Fossoway Church News.

NEWSLETTER PRODUCTION TEAM:-

Gordon and Helen Brown, Maureen Macpherson, Jackie Everitt, Mary Barnacle and Tom Mechan.

Web Site - David Mason (POWtec I T). This web site is composed as 1 page to allow you to download the entire newsletter and then 'log-off' the Internet and browse as you like! Any comments on the web page please e-mail me @ djm.pow@btinternet.com .

Main Features:-
* Introduction.
* The Minister - Joanne Finlay.
* LOCAL NEWS
* Money News
* CHARLOTTE, CHICAGO,CRIME AND COINCIDENCE?
* Life & Work magazine
* TRAIDCRAFT
* OUR FORMER STUDENT
* SEEKING THE PROMISED LAND
* INVITATION FROM THE CHOIR
* THE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION GROUP
* Barcaple Activity Centre
* FOSSOWAY WALKERS.
* “Why Ballet?”
* EVERGREENS
* FUNCTIONS GROUP REPORT
* NEXUS SCOTLAND 2007 & Fossoway & Cleish Community Office + International News
* Deadline for the next Newsletter.

Click to down load the Gift Aid Form.

As Christmas catalogues begin to drop through the letterbox and summer holidays become a memory our minds turn
to winter activities. And the church is no different. Indeed, it sees a return to busy times in churches and
associated organisations and committees. Christian communities have a story to tell, a service to provide, to a
world desperate for ‘good news’ - and we have it! We must make best use of all our time. The late Professor
William Barclay summed it up perfectly: “Life is a preparation for eternity. Christians may burn out, but they
must not rust out. We must keep our spirits at boiling point.”

This autumn edition of the Fossoway Church newsletter is packed with local news, views and information about
current and forthcoming events. We hear from our Minister, Joanne Finlay who picks up on the action within our
church; Reader, Brian Ogilvie reflects on a recent visit to the USA; former student Minister, Carolann Erskine
keeps us in touch with her progress; Treasurer, Tom Mechan provides the latest ‘money news’ and there are brief
updates from some of the Kirk Session working groups. Details of the Fossoway Walkers’ autumn programme is
included and Kitty McCrone invites you to subscribe to Life & Work – this is now a really good and informative
magazine which many more of us could read and enjoy.

It is always good to hear about the experiences of our younger members who contribute so much to our
congregational life. We feature the Teenage Group’s recent weekend away together at the Abernethy Trust centre
near Castle Douglas; Abigail Harper writes about her summer visit to the Wumenu Community Farm in Ghana and
Sarah Menzies explains her pursuit of a lifelong ambition as she goes off to Ballet School.

It is also good to keep in touch with former members and Catherine Leitch, now resident in East Lothian,
describes a memorable visit, earlier this year, to the Holy Land. We report on the recent NEXUS, Christian
Resources Exhibition in Glasgow; Janet Harper updates us on Traidcraft and we highlight forthcoming events and
worship in Fossoway Church including Friendship Sunday, Harvest and even a word about Christmas – see Don
Finlay’s news from the Choir.

As always we try to look beyond our parish to the happenings in the wider world. Because there is so much local
news in this edition, space was at a premium (a great position to be in!) but we manage to spotlight the
Spafford Children’s Centre in Jerusalem.

We hope you enjoy this newsletter and keep the news coming!

*************************************************************************************

Dear Friends

It seems that autumn is upon us and the long, lazy nights of summer are fast becoming a distant memory. As the
nights grow shorter, the church calendar grows longer with the various committees and groups actively engaged in
mission and discipleship. For a small rural church we are indeed a very active church, not only within our own
fellowship circle with one another, but also in our involvement within our parish. It is for this reason that
Stewardship is the main theme of our worship together throughout the month of September. Sadly, these days
stewardship is too narrowly understood – most people associate it only with money, yet this is only one aspect
of stewardship: at its heart it should be focusing upon the gifts and abilities of those who seek to serve God.
Indeed stewardship when focused appropriately has, in my mind, three main elements – to invite individuals
within a faith community to explore how they can share their gifts and abilities within their faith community,
within their local parish (local outreach) and at a global level.

To achieve the above is not easy, yet it is vital if we are to take seriously the call of discipleship: it is
all too easy to become insular within a worshipping community, seeing only to our needs as a congregation,
forgetting that the church exists not to be a monument or institution, but instead to be a vibrant, active body,
which engages within the culture in which we live, work and socialise.

As a Christian community we have been greatly blessed. We have a Kirk Session who takes seriously their role as
spiritual leaders; we have dedicated members with an abundance of gifts, who give freely of their time and
talents; we have young people who are exploring their faith and who are welcomed and recognised as being a
valuable part of our faith community. It was for this reason that we began the season of Stewardship with a
‘Service of Blessings’. During this service we dedicated the new CH4 hymn books and eighty new pew Bibles – all
of which were generously gifted by members of our congregation. Our service culminated in the celebration of two
beloved couples from within our worshipping community receiving a blessing upon their ruby wedding celebrations.
Our worship was indeed an opportunity to give thanks to God for the many blessings he has showered upon us.

