Weekly Update - 13th May
Dear sisters and brothers
When I was a young man I spent a summer working for SAGA holidays as a Holiday Rep here in Aberdeen. Each week around 120 holiday makers would arrive by train and coach to stay in the University’s Halls of Residence, and it was my job to organise their coach tours and entertainment and make sure that their every need was catered for. I learnt a lot during that time in what could be a high pressure role. One thing I quickly noticed was that from week to week each group would have a very different character. Some weeks the group was great fun, others they were quite serious and on occasion there was a group for whom nothing seemed to be right. Somehow each group of people, who had never met before, took on a particular ‘culture’ - often shaped by the most dominant personalities in the party.
As Christians we are called to be salt and light wherever and amongst whomever we find ourselves. We have the opportunity to influence the culture of our work-places, the building in which we live, our friendship group and our families. And we can do that in quiet, often unnoticed, ways. By being people who tell the truth; who are willing to sit next the less popular person; who are quicker to listen than to speak; who are quick with a word of encouragement; or in a myriad of different ways – we can be an influence for good. Of course, sometimes it feels as if we are making little difference and a more negative and destructive culture is prevailing, but at those times we can remember that we are not simply trying to make things better by our own efforts, but are in fact demonstrating the truth of God’s coming Kingdom.
And there is one thing we can do which will make all the difference: pray. If we do not pray for our neighbourhoods and our neighbours, then who will? I was reminded of this following the recent Council Elections. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul urges Timothy to, first and foremost, pray for everyone and then makes special mention of “those in authority – that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:2). Paul knows that we can make a real difference to the culture in which we live by praying for those who have influence on shaping it.
So I would urge us all to do two things. Firstly to think about the way we conduct ourselves wherever we find ourselves such that we are a positive influence on the ‘culture’ of that particular group. The second is to pray especially for our newly elected councillors. In our parish they are: Hazel Cameron, Neil Copland and Deena Tissera. Let’s do all we can to be salt and light for the people amongst who God has placed us.
Can I remind you that the Café run by Sharron Forsythe is now serving soup from 11.30 till 12.30 on a Friday in Cairncry Community Centre. The lunch is free (although donations are welcome) and Sharron is hoping that the café and lunches will be good for our community and for those who need a helping hand at the moment. So why not go along one Friday and support her? It’ll be a small contribution to our together being salt and light in Stockethill. And, as always, if I can do anything to help or support you, please ask.
With love from Sarah and myself,
Ian
Rev. Ian Aitken
52 Ashgrove Road West
ABERDEEN
AB16 5EE
Tel. 01224 686929
iaitken@churchofscotland.org.uk
www.stockethillchurch.org.uk
Aberdeen: Stockethill Church of Scotland
Scottish Charity Number - SC030587