January Money Charity figures

The latest statistics from the money Charity can be found here.

How has the Christmas spend gone?
Are we saving more or borrowing more? 

The latest statistics from the money Charity can be found here.

Join the new project and improve your understanding ...of the bible

Been checking out this U tube and found it to be helpful. Bible project. Subscribe at the u tube page for updated videos.

1,000,000 subscribers

 

SETI@Home... help me or rather them.

I refer to my last post and using your PC be it apple or windows to help Berkeley University carry out calculations to seek confirmation as to any extra messages being beamed to us from outer space.

The actual electricity is minimal and if you have your machine all day then when you are not using it you could allow the university to use the processing power.

Its easy to set up and you can get the links from the last post here.
There are many worthwhile projects you you help. I an concentrated on this one.

Once you are set up , its easy, please join me in the team PerthScotlandSETI and we can track our cumulative credit.

Go on help someone today.

You do not have to live in Perth Scotland...

I will come to " you do not have to live in Scotland" in a minute.

Nothing to do with Church but...
Can you remember some years ago a University in USA was unable to purchase a super computer to carry out calculations of sorts and asked the public to have the ability to use their (when free) computers to help with the work. It has been some years now and the project works like a screensaver. When you are not working on your computer it is given over to the university to carry out various tasks. ( its not a big drain on your electric bill).

I am involved with SETI@Home.

If you want to join me in my group where we record our "credit" then once signed up go to teams and join "PerthScotlandSETI". You do not have to live in Perth Scotland to link into the Group. It simple pulls the "credits" together a s a total.

This project is looking for ...well you read and find out.

The project does not interfere with your day today computer work and simply suspends work while you are carrying out your activities.

SETI@Home

IOS 12.1.1

If you have updated your I pad to operating system 12.1.1 then you now are able to have face time with multi users. I have tried it and it works well. Other users like Messenger and Google hang outs are just as good.

Highland challenge

I am still concerned for those in the highlands of Scotland who feel isolated with regard to Christian fellowship and getting together with like minded people.

Its not all about big venues and large worship meetings but it is good to engage with like minded folks.

Is there a need for a communication that helps?

Barter books got a lot of views.

Hi Everyone

 Barter books got a lot of views. As Did Alexander Duff this week.

 Nice of you to stop by.

Cambridge papers

Here is a link to the recent Cambridge papers, in this case a look at persecution.

Cambridge Papers Pitfalls in combatting persecution by Judd Birdsall

Keep the Focus backstage

I don't know how many years they have been playing and touring , but I do remember them on Old Grey Whistle Test back in 72, Focus were in Scotland this week touring playing new material from their Focus eleven album out 16 November. 

At Kinross they played Silvia, Hocus Pocus, Focus 2 Focus 3, ...New tracks Who's calling? Mare nostrum , Mazzel and Focus 11- that I remember. 

2 and a half hour set was really good. and Thjs van Leer the keyboard and flute player and vocals of sorts ...and yodelling was the entertainer signing autographs and making himself available to the public.  Sound was good for this small venue and the atmosphere was good. My group, containing fans and non fans all loved the night.  The drum solo near the end by Pierre van der Linden the other founder was amazing and better than Cozy Powell! dare I say.

  

Gig dates 

The band

Conflict of interests... might be topical... again

Taking care, with “Conflicts of Interest”

Trustees have a duty to act in the best interests of the charity and its beneficiaries. They must avoid situations where their personal interests or their duties conflict with their duty to the charity unless they have been authorised. The duty also extends to conflicts that arise because of persons connected with them. 

Conflicts of interest can occur in many ways.

A conflict of interest can occur when a trustee stands to benefit personally from the charity - for example, if they or a connected person receive a grant from the charity as a service user or a payment for a professional service. 

