"HOW IS ONE TO COME BACK TO THE ONE SOURCE OF NEW LIFE IF NOT BY REAL CONVERSION TO CHRIST WHO RECONCILES?' Jean Fischer - Addressing the Second European Ecumenical Assembly; June 1997

WE BELONG - BODY AND SOUL IN LIFE AND IN DEATH - NOT TO OURSELVES BUT TO OUR FAITHFUL SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. Adapted from the answer to question 1 of the Heidelberg Confession 23rd General Council WARC 1997

'PARTNERSHIP IN 'MISSION AND DIALOGUE WITH OTHER CHURCHES REMAIN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS IN-OUR SERVICE FOR GOD AND THE WORLD.

The third of these statements formed part of the Convener's introductory remarks to the report the Overseas and Inter Church Affairs Committee presented to the 1997 General Assembly. It rightly reminds us of the importance both these considerations have in the work of the Overseas and Inter-Church Affairs Committee, as it seeks to interpret the mind of the Church in its mission. Through the medium of modern communications there is an increasingly rare opportunity to work together. The report also reminded us of our glorious heritage, as well as our Risen Lord's own command to His disciples to 'Go Into All The World' (Mk l6. 15). The difficulty does not lie in knowing what our Lord said, or what our past heritage is, but in interpreting the where, what, when, and how, the now, of what the Spirit says to us. How can we best serve our Lord Jesus Christ in the United Free Church today in Overseas and Inter Church Work, with His command to us to 'GO' INTO ALL THE WORLD? As a Church it is often difficult to perceive the direction in which the Holy Spirit wants to lead us. Perhaps a snapshot from the life of St Paul the Apostle night be helpful here - St Paul, arguably the greatest of the Apostles, the furthest travelled of the early Saints, the most erudite and prolific of writers, inspired by Jesus Christ to his life's end, ready to die for Christ, says in one very strange verse in Romans. - I have finished my work in these regions (Rom 15.23 GNB). It is as difficult to think of Paul finishing work, as it is to think of Paul converting everyone amongst the populations of Judea, Samaria, Syria, Asia, Macedonia, and Achaia. Yet Paul seems to say in effect, I no longer have any work to do here. The answer to this mystery lies a few verses earlier (v19) where Paul says - I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ. With this remark we can now see why Pauls work is complete, why he, now wants to move on elsewhere (to Spain). He has fully preached the Gospel. Paul is one who wanted to be at the cutting edge of mission. He was a Frontier Missionary. There Is enough space In Paul's thinking, to help the work of the Committee as it seeks to interpret Christs call to the United Free Church to GO. Could we, for example, use this same phrase to describe our own Missionary Endeavour for Christ - and suggest we should also be at the cutting edge of mission? The Committee would be amiss if it did not leave this possibility open. The missionary moment in reality is very difficult to recognise when it comes, as is the moment when the Gospel has been fully preached. How many of us would pronounce with Paul, we have fully preached the Gospel (in Botswana for example), how willing are we to move on to embrace the challenges Paul faced by travelling through unknown territory, meeting unknown people in furtherance of the cause of Christ? These aspects of Missionary Work are ones your Committee is seeking to address in this post-modern world. They present the Committee with difficult challenges and risks which can not be avoided. The Committee hopes you will see in the report much that responds and is sympathetic to these considerations, to build upon existing work, and to look to the future for the possibilities our Lord offers us.

DELIVERANCES OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1997

DEL. 4 The General Assembly receive the report on the review as asked for in the Deliverance of General Assembly 1995; the General Assembly accept the Mission Statement and Strategy for our involvement in World Mission as contained in the report.

DEL 5 The General Assembly accept the recommendation that the United Free Church of Scotland apply for membership of Scottish Churches World Exchange

DEL 6 The General Assembly accept the amendments to the Memorandum of Association between the UFCS and the UCCSA.

