta Night was taken on with great hope in spite of the smaller number who had booked. The evening came and went and everyone enjoyed it and so considered it a great event. There were many helpers behind the scenes who never actually ate any pasta – in particular, Claire and Sebastian without whom we would have been in trouble coping. Again, our dependence on each other to set up the hall, prepare for the meal including the bonus dessert and also to clean up afterwards. Without any planning, several of you reading this helped out quietly, without fuss and with good humour. Thank you from me and the mission team we appreciate your cheerful assistance!
This year Sister Catherine celebrated 50 years since her ordination. The community celebrated the occasion in typical warm African style, singing and dancing in the chapel there. Candles were lit and a beautiful cake shared. Togetherness is the foundation of all celebration – we are called to be loving Christians and hence to be part of a community and to bring as many others as possible into the community. That is what we have achieved at St Andrew’s – cheerful togetherness in our responsibility to our counterparts in Tugwashanye. Our next project is the new Cookbook. We hope to have it ready soon!
Marie Alexander for the Mission Team
The Sponsor’s Council
The weekend of April 28th – 29th saw the annual visit of our Sponsor’s Council.The Chairman, Rev. Jimmy Brown, minister of the English Speaking Congregation in Bochum, Germany preached.Each member of the council made positive reports on all aspects of life and work at St/ Andrew’s Scot’s Church, Valletta.
Following the visit from the Sponsors Council
Our Minister has indicated that she would like to serve for another five-year term.
An Invitations Committee will be convened and overseen by the Methodist Church to make a recommendation to the Kirk Session if it accepts or rejects
this offer.
THE GIFT OF FRIENSHIP
Friendship is a priceless giftThat cannot be bought or sold
But it’s value is far greaterThan a mountain made of gold
For gold is cold and lifelessIt can neither see or hearAnd in the time of trouble
It is powerless to cheerIt has no ears to listen
No heart to understandIt cannot bring you comfortOr reach out a helping hand
So when you ask God for a giftBe thankful if He sends
Not diamonds, pearls or richesBut the love of real true friends
Fabulous SingingIf you weren’t in Church on Sunday 29th April you missed a real treat.I knew as the last hymn “Guide me, O thou great Jehovah” started that members of the London Welsh Rugby Male Voice Choir would not be able to resist coming into church to join the members who had attended the service. The volume and clarity of the singing was amazing, in fact the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end and the icing on the cake was the final verse sung in welsh.I realised that I certainly could not miss the concert which was due to start at 12.15pm that afternoon. The choir entered the church to loud applause, they were immaculately turned out in their blazers and beige slacks, shirts and choir tie.A member of the choir stepped forward and gave a brief resume of the choir’s history and introduced the first part of the programme. The first piece they sang “Creation” took me back 60+ years to the first time I heard my Father singing it in the Male Voice Choir of which he was a member of the bass section.The choir sang three more pieces finishing with “Rachie” an old welsh marching hymn. The mis-section of the concert we were entertained and excellent young German Soprano, Jaqueline Goldschmidt accompanied by Maria Borg. They performed three pieces beautifully.The second continued with a further five pieces including “the Lord’s Prayer”. After vigorous applause the choir agreed to sing two further pieces and concluded with a rousing rendition of the “Welsh National Anthem” which I was able to sing in welsh thanks to watching International Rugby.
David O’Neil
Deadline for Autumn Edition is August 17th 2018
Service Themes & Preachers
Date Preacher Worship Leader Type
3rd June Rev. Kim Hurst Rev. Kim Hurst All Age Worship10th June Christa Wiegand Rev. Kim Hurst17th June Rev. Kim Hurst Rev. Kim Hurst Missions Speaker17th June Christa Wiegand Diana Nye Gozo24th June Rev. Kim Hurst Rev. Kim Hurst Holy Communion
1st July Christa Wiegand Rev. Kim Hurst All Age Worship 8th July Rev. Kim Hurst Rev. Kim Hurst15th JulyDiana Nye Diana Nye15th JulyRev. Kim Hurst Rev. Kim Hurst Gozo22nd July Rev Kim Hurst Rev. Kim Hurst Holy Communion29th JulyDiana Nye Christa Wiegand Cafe Style Service
5th August Rev. Kim Hurst Rev. Kim Hurst All Age Worship12th August Norman Alexander19th August Christa Wiegand Christa Wiegand19th August Rev. Kim Hurst Rev. Kim Hurst Gozo24th August Rev. Kim Hurst Rev. Kim Hurst Holy Communion
2nd Sept Diana Nye Rev. Kim Hurst All Age Worship 9th Sept Rev. Kim Hurst Rev. Kim Hurst16th Sept Rev. Kim Hurst Rev. Kim Hurst Missions Speaker16th Sept Rev. Kim Hurst Rev. Kim Hurst Gozo23rd Sept Rev. Kim Hurst Rev. Kim Hurst Holy Communion30th Sept Rev. Kim Hurst Rev. Kim Hurst Songs of Praise30th Sept Rev. Kim Hurst Rev. Kim Hurst Gozo
Whenever possible the Rev. Kim plans to have Monday as her rest day so please try to refrain from contacting her on a Monday unless it is an emergency.Thank you for your understanding
Duty Elder
3rd June Diana Nye10th June Dot Hunter17th June Clement Okoro24th June Christa Wiegand
