Greyfriars PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
PASTORAL LETTER
My Dear Friends,
"We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the
wonders he has done . . ." - Psalm 78:4 [NIV]
"Don't tell anyone. It's a secret", how often have we heard a child whisper a
confidence to us. The trouble is with us adults is that so often we talk too freely about
things that are confidences or secrets, while things that ought to be spread round the
community we keep to ourselves. Like the four leprous men from the besieged city of
Samaria in the Old Testament story [2Kings 7] who discovered the good news that the enemy
had fled and said to one another, "We're not doing right. This is a day of good news
and we are keeping it to ourselves". They went off and shared the news. Do you
remember Mark's account of the Resurrection? The women came to the tomb, found the young
man/angel who told them, "He has risen!" He further urged them to "go, tell
his disciples . . ." However, we are told that the trembling and bewildered women
fled from the tomb. "They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid". The
group of fearful disciples who locked themselves in the upper room were transformed at
Pentecost into a company of fearless preachers and witnesses who went everywhere
proclaiming the Good News of Jesus. Are we maintaining a guilty silence or joyfully,
winsomely sharing our faith?
- Alpha 2000 - a strategic ministry: From one end of the country to the
other, and across the spectrum of church traditions, local congregations are presenting
the Alpha programme to their local communities. We had a very successful Alpha Dinner here
a few weeks ago, and now the course itself is underway. Do be encouraged to continue in
prayer for the leaders and participants. Take time to encourage the Alpha leadership team
in the task they have undertaken. It is a significant commitment of time and energy. Keep
looking out for persons you might invite to share in the programme, either for the present
programme or in the future. In fact, it would be a marvellous thing for yourself to drop
in and get a taste of it. The video presentations are very well done indeed. They are a
very good introduction to Christianity. They are definitely non-threatening, and without
pressure. Nicky Gumble does an excellent job with clear, informative presentations, and
lots of good humour. Even if you have been on your Christian pilgrimage for many years,
you will find Alpha a refreshing, exhilarating experience - a wonderful spiritual
pick-me-up! It will also give you a fine overview of basic Christian teaching, as well as
providing a personal challenge.
- Christian Education: We have a heritage here in Greyfriars of a very
fine Sunday School. All Stars and Lazer Lights may well be far removed from the experience
you had of Sunday School as a child. However much is the same, not least in terms of the
loving commitment of the teachers. If you are anything like myself, you have very happy
memories of particular Sunday School teachers, and are grateful for the input they had
into your life at that time. We are thankful for the calibre of the staff we have at
present. However, it is never easy. Everyone has many calls upon their time. We are always
grateful for offers of help - even short term. This might very well be the opportunity for
you to stand in the same relationship to our children and others once stood to us in days
gone by. I am sure Jenny Ackroyd, our Children's Ministries Co-ordinator, would love to
hear from you, and be only too glad to discuss with you ways in which you could be of
help. Please do think about it.
- Youth Ministry: Greyfriars has a long tradition of a vibrant and
"successful" youth ministry led by capable and enthusiastic leaders. This has
continued almost without a hiccup of the best part of thirty years, and indeed, beyond
that, if you take into account the old Bible Class movement days! Every year, seemingly
without too much difficulty, a continuing succession of willing, able leaders has
presented themselves. Humanly speaking, that has been the foundation of any success we
have experienced. These young leaders have given themselves unsparingly, sometimes at
personal cost. As was mentioned some weeks ago, this year almost for the first time the
leadership pool has appeared to diminish, and is presently short in numbers. Session would
urge you to consider, whatever your age bracket, whether you can give some assistance.
Trevor Kent would love to talk to you about ways in which you could be of help to the team
as it struggles to cope with the present numbers and the demands of the programme. As
mentioned earlier in regard to Sunday School, most of us have happy recollections of the
youth group we attended in our teens. It is a key area of ministry and we neglect it - or
let it drift - at our peril. Do keep on praying for our youth ministry here. It is more
important than ever in times like these.
- House Groups: This programme too is getting underway for the new term.
We are continuing with our studies in "Basic Christian Disciplines". Even if you
have not shared in such a group before, can I urge you to begin now? You will find it a
wonderful opportunity of fellowship and sharing, as well as a good way of studying the
Bible together. It can also be a marvellous time of mutual, informal encouragement.
Doubtless before the term ends the groups will embark on new studies together. It is also
a good way to catch up with others in the congregation. It also helps us to stimulate one
another to faith and good works. Watch out for announcements. There is bound to be a group
that suits you. If not, why not recruit others and begin a new one? God bless you all.
Yours very sincerely,
J O Evans