Smithton Video Copy

Thank you to all who donated to the Teleios Christian School Appeal. £1,300 was raised from the celeidh and other sources and this will now be passed on to Jenny Wilson in South Africa.

Teleios school was set up one year ago by Jenny Wilson, in the grounds of Bethany Emmanuel Baptist Church in King William’s Town for children who need to be built up socially, emotionally and academically. It started with one pupil and now has 73 – all with barriers to learning of one sort or another, with children ranging from five years to seventeen years old. You can read more about Teleios in the Wilsons latest newsletter.

The rotas have been updated for July to December 2012. You can find the updated rotas on the downloads page here.

Dear members,

At a recent meeting of the Kirk Session it was decided to proceed with the election of new office bearers in the congregation. The congregation has grown significantly in recent years and we feel the need to increase the number of office bearers.

We would like to add to both the Deacons’ Court and to the Kirk Session, at this stage we have no exact numbers for that addition in mind.

Deacons are charged with managing the material aspects of the congregation, i.e. finance and buildings, as well as dealing with social and welfare ministries (Acts 6: 1-7). Elders deal with pastoral elements of the church, as well as dealing with developing strategy and mission within the church and community.

The full letter and accompanying nomination form can be downloaded here;

Office Bearers Nomination Letter

Office Bearers Nomination Form

A ceilidh is being held to raise funds for the Teleios Christian School in King William’s Town, South Africa;
Date: Saturday 23rd June
Time: 7:30pm
Place: Smithton-Culloden church hall

Music provided by Hannah and David Mackay and friends.
Soft drinks and eats provided.
Donations at the door for Teleios.

Teleios school was set up one year ago by Jenny Wilson, in the grounds of Bethany Emmanuel Baptist Church in King William’s Town for children who need to be built up socially, emotionally and academically. It started with one pupil and now has 73 – all with barriers to learning of one sort or another, with children ranging from five years to seventeen years old. You can read more about Teleios in the Wilsons latest newsletter.

The congregation will meet for a communion service on Sunday morning, 3rd June.

John Ferguson of Kingsview Christian Centre (APC) will be with us on Friday evening at 7:30pm and Alasdair Macleod of Lochbroom (Ullapool) Free Church on Saturday (7:30pm) and Sunday (11am and 6pm).

David quoted this hymn of John Newton on Sunday evening (13th May) in the sermon on Jonah “A disappointed Christian”;

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek, more earnestly, His face.

’Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer!
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once He’d answer my request;
And by His love’s constraining pow’r,
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry pow’rs of hell
Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

Lord, why is this, I trembling cried,
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
“’Tis in this way, the Lord replied,
I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I employ,
From self, and pride, to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou may’st find thy all in Me.”

John Newton

You can listen to Indelible Grace sing this on YouTube;

We have recent newsletters from Marsali Campbell, just returned to Dwellling Places in Kampala, Uganda and also from Alistair and Jenny Wilson in King William’s Town, South Africa. Alistair is Principal at Dumisani Theological Institute and we also have a recent news update from Dumisani;

Marsali Campbell’s news
Alistair and Jenny Wilson’s news
Dumisani Theological Institute news

This year’s Alive Festival takes place in Inverness from 16th June through to 23rd June. There are events throughout the city with Smithton hosting the ‘Equip’ Conference on Saturday 16th June which includes speakers, seminars, workshops and a praise evening.

For further details pick up an Events Programme from reception or take a look at the Alive Fesitival website.

Blythswood Care is asking us to help them again this year with their Highland Foodbank Appeal. Their appeal, which goes out to many churches in the Highlands, enables Blythswood to distribute emergency supplies of non perishable food to people in crisis. The products they wish us to contribute this year are Tins of Potatoes, Long Life Fruit Juice, Tins of Mince and Tins of Custard/Rice Pudding. If you would like to donate any of these items you can leave them at the church on Sunday or any day throughout the month of April.

Smithton will be the venue for the amazing Watoto Choir – Wednesday 4 April at 6.30pm – free admission.

Take a look at their website to find out more about the Watoto Children’s Choir.