6 September 2010

Today's headlines courtesy of the Baptist Union of Great Britain   Catholic church accuses BBC of 'anti-Christian' bias Britain’s most senior Catholic has accused the BBC of harbouring an institutional bias against “Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular”.  More...   Pope should resign, says O'Connor In a new film, Sinead O'Connor argues that Catholicism has been brought into disrepute by an 'anti-Christian' Vatican.  More...

God no longer male, Scottish Episcopal Church rules

A new order of service produced by the Scottish Episcopal Church has caused controversy by removing masculine references to God.  More...

Lady Gaga waits for the green light from God before gigging

Most artists suffer from nerves before each gig... but Lady Gaga has more on her mind than most. Because she has to wait for the green light from God - and if it doesn't happen, she's not going on.  More...

All of God's gadgets _ iPods, BlackBerrys, GPS units _ blessed at N.S. church

...Vaughn said the idea to hold a blessing of electronics came after hearing about an old English tradition called Plough Monday in which farmers would drag their tools to the church's door to receive a blessing for a good harvest.  More...

5 September 2010

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it writes: Please pray for Scotland and for our local community.  60% of the Newton Mearns area is in the top 10% most affluent areas of Scotland.  The proportion of the working age population that are unemployed is 4%, one third that of the national average.  Compared to the national average, hospital admissions due to alcohol abuse are 50% lower in Newton Mearns and breast feeding rates 50% higher.  A baby boy born today in Newton Mearns can expect to live around ten years longer than if he had been born in Govan.

PRAYER IDEAS

Give thanks for the resources that we as a community have been given.

Ask that we would be good stewards of these resources - that we would use our education, finances and position to advocate and petition for those who are less well off.

Pray for those - friends, neighbours, colleagues - who currently find themselves in a strained financial position. And others who face the threat, or reality, of redundancy.

Pray for our nurses, doctors, health visitors, carers and social workers.  For wisdom, compassion, adequate resourcing, good communication and team-work.

Pray that we would know a correct ordering of our priorities and values.

Pray that we would "have life, and have it to the full", John 10:10

We have also received a number of specific requests:

One lady asks that we will pray she will get a job closer to home.

A politician wrote: "we are able to offer leadership that all will be willing to share the burdens in difficult times and that we do not retreat to selfish individualism at the expense of the elderly, the poor or the vulnerable.  Difficult decisions are taken with compassion, fairness and justice.  And I hope that by caring for each other as a community and as a society we will grow both stronger and happier".

Prayer for the Sunday messages at churches in Mearns that they would point to God.

Prayer for a good Pop Connections programme with Crookfur primary schools and for Andy Silver from Pop Connections.

5 September 2010

24.7 prayer initiative

Coinciding with Mearns Community Week - this week! - we're engaged in a 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-that-week prayer event.  And getting involved couldn't be easier!  All you have to do is tell Ruth Macdonald over which hour, on which day between the 5th and 11th of September, you'll pray.  And if you want to you don't even have to tell Ruth!  You can sign up to get involved online.  Simply tell us your name and the date and hour you'll pray via the online sign-up page - it's that simple!

So, one week, three ways to get involved:

1. tell Ruth you're getting involved by calling her on: 07989-581355;

2. let Ruth know you're getting involved by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; or

3. miss out Ruth completely (!) and fill in the online sign-up page.

And as people sign-up we'll update online the "diary" of pray'ers - here.

5 September 2010

3 September 2010

Today's headlines courtesy of the Baptist Union of Great Britain   Stephen Hawking: religious leaders dismiss 'God not needed' comments The Archbishop of Canterbury has dismissed the conclusion by Stephen Hawking, the retired Cambridge scientist, that the Big Bang was the result of the inevitable laws of physics and did not need God to create the Universe.  More...   Related: Stephen Hawking and God - lazy reporters make up stuff Editor: Good article on the Hawkings story by Church Mouse and the comments after it make interesting reading too.  More...

Related: In praise of … God

The universe just ramped itself up. Simple. And yet doubts remain - spontaneous creation is, for most folk, just a contradiction in terms.  More...