1st July Diana Nye 8th July Clement Okoro15th July Sharon Abbot22nd July John Lejman29th July Christa Wiegand
5th August David O’Neil12th August Sharon Abbot19th August Clement Okoro26th August John Lejman
2nd September Diana Nye 9th SeptemberClement Okoro16th September Sharon Abbot23rd September John Lejman30th September Christa Wiegand
Door Elders & Greeters
Door Elder Greeter
3rd June Diane Vella Anne Catherall10th June Paul Slater Diana Nye17th June Diana Nye Franklin Wilmot24th June Norman Alexander Jenny Psaila
1st July Paul Slater Jenny Psaila 8th July Diane Vella Anne Catherall15th July Doreen Portelli Norman Alexander22nd July Diana Nye David Smith29th July Clement Okoro Diana Nye
5th August Diane Vella David Smith12th August Jenny Psaila Clement Okoro19th August Paul Slater Doreen Portelli26th August Diana Nye Anne Catherall
2nd September Paul Slater David Smith 9th SeptemberDiana Nye Norman Alexander16th September Jenny Psaila Doreen Portelli23rd September Diane Vella Anne Catherall30th September Franklin Wilmot Clement Okoro
Readers
First Reader Second Reader
3rd June Diana Vella Anne Catherall10th June Dot Hunter June Pritchard-Griffiths17th June Clement Okoro John Lejman24th June Diana Nye Steve Hurst
1st July Diana Nye Paul Slater 8th July Clement Okoro Diane Vella15th July Sharon Abbot Doreen Portelli22nd July John Lejman June Pritchard-Griffiths29th July Marie Alexander Norman Alexander
5th August Diane Vella Dianne Smith12th August Jenny Psaila Steve Hurst19th August Paul Slater Jo Austin26th August June Pritchard-Griffiths Dot Hunter
2nd September Dianne Smith Diana Nye 9th September Dot Hunter Clement Okoro16th September Jenny Psaila Sharon Abbot23rd September Diane Vella John Lejman30th September Marie Alexander Norman Alexander
If you are unable to do your duty please find a replacement and change the lists in the vestibule & hall
A prayer chain is a group of like-minded people who wish to pray for people and their situations that arise during our daily lives. It is also used for praise.
This started in our previous church also called St. Andrew in Cardiff 34 year ago. When it was started there it was all done by phone as no one had a computer back then.
A Coordinator was informed of a person who needed prayers. There would be about 4 or 5 "Chain Leaders" who would each receive the message, and they would then contact the person underneath them on the chain, who would then contact the next one on the list, and so on, there may 6, 7, or even more hence the chain. So with the exception of the Coordinator no one had to call more than one person. It was a wonderful feeling to know that people were praying you’re your situation.
With the advent of computers being owned by lots of people now, it was suggested to me a couple of years ago that I might want to move with times and bring the prayer chain into the 21st century by using email as well. It made a tremendous difference, as people who had odd working hours and/or used their computer a lot were able to participate more easily. Of course there are people who don't have a computer, or just prefer a phone call which is fine.
The power of prayer is truly amazing.
If anyone would like more information or to join the prayer chain, please don't hesitate to contact me.
My details are as follow: June Pritchard-Griffiths,
Landline: 21311277 / Mobile: 7951 1406Email: [email protected]
Get up-datesRead interesting and funny stuffJoin inand hear from people and congregations from all over the worldwith "saintandrews scotschurch" on Facebook St. Andrew’s Scots Church is on www.standrewsmalta.com
there is also a link to our Foodbankhhtps://www.facebook.com/groups/standrewsmalta/
Malta Microfinance is also on Facebook and the website is: www.maltamicrofinance.com Lombard Bank Malta plc, 67 Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1117SWIFT/BIC code LBMAMTMTOur account is St Andrew's Scots Church, St Andrew's House, 210 Old Bakery Street, Valletta, MaltaAccount number 0144010357901IBAN MT18 LBMA 0500 0000 0001 4401 0357 901Please include as reference your name
ST ANDREW'S SCOTS Church of Scotland / Methodist
St Andrew's Scots Church, Valletta, is a Local Ecumenical Partnership between the Church of Scotland and the Methodist Church of Great Britain. A Methodist church has existed in Valletta since 1824, when Rev John Keeling founded the first non-Roman Catholic Church in Malta. A Presbyterian church has existed on our site since 1843 and our present building was built in 1857 through the efforts of a Presbyterian minister, Dr George Wisely.
We are a cosmopolitan church with a wide variety of nationalities and church backgrounds making up our normal Sunday morning congregation, which often also contains a high proportion of visitors. Our aim is to serve God and our neighbours through Christ and in the strength of his Spirit. We share our building with the Andreas Gemeinde of the German Lutheran church. A service in the German language is held at 10.30 am on the first and third Sunday of each month.
We hope that you will find Crossroads informative and helpful. lf you have any comments about anything you find in Crossroads or any ideas about items for inclusion in a future edition, please contact our editor, Mrs Pat O’Neil. If you would like to make a donation to the church, please contact our Treasurer, Mrs Hazel Dunlavy or find bank details at the end of the booklet.
HOW TO FIND US
