EASTER ROSS FRIENDS’ MEETING
of
GOOD NEWS for EVERYONE!
(formerly GideonsUK)
Tain Parish Church
Friday 15th March at 7 pm
Guest Speaker
Dr Bill Thomas
MALE VOICE CHOIR
FELLOWSHIP
SUPPER
ALL WELCOME
Dr Bill Thomas is President of GOOD NEWS for EVERYONE!
Come an hear about all the exciting work across the world.
‘I beg you to bear with one another in love’
Death, bereavement and the making of a good funeral for Christians – a four part series for Lent.
‘Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return. Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ’.
In Lent, more than any other season we are reminded of our own mortality. It is an appropriate time to refresh our thinking on death. We will look at Christian hope at death.
We will reflect on the significance of the funeral ritual. Sometimes dreaded as an ordeal by mourners, we will consider how, if sensitively planned and conducted, the funeral can become an important transition to life beyond death for mourners and the person who died. We will engage with findings from recent research on what makes a good Christian funeral.
Understanding current thinking on bereavement and how that mirrors Christian theological thinking on death can equip us to find hopeful ways through grief. We will explore aspects of grief theories that may help us navigate our way through this painful experience.
These subjects touch on tender parts of our lives. Please do look after yourself. If the talks bring emotions to the surface which you need help with please do seek support from a trusted person you know or a source of support such as the free confidential Breathing Space helpline 0800 83 85 87.
The talks will be available on Youtube with links in advance via this page.
Presenter: Rev Dr Jane Edwards, a BACP Accredited Counsellor and Psychotherapist with 20 years experience, curate at St Baldred’s, North Berwick and St Adrian’s, Gullane and has recently completed a PhD on ‘What makes a good funeral’ with Durham University.
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Our traditionally and very popular Pancake Party and Quiz takes place on Shrove Tuesday in St Andrew’s hall. The Quiz has been prepared and the catering is in hand, so all is now ready.
Points to note:
Our Lent Study Groups this year will meet on Wednesdays:
21stand 28th February and 6th, 13th and 20thMarch.
The groups will meet in person in the afternoons at 1:30pm at James and Anna’s house in Spinningdale.
The study is entitled “Freedom to Live – a journey through Galatians”.
The book of Galatians is written by the apostle Paul to churches in the province of Galatia (what is now central Turkey). Paul had traveled to the region on early missionary journeys, sharing the gospel with the Gentiles. As the churches grew and progressed, Jewish believers in Jesus began to come to the churches and insist that everyone followed to the letter the Law established through Moses for the Jewish community. Paul, hearing of this, became angry with the Jewish Christians, as he believed that this wasn’t the inclusive message of the gospel of Jesus. So Paul writes this letter to the Galatians to ‘restore’ their understanding of the gospel and what it means to be in right relationship with God.
In this study we will see what we as 21st century Christians might learn from all of this. You might guess since I have chosen this topic, that I think that we can learn a lot from it:-)
To whet your appetite, just remember that chapter 3 starts with Paul writing:
“You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?”
Galatians 3:1
Further details from Canon James. All are welcome, whether in our congregations or not. Anyone who would like access to the materials or to a paper copy (whether or not you are able to attend the sessions) please get in touch with James, so that they can be emailed out or printed for you, as appropriate
Our friends at Kilmuir and Logie Easter have asked if we could publicise their Burns Supper on Friday 26th January at 7pm,
Today we have our annual ecumenical service of Lessons and Carols in St Andrew’s, Tain at 3pm. Sing favourite carols and hear again the story of God coming into our world as a tiny baby – all are very welcome.
As you arrive you will pass our crib, this year nestling under the scaffolding, making a virtue of necessity and a poignant reminder that wonderful things can emerge from difficult circumstances.
After the service there will be mulled wine and soft drink, mince pies and shortbread and a chance to greet people from all the local churches as they meet together in peace and unity at this time when there is so much conflict and disharmony in our world.
Lord Jesus,
The Very Rev Andrew Nunn
who walked the land you made holy
and blessed those who made peace;
look with compassion
on the people of your land today,
Jew and Muslim and Christian,
Israeli and Palestinian.
May peace come for all with justice,
may war cease and all live in harmony,
and be the children of the one God
who you made known,
now and always.
Amen.
We pray without ceasing for justice, reconciliation, peace, and an end to hatred and war. We also pray for God to change the hearts of all leaders and decision-makers in our countries and around the world, For we are in dire need of hearts that love, show mercy, and are willing to live in unity with others – hearts that respect human dignity and choose life rather than death.
We entrust the countries of our Lord’s earthly home into the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, asking him to have mercy on us all and to give us his peace and blessing. Amen.
Archbishop Hosam Naoum, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem
Scottish Episcopal Church - Dornoch, Lairg, Brora, Tain & Tongue 