White House forced to say Obama is a ‘mainstream Christian’ after attack from talk show host Glenn Beck

More...

Catholics in Britain; The fruits of adversity

Bolstered by immigration and challenged by the economic downturn, the church is playing an ever more active role.  More...

3 September 2010

We've got a brief "digest" of last night's Members Meeting online - it's in the secure Members Area and on the publications page.

3 September 2010

Well folks, Mearns Community Week is nearly here again! Tomorrow there will be a team from our church in The Avenue Shopping Centre, mingling with the shoppers and making sure everyone has their MCW programme and pen - to mark off all the events they are interested in!  We will be working alongside the other MCW groups, such as the Rotary, Scouts, Eastwood Photographic Society and some other local parish churches.

Make sure you read your programme and think about how you might like to take part in MCW 2010. There is more than ever in the brochure, with some new groups and organisations joining over the last year who are hosting events which might interest you and your friends. Feel free to make the most of the week by checking out what is happening on your doorstep.

Over the past five years NMBC has been very involved in the programme, and we continue to be well represented this year. Most of our weekly organisations are featured and of course we have our special Mearns Community Week Fun Day on Saturday 11th. The East Renfrewshire Food Festival will launch with us, so there should be plenty tasty treats for you to sample. We have fun things for kids, teenagers and adults to do and stalls to browse and buy. World Vision is the charity MCW supports for 2010, so proceeds from our fun day will go to help those in need.

People seem to be rising to the challenge of 24/7 prayer, with only a few slots left as I write. We will have a Balloon Launch at the Fun day – 168 balloons, one for each hour that was prayed. I wonder what the impact will be on our community, to see those balloons and to know that people have taken prayer seriously. More importantly, I wonder how the Lord will answer our prayers?

Let's  take the opportunities this week to connect with people in our community, and help them to know that God cares for each one of them.  That's Mission, that Matters!

3 September 2010

What purports (!?!) to be our final Mosaic menu list's online now.  And to continue the culinary theme, it's been such a moving feast [Ed: groan!] because - pleasingly - we've had so many suggestions of things to do.  Great stuff!  Why not have a look at the menu and think what you'll get involved with?

To choose from are:

Mosaic song - Peter Twynam-Perkins (0141-639 1776) or John Bingham (0141-639 6810)

Mosaic walk - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (0141-638 7834)

Mosaic crafty - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (07773-298905)

Mosaic Dalit plight - Trish Collins (0141-639 7034) or Elaine Murray (0141-639 6247)

Mosaic melting pot - Brian and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (0141-639 7034)

Mosaic food and discussion - Graeme and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (0141-639 8537)

Mosaic family - Adrienne and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (07980-893 956 or 07818-082147)

Mosaic dinner - John and Lorna Twynam-Perkins, and Janet and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (0141-638 3560)

Mosaic Edge - Martin Boyd

Mosaic fit - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (07801-298078)

Mosaic pool - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (0141-571 3060)

Mosaic book - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (0141-644 3488)

Mosaic Yf - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (07734-412395)

Mosaic sail - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (0141-644 3240)

Mosaic film - Fraser Muirhead (07932-023812) or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (0141-5860451)

2 September 2010

Our new directory will be published shortly.  If you've still to update your details or haven't been photographed yet, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it the office.  Updates should include:

- updated names of those at your address;

- updated address, telephone and email details; and

- one photograph of those who live at your address.

When published, we hope the directory will be a useful tool in connecting with, and getting to know, each other better.  Anyone wanting more details should get in touch with This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

2 September 2010

Today's headlines courtesy of the Baptist Union of Great Britain   Stephen Hawking: God was not needed to create the Universe The Big Bang was the result of the inevitable laws of physics and did not need God to spark the creation of the Universe, Stephen Hawking has concluded.  More...   Religion more important to people in poor countries than rich, surveys reveal More...

ITV1 to air Tonight special on Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Britain

Julie Etchingham has been investigating what kind of reception the Pope will receive when he arrives, for Tonight: Keeping the Faith?, which will air on the first day of the papal visit, Thursday 16 September.  More...

