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Importance of churches in rural Scotland to be highlighted
at Royal Highland Show
(Ingliston Showground, 19 - 22 June 2008)
The publication by the Church of England of Moral
Without a Compass, is set to raise anew
the place of religion in public, pointing out that the
contribution of the churches in delivering practical
action and improving community life is underestimated.
On Thursday 19th June, The Moderator
of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, The
Right Rev David Lunan will be a guest of the
Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland and
will visit the churches' Stand as part of his programme.
The Churches in Rural Scotland
Stand (No 589 in Avenue O) at the Royal Highland Show
is the product of many Christian churches working together
and affirming that local churches, day in and day out,
provide support, encouragement and a message of love
and hope to their rural communities. The Stand is adjacent
to one of the Showground's main thoroughfares and is
a statement that the churches are committed to making
a positive difference to rural life and experience,
and a reminder that they are visibly and centrally located
in many rural communities.
| Rev Bryan Kerr, Minister
of Greyfriars Church, Lanark, who led the churches'
Highland Show planning group, firmly believes that
churches have a crucial role in rural life and lend
practical and spiritual support in times of crisis
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"In 2008 we want to emphasise
through the displays at the Stand, and the programme that
we have planned, that the churches are fully aware of
the challenges facing rural communities. In many places,
besides the activity that is recognisably 'church', it
is Christian people who volunteer for community organisations
and who play an active part in leadership and in practical
acts of service. To take but one topical example, at a
time when many remote and rural communities are faced
with the prospect of the closure of a local post office
service, maybe churches can think in terms of using their
facilities to host a post office."
The intensely practical issue of supporting a strong
Scottish agriculture, without taking advantage of producers
in the developing countries, while at the same time
being fair to consumers, highlights the local and international
dimensions of FAIRTRADE. 'Fair
Trade and Food Miles' is an interactive and fun
seminar that will explore how to reconcile FAIRTRADE
and food miles in ways that value our world and all
of its people. The seminar is a popular part of the
schools programme organised on the Thursday and Friday
of the Show by the Royal Highland Education Trust, which
will include in 2008 a guest appearance by Rosie, 'the
tarantula spider'! The seminars last for 30 minutes
and are scheduled for 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm and
1.30pm on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 June.
Recognising the family character of the Show on the
Saturday and Sunday, the Stand will offer a
varied programme of events including, face painting,
clowning, and puppeteers.
The annual Sunday morning service
at the Show is at the main bandstand at 10.00
am, to be led by this year's Chaplain, the Rev Fraser
Aitken, the minister at St Columba's Parish Church in
Ayr. Moreover, during the period of the Show prayer
requests are invited at the Stand, with short
acts of devotion at the start of each day at
8.00 am, and with other occasions for prayer - and open
to the public - scheduled for late afternoon.
Ends.
Note to News Desks
Further information - Reverend Bryan Kerr 07889 841511
nr/45/06/2008
Wednesday 18, June 2008
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