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24
FINALLY
I sincerely hope that you all enjoyed this Magazine Issue. Please
remember this is OUR platform to share news, articles, photographs with all
our Church Family and welcome ALL contributions. Next Issue will be
February 2017.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you good
health, happiness, peace and joy at this very special time.
Alison Berry
Alison Berry 0141 563 5142 Email: [email protected]
1
MEARNS KIRK CHURCH MEARNS KIRK CHURCH
MAGAZINEMAGAZINE
WINTER 2016WINTER 2016
MEARNS KIRK (CHURCH OF SCOTLAND) Scottish Charity No. SC007125
CHRISTMAS IS THE CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS, THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD
2
WINTER CALENDAR
NOVEMBER
27th First Sunday of Advent: Worship at 9.30am (C) and 11.00am (G)
Remembering Those We Love: — A Service for the Bereaved 6.30pm
DECEMBER
4th Second Sunday of Advent: Worship at 9.30am (D) and11.00am (H)
Gift Service
11th Third Sunday of Advent: Worship at 9.30am (A) and 11.00am (I)
Candles, Carols & Communion: 6.30pm ALL ARE WELCOME!
18th Fourth Sunday of Advent:10.30am (J) Christmas Nativity Play
24th 11.30pm Watchnight Service
25th 10.30am (K) CHRISTMAS DAY FAMILY WORSHIP
JANUARY:
1st 10.30am (L) NEW YEARS DAY
8th 9.30am (B) and 11.00am (G)
15th 9.30am (C) and 11.00am (H)
22nd 9.30am (D) and 11.00am (I)
29th 9.30am (A) and 11.00am (J)
FEBRUARY
5th 10.30am (K) & 2.30pm (K)
COMMUNION
12th 9.30am (B) and 11.00am (L)
19th 9.30am (C) and 11.00am (G)
26th 9.30am (D) and 11.00am (H)
ELDER GROUPS
A: Sandra McFarlane, Beth Seymour, Ramsay Withycombe
B: Isabelle Dyer, Bill Jenkins, Des Young
C: Ronnie Sinclair, Marshall Wyllie, Bea Young
D: Barbara Bremner, Mary Deas, Bryan Robertson, Ian Stubbs
G: Donald Fraser, Marje Gillies, Violet Kavanagh, Sandra McKay
H: Ann Campbell, Robert Paton, Sandy Watson
I: Stewart Drummond, Roger Eason, Marianne MacGregor
J: Heather Anderson, Susan Fraser, Christine Milliken
K: Norman Anderson, Isobel Dawson, Anne Kerrigan
L: Lindsay McKendrick, Liz Ronald, Jim Shaw
23
TEEN RANCH
Our young folks had an amazing time at the beginning of October - an action
packed weekend at Teen Ranch. The weather was sunny for most of the
weekend - and warm enough for using the waterslide into the boating pond.
Activities included horse riding, canoeing, BMX biking, bonfire and hide &
seek in the dark! Everyone enjoyed the Time Out sessions where we talked
about God and the World - and did plenty of singing. Our wee group had a
lot of talented musicians amongst them - so the guitars and piano were well
used. Special “Thank You” to Shona and David Clark for giving up their
weekend and taking us in their cars - we could not have done this without
you.
Feedback from some of group included this:-
“Horse riding, air rifle shooting, BMX tracks were all great fun—my favourite
activity was all of them ! I cannot pick one. When we went horse riding , I
rode Sunny. I had been to Teen Ranch once before and would definitely go
again. I enjoyed it so much I am hoping to go back in November to the junior
staff training weekend, so I can volunteer to work there over the Summer
Holidays” Elsbeth
“Archery, Mojave (my horse) was great and I would love to go again and
recommend to friends” Grace
“My favourite activity was air rifle shooting. I got to ride Tex, the Clydesdale
horse and I would definitely go next year” Matt
Marianne MacGregor
22
EAST RENFREWSHIRE FOODBANK
In October, we had an Outreach Meeting where speakers from the East
Renfrewshire Foodbank and the Lodging House Mission told us about the
need for donations of food for the two organisations and how each
operated. Ag Law of the Foodbank told us that since its inauguration three
years ago, over 4000 people had been fed, and the need is still as great.
Food donated is sorted into date order, so that no out-of-date food is given
out, and packages are made up for singles, couples, small and large
families. People who come to collect their food are given the opportunity to
talk to someone over coffee or tea, and pointed in the direction where
further help and advice may be given.
“Local supermarkets have boxes where customers can donate food, and
several of them allow us to collect instore from time to time. When we run
short of particular foods, the cash donations we receive enable us to buy
items to make up what we need. The items we tend to run short of are
sugar, coffee, jam, milk, juice and biscuits, but we are always grateful for all
the donations we receive, and would like to thank the congregation here at
Mearns Kirk for their continued generosity.” A reminder of the items
needed by the Foodbank: Tins of soup, beans, spaghetti, vegetables,
fruit, fish, meat, tomatoes, rice, custard. Sugar, jam, biscuits, teabags,
coffee, cereal, pasta, pasta sauce, long-life milk/fruit juice
Elaine MacNiven
CROSSWORD SOLUTION
ACROSS
3. Solomon , 5. Oath, 8. Isaiah, 9. Publican, 11. Cupbearer, 12. Nabad
13. Stephen, 14. Bel, 15. Enoch, 18. Ezra, 20. Jubal, 21. Lion
DOWN
1. God, 2. Embalm, 4. Saviour, 6. Tabernacle, 7. Hilkiah, 8. Iniquity
10. Whales, 14. Bath, 16. Hell, 17. Saul, 19. Dan
3
Hi Folks.
Advent approaches! For a good while, already, people
have been preparing for Christmas but now, in the
Church, we begin our own preparations.
In Church we shall sing our songs of expectation and
promise.
In Church we shall, again, tell our stories of God’s
purposeful planning.
In Church we shall prepare to welcome Jesus afresh into the world and into
our hearts.
Advent helps us to truly focus on what is at the heart of Christmas, a making
known, in Jesus, of the heart of God for all people. There will be much to lay
hold of to make our Christmas so very special; please come and enter into
the preparations and celebrations. And then there is Christmas itself. What
beauty, wonder and mystery are bound up with what our Faith says about
the birth of THIS child.
God coming to share our life: amazing!
God coming to make Himself known in ways we can see, hear and relate to:
incredible!
God coming to love us, and through such love to offer hope for humanity
and indeed all of creation: astounding!
We cannot understand how this all comes about, but when we experience
the love of God in Jesus, we can know the reality of which it speaks. I hope
and pray that all our hearts will be open to what God is saying and offering
to us and all people in the birth of Jesus. This is a time of new possibilities
and, indeed, a new life for the world. So listen, sing, read,
pray, worship, get ready for Jesus the Saviour who comes
to save the world through love.
Joy and Peace to you and all whom you love.
Joe
MESSAGE FROM JOE
4
The charity KIND was founded in Liverpool in 1973
by Stephen Yip. KIND stands for Kids in Need and Distress. Its purpose is to
help children whose lives are disadvantaged by poverty. For many years
Stephen brought children to Scotland for residential breaks and always
included Scottish children. He started in Quarriers Village, in Bridge of Weir
and ended up at the charity’s own beautiful estate in Balbeg in Ayrshire.
In 1993 KIND (Scotland) was established specifically to raise money to help
children living in Scotland benefit from the KIND experience.
Thanks to my husband, KIND’s solicitor, I became a Trustee of the charity
and since then have been involved in organising lots of fundraising events.
Unfortunately, we are no longer able to meet the cost of residential breaks
but have, instead, expanded another aspect of our work—the provision of
food hampers at Christmas.
Thanks to trusted relationships with organisation such as Aberlour Trust,
Quarriers in Ruchazie, Glasgow Befriending & Family Addiction Support
Services, we can identify families most in need and provide food hampers
that will not only cover the Christmas period, but will take the family through
into the New Year. This way, the most vulnerable children get help that will
make their Christmas a little happier. The Reverend John Miller, when he
was at Castlemilk East, told of families reduced to tears of joy as the door
closed after he had delivered the hampers. Another health visitor friend told
of the wee boy, who had never seen a Christmas cracker, and whose joy on
receiving such a small gift was humbling. Each hamper costs us £50 to
produce. In addition to the main hamper, the family will receive a tray of
fresh fruit and vegetables. My work for KIND (Scotland) compels me to do all
that I can to make a difference wherever possible.
Please look out for an event which will take place on Saturday 3rd
December called “My KIND of Cake”. All the money raised from this event
will enable me to provide more hampers for families who really need our
help.
Susan Fraser
K.I.N.D.
