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THE MOD'S BLOG ARCHIVE
You can read the Moderator's recent blogs below, or visit previous months.
10 November - Presbytery of Hamilton
3 November - Visiting offshore
10 November 2008
The Presbytery of Hamilton
Hamilton Presbytery has provided us with a myriad of memories, and our thanks go to the Presbytery Clerks for both preparing for this week, and for looking after us during it. Where to begin?
There has been much inspiration from individuals and groups who have seen a need in the community and responded to it.
International Children's Games bid, Lanarkshire |
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There has been the excitement of the successful partnership bid from North and South Lanarkshire Councils in bringing the International Children's Games in 2011; the privilege of visiting both the
Dungavel Centre and Shotts Prison, with the opportunity to observe the staff's first class work in demanding circumstances; taking part in services in East Kilbride, Shotts, Airdrie (where I celebrated communion and presented seventy long service certificates), Wrangholm and Wishaw; a Guild Rally in Bellshill, (where Maggie spoke about Alternativity); we visited the new High School in Coatbridge, the shared campus primary schools in New Stevenson and took part in an assembly at Mossneuk.
 Maggie Lunan at the Guild rally
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We participated with Cardinal O'Brien in the dedication of the Lanarkshire Global Education Centre in Coatbridge; lunch with Bishop Devine, Provost Russell Cleary and Provost Tom Curley; a tour of the St Andrew's Hospice and the Police Training Centre at Jackton; a visit to the Orbiston Neighbourhood and |
the David Livingstone Centres. Our blog can only give a flavour of this full and fulfilling week.
We arrived at Dungavel, aware of media images and reporting, not sure of how we would feel; we came away more than reassured, wanting to affirm the staff for their caring approach and very conscious of the strict independent monitoring, and clear management targets. Within the perimeter fence, the freedom of movement, the wellbeing of everyone, and the general sense of calm are to be applauded. It was interesting to note that in the recent Independent Monitoring Board the only complaint was on the lack of, or slow response from legal representatives.
We would similarly want to pay tribute to the staff of Shotts Prison – with their emphasis on relationships, their concern to retain family links, and the opportunity for self-development for prisoners. I don't underestimate how hard it must be to work there and how sometimes it must feel like there is no progress; nevertheless we came away feeling that it is a good news story to be shared with a wider public.
Real inspiration came from the church at work; we had a meal at the Hamilton Churches' Drop-In Centre for the Homeless – which opened in 1995 and has only missed thirteen nights since then. Staffed by over 200 volunteers from across all the churches in Hamilton, they provide - every evening - a three course meal, shower and washing facilities, a clothing store; but most of all friendship. A grant is given by the Council, but most of their work is funded by donations from churches, schools and individuals.
| In quite a different way Orbiston Neighbourhood Centre reaches out to their community from the church building; it offers art projects, after school care, a credit union, computer access, training, |
Orbiston after school care
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and a food co-operative - to name but a few. This is centred around a community café (we can recommend the home baking) and daily worship.
The PHEW (Parental Help Evenings and Weekends) Centre in Motherwell was set up by friends and carers of children (and adults) with severe to profound learning difficulties. As with so much that we saw in Lanarkshire, it was the attention to detail which impressed us; the beautiful hotel standard accommodation, the multi-sensory room, the hydrotherapy pool, the sensory garden, the emphasis on being a welcoming place for short breaks and respite, and not an institution. It was a joy to see round their beautiful premises.
At the David Livingstone Centre
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Our final visit was to the recently refurbished David Livingsone Centre (thanks to the National Trust). How moving it was to stand and pray together on the holy ground of the little chapel, and give thanks to God for |
Scotland's most famous missionary. 'The love of Christ compels me' are Livingstone's words, etched into the wall; his inspiration, and ours.
You can see that we didn't know where to start, and we didn’t know where to end! Sorry this has been so long, but thank you Presbytery of Hamilton!
3 November 2008
Visiting offshore
| From Wednesday to Friday we were in Aberdeen visiting the UK Oil and Gas Chaplaincy. The Rev Andrew Jolly has been the chaplain there for over two years, and Mrs Anne Fullerton the administrator since the early days of chaplaincy which began almost 23 years ago. |
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I was there primarily to take part in the annual service of remembrance and thanksgiving for all those who have died while serving the Oil and Gas Industry. Everyone remembers the Piper Alpha disaster in 1988, but tragically others have also died while working in the Industry, where the hazards are well understood.
On Thursday Anne accompanied Maggie on a most enjoyable visit to Trinity International, who provide catering, cleaning and all the supplies necessary offshore; while Andrew and I went to the Haewene Brim FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) Facility in the Pierce Field, courtesy of Bluewater Services (UK) who are under contract to Shell.
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My safety kit was provided by Sparrows Offshore – one of the contractors onboard the vessel. I was singularly impressed by the attention to safety, in the briefing given to all who were new to the vessel, in the detail of working practices, in the whole attitude and culture on and offshore, and in the design and construction of the FPSO. It was an eye |
opener into a world which we take for granted, from the petrol in our cars to the hundreds of by-products, in the home, in the medical field and in commerce. This is an industry which has found a way to be both competitive and co-operative, which is at the cutting edge of technology but which values and cares for its staff, which is both local and global. The vessel (one type of 'installation' in the North Sea) is home to the crew for up to 20 weeks of the year and there was a welcoming atmosphere which was both relaxed and very professional.
Andrew visits the different installations, FPSOs and drilling rigs in rotation, providing pastoral and spiritual support to the industry both on and off shore.
For most of us the chaplain is perhaps most conspicuous in time of emergency, but for those in the industry his presence is there in both celebration and times of concern, when a listening ear is needed or when practical help is required.
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The industry clearly values the work done by Andrew and Anne, and for me the Chaplaincy was a model of the church at its best in being alongside people in the workplace. It was a thrilling and inspiring visit. |
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