FOCUSFOCUS
Autumn 2006
Kirk and Community News
For the Parishes of Cairngryffe and Symington
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
September, October, November, December 2006
9.30am Cairngryffe 11.00am Symington
Sunday October 1st
9.30am Cairngryffe 11.00am Symington
Our theme this year will be �Climate Change!�
COMMUNION SERVICES
The sacrament will be celebrated on Sunday November 5th,
when the theme will be �Alpha and Omega�.
All members are warmly invited to share in worship then.
9.30am Cairngryffe 11.00am Symington
MEETINGS OF SESSIONS AND BOARD
Cairngryffe Kirk Session
meets on Monday November 6th at 7.30pm
Symington Board and Kirk Session
meet on Monday November 13th at 7.30pm.
Joint Office-Bearers� Meeting
The twice-yearly gathering of all Board and Session members
is in Symington on Monday October 30th at 7.30pm.
Joint Finance Committee
Monday December 4th at 7.30pm in the Manse
Visit our website at www.symingtonkirk.com
Webmaster Robert Carson
From the Manse Autumn 2006
Presbyterian Prayer!
This month I take up the role of Moderator (Chairman) of the Presbytery of Lanark, and I would very much like you to pray for me over the next year. I�ve been serving the Church now for over thirty years, as a parish minister, university chaplain, and as chief executive of a national Christian charity. During that time I have been a member of four presbyteries, Sutherland, Perth, Edinburgh, and now Lanark, and have been involved as convener of various committees as well as serving as Moderator, once before, in Sutherland. The word �presbytery� comes from a Greek word from which we derive the English word �priest�, but these local meetings of church leaders have contained an equal number of ministers and elders for over four hundred years.
In presbytery we oversee the work of every Church of Scotland congregation in our area, and try to encourage one another in our common ministry and mission. We help vacant charges to find a new minister, and help congregations to deal with financial or fabric problems and challenges, or to resolve internal leadership disputes. We keep before the churches an awareness of our part in the worldwide Church. We promote Christian stewardship and ensure that local churches are supporting the wider work of the Kirk, as well as the local ministry of word and sacrament. We also try to challenge elders in their ministry of response to God�s word, and to ensure that all our members are committed to practising what is preached. The work is overseen through regular presbytery visits to congregations and parishes, and we�ll be having another visit next Spring. Every year we also send representative ministers and elders to participate in the General Assembly in Edinburgh, to exercise our responsibilities in the decision making of the national Kirk.
But one of the most important roles that presbyteries exercise is the promotion of prayer. Every congregation is asked to appoint a prayer promoter, and you can read about their work in the new PrayerPage, below.
This autumn, on the first Thursday of each month at 7.30pm, we begin a series of monthly United Prayer and Praise Services, to develop the prayer life of our linked congregations, in a way that is non-threatening and inclusive.
Presbyterians often find that the thought of prayer with others is difficult, even though we do some of that every week in Sunday worship. Our last presbytery visiting team encouraged us to create more opportunities to spend time together focussing on the needs for prayer: locally, nationally and internationally.
That�s because Jesus taught us always to A S K:
�Ask, and you will receive.
Seek and you will find.
Knock and the door will be opened up to you.� (Matthew 7:7)
Those commands are addressed to Christians corporately, concerning prayer together..
In our weekly worship in September, we�re looking at the teaching of the Letter of James in the New Testament, where we find this insight: �You do not have what you want because you do not ask. And when you ask, you do not receive it, because your motives are bad; you ask for things to use for your own pleasures.� (James 4:3-4)
This indicates that Christians are meant to be persistent in prayer and to learn to ask again and again for the things that God has said he wants to supply us with. Jesus said, �Bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!�(Luke 11:13) In other words, God wants us to experience his living presence in the gathering of God�s people, and take that with us into everyday life. He wants us to know love, joy and peace in our relationship with the Lord; patience, kindness, and goodness in our relationships with other people; and gentleness, faithfulness and self-control as inherent qualities of our lives which display an inner integrity and Christian character. (Galatians 5:22-23)
He also wants to empower us for Christian witness and service, filled with the love of God and overflowing with compassion and care for the world around us. �Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads�.� (Ephesians 6:18-20) Let�s dare to be Presbyterians at prayer, persistent in asking for God�s will to be done, seeking God�s kingdom, and knocking at God�s door.
Yours in Christ,
Graham Houston.
FOUNDATIONS GROUP
This six-week course on Christian Basics will be held in the Manse at 7.30pm on Wednesday evenings, starting on September 13th, and is geared for those who are considering baptism, church membership, or who would like a refresher course on the fundamentals of the faith.
The Presbytery of Lanark World Mission Rally
is on Wednesday November 8th at St Nicholas� Hall, Lanark.
All are welcome
PRAYER
PAGE
Prayer and Praise Services
Cairngryffe and Symington Churches are holding Prayer and Praise Services on the first Thursday of every month and we invite everyone to come along and be part of it.
