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Yumi

Fraser Yumi

Fraser

Yumi Fraser

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Dear friends,

“Que sera sera”, “go with the flow”, “just take it as it comes” imply a relaxed attitude to life. People who can live like this don’t tend to be control freaks and they don’t become easily stressed. I suspect they are reasonably well equipped to deal with life just now! On the other hand, those who always like to be in control may be finding life a struggle. It’s hard to be in control when we can’t be certain of very much. Things which could once be taken for granted can no longer be assumed. Even though schools have gone back, they have done so under strange circumstances. We are making plans to gather to worship (see elsewhere in this magazine) but that will be very different from what we’ve been used to. Many are worried about the future of their jobs or businesses. Earlier in the year our primary emotions may have been anxiety, possibly even fear and certainly sadness. It seems to me that just now we are left dealing with uncertainty. So what resources in Scripture should we turn to for help? Jesus told his listeners to the sermon on the mount not to worry. That may sound easier said than done – but He gave them and us good reasons to avoid worry. God feeds the birds of the air and “beautifies” the lilies – and regards us much more valuable than them – we should be confident in our provider God. When Jesus was warning his disciples about persecution he told them not to worry about what to say when they were on trial because God would give them the words they needed. One of my favourite films in recent years was “Bridge of Spies” starring Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance. In it Rylance was a Soviet spy named Rudolf Abel who faced a very uncertain future when he was returned to his homeland following his arrest by the western authorities. Hanks’ character asked him if he was worried. Rudolf Abel replied calmly “would it help?” It’s consistent with Jesus’ teaching to both the crowds and to his disciples, and is a line I regularly tell myself when facing uncertainty or things I can’t control. As well as Jesus’ teaching telling us not to worry it also helps to think about how God treats His people. Perhaps the best known verse about this is found in Jeremiah – but it encapsulates how God treats us.

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“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer 29:11)

This verse came in the middle of a letter sent by Jeremiah to people who had been exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon. There were people who had had all that is familiar taken away and who were very uncertain about what the future held for them. They are words that we can hold on to at the moment. In times of uncertainty we need the words of comfort that Scripture brings, but we may also need challenges. In September we will be resuming our congregational Bible reading by reading through Exodus together. The Israelites were initially glad to escape from Egypt, but when they faced difficulties, they forgot the hardships they had suffered there, and longed simply for certainty. Many people have commented that it seemed easier to go into Lockdown than it is to emerge from it. In the church the temptation is to want to go back to having everything as it was before as soon as possible. That’s not a surprising reaction, but it is one that we need to resist. Uncertainty sometimes means we are forced to trust God more than our own plans – and that can’t be a bad thing. We have to ask what new things God has been teaching us, and how we ought to embrace them. There’s a hymn that many of us know, but we don’t often sing, which seems appropriate for just now. I know who holds the future , And I know he holds my hand; With God things don't just happen ev'rything by Him is planned. So as I face tomorrow with its problems large and small, I'll trust the God of miracles, Give to Him my all! May God help us to commit ourselves to Him, confident in Him, rather than any of our own plans. Your friend and minister, William Wilson

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Meeting for worship

As you are probably aware a group has been planning how we begin to meet

again in our Burnside building. We have been helped in our thinking about

this by responses to our survey. We received 196 completed responses,

which is a very high return rate so thank you for all your input. All ages were

represented, with the largest group being over 70. 80 people indicated that

they would want to attend worship in our building at the first available

opportunity while around 70 people weren’t sure. A vast majority of people

wanted to retain live streaming of services.

On this basis we are planning to continue with our current practice of pre-

recording and broadcasting our services for the moment. Alongside this,

beginning on 30th August, we will have 2, or possibly 3 weekly “pilot” services

in our Burnside building on Sundays at 10:30am.

Under current Scottish government guidelines, we can only have a maximum

of 50 people in our building for any act of worship. We are therefore asking

people to register in advance to attend worship. If our survey results are an

accurate indicator, we will not have room for everyone at one service so we

are going to run Sunday services for two or three weeks until everyone who

wants to attend a service has had a chance to do so once. After that has

happened, we will make longer term plans based on experience and

feedback.

