So yes, here it is, the GO Team report for whichever of the above titles you find is the most appropriate. I’m fairly sure that most people didn’t even know that there was going to be a GO Team here untill some Prayer Points were sent round, so hopefully i’ll shed some light on the foundation work that was being done this year in the UK’s recently voted City of Culture!

Our week began by gathering where Gateway Christian Fellowship (the official name for the new work in Derry) are meeting for worship, Steven Robinson is heading up this work and he was there to welcome us and we then were led in worship by Andrew Lytle. It was a record number of attendance that week however that was mainly due to Team Members and some visitors from Bready and Faughan. They are meeting monthly in the Junction on Bishop’s Street and there have already been some people come along to the services.

After this, we were treated to our first bout of what proved to be a week of amazing generousity and hospitality from the Bready congregation. The Team enjoyed having a relaxing afternoon, one where Anna got lost on the way to the toilet and also asked if cows are milked on Sundays due to it being a day of rest (this of course opening the floodgates for slagging her for the rest of the week). We enjoyed great food and a lovely walk before being whisked away to the Evening Service and then spent a brief time of fellowship with the Bready congregation. Before we knew it, we were left in the Church by ourselves and we then went about setting a few things up to try and make the place a bit more homely for our weeks stay.

Our days on the Team followed pretty much the same routine, after a quick breakfast and morning devotions, we were straight into our Leaflet Distribution, this was spearheaded by Fergus Marshall and we ventured into areas on both the Waterside and Cityside, distributing a very well put together leaflet that proclaimed the Gospel and advertised Gateway’s upcoming events. Despite some of these areas being quite a distance from Gateway (I quickly realised that my pre-Team thoughts of us going into the Bogside and other closer areas wouldn’t come to pass), let’s hope and pray that many would have read and been really interested in this new work and also hope that in future years, more direct areas could be reached. By the end of the week, we had given out our 5000 leaflets and they seemed well recieved by the communities we went into, we were also very grateful for the support from the willing volunteers from Bready and Faughan that helped each day.

Putting Coffee into her breakfast bowl wasn't a good start to the week for Erin...

Following a quickly devoured lunch which was usually prepared by the girls as Pete and I continued our Table Tennis Championship (he won 17-12 in the end), we gathered for the afternoon Bible Study. Blair took these and there was no repeat of those Gartmore Family Worships or Announcements as they went very well and each Team Member was challenged by them as we chatted about various approaches/techniques to evangelism and how to transfer them into different situations. We also benefitted from a structured prayer time at the end of the Study, a highlight of the day for me.

There was time set aside after the Study for some “practical work”, don’t be fooled, this wasn’t any thing in the community, it was really just a general clean up of Bready Manse! Pete F was able to vent his frustrations as when he was given the task of clipping the hedge, he had some how managed to cut clean through the wire within the first few minutes……his punishment was then to pick ivy out or a predominantly ivy hedge for the rest of the afternoon. The girls also enjoyed having to wipe down garden chairs and tables with what were presumably old pairs of McFarland boxers!

Practical Pete and his punishment

Each evening we were graciously welcomed into one family’s home from the Bready congregation, this was a great time of fellowship among the family as well as some of Bready’s other young people who came along too, also the food was immense and we were stuffed after each course. Pete F’s reputation clearly preceeded him as one evening, a lady commented on “Peter’s good Faughan appetite”….at this point I nearly spat out my mince and potatoes in trying not to laugh.

Following our massive feed, it was quite hard to move and get motivated to head back to the Church for more work. Each evening, we were heading out to areas near Bready Church to carry out some Door-to-Door work, basically giving out invites to some guest services in October where Stuart Olyott is preaching. There were some good conversations had throughout the course of the week, however after chatting during a Bible Study, we decided to draw up a Questionnaire for the last evening to help stimulate conversation and these worked very well in trying to open people up and draw their attention to the advertised Christianity Explored course.

We finished up when it was starting to get dark and then regrouped back in the kitchen at Bready to have a chat about that evenings exploits. Our day was then topped off by some hot chocolate and Evening Devotions which was another highlight for me. After this was finished we generally got quite competitive and played numerous games of Pitt and Dutch Blitz or else used the Hall for some Volleyball, Football or Uni-Hoc before people headed off to their comfy air matresses.

