Scottish Church Annual Gathering 2012

This was the first annual gathering in Scotland. Cleeve House is distant and schools in Scotland are back just after mid-August, with the result that few Scottish members can attend the annual UK gathering. So it was decided to hold a gathering in Scotland this year.

Thirty-nine people, including guests and children, attended the gathering at South Queensferry, by the Forth bridges, on Sunday, 12th. August. The venue was the high school where our Sunday services are usually held. Just as we gathered, the fire alarm went off, and we had to evacuate the school! The fire brigade arrived in ten minutes and quickly found the cause: a heat-gun being used by a worker refurbishing part of the building. The all-clear was given, and the service started.

The stars of the service were a small African Methodist choir, formed of Zimbabwean ladies from Edinburgh, invited by Elizabeth. Dressed in red, black and white, they sang Christian songs in Shona language. Rhythm, melody and a moving spirit set the mood for a happy gathering.

The sermon “World Family”, given by Hamish, was based on the biblical text of David and Goliath, along with True Father’s words on the ideal family, formed by God, true Adam and true Eve and descendants. Human efforts to bring peace instead of war led to the Olympic Games, where mankind’s energy can be turned to sport instead of self-destruction. God’s innermost desire however, is to see the establishment of ideal families through the blessing, from which true peace can permeate the world.

The service was followed by pot-luck lunch with dishes provided by mothers and members. We feasted on curry and chilli con carne, kimchi and pasta, strawberries and cake.

Then it was time for us to get into the Olympic spirit and go sailing at Port Edgar, by the Forth Road Bridge. Seven second gen and three of the parents put on yellow waterproofs and boarded three sailing dinghies, watched by other members and families.

Instructors took the second gen on two of the dinghies, and Chantal took the parents’ dinghy. A supervisor came out in a motor-dinghy to oversee our performance. He also took a young family on board with him, to give them a ride. The wind was slightly strong so we kept to the harbour most of the time. Finally, we had a go at the open firth and sailed out of the harbour. It was wonderful to feel the strength of wind and waves, and manage the sails and rudder. We learned to tack and turn, then hold our

course to a fixed point ahead.

Everyone had an exciting time. Above all we hope that the second gen can be stimulated to enjoy many kinds of sport, among other accomplishments.