I especially enjoyed the fact [and I know many others did too] that everyone – adults and children were able to worship so happily and comfortably together. Hopefully the services affirmed the fact that Greenbank is not just a building but a group of people of all ages who belong together as children of the One God.

2018 has been designated by both the Scottish Government and the Church of Scotland as The Year of Young People. This provides an opportunity to give thanks for the presence and the gifts of young people in our midst. However, in a church where it is often said that children and young people are the future of the church, I am convinced that the decisions and attitudes that adults make with respect to them and their families, will determine that future.

This month, we start a new session in our church’s life. We have already moved away from the Summer Holiday type of service with Sunday Club and JAM resuming on 19th August. On this Sunday, I spoke about the Church without Walls Report published by the Church of Scotland in 2001 which, at the time, urged its adult members in churches to focus on creating friendships with the next generation. The report stated that churches were failing to keep promises made to children at baptism by their failure to create nurturing friendships with children and their families. It went on to suggest that these friendships could only begin when every adult in a church knew the name of some of the children and young families in their congregation – 17 years later – how many names do you know?

The SNAP Saturday night Community Youth Club has started back again and most youth organisations start back this month and there are many ways in which you can help with this work of befriending young people without making a weekly commitment. I warmly encourage you to make contact with one of the leaders listed on the ‘What’s On’ sheet accompanying this Good Neighbour to see if you can help. On the afternoon of 8th September Greenbank is hosting a Community Fete for all the family, in the church, halls and grounds [weather permitting] which will again provide many befriending opportunities not only with children and young people and their families in our church but with those in the surrounding community too. Please put the date in your diary and come along to what promises to be a fun day for all ages –further details about the event are in this edition of Good Neighbour.