1. Urray & Kilchrist
Church of Scotland
Muir of Ord
Church Magazine
Winter 2011-12
The Church’s Mission Statement
Our purpose is to bring glory to God through Jesus Christ by committing ourselves
to regular worship, prayer and Bible study. We offer a warm welcome to all and
aim to reach out to each other, our community and the world with the love of Christ.
Enjoying the Church Christmas Meal
Charity Ref No SCO 09902
Congregation Ref No 392220

2. Christmas
with the kids
from the Renewal Care
Home, Mariupol
Church Christmas Meal

3. MINISTER’S LETTER
You might not have heard the news, but 2012 is the year the world
ends! The 21st December is the exact date..... or so the story goes.
You see, according to the theory, that date is remarkable since it is
regarded as the end-date of a 5125-year-long cycle in the calendar of
the ancient Mayan civilisation. So the logic is that they must have
known something that we don't about that date, and therefore we had
all better enjoy these last 11 months!
This is of course the latest in a long line of weird and wonderful
predictions and theories about the end of the world as we know it, and
of time running out. Well of course time will run out for us all. By
our very nature, we are all time-limited here on earth, and that fact
seems to preoccupy us terribly.
But the truth is this; it is God who holds the future. He was the one
who created the universe and it is for Him alone to determine what
lies ahead.
What the Bible tells us is that God sent His son Jesus, to save us. He
died for our sin so we might, by the grace of God, know forgiveness
and salvation. We also know that, on the third day, God raised Jesus
Christ from the grave and that He lives, reassuring His people of their
eternal future and promising them that He will come again and that
they will be forever with Him.
I love the words which make up the chorus of the praise song Because
He Lives, written by Bill Gaither,
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone,
Because I know he holds the future,
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives.

4. So true. And because that is the case, we need not worry about what
lies ahead this year, indeed this very day, if we put our trust in Him.
For there is nothing that can separate His people from the love of
God, the Apostle Paul tells us that, (Please make time and read the
wonderful words of Romans 8:35-39.)
Therefore, the end of the world is for others to worry about.
For us who love Him, the coming of the Lord and His kingdom is a
day we await with fear and trembling, for sure, but also with a great
hope and anticipation.
And since there is not much, if anything, we can do about what
tomorrow will bring, in the meantime, we focus on obeying and
serving our Lord in His grace and mercy, and by our lives, pointing
others towards the Lord Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, the
First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Rev.22:13.
Blessings
Scott
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
Church Register
Deaths
30/10/11 Helen Skinner 8 Logan Way, Muir of Ord
08/11/11 Ian Mackay Station House, Corry Rd, Muir of Ord
02/12/11 Andrew Fraser Hawthorn Park, Muir of Ord
07/12/11 Elsie Ross Highview House, Inverness.
Weddings
03/12/11 Alix Maclean and Ernst Robberts (Bunchrew House)
Baptisms
18/12/11 William Mackenzie
Simeon and Asia Ewing
As many already know, Simeon and Asia hosted a group of children
from the Renewal Children’s Home in Mariupol (where Simeon used

5. to work) for a Christmas holiday. The event was very successful, and
below are letters of appreciation from Simeon and from Olya. You
can see some photos on the cover page.
Dear friends,
Attached is a hand-made thank you from the children of Renewal
Children’s Home, Mariupol, and one from the supervisor who came
with them, Olya Victorovna. You can see how much this holiday
meant to them, and along with the kids we are truly grateful for your
help in making it happen. Your response was incredible, way more
than we anticipated. That always seems to be the way when God is at
work, but I am pleased to say it still surprises and delights every time!
Indeed, we received so much in the end that the ‘leftovers’ have been
enough to cover the train fares all the way from and back to
Mariupol, 18 hours east of here! This was a real last-minute blessing
to them, as usually children from the home don’t have to pay to travel,
but when they arrived at the train station to come here, they were told
“We don’t do that anymore” – and I think they almost cancelled the
trip because of it! The home has on-going building projects and other
big financial needs, so to not have to spend a penny on this holiday
has been a truly great blessing for them.
On a personal note, it was a wonderful experience for us, a small
taste of things to come, and a reminder of the value of this work. The
home in Mariupol is run by a church, and it is so much more than
putting a roof over some heads, clothes on some backs and food on
the table. These kids were so well behaved, kind and friendly, helpful
and disciplined. They always helped at mealtimes and washing up,
and kept the place clean and tidy. And, just as I remember from when
I was working there, it seems everyone who passes through there
develops a natural love for and reliance upon God, and the majority
of the kids give Him their lives and carry on walking with Him. May
God use the house He has blessed us with in the same way!
Many thanks again, and may God bless you right back - richly.
With much love, Simeon, Asia, Amelia, bump.
Olya Victorovna (supervisor).Olya 18, Vika 15, Alina 14, Masha 14,
Anya 12, Lera 8, Nazar 13 and Vladik 12.