The General Assembly, receiving and accepting these Paragraphs of Deliverance, acknowledged a missionary moment in the life of the United Free Church when it signalled that, like Paul, it wanted to adjust and expand its Missionary activity. The church officially put on record this desire, while, at the same time, stressing its own continuing commitment to its historic and extant missionary relationships In Botswana and the Synod. (See Mission Statement and Strategy Appendix 1 Committing Ourselves to a World Vision )

SCOTTISH CHURCHES WORLD EXCHANGE ( A CHARITABLE TRUST)

Our application to join with SCWE has now been officially approved and the Committee is in the process of becoming familiar with the ongoing work of the Trust and its membership. This will involve the Church in a commitment of £5000 per annum, but the Committee feels it is worthwhile and is in keeping with the substance of the Mission Intentions. The Committee is excited by the possibilities this Initiative provides for anyone in the Church who is led of God to go into Christian service. As reported to last year's General Assembly, there are numerous opportunities for Christian work at home and overseas and working with others in this enterprise is an Ecumenical Experience. Further details about this scheme are readily available from Church Office, while the Committee itself would be delighted to respond to any enquiry from interested parties. The Committee would also be keen to hear from anyone who is taking part in World Exchange, and would commend them to the Prayer Ministry of the whole Church

PARTNERSHIPS

The Committee, in order to further the Mission Statement, should seek to pilot a project as an example of the Way Forward." These words appeared In last year's report to the General Assembly and were followed by an example of one such project partnership being undertaken. (Assembly Report 1997 Appendix I,- Zutshwa Church Building Project ) The Committee, while recognising we are already involved in an existing short term mission partnership with the SCC, and CA for the removal of landmines in Cambodia, understand and recognise this project will be coming to an end shortly and, believe thought should be given to future possibilities. When officials of the Committee met with Dr and Mrs Merriweather in the Autumn of last year, Mrs Merriweather shared with the officials some observations concerning her work as Headteacher of the Shepherd School. She stated that the Shepherd School is growing dramatically. It has 8-9 classroom and a pre school facility. It has around 410 pupils and gives employment to 6 helpers, 2 gardeners, 2 builders and 3 cleaners, as well as teachers and, because its basis is non-profit making, its fees are 20-25% below those of an equivalent English Medium School. Mrs Merriweather asked if the UFCS could have some non-financial input into the school. Prayer Is something she would value highly and contact between pupils in Botswana with our own Sunday Schools in Scotland would give an added incentive to further involvement. The question of recruiting a teacher from Scotland was also raised, with the added possibility of gaining the services of a student for a period of time. Mrs Merriweather hopes to continue as Headteacher for a further 3 years, but asked the Church to pray for a Christian Headteacher to take over from her when she did retire.

While the Committee still has to tease out and put flesh on Mrs Merriweather's observations, this information, if implemented, would fit into the Intentions For Mission (Strategy Para 4 - A useful place to start for both the Committee and Congregations might be those situations with which there is greatest familiarity.) - It will also help the Church to recognise some of the major implications involved in being closely connected with the Botswana School. Its size alone sheds new light on the Christian influence Dr and Mrs Merriweather still exercise on our behalf and perhaps we can concentrate our minds to see whether a way ahead in mission partnership, between Church and School is possible.

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION UFCS/UCCSA

The Association of the UFCS and the UCCSA is not intended to be expressed in a single - directional flow of personnel and funds, and both the UFCS and the UCCSA shall seek to create projects or make arrangements for mutual support in the mission of God." (Additional Clause 13)