As we continue to move through the season of Stewardship and address how we meet the needs of our parish, we
give thanks for the success of the Children’s Holiday Group, the Choir, the House-group and the many faithful
members who supported the Evergreen Group on Thursday mornings. I would also ask you to prayerfully consider
supporting this year’s Harvest appeal: harvest enables us to reflect upon the gifts that we have been given and
to give thanks for the dedication of our local farmers. It also provides us with an opportunity to assist our
brothers and sisters in poorer parts of the world. In response to this, we have chosen to support the Wumenu
Community Farm in Ghana.

“…and God who supplies seed to sow and bread to eat, will also supply you with all the seed you need and will
make it grow and produce a rich harvest from your generosity….for this service you perform not only meets the
needs of God’s people, but also produces an outpouring of gratitude to God.”
(2 Corinthians 9.12)

Congregational News

Congratulations to Fiona Turnbull, Fruix Farm, who gained her Postgraduate Diploma in Agri-business Management

“Those whom God has joined together” (Marriages)

2 August
Thomas Murray, Howfold Farm, by Dollar & Samantha Sheeham,
15 Craigflower Ct, Torryburn, Fife

6 September
Nigel Watson & Caroline Young, Tanworth, Waulkmill Rd,
Crook of Devon

“Those who die into death, sleep at peace with our Lord” (Deaths)

Group Captain Colin King - Culbin, Rumbling Bridge

Miss Alice Reid - Rumbling Bridge Nursing Home, formerly Drum.

FOR YOUR DIARY: FORTHCOMING EVENTS

23 SEPTEMBER – We celebrate Friendship Sunday by bringing a friend or neighbour to worship. Refreshments at the
close of the service.

21 OCTOBER – Brightons Praise Choir lead us in morning worship.

28 OCTOBER – HARVEST – at 9.45am and in the evening, at 6.30pm in the hall, Harvest Pot Luck Supper – to which
all are welcome.

11 NOVEMBER – REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY: this year’s service of worship will take place at 9.30am in the Village Hall.
The service will conclude at the cenotaph with a short act of Remembrance and the laying of wreaths from
representatives of each of the communities within the parish.

OUTREACH GROUP

The Group has looked at several issues since it was set up earlier this year. One of the main areas of interest
is in a possible twinning arrangement with another congregation somewhere in the world. It is obvious that this
will take some time to establish the most useful and effective way to achieve a satisfactory rapport with
another Christian community.

The Group is also currently in the process of producing a brochure about our church, its people and our groups,
which may be of interest and use to visitors and the wider community.

Life has a way of creating strange coincidences that bring one up short in the everyday things. Last year at
this time the ‘famous five’ whom you know, were girding themselves for a sound Presbyterian conference in
Charlotte NC. Unexpected events allowed my attendance and Charlotte did not disappoint in what we learned at the
conference. But also I was reminded of Billy Graham who was raised there and his gigantic influence all over the
world with his preaching of the Word.

It was a tremendous experience to visit the new HQ of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and find that
this work continues. As he would say, it was not for his glory - he was simply the channel used. We were
reminded forcefully of the influence of the Glasgow crusade on Scotland and on the next generation through their
parents.

But what of the crime we hear the call? Well after our visit to Charlotte, Moira and I went to Chicago in June
for a crime conference at Wheaton College, Illinois. There they have many of the original writings of Dorothy L
Sayers, inventor of Lord Peter Wimsey that aristocratic detective of 110A Piccadilly. Also they research the
works of C S Lewis, J R Tolkein and some others. It is an exciting liberal arts college where Billy Graham met
his wife Ruth Bell and both obtained their academic qualifications.

Coincidence or what? Two visits to USA, two upfront collisions with Billy and Ruth Graham. OK, I can take a
hint!

Our lectures on DLS – Christian apologist, poet, theologian, crime writer, musicologist were superb;
professional talks by people enthralled by their interests, but I was still very aware of being in the Cliff
Barrows auditorium in the Billy Graham building. I just had to visit their memories of the Grahams.

I do not wish to call it a museum but it was poignant as well as amusing. Christians can have a sense of humour.
One exhibit was of Billy’s mobile pulpit with all the whiz gadgets of his day. After a quick look round for
other visitors I had a ‘go’ in the pulpit. It is really something to think I stood in Billy Graham’s footsteps!
I even tried some words but that is for another time……….

Humour abounded in the old newspapers shown. Screaming headlines – “6th Great Sin-Smashing Week.” Preaching for
a couple of weeks was extended to six and more. Street signs in London were also good – “Billy Graham Advance
Warning” howled a bright yellow AA sign. Perhaps we should look to “Fossoway St Serf’s Advance Warning –
Christianity can seriously change your life.” And outside a flint decorated small Anglican church a cartoon
showed a cassocked clergyman beside Billy Graham dressed in ‘dungers’ and carrying a bag of tools with the
clergyman saying – “Bishop – the repair man is here!”

