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Dear Friends,

It is difficult to imagine that any of you are unaware of the increasing publicity given to the condition of obesity, particularly among young people. You will also be aware of the massive costs already incurred by the NHS as a result of the rise in numbers who have this condition. Why it is such a sensitive issue is because it is closely associated with self image. Looking for the causes let alone the remedies is a complex issue.Who is going to take responsibility? Is it a cultural question to do with the freedom of choice (which is considerable in the case of food) or is it to do with personal ethics? Some have even gone to the extent of suggesting that there is a cultural depression, in which young people in particular have difficulty in looking forward to the future with much hope. Whatever your views on this issue, for Christians who regularly use the words “This is my Body” our reflection and lifestyle are critical. This includes the Bishop! When I am feeling anxious or tired the availability of things to eat and to drink can be for me, an escape!

In recent visits to some of the Diocesan charges, I have noticed careful and effective preparation of the intercessions. Thank you for that. I would draw your attention to using every week the Diocesan prayer cycle (currently in blue) and the Anglican Cycle of Prayer which is available online. I have also noticed the use of the yellow book of Collects, which was only a temporary document.

 If you are using the 1970 or the 1982 Liturgies please use “The Scottish Liturgy 1982 with Propers and Revised Common Lectionary” This is available from the General Synod Office or can be downloaded from the SEC website.

 

New Expectations for Vestry members

I have received information from the Secretary General of the SEC concerning Charities Regulations and membership of vestries. Those who serve as vestry members are now regarded as “charity trustees”. Your charge will have received notes and forms to be completed concerning this development. These are very important, so if you have not received them please get in touch with me.

 

Gift Aid

In The Church Times recently (5^th Oct 2007) there was important and useful information concerning the new 2007 Gift Aid regulations. If you would like to receive a copy of the article  please get in touch with me.

 

Church Action on Poverty

Poverty and Homeless Action Week (26^th Jan – 3^rd Feb 2008) is a major opportunity to discover and engage with poverty and social justice issues within your community. For guidance and information: info@church-poverty.org.uk

 

Inter Faith

Future international affairs and how conflict is addressed will, in my view, depend on our attitudes towards Inter Faith issues. The Churches’ Agency for Inter Faith Relations in Scotland (CAIRS) aims to promote good relations between people of different faiths in Scotland. On Skye there exists an Inter Faith group perhaps paralleled in other parts of the Diocese. If you are interested in pursuing the creation of such a group or contributing to it you can email andrew@cairs.org.uk

The website is www.cairs.org.uk

 

 

 

 “Exploring the Essence of Religion”

Bishop’s House Iona 5^th-9^th Nov 2007.

Running a retreat ourselves at Iona is a new venture for our Diocese and is an attempt to extend the season at Bishop’s House and also to give those who might not be able to come in a full group the opportunity to join a led retreat.

Dominic Ind is the Rector of St Saviour’s, Bridge of Allan. Drawing on “the big five” (Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam) Dominic will give a taste of what these ancient paths teach. He was a member of The First Order of The Society of St Francis and is an experienced retreat conductor. (Fee £250). www.island-retreats.org  or telephone 01681 700800

 

Listening Day

Saturday November 10^th  St John’s Cathedral, Oban 10am – 3.30pm.

The Province and the Dioceses of The Scottish Episcopal Church are committed to a Listening Process on issues of Human Sexuality, and in particular those in same sex relationships. This process takes place in the context of what is nothing short of a crisis for The Anglican Communion. The Listening Day in Oban will be about experience and learning and not about debate. If you are interested in attending and have not already done so, please let the Diocesan office know.

 

St Columba’s, Portree

On the 25^th of November at 11am, I will be inducting Canon Robert Breaden as Priest with Charge of St Columba’s. Robert is currently the Rector of Broughty Ferry and has been Dean of the Diocese of Brechin for many years. On behalf of the Diocese, we offer him and his family best wishes for his future ministry on Skye.

 

Assisi 2008 – May 25^th – June 1^st

Once again Elspeth and I are leading a pilgrimage to the magnificent city of Assisi in Umbria, Italy. Our next pilgrimage will be following in the footsteps of Saint Francis but with new insights and locations!