The acceptance of changes to the Memorandum of Association (as above) is to be greatly welcomed, as again it envisages mission in more positive terms for today's Church relationships. The changes were opportune as the following paragraphs indicate. Last summer Officials of the Committee and the Principal Clerk met with representatives from the UCCSA Synod. There was a frank exchange of views which the Committee is still exploring since the Committee is no longer certain that the views expressed by the Rev D Mephitse and Rev R Hambira necessarily reflect the views of the Synod of UCCSA. The agenda clearly revolved around the representative's view of UCCSA's relationship with the UFCS and our Officials views of UFCS relationship with UCCSA. Between these came the inescapable differences which arise through diverse social, cultural and theological outlooks. Relationships within UCCSA, Rev D Mephitse and Rev R Hambira informed the Officials, were coming under increasing scrutiny, while the people themselves were also unhappy with their present situation. South Africa was becoming increasingly paternalistic in tone and character at a time when the Batswana were extremely conscious of their own recent past history. The UFCS's later Missionary presence has provided an excellent example of the kind of non-paternalistic missionary work possible through its witness in Botswana. UCCSA would still welcome further Missionary support from Scotland, but would also welcome additional support from others having expertise in different fields. Such as those who could provide help in Theological Education, in Developing the Lay Ministry and in furthering the Spiritual Development of students going into the Ministry. It was suggested the UFCS might like to explore these as avenues for a future agenda. The UCCSA representatives also suggested that the UFCS should challenge the Synod on needs they saw arising from the Scottish perspective. To conclude,- Rev Mephitse stated that while a relationship was present between our two denominations, we have never had formal talks together. The Rev Mephitse and Rev Hambira saw the future UFCS/UCCSA relationships as being in terms of connections with Synod, rather than personal ones. They wanted to enhance the future short and long term relationship between our two churches so as to work out a common vision and common goals. Floating the idea that the UFCS reconsider the entire agenda of its Overseas Work, they suggested the UFCS might move, in their own words - "From a position of informal chatting to covenanting." The General Assembly will recognise there are many issues arising from this meeting with Revs D Mephitse and R Hambira, some possibly contentious. Your Committee is pursuing all the issues which appear to the Committee to be most relevant.

MR EDWARD RANTSHILO

The Committee are pleased to report that Edward, his wife Gofaone, and their two sons Thapelo and Thero arrived safely in Scotland. Edward has commenced his studies in Glasgow Bible College and all are happily settled in their home in Glasgow.

OVERSEAS STUDENTS

Since Edward Rantshilo is now the third student the UFCS has hosted from overseas, the Committee considers this is an appropriate time to begin a process of evaluation and assessment of the whole initiative.

REV DR ALFRED MERRIWEATHER

The Overseas report to last year's General Assembly anticipated that Dr Merriweather's new book would be published during 1997. This is an autobiography entitled, 'Three Gowns and a Cross'. It has not been possible to meet this deadline and the Committee now understands this is due to ongoing difficulties over publication. The Committee accepts that many members will be disappointed that the book is not yet available for general purchase . As previously indicated, officials of the Committee met with Dr and Mrs Merriweather last autumn and were greatly encouraged to receive news of the ongoing work in Botswana. Dr Merriweather is still heavily involved in preaching in the villages around Molepolole, while also practising medical work two days per week. This, together with Official Church and Government Business, leave his week very fully occupied. The Church at Lephepe is growing slowly, and while they do not have a Pastor at present, there Is every expectation the situation will improve following the appointment of a lady helper to a village some ten miles away. It Is hoped some kind of shared arrangement might be entered into. The Committee will seek to keep the ministry of this developing church before the General Assembly and pray God will lead the servant of His choice to minister at Lephepe. Dr Merriweather reported that Rev Mosweu Simane had greatly benefited from his Scottish experience, while Segola Keimetswe was being greatly used of God in Kanye. When Dr Merriweather had recently visited Kanye, 19 new members were introduced to the already large congregation. This again is cause for rejoicing and for giving thanks to Almighty God Dr Merriweather finally expressed his gratitude to the people in Scotland for all their support through prayer, interest and giving. He especially asked for prayer for 18 -20 new Christians, young people who recently became members of the church.

UNITED CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF SOUTHERN AFRICA ( UCCSA)

The Thirtieth Anniversary of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa was held from 10th to 16th September 1997 in Boipuso Hall, Gaborone, Botswana. The Church traces its origins to the arrival of Dr Johannes Van der Kemp in 1799. He was the first of a long line of London Missionary Society Personnel. The UFCS sent greetings to UCCSA and wished them God's blessing on the occasion.

TOWARDS A MORE EFFECTIVE CARING FOR OUR MISSIONARIES

The Committee has agreed to include in its report each year information from a selection of missionaries working world-wide for Christ. In this way the Committee intends to keep the Church Informed and up to date on a wider missionary work. Missionary activity may be carried out by our own members, or by others associated with our Church, but working under the auspices of different Missionary Societies. The third of these reports is included In Appendix III. The Missionary Profiles continue to be a source of encouragement. They will continue to be updated by the Committee as and when additional information becomes available. Fresh information is consistently required in order to keep the profiles invigorating .

CHRISTMAS GIFTS TO MISSIONARIES

The practice of sending a monetary gift at Christmas to all members of the United Free Church serving with other Missionary Societies has been continued. The gift sent at Christmas 1997 was £200. This gift Is appreciated and gratefully acknowledged

WOMAN'S HOME AND OVERSEAS COMMITTEE

The Committee once again express their gratitude to the Women of the Church, for all their prayerful and financial support of the Overseas Work.

SCOTTISH CHURCHES CHINA GROUP

Rev P Johnston is presently Convener of the Scottish Churches China Group. This ecumenical group, through independent Scottish projects and joint UK programmes, seeks to witness to the Christian faith in partnership with secular and church institutions in China. The Committee is grateful to Miss P Johnston for agreeing to keep them informed on many aspects of the work.

DAVID LIVINGSTONE MEMORIAL CENTRE

Rev A M Lawless continues to represent the church on the DLMC and attended the Dedication of the Jungle Garden last July. The Committee would encourage members within our Churches to become 'Friends' of the Centre, and so actively support its work. The Committee thank Mr Lawless for his very full reports.

ACTION OF CHURCHES TOGETHER IN SCOTLAND (ACTS)

Deliverance 11 of last year's General Assembly noted the Committee's grave concern and disappointment that the Congregational Federation, although fulfilling the criteria for membership, had been denied membership of ACTS. The Committee subsequently expressed these concerns in writing, both to ACTS through its General Secretary and, to the Congregational Federation itself. Your Committee Is pleased to report that following a meeting of ACTS Central Council held on the 18th October, 1997, the Member Churches of ACTS voted in favour of the renewed application from the Congregational Federation to join with ACTS. Voting was as follows - Eight member Churches voted in favour - none against - there was one abstention.

FUTURE OF SCOTTISH CHURCHES HOUSE Beyond the Millennium

As recorded in the main body of the report and Appendix IV to the 1997 General Assembly, the question of the possible future development of Scottish Churches House was submitted. The vision was for a house to serve the needs at the Scottish Churches of ACTS beyond the Millennium. Your Committee has nothing further to report on this matter. Members of the Assembly will also be interested to hear that the House is continuing to be utilised on a regular basis and bookings are good, currently and for the future. The Central Council of Acts was also able to support adjustments to its staff rates of pay. This means in effect that ACTS sets a Christian example of being a good employer by voluntarily introducing above minimum hourly rates of remuneration.

MILLENNIUM FOCUS 1997 -2001

One year nearer to the Millennium, Scottish Churches and Christian agencies are working together in preparation for the year 2000. It should be noted that the Millennium focus in Scotland at least will be over a period of years rather than on a moment in time. The General Assembly should be aware of a divergence of emphasis becoming evident between ACTS and CTE. The theme designated for this year 1998,in the Millennium Process is that of HOPE. Material to help the Churches promote this year as the Year of Hope in their local community has been produced This material focuses upon three themes - The Family - The Community - and The Environment, themes broad enough to be worked into the churches yearly calendar - Christmas to Lent - Easter to Pentecost - and a Harvest celebration, respectively.

