What follows is Rev. Robertson’s message published in the current edition of the Church Magazine. You can see what’s on Scott’s mind at the moment by visiting his blog page at http://understandababel.blogspot.com.
Dear all,
I do hope that you had a good summer and have managed, between the showers, to have had some rest and recreation. For part of the holidays, Alison, Craig and I went up to Aberdeen where we enjoyed the frigid temperatures as the harr descended. Nonetheless a good time was had by all. Craig is in the middle of his latest movie project, a detective thriller, which will be out in cinemas around the country in due course.
Now that we are back, thoughts turn, obviously, to the new session here in St. Margaret’s. It proves to be an exciting time as we look to welcome Maggie as our new curate on Friday 9 September. Maggie’s arrival is just one example of the opportunities that we have here in St. Margaret’s to develop our life and ministry together. I’d like to tell you about another one.
The bishop, as he indicated at his appointment, has initiated a mission strategy for the diocese. This involves each congregation engaging in an initial period of reflection which leads to a specific choice (or choices) of missional activity. The congregations will be assisted in this process by a facilitator offered by the diocese. This facilitator will meet with the vestry periodically to discuss the various opportunities and options for mission that fit with the unique situation in which each congregation finds itself. St Margaret’s will, of course, be involved in this strategy and the vestry will begin the reflection process in this new session.
The vestry, of course, are not the only people involved in mission. Each of us has our own unique part to play in the development of our life together here at St Margaret’s. And by initiating this process, the bishop is signalling that mission is to be at the heart of all that we do in the church. Another bishop from an earlier era, William Temple, once said that the church is the only organisation that exists for the benefit of non-members. This remains as true today as it did for previous generations. But, of course, mission is not simply about numbers. As part of our development as a congregation we will be looking at what we do well and what we need to improve. The emphasis at every stage is all about hope and encouragement. So please pray for the vestry as they begin this important work, and please, do be on the lookout for those God-given opportunities for mission and service which fall our way throughout our journeying together.