21
BAPTISMS
AT THE FONT: Jesus said “Baptise in the
Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Spirit”
28 August: Eleanor Maria Park, daughter of Chris and Christine, Glasgow
9 October: Nathan Ian Robert Macrae, son of Euan and Lesley-Anne,
Symington
9 October: Darcey Rose Cassels, daughter of Andrew and Melanie,
Mearns
30 October: Grace Elizabeth Finlayson, daughter of Gordon and Lucie,
Mearns
GUILD’S CHRISTMAS FAYRE
As mentioned earlier in the Magazine, the Annual Old Time Christmas Fayre
will be held on Saturday 26th November from 10am. This is a wonderful
fundraising opportunity, with plenty of seasonal items plus tea, coffee and
our famous home-baking. So come along and enjoy the fellowship and
friendship of our Church Family.
“Where there is faith there is love; Where there is
love, there is peace; Where there is peace, there
is God; Where there is God , there is no need”
(Leo Tolstoy)
WEBSITE
The new Church Website is coming on well - a lot of work has
gone into its development and it is really taking shape. We should
all be able to access by the end of November.
Marje Gillies
20
CAROL SINGING IN ASDA
Please come along and join us in Asda, Newton Mearns on Sunday 18th
December. We are delighted to have been asked by the Management to sing
carols and Christmas songs in the store from 12 noon—4pm on that day. The
Church Choir will start off the afternoon at 12 noon, followed by the
Friendship Singers, the Lunch Club and finally our young people. We are
looking for friends, families and members of the Congregation to join any of
the groups and help with numbers. No choir experience needed, just
enthusiasm and a love of singing! This is a wonderful opportunity to let the
community see and hear that the Church is present and alive in Mearns
today!
AN EVENING OF SCOTTISH
HOSPITALITY
Date for your 2017 Diary! Saturday 4th February. A Celebration of All Things
Wonderfully Scottish, including a Ceilidh. More information and tickets will be
available soon. Contact myself, Marianne MacGregor (07718 317215) or
Mandy Stewart (0141 419 9747)
Alison Berry
FAIRTRADE CHRISTMAS CARDS
Please remember that the Fair Trade Christmas Cards will be on sale from the first Sunday in November until the end of the first week in December in the Church
vestibule after each service.
5
SRI LANKA
EXPEDITION
I would like to thank the entire Church Family for your exceptionally
generous support with regards to my expedition to Sri Lanka. Without this
support, I would have been unable to fund it and I am very grateful for
everyone of you who either bought jam; a Christmas cake; came along to
my Coffee Morning, or simply pressed money into my hand! The trip was an
absolutely amazing experience and I had the good fortune to meet some
truly inspiring people along the way. For the main element of our expedition
- the Project Phase - we were stationed at an incredibly rural school, up in
the mountainous region of Sri Lanka called Bambarrabedda Junior School.
Shortly before our arrival in the country, there had been a devastating
rainfall, causing mass flooding and landslides. Our school had a wall
washed away by the flooding and we were brought in to clear all the rubble
away and start rebuilding a replacement wall. It was very hard work, in hot
conditions, but it was extremely rewarding. We were also asked to help out
in some of the classes, teaching English to the younger students, who were
very excitable! Thank you once again to everyone for making this incredible
opportunity available to me - it was truly unforgettable.
Rhona McCalmen
6
JARS OF GRACE
Our charity for this year is the Eastwood Dementia Project
which is held in the Stables at Eastwood Park. This Day
Centre provides meals, activities and care for people in this
area. All clients are allocated a key worker who will write their personal care
plan and will oversee the person’s needs and requirements. We ask
everyone to keep collecting their small change. Pop it into a jar and this
goodwill is translated into a good deed. When the jar is full, please bring it
to the Church and leave it in the box in the vestibule. An amazing total of
£663 was sent this summer to Vis de Copil, so it just shows how all your
loose change can really make a difference when all added together.
Mary Deas
THANK YOU
Bill and I would like to thank everyone for the cards and flowers we received
on our 60th wedding anniversary. To everyone in Church for their singing
and good wishes. This was very unexpected—thank you Joe. To Doris for
her, as usual, beautiful playing of “Congratulations”. To the members of the
Thursday Club for making it such a special day—and the beautiful cake! A
special thanks to The Kitchen Cabinet for their generous gift and always
making Thursdays such fun.
I am very blessed to belong to such a caring Church.