JUBILEE 2000

Epitomising the theme of Hope, the Jubilee 2000 initiative launched during 1997, calls for the backlog of unpayable debt to the poorest countries of the world to be cancelled as the world enters into a new Millennium. In May of this year the G7 Finance Ministers met in Birmingham and the Christian Community made the delegates attending the Conference aware of their concerns on this Issue. The Year of Jubilee in the Jewish calendar was one where generous provision was made for the release of debtors, where opportunity was provided for the community to stop and reflect upon the direction in which it was going, both economically and theologically. It also gave fresh hope to the very poorest in society. If these aims were to be achieved by Jubilee 2000, it would indeed be a Jubilee to celebrate. The Churches will have received information about Jubilee 2000 and the Committee would commend the initiative to their support and prayers.

SCOTTISH CHRISTIAN GATHERING

This event took place in the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow, on 29th November, 1997, and was the culminating event in the Year of Faith. It was well attended throughout the day and evening and was an uplifting experience. Many of the participants stated - they were glad to have come. Officials from the Committee represented the Church. The Committee is grateful to the Church Office Staff and Rev J O Fulton for help in producing the UFCS display, with information and photographs relating to the work of the Church, while also being on hand to answer enquiries. The entrance to the Exhibition Centre allowed space for each Denomination to provide its own display, while a central display provided additional information about the work of ACTS. Keynote speakers included The Moderator of the Church of Scotland, Cardinal Winning of the Roman Catholic Church, and over 700 leaders responsible for different events. Space is too short to report fully, but it is perhaps worth sharing one final quotation from each of the opening speakers. The Moderator of the General Assembly, and Cardinal Winning from the RC Church.

The Moderator of the Church of Scotland in closing his address used these words -

'GREATER LOVE HAS N0 CHURCH THAN THIS THAT IT LAY DOWN ITS TREASURED TRADITIONS FOR A FUTURE GENERATION.'

And Cardinal Winning - from the Roman Catholic Church -

'From this Scottish Christian Gathering I say to you;

'DO NOT BE AFRAID TO THROW OPEN THE DOORS TO CHRIST, TO WELCOME HIM REALLY AND TRULY INTO YOUR FAMILY, YOUR SCHOOL, YOUR OFFICE AND FACTORY, INTO THE VERY CENTRE OF YOUR LIVES. IT IS ONLY BY ALLOWING CHRIST TO ACT THROUGH US, THAT WE WILL EVER REALLY BE A SIGN OF HOPE FOR THIS SOCIETY OF OURS."

SCOTTISH ECUMENICAL ASSEMBLY

The proposal to hold a Scottish Ecumenical Assembly came out of the Unity Faith and Order Commission's working paper on National Church and its meaning for the Churches today. The Rev G B Bruce represents the Committee on the Inter-Church Liaison Group set up to steer this proposal forward. While details at the moment are not specific, the hope is for a residential event of two to three days, taking place possibly in June of 2001 and aiming to accommodate 500 Church Representatives.

THE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES FOR BRITAIN AND IRELAND (CCBI)

Rev G B Bruce represents the Church on the Council. The CCBI Assembly planned for 1998 has been postponed till 1999. Last year's report to the General Assembly referred to the review of CCBI presently taking place. There is nothing further to report to this General Assembly.

WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES (WCC)

The World Council of Churches 8th Assembly will take place in Harare, Zimbabwe in December of this year, and not in September as previously reported. The Assembly has had to be rescheduled to fit into the revised term arrangements being operated by the University. The Rev J O Fulton, General Secretary, will be our delegate. Funding towards the cost of the WCC Assembly has been budgeted for over a three year period with the final cost of £160 being met in this current year.

OTHER ECUMENICAL EVENTS

WORLD ALLIANCE OF REFORMED CHURCHES (WARC)

The 23rd General Council of the WARC met in Debrecen, Hungary, from the 8th to 20th August last year. The theme running through the Assembly was "Break the chains of Injustice" (Isaiah 58.6). A report of this Assembly is included in the appendices, ( Appendix IV). While no delegate from the UFCS attended this Assembly, the content and study texts are invaluable resource guides to have and are disturbing and challenging to both participants and non participants. They challenge the Churches in richer communities to try to understand what it means to suffer under heavy burdens. In the closing worship, Gusztav Boloskei addressed the Assembly with the text - Bear one another's burdens and so fulfil the Law of Christ (Gal 6,2). The final Debrecen Declaration prepared by the Assembly is included in full, Appendix IV. This adopts words from John Calvin, where in Book 3, Chapter 7, of Section 1 of the 'Institutes', Calvin repeats over and over again the words "we are not our own". Each time Calvin elaborates on the consequences. The declaration seeks to apply Calvin's words in new ways using late 20th century terms to construct a Declaration, - Trinitarian, Reformed, Theological and Contemporary, able to be used in today's world . The Committee would also bring to the attention of the Assembly a final challenge made to the Churches through the introductory address of the opening speaker Paraic Reamonn, Church of Scotland Communications Secretary of WARC He stated - "Over the next seven or eight years, the Alliance will come knocking on the doors of Member Churches and their Members to ask how seriously you take world economic injustice and ecological destruction". This thought and many of the themes of this conference will be ones the Committee are sure this General Assembly will return to again and again in future years.

THE SECOND EUROPEAN ECUMENICAL ASSEMBLY (GRAZ)

The Assembly took place from 23rd to 29th June 1997 in Graz, Austria, under the theme of 'Reconciliation - Gift of God and Source of New Life Together'. Again Commissioners will find details of this Assembly reported in Appendix V - Joint Report of Scottish Churches' delegates. It is always difficult, verging on the dangerous, to report on events where no member from the Committee was present, because there are usually as many views as there are delegates. Certainly this is the impression given from reading the Post Graz Newsletter EEA 2 which has comments both positive and negative. Copies are obtainable from CCBI, Inter Church House. Alternately copies are available from Church Office. Another very incisive and challenging review is provided through the personal report presented to ACTS Central Council on 18th October, 1997, by the Rev S Kesting, Secretary, Church of Scotland Ecumenical Relations Committee. She presented a very perceptive insight into the tensions and challenges the Churches faced within Europe. This should be read by anyone remotely interested in the Church scene within Europe. Her closing words are particularly ones that we need to hear in an age where the Media always seems to dictate the agenda.

The picture of Europe presented was very different to the picture presented in our media and the issues and questions people raised were not about monetary union and loss of sovereignty but much more about the creation of a Europe without barriers, a Europe of equality and an open Europe".

SCOTTISH CHURCHES INITIATIVE FOR UNION (SCIFU)

In the spring of this year an Interim Report was prepared for presentation to the various Assemblies and Synods of the participating churches. Your Committee has no official Representation at these talks although the Rev G B Bruce was mandated to attend once and receives the SCIFU Papers. It is now the wish of the Committee to accept observer status.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO CHURCHES COUNCILS

1997 1996 1995 Action of Churches Together in Scotland £1460 £1404 £1303 Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland £ 650 £ 650 £ 600 World Council of Churches £ 500 £ 500 £ 400 WCC (Assembly) £ 165 £ 170 £ 0 World Alliance of Reformed Churches £ 400 £ 400 £ 400 Glasgow Churches Council for 0verseas' Students £ 300 £ 300 £ 300

These figures represent an Increase / (Decrease) in 1997 of ACTS 3.9 % WCC Assembly (3. 0%) Contributions to CCBI / WCC / WARC - Remain the same as for 1996

AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Convener would wish to convey to the Vice Conveners and to all members of the Committee his grateful thanks for the help and support given. Finally to the General Secretary, Office Staff and General Treasurer sincere thanks for their unfailing help, guidance, support and prayer guidance, support and prayers over this past year.

In the name of the Committee

STEPHEN J W MATTHEWS (Convener)

JAMES D NEIL (Vice Convener)

ARTHUR M LAWLESS (Vice Convener)

JOHN O FULTON (General Secretary)