Glasgow Road , Paisley PA1 3PA
Telephone: 0141-889 7060
e-mail: Church Office
e-mail: Webmaster
Scottish Charity No: SC007484
SHERWOOD GREENLAW CHURCH
Church Without Walls News
On Sunday the 21st January 2007 we marked our entering the fifth year of our Church Without Walls mission by holding a special service of rededication.
Review – Four Years On
During the service the Session Clerk, Veronica de Blieck, made a special powerpoint presentation which reminded us that the original purpose of CWW was to help us as a church family respond more directly, inventively and enthusiastically to Jesus’ invitation – “Follow me”. Having committed ourselves to showing God that we loved Him because He loves us and offers us salvation, we had begun our CWW mission by studying Matthew’s Gospel.
We believed that if we were seriously setting out to bring others to faith in Christ then we would have to improve our own Christian education, be clear about what we ourselves believed and be fortified through a stronger basis of prayerfulness. In some respects then we had started our CWW mission by looking INWARDS before working OUTWARDS.
Past Initiatives
She listed some of the past initiatives which had been undertaken:
The Gospel Guidance Pack The Kirk Session Prayer Book
Prayer Workshop The Praise and Prayer Day
Guest Services Early Bird Services
Holiday Clubs The Congregational Meal
The Bowling Night The Big Day Out
Church Website Welcome Literature
Some of these projects had been about building our own faith and strengthening ourselves through prayer and reliance on God’s empowerment and resources. Others were aimed at bridging the generation gap and operating more as a church family that included all ages.
One of the biggest initiatives to come out of the CWW think tank had been the halls modernisation project. This was not about making ourselves more comfortable- it was about being more engaging and welcoming to others - particularly the parents of the numerous children who attend the various organisations through the week but who have no other connection with the church.
She asked each of us to recall whether we had been involved in or supported any of these initiatives and posed the question “ If not – why not?”
Displaying photographic reminders of several of these events she explained that we had discovered people’s talents and energies and our worship has been enriched.
Personal experiences shared
Some of our members had found themselves involved in things they had never dreamed they’d be doing. Two such people were willing to share their experiences during the service. Margaret Scott, one of our elders, described the impact that attending the prayer workshop had had on her and one of our Junior Church leaders, Lorraine Allan, spoke about the rewards of involvement in the holiday clubs.
Veronica went on to mention some of the future initiatives being planned such as the Quiz night and more guest services. She reminded the congregation that it was not only the responsibility of the few people on the CWW committee to come up with projects and ideas. She invited individuals, families, groups & organisations, even our visitors to contribute suggestions.
New Approach Needed
In conclusion she stated that the CWW campaign throughout the Church of Scotland had urged congregations to take a new approach. It had exhorted Kirk Sessions and Boards of Management and members to be less focused on simply “running congregations” but to be directing efforts towards “building communities” both internally - forging strong, harmonious relationships with one another and externally - becoming a major, welcoming and nurturing source of Christian values and influence in our local communities.
“ Don’t worry about survival – focus on revival!”
As we go forward with our CWW mission she suggested therefore that we need to learn this lesson:
Let us not get sucked down into the vortex of worry about our survival in the light of declining numbers. If we remain faithful, focus on revival and seek God’s inspiration and guidance He will provide us with whatever resources we will need to sustain the light of the Gospel message in whichever dark corners of Paisley our Church Without Walls mission takes us.
Following the Minister’s address the congregation then stood to offer the following prayer :
PRAYER OF REDEDICATION
God our Father, in gratitude for the things
you have done in us and through us,
we commit ourselves again to your purposes.
Give us vision to see your plan for us.
Give us courage to follow your way
Give us love to encourage, support and strengthen
our fellowship with one another.
Lord, may all we learn together, all we share together,
all we plan together, and all we undertake together
serve the glory of your name
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen