Church Without Walls: National Gathering 2008
On May 3-4th, 2008, a group of 13 people from our church attended a fantastic event in Edinburgh called the "Church Without Walls: National Gathering". At this gathering we were so encouraged to hear from others what God is doing in the Church all over the nation. We were also very blessed to encourage others with the news what God is doing right in our midst. We met hundreds of people from other churches in the "tented village," which was a field of tents where several churches from all over Scotland each set up pictures, billboards and objects in individual tents to help tell the story of how God is moving in our churches. This was a fantastic venue for everyone to see what has been happening as well as to hear the God stories arising from all corners of our land.
Our tent featured symbolic items that tell the story of what God is doing here at Martin's Memorial Church of Scotland. One significant item was the sign post titled "City of Refuge," with arrows labelled "peace," "hope," "mercy," "grace," "forgiveness," which were all underlined by the statement: "all welcome." This signpost communicates the vision that God has given Rev. Tommy MacNeil for our church to be a safe place where everyone is welcomed and joyfully accepted into our family; a family in which they can hear of the Savior and encounter his heart for them. Inside our tent we hung various items and pictures symbolic for where our church has come from and where we are going. These included plaques of our church history, pictures of each sector of our current church activities and an interview with our minister featuring his experience here this year. We also built a wall representing how God helped Nehemiah rebuild the city of Jerusalem. As a church community, we too are being built up by God to become renewed in all that he has planned for us to be. We were excited to share with the many people who passed through our tent that God has blessed us tremendously with growth in every area of our church, and that many new people have come to know Jesus. What fantastic news to be able to share! Those to whom we spoke frequently commented that they felt very encouraged and likewise inspired to press on for what God wants to do in their churches as well.
In addition to this mutual encouragement, the National Gathering was also a tremendous opportunity for us all to hear international speakers and worship artists who challenged us and inspired our faith to soar. Worshipping together with thousands of others from churches across the nation was an awesome and powerful experience. Together with them, we prayed in great faith that God would come and sweep over Scotland with a mighty revival. We believe the day is coming, so we wait and work together with eager anticipation! This undercurrent of spiritual encouragement and passionate faith was what defined the National Gathering experience for us. (That and a whole lot of fun and laughter that we enjoyed with each other as a church family!) We are so glad we had the privlege to go and represent our church. The National Gathering was a significant faith higlight of 2008 for all of us. The memories of this trip will continue to inspire us and compel us to press into God for more of what he has in store!
On Saturday, 27th June, 2009 the children from the Sunday School and Crèche were accompanied by their parents and teachers on a trip to Eoropie play park in Ness. Both the children and the adults had a great deal of fun in the sun! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed playing and relaxing in the fantastic park and eating the delicious barbequed food.
A big thank you goes to Sandra McCall and the many volunteers who organised this event, provided transportation, barbequed food and baked delicious cakes. What a treat! The picnic was a highlight for everyone involved. We pray for Godâs richest blessings on all the families involved in Sunday School and Crèche as they enjoy their Summer holidays.