Perhaps the part I found most moving were the exhibits of Billy and his wife Ruth Bell from their younger years
to the present. It was a very sad part of our visit to be informed one morning of the death of Ruth Bell Graham,
but the picture of them together as an elderly couple did help to ease the sorrow. As they held each other the
captions was “Great is thy Faithfulness”. They had lived their lives together performing the tasks God had given
them. I say ‘them’ because Billy and Ruth were a team. He would not have fulfilled his preaching role in the
public eye without the strength of her not inconsiderable support. She was his support in difficult times as
well as good. She was as much a part of his evangelising as others in the team.

But what of DLS and crime? Well her books have a sound theological basis in Christian thought. Crime does not
pay and perpetrators face the consequences of their actions, but real life is not excluded. The effect of the
bad actions of some have a knock on through the lives of others. Sin does leave scars yet there are signs of
healing for those damaged. Good can come out of evil.

Yet DLS may well find her position at Wheaton College a little strange because she was a Reluctant Evangelist at
the best saying that she was ‘in love with the pattern’ of Christianity, but was never sure of her belief. Yet
major theologians appreciate her thoughts on the Trinity, a subject that many of that profession avoid as
difficult and tell the laity it is hard to understand so avoiding any attempt to cast light on it. She and Lord
Wimsey did not avoid difficult tasks or awkward thinking. Should we?

DLS preferred the High Anglican services where responses were known and worship was calm to the unexpected
demands of an evangelistic crusade and a powerful sermon asking for a response.

It may be strange that they both are hugely important to Wheaton College coming from different styles of showing
the love of Christ in their lives, but Dorothy, Billy and Ruth were certainly successful in that.

Christianity matters and it is life changing.

Perhaps the huge entrance wall at Wheaton College gives a reason to us all no matter in what style we show the
love of God to our neighbours – Wheaton College – “For Christ and His Kingdom”.

Were Charlotte, Chicago and Crime a coincidence? I do not think so!

Over the last 15 years Rosemary Hopkins has been co-ordinating the sale of Traidcraft produce within much of
Kinrosshire and one of the Dollar churches. During this time not only has she been a very successful trader, she
has also raised awareness of the importance of buying from Traidcraft.
Traidcraft :-

Chooses to work with poor and small scale producer groups
Works in partnership with its producers offering a fair price, encouraging good quality working conditions and
committing to long term working relationships
Invests in the development of producers to help them build professional, sustainable businesses
Lobbies governments to advance the cause of fair trade, particularly when people are disadvantaged by unfair
trade agreements

Today Traidcraft and other fairly traded goods can be found in shops, supermarkets, schools, theatres and many
other outlets. We are fortunate to have Common Ground in Milnathort, where a wide range of Traidcraft goods will
continue to be available.

Rosemary has decided to retire as a fair trader once all her existing stock has been sold although she will have
Traidcraft Christmas catalogues for local people to borrow from which to buy or place an order. At the end of
the financial year, when Rosemary officially ceases trading, all accumulated discount will be donated to
Traidcraft.

I wish to take this opportunity to thank Rosemary for all her hard work, in particular helping the people of
Fossoway Church to understand more about, and in their own small way, contribute to Traidcraft. Thank You
Rosemary

As a family we have spent much time together over the summer, and we recently returned from a lovely holiday in
Dornoch. Beautiful beaches, wonderful scenery and wildlife, sun-kissed skies, (especially at 3.45am) and moonlit
moments, ah! time for the camera , sketch pad and paints ... and then there were masses of jellyfish! Not that I
have anything against jellyfish you understand, but what was God thinking?

Over the summer, I have been happily working in St. John’s Kirk, Perth, which has proved a valuable learning
time. St. John’s congregation, like so many congregations, are going through a period of transition as their
ministers, with God’s guidance decide their future. All too often we fear transition because we are not too sure
about change in the church, and even at my age I find there are certain things I like done in certain ways. I
have to laugh at myself sometimes over these pernickety things but, God’s church is built on sure foundations
and He will rebuild His church regardless of what we think.

I have also been working on my Dissertation for University, and have chosen to write about army chaplaincy and
the suffering of the First World War. Prior to the war, Great Britain, termed the “greatest workshop of the
world” had supposedly blossomed under God’s providence as it came through the Victorian era. The Church not only
had seemed to have a strong voice then, but spoke out with mighty authority, as for the most part, the churches
supported the war and rallied troops. Yet through the war years, there appeared a tremendous shift from clergy
preaching about God Almighty who (it was claimed by many) favoured the elect people of Britain, to sharing
stories of the suffering, bloody, broken body of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It’s a fascinating topic,
which proves both heart rendering and God inspiring. God alone knows how those chaplains coped in the face of
such horrendous hostilities.

Little time to take in scenery, wildlife, nor God’s creativity as I described earlier ... sometimes I wonder if
we take too much for granted, our freedom, our very lives. Someone said to me recently that they doubted the
Church would ever regain its strong voice again. Well now, I’m not so sure about that. If that is part of God’s
Mission, and we discern wisely ... we consider that we are called to proclaim the Gospels, not defend them. I
recall a Minister many years ago saying to us children at Sunday School, “Well, up an at ‘em, our mission is to
spread the Gospels.” As far as I know, that mission has not changed. Can God’s Church regain its voice? What do
you think?