Out for Dinner

The abuse clearly got a bit much for Tish-Bug

We did manage to get two breaks from the routine during the week. Wednesday’s spontaneous evening off was a result of us being so tired and full after a lovely evening meal at the Buchannan’s that we couldn’t move at all, it turned into a great evening of not just team bonding, but also again with the other young people from Bready. We ventured on a short walk down to the Foyle, took a few pictures and then the girls made a horrendous decision to watch ‘Leap Year’, typical predictable rom-com stuff, although it was laughable bad at stages.

On Thursday afternoon, we decided to really get to grips with Stroke City and so we decided to go for a tour of Blair led by Blair around the city walls. It was my first time up there and I loved it, my GCSE History was flooding back to me and made me realise that this was a central part to our Northern Irish heritage and history. The fantastic afternoon was completed by a trip to St. Colum’s Park (a hot spot for new R.P couples apparently as a certain Team member mentioned how much they liked it!), we had a great time on the newly built play parks and then finished off with a game of Ultimate Frisbee.

The Collins'!

Skills Junior

Wearing Erin's Hoodie....watch out Andy...

Out on the Tour!

Pete was clearly happy to go inside the CoI Cathedral

Peter was still feeling awkward after the 'Hedge Clipper Incident'

Going crazy after playing Frisbee

The team finished with the Congregational BBQ on Friday evening held at the Manse, this meant there was more ‘practical work’ in the afternoon as we prepared an evening of fellowship with the people of Bready. It was a lovely time where we got to share our experiences of the weeks work with most of the folk there, eat great good and also the sunset was glorious so it was a great way to end the week.

Anna giving it stacks!

Pete F's uncomfortable hiding place

Texting 'Tom'?!

Letitia's favourite activity of the week

Most of the Team stayed over untill Saturday for the CY Conference so after some tidying up, we were by ourselves again in the Church, after our last Evening Devotions and Rachel and Letitia’s 1 Billionth Cup of Tea, we headed off to Tescos and McD’s to get some supplies. When we got back, we started into playing the scariest game of Sardines i’ve ever played, those country congregations are properly dark at night! I also witnessed Pete F manage to squeeze himself into the most uncomfortable hiding place leaving the last three people completely clueless as to where we were. After we eventually listened to Anna about her complaining about the dark, we started a game of Twister and played long into the night.

A fantastic team which was completely different from what I had in mind before I arrived. Let’s hope that the foundation work done this year will be building blocks for the GO Committee to work off and may Gateway Christian Fellowship and Bready be advanced from the work that was done.

Team Members:

• Peter ‘the destroyer’ Fallows
• Jonny ‘texting Tom’ Collins
• Alastair ‘So……..how was your day?’ McCollum
• Derek ‘back to school’ Lynch
• Rachel ‘from Newtownabbey direction’ Weatherup
• Anna ‘wants a night-light’ Collins
• Letitia ‘sweetpea’ Magee
• Erin ‘honey’ McCollum
• Sharon ‘LONDONderry’ Buchannan

1. What do you most highly value?
2. What do you think about by default?
3. What is your highest goal?
4. To what or whom are you most committed?
5. Who or what do you love the most?
6. Who or what do you trust or depend upon the most?
7. Who or what do you fear the most?
8. Who or what do you hope in and hope for most?
9. Who or what do you desire the most? Or, what desire makes you most angry or makes you despair when it is not satisfied?
10. Who or what do you most delight in or hold as your greatest joy and treasure?
11. Who or what captures your greatest zeal?
12. To whom or for what are you most thankful?
13. For whom or what great purpose do you work?

(HT: Desiring God)

A clip from Dad’s sermon on Psalm 23v5.

“You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.”

For the full sermon download Mp3 or watch the Video

Alyssa has started putting her photos of Gartmore on this website and the group photos are now available. Once all are available I’ll do a post with some of the great photos that she and Stephanie took.

Last year. See?

YAW form

Other news:

As WordPress has become more Facebook friendly you can now “like” posts on Another King. You’ll see the “like” button above the comments section on each post. Though I suppose I shouldn’t be encouraging such time-wasting – see Dad’s blog.

RP Championship code: 547436-130699

Another King code: 547436-130703

Sky Sports’ compilation of the climax of last season. This year’s drama begins on August 14th.

1. What motivated you to speak on the book of Haggai during the week?

I was aware that the Conference coincided with the 450^th anniversary of the Scottish Reformation and so I had to select a Bible passage or book that would, to some extent, illustrate that theme.  Having prayed about the matter for some months I believed that Haggai was not only suitable as we reflected on what God did in the past but contained some very relevant challenges for today.

2. What was the main thing that you yourself took away from the studies in Haggai?

The main thing that I took from Haggai was the importance of a heart commitment to Christ.  We can be so busy doing good things – serving Christ with our head and hands, our lips and feet, but Christ requires that we serve him with our hearts.  In Proverbs 23:26 the Lord says, “My son give me your heart“.  The Jews had returned to temple rebuilding but in their hearts they were not devoted to the Lord (Haggai 2:17).  It is so vital for us to be wholehearted in the worship, witness and service that we give to Christ.

3. What was the biggest encouragement received during the week?

There were many things that encouraged me.  The greatest however came when Jonathan and Adrienne Haney (Pennsylvania), reported on their experience with the 11-14 year olds (Reformed Youth Crew).  They informed the conference on ‘reflection night’ how much that age group had gained from the sermons and how they were able to discuss intelligently the points of application made from Haggai.

4. What was your favourite activity while staying in Scotland?

Because I was speaking each morning I purposefully avoided many of the activities so that I could rest, prepare and pray for the next day’s preaching.  However, I did go to Edinburgh on the Reformation Tour and thoroughly enjoyed the tour which included Giles Cathedral, National Museum of Scotland and Greyfriars churchyard.  This visit helped to remind me of some of the facts associated with the Scottish Reformation.  The highlight of the afternoon was the Conventicle at the Grassmarket where 150 of us worshipped God and remembered the sacrifice made by many of our spiritual ancestors who were executed at that spot for the Crown Rights of King Jesus and the Covenanted Work of Reformation.

5 . What was your favourite seminar and why?

My favourite seminar was ‘Show and Tell – communication techniques for pastors, SS teachers, HBC leaders and parents’ by Ken and Floy Smith.

So much of my ministry is about communicating.  To be an effective minister of the gospel good communication is vital.  I am therefore always keen to learn from others who have developed skills in this area.  One of the main things that Ken and Floy reinforced was the importance of being a good listener and asking those seeking help appropriate questions.  It is only when we know where people are at in their lives that we can effectively apply relevant gospel truths.

6. How demanding is it to speak at a week of Conference?  What rewards are there for you?

I have to say that it is extremely demanding.  There has to be much prayer.  As well as that there has to be thorough preparation.  Not only must the text be carefully studied in its original context but the Word must be applied in a way that is relevant to the people attending the conference.

A major reward in speaking at a conference is that I was the one who gained most out of the messages from Haggai.  Such a close study of the Word touched my own heart and challenged me over and over again.

7. Did you enjoy speaking at the conference in Scotland over the significant anniversary due to your keen interest in history?

Yes, I did enjoy being in Scotland and at a conference when such a significant anniversary was being commemorated.  I have always been interested in history.  Most research must be carried out in the study or in libraries.  However, being where things actually happened reinforces on the mind what God did in the past and makes it more memorable.

8. Deep, deep, down what would be your first preference of accommodation – the house or the campsite?

This question has made me think.  If truth be told, deep, deep down inside my heart there is still the thrill and excitement of living in a tent and mixing with the others on the campsite at previous conferences.  However, facts have to be faced and bearing in mind the age and stage of my life the more secure accommodation of a house has to be the preference!!

9. What is the main thing that you hope conferees take away from the studies?

Many people came to the conference unsure about what relevance Haggai had for them in serving Christ today.  I hope they went away seeing that this Old Testament book has a message that stirs us up to serve the Lord, challenging our lethargy and complacency and gives us a vision of the glory that is yet to be revealed when Christ returns in all his majesty.

