Mag August 2013
Content
P E E B LE S B A P T I S T C H U R C H
Waiting
August 2013
I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Psalm 130:5-6
I
don’t much like waiting. I don’t think I’m alone in that - few people have developed the discipline of patience, and fewer still could be said to actively enjoy waiting. In fact, in the 21st Century, having to wait is an increasingly unusual experience for us. We expect swift delivery and instant gratification. We have instant loans. Instant messaging. Instant coffee (even if it is horrible). Instant downloads. Instant replays. Instant results. We order fast food. When something doesn’t come quickly enough, we get annoyed. In truth, though, waiting is sometimes all we can do. Abraham waited 25 years for the birth of his son Isaac. The Israelites waited 430 years before God delivered them from the Egyptians. Moses waited in the desert for 40 years before he was sent by God to rescue the Israelites. They, in turn, waited for 40 years in the wilderness before entering the land of Canaan. Jesus waited until he was 30 to start his public ministry. The apostles waited 10 days after Jesus had ascended before they received the Spirit. And we wait for the creation of a new heaven and earth. The Kingdom of God is here but it is still to break in fully. And of course the wait for Kate and William is now over. The media throughout the world has just gone into a frenzy following the birth of George Alexander Louis, Prince of Cambridge. But just in case we’re tempted to think that we humans can do anything, that nine-month enforced period of waiting and uncertainty at the beginning of every human life, “royal” or otherwise, stands as an important challenge to our desire for instant gratification. We have limits. Waiting is part of the human experience and reminds us – in case we were in any doubt – that God is God and we are not.
If you’d like to know more about what our friends in the other Peebles churches are doing, you can find some of their own magazines online: Old Parish Church: topcopmag.wordpress.com St Peter’s: www.stpeterspeebles.org.uk/netmagazine.php St Joseph’s: www.stjosephschurch.org.uk/?Home%3A:Current_Newsletter The St Andrews Leckie magazine isn’t online yet, but they’re working on it...
Ian
From the Editor
This month’s magazine has a variety of topics to get stuck into. Let me draw your attention to the new BMS links we have and the information you can find near the back of the magazine. Our church has been involved with BMS and their missionaries for many years, and it is exciting to be finding out about our three new mission partners. Two of these are established in their posts, but one is at the very start of her journey, so it will be a rare opportunity to be able to follow her progress right from the start. Please do take time to read about our new mission partners and to pray for them. We hope to have regular updates to share via the magazine. This month there is no book review, but there is a music review. I would encourage all of you who have access to a computer and the Internet to look up the subject of our review – Steven Curtis Chapman – on YouTube or a similar site and watch/listen to a couple of his songs. One in particular that I have found very moving every time I listen to it is called Fingerprints. There are many, however, on the album reviewed that are well worth listening to. Last month we read about Bill Speirs past, and this month you can find a touching article on Bill from the Scotsman, a paper that he frequently wrote to!
We choOSE FAIRtRaDe
Men’s Group Town Walk St. Andrew's Tow er (Peebles Cemeter y) Sunday 18 Aug ust, 2.00PM
Chattabox 11–16 August 10 AM to 4 PM It’s not too late to volunteer - speak to Ian for more infomation
Vicky’s Tearoom st Sunday 11 Augu 3 – 4 PM
Dovecot Court Service
Wednesday 14 August 3.00 PM Please come along to swell the singing!
Summer BBQs 25th August 12.45(ish} after a special “Back to School” service. If you know someone involved with any of the local schools, why not invite them along!
Helping People to mobilise safely Thursday 1st Aug 4 – 5 PM Victoria Park Centre
Deacons Meetings
5th Aug (at Eddleston) and 14th Aug (at Connor Ridge)
Foodbank Prayer Meeting Thursday 22nd August 7.30- 8.30pm Victoria Park Centre Please come and join us as we pray for this new venture
The King’s Meadow Work on the community garden continues most Wednesdays - speak to Bill Jacobs for more details of what and when
Messy Church
st Saturday 31 August 3.30 - 5.30pm t up, cook, Helpers needed to se clean serve, play, chat, and lable. see Ian if you’re avai
ons? E100: Any Questi st Sunday 18 Augu 6.30 – 8.30 PM s to Ian in Send any question le advance, if possib stchurch.org pastor@peeblesbapti
Notices
Helping People to mobilise safely:
If you are involved in the moving and handling of people or objects in relation to the church, please come along to this training update with a local occupational therapist. This will be held in the Victoria Park Centre on Thursday 1 August, 4–5 PM.
News
Jennifer Lockhart
We are really thankful that Jennifer has now been moved to Ward 9 in the BGH, even though initial assessments indicated that it would be many months before this might happen. She has been walking around with supports and aids. We are still keen for her to receive regular visits – if you are able to go, please speak to Christine. STOP PRESS: Just as the magazine went to print, news came through that Jennifer has been moved again, this time to Hay Lodge Hospital here in Peebles. Although all this moving around is rather unsettling for Jennifer, it’s great that she’s back in Peebles! Please do visit her when you can - visiting hours are 2.30 - 5.00, and 6.00 - 7.30.
Eco Tip
When a recipe suggests wrapping chicken, fish or vegetables in foil before cooking, try using a lidded dish. Or instead of lining with foil, just try a baking sheet. It'll taste just as good, and saves wasting aluminium foil which is resourceintensive to produce.
Prayer Points
Please continue to pray for Jennifer as she continues her recovery at Hay Lodge Hospital. As development continues at the King’s Meadow community garden, pray for those doing work, planning and maintenance. Pray too about the community grant applications, and if the applications are successful, wise prioritisation of what should be done. Most of all, pray that the garden will continue to create opportunities for engagement with the community. Chattabox is a holiday club for primary school children, run every year by the different churches. This year’s Chattabox (“Space Acedemy!”) runs from 11th - 16th of August, and is fully booked with 120 children. Pray both for the children and for the leaders - for safety, for fun, for energy, and for good relationships to be formed as the children hear about Jesus. Messy Church returns after the summer on August 31st. Pray that new families would come along to this following Chattabox. Please also pray for new leaders and helpers to come forward for this exciting ministry. The Peebleshire Foodbank launches later this month. Pray for the practical arrangements, for the volunteers, and for the clients who use the service. Pray for our friend John Blyth. Bill Speirs’ son-in-law, as he continues to battle illness. Our prayer link churches for August are Bathgate, Bearsden, Bellshill, Bo’ness, Bourtreehill, and Brae, as well as Army Chaplains Neil Allison and John Jamieson. News and details from them can be found in Connect, which you can download from the PBC or BUS websites.
Rev Dr William Speirs MA, BD, PhD, Baptist minister
Born: 10 June, 1917, in Edinburgh. Died: 13 June, 2013, in Melrose, aged 96 The Reverend William Speirs was a Baptist minister who was blessed with a great devotion to his calling and a rare ability to get on with anyone in his congregation or socially. He first served as an army chaplain during the war and then from 1947 in three charges – finally back in his beloved Scotland in Innerleithen, near Peebles. He was a lifelong supporter of the scout movement and at all his charges enthusiastically formed scout troops which he led with unremitting zeal. He was an energetic leader at camp weekends and especially when he marched at the head of his troop on the St George’s Day parade in full uniform and kilt. His encouragement of generations of boys in the scout movement remained central to his life and they, in return, knew him affectionately as “the old man” or “skip”. Ian Gray, the current minister at Peebles Baptist Church, got to know Speirs well. He told The Scotsman: “I am one of the newest Baptist ministers in Scotland. Bill, by contrast, was both the oldest and the longest serving. “Bill knew his mind and was a much respected figure throughout the Baptist Church in Scotland. At the recent Baptist Conference in St Andrews I
was informed of his death from Peebles and I informed my colleagues at the conference. There was an audible sigh of regret and many spoke of their admiration for his life’s work.” William Speirs – Bill to his many friends but always Willie to his wife – came from a distinguished Baptist family. His father served as an elder at the Bristo Baptist Church in Edinburgh for many years. Speirs won a scholarship to George Heriot’s School and then read Divinity at Edinburgh University, completing his PhD from home after the war. He was appointed chaplain to the 1st Worcestershire Regiment in 1942 and witnessed particularly fierce fighting at the battle for Hill 112, which was part of Operation Jupiter in 1944. The various villages in north France were strategically important as the Allies advanced from the beaches and Speirs displayed much bravery as he tended the wounded, administered pastoral care and acted as a stretcher bearer. In 1945 he himself was wounded and after treatment in the UK, Speirs, showing typical resolve, returned to serve for two years in Italy, where he offered support to German prisoners of war. He worked closely with a German pastor and they set up a theological seminary for people who wanted to become pastors. The sense of goodwill and reconciliation which their work engendered was manifold and its success was largely due to Speirs’ own commitment and dedication. The seminary still exists today. In the post-war years Speirs kept in touch with many of the German pastors he had met and with whom he had become friends. They told him they would “never forget what you have done for us… a friend and brother in Christ”. On being demobilised Speirs was based, from 1947 to 1952, at the Baptist church in Redcar. He then served the Baptist community in Derby for 20 years, first at Broadway and later at Watson Street, teaching religious instruction at local schools. He was also a keen member of the Territorial Army. He was chaplain to Kingsway Mental Hospital while in Derby and much involved with the Derby Scottish Association, serving as its president. In 1982 he returned to Scotland for his third pastorate at the Free Kirk in Canonbie, Dumfriesshire, before retiring to Innerleithen in 1987.
