THEUNITED PARISH

ofCARSTAIRS

&CARSTAIRS JUNCTION

September 2011From the Manse

Shortly after I first gave my heart to Christ a question was put to me that I would like to ask you - "What are you? Are you a thermometer or a thermostat?”

In case I confuse you, let me explain - a thermometer reflects its environment, it shows what the temperature is. If it’s hot outside - it says it’s hot; if it’s cold, it says it’s cold; it exerts no influence on what's around it - rather it is influenced by it.

A thermostat. A thermostat has power, it sets the temperature, it changes things.

So - what are you? A thermometer, or a thermostat?

What a great question! It is one that Jesus puts to his disciples:

"You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost itstaste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longergood for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under

foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on ahill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it

under the bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it giveslight to all in the house. In the same way, let your light

shine before others, so that they may see your good worksand give glory to your Father in heaven."

Think about it for a minute - Jesus tells us - "You are the salt of the earth..." And again, "You are the light of the world".

Somehow - because of our decision to follow Jesus we are made into salt - into light - for the world.

Our Session and Board are embarking upon a new 5 year plan for our church. We have used this theme of salt and light as our launch pad. We look forward to sharing with you in our plans and visions. Ultimately however, as a congregation we have to

be salt and light in our communities or all our planning is worth nothing. Failure to inspire those around us with our faith and to affect the spiritual diet of others means we are not being church.

The divine is a light within us and faith is the match that sets it glowing.

19th century philosopher and sceptic Frederick Nietzsche. Nietzsche said this about the churches of his day:

"They must sing better songs, ere I learn belief in their saviour. They must act like they are redeemed before I will believe in their redeemer."

May Christ be with you.

Alan, Karen, Benjamin and George

Minister’s Week

Preparation takes up a considerable part of any working week – preparation for funerals, talks, sermons, schools, and even the dreaded meetings.

This last week has been a good example of the need for careful preparation. The week began with a wedding and a lovely celebration for a very nice couple from Carstairs Junction.

The Sunday service had both a morning and evening time of worship – a sermon takes me about 4 hours to “create”, but by the time I have written prayers, chosen hymns, and designed powerpoint slides or edited film clips, the preparation time is closer to 12 hours for a Sunday morning service.

If you add into this the varied array of other events – 2 funerals, a New Communicants class, a Prayer Meeting, 4 meetings and 3 school assemblies - the preparation time alone for this varied list is close to 30 hours. The time to go and conduct these services/meetings comes to about another 30 hours. Somehow I still have to fit pastoral visits, hospital visits and the usual array of the unexpected into this mix. It certainly keeps the adrenalin pumping, although it tends to keep the blood pressure a bit high also unfortunately.

Yes, it is hard work but the highlight of this week is 2 fold. Carstairs Junction Primary School invited me to their Oscars. This was an event to launch the new DVD the pupils made of Carstairs Junction in by gone days. It was a fabulous evening with many film stars such as Flo Cheeseman, Robert Cowan and Janet Tervitt – they all had starring roles in the film. The pupils did so well, and a big congratulations to my sister-in-law Angela who oversaw the whole project.

The other highlight was being at Benjamin and George’s assembly. Being the Minister allows me that wonderful chance

that not many working parents have of gate-crashing their assemblies and watching their faces when awards are presented. It’s a joy that only lasts for a few years – and as many of you know those years fly by in the blink of an eye.

Time is free, but it's priceless. You can'town it, but you can use it. You can't keep

it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost ityou can never get it back.

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A man and his young son went to church, and when they came out the father was complaining that the service was too long, the preacher was no good, and the singing was off-key.

Finally the little boy said, "Daddy, I thought it was pretty good for 50 pence.

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A Pastor in Florida lamented that it was very difficult to get his message across to his congregation. "It's so beautiful here in the winter," he said, "that heaven doesn't interest them. And it's so hot here in the summer that hell doesn't scare them."

Over the past months we have had a number of bereavements in the parish and I would ask you to pray for the families and friends of:

Margaret DornanJimmy Marshall, CarnwathIan Dixon, Carstairs JunctionJohn James, BraidwoodElizabeth Scott, CarlukeBrian Greenshields, CarnwathAnnie Cossar, Carstairs JunctionDavid Sinclair, LanarkPhillip Brown, West Calder

Flower Calendar04.09.11 Mrs G Hamilton / Mrs M Jardine11.09.11 Miss M Madill & Mrs A Bruce18.09.11 Miss P Little & Mrs I Milne25.09.11 Mrs Stirling & Mrs Baird

02.10.11 Mrs F Cheeseman / Mrs N Gilchrist09.10.11 Mrs M Jamieson / Mrs E Crawford16.10.11 J & A McInnes / Miss J Anderson23.10.11 Mrs H Orr30.10.11 Mrs A Howland

06.11.11 Mr T Mee13.11.11 Mrs M Cowan (Carnwath)20.11.11 Mrs I Jarvie27.11.11 Mr E Pringle

Mrs A Flockhart & Mrs K Jamieson

04.12.11 Mrs H OwenMrs Spence & Mrs Gordon

11.12.11 Mr A Nelson18.12.11 Mrs L Lauder25.12.11 Mrs F Cheeseman

WEBSITE

To help keep the website updated, it would be helpful to have contact details of all leaders and organisers of the various church groups. If you have not already done so, could you please give me a note of this and any details of your group’s meetings, dates, events etc.