May God Bless you all. Liz Gourlay
If you have a Church or Social Event you would like publicised
on the Church’s Facebook page, please contact Liz Ronald at
[email protected], giving a short description of
your event, or alternatively see Liz at Church on a Sunday.
Many thanks. Liz Ronald
19
GLASGOW HALF MARATHON
Team Mearns Kirk came top of the class with a great showing in the Great
Scottish Run Half Marathon.
The fleet-footed faithful—comprising of Joe, Richard and Helen Mowat,
Neil Leslie, Andy Munro, Alan Wilkinson, Clare Wilcock, Craig Jackson
and Karen Young—had beautiful sunny conditions for the event on
Sunday 2nd October and responded with excellent times all round.
Pipers, cheering crowds, high-fiving youngsters and booming music to see
us off all contributed to making it an incredibly enjoyable day.
As expected Karen “The Cannon” Young shot to the front early on and led
the group home with a fantastic time of 1hr 41mins. Joe, meanwhile,
recovered from injury to get round in a cracking 1hr 50mins and easily
topped the Minister Over The Age of 58 category! Most importantly
though, the team raised an incredible £4,102.73 plus £458.25 gift aid for
Macmillan Cancer Support—a fantastic 800% over the target amount!
A huge thanks to everyone who donated and supported the team over the
past few months. A fantastic effort all round.
Alan Wilkinson
18
AT REST: Jesus said “ I am
the Resurrection and the Life”
Eastwood Bereavement Group meet in the Church Hall at 7pm on the 1st
Tuesday of each Month. If you are struggling with the loss of a loved one,
please join us in the Small Hall, where you will be made most welcome.
This Community Group is for ALL people trying to cope with the pain of
bereavement and our aim is to try to offer support at this very difficult time.
Christina Shafi
16 Sep: Margaret Service (Mearns)
30 Sep: Ian Rooney (Mearns)
8 Oct: Graham Edmiston Mearns)
21 Oct: Jean Lunn (Mearns)
21 Oct: Ann Humes (Mearns)
25 Oct: L Eileen Connor (Barrhead)
The Pastoral Group makes visits to the elderly, infirm, housebound, those in
care homes etc. Please call Margaret Gray on 0141 644 1606 if you know of
anyone who should be on our list. We will be delighted to visit them.
Margaret Gray (Convener)
Please inform Joe if you are ill, in hospital or facing particular difficulties. If
he knows about your needs, he will endeavour to offer every possible
assistance. Contact him at the Manse or by phone on 0141 384 2218
THOSE WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH US
BEREAVEMENT GROUP
PASTORAL CARE
7
Our Guild is the longest-serving adult organisation in our Church. We have
40 members and are a lively, friendly, fun-loving group of ladies (no
gentlemen, as yet!). We meet every alternative Wednesday evening at
7.30pm in the Small Hall, from September until April and, of course, there is
always tea and coffee!. Our syllabus is well received and hopefully caters for
all tastes. Our Annual Guest Night gives us the opportunity to meet up with
old friends in the Guilds within 6 other Churches in our area, with an evening
of entertainment and supper. We have special evenings ahead when we
hope Church members and friends will join us. An evening with Medecin
Sans Frontiere and one with Mission Aviation Fellowship should be very
interesting. We also have a Hair & Fashion Show and, of course, our Scots
Night (with soup and lashings of “happy trifles”!)
We venture out three times a year—To Eros pantomime in Eastwood
Theatre; Christmas Lunch in Fenwick Hotel and to our Summer Outing
which, this year, was to Rosslyn Chapel, a little shopping and High Tea.
FUNDRAISING - We fill Smartie boxes with 5p pieces for our chosen
project; all our copper coins go to Erskine and our main fund raised is our
Old Time Christmas Fayre on Saturday 26th November. We work very hard
for our Fayre because every penny we raise goes to our chosen charities. In
spite of the effort, it is great fun and everyone enjoys it. So please come
along and join in. Copies of our syllabus can be seen on the Notice Boards in
the Church vestibule and down at the Halls.
Guilds have a stuffy image, but not us! We all love to laugh and all enjoy our
evenings and would encourage you (gentlemen too!) to come along and see
for yourselves. You are assured a very warm welcome—and always tea or
coffee!