6. Dear friends!
I want to thank you on behalf of all the children and the workers at
Renewal care centre in Mariupol for the finances that you gave for
our stay at Simeon and Asia’s place. It was a very nice time for the
children full of fun, new experiences of living in a family. It was the
first time we went out from Mariupol to stay in a family, and this is so
nice that the children who all have wrong painful experience in the
past could see the proper relationship and learn some good things
about a family, they felt loved and got warm hospitality at Simeon’s
home. And this is the most precious thing which can impact their
future. The children visited Kiev, went bowling, ice-skating, played
billiard and table tennis at the pastor’s house. Apart from that
Simeon and Asia spoiled us with nice food and cakes. The children
didn’t want to leave and they all want to stay in Rzhischiv forever☺.
Thank you for having made this holiday possible and we appreciate
your Christmas gift! May God bless you, your families and your
church!
Olya Belyakova, worker at Renewal centre, Mariupol, 10.01.12

7. Sunday School Christmas Party
Although the Sunday school Christmas party may seem like a long
time ago now, it will stick in the minds of those who were there for a
much longer time than you may imagine. We all had so much fun that
it’s imposable to put it into words. We played loads of great games
like pass-the-parcel; musical statues and many, many more. At 3:30
we sang jingle bells so that Santa would come to give out great
Christmas gifts to all who had been good (or I could just say to all of
us!) We also had a fabulous meal, just to make everything even better
than it had been before (which wasn’t easy I can tell you) and also to
give us all some more energy after running around as much as we did.
Now you’ve heard all about the party I’m sure you’ll all want to come
along next time and join the fun, so see you there next time!
By Eilidh Mackenzie
Church Christmas Meal
Our church Christmas meal was once again held in the Priory Hotel
Beauly, and attended by a lively group of young, quite young and not
so young members of the church family. We enjoyed a delicious
meal of very generous portions, and, judging by the animated chatter,
congenial fellowship was enjoyed by all. The tables were festive,
crackers were pulled, hats were donned and there was much fun and
laughter reading the jokes and sayings in the crackers. Scott gave
thanks for our many blessings, our food, the opportunity to socialise
freely in our faith and share a meal by way of celebrating Christ’s
birth and His coming into our lives. Wendy organised a quiz for our
further entertainment, and again, much fun was had digging into our
collective knowledge to find the answers. Thank you, Wendy, for
your efforts. Thank you too, to Sheena, for organising the event and
to Sheena and Frank for dealing with the money and paying on the
night. There are some photos on the cover page.

8. FORTHCOMING EVENTS
The Church of Scotland’s Enquirers’ Conference at Scottish Police
College, Tulliallan, 3-4 February 2012.
If you are interested, there may be some last minute/cancellation
places available. Phone Suzanne Brown or Carol-Anne Frame on
0131 225 5722
THE GUILD
The Church of Scotland Guild celebrates its 125th anniversary in
2012, and the January edition of Life & Work carries a series of
articles to mark this event. To quote from Life & Work’s editor,
Lynne McNeil: “Life & Work and the Guild share the same founder,
the visionary Victorian, the Rev Professor Archibald Charteris, who
launched the Guild eight years after the aforesaid journal. Initially
founded to bring more women into the church, the Guild has proved
to be an enduring conscience and backbone. It has stood the test of
time – embracing social change and simply doing what it does best:
actively working and campaigning for a better world in Christ’s name
– effectively captured in the Guild’s motto: Whose we are and Whom
we serve.”
Below is the timeline page which appeared in the January edition of
Life & Work and which gives an interesting skeleton history of the
Guild. If you’d like to read the Guild articles, ask Aileen to lend you
a copy.
Church of Scotland Guild Timeline
1858 Archibald Charteris licensed as a minister
1863 Charteris marries Catherine Anderson
1880 Charteris founds Young Men’s Guild
1885 Dr Charteris appeals to women of the church through
Life & Work to find out more about women’s work
1885 Charteris appeals to Assembly for permission to
investigate and report on the work of women and the
possibility of organising an official unit
1886 Women allowed to become doctors in Scotland
1887 Charteris reports back to Assembly. C of S Woman’s
Guild formed. Deaconess House opened.