Conflicts of interest may come in a number of different forms:

• direct financial gain or benefit to the trustee, such as:
• payment to a trustee for services provided to the charity
• the award of a contract to another organisation in which a trustee has an interest and from which a trustee will receive a financial benefit
• the employment of a trustee in a separate post within the charity, even when the trustee has resigned in order to take up the employment
• indirect financial gain, such as employment by the charity of a spouse or partner of a trustee, where their finances are interdependent
• non-financial gain, such as when a user of the charity’s services is also a trustee
• conflict of loyalties, such as where a trustee is appointed by the local authority or by one of the charity’s funders, or where a friend of a trustee is employed by the charity

Trustees cannot receive a benefit from the charity unless it is allowed under the law or by the charity’s governing document: such authorisation might involve approval from the Charity Commission.

A conflict of interest can also occur when a trustee has a conflict of loyalties between the charity and their personal or other interests – for example, if they are a member of a local authority that funds the charity or a trustee of a competing charity.

Any conflict of interest should be carefully managed. It is good practice for trustees to agree a conflict of interest policy record and regularly record conflicts in a register, and note them in board minutes.

Having a Policy makes it clear the parameters of authority and encourages transparency.

A conflict of interest policy sets out the procedure to be followed if a trustee declares an interest. It should include a register of interests where trustees disclose outside interests and those of connected persons that might potentially conflict with their role as a trustee.

If a trustee has a conflict of interest which creates a real danger of bias (or could be perceived to do so) they should withdraw from the relevant part of the meeting where the relevant decision is to take place.

The Companies Act 2006 brought in new statutory duties for trustees of charitable companies. These include duties to avoid conflicts of interest, not accept benefits from third parties and declare an interest in a proposed transaction. These duties include a duty to avoid conflicts of loyalty.

Trustees of charitable companies must ensure they are properly disclosing and authorising conflicts of interest in line with their statutory duties.

• Register of conflicts of interest
• Policy regarding how to deal with themⁱ

i The policy might include that the person with the conflict would not be able to discuss the item or not be able to vote on a decision relating to the conflict. Of course they could provide information to allow the remaining trustees to make an informed decision.

Elephant debt etc

 Bit of another stramash in the USA as James S MacDonald and his associated church take legal action against some bloggers namely Elephant debt.

For a good summary of the situation see tallskinnykiwi a new blog site for Andrew Jones.

I do not know what was said in the article but MacDonald, by taking action, some would indicate too early, indicates his concern over the topics written.

Its unfortunate that this action has taken place and for bloggers around the globe it does threaten the freedom of speech.   

I would not support down right lies or mis information but likewise we do need freedom to express views.

Christianity today and its news on the subject

"The site ( Elephant Debt) has culled stories of alleged mismanagement at Harvest since 2012, including claims of as much as $70 million in mortgage debt and a lack of accountability from its elder board."

I hope its not another leadership problem where governance is thrown out the windows to meet certain aims.

Visit to Barter Books and not the first time! Reformation was fairly costly.

Took some time out at Alnwick on our way back from Harrogate last week.  "Barter books" is a book shop with several years of upgrading and innovative work in selling books and providing a shelter for readers and those who just want a change from the daily routine. It is based in the railway station. Apart from a bit of lunch we never bought anything. I could have.! Saw this book with its price tag near the other book keenly priced. 

For today's reflection 

Its simple. Consider any book that has had an impact on you r thinking, life and or outlook.
The book could be Harry Potter, Clockwork Orange, Pride and Prejudice or a business book.

What was it that triggered the alertness?
is it still valid? ...Or is it superseded by later events and readings.


 Now what book in the Bible are you avoiding which might want to talk to you or minister to you.>?

Have you read...The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard and considered his pointers to live in heaven now !...here on earth.

Actually I read the following some years ago and thought it A WONDERFUL STATEMENT.

"The aim of God in History is the formation of an all-inclusive community of loving persons with God himself included in the community as its prime Sustained and most glorious Inhabitant."


-The Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible.