Rev Alan Gibson Head of Stewardship Church of Scotland                   St. Andrew's Church, Lisbon, Portugal Rev Alan Gibson Head of Stewardship Church of Scotland agibson@cofscotland.org.uk

Samuel Hearne 'The weight of our baggage being so much lightened, our next day's journey was more swift and pleasant.'

BIGGEST We had a union and need help!! What are the challenges we face? We have lost our way – help! Our building is soaking up all our time and effort

Turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones The Stewardship Conference Turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones

Format Set the theme: stumbling block or stepping stone Define stewardship Reflection Celebrating the past – the stepping stone moments Considering the future – the stumbling blocks Prioritise and categorise these issues Lunch

Stumbling Blocks and Stepping Stones Objectives Agree to move Sunday worship, one Sunday per month, to the church halls. Agree to plan this worship as an all age service, with worship and tone tailored specifically to young families. Commence this time of worship with bacon rolls and breakfast to foster a greater sense of fellowship Pay for a bus to go round the parish and transport people to/from this event Appoint David Arnott to lead this service Building is empty most Sundays – 90 folk at worship. No fellowship. We enjoyed it when heating broke down and we had to worship in the hall. It was more intimate Our worship is very liturgical – we begin with no sense of fellowship but immediately start with responses. No children or families in church

Challenges Objectives We have 8 people attending worship on Sundays – it’s terrible. The choir meets on a Wednesdays. 40 folk come along. The church costs a fortune to heat We need more folk to come to church Cease worship on Sundays at 11am. Organise a Scripture Union Club at lunch times in local Junior School once a week. Commence a weekly house group with prayer and worship. Seek to develop choir into a community choir. Arrange a workshop with African Children’s Choir

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Mark 14:3

Mary Mary gave everything she had. She had received on many occasions from her Lord. Her commitment refused to be held back by caution. Her self-giving highlighted the self-centred nature of Judas, and the other disciples.

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume?  It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. Mark 14:4,5

Format Set the theme: stumbling block or stepping stone Define stewardship Reflection Celebrating the past – the stepping stone moments Considering the future – the stumbling blocks Prioritise and categorise these issues Lunch

Personal reflection – Peter the rock. Stumbling block or stepping stone Thinking about how we can each use our time, talents and money in serving Christ Closing reflection

St. Andrew's Church, Lisbon, Portugal                   St. Andrew's Church, Lisbon, Portugal

Peebles Old Parish Church Stewardship Conference                   St. Andrew's Church, Lisbon, Portugal Peebles Old Parish Church Stewardship Conference

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Mark 14:3

Mary Mary gave everything she had. She had received on many occasions from her Lord. Her commitment refused to be held back by caution. Her self-giving highlighted the self-centred nature of Judas, and the other disciples.

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume?  It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. Mark 14:4,5

“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.” Mark 14:6-8