Sheila Goldie
0141 639 1551
MEARNS KIRK GUILD
8
WALKING GROUP
On a cold dry Autumn afternoon, we set off, as
usual, from the Church car park and headed up
towards Mearnskirk. We walked down Mearnskirk
Road, passing “Joe’s House” on the way and then cutting along a path which
eventually brought us out near the Malletshaugh. Slight diversion at this
point—we asked if we could see round the Cala Show Home—the lady was
delighted to show us round, provided we all took off our walking shoes!
Fabulous house—we were all well impressed!
Back on the road again, we completed the walk by going up towards the far
end of Newton Grove and finally back along the road to the Church car
park—finishing off with coffee at Caulders Garden Centre! One more walk,
then our usual Christmas Lunch—venue to be confirmed. New members are
always welcome.
For further details, just call Irene Graham on 0141 639 4192
MIXED BADMINTON CLUB
We have had an active fun time and would like to encourage anyone to
come and join the games in the Church Hall every alternative Wednesday
evening—we have spare racquets and would love to welcome you to our
group. Do send your email address to Lyn Black [email protected]
and I will get in touch, or give me a call on 0141 639 3003, or just turn up!
Subscription £15 for Autumn & Spring sessions. Next get together
Wednesday 23rd November.
SCOTTISH WATER
Scottish Water’s proposed work on the glebe and local area has now been
put on hold. They are reviewing their options!. However, they may come
back to us in the future.
Marje Gillies
17
She came home for her first
furlough and was saddened to be
told that, for health reasons, she
could not return to China. Robert
Watson was less sad to hear this
news.
He had awaited her return, still
loved her and proposed again!
This time the answer was “Yes”.
They were married and had two children, my Aunt
Jean and then my father, David. As my grandmother was no longer able to
return to China, it was her fervent hope that both their children should be
brought up with the intention that they should service in China as
Missionaries—No Pressure!
Both my aunt and father went to Glasgow University and graduated in
Medicine. My aunt had fallen in love and wanted to marry her sweetheart.
That was not in my granny’s plan. Jean sought my father's advice and he
encouraged her to follow her heart. This, however, put further pressure on
him. He also fell in love, but felt that he had to offer himself to the CIM. He
was accepted and the girl he loved was not prepared to go with him. Their
relationship did not survive and he went to China in 1938.
My mother was one of 12 children, 2 boys and 10 girls—one baby died.
Born and brought up in Bedford, my mother and her siblings were very
close. There were so many of them that they were never without a
playmate or friend. As they grew up, they followed various careers— my
mother becoming a nurse. It must, therefore, have been quite a wrench
when my mother felt a call to join the CIM as a Missionary to China. In
those days, it was a long voyage from Southampton to Hong Kong. In an
old album I found photographs of my mother waving from the ship to my
grandparents with two sister standing on the quay. They were waving in the
knowledge that they would not see each other
again for 7 years ……… or maybe never again!.
Next Issue—Part 2 Medical Work in China
MY PARENTS
16
DIANE SPIERS - STORY OF FAITH
PART 1—NO Grandchildren
Here in Mearns Kirk we are privileged to have a Minister who expounds
God’s word so clearly each week. Recently, he has been making it very clear
that we have to make our own response to the invitation of Jesus to, “Follow
Me”. It has to be a personal response. God has no Grandchildren. If it were
otherwise, I would have a very good chance of acceptance for, on both sides
of my family, I had Godly grandparents. My maternal grandmother was an
invalid all my young life, but I knew that she prayed for me, my siblings and all
of my cousins. She also knitted rainbow coloured bed socks every Christmas
for us all and beautifully knitted woollen bathing costumes! Whilst we might all
have appreciated the former, we all had a mutual dislike of the itchy costumes
which sagged when wet and sand seemed to stick to them like glue!
My paternal grandmother was totally different. She was both physically strong
and very determined. When my grandparents came to live with us when I was
about 6, Granny told Bible stories to my brother and me every night. She was
a wonderful story teller and made both Old and New Testament stories live.
Much of my Bible knowledge dates back to sitting at her knee, Bible open and
hearing her enact many of the stories so vividly etched on my memory.
As a young woman she was truly remarkable. She came to a personal faith in
Jesus when she was quite young and had a burning desire to share the love
of her Lord with all whom she met. She lived in Stepps, as did a certain
Robert Watson, joiner and builder. He fell in love with Jessie Begg and
proposed marriage. At that time, Jessie felt called to be a Missionary in China
and she declined the offer of matrimony. She went on to join the China Inland
Mission (CIM), started by Hudson Taylor, and around 1898/99 went out to
China to share her faith. It was at the time of the Boxer Uprising, when
Christian were being killed and Missionaries expelled—some were killed.
