7 August

pastoral letter
Written By Guest User

Dear Friends,

I realise that my temporary title of 'locum' is not a word common in English or Dutch. That's because it is Latin, and mostly used in the worlds of medicine or religion where a doctor or pastor has retired or gone on leave, and someone else replaces them. You might also not be accustomed to the title 'Interim Moderator' but it will be used from time to time in respect of Revd Eric Foggitt, a previous member of the ERC who is currently minister in Brussels. This is also a temporary appointment.

What both the locum and the interim moderator have in common is that they are part time. The locum is appointed by the Church of Scotland to be responsible for the Sunday service and to be available for the equivalent of two days per week for pastoral and congregational work. I am the first of these, the second will come in November and he is the Very Revd. Russell Barr. The title 'very' indicates that he is a previous moderator of the Church of Scotland. The interim moderator is primarily responsible for the government of the church. He chairs the consistory during the vacancy and he is responsible for finding locums. He is also responsible for finding Sunday preachers for September and October, as during that time the manse (the pastor's house) is being repaired and redecorated.

What this essentially means is that during the vacancy there is no full-time replacement for the minister, and therefore some of Lance's responsibilities will either be discontinued or shared among members of the Consistory. So surround them, especially Heleen Koning, the scriba, with your prayers and encouragement.
On a purely personal note, last week I had a short swim in the North Sea. It was a little colder than I remember from the 1970's... or is my memory failing?

Every blessing,
John

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THIS WEEK's PROGRAMME:
Sunday, 10.30 hrs: Morning Worship

Live-streamed service. You can access this just before 10.30 am:

Our readings for this Sunday are 2 Samuel 13: 7-14 & 21 and Matthew 18:1-7

Wednesday, 19.30 hrs: Bible Study on Zoom. All welcome to join us via this link:

https://zoom.us/j/94511457765?pwd=ZTdDTVRJbUNUT0N6djNldjBoU0twUT09


Prayer:

In this time there may be people who feel especially in need of prayer either for themselves or for someone else. In 'normal' times there was a small group of people in the congregation who used to take it in turns on Sundays to be available after the service to pray for anyone in need - so, if you would like prayer or have a particular prayer request please contact Margaret Richards on  margaretanne_richards@hotmail.com  and she and the others will pray accordingly.


A word about finance….

Please note that in this period when we are not meeting together there is a way of giving to the church on the website, https://www.erc.amsterdam. 

Guest User
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14 August
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31 July