FOCUS
FOCUS
Christmas 2007
Kirk and Community News
For the Parishes of Cairngryffe and Symington
Church of Scotland
Cairngryffe with Symington Parish Churches
Minister: Rev Dr Graham Houston
16 Abington Road, Symington (01899 308838)
Session Clerks: Cairngryffe- Mr Jack Meikle
Glenbow Cottage, Thankerton (01899 308397)
Symington- Mr Ross Russell
Spindrift, Main Street, Symington (01899 308240)
SUNDAY SERVICES
December 2007
9.30am Symington 11.00am Cairngryffe
January, February, March, April 2008
9.30am Cairngryffe 11.00am Symington
Christmas and New Year Services 2007 – Everybody Welcome!
Sunday December 23rd 9.30am and 11am
CHRISTMAS FAMILY SERVICES
Monday December 24th 7pm Symington and 11.15pm Cairngryffe
CHRISTMAS EVE CAROL SERVICES
Tuesday December 25th 10.30am Symington
UNITED CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE
Sunday December 30th 10.30am Cairngryffe
UNITED YEAR’s END SERVICE
Board and Session Meetings
Monday February 18th 2008 7.30pm Cairngryffe Kirk Session
Monday February 25th 2008 7.30pm Symington Board and Session
Communion Services
Sunday March 2nd 2008 9.30am (Cairngryffe) 11am (Symington)
MERRY MINCE PIES
Remember
to pop into Symington Church Hall after the evening service on Christmas Eve for
mince pies, coffee and a chat with your friends. Mince pies will also
be served at Cairngryffe from 11.00pm, prior to their late evening service
Visit our websites at
From the Manse Christmas 2007
Peace on Earth
Nearly five years ago, back in February 2003, our daughter Rachel and I took part in the anti-war demonstration in Glasgow prior to the launching of the offensive against Iraq, supposedly to locate and destroy weapons of mass destruction which were never found, because they did not exist. It was very moving to be part of that huge crowd of all faiths and none which marched and gathered in the cause of peace. Just last month our son Stephen went down to London to join the Stop the War Coalition march, as a group of students from Scotland who believe that we are engaged in an illegal war which has to end. This will be our seventh Christmas at war, including the conflict in Afghanistan, a period longer than the Second World War.
Young
servicemen and women have been killed and others wounded during that time.
Scottish families have been scarred by terrible losses. And the violence
continues despite all the might of American and British forces set against the
insurgents. Some wonder if these wars can ever be won. Early talk about
winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi and Afghani people now seems very
hollow. How are Christians to respond in a world at war, especially at
Christmas? How can we talk about “Peace on Earth”? Peace is a concept which is
rooted in the Bible and means far more than the absence of war. During the Cold
War we saw how hostility can be managed without actually engaging in battle, as
east and west accumulated nuclear weapons of mass destruction and threatened one
another across the Iron Curtain divide with MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction)
as a so-called deterrent. Many of us lived through that time and remember the
very real fear of a nuclear holocaust which existed for so long.