9. 1891 First Guild conference. Guild launches Mother’s
Union movement.
1892 Charteris elected Moderator of the General Assembly
1893 Guild builds hospital next to school in Kalimpong.
Guild launches scheme to bring country produce to
poor of Edinburgh. Second Guild conference.
1894 Guild-funded Kalimpong hospital opens. Guild
“marriages” link started between branches.
1898 Charteris retires
1904 Guild Cottage opens for “women fallen victim to
intemperance”.
1905 Emmeline Pankhurst founds Suffragette movement
1908 Charteris dies and is buried in Wamphray
1912 Guild raises money to buy pulpit and falls for
Charteris Memorial Church (Kirk o’Fields,
Edinburgh). Biography of Charteris published
1913 Kalimpong school expansion continues
1918 Girls’ guild started. Mrs Charteris dies and is buried
with her husband. Guild cottage closed.
1919 Guild funds two hostels for women and girls – one in
Glasgow and one in Edinburgh.
1926 General Strike and start of great Depression
1928 Guild begin to train members in public speaking
1932 Mass AGM held at Usher Hall, Edinburgh. Request
for Guild Representative to be Corresponding
Member at General Assembly turned down
1935 BBC broadcasts part of annual meeting
1937 Jubilee Year – additional funds sent to Kalimpong.
7,000 members want to attend annual meeting, so
venue moved to accommodate numbers.
1939 Annual meeting held in McEwan Hall. Guild given
responsibility for own finances. Presidents limited to
4-year office. Board of Trade authorised Guild
members to get special coupons to obtain wool to knit
for the troops
1943 Ernest Bevin invites 90 Guild members to his
conference of women to discuss new welfare state.

10. 1947 Guild sends 3,000 layettes to German mothers as
reconciliation.
1953 Guild President invited to Queen’s coronation
1956 First theme launched. Guild church at Barlanark
dedicated.
1957 70th anniversary of the Guild
1959 Guild magazine Bulletin started
1966 First women elders. Magazine Spotlight started.
1969 Annual projects started following Elizabeth
Anderson’s trip to World Council of churches
conference. First women ministers ordained.
1974 Guild Representative finally invited to be
Corresponding Member at General Assembly
1977 Queen attends Guild’s 90th anniversary AGM
1982 Anne Hepburn, National President, opens Annual
Meeting with “God, our Mother” prayer, sparking
controversy and debate at General Assembly. Guild
campaigns to boycott South African oranges in
protest against apartheid.
1987 Guild Centenary celebrations. Discussion topics
launched. Guild hymn written by Betty Ewart.
1996 First information officer appointed.
1997 Church of Scotland Woman’s Guild becomes Church
of Scotland Guild. Three year strategies launched.
2000 Millennium banner exhibition tour
2002 Thanks a Million campaign to mark project
Partnership Scheme raising £1 million since 1997
2004 First Annual Guild Week (last week in November)
2007 “The Extra Mile” launched. Guild members address
MSPs on the issue of people trafficking.
2008 Guild Week marked by Chain of Peace
2009 First Regional Annual Meeting held in Castle
Douglas
2010 Second Regional Annual Meeting in Fort William