Jessie taught in Chefoo School in Yantai, NE China. In those days it was a
7-year term before returning home for furlough. Her health was not good
during her time away, but she was resolute in her desire to remain.
9
Believe it or not I have now been with you for 25
months and my training has now reached its end. Just a couple of weeks ago
I was given permission to begin looking for my own parish and I am now
spending time reflecting on where my call to ministry will take me next.
The past two years have absolutely whizzed past but I have learned so much
in that time and I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their
support and guidance. Joe has been an excellent teacher, guide and friend
through the process. Marje and the Session have welcomed me in to the
workings of the parish, and it has been very revealing just how much work is
involved behind the scenes. And special thanks to the congregation who
have been warm and loving throughout, treating me like I belong and never
shy of offering thoughts, comments and tips. I have been very blessed to
have spent time with you and my memories of Mearns Kirk will always be
memories of a family of faith, everyone contributing something to the
wonderful mix which is our kirk.
Two years has been far too short a time to spend with such wonderful people
but the time has come for me to move on to a new place. All of us are part of
God’s great mission in the world and I leave Mearns Kirk content that in your
hands, working together, our faith is safe for the future.
God bless you all.
A LAST WORD FROM BOB
CHURCH FLOWERS
A big “thank you” to everyone who helped at the Harvest Thanksgiving
service this year. We made up over 50 flower arrangements and had plenty
of volunteers to deliver them. Also many thanks for donations amounting to
£90 left for flowers over the last few months.
Rosemary Baillie
10
DEFIBRILLATOR NEWS
The Church is now in possession of a
defibrillator—the Lifepak CR Plus. It was purchased out of
Church funds, with some financial assistance from the Craig
Hodgkinson Trust. We are also in the process of purchasing a
2nd defibrillator, this time thanks to a significant donation from
one of our members (who wishes to remain anonymous), coupled once
again with assistance from the Craig Hodgkinson Trust. One device will be
stored in the Hall, and the other within the vestibule of the Church itself. We
hope to take delivery of the 2nd defibrillator in the near future.
In the meantime, our single defibrillator will be kept in the foyer of the Church
Hall, attached to the wall at eye level, above the fire extinguishers opposite
the office door. It must not be removed from that location, unless required in
an emergency either in the Hall, in the Church or on the glebe.
Training in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator operation was
provided during October by the Scottish Ambulance Service and this was
attended by 32 Church-goers and hall-users. It is possible, but not yet
certain, that a further training session will be provided when the 2nd
defibrillator is delivered—if there is sufficient demand for such training from
those who missed out on the October training sessions. If this opportunity is
of interest to you, please leave your name with our Church secretary (0141
639 6555) or email: [email protected]. Andrea will then contact you if
a further training session is made available.
Finally, the official Lifepak CR Plus training vide is available to view on You
Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4J1YCR9pAc. This video may
prove helpful, both to those who managed to attend the training sessions
and those already trained in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, who did not
attend.
Bill Jenkins
15
FELLOWSHIP GROUP
We are a small team of 4 who get together to assist with catering within our
Church. During the winter, we prepare tea/coffee after the 11am Service on
the last Sunday of the month. We also organise the catering for New
Members Lunch; the Elders Conference; Harvest Lunch and not forgetting
the mince pies and shortbread after the Nativity Play! Any other event re-
quests, we are happy to help.
It is great teamwork, plenty of chat (and tea!) when discussing forthcoming
events—truly a great way to get to know others.
So if you are interested in helping with our Fellowship Group—its really not
difficult and by spreading the load it is easier on everyone—just contact me.
Thank you Ann Campbell
A PERSONAL THOUGHT
I saw this article recently, and thought it really about sums up my
thoughts particularly at this time—I hope you concur.
“Dream with me of a world where children do not go to bed hungry or in fear;
where the lonely and the elderly are cared for with dignity and respect; where
the poor and vulnerable are not the prey to those with few scruples. Dream
with me of a world where we can live in peace, respectful of one another’s
belief.
God, whose love for us is boundless, is hoping and dreaming for us more
than we can ask or even imagine possible”
(Right Reverend Lorna Hood)
Why not come along and join our Church Choir? Rehearsals are every
Thursday at 7.30pm in the New Hall. You don't necessarily need to read
music , just enjoy singing! - you would be most welcome.
