September 2013

THE

COVENANTER

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

'the kirk in the braes'

SEPTEMBER 2013

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The Church of Scotland PARISH OF CARMUNNOCK

Minister: Rev. G. Gray Fletcher BSc BD

The Manse of Carmunnock, 161 Waterside Road, Carmunnock, Glasgow G76 9AJ

Telephone: 0141 644 1578 email: [email protected]

Dear Friends,

Would you describe yourself as generous?

I’m not just talking about finance – true generosity can be seen across all of someone’s life. It’s

not about how much you have, nor is it proven in a single act. The true spirit of generosity is a

lifestyle.

Has someone ever blessed you with their words or a kind act?

God’s nature is to give, and everything He does comes from a generous spirit. In the same way,

we should desire to be truly generous and allow our lives to be a flow of blessing to others.

A Way of Seeing

“He who has a generous eye will be blessed because he gives of his bread to the poor” (Proverbs

22:9).

If your eye is generous, you’ll see beyond yourself and quickly spot opportunities to bless others.

Instead of sitting back and making harsh judgements about others, your generous spirit will be

open to believe the best.

A Way of Thinking

“But a generous man devises generous things” (Isaiah 32:8).

When you develop a generous way of thinking, you’ll find yourself devising plans to bless

others. God saw the need of the world and he devised a generous strategy – the Gospel.

A Way of Living

“And by generosity he shall stand” (Isaiah 32:8)

When you choose to live generously, it becomes your stance. It’s not a labour, a single action or

an obligation – it’s a way of life. God’s promise to those with a ‘generous eye’ is that they will

be blessed themselves.

Would you like to be more generous?

To have a kingdom spirit means you have a vision that is bigger than you – you will always be

devising generous strategies or plans to bless others. Generosity will be a way of seeing, a way

of thinking and a way of living.

Rev G. Gray Fletcher

"THE KIRK IN THE BRAES" Session Clerk: Mrs Helen Thomson, 156 Waterside Road, Carmunnock, Glasgow G76 9AJ Telephone: 0141 644 1884

Clerk to the Congregational Board: Mrs Evelyn Eason, 14 Sycamore Way, Carmunnock, Glasgow G76 9DB Telephone: 0141 644 1998

Treasurer: Mrs Jean Thompson, 15 Netherburn Avenue, Glasgow G44 3UF Telephone: 0141 637 4339

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PARISH REGISTER

BAPTISMS (“..the promise is for you, and for your children..”)

5 May 2013 - Laurianne Birkett Ferguson (21/07/12) infant daughter of Mr Iain and Mrs Laura Fergusson

26 May 2013 - Amanda Lucinda Bryce (adult)

16 June 2013 - Poppy Amelia Gogarty (03/10/2012) infant daughter of Mr Craig and Mrs Kim Gogarty

CHURCH SERVICES & NOTICES

September

Sun 1st 11am Morning Service – Informal Communion

Sun 8th 11am Morning Service


Sun 22nd 11am Morning Service


October


6pm Evening Service – Clason Hall

Sun 13th 11am Morning Service – Alan McKay

Sun 20th 11am Morning Service – Rev James Whyte

Sun 27th 11am Morning Service – Communion

BIBLE STUDY GROUP – Begins in October…TBA

MEETINGS - 7pm Wednesday 18th September – Congregational Board & Kirk Session

CHURCH OFFICE – Open Thursdays from 9:30am to 10:30am

The deadline for articles to be included in the October Covenanter will be

Sunday 22nd September.

Mark 11:22-24 22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain: ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea’ and does not doubt in his heart, but

believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

THE GUILD

The Guild resumes the new session on Monday 7th October at 2pm in the Clason Hall. Once again our

secretary, Helen Thomson, has arranged a very interesting syllabus. Our speaker on the 7th will be Angus

Boyd of Mitchells Restaurant - why not come along and join us? A warm welcome awaits you.

Meetings are held at 2pm each Monday afternoon, with an occasional evening 'Guest Night'.

Meetings are open to ladies and gentlemen and all are welcome. (Subscription £8.00)

Monday 7th October 2pm — Angus Boyd

Monday 14th October 2pm — Mrs Marion Dickie: ‘Travels in Sri Lanka’

Monday 21st October 2pm — Rev Gray Fletcher: ‘Guild Theme’

Monday 28th October 2pm — Guest Afternoon: Ian Walker entertains

Monday 4th November 2pm — Canine Partners

Convener: Evelyn Eason Tel: 644 1998

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DUTY ROTA

SEP

1st

8th

15th

22nd

29th

D CAMPBELL

W LAWSON

G SHANKS

G BROWN

G CAMPBELL

R EDWARDS

J MCCREADIE

P SHANKS

D MILLER

J HAWKINS

M HEARLE

F HEARLE

E SMITH

J LAWSON

A MACDONALD

E LAWSON

G DOW

M HARDIE

A KERR

A CAMPBELL

OCT

6th

13th

20th

27th*

J DAVIDSON

I LOWDON

G LAWSON

I MARSHALL

R DICKIE

M HATFIELD

D CAMPBELL

E LAWSON

E ROXBY

F WILSON

J MABERLEY

M HARDIE

E LESLIE

R EDWARDS

M HEARLE

E SMITH

NOV

3rd

10th

17th

24th

G DOW

D MILLER

J HAWKINS

R DICKIE

F HEARLE

J LAWSON

W LAWSON

A CAMPBELL

P SHANKS

G CAMPBELL

G BROWN

E LESLIE

G SHANKS

J MCCREADIE

A KERR

M HATFIELD

DEC

1st

8th

15th

22nd

29th

J DAVIDSON

R EDWARDS

P SHANKS

F HEARLE

G CAMPBELL

I LOWDON

J MABERLEY

G SHANKS

M HEARLE

D MILLER

E ROXBY

D CAMPBELL

G LAWSON

E LAWSON

E SMITH

A MACDONALD

F WILSON

I MARSHALL

M HARDIE

G DOW

FIRST AND SECOND NAMED MEMBERS ON BANK DUTY

* Communion

LODGING HOUSE MISSION – MEAL VOUCHERS

Meal vouchers priced at £1.50 each are available for the Lodging House Mission. You can give these to people begging in the street, and the voucher will entitle them to a hot meal at the Mission. This will also introduce them to the other services available there. Thank you for your support.

Anne Campbell

SOUP & ROLL LUNCH

The Church Fund-Raising Committee are holding a ‘Soup & Roll Lunch’ on Sunday 6th October at 12 noon in the Clason Hall. Come along and enjoy many varieties of homemade soup. Ticket £3.00.

Evelyn Eason

FAMILY FUN DAY

After last year’s success, Castlemilk Churches

Together are organising another “Family Fun Day”

on the 21st of September at St Bartholomew’s Church

from 12 noon until 4.00pm and you are invited to

come along at some point during the afternoon to

enjoy some fun and fellowship!

AUTUMN CLUB FOR MEN AND WOMEN 55YRS & OVER

EVERY ALTERNATE WEDNESDAY 2PM – 4PM IN THE REID HALL

“INCREASE YOUR LEISURE”

The Autumn Club begins the new session on Wednesday 2nd October at 2pm in the Reid Hall. Our

programme is second to none, and is comprises entertainers, speakers, Christmas Lunch, Scottish Quiz,

a Special Tea and a Bus Outing – you must admit the best in clubbing!

New and former members will be made welcome. Increase your leisure! Come and join the Autumn Club!

Jim McCreadie, President 644 4579

An old Texas cowboy counselled his granddaughter that if she wanted to live a long life, the secret was to sprinkle a pinch of gun powder on her oatmeal every morning.

The granddaughter did this religiously until the age of 103 when she died. She left behind 14 children, 30 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, 25 great-great-grandchildren, and a 40-foot hole where the crematorium used to be.

