National Youth Assembly 2013
Last month over one hundred young adults aged between 17 and 25 with a connection to the Church of Scotland got together in Dundee for National Youth Assembly, otherwise known as NYA.
This annual residential event was first introduced in 1994, and this year took place in Dundee’s West Park Conference Centre from Friday the 16th until Monday 19th of August. The NYA aims to attract people with different backgrounds from all over Scotland as it is an opportunity to worship together, learn together, discuss together, and have fun together. The event is also a means for the Church of Scotland’s youth to be involved in the decisions made by the Kirk, and over the weekend the Assembly tends to look at various issues for discussion. This year was themed: ‘Identity –who do you say I am?’ which we looked at in three stages: ‘What is it to be a part of the Church of Scotland?’; ‘What is it to be Scottish?’, and ‘What is it to be me?’.
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Welcome to our website!
St John’s is a congregation and parish within the Church of Scotland. As such, we seek to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all in as faithful and friendly a way as we can. As a fellowship, we endeavour to encourage one another and provide the means whereby we can grow in Christian grace and faith.
The church is growing and transforming, leaning in to what God calls us to be and do in the rapidly changing world of the 21st century. This means that in addition to what might be called “traditional” ways, we have also incorporated to a variety of different ways of supporting each other, building community, nurturing faith, and participating in God’s mission in the world.
Sunday Worship
We gather in the sanctuary at 11am for services that include an eclectic variety of music (we have an organist and a praise band, as well as congregational participation), singing, prayer, reading from scripture, reflecting and responding to God’s word, and a variety of creative expressions of faith. Our services are suitable for all ages, and children participate together with the whole church family — we do have special seats and activity boxes for them if they want, full of things related to the day’s readings and theme! Our services include multi-media as well, with words and images and videos on the screens.
There is also an online service here each Sunday morning. Both sanctuary and online services include the same reading, prayers, and sermon. The sanctuary service music is provided by our organist and praise band and by congregational singing, while online music comes to us from a variety of sources around the world, so the music may be different.
Spiritual Formation
We have a Wednesday Evening Bible Study that meets in the manse (6 Barrhill Road) at 7:30pm. If you want to join the bible study but stairs into the manse are a problem, please contact Teri and we will happily move into the church building instead! We are using the book “A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year W” by Rev. Dr. Wilda Gafney as our guide.
We have regular video devotions on our Youtube channel and Facebook Page.
There is a weekly-ish devotional email, which you can sign up for by clicking here.
The young people’s Bible study (for people in their 20s) meets on the 2nd Sundays at 7pm on Zoom. We are reading the gospel according to John — everyone in their 20s is welcome! Bring a friend! Contact Teri for the zoom link.
Our elders and members are building community and deepening relationships through visits, phone calls, cards, and emails. Our Parish Assistant is also making visits and calls. If you or someone you know is in need of some support through a friendly phone call, a visit, or a neighbour who can help with essential tasks, please contact the minister and she will make connections: tpeterson at churchofscotland.org.uk.
Youth Organisations
The Boys Brigade and Girl Guides have a wonderful programme of activities in all sections for all ages. New members are welcome, at any age (5-18), and you don’t need to have prior experience in youth groups to join! For the Boys Brigade (Anchor Boys, Junior Section, Company Section), please contact 2ndgourock (at) inverclydebb.org.uk. For the Brownies and Guides please visit the website to get registered. For the Smurfs please contact the church — email tpeterson (at) churchofscotland.org.uk, or call the manse at 632143, or message the church Facebook Page, and we will put you in touch with the leader. All young people are welcome!
Other Organisations and Groups
There are a variety of groups, both church groups and others that use the halls, so please contact us for more information!
Fellowship and Outreach
There is tea and coffee after the service each week, and all are welcome. On the first and third Mondays of each month we get together for a Bowl & a Blether — a bowl of soup and a chat with friends old and new. No RSVP necessary, just drop in anytime between 11:30 – 1:30 for soup, toasties, treats, and conversation. Throughout the year there are a variety of coffee mornings, luncheons, and other events to which you are invited, and they’ll be posted in the announcements of each week’s service and on our social media page.
Current Church Notes (church magazine)
Click here to read the most recent Spring 2023 edition of the Church Notes to learn more about what has been going on at St. John’s, and consider it your invitation to join in the ministry and mission God is doing with us here!