The world into which Jesus was born was also at war, despite the so-called “Roman peace” which was maintained in the Empire by force of arms. His all-too brief life ended when a military governor weakly gave in to the Jerusalem mob’s cry for Christ’s blood and ordered members of the army of occupation to put him to death by a form of torture in which the Romans revelled. Yet the New Testament persists in proclaiming that through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, peace has come to this world. But it is a peace on earth which is only known, as the angels foretold, among those on whom God’s favour rests. (Luke 2:14) It is a peace which is about reconciliation between former enemies, well-being and prosperity, wholeness and salvation. It is a peace which transforms relationships and encourages inner tranquility. It is a peace which is rooted in God’s gracious provision for his people, a miraculous gift which can be received freely and exercised in faith. It is the only viable solution to the warlike condition of human nature which tends toward conflict and mutual destruction as ways of dealing with differences. It is a peace which was preached by Jesus when he called his disciples to love their enemies and bless those who curse them. And we all know to our cost how elusive peace can be in relationships within families and between individuals, let alone among nations. That’s why the song says “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” As we pray for peace and an end to pointless wars, perhaps we need to begin closer to home. Who are the people with whom you and I need to make peace? Remember that Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”(Matthew 5:9) First of all we need to find peace with God; to end our enmity and resistance towards divine sovereignty over our lives and let Jesus be our Lord. Secondly we need to create peace in all our dealings with others, treating all with the respect that we would wish for ourselves. Thirdly we need to learn to be at peace within, allowing God to make us whole and fill us with his Spirit of love and mercy. God’s peace comes increasingly to those who love the Lord their God with all their hearts, souls, minds, and strength, and love their neighbours as themselves. The only lasting solution is the good news of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth at Christmas has opened up possibilities which are potentially available for all people to grasp. He is the only one who can reconcile seemingly intractable divisions and help people to treat one another as brothers and sisters in God’s family, which every day is growing remarkably especially in the majority world in South America, Africa south of the Sahara, and south and east Asia. This Christmas let’s dare to work, sing and pray for peace on earth, and an end to hostility, beginning with you and me.
Yours in Christ
Graham Houston.
Christmas Appeal
This
year's appeal is for the Kilbryde Hospice project, to provide a hospice
for the people of South Lanarkshire in the grounds of Hairmyres Hospital, East
Kilbride, as early as 2009. Funded jointly by Kilbryde Hospice Appeal and NHS
Lanarkshire it will have up to 6 palliative care beds. The Appeal currently has
£1.5million in the bank.
A spokesman said, "Nearly half of those admitted to a hospice return home again. The average length of stay is just 13 days. All care is free of charge." Our retiring offerings after Family Services on Sunday December 23rd and offerings at the Christmas Eve Carol Services will go to the Appeal.
SYMINGTON CHRISTMAS CARDS
This year the Guides will undertake the delivery of Christmas cards within the village. Cards for addresses in Symington may be left at the church on Sunday 9 and 16 December.
Advent Celebration
On Sunday December 2nd at 6pm in Cairngryffe Kirk we gather to celebrate the completion on time and within budget of the refurbishment project including the provision of a Session Room. The Moderator of Lanark Presbytery, Rev Alison Meikle, will lead an Act of Dedication of the renewed facilities, and there will be present a representative of the Kirk’s General Trustees. Our architect, Mike Nisbet, will feature in an interview.
The Symington Choir will sing and musical items will be provided by Cairngryffe members. Refreshments will be served and all are welcome.
News from the Parishes
Funerals
Symington September 13th Janet Overend
Beechgrove House, Lanark
Pettinain October 16th Euphemia Melrose
18 Cairngryffe Street, Pettinain
Symington November 9th Rev Bill McCormick
82 Main Street, Symington
Baptism
Cairngryffe November 25th Finlay Baillie
Hillhead of Covington Farm.
Rev William Cadzow McCormick
Bill was born in 1916 in Glasgow and died on November 4th in Symington, aged 91. He was educated in Symington Village School, where his father was the dominie, and at Biggar High School of which he became Dux in 1934. He studied arts and divinity at Glasgow University and was an assistant minister in Bridgeton before his ordination in 1943 when he worked for the Christian Highway youth movement. Bill married Daisy (known as Day) from Campeltown in 1945 and they went to Ardrishaig for their first charge. In 1951 they moved to Paisley: Oakshaw West and to Glasgow: Maryhill Old in 1960, retiring from there to the family home in Symington Main Street in 1983. They have two daughters, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Bill served the Presbytery of Lanark well and long in his retirement, including a number of spells as locum and a lot of pulpit supply. One of his claims to fame was his establishing of a cricket team in Symington for a time, where he resurrected his formidable reputation as a demon spin-bowler in earlier days at Thornliebank CC. Bill was also an avid reader and his latest book was a history of Napoleon in French! Bill and Day have a special place in the hearts of the congregation of Symington Kirk, and Bill was in the pew he first occupied in 1923 until very recently. Many of us appreciated his words of encouragement and his impish sense of humour. We celebrated Bill’s long and fruitful life with many of his family and friends at the funeral on November 9th, and we commend Day and her family to the comfort and care of almighty God and his church.