It is Speirs’ enthusiasm for the scout movement that many will recall with special pleasure. His scouting figured as a major part of church life and the 135th Derby Scouts continues to flourish in its 60th year. He was a keen organiser of fundraising events and was able to preserve a sense of humour when there was a delay between items. He once pushed a cub through the curtains saying: “Get them singing a camp fire song.” On retiring to Innerleithen he was involved in a wide variety of local activities – church, the British Legion, the Liberal Democrats and Probus. He was a regular contributor to The Scotsman’s “This Morning” column and he and his wife were generous of their time and hospitality. He met Annie Gray Mitchell in 1942. The army had given him a weekend’s leave and they organised their wedding in two days. They shared a long and happy marriage, both serving the church and communities where he was called with equal joy and enthusiasm. His wife died in 2003 and the Rev Speirs is survived by their two sons and two daughters. Alasdair Steven Published in The Scotsman on 04/07/2013
Men’s Group Meetings: When the Women were Invited
Hedgehogs On Thursday 11th July the Men’s Group had Alison Pearson, Border Beasties, as the speaker. I had a phone call from Christine Drummond asking if I was able to attend, I said Yes (not enough men were able to attend, so ladies were invited). Alison told us all about hedgehogs and her lifetime work with them and other wildlife. If you find a hedgehog during the day it is in trouble or could be injured. The best thing to do is to provide it with fresh water then phone Alison. She will come, take it home and nurse it back to health. Hedgehogs are covered with sharp spines and its best to lift them wearing gardening gloves or rubber gloves. She gave us a list of what to do with hogs and what not to. Never feed hedgehogs break and milk. This is very bad and causes diarrhoea. You can feed them tinned dog or cat food, cat biscuits and chopped peanuts. Hogs love gardens with shrubs and hedges. They love to make nests under sheds and greenhouses. They will help you by eating garden pests. Do not use slug pellets containing metaldehyde, which are usually blue in colour. Metaldehyde is on the British Veterinary list of poisons and is also responsible for the deaths of numbers of pet dogs and cat every year in Britain.
Alison told us about Arthurshiels Rescue Centre in St. Boswells. It is the official centre for stray and abandoned dogs. It also takes in cats, all kinds of domestic pets and wildlife casualties. Also, the Borders Donkey Sanctuary in St Boswells takes donkeys from all around the Borders and beyond. They also look after farm animals such as pigs and goats. Alison told us about the Berwick Swan and Wildlife Trust in Berwick-Upon-Tweed. They take care of swans, badgers and even owls. They can clean swans and sea birds caught up in pollution incidents. On Sunday afternoon as I was finishing putting away the things into the church cupboard after Vicky’s Tearoom, Christine said “Alison is outside in the car-park”. Someone had found a hedgehog and phoned Alison. So I saw a real life hedgehog in Alison’s pink rubber gloved hands. Osprey Visit On Sunday 23rd June, the men’s Group visited the Osprey Hut at Kailzie. This was open to ladies who wished to go. Our guide was our own Frank (he is a volunteer at the Osprey Hut). He told us about the birds and their chicks. The male bird arrived first at the nest site after a long flight from West Africa. His mate arrived some time later. There can be about a week or more between the adult birds arriving. The male bird has a leg ring but his partner has not been ringed. They have nested at this nest site for ten years and have raised 26 chicks to date. The eggs were laid in May, 2-3 days apart. Once the chicks hatch they grow very quickly as they are fed on fish caught by their father to start with, when they are older, both parents go fishing to feed their hungry brood. The adult bird dives down from a great height after spotting the
fish in a river or lake. This fish is caught in the claws of the bird, then it flies back to the nest site. Sometimes the fish is still alive and can be seen on the TV pictures thrashing around the nest. The young chicks will undertake their very first migration to Africa by the end of the summer, once they have mastered flight and fishing techniques, which their skilled parents will teach them. The chicks were ringed on the 1st July by Torry Lightly (Conservation Manager Forestry Commission Scotland) and his colleague. They climbed up the tree to the nest, the chicks were lowered to the ground in bags, where they were weighed and measured and rings put on their legs. Then they were taken back to the nest. All of the time the adults were circling overhead. We also watched a DVD on another TV of the chicks of the 2011 birds being weighed, measured and ringed. I really enjoyed watching the live pictures of the Ospreys, it was a great afternoon of wildlife. I will never forget it. Janet Smith The next Men's Group event will again be open to women. It is a Peebles Town Walk, looking at the History of Christianity in Peebles, and will be led by Stuart Akers. Walkers are asked to gather beside St. Andrew's Tower in Peebles Cemetery for a 2.00pm start on Sunday 18 August, and the walk will conclude around 4.00PM. There is a charge of £3 a head, but the Church will pay for anyone wanting to go who can't afford this.