If you have email, you can forward to cookielizw@msn.com or hand info to me at church.

Liz Warnock.

BRIGHTEN YOUR CORNER

The work that God assigned to us,Unimportant as it seems, 

That makes our task outstanding, And brings reality to dreams.

So do not sit and idly wishFor wider, new dimensions

Where you can put into practice, Your many good intentions.

But at the spot God placed youBegin at once to do, 

Little things to brighten upThe lives surrounding you.

If everybody brightened upThe spot where they're standing, 

By being more considerate, And a little less demanding.

This dark old world would very soonEclipse the evening star, 

If everybody brightened upThe corner where they are!

The Session and Board spent an afternoon in July laying the foundation stones for the way ahead in the next 5 years.

It will be a tough journey as we are aware of the uncertainties within Presbytery concerning the Plan. The original proposal suggested we unite with Carnwath. Inevitably there are concerns about financing buildings, but in general there is a warmth towards a union with Carnwath. However, this plan was rejected by Presbytery. We find ourselves a long way off a resolution.

So – we must continue on our path, praying for God’s guidance and trusting that He will ultimately take us where He wants us to go.

The Board and Session began their conference with a beautiful lunch, followed by a chance to look at our past. There were many things we gave thanks for:

-new styles of worship-variety within our worship, including use of multi media

-the visit of the African Children’s Choir-the camels at Christmas

-our St Andrew’s day service and the marquee at the Manse-the new groups such as the Net

-the X Factor night-Soul Sisters

-outdoor Easter worship-the period of interim ministry

…and so much more.

We spoke too about some of the changes within our church – some of these changes have been hard, but many have benefited the church.

Lastly, we looked to the future. We must continue to be salt and light, and that means that every person in our church has a role to play in the ministry.

We would dearly like to develop further our youth ministry and we pray that Linda Brown (our new Youth Co-ordinator) will be guided in her Ministry.

The African Children’s Choir may be returning to Carstairs in September 2012, and we rejoice in that.

We would like to take our Easter story into the heart of the community, and have a series of dramatized services throughout Holy Week 2013, with spaces for meditation and prayer.

We would also like to continue sharing our faith, simply by telling the story of our faith – and in this regard we would like to tell the Christmas story, panto style, in the heart of our community.

We undoubtedly have big decisions to make about our buildings, and indeed our finances. Somehow we need to challenge our congregation to increase its givings, and we also need to begin the task of challenging those who give nothing in time, talents or money to the church.

We all have a part to play here. Can I ask you to pray for the Session and Board – ask God to enable us to discern His purpose for His church in this place; ask God to empower the Session, Board and Minister with a bold vision that has no fear of moving forwards. Ask God to help us and to shield us from the subtle ways in which evil can attack us, sometimes by distracting us, and at other times by causing division within.

God bless,Alan

I finished the previous magazine in June by giving thanks for small mercies, and by stating that “at least we are not bottom of the league”. These words have returned to hit me in the face – we finished bottom!!!

Alas – we were actually bottom with 17 points, although 5 teams did finish within 3 points of us.

The team has been in pre season training for a few weeks now, and we have signed 3 new players, although we have also lost a few lads due to work commitments. We hope that our first season will be a wake up call to everyone – the churches league is no easy league.

Our league campaign begins on Saturday 3rd September away to Chryston, another new team in the churches league.

Sunday 23rd October7pm Carstairs Junction Church

Come and listen to some of the country’s finest jazz

musicians as they team up at Carstairs Junction Church for an evening of music and entertainment.

2nd OctoberIan Douglas – John KnoxJohn Knox was a Scottish clergyman and a leader of the Protestant Reformation who brought reformation to the church in Scotland. He was educated at the University of St Andrews and was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood in 1536. 

4th SeptemberHolly Gray - speaks about her trip to Uganda. What are the challenges being faced by Christians in Uganda? How does it deal with poverty, Aids/HIV, and the problems of suffering?

6th NovemberAlan Gibson – Music and FaithOur Minister takes us on a journey through many different genres of music that have been inspired by faith. We journey from the Psalms of David to U2, from Isaac Watts to Robbie Williams. 

