Linklines 03.04.09

Life of Christ

Rehearsals are underway in Sandwick for the telling of the Easter story in song.

Palm Sunday will see The Life of Christ take centre stage at the Church of Scotland from 7.30pm.

The story of the crucifixion and ascension is being told by Elma Johnson, who will provide narration in between Easter hymns and stories.

The church will be decorated with posters and pictures to help reinforce the message.

Visitors will also be offered tea and Easter home-bakes.

Donations will also be made to the Sandwick Church Fabric Fund and Sandwick Guild.

Shetland Aid Trust

Shetland Aid Trust, the Christian charity which has made a name for itself by bringing aid to eastern European countries, will not be sending its usual convoy of trucks to Albania this year.

The vehicles belonging to the charity are in such a state of disrepair they have been rendered unable to cover the distance through Europe.

Instead the charity has chartered Macedonian lorries to take goods out, following a deal with Ross-shire based Blythswood Care Trust. The agreement means aid generously given in Shetland will still be sent to those who need it most. It comes as preparations are finalised for a fund raising evening at the Garthspool Church, which will take place tonight at 7.30pm. The evening promises favourites from redemption songs, special singing items and refreshments.

Meanwhile, the trust has highlighted the work of 89-year-old Ruby Williamson, of East Hogaland in Burra.

She has spent many hours over the years knitting squares for Shetland Aid Trust, which have subsequently been made into blankets.

Ruby will turn 90 in July, and the trust has expressed its thanks for her continued work, which is much valued and greatly appreciated.

Special Easter service

Churches in Yell will celebrate Easter with a united service in the Mid Yell kirk, thanks to the efforts of a special group aimed at fostering closer links between the churches.

Following the regular Holy Week services, congregations of all denominations will join a large get-together. The service will be held at 6pm on Easter Sunday.

An address will be given by the president of the Methodist Conference, Rev Stephen Poxon, who will be visiting the isles at the time with vice president David Walton.

The event has been specially organised by the Yell Churches Together Group, which formed last year to encourage working and understanding among all denominations in Yell.

The timetable of services and church events, produced every two months, is now circulated to every church and is proving helpful.

Christianity Explored

The recent course on Christianity Explored at the Lerwick Baptist Church has reached its conclusion.

The nine-week courses, which attracted a number of participants, is similar to the well-known Alpha course, however it differs from Alpha in that it concentrates entirely on Mark’s gospel.

It is expected to run again next year, but plans are already underway at the church for a course in Discipleship Explored in the autumn.

Unlike Christianity Explored – which is designed to encourage those who are perhaps new to Christianity to find out more about the faith – the new course is aimed more at established Christians.

Ryan Taylor