Governed By Addiction
Even in a fallen world there is great joy in living. God has created a wonderful world in which his pleasures seem prodigal in their distribution. At every turn there are more things to enjoy. While sin mars and distorts our joys, it does not seem to overcome them. Amongst the pleasures of this world are eating and drinking. For God has created all foods “to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving” (1 Timothy 4:3-4). While endless TV cooking shows exhibit our sinful preoccupation with what we eat and what we drink (Matthew 6:25f), there is nothing wrong with finding joy in preparing food nor pleasure in eating it. Indeed, food generously and thoughtfully prepared for others’ enjoyment can be one of the great ways of expressing our loving service. Food and drink are more than simply fuelling the body; they are a means of feasting and fellowship. With food and drink we celebrate the joys of life and mourn its sorrows. When the prodigal returned, his father gathered friends to share in eating the fatted calf. At a wedding Jesus created the best wine. For food and drink affect and change our moods as well as fill our stomachs. The Psalmist says God made wine “to gladden the heart of man” (Psalm 104:15). Alcohol not only changes our mood to merriment but also anesthetises us from the pain and suffering of life. So King Lemuel is told to “give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress. Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more” (Proverbs 31:6f). However, in our sinfulness we abuse this wonderful gift of God. Recent increases in alcohol related problems have raised serious questions about controlling the excesses. There have always been sad stories about prominent people affected by their addiction to alcohol and the terrible consequences of drunk drivers on the roads. Not only do we now have the me-
dia beat-ups about the misdemeanours of some professional footballers, but also the Police Commissioners’ concern about alcohol fuelled violence on our streets, the Northern Territory’s concern about communities overwhelmed by the destructive forces of alcohol addiction and parliamentarians imbibing too much at work. Parliamentarians are apparently one group who are allowed alcohol at work. King Lemuel was warned against this kind of governing: “It’s not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted” (Proverbs 31:4f). Of recent times some highly respected medical officers (Professors Fiona Stanley and Mike Daube) have quite rightly attacked the connection between alcohol advertising and sport. This is a good place to start and could gain wide community support. Years ago, tobacco advertising was censored from sport and last month, under the pressure of public outcry, the Government threatened to censor the promotion of gambling from football broadcasts. Currently, sporting organisations are more addicted to alcohol’s money than the players are to the substance. The alcohol industry, television stations and sports administrators will protest against any censorship of alcohol, claiming restrictions will destroy their sport, but both players and the sporting codes need to be freed from this dependency. The governments of Australia are in a difficult position. They will have to take on not only the power of the combined alcohol, hotels, clubs and gambling lobby groups, but also the national culture in which themselves indulge and share with the community. Their singular failure to deal with poker machines shows their impotence in the face of such vested interests. Social problems that ruin the life and health of individuals, families and society, appear to be beyond democratic government’s ability to solve. Conventional wisdom tells us that prohibition doesn’t work. Certainly the war against drugs and attempts to prohibit God created substances, like heroin, has no victory in sight. Furthermore alcohol is the ‘drug of choice’ for most Australians and its legal status makes its public promotion and astonishing profits inviola-
ble. It is unlikely anybody thinks prohibiting alcohol is a way forward. However, nobody can agree how to minimise the harm it creates. And harm minimisation is as far as our governments can go – for the government of a godless and materialistic society has no agreed “good life” to contend for, other than freedom: freedom of speech for those who can afford it, freedom of the individual to sin as they wish and freedom of trade as the preferred means of relating – the very ingredients that are feeding the problem. No doubt somebody will insist on alcohol awareness classes for the already over-packed curriculum of our schools, as if teaching children has made a difference in any other social problem. Alcohol is not the problem; like all God’s creations, alcohol is good. Alcohol abuse is not the real problem either; it’s just the presenting problem of a sick culture. The advertisers and public media are not the problem; they are simply false prophets preaching for profit. It is our culture that is at fault – it is us – we are at fault. Without God, we medicalise our problems and wonder why our young turn to drugs; we make individualism sacred and wonder why people don’t care for others; we relativise morality and wonder why people are selfish and we commercialise our relationships and wonder why greed controls our society. Governments need to take the alcohol problem seriously with strong actions. However, without the society turning back to God there is little hope for improvement in the problems of abuse. Society needs Christians to call us all back to God who creates not only alcohol but also the good life. You may like to check out the recent Spectator article by Britain’s Chief Rabbi http://www.spectator.co.uk/features/8932301/atheism-has-failed -only-religion-can-fight-the-barbarians/
A regular article written by Phillip Jensen in his role as Dean of Sydney at St Andrew's Cathedral. Images are not from the original article. Originally Published: 26th April 2013 © 2013 phillipjensen.com
Steven Curtis Chapman
Steven Curtis Chapman is a Christian singer/songwriter. . . Here is a review of an album of his, Speechless, that I was introduced to in my teens. From the very first listen the lyrics and music really touched my heart and encouraged me, and they still do. Listening to the opening bars of "Dive," the first offering from Steven Curtis Chapman's 11th album in 12 years, and you'd think they're heralding the beloved pop-rock balladeer's arrival into techno territory. Not so fast, dance-floor fiends. The initial spaced-out keyboard electronica and hip-hop beat of "Dive" is a mere set-up for yet another signature, hook-filled Chapman chorus, full of raging, rock guitars and exaltation. In many ways "Dive" is a microcosm of Speechless: Chapman's familiar pop style shines far brighter on his 13 new songs than any of his other sonic experiments. Take the fine third track, "The Change," which begins with a mod-rock, phased electricguitar riff over a funky beat—and Chapman waxing satiric at bumpersticker Christianity. Then, just as this left-of-center opening is grooving along, it bows to a standard, fist-in-the-air rock chorus. Same thing on "Next 5 Minutes," among the album's strongest and most interesting songs. A coolly dark bass (akin to old Police or U2) intros an off-kilter, odd-timed drum-and-guitar pattern, and Chapman's vocal deftly joins the fray. But just as this delicious mixture begins heating up, Chapman reverts to a pop-rock chorus. Again, it's a great chorus, full of the kind of harmonies and hooks we've come to know and love, but listeners may be left wanting more of those verses (or just another taste of the sweet, Keaggy-esque acoustic guitar bridge).
The standout tune, "I Do Believe," begins with an undeniably great rockguitar riff that gives way to a slightly dark, much quieter acoustic-based verse. And yes, the chorus does travel into pop-rock territory, but it's just fly over—there's enough minor-keyisms in its chord sequence and expert harmonies to make "I Do Believe" a satisfying, superior creation.
Lyrically, Chapman's year-long sabbatical—tempered with tragedy (the death of a friend's daughter and the shooting at his old high school in Paducah, Ky.)—faintly colors the album's themes. But hope in Christ far outweighs any signs of despair, and most listeners will find the words on Speechless quite encouraging. This record is infinitely listenable and enjoyable. Chapman's gift for melody, sense of timing, and sorely underrated voice will undoubtedly make Speechless yet another arrow in his artistic quiver. But what Chapman hints at here is far more interesting than what dominates. It would be very cool if the veteran stayed atop the bucking bronco of brave, new sonic textures and poetry the next time out. The collection of No. 1 singles -in-waiting on Speechless truly does whisper of possibilities ahead.
Review by Todays Christian Music, available from: http:// www.todayschristianmusic.com/artists/steven-curtis-chapman/albums/ speechless/
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Introducing our new BMS Mission Partners
At the BUS Assembly in October 2012, BMS launched a new church partners scheme. PBC discussed our involvement with this at the January Business meeting, and it was agreed that we would progress setting up new partnerships. Launching our new partnerships – for prayer, support and interest: David and Ann McFarlane – not a new partnership, however we continue to be linked to David and Ann, and will receive their prayer letter and updates from Italy. Andy and Jutta Cowie are members of Milton Baptist Church in Weston-SuperMare. They are now working with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship to bring vocational training and micro-enterprise programmes to people living in the Port-auPrince area of Haiti,. They have been there since January 2012 but have long standing backgrounds in Mission, development and discipleship – Jutta started out as a nurse, but in 2006 she trained in agriculture in Texas, and then worked in Ghana where she taught women micro-enterprise projects such as rabbit raising, beekeeping,
mushroom and snail farming. Andy is a trained motor mechanic, and worked on the YWAM Mercy Ships, helping refit the Africa Mercy. Andy moved to Ghana to serve as transport manager, and it was there that he and Jutta met and married. You can read their blog at http:// princessofmercy.blogspot.co.uk/ Haiti ranks 158/187 countries on the UN Human Development Index meaning that it is one of the poorest countries in the world. It has been affected badly by earthquakes and natural disasters over recent years. Haiti is 80% Roman Catholic with an blend of Africa Voodoo rituals. Rachel and Tim Eagle with Hannah and Sam working in Mozambique. The Eagle family have moved to Mozambique in June of this year, so this is a new posting. Tim is an agricultural consultant, and previously offered advice to farmers in Moray and Aberdeenshire. Tim also has experience in working with an energy company looking at using the by-products as feeds and fertilisers and has experience of renewable energy technology. Rachel is a GP and before going on maternity leave worked in a small rural practice. She has interest in paediatrics, sexual and women’s health. Hannah (3) is an enthusiastic toddle who loves swimming and playing outside. Samuel (18months) is a content baby who enjoys watching his bouncy big sister. The Ea-
gles were based in Buckie Baptist Church in the North of Scotland. You can read the Eagles blog at www.theeaglefamily.wordpress.com BMS works in Mozambique working in development, education and justice ministries. Mozambique (coastal East Africa) ranks 184/187 countries on the UN Human Development Index. Sarah McArthur (no photo currently available) Sarah is planning to work in Peru from early 2014. Sara comes from Perth where she is based at the Baptist Church. Sarah was born in Kuwait and moved to Scotland when she was 7. She is from a big family and loves to meet people and experience new cultures. Sara was working as a plant propagator at Glendoick Gardens, and has been on two work parties to Peru and Tanzania. She is hoping to go to Peru in early 2014 and will be involved with plant propagation, some building work and teaching/youth work.