10. Describe your Conference experience with 3 words:

Teaching, Fellowship and Fun.

Robert and wife Sandra, relaxing after a very successful week.

Thank you to Prof. McCollum for this opportunity to interview him!

Ken Smith

Talk 1

Talk 2

Talk 3

Talk 4

Talk 5

More conference reaction on the way tomorrow!

Saturday

For 3/4 of this blog, the week began at 05:00 on an overcast Saturday morning. Having been awake until around 3 hours previously due to an ill-advised FIFA tournament, spirits were at an all-time low as we set off in Gavin’s Fiesta towards Larne to catch the boat with the hole underneath. Things went from bad to worse as I became aware of a desperate urge to use the facilities, and as we discovered upon boarding that a fry would cost upwards of six of your British pounds. However the arrival of fellow pioneers Loughridge, Hanna and Moffet helped raise morale, and cameo appearances from Gregg and other less notable Covenanters kept things interesting. During the crossing, we (ie James, Ben and myself – Renwick Pundit was unavailable for comment) entertained ourselves by distilling a month of World Cup action into a single best XI, playing a 4-2-3-1 system – Neuer; Lahm, Pique, Puyol, Coentrao; Busquets, Schweinsteiger; Muller, Sneijder, Villa; Forlan. With this important business taken care of, attention turned to how we could get both Gav’s and Ben’s cars to Hampden Park, and our pre-conference lad’s treat.

Taken at the horribly early departure time of 1:55am

Slightly more excited travellers…

Things brightened up as we hit the open roads of Scotland (mainly because the Sun was rising…)

Predictably our efforts failed miserably. SatGav enabled us to find the home of Scottish football, but with my series of texts to Ben’s passengers being worse than useless, our compatriots found themselves hopelessly lost. Cue a moment of Divine providence – as the four of us were sat in Subway consuming foot after foot of mega breakfast, Ben pulled up at the traffic lights outside, having spent the previous 45 minutes driving blindly around Glasgow! Spotter’s badge goes to Andy Mo. After we had finished our calorific feast, we returned to Hampden, and sampled the delights of the Scottish Football Museum, a fantastic experience packed full of stuff. Then it was time for the stadium tour, where we learnt that Ben isn’t the only one who is a hazard to the public at large with a ball at his feet. There will be more surprises from Hampden at a later date.

The journey north to Gartmore took around an hour, and upon arrival we found a lovely flat campsite for us to pitch our tents on, with nice trees and excellent views stretching eastwards to somewhere else. Gavin and I quickly realised that our 2-man tent was designed for two men who are extremely well-acquainted, and a second tent was obtained from Ben, who had brought, alongside 37 combat knives, enough canvas to cover nine people. Ben’s spare tent later failed us in the middle of the night, which resulted in a very cosy finish to the week as we migrated back to the original tent. Meanwhile those in the dorms were greeted with mints on pillows, complimentary dressing gowns and a Corby trouser press in each room. We don’t know what the facilities were like for residents of the mansion house, as none of them deigned to speak to the lowly campers during the week.

This is what Ali was up to while his tentmates were at Hampden

Tim beside a full and set up Campsite

The Chip Shop in Aberfoyle was a popular choice for Saturday evening’s tea

The conference began officially that evening with icebreaker games organised by Deborah Steele, which were a good laugh, as we watched Americans trying to figure out Switch If. After supper, the first Youth Extra of the week went down, which some well-meaning person had placed Emmaline and myself in charge of for the week. She saved the day by having stuff planned, unlike your correspondent.

Balancing Pete

Sabbath

Sabbath morning started damp and dreary, conditions which were a reminder of why literally tens of holidaymakers flock to Scotland every summer. Morning worship was great, with Bob McFarland risking the ire of parents by distributing US military clickers to about fifty small children. Pastor Bruce Backensto of Beaver Falls RPC, PA preached an excellent exposition of the conference psalm, Psalm 96. Well worth a listen. How great it was to worship our Redeemer with 400 RPs from around the globe!