4th DecemberIan Gibson – MacLeod and George MacLeod was one of the best known, most influential and unconventional Church of Scotland ministers of the 20th century. He was the founder of the Iona Community. Ian speaks passionately about Iona and MacLeod, and this is not to be missed.

Coming soon . . .

Lite BitesFeed the body with soup and a roll,

feed the mind with a hymn and 5 minute thought for the day.Carstairs Junction Church

The last Monday of the month, 12 noon at Carstairs Junction Church29th August 26th September 31st October 28th November

Its official - the training isUnderway and there’s no turning back.  Many of you will know that over the last few years I have taken part in a number of events (usually running) to raise funds for St Andrews Hospice. For the simple reason that they took such amazing care of my dad in the last few days of his life. I owe them a debt of gratitude.  This year it’s something a little different….a 51 mile bike ride from the city of Glasgow to the capital of Edinburgh. Thankfully I will not be alone on the day….I am being joined by a few other girls from the village. So as we cycle around the roads of this county spare a thought for us and our saddle-sore “ahem” limbs. Or else feel free to join us….never too late!  So, if you have the time please have a look at my JustGiving page - Karen-Gibson21 at www.justgiving.com or alternatively the sponsor form to be found in the vestibule at church. No matter how small any donation you are able to give it will be received with a very thankful heart and will make a huge difference to a hospice which has to raise a very large proportion of its own running costs.

Thank you and God bless.

Karen xSOULSISTERS . . . a group of women to do life with!

The group for girls who need some time-out!

On a rollercoaster and wondering how to get off? Its time to hit the break….SoulSisters is back and things kick off after the summer break with a quiz night to be held on Friday, 2 September. Karen has already been compiling the questions so its guaranteed not to be too difficult – lots of movie, music and Disney questions!

If you haven’t joined us on one of our evenings but would like more information please speak to us on Sunday morning or give us a call/send an email.

Karen and Linda soulsisters@hotmail.co.uk 01555 871123/01555 870028

SOSING!The Music Group meets to learn new songs and praise items. It’s a chance to lift our voices and our hearts to God in worship. We have hopefully been able to introduce songs to the congregation that have inspired and cheered you all. You don’t have to be a wonderful singer, only able to hold a tune. For me, music is something that cannot fail to bring me closer to God, whether through the music itself or the words of the song we sing. It can lift your heart when it is weary or allow you to express joy and adoration when you are happy. Music is a truly wonderful gift and the group enjoy sharing their voices with the church. Want to join? Please speak to Karen or call (01555

871123) or email (kazg1973@yahoo.co.uk) for more details.

You love The Net so now there’s more

Breakfast every Sunday morning, 10am in Carstairs Community Centre. Followed by a chance to chat about things that matter to you.

Starts Sunday 4th September for P7 upwards

The place to be on a Sunday night.If you are in P7 to S3 join us for games, sports, themed events and a whole lot more.Starts back Sunday 4th September. Carstairs Community Centre 7.00pm to 8.45pm

CARSTAIRS AND CARSTAIRS JUNCTION GUILD

Dedication Service will take place on Sunday, 2nd October at the joint service at Carstairs Parish Church

The new session of the Guild will start on Thursday, 13th October in Carstairs Community Centre at 7.30 p.m. The speaker will be Mr. Wilson Munn. Everyone is welcome to attend our meetings as a member or visitor.

The Net

We have some of our meetings in Carstairs Community Centre and some in Carstairs Junction Church and they all normally commence at 7.30 p.m. The November meeting is on Thursday, 15th in the Community Centre. This will be a Scots Night. The December meeting is in Carstairs Junction Church on the Thursday, 1st . We will be learning to make gift boxes and also have our Bring and Buy Christmas parcel.Further information about the Guild syllabus will be in the next magazine.

STREET RE-UNIONEastend Terrace and Manse Road (wooden houses) were built 63 years ago. Many people have lived there over the years. With this being the 100th gala day I thought it would be a good idea to invite old neighbours to a re-union. Including family there were 30 of us. Some I hadn’t seen for 40 years. What a great couple of hours we spent reminiscing. Many pictures were taken. We watched the parade then had a buffet lunch. Then we all went over to the ‘green’ for the gala celebration. Meeting many more ‘kent faces’ on the green just added to a great day.

1ST CARSTAIRS BOY’S BRIGADEDear ParentsThe Boy’s Brigade re-starts on Tuesday 6 th September 2011, at Carstairs Village Community Centre.All boys are welcomeAnchor Boy’s Age 5-8 years 6.30 p.m.-7.30 p.m.Junior Section Age 8-11 years 7.30 p.m.-9.00 p.m.Weekly Subscription £1Membership £5Uniform:Existing members please wear full uniform.