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FLOWER LIST

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

1st Mrs Debbie McKenzie 6th Mrs Una Lambie

8th Mrs Fiona Wilson 13th Mrs Cis McKenzie

15th Rev Gray Fletcher 20th Mrs Mhairi Hearle

22nd Mrs Ann Campbell 27th Mrs Bunty Cameron

29th Mrs Isobel Kirkwood

Mrs Isobel Kirkwood will deliver flowers Mrs Irene Hamilton will deliver flowers

We are looking for volunteers to supply flowers on 3rd November and 8th December – if anyone is willing to assist, please give us a call. Thanks in anticipation!

Flower Conveners: Sheila Murray: 644 1719 & Elizabeth Cadiz: 644 1720

GLASGOW South East FOODBANK

The TRUSSELL TRUST foodbank network

works in partnership with local churches

and organisations to bring foodbanks to

communities across the UK. There are now

over 265 foodbanks in the network, and our

local branch is at Elim Church, 43 Inglefield

Street, Govanhill, Glasgow G42 7AT.

The Trust relies on food donations to feed

local people in crisis. From packets of pasta

to tins of tomatoes please give what you

can (non-perishable goods only - and don’t

forget cans of cat & dog food too for

families with pets).

Care professionals such as doctors, health

visitors, social workers, Citizen’s Advice and

the police identify people in crisis and issue

them with a foodbank voucher. Foodbank

clients then bring their voucher to the

foodbank centre where it can be redeemed

for enough emergency food to last for three

days. The Trussell Trust points out that the

number of people referred due to problems

with benefits has soared; eight years ago,

the proportion coming to their food banks

for this reason was 20 per cent, now it is 52

per cent.

Volunteers meet clients over a cup of tea or

free hot meal and are able to signpost

people to agencies able to solve the longer-

term problem. More and more people -

very many of them children - are going

hungry in modern day Scotland. It’s hardly

credible, but those of us who go to bed with

a full tummy can help – please do whatever

you can. You can visit the website to find

out more: www.trusselltrust.org

The Committee Member

Please! Give me your pity, I’m on a committee

Which means that from morning to night,

We attend, we amend, contend and defend

Without a conclusion in sight.

We confer, we concur, defer and demur

And reiterate all of our thoughts.

We revise the agenda with frequent addenda

And consider a load of reports.

We propose, we compose, suppose and oppose

The points of procedure are fun;

But though various notions are brought up as motions

There’s terribly little gets done.

We resolve, we absolve but never dissolve -

That’s out of the question for us.

What a terrible pity to end our committee

Where else could we make such a fuss?

Mildred, the church gossip and self-appointed monitor

of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose into

other people's business.

Several members did not approve of her judgement

and criticism, but feared her enough to maintain their

silence.

She made a mistake, however, when she accused

Frank, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she

saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's

only bar one afternoon. She emphatically told Frank

(and several others) that everyone seeing it there

would know what he was doing.

Frank, a man of few words, stared at her for a

moment and then just turned and walked away. He

didn't explain, defend, or deny. He said nothing.

Later that evening, Frank quietly parked his pickup in

front of Mildred's house... walked home...and left it

there all night.

http://www.trusselltrust.org/

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An Evening With Paul Jones & Fiona Hendley

Clarkston Churches Together presents an evening with Paul Jones and Fiona Hendley in Cartsbridge

Evangelical Church on Wednesday 23rd of October at 7.30 pm. Tickets £5.00.

Paul & Fiona have been at the cutting edge of the music and entertainment industry for many years.

Paul's distinguished career includes being the award-winning lead singer of Manfred Mann and The Blues

Band as well as a weekly show on BBC Radio 2. His extensive stage credits range from the Royal National

Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company to the West End and Broadway.

Fiona is an accomplished actress and singer, who has worked in all areas of showbusiness from the

acclaimed TV series "Widows" (for which she won ‘Personality of the Year’ Award) to leading roles at the

Royal National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company and has starred in many West End productions.

Together they have recorded several CDs celebrating the work of composers from Irving Berlin to

Andrew Lloyd Webber. Their Gospel album "Personal" has been very well received: its songs express

their love for their Heavenly Father, and for each other.

Paul and Fiona's testimony is humorous, but compassionate. Paul came to faith from a background of

intellectual arrogance; in 1968 he argued against Billy Graham with Cliff Richard on television, and he was

convinced he had won the argument. Yet all his immense success in show business could not remedy the

failure within himself. Fiona sought God from an early age, thinking that she was a Christian, but was

surrounded by deception (including spiritualists and mediums); she too hoped that success in show

business would bring her happiness. Their testimony tells how each of them found true happiness and

real faith. As they bring their testimony, they sing songs from their album, and the Gospel message is

clearly explained.

“...they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…” Isaiah 40:31

At the windowsill of heaven, let me linger Lord, I pray,

Before I start the duties and the burdens of the day.

Let me pause for just a moment, gaze in silence on Your face,

Drinking from Your fount of wisdom, gaining strength to run the race.

Let me lie there in the sunshine of Your warm redeeming love,

And receive a sweet renewing of Your Spirit from above.

And with heavenly breezes blowing, let me turn, with You, I pray,

From the windowsill of heaven, ready now to meet the day.

Does God exist?

A man went to his usual barber’s shop to have a haircut and began a conversation with the barber.

They discussed a variety of issues before turning to the subject of God. The barber said: “I don't

believe that God exists."

"Why do you say that?" asked the man. "Well, it's easy, “came the response. “You just have to go

out in the street there to realise that God doesn’t exist. Tell me, if God existed, would there be so

many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? Would there be starvation and hunger?

Would there be wars? Would there be murder? If God existed, there would be no suffering and no

pain. I can't think of loving a God who permits all of these things to happen."

The man thought for a moment, but he didn't want to respond in case an argument ensued. The

barber finished his job and the man left the shop. Just after he walked a few paces, he saw a man in

the street with long hair and an unkempt beard. It seemed that it had been a long time since he had

his hair cut as he looked so untidy.

The man turned back to the shop and said to the barber: "Do you know what? Barbers do not exist.”

"How can you say they don't exist?" asked the barber. I am here and I am a barber."

"No!" the man exclaimed. "You don't exist because if you did there would be no people with long hair

and beards like that man outside in the street right now."

"But I do exist, and that is what happens when people do not come to me." "Exactly," affirmed the

man.

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Moderator calls for more attention and resources for young people in the Church

The Moderator of the General Assembly for the Church of Scotland has called for changes to ensure that

more children and young adults have a central role in the life of the Church. The Right Reverend Lorna

Hood said: “Young people are not the Church of tomorrow, they are the Church of today."

Mrs Hood said that in her view there needs to be a review of the resources for Sunday schools to ensure

fewer children drift away from the Church during their formative years. “A parishioner said to me

recently that her grandchildren were not going back to their Sunday school as they were 'fed up

colouring in.' “

She continued: “We need to make sure we have the right people and the right resources in the right

places in our churches to encourage young people and their spiritual development. We need to ensure

our worship resources are constantly updated and relevant in today’s fast changing world.” Mrs Hood

said that many denominations have modest numbers of children, teenagers and young adults in their

congregations and are asking the same question: “What can we do to attract more young folk?”

The Moderator - who was ordained aged 24 - urged more people to consider becoming a Minister at a

similar age and said that when the calling comes it should be supported and encouraged. She supported

the words of her predecessor, The Very Reverend Albert Bogle, at the recent General Assembly where he

suggested the need for a bursary support scheme to encourage members in congregations to come

forward for ministry.

She added: “We should call for the church to recognise young adults as part of church today and not

tomorrow, young adults have to accept the consequences of that truth/belief. By virtue of their baptism

they are part of the church and called to be disciples like everybody else. Maybe we in the church have

been unwilling to recognise this but likewise too few young Christians have themselves recognised that

calling and its consequences.”

Michael Mair, who at 24 years old is about to become the Church of Scotland’s youngest Minister, added: “Our recent General Assembly heard how there is a dearth of young people becoming ministers – when I take up my own charge I will become one of a handful aged under 30, and the average age of a minister is 48. I hope my story can inspire other young people to become ministers or elders or just get more involved in their congregation. Many people attend church as children and come back when they have had their own children; it is those missing years we must tackle when they have a Christian belief but feel isolated from The Church of Scotland because they could be the youngest person in a congregation by more than a decade.”

A new minister was visiting the homes of his parishioners but at one house, although it was

obvious someone was at home, there was no answer. So, he took out a card, wrote "Revelation

3:20" on the back of it and put it through the letterbox.

The next Sunday, he found that his card had been returned with the added cryptic message:

"Genesis 3:10". On checking his Bible, he broke into gales of laughter.

Revelation 3:20 begins: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Genesis 3:10 reads: "I heard

your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked."

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A T A G L A N C E D I A R Y

21 Sep SAT Family Fun Day St Bartholomew’s Church – 12noon to 4pm

22 Sep SUN Last day for articles to be included in the October Covenanter

6 Oct SUN Soup & Roll lunch £3.00

23 Oct WED Paul Jones & Fiona Hendley, Cartsbridge Evangelical Church, 7.30pm

2 Nov SAT Christmas Fayre – 1.30pm to 3.30pm Puppet Show – 2pm

YOUR COVENANTER IS AVAILABLE BY EMAIL - all we need is your email address. Please send an email to: [email protected] and we will add your name to the list.

mailto:[email protected]

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THE KIRK SESSION

MEMBERS OF THE

CONGREGATIONAL BOARD

George Brown 644 1178 2011 - 2014

Anne Campbell 644 3735 Jeff Hawkins 237 4225

Douglas Campbell 644 3735 Betty Smith 644 3937

John Davidson 631 2079 Graham Campbell 01355 223430

Robert Dickie 641 2094

George Dow 644 0689 2012 - 2015

Evelyn Eason 644 1998 Alison Kerr 644 4015

Bob Edwards 644 2749

Mike Hatfield 644 4530 2013 - 2016

Fred Hearle 644 5699 Mary Hardie 644 4428

Mhairi Hearle 644 5699 Ian Marshall 647 7926

George Lawson 644 1600 Elizabeth Lawson 644 1600

Jeanie Lawson 644 3029

Willie Lawson 644 4414

Liz Leslie 644 4291

Iain Lowdon 631 2594

John Maberley 644 3028

Ann MacDonald 644 3782

Jim McCreadie 644 4579

David Miller 07576 850089

Tom Morton 644 4910

Elaine Roxby 644 1809

Gavin Shanks 644 1609

Pippa Shanks 644 1609

Jean Thompson 637 4339

Helen Thomson 644 1884

Fiona Wilson 644 3107

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The Church of Scotland

The Church of Scotland is the National Church of Scotland. It is in the Reformed Tradition and

part of the Universal Church.

DIRECTORY

MINISTER: Rev. G. Gray Fletcher Tel: 644 1578

e-mail: [email protected]

CHURCH: Tel: 07930 695760

SESSION CLERK: Mrs. H. Thomson 644 1884


CLERK TO BOARD: Mrs. E. Eason 644 1998

TREASURER: Mrs. J. Thompson 637 4339

ORGANIST: Mr. T. Morton 644 4910

SUNDAY SCHOOL: Maureen Fletcher 644 1578

GIFT AID CONVENER: Mr. Ian Marshall 647 7926

FREEWILL OFFERING

CONVENER: Dr. E. Roxby 644 1809

CHILD PROTECTION

COORDINATOR Mr. R. Edwards 644 2749

GUILD PRESIDENT: Mrs. E. Eason 644 1998

AUTUMN CLUB PRESIDENT: Mr. J. McCreadie 644 4579

FLOWER CONVENERS: Sheila Murray

Elizabeth Cadiz

644 1719

644 1720

MAGAZINE EDITOR: Isobel Drury Fax: 644 0202


HOSPITALITY CONVENER: Mrs. E. Lawson 644 1600

CHURCH OFFICER: Mr. A. Currie 07866 695254




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September 2013