Convener's Report to Presbytery 2009
Moderator, as the now former Convener of the Presbyterial Council of Aberdeen, I bring the report of the Guild, and the greetings of our members.
This session has been the third, and final year, in our Guild's three year strategy under the overall title "Let's Live: Body, Mind and Soul".
Our annual theme for 2008-09 has been "He restores my soul", and this was launched at our Annual Meeting "Journeying together 08" at the Caird Hall, Dundee, last September, where many representatives from Aberdeen's Branch Guilds attended and heard inspiring talks on the theme from writer Irene Howat; our worship leader for the day our own Fiona Squires; and our then Moderator the Rt. Rev. David Lunan.
Every year our Annual Meeting gives us something to remember until the next one comes around, but 2008 was something totally different. From the moment we arrived in the Hall, we knew things were different - they were actually magic. The atmosphere was electric, and I deny anyone there not to have enjoyed every moment, and to have memories of this meeting which will last for a lifetime. David Lunan, as you will all understand, just knocked the socks off all of us. He gave us a background of his young days and how he deals with prayer, and honestly Kleenex shares rose that day because everyone had tears in their eyes. He will be a very hard act to follow, and we, the Guild, are so
appreciative of all the work he has put in to being part of it with us during his time as Moderator.
Our Discussion Topic "Let's Talk about the search for Spirituality" has been a challenging subject for many Guilds, its aim being to encourage members to explore that hunger which many people feel in today's world, for an experience that is deeper than purely physical or intellectual.
With our new Projects launched in April we see more worthwhile causes to support. However, our Projects, which have been supported these past three years, and I am sure you will all remember them were –
Supporting Homeless Scots in London (with Borderline) -helping and supporting homeless and insecurely housed Scots living in London and those who wish to return to Scotland.
Action for the Adivasi, Bangladesh (with Christian Aid) - this is to support some of the very poorest people in the world through initiatives in sanitation, nutrition and education. Beyond the Blues, the Bluebell Project - (with Crossreach) -delivering support to women, who at a time they would expectto be happy, suffer from debilitating post natal depression. Walking in the Light, Nigeria (The Leprosy Mission Scotland) -helping to improve the quality of life for these people affected by leprosy through the provision of protective footwear andother orthopaedic appliances. Miriam, Changing the World Together, Eastern Europe (Lydia project) - empowering women to help the most vulnerable people in sixteen eastern European counties through a variety of community projects. Touching the Untouchables, India (Scottish Love in Action) - caring for the destitute, orphan Dalit children in Tuni, Andhra Pradesh by feeding, clothing, housing and educating them.
You may well be amazed to learn that the Church of Scotland £779,358.88 during the past three years and this will help tremendously the needs to some extent, of the benefactors, and many will have a better quality of life because of our work. Many Church people, and others, have supported us and thanks goes to all who have contributed to this magnificent total. Here in Aberdeen, the Business Committee produced and sold Cook Books which raised over £2,000 in the last six months, and these proceeds were given to the Projects.
During November, we held Guild Week which was based on The Chain of Peace, and this was again a wonderful occasion. As a Presbytery we held an evening at Ferryhill Parish Church where chains (as you did when at school) and linked them to the person standing next to you to mirror the Chain of Peace and we then brought this massive chain (and I may say without breaking it) to the front of the Church where we wound it round a Peace Pole. The idea of the Chain of Peace came from Mauritius
where two or three women started it by travelling in a caravan over many parts of Europe exchanging peace.
Our then National Convener, Esme Duncan, made several visits to Aberdeen that week. Before we had our evening in Aberdeen, David Lunan, the then Moderator launched the whole event with a special service in Perth where messages of peace, prayer and candles were passed from Guild to Guild within and beyond Scotland. Again, this was a very moving service. I keep telling you, you are all invited to these events so come and join us - I bet you will enjoy yourselves, and leave feeling inspired and uplifted.
I hope by now you are all getting the feeling of why we Guild members enjoy so much being a part of this wonderful organisation. The Guild is a member organisation of the Women's National Commission which is an advisory body to the Westminster government on women's issues. We participate in the Scottish Women's Convention which has been set up by the Scottish Executive as its main means of communicating with women throughout Scotland, and the Guild has had the opportunity to contribute to consultations on issues like forced marriage and women's equality. We are also part of the Network of Ecumenical Women in Scotland and the Ecumenical Forum of European Christian Women, through which it works with other Christian organisations on issues like human trafficking and the campaign to end discrimination against women. As I have said in previous reports to you, human trafficking is something the violation against all human being here and worldwide. Remember, those Olympic Games are getting nearer and nearer, and something has to be done to protect people, especially women and children.
We had a very pleasant day last May for our Guild Walk which Midstocket Church Guild hosted and where we were made very welcome, and the catering was excellent. We do not always get a dry day but last year it was perfect - not too hot but certainly not cold.
At our Summer Rally last year which was held at South St. Nicholas Church, we had as our speaker the main representative for the north of Scotland for Leprosy Mission. As is always the case with South St. Nicholas we were made very welcome and enjoyed their home baking.
At our Autumn Rally last October, we had the past National Convener Ann Bowie as our speaker and her diary of events for the year were most interesting and enjoyed by all, and again we were made so very welcome by Mannofield Church.
As this session has comes to an end, we look forward to our summer activities and to the beginning of a whole new three year programme in September. I also have come to an end, and I would like to thank the three Moderators who have been in the Chair since I took up this post, Jim Davies, Maureen Simpson and John Watson. Each of you has been so helpful and supportive in the work of the Guild and it is very much appreciated by me that you all so willing gave up time when you might otherwise have had alternative work to do. I would also like to thank Moyra Cameron for all her help in my being a very small part of the Presbytery. I feel I should also thank Ken Petrie and Keith Blackwood for their help and encouragement in times of need for accommodation - thank you both. The last thank you is for my own Minister, Ian Dick, who, like Ken and Keith has given much support to everything the Guild has entered into these past three years. Thank you all.
Moderator, I am grateful to you for inviting me to speak, and now present this report to the Presbytery.
Mary Notman