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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