(Taken from church press release)
The people of Beath and Cowdenbeath North Church are taking the opportunity to share a bright and colourful message with everyone who passes by at the North Church in Perth Road. Faced with a bare hoarding hiding building work, the Kirk Session decided to commission artist, Hazel Gray, a member of the congregation, to come up with a design that would cheer up the day of everyone who sees it. The result is an eye catching rainbow and stained glass design with a simple but profound message: “God loves you!” The minister, David Redmayne, said, “We are delighted with the colours and design of the picture – it says, in a very simple way, everything we want to share!” Meanwhile the building work at the North Church, largely financed by a bequest from former member, Mary Salmond, will provide a new meeting room and improved facilities which will be opened later this year. The builders are Hatrick-Bruce of Milnathort.Construction picture available to view at www.beathandnorth.org.uk
On the 2nd August 2008 1 group of men, women and children left Dunfermline to meet the congregation of the Evangelical Church of the Czech Brethren in Orlova, Czech Republic, which is a town near the border of Poland.
The area has been heavily under-mined and many building of the original Orlova have disappeared into the ground. The new town of Orlova is still developing as it is being built on more stable ground.
We shared a delightful 8 days in the company of friends, very aware that God was with us, uniting us in worship, fellowship and an understanding of what it means to be part of the world-wide body of Christ.
We were underground in a mining museum and a visit to caves, we were high on a mountain top, travelling by chair lift (a new experience for many of the group!!) and by foot, as we walked a return journey of 14k to the chapel and hermitage at the top of the mountain. Some of us climbed a spire with 350 steps, and some of us walked UNDER the water of a Dam. We played and we partied, and laughed when we tried out each others languages and found that despite the challenge, we could somehow communicate. But most of all our worship was a very deep and meaningful spiritual experience, for which there are no words to describe, only the feeling of warmth and peace when we pause to remember.
Without a doubt, for most of the group, it was a faith strengthening experience, for which we thank God for the opportunity of seeing Christ in our neighbour, in the many ways he came to us during our stay.
We do not know where the Lord is leading our congregation on this journey which began with the visit of Lydie and Villiam four years ago, but we look forward to the blessings he has in store as we take the next step forward in planning a twinning arragement with our brothers and sisters in Christ in Orlova.
A ‘must read’ for all Kirk Sessions !!
All churches like to think that theirs is the friendliest in town. But do visitors see it that way? Church consultant Gary McIntosh invites readers to take a look at their church through the eyes of visitors and potential visitors. His starting point, grounded in an understanding of God as a “welcomer,” is that churches should see those who enter their doors as not merely visitors, but as guests, and themselves as gracious hosts. This practical book offers sound advice on assessing and improving the ways in which churches attract people, welcome them, do follow-up, and bring them into the church family. It also offers suggestions for making a welcoming attitude part of the very fabric of the local church.
Good News! Presbytery acknowledges that the natural church development process is a valuable strategic tool for mission with churches. Given all the indicators for health (or lack of it!!) in the presbytery area this is a key step forward.
I am looking forward to sharing with ministers and kirk sessions some valuable insights which I believe can help move us to health and I hope growth! Please pray for me (the Mission Development Officer) as I share information and pray for the church leaders that they would be open to the work of the Holy Spirit in interpretation and guiding.
This first small step has the potential for good in our congregations and communities, so may God bless us all as we move forward in faith for the glory of His name and the building of His Church.