All ages are welcome at the service and appropriate physical distancing and

sanitising facilities will be in place. We are all required to wear face coverings

and singing will not be part of the service (although we will be listening to

some hymns). There will not be Sunday clubs, but the service will include

appropriate activities for children.

Under government regulations we have to maintain a record of attendees for 3

weeks for Covid contact tracing purposes. When you register, we would ask

you to include a telephone number and also the number of household

members who will be attending. Please also indicate whether you would

prefer to attend on 30th August or 6

th September (if our numbers registering

are over our capacity, we will consider running the third pilot service on 13th

September).

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You can register by either emailing:

kate.airlie@burnsideblairbeth.church

OR

Call Kate on Mobile: 07787 558790

If you have any questions or concerns about registering to attend worship or

how we will maintain our records, please contact Kate or Alan Hudson.

Finance Update

Taking on the Treasurer role during a global pandemic has certainly been an

interesting experience and one I wouldn't have envisaged at the tail end of

2019. Firstly, I would like to thank you for your ongoing financial support

during the past few months when our church life has been so disrupted.

During the next couple of months I will be updating you on our current financial

position and plans for the rest of the year and I hope to be able to do that in

person as we start to meet again at church. Our finances have continued to

remain steady and whilst there has been a reduction in income with no

Sunday offerings, we have offset this with cost reductions due to the buildings

being out of use.

Please continue to pray for the finances of both Burnside and also the wider

church in Scotland, particularly at this time when people are reaching out to

the church.

Finally, I would personally like to thank Alan Robertson for his committed

service as Treasurer over many years and the ongoing advice and support

that he's provided as I settle into the role.

I trust and pray that you will continue to know God's blessing in these times of

uncertainty.

Andrew Telfer

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Messy Church

Bags of Love

We love all things Messy Church and so we took the

opportunity to take part in the Messy Church -Bags of

Love a couple of weeks ago.

We also learned a lot about God along the way. We learned that God was with

Ruth and Naomi as they made the long journey to Bethlehem, keeping them

safe as they trusted in Him, and then building a future with Boaz.

Through this we thought about how God is with us too, particularly as so many

things have changed a lot in the past few months and as things will be

changing again in the next few weeks. We talked about how God is in control

and how we could talk to him when we were worried or scared about the

changes and what the future might bring.

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It was such good timing to think about these things in the build up to going

back to school, as so much was uncertain about what school would look like,

what would be allowed, what wouldn’t and so helped remind us all (both kids

and parents!!) that it’s ok not to always know why things are happening, as

God has a plan and He’ll help us to find our way through it all. It also helped

remind us to take time to think about God, talk to God and read the Bible each

day.

Thomas even practiced a bit of

reading before going back to

school and read us Day 4 and 5

verses – even tackling some of

the trickier names in Ruth 4!!

While we are looking forward to

meeting again together in church,

it’s been so great to get involved

in activities and link in with our

friends from church online.

Alan, Diana, Thomas and Emma Hudson

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Church Worker’s Report

Looking Forward

It has been a challenging time in lockdown with regards to our congregational

work with children and young people, but also extremely rewarding. Now as

lockdown eases and schools go back, we are looking forward to new ways of

meeting together and we are excited at the creative opportunities this

presents.

Outdoor Groups

Church of Scotland guidelines encourage a focus on outdoor youth work and

this has allowed Switch to have a social distanced meet up on the church

grounds.

On 12th of July we gave out gift bags to the

young people and played a few social

distanced games and had another outdoor

meet on 8th of August.

Here are some pictures …

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JUMP Reunion

JUMP kids club had a virtual reunion on Zoom on 5th of August. It might be a

while until we are together physically again, but it was great reconnecting with

children we hadn’t seen since March. We worked from the same material as

the Bags of Love exploring the story of Ruth and played some fun games

together.