We will be starting a new initiative at the “Thirsty” all-age service on July 28th. Everyone will be invited to take a bottle of water home, and once the water has been drunk the bottle can be used to collect any small change. Once a month, we will have a “thirsty” collection, where people can bring in their bottles and the children will collect up the change. The money will be sent to BMS World Mission to support our mission link partners, who are working with people would consider a bottle of clean water more valuable than a bottle of money to save their lives.
An Update from Cathie Aberdour
formerly of Wycliffe Bible Translators
Dear all,
Judy had a really good visit with the Apurinã. I had been concerned that she might arrive in the village to find lots of folks with malaria and with other problems that she had no chance of helping with on such a short visit. However everyone was well and they were continuing to meet together for Sunday worship and the women were continuing to meet on Fridays for Bible study. The folks were so pleased that Judy had made the effort to visit them and she was able to go round all the homes at Monkey River and pray with everyone. I had made 20 more Apurinã hymn books for them along with 5 Apurinã CDs, so they were really pleased to receive these. She was invited out to dine a number of times and was able to eat all the goodies of the jungle – paca, wild pig, tapir and a variety of fish. She didn’t get any larva or monkey this time to eat, maybe the next time!!! It had been a disappointment that the nephew of a friend had not been able to go with her as his visa had been denied, but in the end it was the Lord’s leading as she didn’t have to be continually translating for someone who didn’t understand Apurinã. Judy said that the Lord enabled her to speak Apurinã more fluently than she’s ever known!
Judy was much encouraged that the leaders have continued in the work of the church. She was pleased that Mãkoaã lost an election for the area to be a representative. Politics is something that others would like to see him involved in. So he was shown that the church is his first priority. Dominginho is a strong Christian who just needs more encouragement. He has a large family. Chico lost his wife and more recently his brother John. So he is feeling down and has a tendency to isolate himself. He needs to know the comfort of the Lord. When Judy returned to Manaus she took Raimunda and Francisca with her as they and some of the other women had not been able to get their family allowance money from the little town of Tapauá. Judy was able to help them to get this quite easily in Manaus and they were able to withdraw the money for all the other women who had had problems. So even though Judy’s trip to Monkey River was so short she was able to help them in this important way. In Manaus Judy was able to stay with Brad and Melissa who are still staying in our house that we still haven’t been able to sell. Brad has made a few trips to the Apurina and is very interested in working with them. In his last trip just before Judy went in, he took a couple from Britain, Andrea and Jason with him and they also are very interested in the Apurina. These two couples would be a great team for working with the Apurinã. Their gifts seem to complement each other. Judy went to encourage, and was encouraged. She went to bless and was blessed. Do continue to pray for the Apurinã, the Millers, Jason and Andrea, for Judy and myself. The days are now getting shorter, which reminds us that the night comes, when no man can work. Pray for a great harvest.
Cathie
Update from the Peeblesshire Foodbank
As the Trustees of Peeblesshire Foodbank are acutely aware, there has been a great deal of interest in and support for the Foodbank. We wanted to make sure that people were kept regularly up to date with progress: so this is a bulletin to let everyone know exactly where we are. The Foodbank will open its doors officially on 20 August, 10.00 am, at the Leckie Bakehall. We have already been issuing emergency parcels, at the rate of about two a week, since Christmas. We have now secured a foodstore and a distribution point and are now, bar one or two loose ends, ready to open. We have been greatly encouraged by the level of interest in and support for the Foodbank. Our appeal for volunteers has been successful with many wishing to offer help within their community to those facing hardship. Volunteers have expressed interest in the diverse areas including collecting food, helping to sort food, distributing food parcels and praying for those who use the service. Our first volunteer training powdered) Milk (UHT or event will take place on the evening of MonSugar (500g) day 12th August in St Peter's Church (next to arton) Fruit Juice (c the bus stop). We welcome anybody else Soup wishing to get involved to fill out a volunteer Pasta Sauces d) ne application form available from Katie Buckin (T g Sponge Puddin d) ingham at [email protected]. ne Tomatoes (Tin
Cereals inned) Rice Pudding (T nt coffee Tea Bags/insta Potato Instant Mash Rice/Pasta Fish Tinned Meat/ Tinned Fruit Jam
The recent food collection at Tesco on 4th & 5th July was a huge success. There were teams of volunteers taking slots in groups of two, explaining to shoppers the purpose of the collection and asking if they would be willing to donate one or more items from a list displayed prominently (and also given out in the form of a leaf-
let). The reaction of shoppers was overwhelmingly positive, with only a very small number questioning either the need for a Foodbank in Peeblesshire or the collection itself. Many trolleys were filled with donated food – for example on the Saturday afternoon alone 3 trolleys were filled in as many hours. Tesco staff were very supportive and helpful, and Tesco themselves will match the food collected by 30%. Thanks are due to all who helped out, either by standing and speaking to shoppers or by donating food. Further regular food collections are planned and there will be plenty of opportunity to get involved with these. As well as supermarket collections, we know that a number of churches and individuals are collecting food for us regularly. Contributions may continue to be left at the back of St Peter's Church, which is open during daylight hours every day. People who pray may like to know that on Thursday 22 August we will be holding the first of what we hope will be a regular series of Prayer Evenings for the Foodbank - this will be at 7.30pm to 8.30pm in the Victoria Park Centre. We appreciate especially the amount of prayer that has been offered for the Foodbank, as well as all the practical support, and believe that without it we would still be very far from opening. Thank you to everyone who has helped or supported us in any way. If people have any questions about the Foodbank, or are interested in volunteering, please either email Katie Buckingham as detailed above, or call Rev Jim Benton-Evans on 07702 842727 or Ian Gray on 07881 518854. We would love to hear from you!
Sunday 4 August Children: Bill Jacobs, Carlyn McCall & Kirstin Gray Communion Servers: Linda Bell, Jacqueline Wilson Flowers: Vi Brown Stewards: John Dalrymple & Jenny Jacobs Teas: Hazel Hoggan ‘Transport’ and ‘Setting up’ Team 2
Sunday 11 August Children: Jenny Jacobs, Pat Hamilton & Wilma Wintour Flowers: Margaret Cowan Stewards: Margaret Cowan & Hazel Hoggan Teas: Wilma Wintour ‘Transport’ and ‘Setting up’ Team 1
Sunday 18 August Children: Rab Bramhall, Christine Drummond, A.N. Other Communion Servers: Wilma Wintour, Janet Smith Flowers: Christine Drummond Stewards: Linda Bell & Pat Hamilton Teas: Vi Brown ‘Transport’ and ‘Setting up’ Team 2
Services in Victoria Park Centre (unless otherwise indicated)
Pastor: Ian Gray 07881 518854 [email protected]
Sunday 25 August Children: Christine Drummond, Janlyn Townley & Moira Dalrymple Flowers: Pat Hamilton Stewards: Carlyn McCall & Jacqueline Wilson Teas: Helen Henderson ‘Transport’ and ‘Setting up’ Team 1
Transport Team 1 – Douglas McCall, Lindsey Gray, Margaret Cowan Team 2 – Christine Drummond, Margaret Cowan
Setting up Team 1 – Callum Gray, David Tidder, Frank Drummond, Janet Smith, Team 2 – Janet Smith, Bill Jacobs, Jacqueline Wilson
Laying Communion Table in August Carlyn McCall
Secretary: Christine Drummond 01721 722062 Treasurer: Liz Keiro 01721 730217 Website: http://peeblesbaptistchurch.org
Articles for the magazine
We would like the magazine to be as informative and relevant as possible. We aim to provide news about Peebles Baptist Church, it’s wider concerns and involvement, and Peebles Churches Together. If you have anything you feel you could provide a regular report about, or something you feel should be included in the magazine one month, a Christian book review, a report on an event etc., please do get in touch with us at [email protected]. All articles should be sent to this email address by the 12th of every month. If you do not have internet access or if you think you might have a problem meeting the deadline one month, please don’t let that put you off; speak to Morag Bramhall to see how best you can supply something. We would love to have you involved in this project and enhance our church community.
