Guild 'A Beacon' of the Church Says Moderator

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson with outgoing National Convener of the Church of Scotland Guild, Rae Lind.

                                                                                                                   Saturday September 7 2024

THE Moderator of the General Assembly has warmly praised the work of the Church of Scotland Guild in an address to the Guild Gathering in Edinburgh today (Saturday)

After leading communion at the Assembly Hall in Edinburgh, the Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson said: “My theme for the year is ‘build together’ – not buildings but as the people, who are the church we need to be working, co-operating, building with and for the Glory of God… and I have to say that the Guild has been a beacon over the years of the church at work – not only supporting the local entity that we know as the church, but the whole of the church across the country and around the world.”

Offering encouragement to the 700 Guild members gathered together (and hundreds more joining online), Dr Paterson paid tribute to the ongoing work of the Guild and despite the challenges of today, urged them to continue with their work.

“Having committed ourselves to Christ we have a duty, we have a calling to serve Him in the world – and that’s what the Guild has done for many years. Not only has there been worship and prayer at meetings, but action.

“Local congregations have benefited from the fellowship that Guilds provide. They have also benefited from financial help that Guilds donate."

He added: “All of this has seen its members reach record levels of giving, for the focus of the Guild’s work is to journey together with our communities, nation and world, both in sharing our faith and resources, and in doing everything in our power to bring about positive change.”

The Moderator added: “God can bless what we do and do so much more than we could ever imagine.”

Dr Paterson was presented with a newly launched ‘Friend of the Guild’ badge and a special scarf in Guild tartan by the outgoing National Convener Rae Lind. The scarf, she said, was a gift for HM King Charles, as the Moderator headed north to preach tomorrow at Crathie Church, near Balmoral.

Earlier he had led the Gathering in a special communion where visiting friends from the Women’s and Men’s Guilds from Livingstonia Synod CCAP in Malawi assisted and sung, reminding delegates of the global reach of the Guild.

Details of the Guild’s four new partner projects were shared with the Gathering. The four projects are Bibles for Bairns  (the Scottish Bible Society), Build my Church (the Bear Necessities for Bulgaria), Operation Hope (Release International) and Playful Beginnings (CrossReach). (Full details of the projects are available in the September and October issues of Life and Work. Subscribe or buy a one-off copy here).

Special online Zoom meetings outlining details of the new projects are taking place on September 9, 11 and 12, as part of Guild Week.

Music and worship were firmly at the heart of the afternoon's business as the guests from Malawi joined the Gathering in singing We Are Marching In The Light of God, with the last refrain sung in the language of Malawi.

Musician Finlay Morse, supported by friends, offered a selection of hymns leading on a fiddle with drum and guitar.

The day concluded with the installation of new National Convener, Christina Paterson, who was sworn into the office by her parish minister, the Rev Dan Harper, minister at Bridge of Allan Parish Church, as the badge of office was handed over by outgoing Convener, Rae Lind. 

After a warm tribute to the service of Rae Lind, the new National Convener acknowledged there were challenges ahead in change but added: "We are ordinary people doing extraordinary things within a national movement."

She added: "My hope for the Guild this year and into the future can be summed up in three words: enthusiasm, encouragement and unity and that together we will continue to play our part in building a house strong and secure on the cornerstone Christ Jesus, whose we are and whom we serve."

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