And finally, as I begin to prepare for the final honours year at University, I look forward with great
excitement and enthusiasm. I shall help out with some pulpit supply in Perthshire over the next few months, and
hopefully it won’t be too long before I hear from the Church of Scotland where I will be going for my
Probationary fifteen month placement. I shall keep you posted ... meantime, I leave you with the thought of
Christ’s humble life. Born in a borrowed stable, laid in a borrowed tomb, yet he has won our hearts forever. We
have so much to be thankful for as we, by the grace of God, and the love and Christ try to appreciate life
within the realms of humility.

BY CATHERINE LEITCH

Something told me it probably wasn’t a good idea to send Gordon Brown a postcard from my trip to the Holy Land –
like all good editors he never misses an opportunity to create copy for the Newsletter.
The choir of Cruden Bay Parish Church, where my friend Rodger Neilson is minister, had expressed a desire to do
a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I immediately accepted an invitation to join them for I had always felt there
must be something wonderful about being in the very places which are imprinted in my mind through my reading of
the bible stories. Although I was determined to travel with optimism and enthusiasm there was, nevertheless,
slight apprehension concerning the political tensions in the country. However I was to discover that, as often
happens, the reality on the ground was far removed from what we see and read in the news and places of
pilgrimage were open and very welcoming to visitors as were all the people we met as they went about their daily
business.

Space doesn’t permit me to tell you in detail of all the places visited for it was an action-packed twelve days.
Johnny, our Christian-Arab guide (who lives most of the year in America with his Methodist minister wife and
only goes to Israel for a short time each year to visit family and take a few tours!) bombarded us with
information for at least eight hours a day.

The pilgrimage began in Jerusalem not only visiting the sites associated with Jesus’ ministry but also meeting
the local Christian community to offer them our support and encouragement. It was quite awesome to stand on
the Mount of Olives at the spot where Jesus wept over Jerusalem and look across the Kidron Valley to see the
Golden Gate, the Dome of the Rock and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. From there we walked down to the
Church of all Nations and read and sang in the Garden of Gethsemane. Next day began on Mount Zion at the Upper
Room. We then entered the Old City through the Zion Gate and followed the Via Dolorosa through the very hot,
busy, noisy, narrow, steep lanes to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre reminding us that this was just the way it
was as Jesus made this long, arduous walk carrying a heavy wooden cross. This was followed by a day in
Palestinian territory visiting Bethlehem and it was so refreshing to find ourselves, in the cool of the morning,
singing and celebrating communion together in the Shepherds Fields and looking down on Boaz’ field.

Leaving Jerusalem behind we drove south along the shore of the Dead Sea viewing Qumran and the site of the Dead
Sea Scrolls to Masada, which we ascended by cable-car, to see the fascinating ruins of Herod’s hanging palace.
After a break to enjoy a ‘floating experience’ in the Dead Sea we continued to the southern crossing point into
Jordan where the countryside is so reminiscent of Biblical times. Jordan was way beyond my expectations and is
a stunningly beautiful country with its wonderful rock formations and mini Grand Canyon at Wadi Mujib.
Entering the Rose Red City of Petra on horseback was absolutely breathtaking as we tried to take in the scale of
the site and the extraordinary beauty of the tombs and temples hewn out of the red sandstone. At the time of
Jesus, Petra was a magnificent Nabatean city of enormous wealth, which controlled much of the trade that passed
through the region.

Each time I’ve read the story of the Exodus I’ve wondered how Moses must have felt when he finally viewed the
Promised Land never believing that I would celebrate Communion on Mount Nebo one day and see this magnificent
sight for myself. Before leaving Jordan we were able to visit the spectacular ruins of Jerash, the best
preserved of all the Decapolis cities as well as one of the most significant religious discoveries of the past
century, Bethany beyond the Jordan, which is the likely place where John the Baptist lived and preached and
where he baptised Jesus – and where we were able to have a paddle and cool our very hot feet!

We returned to Israel to spend three nights in Galilee, still very evocative of the time of Jesus’ ministry
there. In the well-preserved ruins at Capernaum we were able to see what was very probably Simon Peter’s
mother-in-law’s house, we read and sang in the synagogue where Jesus taught and celebrated Communion on the
shores of the lake at Tabgha beside the Church of the Loaves and Fishes.

I had been really looking forward to visiting Nazareth Village since Fred Aitken from Rumbling Bridge spoke to
us about it at the Womens’ Group in Fossoway. Nazareth Village, set in the Old City of Nazareth, is a
re-creation of an authentic first century farm and village. It was created through the co-operation of Holy
Land Christians (Fred being one of them) with the international Christian Community. Visitors encounter
hillside farm terraces growing olive trees, grape arbors and other crops typical of Jesus’ day. Donkeys, goats
and a flock of sheep roam the land. The Village also includes homes, shops, a synagogue and a working olive
press. Villagers in first-century costumes demonstrate the farm practices and prepare a meal that allows you
to experience the daily life Jesus knew. It is a labour of love with Christ at the centre.