Waiting
August 2013
I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Psalm 130:5-6
I
don’t much like waiting. I don’t think I’m alone in that - few people have developed the discipline of patience, and fewer still could be said to actively enjoy waiting. In fact, in the 21st Century, having to wait is an increasingly unusual experience for us. We expect swift delivery and instant gratification. We have instant loans. Instant messaging. Instant coffee (even if it is horrible). Instant downloads. Instant replays. Instant results. We order fast food. When something doesn’t come quickly enough, we get annoyed. In truth, though, waiting is sometimes all we can do. Abraham waited 25 years for the birth of his son Isaac. The Israelites waited 430 years before God delivered them from the Egyptians. Moses waited in the desert for 40 years before he was sent by God to rescue the Israelites. They, in turn, waited for 40 years in the wilderness before entering the land of Canaan. Jesus waited until he was 30 to start his public ministry. The apostles waited 10 days after Jesus had ascended before they received the Spirit. And we wait for the creation of a new heaven and earth. The Kingdom of God is here but it is still to break in fully. And of course the wait for Kate and William is now over. The media throughout the world has just gone into a frenzy following the birth of George Alexander Louis, Prince of Cambridge. But just in case we’re tempted to think that we humans can do anything, that nine-month enforced period of waiting and uncertainty at the beginning of every human life, “royal” or otherwise, stands as an important challenge to our desire for instant gratification. We have limits. Waiting is part of the human experience and reminds us – in case we were in any doubt – that God is God and we are not.
If you’d like to know more about what our friends in the other Peebles churches are doing, you can find some of their own magazines online: Old Parish Church: topcopmag.wordpress.com St Peter’s: www.stpeterspeebles.org.uk/netmagazine.php St Joseph’s: www.stjosephschurch.org.uk/?Home%3A:Current_Newsletter The St Andrews Leckie magazine isn’t online yet, but they’re working on it...
Ian
From the Editor
This month’s magazine has a variety of topics to get stuck into. Let me draw your attention to the new BMS links we have and the information you can find near the back of the magazine. Our church has been involved with BMS and their missionaries for many years, and it is exciting to be finding out about our three new mission partners. Two of these are established in their posts, but one is at the very start of her journey, so it will be a rare opportunity to be able to follow her progress right from the start. Please do take time to read about our new mission partners and to pray for them. We hope to have regular updates to share via the magazine. This month there is no book review, but there is a music review. I would encourage all of you who have access to a computer and the Internet to look up the subject of our review – Steven Curtis Chapman – on YouTube or a similar site and watch/listen to a couple of his songs. One in particular that I have found very moving every time I listen to it is called Fingerprints. There are many, however, on the album reviewed that are well worth listening to. Last month we read about Bill Speirs past, and this month you can find a touching article on Bill from the Scotsman, a paper that he frequently wrote to!
We choOSE FAIRtRaDe
Men’s Group Town Walk St. Andrew's Tow er (Peebles Cemeter y) Sunday 18 Aug ust, 2.00PM
Chattabox 11–16 August 10 AM to 4 PM It’s not too late to volunteer - speak to Ian for more infomation
Vicky’s Tearoom st Sunday 11 Augu 3 – 4 PM
Dovecot Court Service
Wednesday 14 August 3.00 PM Please come along to swell the singing!
Summer BBQs 25th August 12.45(ish} after a special “Back to School” service. If you know someone involved with any of the local schools, why not invite them along!
Helping People to mobilise safely Thursday 1st Aug 4 – 5 PM Victoria Park Centre
Deacons Meetings
5th Aug (at Eddleston) and 14th Aug (at Connor Ridge)
Foodbank Prayer Meeting Thursday 22nd August 7.30- 8.30pm Victoria Park Centre Please come and join us as we pray for this new venture
The King’s Meadow Work on the community garden continues most Wednesdays - speak to Bill Jacobs for more details of what and when
Messy Church
st Saturday 31 August 3.30 - 5.30pm t up, cook, Helpers needed to se clean serve, play, chat, and lable. see Ian if you’re avai
ons? E100: Any Questi st Sunday 18 Augu 6.30 – 8.30 PM s to Ian in Send any question le advance, if possib stchurch.org pastor@peeblesbapti
Notices
Helping People to mobilise safely:
If you are involved in the moving and handling of people or objects in relation to the church, please come along to this training update with a local occupational therapist. This will be held in the Victoria Park Centre on Thursday 1 August, 4–5 PM.
News
Jennifer Lockhart
We are really thankful that Jennifer has now been moved to Ward 9 in the BGH, even though initial assessments indicated that it would be many months before this might happen. She has been walking around with supports and aids. We are still keen for her to receive regular visits – if you are able to go, please speak to Christine. STOP PRESS: Just as the magazine went to print, news came through that Jennifer has been moved again, this time to Hay Lodge Hospital here in Peebles. Although all this moving around is rather unsettling for Jennifer, it’s great that she’s back in Peebles! Please do visit her when you can - visiting hours are 2.30 - 5.00, and 6.00 - 7.30.
Eco Tip
When a recipe suggests wrapping chicken, fish or vegetables in foil before cooking, try using a lidded dish. Or instead of lining with foil, just try a baking sheet. It'll taste just as good, and saves wasting aluminium foil which is resourceintensive to produce.
Prayer Points
Please continue to pray for Jennifer as she continues her recovery at Hay Lodge Hospital. As development continues at the King’s Meadow community garden, pray for those doing work, planning and maintenance. Pray too about the community grant applications, and if the applications are successful, wise prioritisation of what should be done. Most of all, pray that the garden will continue to create opportunities for engagement with the community. Chattabox is a holiday club for primary school children, run every year by the different churches. This year’s Chattabox (“Space Acedemy!”) runs from 11th - 16th of August, and is fully booked with 120 children. Pray both for the children and for the leaders - for safety, for fun, for energy, and for good relationships to be formed as the children hear about Jesus. Messy Church returns after the summer on August 31st. Pray that new families would come along to this following Chattabox. Please also pray for new leaders and helpers to come forward for this exciting ministry. The Peebleshire Foodbank launches later this month. Pray for the practical arrangements, for the volunteers, and for the clients who use the service. Pray for our friend John Blyth. Bill Speirs’ son-in-law, as he continues to battle illness. Our prayer link churches for August are Bathgate, Bearsden, Bellshill, Bo’ness, Bourtreehill, and Brae, as well as Army Chaplains Neil Allison and John Jamieson. News and details from them can be found in Connect, which you can download from the PBC or BUS websites.
Rev Dr William Speirs MA, BD, PhD, Baptist minister
Born: 10 June, 1917, in Edinburgh. Died: 13 June, 2013, in Melrose, aged 96 The Reverend William Speirs was a Baptist minister who was blessed with a great devotion to his calling and a rare ability to get on with anyone in his congregation or socially. He first served as an army chaplain during the war and then from 1947 in three charges – finally back in his beloved Scotland in Innerleithen, near Peebles. He was a lifelong supporter of the scout movement and at all his charges enthusiastically formed scout troops which he led with unremitting zeal. He was an energetic leader at camp weekends and especially when he marched at the head of his troop on the St George’s Day parade in full uniform and kilt. His encouragement of generations of boys in the scout movement remained central to his life and they, in return, knew him affectionately as “the old man” or “skip”. Ian Gray, the current minister at Peebles Baptist Church, got to know Speirs well. He told The Scotsman: “I am one of the newest Baptist ministers in Scotland. Bill, by contrast, was both the oldest and the longest serving. “Bill knew his mind and was a much respected figure throughout the Baptist Church in Scotland. At the recent Baptist Conference in St Andrews I
was informed of his death from Peebles and I informed my colleagues at the conference. There was an audible sigh of regret and many spoke of their admiration for his life’s work.” William Speirs – Bill to his many friends but always Willie to his wife – came from a distinguished Baptist family. His father served as an elder at the Bristo Baptist Church in Edinburgh for many years. Speirs won a scholarship to George Heriot’s School and then read Divinity at Edinburgh University, completing his PhD from home after the war. He was appointed chaplain to the 1st Worcestershire Regiment in 1942 and witnessed particularly fierce fighting at the battle for Hill 112, which was part of Operation Jupiter in 1944. The various villages in north France were strategically important as the Allies advanced from the beaches and Speirs displayed much bravery as he tended the wounded, administered pastoral care and acted as a stretcher bearer. In 1945 he himself was wounded and after treatment in the UK, Speirs, showing typical resolve, returned to serve for two years in Italy, where he offered support to German prisoners of war. He worked closely with a German pastor and they set up a theological seminary for people who wanted to become pastors. The sense of goodwill and reconciliation which their work engendered was manifold and its success was largely due to Speirs’ own commitment and dedication. The seminary still exists today. In the post-war years Speirs kept in touch with many of the German pastors he had met and with whom he had become friends. They told him they would “never forget what you have done for us… a friend and brother in Christ”. On being demobilised Speirs was based, from 1947 to 1952, at the Baptist church in Redcar. He then served the Baptist community in Derby for 20 years, first at Broadway and later at Watson Street, teaching religious instruction at local schools. He was also a keen member of the Territorial Army. He was chaplain to Kingsway Mental Hospital while in Derby and much involved with the Derby Scottish Association, serving as its president. In 1982 he returned to Scotland for his third pastorate at the Free Kirk in Canonbie, Dumfriesshire, before retiring to Innerleithen in 1987.