Each congregation will find, in the vestibule, a box for prayer requests. Anyone can ask for a prayer to be said for themselves or someone they know or they can be anonymous.
The first Service is in
Symington Church Thursday 7th September at 7.30pm
Then
Cairngryffe Church Thursday 5th October at 7.30pm
Symington Church Thursday 2nd November at 7.30pm
Why Pray?
We all pray at sometime. In times of need or worry our prayer may simply be �God help me�. For some it�s only when in church but what we all fail to realise is that our father is listening 24/7. We have been told in the Bible �ask and it shall be given� so why don�t we? For some it�s because they don�t believe it can really work or that they feel too self-conscious about praying. Prayer does work, especially when it comes from the heart. God doesn�t need it to be eloquent or grammatically correct he just needs to know that you believe he can help you. Some times it�s hard to pray on you own so what better way to learn how to pray than among friends at the Thursday Prayer and Praise Services.
Lord we ask that you hear our voices
As we lift them up to you
Help us to draw closer to you
As we join together at the first of our Prayer Services
Help us to grow in Faith, in Fellowship and in numbers
Lord hear our prayer
Amen
Prayer Promoters
Symington � George Mathew Tel: 01899 308648
Cairngryffe � Sandra Stewart Tel: 01555 880655
News from the Parishes
Baptism
Symington August 20th Sophie Hutchison 6 Millburn Court
Wedding
Cairngryffe June 15th Beau Brodbeck and Beth Manguso,
Alabama, USA.
Funerals
Symington June 20th Rosemary Prentice
formerly of Symington House
Cairngryffe August 25th Ena Smith, 1 Howacre Lanark
Daldowie Crematorium August 28th Ada Robley
Station House Sandilands
MemberS left by Certificate of Transference
Symington Janet and Bob McDougall, Main St, to Bothwell,
- We will miss them and wish them well in their new home.
A WORD OF THANKS
We would like to thank all our friends in Symington Kirk and village for their cards and good wishes for happiness in our new home, and also those of congratulations on our Golden Wedding Anniversary in August. We appreciate your kind thoughts
Janet and Bob McDougall
THE GUILD
Theme for the Year: - �Let�s Live: Body Mind and Soul�
Cairngryffe Guild
We are looking forward to the new programme of meetings in Thankerton Hall at 7.30pm on the second Wednesday of every month. We�ll begin on September 13 with a fragrant talk from Catherine White on Aromatherapy. In October we will have a joint meeting with Symington Guild, followed by the Guild Rally in Lanark in November. Details are being finalized but on November 25 we hope to hold a Charities Bazaar. Visitors are always welcome. For more details contact Jessie Duff, President - 01899 308365 or Margaret Watt, Secretary at 01555 663384
Jessie Duff, President
Symington Guild
Now that summer is drawing to a close and our thoughts are turning to winter activities we are delighted to report that the committee has put together an excellent programme for all Guild members in the coming months. Our opening meeting will be held on the last Thursday of the month as always, September 28 at 7.30pm in the Church hall when Jan Rae will speak on �The Eyes have it�. Present members will be warmly welcomed and it is hoped they can encourage some new members to come along. Anyone wishing further information can contact members of the committee or phone Sheena Carlyle at 01899 308269.
Sheena Carlyle, President
Cairngryffe Sunday School�s new term started on Sunday September 3. This autumn we will be meeting on 3rd, 10th, 17th September, 8th, 29th October, 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th November, 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th December at 9.30am in the church at the start of the morning service. We will go over to the hall for Sunday School, part of the way through the service. The children are also welcome at the Harvest Family Service on October 1st. This term we hope to make a study of a range of Old and New Testament stories, such as Esther, Creation, Cain & Abel, the Flood and stories of Jesus, as well as preparing for Christmas.
We look forward to seeing you and your family at Sunday School.
Contact Rosmairi Galloway, 01555 880779, if you require further details.
SYMINGTON TRAILBLAZERS
Congratulations to all the Trailblazers who won 1st Prize in the Village day Scarecrow Group Competition with their tableau of �The Lord�s My Shepherd�. The children all worked very hard and were justly rewarded. We are looking forward to defending our title next year!
We are glad to welcome everyone back after the summer break. It is nice to see some new faces as well as all our old friends.
We are taking the children on an outing on September 17. They have chosen to go 10-pin bowling and we are all looking forward to it.
Andy
McCafferty is now running a group specifically aimed at the older children. If
you are in P5 or upwards, why not come along to join in the quizzes, experiments
and other exciting activities?
There will be another Film Club soon. We are proposing to show �Nanny McPhee� and the proceeds will be put towards our purchase of a yak for a school in Tibet. So watch out for further details.
As always we would welcome new members for both Trailblazers and the Junior Choir.
For information, contact Linda Tucker at 01899 308943.
SYMINGTON WELCOME PACK
As part of the Development Plan for Symington Kirk, a small welcome pack for newcomers to the village has been prepared. This gives an outline of the range of services, organisations and items of general interest in the Symington/Biggar area. We would like to give this to all newcomers to the village.