The Holy Land is unique in offering so many highlights and contrasts in such a compact area and each day of our
pilgrimage was very different from the one before. No one who undertakes this pilgrimage can fail to return
home without their faith being enriched for it is a very special experience to follow in the footsteps of Jesus
but the experience which affected all of us in the group to the very depth of our being was meeting the staff
and children at the Al Shuruq Blind School. The school receives blind and visually impaired children between
the ages of 3-14 and since the large majority comes from poverty-stricken remote villages and refugee camps in
the West Bank and Gaza, the school provides full accommodation and medical care. The aim of the school is to
rehabilitate the children and, based on individual assessments, to help the children gain enough independence
and self-confidence to enable them to integrate back into their local community, live independently with their
families and attend local mainstream schools therefore enhancing their chances of equal opportunity. The
children were very happy and obviously receiving a very good standard of education - we had never heard the
story of ‘Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves’ read with such accuracy and expression as by three ten-year old girls
who were reading from Braille and in perfect English!!

We were shown the site where a much-needed new school is being built and you can imagine how we felt when we
were told that it is the Boys’ Brigade in Scotland who have raised the money for the new outside recreation
area. Many of those happy, smiling, blind children are experiencing the stark reality on the ground of what we
hear and read in the news by not being allowed to go back to their families for the school holidays and not
being allowed to travel into the library in Jerusalem to get the Braille books they need for their studies but
we will never forget the sound of their beautiful voices singing the song ‘We shall overcome’ with the words
imprinted on our hearts ‘we do believe, deep in our hearts, we will overcome – we will join hands – we will have
peace one day.’ Amen

Love and best wishes to you all, Catherine

Do you enjoy singing? Can you sing in tune? If the answer is yes, Fossoway Choir needs you.

We are planning a Christmas extravaganza entitled 'Rock Nativity' which will be performed at the Christmas Eve
Service. Rehearsals are scheduled for Tuesday evenings 7.30 - 9.30pm in the church hall. It is not
essential to read music. A warm welcome awaits you.

Don Finlay

P.S. If you’re not sure you can sing in tune but would like to sing in the choir – see me privately.

What is it?
A working group of individuals within the congregation who have an interest or involvement in Christian
Education.
The group is looking at the continuity of education from baptism to adult years.
They will feed back and formulate policy for presentation to the Kirk session.
The group will support, stimulate and encourage individuals who are involved in the process of Christian
education.

Who is in the group?
Helena Thompson, Gillian Bird, Fiona Turnbull and Rev. Ray Gaston who are all Elders.
Jo Brown is the Teenage group leader and formerly Junior Church superintendent.
Sheila Mason is now the cradle roll secretary.
Depending on what is being discussed other people may be asked to come along.

What areas are discussed?
Christian Education for all ages. Starting with Baptism right through Pre School, junior church, teenage group,
older teens and communicants, holiday clubs, adult education and house groups.
This can include very simple but effective ideas such as the “welcome bags” for little ones in church, having a
cradle roll secretary to maintain contact with young families to looking at the development of and support for
the Junior Church.

Not too long ago, the Teenage Group went on a trip to the Barcaple Abernethy Trust Centre. It is a Christian
Activity Centre and part of a family of four other centres.

We set off from the Church on the Friday afternoon. We all then spent two nights and came back on the Sunday
afternoon.

There were loads of things we did like tree climbing, a team challenge, abseiling and more. We all loved going
down the zip-lane and the raft building, even though some of us get very wet then! We also did games in the
evening like Ultimate Frisbee where non-contact was pushing and shoving everyone about!

We all had a great time including Jo and the minister Joanne! We all tried new things and some of us even faced
our fears!

We all had a brilliant weekend and we all really enjoyed it.

Special thanks to Joanne and Jo.

Programme until December 2007

OCTOBER: Saturday 13th - Innerdounie Ridge (1630ft)
Leave church at 10am. Leader – Jim Christie

NOVEMBER: Saturday 17th - Blairadam Forest
Leave church 12.20pm. Leader – Colin McCrone (Tel: 01383 852217)

DECEMBER: Wednesday 12th - Loch Leven Trail with lunch at Loch Leven’s Larder
Leave church 10.30am.
Leaders – Kitty McCrone and Eunice Harley (Tel: 01383 852217 / 01577 840219)

For further information about the programme please contact Kitty or Eunice on the numbers above.

By Sarah Menzies

From the age of five it has been my dream to be on the stage and now, 12 years later, I find myself one step
closer to achieving that goal. A year and a half ago I was offered the chance to study ballet full time at a
small school in the village of Taynuilt, 12 miles outside of Oban. Ballet West offers excellent dance training
and, as it has a select amount of students, lots of individual attention!

The course that I will be studying is a BA honours degree. This will give me the opportunity to go on and do
another degree later in life, if I so desire. It also gives me the ability to teach. However, above all, it
allows me to perform which is the path that I hope to follow. I still have to decide whether I want to do only
ballet or if I wish to pursue a career in musical theatre (another fabulous opportunity Ballet West has to
offer). However, I hope I do not have to make this decision for quite a few years to come.

Many people ask me “Why ballet?” and my answer to them is - Freedom. When I dance I feel as though nothing else
in the world matters. I can do what I want to do and be who I want to be. Ballet may not be the most sociably
acceptable or ‘cool’ sport in today’s society but my reply to these cynics is “ballet is not a sport, it is an
art. It requires skill, poise and technique”. This is why I dance, because every day brings with it a different
challenge and a new opportunity to truly be me.

I am not very sure what exactly to expect when I attend Ballet West as the longest time I have spent there in
the past is one week. I do know it will be hard work and incredibly physically demanding but this is what it
takes to achieve your dream and I am willing to do whatever it takes to help me achieve mine. I am going to
finish with a quote from the popular stage musical Billy Elliot as I feel it describes perfectly the way ballet
makes me feel:

“I suppose it’s like forgetting, losing who you are … suddenly I’m flying, like electricity.”

The Evergreens Group was started in January 2002 through the efforts of Dorothy Dalton and Rea Roulston. The
idea was to bring together people of 50+ from the church and the community for coffee and a chat. A subgroup of
gentlemen discussed the history of the church and graveyard, another subgroup formed a book club and others just
came for a chat.

Initially there would be about 20-30 people at each meeting. In spite of all efforts to encourage more people to
join in, the numbers have gradually dwindled away to a non-viable number and so the group has now been
discontinued.

Monies raised in the past year have been donated to the flower group.

by Jim Christie

Glebe: The Church property Trustees in Edinburgh were approached for financial assistance towards paying the
costs involved in re-fencing the glebe, but they were reluctant to loan the money due to the long payback period
based on the current rental.

In an effort to reduce the cost, a family within the Church congregation has kindly agreed to undertake the
dismantling and disposal of the old fence over the winter months. This should reduce the cost by over £600.00

The fencing Contractor has been asked to re-submit a reduced quote in light of this saving. On obtaining this
modified quote, the Trustees will again be approached for financial assistance.

Manse Windows: After a long succession of broken promises we now appear to have a fixed date for work to
commence, and subject to our agreement installation will begin on 24th Sept. The work is scheduled for six
working days.

As a consequence of the serious failure to fulfill the promises made by this company the Cleish and Fossoway
Function groups will consider what further action should be taken to express our disappointment with the service
received.

Christian Resources Exhibition & Conference

You need time to attend any Christian Resources Exhibition.

NEXUS 2007, at the SECC in Glasgow was no different. And why? Because you must be prepared to be approached or
stopped as you pass almost every stand and exhibit. Providers of Christian resources – very often specialist
products and services – must be among the best sales people to be found anywhere. Now you might find this
threatening or even annoying, but they all do it with a smile on their face and with a friendly word. They don’t
necessarily want you to buy. Most seem content to raise awareness of their product or service and provide
information.

This year, CRE joined forces with Clyde Presbyteries to put on NEXUS at the SECC between 23rd and 25th August.
The event attracted over 150 exhibitors from across the UK offering everything you can imagine to assist with
running a Christian community. Books, music, organs, hymn and song players (for those who cant afford an organ
or keyboards in the church), furnishings, projectors and screens, communion silver, offering envelopes, software
systems for office bearers, resources for junior churches, care home provision, funeral care and so on ……… get
the idea?

There were also some 50 “Local Church Stories” where ordinary church members exhibited and explained how God is
working in their congregations to reach out and help others. There was a real buzz among the
multi-denominational representatives from Baptists, Catholics, Methodists, and of course the Church of Scotland
as they explained their projects such as - ministry to the unemployed, men’s ministry, support for orphaned
children, puppet ministries, seekers courses and eco-congregations. Fantastic vision, innovation and passion.

Each of the three days had a theme. Day 1 – Church Without Walls; Day 2 – About Education and Day 3 – About
Youth with a series of (5) seminars on each day presented by a wide range of speakers from such as TearFund,
AlphaScotland, Church Edit Websites and most notably Archbishop Mario Conti.

The exhibition and seminars were all well presented and attended and there was an abundance of (mainly free)
handouts and information packs.

It was an excellent shop window on the “supply industry” which supports the church and faith communities. I
commend it to all church office bearers, indeed members generally.

Look out for NEXUS 2008, which will return to the SECC in Glasgow.

Gordon Brown

We are back in business!

Over the summer we have had gremlins in the office. As a result our copier and computers gave us endless
problems. We apologise for any inconvenience caused to the community.
The good news is that we have a brand new copier, which gives excellent copies (both colour and black and
white), and is faster and cheaper than the old machine. All in all it is a much superior copier with all the
latest technology.
The computers and Broadband are also in working order again. They are ready for you to practise, send emails or
come on a computer course. Please come along for your copying or computing.

Our opening hours are:-

Tuesday 7.00 - 9.00 p.m
Thursday 3.00 - 4.00 p.m.
Saturday 10.00 - 12.00 noon

For pricing of a larger job please contact our co-ordinator, Jo Brown, Tel: 01577 840185 (answering machine) or
email fcco@btinternet.com

Wumenu Community Farm, Ho, Ghana
1st Visit Update from Abigail Harper

I have recently returned from 2 weeks in Ghana, mainly at the Wumenu Community Farm Project, 2 weeks that have
had a huge impact on me. My first impressions will be lasting, some of the most friendly people I had met, even
the passport control officers smiled; so welcoming where ever I went, generous, caring and sharing despite
having so little, wanting to talk and learn, wanting to share their stories.

I arrived in Accra early Sunday morning to a deserted airport, but once I was outside life was as busy as it is
in any capital city. Following a few hours sleep at Amu’s mum’s house and a walk around the local neighbourhood
we set off to Ho, where we stayed the night at the teachers’ hostel. Ho is the nearest town to the farm and the
capital of the Volta region. Monday morning we arrived at the farm in blazing sunshine. There was no grand
entrance to the farm; we just parked the car at the side of the road.

The farm compound is basic, 4 mud rooms, a few wooden benches, a couple of blue plastic ‘garden furniture’
chairs and some of the most amazing people I have ever met. Throughout the day I was made to feel very welcome
by everyone. There were a few language barriers as for many people English is their third language. The Volta
Region used to be part of Togo so French is still spoken by many. Ewe (pronounced ey-wey) is their traditional
(pre-colonial) language. This was the first thing that made me feel so humble, these guys (at this stage I had
not met any of the women who work on the farm) all speak at least 2 if not 3 languages yet have had less
schooling than most of us in the UK.

During my first week I got to know much of the happenings on the farm, their challenges as well as their
successes. The chief’s grandson took me to the Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary for Mona monkeys which is registered
as an Eco-tourism site. On the Friday afternoon we went back to Accra and I spent the weekend with Amu’s family,
seeing the sites. On Sunday I went to the short service at the local Baptist church with Amu’s cousin. This
service lasted only 3 hours, short compared to the 5-hour service to which his Aunty Rebecca went.

On the Tuesday I went back to Wumenu, leaving the house in Accra at about 6am for the 5-hour bus journey. Again
a really warm welcome. Tuesday & Thursday night we stayed on the farm and I was given the privilege of a room to
myself. This meant that Kodem, the farm manager, had to go to the village to stay with friends while I slept in
his room. Amu slept outside on one of the benches whilst I had a bed. I say bed but it was a concrete area about
the size of a double bed with a mattress made out of reeds/grasses bound together into bundles with a blanket on
top. There was the mosquito net over the top of me, which later I noticed had holes in it, so any determined
mozzie would have got in. I was covered in insect repellent and there was an insect repellent coil burning as
well. Fortunately I did not get bitten once in 2 weeks so something worked. It was not the comfiest place I have
ever slept, but not the worst as it was dry, wind proof and relatively warm, which beats a tent on Rannoch Moor
in the pouring rain of a Scottish Summer.

There is no power at WCF even though there are power lines that run along the front of the farm. This creates
all sorts of limitations, including the lifeline of communication. Mobile phones loose their value when they
cannot be charged. It is possible to buy a transformer, which could provide electricity for WCF and the
neighbouring area for about £1000. However this would not mean 24/7 electricity. Electricity is rationed due to
chronic shortages and historic mismanagement at government level. Usually, in Accra there is a cycle of 12hours
on and 12 hours off, however, this cycle is not fixed. If there is an important function somewhere in the city
the power can be redirected with no notice given. Most of the electricity is created through a hydro station on
the Volta River. Yes in sub-Saharan Africa they are depending on rain for power! One thing that is not in short
supply is day light so solar powered items such as phone charges and lights could prove very useful.

So is there enough rain to provide the water that is needed to live (not taking into account the need for hydro
power)? Possibly, but there is virtually no system set up for storing it, no huge reservoir systems. If there
were reservoirs the water would only evaporate. At Wumenu village the Rotary sunk a borehole that was supposed
to reduce the need for the villagers to walk over 10 miles round trip to get clean fresh water. The borehole
sounded like a good idea, but the water turned out to be salty so cannot be used for drinking, cooking, animals
or irrigation. On the farm a water holding tank was created with guttering from the hut providing the water to
fill it. All that work and live on the farm use this water for all their needs, as it is the best around. It is
clean, not salty, not from a ditch, and does not involve a long walk. Whilst I was there it rained and we were
able to see how the water floods the outdoor living area. This gave us an idea. The water needs to be channelled
into a drain and then stored underground, where it can’t evaporate, it can then be used when it is needed by
being pumped into a storage tank above ground once electricity is available. All new buildings on the farm are
to have guttering that feeds into storage tanks. The guttering is the easy bit, the creation of the storage
tanks will take time and cost money but once they have been created they will enable the farm and the hostel
that has been built to have water almost all year round. It should even be possible to irrigate the crops that
are grown on the farm.