Prayer Points

Please continue to pray for the leaders as we continue to think creatively

around how we meet and grow together as followers of Jesus but in a manner

that is safe and productive. Pray for the children and young people as they go

back to school, that they would be safe and enjoy reconnecting with friends.

Thanks

Andy MacArthur

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Our Missionary Partners

Many of our missionary partners have been greatly affected by Covid and

have appreciated our prayers – please continue to remember them. Below is

an update on each of our partners.

Bernard and Alice in Uganda

The children at Rhema School are staying with relatives until schools are

allowed to reopen. This has given Bernard more time for prayer and Bible

study. Alice has been busy with counselling but is also having investigations

for possible breast cancer. Fortunately deaths from Covid have been minimal

following lockdown and curfew.

Andrew Robertson in Bolivia:

The situation in Bolivia is dire with increasing cases of Covid, hospitals at

capacity and many dying without help. Andrew has been unable to move to

the project he was due to start after language study in Cochabamba. He

remains with the family in Oruro and has been helping at a food bank. Andrew

is well, but at times feels confused, frustrated and isolated. He is seeking

God’s path for his future.

Craig and Amanda in Bolivia:

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Despite strict lockdown, cases of Covid are still on the increase. Amanda’s

work with Striders (including Andrew above) has continued by Zoom although

she has found lockdown particularly difficult. Craig has been leading services

on-line and they have both been home schooling Sam who has coped

reasonably well. Political tensions in Bolivia are also increasing again.

Satish in India:

Strict lockdown came suddenly but despite that, Coronavirus is still very

active. Satish and family have been ministering to people in over 25 villages -

widows, handicapped, bed ridden, lonely, old aged and anyone in need,

especially those who are ill with Covid. Satish says that “God has honoured

our faith and brought many friends to faith. All glory be to God”. They have

also been caring for the children in the orphanage. Satish’s uncle died recently

- he gives thanks that the uncle became a Christian 3 days before his death.

Jerry and Stacy Kramer:

Currently in USA but over-seeing the work with Yezidi refugees in Camp

Sandy, N Iraq. The situation in the refugee camps in N Iraq has been very

difficult, with no social distancing or ready access to water for hand washing.

People are unable to work, so lack of finances is leading to a food crisis.

Sharing the Gospel is a priority along with meeting material needs and Jerry

continues to encourage the workers on the ground. Work in the orphanage in

Tanzania is also going well.

Carolyn in Croatia:

Croatia instigated strict lockdown and deaths from Covid have been few.

David and Lucia finished their terms from home, Olivia graduated from RCS in

Glasgow and Carolyn and Miro have been working from home. Carolyn

continues to submit funding applications for EWI and has been supervising

peace building and reconciliation projects remotely. Lockdown has been a

nightmare for many women who experience violence at home, and for many,

traumas from the Balkan war have been reignited. Encouraging dialogue

through a programme to advance and support women’s leadership has been a

focus of lockdown. Things are gradually returning to normal however the

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country relies on tourism as a major income and this has been greatly

affected.

Morven and New Destiny:

The situation in Brazil remains very serious and cases of Covid are still

increasing. ND had to close, leaving vulnerable children and families with

nowhere to escape to. The staff of ND have been trying to support families

remotely but risks of abuse, violence, drugs, suicide and neglect are high.

ND’s aim is to share the light of Jesus with the community. Morven continues

her involvement with ND from her home in Glasgow.

James, Release International:

Much of James’ work has continued on-line with pre-recorded talks and

contributing to services and Release’s Lockdown Church resources. This link

provides information about how people are coping in persecuted countries

https://releaseinternational.org/lockdown-church/ . All summer events have

been cancelled as has an international trip.

Janie in Barcelona:

Lockdown meant Janie could not undertake hospital visiting or mission work,

but things are slowly getting back to normal. Church has reopened with

restrictions in place. Janie has enjoyed sharing in the services from Burnside

Blairbeth during lockdown as well as taking part in her own church service.

