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EXTRACT FROM REV. ALISTAIR MURRAY’S
REPORT AT THE ANNUAL STATED MEETING OF TRINITY CHURCH 10 MARCH 2010
Rev Alistair Murray commenced his report by reflecting
on the joys and sorrows the achievements and failures of the past year. He
expressed his appreciation to the Office Bearers and Congregation for
their kindness and support and recognising his 25 years in the Ministry
and how glad he was to see some people from his two previous charges in
Ayr and Aberdeen joining in the celebrations.
Rev Murray stated that as the Parish Minister his
responsibility is the Parish and therefore while its nice that we call him
our Minister, he is not
actually our Minister, he is the Minister appointed by the Presbytery that
serves the Parish which takes in an area known as the Merkinch which is a
Priority Area. This means that lots of his time is spent with people who
never darken the door of the Church for one reason or another. However, he
does not make judgements on them - he comes and ministers to them in
Christ’s name in the hope that the seeds that he puts out will be
planted and will bear fruit in the hope that they will come to know God in
a real and living way. - the way in which we ,as the people of God, have
faith and belief and therefore as the Parish Minister it means that he can
only be stretched so much, however he tries as much as he can to be there
for people.
He expressed his appreciation to Heidi for her help and
support and stated how good it was to have someone you can turn to and
trust and rely on. He recalled, with humour, the Service on Valentines
day, when each member had to pass the little red heart, which was handed
out at the start of the Service, to someone unknown to them - nobody
passed him a red heart, however he stated he took comfort in the fact that
he is well known — just as he knows all of us! He then reminded the
meeting of the Blue Christmas Service, for people who had suffered
bereavement. Approximately 60 people attended the service. Some of them
spoke of their fear and trepidation in attending such a Service, but then
spoke of their gladness and comfort it had given them. These are some of
the little things that are there to encourage us and enable us to see what
we can do to help others.
On a recent visit to Bankfoot in Perth where he
attended a Conference concerning the "New Emerging Church” which is
happening within the Church of Scotland, he visited the new Church and
Centre which replaced the old Church which burnt down some 5/6 years ago
The frame of the old Church is still there as a testament perhaps to the
past. The present minister told how he took comfort from the fact that
when the old Church was in the centre of the village on the hill, hardly
anybody came. But since the new Church was built
at the edge of the Community, people are attending not only on a Sunday
but throughout the week for all the various activities which go on at the
Centre. So what appeared to be something of despair has become an
opportunity — and so we should not despair because God is at work
At present both he and Heidi are attending a course entitled "Mission
Shaped Minist:ry” at Hilton Church. The Church has this vision that we
don’t necessary need to have a Church building but we can work within
the Parish and try to find ways to relate to people within the Parish and
Community.
He recalled that at a recent Youth Convention in the High School
one of the teachers remarked that the Youth Worker there was a "God
Send" - believing that God had sent him to that place and he stated
that he believes that God had sent him and Heidi to Trinity.
He told the members present that he believes they
too have a role to play within the Church
and it is important that we see our role and seek to play that role. Many
within the Congregation have various "hats” to wear, however he hoped
that anyone who wants to play would not be turned away and will not be
made to feel that they do not have a part in Church life, because they do
have a part - we all have a part to play each and everyone and if ever
anyone is made to feel uncomfortable, he would like to be informed as the
Church is a place we should all feel welcome and at home - it is important
that we all work together — not for our own glory — not for his glory,
but for God ’s glory and honour in this place
He then thanked the Office Bearers, Conveners and their Committees and the
people of the Church for their support and for the part we all play, no
matter how small, in the life of the Church. He hopes and prays that as we
go into 2010 and look at what God has done — we must also look to the
future in the knowledge as to what God can do. As they say - yesterday is
history, tomorrow is a dream, today is reality — so it is most important
that we all play our part. Let us begin to see the things that we have —
we have a minibus and lots of times it is just sitting parked out there so
let us make the best and maximum of what we are doing here. There are
discussions within
the Church of Scotland on "one building" - discussions which
have taken place between the Priority areas and the Church of England and
Church of Scotland
on how we can make one building have a hundred uses which
will mean a change in lots of ways. Change is uncomfortable, especially as
we get older. Change is important and it must and will happen and we must
play our part within it. Let us not lose heart or lose hope but let us
seize the moment - see the opportunity, because this moment and
opportunity may pass us by and then we have a life of regret and grief.
We all know the stages of grief - people are sad, then become angry
and then become anxious - we don’t want that within our Church. We want
a Church that is more wise and willing and able and seeking ways in which
we can take some of the things that we have been doing for a long time and
other things that we have never done and mix them all together and begin
to create and ensure that the Church moves forward.
He stated that there are lots of things that get him down — wear him
down — there’s nothing worse than people sometimes - but let us not
lose heart - let us build and move on and seize the moment and opportunity
under God.
Rev Murray concluded his report by stating that he is most
appreciative and grateful to all and he is sometimes moved to tears at the
energy and enthusiasm of people — sometimes aware and sometimes not of
the deeds carried out and he prayed that God would bless each and everyone
in 2010
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