After a good feed from my dear mother, we returned to the sports hall to hear our conference guest, Faith Cook, speak about her life and testimony. I must confess, my knowledge of Mrs. Cook was limited to knowing her name and that she was an author. But as her story unfolded, it became clear that she is an extraordinary woman, who has experienced times of both extreme sadness and great blessing. She even got to cook for Martyn Lloyd-Jones! Her tale was very moving, and was, for me, one of the highlights of the week. By this stage in the afternoon, a strange, fiery orb had appeared in the sky, and the campsite was bathed in a warm glow. Discussion turned to the local population of Jabberwocks, and their voracity at this time of year.

Sadly I managed to glue my phone to my right hand on the Saturday and so was stuck to it all week

Taking a casual browse through the programme

Evening worship was taken by Gerard Milligan and Andrew Quigley, with Andrew preaching on Psalm 23. Despite it being a well-known Psalm, the exposition was powerful, reminding us of God’s comfort, protection and meeting of our needs. It was great to hear of a preacher obeying God’s call to abandon his original chosen passage and speak as he felt led. After supper, our YE group met for a Psalm sing, and in the smaller confines of the confusingly-named Conference Hall, the praise of fifty sounded louder and better than that of the 400 in the sports hall!

Monday

Predictably, Monday was wet, and already this theme was becoming tiresome for those of a camping persuasion. Prof. Robert McCollum gave the first of the week’s addresses on Haggai, and I would love to recount it, but I was helping with the 8-11 year olds, which was great, but in a very different way. Their theme for the week was the life of Joseph, and it was great to hear how much they knew of Joseph’s life, not just the events but why they happened and how God used him in mighty ways.

The official afternoon activity for the under 65s was volleyball, but since this is for girls, we took the opportunity to play our first football of the week. It was a low-key affair, with only six on each side, but the quality was high, helped by a wet and zippy surface on Gartmore’s village playing fields. The trapezoid-shaped pitch only added to the excitement. A tightly contested game finished level, and the resulting penalty shootout was won by one of the teams.

Inside the communal tent during those wet lunch times

After an Apple core, Joel proceeded to then get butter in his eye too

Action from the girls’ sport

John laughs as he sees Ali G getting warmed up…

Visiting a sodden Loch Lomond

Once Gavin and I had cooked for ourselves for the second and final time of the week, it was time for the quiz. A highly regimented operation run by Nancy and her personal army, the highlight for me was the bar chart showing each team’s score. Mere numbers just do not suffice! The only team name to stick out in my mind was the brilliant “Two Wrights Don’t Make A Wrong”. After the quiz, there followed Youth Extra, where Emmaline had organised a night of childish stuff, including plasteceine, a sure winner. Americans got bored and spruced things up with the introduction of Ninja. I’d love to explain this strangely compelling spectacle, but I never played and don’t quite know how it works. It seems to involve Ben staring at his opponent intensely for and extended period, before attempting to strike them as hard as he can. Not so far removed from football then.

Quiz

The QuizMaster

Kids Games

Pete about to go in for the kill…

Ben playing Ninja

Tuesday

By Tuesday everyone began to slip into a routine: for those on the campsite, each day began at about 05:30 with the squawks of roughly 2735 crows, mixed in with the snoring of several middle-aged RP males. For those in the house, the butler rang a small bell, and each resident would extract themselves from their four-poster beds, don their monogrammed dressing gowns, and await the delivery of their cooked breakfast. Dorm-dwellers had to make do without the monograms on their dressing gowns.

After another instructive and challenging address on Haggai from the Prof, I represented AK at Steelo’s seminar on blogging, Facebook and all that. The rest of them went off to hear some fella Ken Smith, and I’m eagerly awaiting the audio of that being posted up here, after the glowing reports I heard. Far be it from me to recommend the work of the author of a rival blog, but Steelo excelled himself in front of an audience split between young hip-and-happening types, and concerned/curious/deluded over 45s.

In the afternoon, Gavin and Mel organised a Mini-Olympics, which was a resounding success. I was put in charge of the slippery slope, which proved to be a poisoned chalice, as afterwards roughly 50 conferees aged from 3 to 53 tried to slide down it at exactly the same time. Thankfully messrs Loughridge and Moffett came to my rescue and used their BDC voices to calm things down and restore order. One image that will stay with me for years to come is that of Peti Bajko launching his three-year-old son down the slope as if he were a bowling ball.