Murray in Kenya:

Murray was due to retire in July but due to lockdown, lectures stopped at

JKUAT and Murray has been asked to return after the summer to finish the

course. He awaits a decision about his application for Kenyan citizenship

which will determine whether he remains in Kenya or returns to Burnside.

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Pastoral Work

It is hard to believe but I have now been with Burnside Blairbeth Church for

over 7 months. Most of this time we have been in lockdown and so my job has

been a little different from what I first expected! Like everyone else, I have had

to find new ways of working and my phone, computer and iPad become even

more essential. All these have helped me to get to know more of my new

church family and I am so grateful for all the good conversations I have had on

the phone, Facetime, Zoom and WhatsApp. It has also been good to meet

many of you out walking, and at your front door or mine. While I have never

broken any of the regulations, I have never felt isolated from the congregation.

Quite a bit of my work has been making sure that people can stay in touch

with each other and the church, using whatever technology suits them.

Modern communications are second nature for some, but for others this is

unfamiliar territory. I have been able to help people get connected through

Zoom and if I can’t help, there are better teachers I can refer them too – such

as Eleanor Crawford.

For the people who cannot view the service on YouTube or Facebook, either a

CD or DVD is popped through their letterbox. Thanks to the work of John

Gordon and John MacLean, 30 households get a disc on Saturday so they

can join with the rest of the congregation on Sunday morning. I am so grateful

for all this technology which has allowed us to pray, learn and worship

together.

As we get ready to start holding services in church again, all these new skills

are going to remain important for everyone. We will still be streaming services,

as so many people have been able to benefit, and CD/DVDs will still be

available. If anyone would like some help with their computer or tablets,

please get in touch. If I can’t help, I know lots of people who can.

Sometimes I have found myself getting very caught up in the MEANS of

staying in touch with you all, but then I remember that the PURPOSE is much

more important. Whatever way we communicate I want to get to know more of

you better, and to support and help wherever I can. Though it has not turned

out AT ALL the way I expected, I am so grateful to God for bringing me here to

Burnside Blairbeth Church!

Kate Airlie Pastoral Assistant

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Alpha Course – on Zoom

Many of you may remember taking part in

Alpha courses several years ago when they

were first run at our Church. Who can forget

Nicky Gumbel with his dazzling grin, neat

jumpers, and upturned shirt collar

encouraging us to join him to find out more

about life’s big questions and faith?

Our latest Alpha course started on Monday 29 June and, as with so many

things in Lockdown, we met via Zoom. We meet together in our Zoom space

every Monday evening then split into two groups of 6 participants led by Gary

Wylie and Carolyn Samson. One amazing thing about Zoom is it is not limited

in by geographical boundaries and we have been joined by participants from

Dundee, Wick and Houston in Renfrewshire. The format is that we have

some social chat, watch an Alpha video and discuss it in our groups before

coming back together in the whole group. A key feature of Alpha is sharing

food together while the group can share their thoughts; whilst limited by Zoom,

a group of Guild volunteers have supplied us every week with their fabulous

cakes and baking which are delivered to the reachable members of the group

in time for the Monday evening sessions. We are also supported by a prayer

group who meet with us just before each session and pray for us all,

especially the participants.

Nicky Gumbel still takes parts but is joined by two new hosts, Toby Flint and

Gemma Hunt and the video presentations are really excellent - very

professionally filmed in a number of locations including Jerusalem and New

York . The presenters explain the topic for each week in a relaxed and

relatable style and as the film moves on you are drawn into the personal

accounts given each week. There are stories from people whose lives have

been touched by Alpha or who have experienced life changing encounters in

difficult circumstances such as a young man whose life of violence led him to

prison or one of the Chilean miners, Jose Gonzales, trapped for many days in

the mine, whose faith helped to keep him and his friends strong throughout

their ordeal. Sometimes the most touching accounts come from people like

Charlie Mackesy, the illustrator, who was so cynical and reluctant to take part

initially but who was eventually drawn in to faith.

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We are nearly at the end of this course and it has been a privilege to take part

supporting one of the groups. Another course is being planned for September

and if you know anyone who may be interested please encourage them and

keep checking the Church Facebook pages for updates. In the meantime,

please keep the 12 participants from this group in your prayers as we draw

near the end of our time with them on this course and plan how to support

them in the coming weeks.