Lady Gaga is getting ordained to marry gay fans on stage

More...

Joan Smith: In defence of modern Britain

I've always thought it a bit rich for Christians to accuse other people of belonging to a 'culture of death', when they go in for all those crucifixions, pietas and bleeding hearts.  More...

1 September 2010

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Scottish National Coordinator of Christians in Sport, has been in email contact with us to pass on news of the events and activities coming up this autumn and winter.  In here email Kirsten says: I do hope this finds you well and having enjoyed the summer.  I just wanted to update you on some of the latest news from the Youth Department of Christians in Sport, and also to give you some dates of events in your area which you can point your young people towards in the next few weeks and months.  At the heart of Christians in Sport is a vision to reach the world of sport for Christ and there are two main emphases of our work with young people, often and ideally in conjunction with the local church:

Discipleship

Investing in those who are Christians, so that they may grow in their faith and represent Jesus in their world of sport through Pray Play Say (Praying for their team-mates; Playing in a way that honours God, and Saying something of the Good News of Jesus when opportunities arise).

Outreach

Providing opportunities for Pray Play Say'ers to invite friends to a place where those who aren't Christians can hear the Gospel in a relevant context.  Pray Play Say groups exist all across the UK, including one in Glasgow.  These are groups of young sportspeople getting together to play sport and to get into God's word, in order to:

Equip

- By using the Bible and the Pray Play Say youth way manual.

Encourage

- To be accountable to each other and to pray for friends who are not Christian.

Excel

- Half the time playing sport, honouring God and having fun.

Details of the Glasgow Pray Play Say group are as follows:

Dates: Thursday 9 September, 7 October, 4 November, 2 December, 13 January, and 3 February

Time: 7.30pm to 9.30pm

Venue: NMBC

Age: first to sixth years (parents/guardians/youth leaders welcome)

Cost: £2 (come dressed to play sport)

Leader: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (07973 880309)

Outreach events, including Night of Champions and One Day Sports Plus Camps, will be held locally and regionally in the coming year.  Details to follow.  Sports Plus Xtra is a residential weekend for those in fourth to sixth year (and gap year students).  This will take place from 11 to 13 February 2011 at Carronvale House in Larbert and will consist of main meetings, small group times, evangelism training sessions and of course plenty of sport and banter!  More details and a booking form can be found on the website.  Please do get it into your diary.  Finally our week long Sports Plus Camp will be held at Loretto School in Musselburgh next summer.  Dates to be confirmed.  If you have any questions or queries on any of the above please don't hesitate to contact me (07921-057825).

1 September 2010

Today's headlines courtesy of the Baptist Union of Great Britain   'One in ten church buildings under threat' Congregations across the nation must grasp “the big nettle” of selling off places of worship that have become a crippling financial burden, according to a leading bishop who said one in ten church buildings in his diocese may have to be sold.  More...   Tatchell given standing ovation at Christian festival The gay human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has received a standing ovation at the Greenbelt Christian festival. Speaking about "the struggle for queer freedom in Africa", he attacked church leaders who condone homophobic abuse, but praised the "brave, heroic Christians who refuse to go along with the persecution of people who are gay, lesbian or bisexual".  More...

Bible reading takes off at Soul Survivor

More than 10,000 young people left the summer youth event Soul Survivor committed to reading the Bible in one year.  More...

Papal visit: BBC sets out plan for blanket coverage

The BBC has today unveiled more details of its extensive plans for coverage of the forthcoming UK visit by Pope Benedict XVI, with more than 10 hours of live broadcasting on BBC1 and BBC2.  More...

National Secular Society want to ban RE from schools

More...

Bollywood to make film in Holy Land

A Bollywood movie about the childhood of Jesus is to be shot in the Holy Land, Indian filmmakers have announced.  More...

Christians could learn a lot about life from heavy metal, says cleric

More...

1 September 2010

Earlier months' news from 2010 is now in the archive.  News from 2009 and earlier is also available here.  Check it out there if you think you've missed something.