Christianity Explored
This ten week course exploring the faith through the gospel of Mark began with a five-week block before Advent, in the new Session Room at Cairngryffe. The enthusiastic group warmly invites others to join them for the second half of the programme, which will be run on five Sunday evenings in Lent- February 10th, 17th, 24th, March 2nd and 9th, 2008- at 6.00pm in the Manse.
Job Vacancies
We’re delighted to announce that Cathryn Forrest, Thankerton, has agreed to be our Joint Treasurer from January 1st 2008, in succession to Nan Mackie who retires at the end of 2007 after ten years in post. Many thanks are due to Nan for her service during that time.
The joint office-bearers’ are still looking for a new Christian Aid Organiser, to be in post by March 2008, and a new FOCUS Editor to begin work in time for the Autumn 2008 edition. If you know of any in our congregations who might be willing to consider one of these important jobs, please let the minister or session clerks know.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN CAIRNGRYFFE
This is to keep all our members up to date with what is happening in the Kirk Session at Cairngryffe.
* The website for Cairngryffe Kirk is now up and running. Please check it out on your computer. The address is www.cairngryffekirk.org.uk Jim Watt has done an excellent job. You will find details of many church activities including special services, details of organisations etc. so next time you want to know anything about our Church just check it out on the website.
*The Kirk Session, as I reported in previous editions of Focus, had plans drawn up for a meeting room under the gallery and other improvements in the church. Well the work was completed on time and on budget and looks tremendous, the new lights are ten times brighter and light up the new carpet beautifully giving a warmer calmer atmosphere in the church.
Many thanks not only to the tradesmen but to the members of the congregation who gave their time and helped to complete the job.
I was very pleased to hear some of our members, who had previously been a bit apprehensive about what we were doing, now agreeing it was a great result.
* Are you looking for the ideal Christmas present? Then what about the 2008 Cairngryffe Church calendar? Please order your calendars either from your Elder or direct from our Calendar Coordinator Lily Borthwick. The cost again will be £5 and all profits go to the Church.
Jack Meikle. Session Clerk at Cairngryffe
THE GUILD
Cairngryffe Guild
The first half of our enjoyable season of meetings draws to a close on December 12 when we will enjoy A Celebration of Christmas, sharing our festivities with invited guests. There will be no January meeting but on February 13th join us for some Armchair Aerobics led by Jennifer Baillie. Just the thing for ironing out the winter wrinkles! For more information contact Margaret Watt, secretary at 01555 6633 84 or Jessie Duff, President at 01899 308365.
Symington Guild
At our first meeting in September we enjoyed a most informative talk by Annis Cutler on Breast Cancer Care. In October a large number of our members joined the Cairngryffe Guild for an enjoyable evening of poetry and stories by Alex Baird. In November we look forward to the Rev. Ron Blakey talking on the Guild Project and to our fund-raising Coffee morning.
Our Christmas meeting on Thursday 13 December will be a light-hearted quiz followed by a Christmas supper.
The first meetings of the New Year will be
January 24 Real or Imaginary? the benefits of complimentary therapies and massage by Nikki Carlyle
February 28 Creative Embroidery by Cathie Duthie.
Contact
Sheena Carlyle, President at 01899 308269
FLOWER LISTS
CAIRNGRYFFE SYMINGTON
December 2 Lily Borthwick Susan Mathew
December 9 Sandra Stewart Ollie Hunter
December 16 Christmas Flowers Muriel Knight
December 23 Christmas Flowers Janette Hope
December 30 Christmas Flowers -
January 6 Christmas Flowers Rena MacKenzie
January 13 Christmas Flowers Jessie Duff
January 20 Mary McLellan Jessie Rodger
January 27 Jean Warnock Isobel Grierson
February 24 Nancy Nicholl Margaret Cleland
The children
and leaders are now busy preparing for their presentation at the Christmas
Family Service on the 23rd of December.