CHURCH CHOIR
14
LUNCH/SOCIAL CLUB PEOPLE LIVING
WITH DEMENTIA
Our Club continues to meet each Thursday for lunch, activities, afternoon tea
and music. We have 20 members at the moment, plus a waiting list! Our
volunteers have a wide range of skills from baking, managing our catering,
crafts, painting and compassionate touch therapy. The atmosphere is loving
and happy and, as a Church Family, we are privileged to be able to offer our
members and their carers a fulfilling and worthwhile break.
During the past few months, we have been on a canal boat outing;
entertained by wonderful musicians; had fun at our Halloween Party (as you
can tell from photograph!) and, this week, we are off to Kelvingrove Art
Galleries. Finally, we are looking forward to our planned singing at Asda on
Sunday 18th December.
Thank you all for your continued support.
Isobel Dawson
11
SUNDAY CLUB
Our Session has got off to a great start. The children have really been
engaged and seem to have enjoyed the craft activities. (Creation Cloud
photo) We will be moving onto: “How do you know God is with you?,” “Does
God every get cross? Jonah and the Whale and then, believe it or not, we
will be onto Nativity practice and Christmas craft! This year we will be making
cards and gifts for the Lunch Club for People Living with Dementia and for
the Pastoral Care Team to distribute on their visits.
Matthew MacLeod will be giving a short talk on his visit to Malawi on Sunday
20th November at the 11am Church service.
We are hoping to go to the Panto on Saturday 26th November at 6pm.
Look out for the Christmas Party invitation that will include our Nativity dress
rehearsal.
The Party this year is on Saturday 17th December.
The Nativity is on Sunday 18th December at 10.30am.
Note: If you haven't yet signed the permission form for the filming of the
Church Services, please do so at your earliest convenience, thanks.
Fiona MacLeod
12
On Tuesday evening, 11th October, Susan Fraser of Mearns Kirk’s Outreach
team, hosted two evening presentations from East Renfrewshire Foodbank
and The Lodging House Mission. 36 people attended this event which was
held in the New Hall and included home baking and refreshments.
East Renfrewshire Foodbank: Ag Law opened the event with a wonderful
presentation on the work of the Food Bank which achieved all that Susan had
hoped for i.e. that we can have a fuller understanding of what actually
happens to our donations after they have left the Kirk.
Mearns Kirk is a very generous Parish Church and we have never found
ourselves short of contributions whenever a need has arisen, but the
Outreach Group exists to strengthen and deepen the understanding of our
place in the great mission of the Church. There will always be a need for
generosity and humanity in the face of poverty and despair but it is also
important that we understand as best we can the nature of the strains people
are facing and the complexity faced by groups like the Foodbank in
distributing what is needed, when it is needed, and to those who are in the
greatest need.
The issues in the world are not always quite the way we expect them to be
and Ag told a moving story of a young man from Mearns Kirk who had
walked to Barrhead for food. His life was in a mess and he had simply lost his
way for a while but the story conveyed just how close poverty, need and
hopelessness can be.
OUTREACH EVENING
FOLLOW UP
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Lodging House Mission: Gus Smeaton followed Ag with a revealing
presentation on the operation of the Lodging House Mission in Glasgow
City Centre.
This remarkable facility has been fighting poverty and homelessness for a
century and the work continues and is as busy as ever. Gus talked us
through many of the issues facing the homeless, as well as the logistical
pressures which the Mission faces daily. These include over-demand for
their few beds, the on-going battle to keep a busy facility clean, the
pressures on their single full time support worker who daily has to liaise
between people whose lives are a struggle and a benefits system which
struggles to deal with the specifics of an individual’s difficulties, and the
never-ending need for volunteers just to keep things going.
Both speakers were excellent in showing us the hard reality of what they do
but also demonstrating that the hand of God is clearly here also. At the
Foodbank and at the Lodging House Mission we must look at the hardships
so many of our brothers and sisters face but we must never lost sight of
those workers and volunteers who, out of simple humanity, strive to ease
those hardships.
Bob Johnston
OUTREACH EVENING
FOLLOW UP
We continue to meet up in the Church Main Hall (details below) from 1.45pm
to 3.15pm. Please come along and join us - all are welcome.
Tuesday 22 November The Caledonians (Musical Entertainment)
Tuesday 6 December Our Christmas Party
Tuesday 10 January May McIntosh (Gentle Exercise)
Aileen Fyffe
FRIENDSHIP CLUB