The Village Chief and his sons have agreed to allocate 150 acres (60 hectares) of their land to WCF. This extra
land includes a large ditch that fills with water when it rains. There are some initial plans to develop this
ditch into a water storage area. There are plans to link the current water storage system to a second tank. One
situated close to the first but 20 feet above the ground. This tank is then to be linked to an irrigation system
that covers the current farm area. The plan is to use underground pipes transporting the water to a standpipe,
to where moveable trickle irrigation pipes will be connected and water pumped and gravity fed to the crops that
need it. Trickle irrigation is the most effective means of getting water across a large area with the lowest
level of evaporation. The rain guns we see here in the UK not only use a large amount of water but the level of
evaporation is also very high.

So water and electricity are the two major issues at the moment. The development of the farm is dependent on
these factors. The people of the WCF made me feel so welcome that when it came to leave on the Friday I did not
want to. The rain obviously knew this as it delayed our departure for a couple of hours. Even so when the bus
picked us up it I felt my eyes get hot and start stinging, I was not going to cry, I was not going to cry. For
the 4 hours back to Accra I kept telling myself that and somehow it worked. Whilst the west midlands and south
of the UK were getting battered by rain I was in a bus on the way back to Accra in the most amazing lightening
storm I have ever seen, with rain to match.

My visit made me realise that the FWCF charity can do so much to help the people of Wumenu Community Farm
develop their little piece of Ghana. With the correct guidance from local sources and with the help of those
that are involved with the charity and want to visit, WCF can become an example of how aid and co-operation
between different cultures can benefit all those involved.

If you would like any more information or would like to help in any way, from donations of money to donations of
ideas and practical advice please feel free to either see me on a Sunday morning, knock on my door, give me a
call, write me a letter or email me, and for those of you in and around Crook of Devon you can see my Mum or Dad
(Janet & Alan).

Best wishes,

Abigail Harper
25 Newgate Close, Jersey Farm, St Albans, AL4 9JF
01727 800 292
07880 542 520

___________________________

Spafford Children’s Centre, Jerusalem

How it all started
On Christmas Eve in 1925, a woman named Bertha Spafford Vester met a couple in Jerusalem with a tiny newborn
baby, seeking medical care. As it was Christmas Eve, all the hospital outpatients departments were closed.
Bertha took action and the woman was admitted to the hospital but, the following day, the man came to her house
to say that his wife had died. He begged Bertha to take care of the baby, as he lived in a cave and feared that
the child would die if he returned home with him. She accepted the child, a little boy whom she named Noël, and
that was the start of the Spafford Baby Hospital.

Since that time, the Centre has grown, adapting to the changing political situation and needs of the local
population. Its programmes have gradually expanded and diversified and are still developing and changing to meet
new situations as they arise. For example, the long school closures and violent disturbances caused by the
current intifada (Palestinian uprising) left many children psychologically traumatized, unable to adapt to
normal life and school education. The Centre has met this challenge by developing a Psycho-Social-Special
Education and Cultural Department to help the children and mothers cope with the situation.

Current activities
The Centre provides health care for thousands of disadvantaged children in Jerusalem, offering an integrated
range of services that are grouped within different departments. In the Medical Department the daily paediatric
clinic is staffed by a paediatrician and nurse. Children up to 18 years old are examined and treated with
medicines and food supplies available in the small dispensing office on the premises. In the Infant Welfare
Section, babies and children receive a full range of vaccinations and their growth is carefully monitored
through regular weighing and measuring. Children with problems are referred to the paediatric clinic or other
departments. The experienced staff advises mothers on nutrition and the general care of the child.

The Social Section offers individual and group counselling for women and adolescents. The courses for
adolescents are given mainly in schools, but deal with subjects outside the normal school curriculum. The
courses for women cover all aspects of a woman’s life, including social aspects. Therapeutic sessions help
relieve post-traumatic stress syndromes resulting from past or present hurtful events. In addition, practical
support is given to people in need.

In the Psychological Section, children are tested and registered in courses where they receive special education
and counselling. As the results are usually better when the child is young, emphasis lies on early detection and
treatment, and special Play Therapy courses are designed for pre-school children.

The Educational Section helps children with problems caused by a learning disability or psychological stress and
runs parallel to the normal school curriculum. Children with a speech problem learn to overcome their difficulty
in the Speech Therapy Section. Their disability may be the result of a psychological problem but, if not
addressed, will hamper the child’s development and create worse psychological problems. Often children with a
speech impediment also need educational help.

The Cultural Department was established in 1998. This department has expanded slowly and is assuming the
characteristics of a community club for children, teenagers and even mothers. Taking part in these activities
compliments the treatment the children receive in the other departments. The Department offers different
activities, ranging from art with different media, a library, folklore, dancing, theatre, music, sports and
games, and so on, and may help the child to develop talents and skills. During the holidays, camps are organised
for different age groups. These help to answer the needs of children and adolescents, giving them an opportunity
to enjoy some fun, laughter and relaxation with other people their own age, in otherwise difficult
circumstances.

Spafford Children’s Centre has earned widespread trust and respect. The Centre is forward-looking and highly
professional, and has pioneered the use of new techniques. It is also unusual in having been run by women for
the last 25 years and, in an area of so much sectarian conflict, in having Muslims, Jews and Christians among
its staff.

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Any comments or suggestions about this site, please email me at

djm_pow@btopenworld.com