Children will be given their own individual invite to the Christmas Party.
After a well deserved Christmas Holiday, the Sunday School will recommence on
Sunday 13th January 2008. Remember the early start at 9.30am in the church.
For further details, contact Rosmairi J Galloway 01555 880779.
SYMINGTON TRAILBLAZERS
The Trailblazers are very busy as usual. We are starting to practise our Christmas play. This year it is called “The Earth looks forward to Christmas”. The play will take place on the 23rd of December and we hope to see all the Mums, Dads, Grans and Grandpas there to watch.
The Christmas party will take place on the December 22nd and as always there will be a special visitor.
Well done to all the trailblazers and their mums for raising a wonderful £175 for the UNICF jar of grace appeal. Special thanks to Jane, Donna, Alma and Andy without whom it would not have been possible. Always room for new members so if you would like to join the fun come along any Sunday morning at 9:30am (11am after Christmas).
More information from Linda Tucker at 01899308943
SYMINGTON CHURCH CHOIR
Members
of the choir are really looking forward to joining with the Cairngryffe
congregation for their special Advent Service on Sunday 2nd
December. They will also be singing carols in Thankerton Village Hall on
Saturday 1 December from 10.00am to 12 noon. This is a special time of
year especially if you enjoy singing. Who knows what the choir will be enjoying
in the New Year? Why not come along to Symington Kirk on a Wednesday evening
from 7.30pm to join us. It could become the highlight of your week!
Contact Gaynor Russell, Choir Director at 01899 308240
SYMINGTON COFFEE CLUB
The Coffee Club is open each Tuesday at 10:30 am in the Church Hall and all are welcome, young and old. With the Christmas Season approaching the Coffee Club will close on the 11th December 2006.
PRAYER
PAGE
Prayer and Praise Services
The next Prayer and Praise Service will be at Cairngryffe on December 6th. There will be no Prayer and Praise Service in January and we will resume again in February.
The attendance in the past few months has been lower than when we first started but that has not detracted from the enjoyment and commitment of everyone who has been attending. I know that personally I have felt a strong bond of fellowship at all our gatherings and the Prayer and Praise Services give us a chance to come together and focus our prayers on Local, National and International issues that are important. I hope that when we meet again in the New Year our numbers will increase, that others within the congregation will come along and be comforted by the prayer and praise and enjoy the fellowship.
Cairngryffe
and Symington Churches both have a prayer request box please feel free to use
these. The request can be anonymous.
The dates and times of the next Prayer and Praise Services are as follows:
Cairngryffe Church Thursday 6th December at 7.30pm
Symington Church Thursday 7th February at 7.30pm
Cairngryffe Church Thursday 6th March at 7.30pm
Symington Church Thursday 3rd April at 7.30pm
The Bible tells us to pray to our Lord God and to praise him and as Christians we try to live our lives according to what the Bible tells us. Prayer is a powerful tool and the world we live in today needs our prayers. Sometimes when we see pictures of war and natural disaster we feel so helpless but through prayer we can all do something practical. God tells us in the scriptures “Ask and it shall be given”, we can ask God to show us how we can help and to send the help that is needed to all who suffer.
Father Speak to us again of the things in life that really matter
The things that bring us joy, hope, love and peace
Open our hearts and our lives to your love
Help us to keep faith with you as surely as you keep faith with us
Amen
Prayer Promoters
Symington – George Mathew Tel: 01899 308648
Cairngryffe – Sandra Stewart Tel: 01555 880655
FROM OUR KIRK TREASURERS
Symington Church
Treasurer’s Report
At the 5th November 2007 our income is down by 1.1% to £34,846 and our expenditure is up 13.6% to £28973 compared to the same period last year.
The Church’s finances are in reasonable shape given that there will be a surplus in 2007 of approximately £6,000. Nevertheless we can’t continue very long in a situation where our % increase in expenditure exceeds our % increase in income.
