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THE 2006 SCOTLAND CONNECTION
- Account of a recent trip to the USA
"Reforming the Future: Making Disciples
through team ministry"
For a week at the end of September, 2006, a team from Hilton Church
had the opportunity to share in a conference with the Presbyterian Church
(USA) in Charlotte, North Carolina. The week long event was financed
and hosted by the city's four largest Presbyterian congregations, Myers
Park, Covenant, First and Sardis. 146 Scots from Church of Scotland
congregations all over Scotland travelled across the Atlantic to share
in this unique event which aimed to encourage team ministry and build
relationships between the two churches.
During the week, a worship service took place in each of the four hosting
congregations. There were a variety of seminars and an opportunity to
see many of the diverse ministries offered by the different congregations.Many
of the sermons and seminars were recorded, and we have made them available
on this page for you to listen to.
Some of the abiding memories of the visit are:
Organisation
146 Scots arrived in Charlotte on Saturday 23rd September and for 8
days, the four congregations together with the host families ensured
that everything (from worship services to bus transfers, from hotel
check-in to evening receptions, from golf tournaments to getting us
all back onto the planes home!) went smoothly. We learnt so much from
the commitment and professionalism of a large team working together
from four different congregations. Is there scope for working more closely
with our neighbouring congregations in worship and service?
Hospitality
As a team, we experienced quite exceptional hospitality. After the
conference was over, we stayed for two nights with host families who
really went "the second mile" in ensuring we had a memorable
trip to Charlotte. In every congregation, we experienced an overwhelming
sense of welcome and hospitality. The open hearted welcome of our fellow
believers in Charlotte stood as a challenge to our team from Hilton.
How hospitable are we as a congregation? Are we prepared to go "the
second mile" in terms of our welcome and hospitality?
Adult Education
In Scotland, Sunday School is offered to children as part of a worship
experience on Sunday mornings. In the US, Sunday School is offered to
all adults for one hour before the main service on a Sunday morning.
You will find details about the variety of different courses offered
on the website links to the 4 different congregations. In each of the
churches, we were particularly impressed by the well stocked libraries
which had extensive and up to date resources on just about any topic
you could think of. In a post Christian era, should we be investing
more time in educating our members? What about having an adult Sunday
School and an annual budget to stock a church library with a wide range
of books and other resources?
Networking
As well as learning from the US situation, the size of the Scottish
contingent meant that we were able to spend time with many people from
different congregations right across Scotland. Friendships have been
formed which will undoubtedly lead to closer links with other congregations
in Scotland.
And finally
..
The trip highlighted the benefits of spending time with believers from
other churches, whether that be in Scotland or the US or any other part
of the world. We are part of a world wide church and our church's life
is enriched by sharing and learning together. We would encourage you
to take any opportunity that comes your way to interact and experience
Christian community beyond your own congregation. It will change the
way you see things and it will change the congregation you are a part
of.
Duncan MacPherson: November 2006
Note: This report has been deliberately concise to give people a brief
"feel" for the conference on the website. For a detailed account
written by Peter Nielsen click on the link below;
Peter
Nielsen Report