Anchor Boys – BB Sweatshirt, trousers-grey, black or navy. No jeans or jogging trousers. BB hat, arm band. Indoor shoes for sport.New uniforms can be purchased from any officer or The Boy’s Brigade, battalion Headquarters, 353 Orbiston Street, Motherwell. Telephone No. 01698 259135. Opening hours: Wed. 7.00 p.m.-8.00 p.m. or Sat. 10.00 a.m.-12 noon

Yours Steadfastly,Elizabeth Brown

The United Parish of Carstairs and Carstairs JunctionOfferings to the end of July 2011

May 2011 F.W. £2725.30Ordinary £447.95

June 2011 F.W. £2544.40Ordinary £498.29

July 2011 F.W. £2272.80Ordinary £434.75

Total £8923.49

Offerings to the end of July 2010

May 2010 F.W. £1916.73Ordinary £423.10

June 2010 F.W. £2629.70Ordinary £780.10

July 2010 F.W. £1811.50Ordinary £361.81

Total £7922.94

The Offerings show an increase of approximately £1000 over the same period last year.

Retiring Offerings:Church Football Team: £117.00

Fund Raising:Shine Concert: £917.00

Lenten Lunches: £103.10Coffee Morning (June): £141.50

Parish Collection (Bags): £1165.00

The Congregational Board would like to express their sincere thanks to everyone who has helped in any way to achieve all the

above totals.

Weekly Freewill Offerings

We would like to encourage all members and friends of the Church who support the church by their regular giving. For anyone without envelopes who would like to contribute in this way, envelopes can be obtained by contacting Robert Cowan (01555 870580).

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Gift Aid Declaration

Please note that if you are a UK tax payer you can further assist the church by completing a Gift Aid Declaration Form which can be obtained from the Gift Aid Treasurers. This will enable us to reclaim 28p for every £1 gifted. For further information contact: Anne Stewart (01555 660678) or Lorna Bruce (01555 870426).

OFFICE BEARERSMinister Rev. Alan Gibson, B.A., B.D, The Manse,

11 Range View, Cleghorn, ML11 8TFTel. 871123

Session Clerk Keith Whitton, 69 Lanark Road, Carstairs,ML11 8QL, Tel. 870642

Deputy Session Clerk Irene Williams, Killara, 13 Hagholm Road, Cleghorn, ML11 7SG, Tel. 664694

Congregational Board Mabel Morris, 72 Lanark Road, CarstairsClerk ML11 8QH, Tel. 870676

Treasurer Barbara Kay, 6 Howe's Way, Carstairs Junction, ML11 8SE, Tel. 870043

Deputy Treasurer Robert Cowan, 2 Lime Walk, Carstairs, ML11 8PX, Tel. 870580

F.W.O. Treasurer Robert Cowan, 2 Lime Walk, Carstairs, ML11 8PX, Tel. 870580

Gift Aid Treasurers Anne Stewart, Braxfield Road, Lanark, 660678Lorna Bruce, 8 Railway View, Carstairs,

870426

Presbytery Elder Mr Alex Nelson, 87 Somerville Drive, Carnwath, ML11 8JW, Tel. 840459

Roll Keeper Barbara Kay, 6 Howe's Way, Carstairs Junction, ML11 8SE, Tel. 870043

Property Convenor’s Ian Brown (Jnr), 87 Lanark Road, Carstairs,ML11 8QQ, Tel. 870028 Keith Whitton, 69 Lanark Road, Carstairs,ML11 8QL, Tel. 870642

Social Convenor Roberta Finlayson, 50 Carstairs Road, Carstairs ML11 8PS, Tel. 870817

Child Protection Trevor Mee & Kate Langton, 4 Silvermuir

Co-ordinators Cottages, Cleghorn, ML11 Tel. 870558Christian Aid Ian & Linda Brown, 87 Lanark Road, Carstairs,

ML11 8QQ, Tel. 870028

Prayer Promoter Rev. Alan Gibson, B.A., B.D, The Manse, 11 Range View, Cleghorn, ML11 8TFTel. 871123

Magazine Co-ordinator Mary Cowan, 2 Lime Walk, Carstairs, ML11 8PX, Tel. 870580

Flower Convenor’s Mary Cowan, 2 Lime Walk, Carstairs, ML11 8PX, Tel. 870580

Hazel McDonald, 72 Strawfrank Road, Carstairs Junction, ML11 8RE, Tel.

870694

CCL Licence Jennifer Whitton, 69 Lanark Road, Carstairs,Correspondent ML11 8QL, Tel. 870642

Organist Mrs Ann McMillan, 45 Belstane Road, CarlukeML8 4BG Tel. 771039

Web Site Liz Warnock, 12 Park Ave, Carstairs Junction, ML11 8PW, Tel. 870243carstairschurches.btck.co.uk

Published by The United Parish of Carstairs & Carstairs Junction

Typeset, compiled and printed by Riverside Printing

Carstairs & Carstairs Junction Church of Scotland Registered Charity No SCO 28124