11. IT’S GOOD TO SMILE….
The Sheik & the Scotsman
A wealthy sheik was admitted to St Vincents Hospital for heart
surgery, but prior to the surgery, the doctors needed to store his blood
in case it was found to be required during the procedure. As the
gentleman had a rare type of blood, it couldn't be found locally, so,
the call went out to other hospitals.
Finally a Scot was located who had a similar blood type. The Scot
willingly donated his blood for the sheik. After the surgery, the sheik
sent the Scotsman as appreciation for giving his blood, a new BMW,
diamonds & US dollars.
A couple of days later the sheik had to go through a corrective
surgery. His doctor telephoned the Scotsman who was more than
happy to donate his blood again.
After the second surgery, the sheik sent the Scotsman a thank-you
card & a jar of candies.
The Scotsman was shocked that the sheik this time did not reciprocate
his gesture as he had anticipated. He phoned the sheik and asked him:
"I thought you would be generous again, that you would give me a
BMW, diamonds & money... but you only gave me a thank-you card
& a jar of candies".
To this the sheik replied: "Aye, but I’ve good Scottish blood in ma
veins noo".
The Lord’s Prayer
There was a traveller man, walking in the north of Scotland. He was
starving with hunger for he hadn’t eaten for a few days; the soles of
his shoes were worn down to the road, and the blisters on his feet
were the size of eggs. He was in a terrible state. He was walking up a
glen when he saw another traveller coming towards him. He was so
glad to see somebody else. He shook hands with him and bade him
good day.
“It’s good to meet you my friend,” he said, “you wouldn’t have
anything to eat in your pocket, would you – or a cigarette? I haven’t
eaten for a few days and my belly is sore with hunger”.
“No, I’m sorry, I’m hungry too. I haven’t eaten either”.

12. Well, are there any houses up here? I could beg for a sandwich, or
something else?”
“Yes, there’s a manse no more than half a mile up the road, but for
goodness sake don’t go there. He’s a beast of a man and he’ll set the
dog on you.”
“I’ll have to try it – must is a hard master – thank you,” the first
traveller replied and walked on up the hill.
Eventually he came to the house, with two big gates and the sign
“Manse”. He entered and knocked on the door. A butler answered
and asked bluntly “What do you want?”
Well”, replied the traveller, “I’ve come to see the minister – not to
beg. I was told he’s the best minister in Scotland and I’ve come to
ask him to teach me something.”
So the butler fetched the minister. “Well”, the minister said warily, “I
hear you want to see me.”
“Oh yes, your reverence, I’ve heard you’re the best minister in
Scotland and I’ve travelled for days to come to see you so as you can
teach me something.”
The minister threw out his chest a bit at the compliment. “What do
you want me to teach you, my man?”
“I want you to teach me the Lord’s Prayer” said the traveller.
“Don’t you know the Lord’s Prayer, my man”?
“No sir, I never learned it.”
“Very well,” said the minister “I’ll teach you”, and he began “Our
Father…”
“Hold on a minute” said the traveller man, “Did you say Our
Father?”
“Yes, I did” said the minister.
“So that means to say he’s your father?”
“Yes, he is.”
Well, if he’s your father, he must be my father”.
“Of course he is.”
“Well, if he’s your father and he’s my father, we must be brothers.”
“Yes, putting it that way, we are.”
“Well, would you see your brother go with an empty belly, and me
that has not eaten for days?”

13. The minister gave a wee smile. “Very well, I’ll take you round the
back and ask the cook to feed you.”
The cook put out a big plate of meat for him and he tucked into it,
putting what was left over into his handkerchief for later.
“Well” said the traveller man “you’re a great cook, thank you, but I
must see the minister again.”
Off goes the cook and comes back with the minister. “Have you had
a good feed, my man?” he asked.
“A wonderful feed your reverence, thank you, but you still haven’t
taught me the Lord’s Prayer.
“No, I haven’t had a chance, so shall we start again?”
The traveller man nodded, and the minister began “Our Father….”
The traveller man put his hand up to stop the minister from saying
anything more and said “Excuse me, your reverence, but is he still
your father?”
“But of course.”
“And is he still my father?”
“Yes.”
“So we’re still brothers then?”
“Yes.”
“Well, would you see your brother going with a pair of boots like
these, no soles on them and blisters the size of eggs on his feet and the
blood running out of them?”
Again the minister gave a wee smile. “All right then, but looking at
your feet, my shoes wouldn’t fit you, so take this note down to John,
the cobbler in the village, and get a pair of boots, and tell him I’ll be
down in a few days to pay for them.”
So off goes the traveller man, happy as a lark. He went to the cobbler
and chose the best leather boots he had in the shop, and away he went.
Now, a few days later, when the minister was having his afternoon
tea, a thought came to him –“I must go and pay for the traveller man’s
boots – I forgot all about it.” He put on his coat and hurried away to
the cobbler.
The cobbler looked up when the small bell above the door rang.
When he saw it was the minister, he stopped what he was doing and
said “Good afternoon your reverence, I haven’t seen you in a long
time.”

14. “No and I haven’t seen you in a long time either, John.”
“Ah well, I haven’t managed to church as I’ve been so busy making
boots and shoes for the people in the village and the big house.”
“Ah but you must make time to come to church, you know, John.”
The cobbler hung his head.
“Now” said the minister, “with your not coming to church lately, do
you still remember the Lord’s Prayer?”
“Of course I do” said the cobbler.
“Well would you mind quoting to me?”
“Of course, your reverence, everyone knows the Lord’s Prayer, and
he started “Our Father…”
“Hold on a minute” said the minister, “Did you say Our Father?”
“Yes, I did” said the cobbler.
“So that means to say he’s your father?”
“Yes, he is.”
Well, if he’s your father, he must be my father”.
“Yes.”
“Well, if he’s your father and he’s my father, he must be that traveller
man’s father as well.”
“Yes, putting it that way your reverence, yes he is.”
“So if he’s your father, and my father and the traveller man’s father,
we must all be brothers.”
“Yes, I suppose we are.”
“Well, you pay one half of your brother’s boots and I’ll pay the
other!!!!”
Sent in by Willie MacKenzie
A WALK THROUGH THE BIBLE – NEHEMIAH
Nehemiah is the last of the Old Testament historical books. It records
the history of the third return to Jerusalem after captivity, telling how
the walls were rebuilt and the people renewed in their faith.
As the story begins, Nehemiah was talking with fellow Jews who
reported that the walls and gates of Jerusalem were in disrepair, and
rebuilding them became Nehemiah’s burden. Armed with royal
letters from King Artaxerxes, Nehemiah travelled to Jerusalem. He

15. organised the people into groups and assigned them to specific
sections of the wall. The construction project was not without
opposition however. Sanballat, Tobiah and others tried to halt the
work with insults, ridicule, threats and sabotage. Some of the workers
became fearful, others weary. In each case, Nehemiah employed a
strategy to frustrate the enemies: prayer, encouragement, guard duty,
consolidation. Then a different problem arose, an internal one. Rich
Jews were profiteering off their working countrymen. Hearing of the
Jews’ oppression and greed, Nehemiah confronted usurers and forced
them to discontinue their exploitation. Then, with the walls almost
complete, Sanballat, Tobiah and company tried one last time to stop
Nehemiah. But Nehemiah stood firm and the work was finished in
just 52 days. What a tremendous monument to God’s love and
faithfulness. Enemies and friends alike know that God had helped.
Then Ezra reappears and reads the law and the Levites explain it to an
attentive audience. This leads to repentance, a reaffirmation of faith
and religious revival, culminating in a signing up, by Nehemiah, the
priests, Levites and leaders on behalf of all the people, to the covenant
agreement with God. The book closes with the records of the people
and their villages, dedication of the new walls and the purging of sin
from the land.
CrossReach
The January CrossReach mailing contained the Circle of Care
newsletter and the February to May prayer letter, and there are copies
of both available on the pamphlet table in the church hall for anyone
who is interested.
This quarter, Circle of Care focuses on the work CrossReach does
through its substance misuse services which have been offered now
for over 50 years. Initially, this was by means of a number of
residential rehabilitation services allowing people to leave behind
their local environment and enter a protected and often remote
environment in order to work on their addictions and begin their
recovery. It makes for sobering reading, reminding us that such
addiction affects not only the sufferers but many, many more innocent
people in the family, workplace and community in direct and indirect
ways. It and challenges us as Christians, and, to quote from the

16. leading article: “As the social care department of the Church,
CrossReach must be the hands of Christ to do His work, the feet to
run His errands and the voice to speak for Him (Lewis Cameron, The
Challenge of Need, 1971)”. The article goes on to describe work in
some of the many projects around Scotland: Whiteinch “Move On”
project, The Bridge project in the Western Isles, Simpson House,
Edinburgh and closer to home, in Inverness, the Beechwood House
“recovery tree”. Alice Cowie writes: “It was felt there was nothing
that reflected that we are a recovery unit, so from this small seed the
idea grew of a recovery tree. The tree is in the main entrance, so
all ….who enter can see it….. It symbolises the journey from the root
of addiction through to the canopy of recovery. Anyone can add a
leaf to the tree…made of any material. A word is then selected which
has significance for that individual…and is affixed to a leaf which the
individual places on the tree. .” A user remarked: “when I first
walked into Beechwood House, I noticed the tree, so went over to
read it. It kind of gave me a feeling of support knowing I was not the
only one feeling the way I felt”.
Remember you can support the work of CrossReach by giving a
donation and/or shopping in its web shop, shop.crossreach.org.uk/
There is still time to enter the 2012 Design a Christmas card
competition 2012. You design must be original and not copied from
an existing copyright card or clip art. Send your entry to:
Christmas Card competition, CrossReach, 47 Milton Road East,
EDINBURGH, EH 15 2SR
Aileen Nicholson
Urray and Kilchrist Church has been granted Eco-Congregation status
by Eco-Congregation Scotland.

17. As such, we are committed to caring for creation; we make the link
between environmental issues and our Christian faith; we will respond
with practical action in the church and the wider community.
Some 13 modules are available for congregations ranging from
“Christianity and Creation” – some green theological perspectives to
“Acorns to Oaks” – ideas and activities for children’s work. The
module adopted to date at Urray is “Greening the Cornerstone” –
guidelines on caring for church premises.
Much of the work has taken place with respect to improving the hall.
Several grants were received from bodies with an eco ethos in mind.
Last winter we received a grant from Community Energy Scotland
(CARES). This was used to insulate the suspended ceiling of the
main hall with an increase from 15o mm to 300 mm of the glass wool
quilt. The area over the kitchen and toilets was also covered. This is
the maximum required by Building Regulations. Energy efficient
lighting was then fitted throughout the hall. A total of 78 tubes were
replaced. Cleaning of the diffusers was long overdue and the result
obvious. This reduced the electrical power used by 25% and
increased the luminosity by 33%. This benefited our electricity
consumption and reduced the hall’s carbon footprint.
All doors were draught-proofed at the same time.
In addition solar panels were installed above the kitchen and toilets.
The panels will provide hot water to supplement the existing electrical
immersion element system.

18. Additional work was funded by the Scottish
Community Foundation from Fairburn Wind
Farm / Scottish and Southern Energy
Community Benefit Fund.
Under floor heating from a gas boiler source was installed in the main
hall. Previously, the hall was heated by inefficient wall heaters that
had been largely responsible for our 8 tonne carbon footprint. Only
those positioned in the arc of the beam received any heat. Ultimately,
the aim is to provide heating water from a ground source system thus
adopting renewable principles. Already community groups have
found the hall very cosy and comfortable. Most hall users like having
heat at their feet, especially the children and senior citizens. One
brownie will not get up from the floor at the end of the night.
Dingwall and Seaforth Ward Discretionary Budget was tapped into,
and this assisted greatly with the new heating system in terms of floor
insulation, plumbing
and electrical works.
Grateful thanks to Margaret Patterson, Councillor and Liz Cowie,
Ward Manager for helpful advice.
The Project was Part-Financed by the Scottish Government and the
European Community Highland LEADER 2007-2013 Programme.
LEADER funding match funds grants from other parties to the tune of
39% inclusive of our own contribution of 5% and Project
Management costs.
Further insulation to the hall was carried out to the external walls
which were increased in width by 150 mm. This enhanced the U-
value to 0.15 w/0C/m2 A thick insulation board called Ecotherm was
inserted behind the plasterboard to achieve this . All the work was

19. done by local contractors so supporting the LEADER ethos of using
local resources. This also embraces eco thinking in that less carbon is
produced over short transport distances. LEADER conditions
encourage sharing with the local community and this was satisfied
since half of our hall organisations are not church related. Grateful
thanks to Liz Whiteford, Highland LEADER project manager for
guiding us through the complicated application and claim process.
The Persecuted Church
In December, 2011, I enrolled as the Open Doors Church
representative for Urray and Kilchrist congregation.
Open Doors is an evangelical Christian ministry that serves
persecuted Christians worldwide.
If you have internet access they can be accessed
at www.opendoorsuk.org.
If you do not, information on Open Doors and other organisations
serving the persecuted Church is available on the notice board in our
Church hall.
I update the display often, and I would please ask you to read the
available information and take leaflets from there at any time.
My key roles will be:
Drip feeding information and prayer requests throughout the
year, as well as finding opportunities for a special focus on
persecuted Christians;
Sharing Open Doors’ ministry in a variety of ways, for example;
International Day of Prayer for persecuted Christians
(November);

20. Bible study and prayer groups;
Encouraging you to receive the monthly magazine and prayer
diary;
Encouraging you to add your voice to critical advocacy
campaigns;
Encouraging prayer and introducing the stories of persecuted
Christians;
There are many examples of Christians being persecuted and I share
one of the latest:
“Ugandan Girl Tortured for Christ Regaining Use of Legs
BWERA, Uganda, January 17 (CDN) — A 15-year-old Christian girl
in western Uganda who lost the use of her legs after her father locked
her in a room for six months for leaving Islam has begun to take
tentative steps. Susan Ithungu of Isango village, Kasese district, had
been hospitalized since September 2010 after neighbours along with
police rescued her from her father, Beya Baluku, who had given her
hardly any food or water. He was arrested shortly afterwards but
quickly released. She and her younger brother, Mbusa Baluku, lived
alone with their father, who was divorced from their mother. In
March 2010, Susan had trusted Christ for her salvation – prompting
her father to threaten to slaughter her publicly with a knife. Pastor
Joseph Baluku of Bwera Full Gospel Church in Kasese, said
neighbours who discovered that the girl was locked in a room with
almost no food or water notified authorities. After her release, they
took her to a hospital”.
In countries where faith costs the most, persecuted believers depend
on our prayers and support.
A Bible verse to remember “we are hard pressed on every side, but
not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not
abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
John MacDonald

21. New Year Resolutions
Question: "What sort of New Year’s Resolution should a
Christian make?"
Answer: The practice of making New Year’s resolutions goes back
over 3,000 years to the ancient Babylonians. There is just something
about the start of a new year that gives us the feeling of a fresh start
and a new beginning. In reality, there is no difference between
December 31 and January 1. Nothing mystical occurs at midnight on
December 31. The Bible does not speak for or against the concept of
New Year’s resolutions. However, if a Christian determines to make a
New Year’s resolution, what kind of resolution should he or she
make?
Common New Year’s resolutions are commitments to quit smoking,
to stop drinking, to manage money more wisely, and to spend more
time with family. By far, the most common New Year’s resolution is
to lose weight, in conjunction with exercising more and eating more
healthily. These are all good goals to set. However, 1 Timothy 4:8
instructs us to keep exercise in perspective: “For physical training is
of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise
for both the present life and the life to come.” The vast majority of
New Year’s resolutions, even among Christians, are in relation to
physical things. This should not be.
Many Christians make New Year’s resolutions to pray more, to read
the Bible every day, and to attend church more regularly. These are
fantastic goals. However, these New Year’s resolutions fail just as
often as the non-spiritual resolutions, because there is no power in a
New Year’s resolution. Resolving to start or stop doing a certain
activity has no value unless you have the proper motivation for
stopping or starting that activity. For example, why do you want to
read the Bible every day? Is it to honour God and grow spiritually, or
is it because you have just heard that it is a good thing to do? Why do
you want to lose weight? Is it to honour God with your body, or is it
for vanity, to honour yourself?

22. Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do everything through Him who gives
me strength.” John 15:5 declares, “I am the vine; you are the
branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much
fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” If God is the centre of your
New Year’s resolution, it has chance for success, depending on your
commitment to it. If it is God’s will for something to be fulfilled, He
will enable you to fulfil it. If a resolution is not God honouring and/or
is not in agreement in God’s Word, we will not receive God’s help in
fulfilling the resolution.
So, what sort of New Year’s resolution should a Christian make?
Here are some suggestions:
(1) pray to the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5) in regards to what
resolutions, if any, He would have you make;
(2) pray for wisdom as to how to fulfil the goals God gives you;
(3) rely on God’s strength to help you;
(4) find an accountability partner who will help you and encourage
you;
(5) don’t become discouraged with occasional failures; instead, allow
them to motivate you further;
(6) don’t become proud or vain, but give God the glory. Psalm 37:5-6
says, “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do
this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice
of your cause like the noonday sun.”

23. Frosty morning on the back road to Urray Church
Minister: Scott Polworth Tel: 01463 870259
E-mail: scottpolworth@btinternet.com
Session Clerk: Duncan Cromb Tel: 01463 870860
E-mail: dcromb@btinternet.com
Magazine editor: Aileen Nicholson Tel:01463 870030
E-mail:aileen@braemhor.co.uk