Susan Gordon

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Lockdown Church – How has it been for you?

It’s been over 5 months since our church family has truly been together. How difficult has it been for you? For many I’m sure it’s been very trying. Some might not have been that bothered? For me I’ve been missing the fellowship, the interaction, the collective singing, the chatting and the praying together. It’s all felt a bit surreal hasn’t it? For those at the helm it’s been hectic and the weeks have given way very quickly to the weeks and then to the months. We have got into a new routine. Ministers, pastors, and worship leaders across the world, overnight have been thrust into being virtual tele-evangelists or in my case, feeling like Gary Barlow on the piano! I am continually getting a mix of emotions especially as I prepare with the rest of the worship team for the online services. There’s the work aspect of putting together the songs

and music and delivering it in a completely different way than I ever have in close to 20 years at Burnside Blairbeth. There’s also the mental strength and agility needed to get through sometimes 10 takes per song, then the editing to pull it all together ready to send to the tech team for broadcast. We have been very fortunate in our church that we have had the gifts and talents of so MANY who have pulled together and been able to hit the ground running during these challenging times and for that I thank God. This week I did get thinking of the next steps for us all individually and as a church. There is no doubt that online church will have to continue, and should, for many months to come. However have you and indeed I got into the same routine as we had pre-Covid? That is, to come to church, in this case for many of us in our bedrooms or kitchens (still with our pyjamas on) take part, leave and then not see each other until next Sunday comes around.

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Moving forward, I don’t think things will ever be the same again for our working, family and indeed church life. People will get out of the way of hand shaking, hugging, interacting and getting together. New practices, new formats will, and have to come into play, and so the same WILL have to be the case for church and how we gather together. No point in sticking masks on, sitting a few metres apart, having no singing, listening to the preaching, getting up, leaving and say “Great at least we’re back in the church building I’ll see you next Sunday”. We need to examine and explore new ways of gathering together, worshiping together, coming together as a church family. This is an opportunity for us all to think how we are going to minister to each other and to those in our community. The message of the gospel is the same now as it was at the beginning of 2020. It’s that message of peace, love, compassion, truth, understanding, and faith in Jesus Christ that transforms our lives. It’s then our duty and desire to spread that good news to one another and to those around us. Let’s all prepare for how we’re going to do that in our new normal with the full assurance that as Christians we have that extra element of knowing and trusting that God is in control of all our lives and the new pathways that we are now going to tread. I leave you with a verse and chorus of a hymn that encourages us no matter what the future holds, to rest on God and Jesus our Saviour.

“When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast; When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast. I could never keep my hold through life's fearful path; For my love is often cold; He must hold me fast. He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast; For my Saviour loves me so, He will hold me fast.” Keith Getty

Andrew Polson Director of Music

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Book Review Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi.

The latest addition to the church library is this autobiographical account of a devout Muslim’s discovery of the love of God while earnestly seeking to confirm what he thought he knew about the faith of his birth and upbringing. Nabeel Qureshi was an American of Pakistani origin who interestingly spent a good deal of his childhood in the west of Scotland when his family was stationed with the American Army in Faslane; the family attended the mosque in Glasgow most weeks during this time. Nabeel’s

family were faithful, observant Muslims who encouraged their son to study the Quran, and to know the Hadith – the biographical account of the life of Muhammad. As a university student back in the USA, he became close friends with a Christian called David, who encouraged him to read the Bible, examine the claims of Jesus, and defend his own Muslim faith by rigorous study. The two men highly valued their friendship, and at times had to agree to set their discussions aside for fear of jeopardising their relationship. However, over time Nabil came to both an intellectual and emotional realisation of the truth of Jesus and the veracity of the Bible, and became a Christian. Very sadly, after only a few years of fruitful Christian ministry, he developed gastric cancer and died, leaving a wife and daughter. The book is set out in short chapters, some of which are narrative accounts of his life, and some explanations of Muslim belief and accounts of his exploration of the Christian faith. This makes even the more challenging parts of the book an easy read. It would be of particular interest and use to anyone seeking to understand the Muslim faith of their friends, and to see why Jesus is so much more than the ‘just another prophet’ that the Quran claims. It also stands alone as a gripping account of one man’s journey of faith, and as a clear account of the evidence for the truth of the Bible as the word of God. I can thoroughly recommend it on every level. For now, the church library is in a box in my house, so get a message to me if you would like to borrow this book - I can thoroughly recommend it. Lesley Mackintosh