Getting excited about the Mini Olympics

Gavlar our Leader

Slippery slope action

In the evening, we were treated to a surprisingly entertaining ceilí, with a real band, and no ridiculous line dancing. Ali G got to kiss his Grandmother, and she wasn’t the only one on the receiving end of the smooching. However it would be churlish of me to name names. At YE, more Ninja was played, probably, and some other stuff happened, possibly.

Rebecca and the affectionately named, Crazy Keith

Adam cooling off outside!

Wednesday

My thanks to Cromie for an excellent first half of the week resport, contrary to popular opinion, he must have been just taking notes on his mobile phone during most of the hours of the day! We had indeed hit that midweek stage and by now the Conference was flying in. Wednesday was a big day, firstly and most importanly because the talks on Haggai had just got over the half way stage (which are all now available on the R.P Website with thanks to Jeff!) and also as it was the day for the trip to Edinburgh.

Once the Buses were unloaded, the crowds were pretty much given a free reign around the City, many chose to go on the pre-arranged Covenanter tour which was put together by Andrew Quigley and his Airdre team, others headed off for a shopping trip whilst some simply chose to recline in a restaurant and escape from the monotony of Campsite cooking! Despite it being wet, the trip was enjoyed by all and we all met towards the end at the Grassmarket for a Conventicle. Singing Psalms in the open air along with a gospel message provided by Rev. Quigley was a highlight for me, knowing that this was the location where many brave Christians died for their faith was moving and inspiring, however equally moving was Rev. Quigley’s call to not get caught up in the romanticism of it all as ‘we only honour them by loving Him who loved them’.

Filling up, at 'the Filling Station'

When the cat's away...

My favourite place in the City

For those left at Gartmore and those who had enough sanity not to choose the Watercolour Workshop, a Football World Cup was played…personally I think Another King is close to overflow with Football Reports, so i’m just gonna leave it at that. However, anticipation was high for past members of Boys Discovery Camp as in the evening, PMO would be blowing the dust off his Eric Liddel talk once more and chucking in the Chariots of Fire DVD for another viewing. As always, executed with perfection, an inspiring story of a man who is seen as a great role model by many, fanastically dedicated to his God, and then to his Sport.

By this stage in the week, teenages had done what teenagers do best and had put to bed any sort of arranged and organised fun in the Youth Extra and much lazing about and chatting was done. Quite a few Concert pieces were also being thrown together at this stage, with the excitement building all the time for it too…this was not merely because of the talent on show but rather every one wanted to know what Rob would do next…

Thursday

It seemed we had seen the last of the rain in Gartmore for the week as the sun was giving us a grand send off for the end of the Conference. The usual morning programme ran smoothly and I finally got to hear a proper version of Ruth Sutherland’s story in her Seminar, which was very challenging when it came to the practical applications of being a Christian in Sport, with a focus on so many vast areas and not just Sport on Sabbath, my mind was working more than usual during that lunch time.

Quite a few options were available in the afternoon, the monkeys among us went off and did their thing on some High Ropes close by, more Football was played, some paid a visit to Loch Katrine and hired bikes, a few cars went off to the nearby Zoo/Safari Park which was another highlight of my week. Despite the initial setback of myself and Abi having to pay full price compared to the rest of the “Students” around us, we had a great afternoon in the sun and saw many cool animals. Ben had his Camera out for most of the afternoon! (Too easy…) After going to both the Sea Lion show and a Birds of Prey demonstration, we made for the cars and went on the wild Safari, driving past Rhinos, Deer, Lions, Camels, Ostriches..is any one feeling jealous yet?!