Income in 2007 Expenditure in 2007
Offerings £25263 Ministry & Mission £17405
Other Income £ 2048 Staff Costs £ 4044
Special Income £ nil Building Costs £ 4140
Tax rebate £ 7535 Joint Cong Account £ 2576
Other Costs £ 808
TOTAL £34846 TOTAL £28973
Robert Carson, Treasurer
Cairngryffe Church
The financial year ends on 31st December so I would just remind anyone who has money to go into the church funds before that to get it to treasurer as soon as possible in order to finalise this years accounts. Linzi Struthers, Treasurer.
CAIRNGRYFFE EVERYOUNG CLUB
How
I wish I could reproduce the lovely syllabus for this
group, here in Focus. It is truly a mini-masterpiece and reflects the care the
organisers put into the club.
On December 13th members will enjoy a hearty Christmas Lunch at Cornhill House Hotel
(12.30pm for 1.00pm).
The fun doesn’t end there as the fortnightly meetings in Thankerton Village Hall at 2.00pm resume on Thursday 10 January 2008 for a Games Day.
On January 24 we enjoy a Burns Celebration with Jessie Duff, Jean Shearer and May Cameron.
February 14th brings Andy Barr with ‘50 Not Out! and on February 28
Ann Cochrane will talk on Social Services – Help with Equipment
For more information contact Sadie Campbell at 01899 308328
Lanark Presbytery Report
Rev Iain Goring has been appointed as Interim Moderator at Carnwath from the 17 September 2007.
Mrs Jessie Bryce is to make a presentation on the Church of Scotland’s Parish Development fund at the Presbytery meeting on the 5 February 2008.
Ms Eildon Dyer is to make a presentation on behalf of Christian Aid at the Presbytery meeting on the 4 March. She has recently been appointed as the Area Co-ordinator.
Child protection training will take place in St. John's Church, Carluke on 27 November 2007 and that coordinators should contact Rev. Sarah Ross to book places.
There are presently vacancies for Chaplains at Roadmeetings and Lady Home Hospitals.
Rev Bryan Kerr has been appointed as interim chaplain covering Carstairs State Hospital for the term of Rev B Gauld’s sick leave. His duties began on Oct 3 2007.
Note that the Ministries and Missions Allocations for 2008 for Symington is £19,402 although this has been reduced to £18,093 under Presbytery’s discretionary powers. The allocation in 2006 was £17,800. This represents a 1.6% increase.
Robert Carson, Elder to Presbytery
TINTO AFTER SCHOOL CLUB
Tinto After School Club - continues to enjoy success in its Chess Club.
The School team recently visited St Mary’s Primary in Lanark to play in the Clydesdale Primary Chess Tournament and came away winners for the second time in 3 attempts. Individually, Fergus Spence also won the BG Novice Event in Glasgow, thus qualifying for the finals next summer.
In Badminton, Katelyn Reilly was selected for training in the South Lanarkshire Coaching Scheme for pupils who show potential in the Sport. The football club has been playing at monthly festivals, the boys at Carluke and the girls at Lanark racecourse. They have also visited their friends at Newlands Primary for some friendly games. The netball club has also had the opportunity to play at Biggar Sports Centre, a great experience for them as most have never played on a full size court! The Club is still looking to introduce new and exciting activities to the children at Tinto, and if you have a skill you would like to share with the children, please contact Jane Stevens on 01899 308713. We would also like to hear from anyone who would be interested in helping out in the school garden.
Editor's Note
Thank you to all contributors who provided the information contained in this newsletter.
The Spring edition of FOCUS will be issued late in February 2008.
Contributions from both village and church organizations and groups, covering the period from March 2008 to the end of May 2008 should be sent to me by Sunday 17th February 2008 at the latest.
I can be reached at: - Rena Mitchell, Mossgiel, 64 Biggar Road, Symington, ML12 6FT Tel: 01899 308261
or by email at mossgiel64@tiscali.co.uk