 

 If you are interested in participating please get in touch with me.

 

Welcome to The Scottish Episcopal Church.

A new leaflet about The SEC has been designed to give a brief overview of The Church and our beliefs. I would encourage all charges to order these leaflets from The General Synod Office in Edinburgh

 

 

Lambeth Conference 2008 16^th July – 4^th August

From the 11^th to the 15^th of July 2008 the Diocese of Argyll and The Isles will be hosting four bishops and their wives.

 You may have gathered from  the media that +Rowan the Archbishop of Canterbury is working hard to keep the Episcopal Church in the US and the African Churches positive towards attending the conference. To this end I hope each charge will be using The Anglican Cycle of Prayer on a daily basis, which includes every Diocese in the Anglican Communion. The Cycle mentions one Diocese each day.

So that you can be informed about The Lambeth Conference and involve it in your intercessions please visit the website www.lambethconference.org

If you would like copies of The Lambeth Conference bookmark please get in touch with this office.

 

Exploring the Life of the Orthodox Churches

As there is a strong connection historically in the SEC with Eastern Orthodoxy, you may be interested in the Philip Usher Memorial Fund. The expectations are considerable as there is a requirement to spend 18months in an Orthodox country. However, it may be an opportunity that someone has been waiting for. If you are interested please do get in touch with me.

 

 Rural Stress Helpline

RSH is an Arthur Rank Centre project offering a confidential listening service to those suffering stress or distress in rural areas. Information about this resource can be obtained from their website which you might promote in the district where you live. www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk  01247 685 3060

 

The Bells

The Scottish Association of Change Ringers has written to me concerning some bells that are looking for a home! The bells need to be rehoused from Greenock and The Quarriers Village. If you are interested please contact terry.williams24@btinternet.com

 Alternatively check the website www.sacr.org

 

Prayer for Christian Unity 2008

“But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters be at peace among yourselves.” (One Thess 5.12-18). Churches Together in Britain have produced order forms for pamphlet and preparation materials for The Week of Prayer (18^th-25^th January), If you have not got information contact www.ctbi.org.uk

 

THE BISHOP’S NOVEMBER DIARY

Thurs 1^st (All Saints Day) Lochgilphead (am)

Fri 2^nd – 6pm Incorporation of Glasgow Dinner with the Primus

Mon 5^th to Thurs 8^th – Eigg

Fri 9^th – 2.30pm Chapter meeting

Sat 10^th – Listening Day, St John’s Cathedral, Oban 10am – 3.30pm

Sun 11^th – St John’s Cathedral, Oban

Tues 13^th – Scottish Churches Rural Group, Dunblane

Wed 14^th and Thurs 15^th – The Provincial Doctrine Committee, The Bield, Perth

Sat 17^th and Sun 18^th – St Columba’s, Islay

Tues 20^th 2.30pm – Diocesan Stewardship Committee (Diocesan Centre)

Wed 21^st –12noon Magazine and Website meeting, Diocesan Centre

Sat 24^th and Sun 25^th – induction of Robert Breaden and AGM of St Columba’s, Portree

Mon 26^th 2.3opm – Diocesan Board of Mission and Ministry, Diocesan Centre and audio conference

Tues 27^th 10.30am –College of Bishop’s at General Synod Office

 

 

The December Newsletter – material to be received by Monday 19th November.

 

Reflection.

 Vaclav Havel, the poet and one-time President of the Czech Republic:
"Either we have hope within us or we don't; it is a dimension of the soul, and it's not dependent on some observation of the world. Hope is an orientation of the spirit, an orientation of the heart; it transcends the world that is immediately experienced, and is anchored somewhere beyond its horizons. Hope in this deep and powerful sense, is not the same as joy that things are going well, or willingness to invest in enterprises that are obviously heading for success, but rather an ability to work for something because it is good, not just because it stands a chance to succeed. Hope is definitely not the same thing as optimism. It is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out. It is Hope, above all, which gives the strength to live and continually try new things."

  

In the love of God, +Martin. Oban.

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