Guild

The Guild’s Aim

“The Church of Scotland Guild is a movement within the Church of Scotland which invites and encourages women and men to commit their lives to Jesus Christ and enables them to express their faith in worship, prayer and action.”

One way in which we seek to fulfill this aim is by focusing on particular themes and providing resource materials to help local groups in the exploration of the faith.

Since 1997 the Guild has followed a pattern if adopting an overall strategy of worship, study and project work for a three year period, with a focus on a different aspect of that strategy in each year.

During 2006-9 the chosen overall theme is Let’s Live: Body, Mind and Soul and in this session, 2007-8, the emphasis is on the mind, exploring the theme Think on these things.

Let’s Live Body, Mind and Soul reminds us that we are physical beings who grow and develop and who have bodily strengths and weaknesses at different times in our lives. We each also have the gift of a mind capable of solving problems and free to make choices and decisions based on our needs and desires. When we read the creation narrative we sense God’s longing to communicate with us at the deepest level and in our own lives we know an answering need to explore the spiritual dimension of our humanity.

The theme of Think on these things can be developed in various ways. It is, of course, taken from the well known passage in Paul’s letter to the Philippians (chapter 4, v8)

Whatever is honourable, whatever is just, pure, lovely,

gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything

worthy of praise, think on these things.

For the whole three year period, the Guild is supporting the following Projects, each of which reflects some aspect of Jesus’ promise that He came to bring “life in all its fullness”.

Our partners are:

Borderline ~ this project seeks to help homeless Scots in London with a range of services including accommodation, advice and support for those wishing to return to Scotland.

Christian Aid ~ through this project Action for the Adivasi in Bangladesh, support is given to tribal people who have lost traditional lands and need help with nutrition, sanitation and education.

CrossReach-Social Care Council ~ the Beyond the Blues Bluebell Projects seeks to help some of the 11,000 women affected by post natal depression annually in Scotland, with support and counselling at a vulnerable time.

The Leprosy Mission Scotland ~ the Walking in the Light project is aimed at improving the quality of the life for people affected by leprosy in Nigeria. Protective footwear and orthopaedic appliances are enabling people to walk and regain independence.

Lydia Project ~ through the project Miriam: changing the world together, women in Eastern European countries are being empowered to build partnerships which develop practical projects to help people who have been abused and marginalized.

Scottish Love in Action ~ Touching the Untouchables is a project based in Andhra Pradesh, India and cares for destitute orphaned children providing a school, clinic and home.