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Dear Friends
I wonder how often you find yourself getting excited by your involvement in the Church of Scotland? Do you ever find yourself thinking, 'I am glad that I am part of the Church'? Or are you more aware of difficulties, problems, differences of opinion and decline? I would like to encourage you to look at the positives - they are there but we don't hear of them so often! It often seems that we are better at running ourselves down than 'talking ourselves up'.
Last week I was a commissioner - along with Margaret Milne - at this year's General Assembly. It was not a week when the heather was set on fire, or when the speeches raised the roof, or huge ground breaking decisions were made. But it was a fascinating, interesting and enjoyable week - with many wise and carefully thought through decisions. Being in Edinburgh for the Assembly made me once again proud to be a part of the Church of Scotland. 1 inevitably find that I get so involved with what is happening in the local church that \ forget what is happening in the wider church. 1 easily forget that I am part of a church that is working in every part of Scotland and indeed throughout the world - a church that is involved in an enormous range of activities that make a difference to the lives of people in our own country and beyond - from Social Care to community projects, from Christian Aid to work with partner churches abroad, from initiatives with young people to the imaginative projects of the Guild. And along with all of that, we belong to a church that is undoubtedly held in high regard by so many different churches the world over. I am always impressed by the number of delegates from other churches who are invited to join the Assembly. They come from all over Britain, Ireland, Europe, Africa, Iraq, USA, Nepal, Australia, Korea, and Lebanon - and that is to name just a few. From the contribution they make, it is clear that they are glad to be there and to share in the discussion of the Church of Scotland. They value what we do and the support that we give.
It is not possible for everyone to attend the General Assembly. But I firmly believe that we do need to widen our horizons and become aware that we are part of something big and exciting and moving and living. An opportunity is there for us in August of this year. Between 23rd and 25th August there is going to be a very important event in the SECC in Glasgow called 'Nexus'. Thousands of people will attend. There will be a large number of organisations setting up their stall to let us know of their work, seminars to look at matters of interest, churches telling us of what they are doing. The whole event will close on the last evening with worship in the Clyde Auditorium - and if it is anything like the worship the last time such an event was held, it will be thrilling and inspiring. It would be tremendous if we were able to send a large number of people to be part of this event, to pick up ideas and come back to share them with the rest of the congregation. Have a look at the article on another page of this Magazine, and put the date in your diary! And let us never forget that it is good to be a part of this Church of Scotland!
Every blessing
lain
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