It is Speirs’ enthusiasm for the scout movement that many will recall with special pleasure. His scouting figured as a major part of church life and the 135th Derby Scouts continues to flourish in its 60th year. He was a keen organiser of fundraising events and was able to preserve a sense of humour when there was a delay between items. He once pushed a cub through the curtains saying: “Get them singing a camp fire song.” On retiring to Innerleithen he was involved in a wide variety of local activities – church, the British Legion, the Liberal Democrats and Probus. He was a regular contributor to The Scotsman’s “This Morning” column and he and his wife were generous of their time and hospitality. He met Annie Gray Mitchell in 1942. The army had given him a weekend’s leave and they organised their wedding in two days. They shared a long and happy marriage, both serving the church and communities where he was called with equal joy and enthusiasm. His wife died in 2003 and the Rev Speirs is survived by their two sons and two daughters. Alasdair Steven Published in The Scotsman on 04/07/2013
Men’s Group Meetings: When the Women were Invited
Hedgehogs On Thursday 11th July the Men’s Group had Alison Pearson, Border Beasties, as the speaker. I had a phone call from Christine Drummond asking if I was able to attend, I said Yes (not enough men were able to attend, so ladies were invited). Alison told us all about hedgehogs and her lifetime work with them and other wildlife. If you find a hedgehog during the day it is in trouble or could be injured. The best thing to do is to provide it with fresh water then phone Alison. She will come, take it home and nurse it back to health. Hedgehogs are covered with sharp spines and its best to lift them wearing gardening gloves or rubber gloves. She gave us a list of what to do with hogs and what not to. Never feed hedgehogs break and milk. This is very bad and causes diarrhoea. You can feed them tinned dog or cat food, cat biscuits and chopped peanuts. Hogs love gardens with shrubs and hedges. They love to make nests under sheds and greenhouses. They will help you by eating garden pests. Do not use slug pellets containing metaldehyde, which are usually blue in colour. Metaldehyde is on the British Veterinary list of poisons and is also responsible for the deaths of numbers of pet dogs and cat every year in Britain.
Alison told us about Arthurshiels Rescue Centre in St. Boswells. It is the official centre for stray and abandoned dogs. It also takes in cats, all kinds of domestic pets and wildlife casualties. Also, the Borders Donkey Sanctuary in St Boswells takes donkeys from all around the Borders and beyond. They also look after farm animals such as pigs and goats. Alison told us about the Berwick Swan and Wildlife Trust in Berwick-Upon-Tweed. They take care of swans, badgers and even owls. They can clean swans and sea birds caught up in pollution incidents. On Sunday afternoon as I was finishing putting away the things into the church cupboard after Vicky’s Tearoom, Christine said “Alison is outside in the car-park”. Someone had found a hedgehog and phoned Alison. So I saw a real life hedgehog in Alison’s pink rubber gloved hands. Osprey Visit On Sunday 23rd June, the men’s Group visited the Osprey Hut at Kailzie. This was open to ladies who wished to go. Our guide was our own Frank (he is a volunteer at the Osprey Hut). He told us about the birds and their chicks. The male bird arrived first at the nest site after a long flight from West Africa. His mate arrived some time later. There can be about a week or more between the adult birds arriving. The male bird has a leg ring but his partner has not been ringed. They have nested at this nest site for ten years and have raised 26 chicks to date. The eggs were laid in May, 2-3 days apart. Once the chicks hatch they grow very quickly as they are fed on fish caught by their father to start with, when they are older, both parents go fishing to feed their hungry brood. The adult bird dives down from a great height after spotting the
fish in a river or lake. This fish is caught in the claws of the bird, then it flies back to the nest site. Sometimes the fish is still alive and can be seen on the TV pictures thrashing around the nest. The young chicks will undertake their very first migration to Africa by the end of the summer, once they have mastered flight and fishing techniques, which their skilled parents will teach them. The chicks were ringed on the 1st July by Torry Lightly (Conservation Manager Forestry Commission Scotland) and his colleague. They climbed up the tree to the nest, the chicks were lowered to the ground in bags, where they were weighed and measured and rings put on their legs. Then they were taken back to the nest. All of the time the adults were circling overhead. We also watched a DVD on another TV of the chicks of the 2011 birds being weighed, measured and ringed. I really enjoyed watching the live pictures of the Ospreys, it was a great afternoon of wildlife. I will never forget it. Janet Smith The next Men's Group event will again be open to women. It is a Peebles Town Walk, looking at the History of Christianity in Peebles, and will be led by Stuart Akers. Walkers are asked to gather beside St. Andrew's Tower in Peebles Cemetery for a 2.00pm start on Sunday 18 August, and the walk will conclude around 4.00PM. There is a charge of £3 a head, but the Church will pay for anyone wanting to go who can't afford this.