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Happy Memories of Sunday School in the 1940’s

As a 3 year old I started at Burnside Sunday School which my grandpa,

James Cowan jointly began with John Davidson. The message of the tuneful

songs and simple hymns remains with me and as time went on, more “grown

up” hymns and Christian teaching. We had the Christmas Party at which

many of us performed a party piece. We learned dances like the “Palais

Glide” and had a local summer Sunday School Picnic.

On being a boarder at St Columba’s School, Kilmacolm it was a different

Sunday School for me from the ages of 12 – 15 years, where I played a

Harmonium and in the last year, as the oldest child, I was in a class by myself

with wonderful teaching from the school teacher who was also my song-time

teacher at school – marvellous teaching.

In adulthood it was time to do some Sunday School teaching when Ian

McPherson was the superintendant. Then it was Sunday School drama with

Ian, Marjorie McLennan and Morag McIntosh and helpful parents doing a

variety of helpful things. We did an Annual Christmas pantomime which

elevated to Musicals. Some have gone on to study music and drama. We did

Christian musicals like “Jonah” and “Pilgrim’s Progress”. We performed in

Princes Square and at the 1988 Garden Festival.

Happy times.

Anne Cowan

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Obituaries May Dunlop died on 2

nd June in Rodger Park nursing home. A large part of

May’s work life was as an audiologist and she became head of audiology at

Gartnavel. She was married to Bill and mother to Ian and Andrew. She had

seven grandchildren. May was part of the worshipping congregation at the

Blairbeth building for many years and then at Burnside.

Janette Cleland died suddenly on 12th July. She grew up in Cambuslang.

Early working life was in a variety of offices and then later on she worked for

25 years for the Halifax. Janette and Robin were married in 1968 and they

spent much of their married life in Uddingston before coming to Burnside to

downsize. Janette was mother to Jane and Graham and grandmother to

Robbie, Max, Hannah and Grace. In our congregation she helped out on both

the car and reception rota.

Jean Morrison died in July having lived in Woodburn court for some years.

Jean was widowed relatively young. She had one son Charles and two

grandsons. When she was able to attend church Jean was at worship

regularly and enjoyed being part of the Guild.

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During this Lockdown period sermons are available on the Church Facebook

page at:

https://www.facebook.com/BurnsideBlairbeth

and on YouTube – search for

Burnside Blairbeth Church live stream

CDs and/or DVDs are available in the days before the Sunday morning

service and can be delivered to homes. If you, or someone you know, would

like to have a copy delivered please contact:

Kate Airlie Mob: 07787 558 790 or

kate.airlie@burnsideblairbeth.church

Contact magazine and Weekly Notes are available to view on our website,

www.burnsideblairbeth.church, under What’s On/News tab.

If you would like to view Contact this way rather than have a paper copy

delivered please send a message the office

theoffice@burnsideblairbeth.church

September/ October Issue of Contact

The deadline for copy is

Sunday 20 September

and will be available for distribution

Sunday 4 October Articles can e-mailed to the editor - contact@burnsideblairbeth.church

Data Protection Act, 1998

It is normal practice to include the names, addresses and telephone numbers of our office-bearers and other individuals in our church publications. If any person does not wish to have their personal details included they should inform the Communications

Team Leader, Lesley Mackintosh.

Burnside Blairbeth Church * Scottish Charity No. SC006633

Church of Scotland Congregational Reference: 160844

www.burnsideblairbeth.church