Scots Fellowship

On Thursday February 2^nd our small group met in McGregor Hall for our first meeting for 2017. We chatted over lunch, each sharing our interesting Christmas Day. A short devotion was given – the message of joy, hope, and love which gives us renewal of faith and life so that we may take the Christmas joy and fellowship with us into the New Year. These thoughts were gathered from the resources published over many years by the State Committee – known then as the Synod Committee for Fellowships – now Uniting Church Adult Fellowships General Committee.

We welcomed Val Hutchinson who has been the Regional Fellowship Coordinator for our region for some years. Val has always been greatly interested in Scots and been very supportive and helpful to us, often visiting our group. Her health has not been the best recently and she has resigned from this position, now ably filled by Betty Christiansen, well-known to us, and we welcomed her – delighted that she was also present. The position of Coordinator is designed to form a link between the State Committee and individual Fellowship Groups. Val and Betty both told us something of their role, and brought us up-to-date with some of the changes recently made by the General Committee e.g. affiliation fees are now not paid by Fellowship Members – instead an article from the Secretary in January "Together" magazine says a donation will be requested for the work of Fellowships in South Australia.

We were reminded of the World Day of Prayer Service at Scots the day after our March meeting, and other news.

We noted with love and respect the recent death of our long-time former member Doreen Mathason, who still kept in touch. Doreen was noted for her magnificent sewing, and each year, including last year, made a pile of children’s clothes (beautifully made) for the Frontier Services Old Timers Alice Springs Fete. Since none of us had been able to attend her funeral (in the middle of a severe heatwave), it was suggested, and we all agreed, that in memory of Doreen we make a donation to Act for Peace's work for Syrian refugees in Jordan. We could have chosen between a "Clothing parcel for babies and children", a "Parcel of blankets for a family" or a "Family food parcel". Of course we chose the clothing parcel as the most appropriate memorial for our friend.

Fellowship Members please note we meet again on Thursday 2^nd March, but of course a very warm welcome is extended to members of the congregation to also join us. BYO lunch at 12 noon – we will give you a cup of tea or coffee. The speaker for the day will be Audrey Scrimgeour who will tell us about some of her experiences as a minister's wife over the years. Should the temperature be in the high thirties we may need to cancel, so check by calling the Scots Church office if there is any doubt. Rev Norah Norris will be Facilitator and Mary Thomas will set up the tea and coffee in the hope that everyone will help to clear away and wash up.  (Mary Thomas)