Governed By Addiction
Even in a fallen world there is great joy in living. God has created a wonderful world in which his pleasures seem prodigal in their distribution. At every turn there are more things to enjoy. While sin mars and distorts our joys, it does not seem to overcome them. Amongst the pleasures of this world are eating and drinking. For God has created all foods “to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving” (1 Timothy 4:3-4). While endless TV cooking shows exhibit our sinful preoccupation with what we eat and what we drink (Matthew 6:25f), there is nothing wrong with finding joy in preparing food nor pleasure in eating it. Indeed, food generously and thoughtfully prepared for others’ enjoyment can be one of the great ways of expressing our loving service. Food and drink are more than simply fuelling the body; they are a means of feasting and fellowship. With food and drink we celebrate the joys of life and mourn its sorrows. When the prodigal returned, his father gathered friends to share in eating the fatted calf. At a wedding Jesus created the best wine. For food and drink affect and change our moods as well as fill our stomachs. The Psalmist says God made wine “to gladden the heart of man” (Psalm 104:15). Alcohol not only changes our mood to merriment but also anesthetises us from the pain and suffering of life. So King Lemuel is told to “give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress. Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more” (Proverbs 31:6f). However, in our sinfulness we abuse this wonderful gift of God. Recent increases in alcohol related problems have raised serious questions about controlling the excesses. There have always been sad stories about prominent people affected by their addiction to alcohol and the terrible consequences of drunk drivers on the roads. Not only do we now have the me-
dia beat-ups about the misdemeanours of some professional footballers, but also the Police Commissioners’ concern about alcohol fuelled violence on our streets, the Northern Territory’s concern about communities overwhelmed by the destructive forces of alcohol addiction and parliamentarians imbibing too much at work. Parliamentarians are apparently one group who are allowed alcohol at work. King Lemuel was warned against this kind of governing: “It’s not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted” (Proverbs 31:4f). Of recent times some highly respected medical officers (Professors Fiona Stanley and Mike Daube) have quite rightly attacked the connection between alcohol advertising and sport. This is a good place to start and could gain wide community support. Years ago, tobacco advertising was censored from sport and last month, under the pressure of public outcry, the Government threatened to censor the promotion of gambling from football broadcasts. Currently, sporting organisations are more addicted to alcohol’s money than the players are to the substance. The alcohol industry, television stations and sports administrators will protest against any censorship of alcohol, claiming restrictions will destroy their sport, but both players and the sporting codes need to be freed from this dependency. The governments of Australia are in a difficult position. They will have to take on not only the power of the combined alcohol, hotels, clubs and gambling lobby groups, but also the national culture in which themselves indulge and share with the community. Their singular failure to deal with poker machines shows their impotence in the face of such vested interests. Social problems that ruin the life and health of individuals, families and society, appear to be beyond democratic government’s ability to solve. Conventional wisdom tells us that prohibition doesn’t work. Certainly the war against drugs and attempts to prohibit God created substances, like heroin, has no victory in sight. Furthermore alcohol is the ‘drug of choice’ for most Australians and its legal status makes its public promotion and astonishing profits inviola-
ble. It is unlikely anybody thinks prohibiting alcohol is a way forward. However, nobody can agree how to minimise the harm it creates. And harm minimisation is as far as our governments can go – for the government of a godless and materialistic society has no agreed “good life” to contend for, other than freedom: freedom of speech for those who can afford it, freedom of the individual to sin as they wish and freedom of trade as the preferred means of relating – the very ingredients that are feeding the problem. No doubt somebody will insist on alcohol awareness classes for the already over-packed curriculum of our schools, as if teaching children has made a difference in any other social problem. Alcohol is not the problem; like all God’s creations, alcohol is good. Alcohol abuse is not the real problem either; it’s just the presenting problem of a sick culture. The advertisers and public media are not the problem; they are simply false prophets preaching for profit. It is our culture that is at fault – it is us – we are at fault. Without God, we medicalise our problems and wonder why our young turn to drugs; we make individualism sacred and wonder why people don’t care for others; we relativise morality and wonder why people are selfish and we commercialise our relationships and wonder why greed controls our society. Governments need to take the alcohol problem seriously with strong actions. However, without the society turning back to God there is little hope for improvement in the problems of abuse. Society needs Christians to call us all back to God who creates not only alcohol but also the good life. You may like to check out the recent Spectator article by Britain’s Chief Rabbi http://www.spectator.co.uk/features/8932301/atheism-has-failed -only-religion-can-fight-the-barbarians/
A regular article written by Phillip Jensen in his role as Dean of Sydney at St Andrew's Cathedral. Images are not from the original article. Originally Published: 26th April 2013 © 2013 phillipjensen.com
Steven Curtis Chapman
Steven Curtis Chapman is a Christian singer/songwriter. . . Here is a review of an album of his, Speechless, that I was introduced to in my teens. From the very first listen the lyrics and music really touched my heart and encouraged me, and they still do. Listening to the opening bars of "Dive," the first offering from Steven Curtis Chapman's 11th album in 12 years, and you'd think they're heralding the beloved pop-rock balladeer's arrival into techno territory. Not so fast, dance-floor fiends. The initial spaced-out keyboard electronica and hip-hop beat of "Dive" is a mere set-up for yet another signature, hook-filled Chapman chorus, full of raging, rock guitars and exaltation. In many ways "Dive" is a microcosm of Speechless: Chapman's familiar pop style shines far brighter on his 13 new songs than any of his other sonic experiments. Take the fine third track, "The Change," which begins with a mod-rock, phased electricguitar riff over a funky beat—and Chapman waxing satiric at bumpersticker Christianity. Then, just as this left-of-center opening is grooving along, it bows to a standard, fist-in-the-air rock chorus. Same thing on "Next 5 Minutes," among the album's strongest and most interesting songs. A coolly dark bass (akin to old Police or U2) intros an off-kilter, odd-timed drum-and-guitar pattern, and Chapman's vocal deftly joins the fray. But just as this delicious mixture begins heating up, Chapman reverts to a pop-rock chorus. Again, it's a great chorus, full of the kind of harmonies and hooks we've come to know and love, but listeners may be left wanting more of those verses (or just another taste of the sweet, Keaggy-esque acoustic guitar bridge).
The standout tune, "I Do Believe," begins with an undeniably great rockguitar riff that gives way to a slightly dark, much quieter acoustic-based verse. And yes, the chorus does travel into pop-rock territory, but it's just fly over—there's enough minor-keyisms in its chord sequence and expert harmonies to make "I Do Believe" a satisfying, superior creation.
Lyrically, Chapman's year-long sabbatical—tempered with tragedy (the death of a friend's daughter and the shooting at his old high school in Paducah, Ky.)—faintly colors the album's themes. But hope in Christ far outweighs any signs of despair, and most listeners will find the words on Speechless quite encouraging. This record is infinitely listenable and enjoyable. Chapman's gift for melody, sense of timing, and sorely underrated voice will undoubtedly make Speechless yet another arrow in his artistic quiver. But what Chapman hints at here is far more interesting than what dominates. It would be very cool if the veteran stayed atop the bucking bronco of brave, new sonic textures and poetry the next time out. The collection of No. 1 singles -in-waiting on Speechless truly does whisper of possibilities ahead.
Review by Todays Christian Music, available from: http:// www.todayschristianmusic.com/artists/steven-curtis-chapman/albums/ speechless/
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Introducing our new BMS Mission Partners
At the BUS Assembly in October 2012, BMS launched a new church partners scheme. PBC discussed our involvement with this at the January Business meeting, and it was agreed that we would progress setting up new partnerships. Launching our new partnerships – for prayer, support and interest: David and Ann McFarlane – not a new partnership, however we continue to be linked to David and Ann, and will receive their prayer letter and updates from Italy. Andy and Jutta Cowie are members of Milton Baptist Church in Weston-SuperMare. They are now working with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship to bring vocational training and micro-enterprise programmes to people living in the Port-auPrince area of Haiti,. They have been there since January 2012 but have long standing backgrounds in Mission, development and discipleship – Jutta started out as a nurse, but in 2006 she trained in agriculture in Texas, and then worked in Ghana where she taught women micro-enterprise projects such as rabbit raising, beekeeping,
mushroom and snail farming. Andy is a trained motor mechanic, and worked on the YWAM Mercy Ships, helping refit the Africa Mercy. Andy moved to Ghana to serve as transport manager, and it was there that he and Jutta met and married. You can read their blog at http:// princessofmercy.blogspot.co.uk/ Haiti ranks 158/187 countries on the UN Human Development Index meaning that it is one of the poorest countries in the world. It has been affected badly by earthquakes and natural disasters over recent years. Haiti is 80% Roman Catholic with an blend of Africa Voodoo rituals. Rachel and Tim Eagle with Hannah and Sam working in Mozambique. The Eagle family have moved to Mozambique in June of this year, so this is a new posting. Tim is an agricultural consultant, and previously offered advice to farmers in Moray and Aberdeenshire. Tim also has experience in working with an energy company looking at using the by-products as feeds and fertilisers and has experience of renewable energy technology. Rachel is a GP and before going on maternity leave worked in a small rural practice. She has interest in paediatrics, sexual and women’s health. Hannah (3) is an enthusiastic toddle who loves swimming and playing outside. Samuel (18months) is a content baby who enjoys watching his bouncy big sister. The Ea-
gles were based in Buckie Baptist Church in the North of Scotland. You can read the Eagles blog at www.theeaglefamily.wordpress.com BMS works in Mozambique working in development, education and justice ministries. Mozambique (coastal East Africa) ranks 184/187 countries on the UN Human Development Index. Sarah McArthur (no photo currently available) Sarah is planning to work in Peru from early 2014. Sara comes from Perth where she is based at the Baptist Church. Sarah was born in Kuwait and moved to Scotland when she was 7. She is from a big family and loves to meet people and experience new cultures. Sara was working as a plant propagator at Glendoick Gardens, and has been on two work parties to Peru and Tanzania. She is hoping to go to Peru in early 2014 and will be involved with plant propagation, some building work and teaching/youth work.