Checking out the Map

One fine looking Animal

It seemed the Lemurs had all left 'Lemur Land'

Getting ready for the Sea Lion Show

Couldn't miss this opportunity at the Gift Shop

Off for a cycle around Loch Katrine

That night brought in the long awaited Concert and after numerous appeals from hosts Tim and Rob, they had a fairly lengthy but decent line up to keep the crowd entertained for the night. As predicted, the line up had a strong American influence and they didn’t disappoint, some great and very talented singing performances from Elle Duguid and Bob McFarland and his Quartet whilst Tim Duguid’s recreation of a thunderstorm was pretty brilliant! Some severe talent was shown by the Irish contingent also, with ‘the Polytechnic Crew’ scraping it through their LOTR song, a memorable Barrie Barr song and the predictably hilarious Graham Fallows.

The Concert also had an unexpected feather added to it’s cap in terms of audience participation when Brenna and Hayley ‘All Star Mr and Mrs. Winners from Camp’ had an idea to create a few signs to give encouragement to the two young hosts. This created great atmosphere for us watching and succeeded in getting a few great lines out of Rob! My personally highlight was when Rev. Wallace McCollum dandered forwards from his seat a few rows back to check out my ‘Show us a Good Time’ poster, he had a chuckle and then went back to his seat. Crazy Keith did get a slot for his Gollum impression after Supper but then the night ended on a great note when Eileen Anderson single handedly topped the boys final act when demanding that young McCaughan drop down to one knee in relation to the poster she was holding in the front row. A great night and credit must go to Tim and Rob for putting on a fantastic concert for the audience, despite a few dodgy jokes in the spaces between acts…

They loved their Chicken Feed

Our Two Hosts for the Evening

JC giving it stacks

The Leaders of the Polytechnic Crew

Effortlessly funny...

Warren provided the Post-Concert entertainment

Friday

And so the end of the week was upon us, we were left with a fantastic closing message from Uncle Robert concerning Zerubbabel, God’s servant and then the last Seminars took place. It was a week of fantastic teaching and many thought provoking discussions, once again, it seemed that as all the spiritual aspects of the Conference had worked out so well, so then every thing else seemed to fall into place nicely.

Following this, we had a group photo, then were witness to a slightly weird sight in the ‘Address to the Haggis’ before Lunch and finally sung Psalm 100 to all the staff at Gartmore. Informal Games or a Trip to Stirling Castle was the order of business in the afternoon, but most either spent it lazing about the tents in the sun, heading out for a wee dander to Aberfoyle or playing Football.

Following reports from the Mansion House that the Haggis’ Address clearly wasn’t good enough, we all headed into the Conference Hall for the last time, for an evening of ‘Conference Reflections’, a confusing title but it was an activity that turned out to be a fitting end to the week. Various people came forward and shared little bits and pieces of their history at Conferences past, how God had worked through them since those times, or how those particular Conferences had been blessed. A great time to look back on things and reflect, also as Graham Fallows was in charge, witty asides were a definite between each person.

Following a lovely Ice Cream Supper, the Youth Extra crew gathered on the side of the hill which led to the Campsite for an end of week Psalm Sing and Camp Fire. It was a wonderful feeling to be worshipping God after a great week of blessing with good friends and good surroundings, a memory that will stay with me for a long time. The words of Psalm 24 still are ringing in my ears as we were minded that this was only the smallest foretaste of the glory that is to come.

Our Leader!

And so the evening drew on, and soon it became the early hours of Saturday morning, the fire died down, the Folk/Pop songs ceased and people drifted off here and there either to bed or back to the warmth of the Mansion House. A hardy crew decided to head for a near hill top to watch the sun rise together, an entertaining quest, which seemed a lot harder at night, we were left kicking ourselves come day break as it had seemed we took the most indirect route of the lot.

By 9am, quite a few of the Conferees had already left, those in the House had their last cooked breakfast while the Campers tried to finish off the last of the soggy Frosties. Tired bodies all around but the clean and pack up operation was completed successfully and soon every one was saying goodbyes and heading on their way to various modes of transportation to find their way home across the water. In hindsight, these goodbyes were all short lived as most people met up with a strong contingent of R.P’s on the various sailings back that day, however it was nice to say goodbye to Gartmore and think of the memories that were made there.

Thanks to all involved who made it such a successful week, we at Another King had a thoroughly enjoyable time and we’re looking forward to it again in 4 years time.

Saying Goodbyes

Somerville Senior and Junior

Mastercard don't do Tentmates...

So long, farewell...