We will be starting a new initiative at the “Thirsty” all-age service on July 28th. Everyone will be invited to take a bottle of water home, and once the water has been drunk the bottle can be used to collect any small change. Once a month, we will have a “thirsty” collection, where people can bring in their bottles and the children will collect up the change. The money will be sent to BMS World Mission to support our mission link partners, who are working with people would consider a bottle of clean water more valuable than a bottle of money to save their lives.
An Update from Cathie Aberdour
formerly of Wycliffe Bible Translators
Dear all,
Judy had a really good visit with the Apurinã. I had been concerned that she might arrive in the village to find lots of folks with malaria and with other problems that she had no chance of helping with on such a short visit. However everyone was well and they were continuing to meet together for Sunday worship and the women were continuing to meet on Fridays for Bible study. The folks were so pleased that Judy had made the effort to visit them and she was able to go round all the homes at Monkey River and pray with everyone. I had made 20 more Apurinã hymn books for them along with 5 Apurinã CDs, so they were really pleased to receive these. She was invited out to dine a number of times and was able to eat all the goodies of the jungle – paca, wild pig, tapir and a variety of fish. She didn’t get any larva or monkey this time to eat, maybe the next time!!! It had been a disappointment that the nephew of a friend had not been able to go with her as his visa had been denied, but in the end it was the Lord’s leading as she didn’t have to be continually translating for someone who didn’t understand Apurinã. Judy said that the Lord enabled her to speak Apurinã more fluently than she’s ever known!
Judy was much encouraged that the leaders have continued in the work of the church. She was pleased that Mãkoaã lost an election for the area to be a representative. Politics is something that others would like to see him involved in. So he was shown that the church is his first priority. Dominginho is a strong Christian who just needs more encouragement. He has a large family. Chico lost his wife and more recently his brother John. So he is feeling down and has a tendency to isolate himself. He needs to know the comfort of the Lord. When Judy returned to Manaus she took Raimunda and Francisca with her as they and some of the other women had not been able to get their family allowance money from the little town of Tapauá. Judy was able to help them to get this quite easily in Manaus and they were able to withdraw the money for all the other women who had had problems. So even though Judy’s trip to Monkey River was so short she was able to help them in this important way. In Manaus Judy was able to stay with Brad and Melissa who are still staying in our house that we still haven’t been able to sell. Brad has made a few trips to the Apurina and is very interested in working with them. In his last trip just before Judy went in, he took a couple from Britain, Andrea and Jason with him and they also are very interested in the Apurina. These two couples would be a great team for working with the Apurinã. Their gifts seem to complement each other. Judy went to encourage, and was encouraged. She went to bless and was blessed. Do continue to pray for the Apurinã, the Millers, Jason and Andrea, for Judy and myself. The days are now getting shorter, which reminds us that the night comes, when no man can work. Pray for a great harvest.
Cathie
Update from the Peeblesshire Foodbank
As the Trustees of Peeblesshire Foodbank are acutely aware, there has been a great deal of interest in and support for the Foodbank. We wanted to make sure that people were kept regularly up to date with progress: so this is a bulletin to let everyone know exactly where we are. The Foodbank will open its doors officially on 20 August, 10.00 am, at the Leckie Bakehall. We have already been issuing emergency parcels, at the rate of about two a week, since Christmas. We have now secured a foodstore and a distribution point and are now, bar one or two loose ends, ready to open. We have been greatly encouraged by the level of interest in and support for the Foodbank. Our appeal for volunteers has been successful with many wishing to offer help within their community to those facing hardship. Volunteers have expressed interest in the diverse areas including collecting food, helping to sort food, distributing food parcels and praying for those who use the service. Our first volunteer training powdered) Milk (UHT or event will take place on the evening of MonSugar (500g) day 12th August in St Peter's Church (next to arton) Fruit Juice (c the bus stop). We welcome anybody else Soup wishing to get involved to fill out a volunteer Pasta Sauces d) ne application form available from Katie Buckin (T g Sponge Puddin d) ingham at [email protected]. ne Tomatoes (Tin
Cereals inned) Rice Pudding (T nt coffee Tea Bags/insta Potato Instant Mash Rice/Pasta Fish Tinned Meat/ Tinned Fruit Jam
The recent food collection at Tesco on 4th & 5th July was a huge success. There were teams of volunteers taking slots in groups of two, explaining to shoppers the purpose of the collection and asking if they would be willing to donate one or more items from a list displayed prominently (and also given out in the form of a leaf-
let). The reaction of shoppers was overwhelmingly positive, with only a very small number questioning either the need for a Foodbank in Peeblesshire or the collection itself. Many trolleys were filled with donated food – for example on the Saturday afternoon alone 3 trolleys were filled in as many hours. Tesco staff were very supportive and helpful, and Tesco themselves will match the food collected by 30%. Thanks are due to all who helped out, either by standing and speaking to shoppers or by donating food. Further regular food collections are planned and there will be plenty of opportunity to get involved with these. As well as supermarket collections, we know that a number of churches and individuals are collecting food for us regularly. Contributions may continue to be left at the back of St Peter's Church, which is open during daylight hours every day. People who pray may like to know that on Thursday 22 August we will be holding the first of what we hope will be a regular series of Prayer Evenings for the Foodbank - this will be at 7.30pm to 8.30pm in the Victoria Park Centre. We appreciate especially the amount of prayer that has been offered for the Foodbank, as well as all the practical support, and believe that without it we would still be very far from opening. Thank you to everyone who has helped or supported us in any way. If people have any questions about the Foodbank, or are interested in volunteering, please either email Katie Buckingham as detailed above, or call Rev Jim Benton-Evans on 07702 842727 or Ian Gray on 07881 518854. We would love to hear from you!
Sunday 4 August Children: Bill Jacobs, Carlyn McCall & Kirstin Gray Communion Servers: Linda Bell, Jacqueline Wilson Flowers: Vi Brown Stewards: John Dalrymple & Jenny Jacobs Teas: Hazel Hoggan ‘Transport’ and ‘Setting up’ Team 2
Sunday 11 August Children: Jenny Jacobs, Pat Hamilton & Wilma Wintour Flowers: Margaret Cowan Stewards: Margaret Cowan & Hazel Hoggan Teas: Wilma Wintour ‘Transport’ and ‘Setting up’ Team 1
Sunday 18 August Children: Rab Bramhall, Christine Drummond, A.N. Other Communion Servers: Wilma Wintour, Janet Smith Flowers: Christine Drummond Stewards: Linda Bell & Pat Hamilton Teas: Vi Brown ‘Transport’ and ‘Setting up’ Team 2
Services in Victoria Park Centre (unless otherwise indicated)
Pastor: Ian Gray 07881 518854 [email protected]
Sunday 25 August Children: Christine Drummond, Janlyn Townley & Moira Dalrymple Flowers: Pat Hamilton Stewards: Carlyn McCall & Jacqueline Wilson Teas: Helen Henderson ‘Transport’ and ‘Setting up’ Team 1
Transport Team 1 – Douglas McCall, Lindsey Gray, Margaret Cowan Team 2 – Christine Drummond, Margaret Cowan
Setting up Team 1 – Callum Gray, David Tidder, Frank Drummond, Janet Smith, Team 2 – Janet Smith, Bill Jacobs, Jacqueline Wilson
Laying Communion Table in August Carlyn McCall
Secretary: Christine Drummond 01721 722062 Treasurer: Liz Keiro 01721 730217 Website: http://peeblesbaptistchurch.org
Articles for the magazine
We would like the magazine to be as informative and relevant as possible. We aim to provide news about Peebles Baptist Church, it’s wider concerns and involvement, and Peebles Churches Together. If you have anything you feel you could provide a regular report about, or something you feel should be included in the magazine one month, a Christian book review, a report on an event etc., please do get in touch with us at [email protected]. All articles should be sent to this email address by the 12th of every month. If you do not have internet access or if you think you might have a problem meeting the deadline one month, please don’t let that put you off; speak to Morag Bramhall to see how best you can supply something. We would love to have you involved in this project and enhance our church community.