People moving into new houses are fairly easy to notice and we try to pick them up but people who move into existing properties are a bit more difficult to track down. Please let Ross Russell or any of the office bearers know if you have anyone moving in near to you and we will follow it up.
Ross Russell, Session Clerk
SYMINGTON KIRK VISITORS GROUP
Following from the Symington Kirk Development Plan, and as part of the church's outreach, a visitors group is being set up. Gaynor Russell is organizing this and she would value assistance from members of the congregation in alerting her to people who would welcome a visit on a regular basis. . This could be for any reason - older people, housebound, people in poor health or those who are a bit low - anyone who would welcome a cheery face and a wee blether.
A number of people have already been identified but we would like to extend this with your help. If you would be interested in becoming a visitor, this too would be welcome.
Either way, if you can
help, contact Gaynor at 01899 308240.
SYMINGTON KIRK DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The Kirk Session and Board, at its meeting on 15 May 2006, agreed the following Vision Statement which should now be used as part of the Kirk�s ethos and on-going out-reach initiatives.
The Vision of Symington Kirk is to be a church which seeks to inspire the people of the Parish and beyond with the Good News of Jesus Christ through our enthusiastic, worshipping and serving community.
The, �Count me in, Lord!� venture, which is intended to widen the pool of church members and adherents involved in the various tasks within the life of the Church, including pastoral care, was launched in the middle of June. Fifty-eight members have returned forms to indicate their interest and commitment in supporting weekly worship, Monthly Prayer and Praise Services, �Teachers� for the Trailblazers, Sunday Bible Readers, Choir (singers), Sunday welcoming rota, Visitor Team, Flowers for Church, Sunday Coffee Rota, Coffee Club and a Teenagers� Group
for 12 � 16 year olds.
Forms are still available in the front Kirk entrance. Feel free to fill in a form and return it to the �Count me in, Lord!� box near the offering plate in the front entrance.
Heather Gardiner now chairs a World Church Team. Its first initiative will be a project, �Buy a Yak for Christmas,� in support of Tibetan children�s� schooling.
The Kirk Session has explored the theme, �The role of the elder,� on the 28 August. Further items of theological interest and challenge will be considered at future meetings.
Significant progress is being made in a range of other developments, which are the subject of separate headings in this edition of Focus
Frank Mitchell. Chair, Co-coordinating Group.
WHAT IS HAPPENING AT CAIRNGRYFFE ?
I have now been in this post for five months and, as promised, I want to keep all our members up to date with what is happening in the Kirk Session at Cairngryffe.
� We started using the new CH4 in August and this is going well.
� The website for Cairngryffe Kirk is still ongoing and I will keep
you advised.
� Our calendar is being produced again and should be available
sometime in September
� To improve communication in the church for members and
elders who may occasionally miss the Sunday Service
intimations a loose-leaf binder will be kept in the vestibule
containing a copy of all the intimations read out on Sunday.
� A copy of the minutes of the last Session meeting will also be
available for members to read.
Elders now each have their own copy.
� A Craft Group was one of the items suggested on the feedback
forms last winter. Mary McLellan is hoping to have this up and
running this winter.
� Finally one of our most successful initiatives has been visiting the
housebound but we need to know if we are reaching them all.
Please tell me if you know of anyone who would benefit from a
visit. Jack Meikle, Session Clerk at Cairngryffe
Cairngryffe and Symington Kirks
Office
Holders� Dinner
Recent meetings of both Sessions/Boards have agreed to hold a Dinner for Office Holders (and partners).
The Dinner which should cost no more than � 11.00 each, will be held on Friday, 17 November at 7.00 p.m. (for 7.15 p.m.) in Thankerton Village Hall.
Invitations will be issued to those concerned at the end of September with replies requested by 29 October.
This event promises to further extend the dialogue and friendship among the leaders of both Kirks and an exceptionally high turnout is warmly encouraged.
Pat Allan, Frank Mitchell, Sandra Stewart, Jim Watt.
FROM OUR KIRK TREASURERS
Symington
I am pleased to report that the Church�s finances are in a fairly healthy state. The 100% relief that the Church now receives from Scottish Water for the provision of drainage and water has further aided this. That relief will save the congregation several hundred pounds per year.
Robert Carson, Treasurer
Cairngryffe
Our giving to end of July was �10580, which is about the same as this time last year. We have had an extra expense this year - the cost of �1100 for purchasing the new CH4's for the church. The initial response to the new hymnbooks (now being used) has been very positive and everyone feels it has been worth going ahead and getting them. With this in mind and the usual annual expenses I expect us to break about even at the end of the year.
Linzi Struthers, Treasurer
Lanark Presbytery NEWS
There is little news from Presbytery at the moment since it does not meet in July or August except for extra-ordinary business.
There are currently three vacancies within Presbytery. They are at:-
Carluke St. John�s
Lanark Greyfriars
Carstairs and Carstairs Junction.
Robert Carson, Presbytery Elder
CHRISTIAN AID
Many thanks go to all those who supported Christian Aid Week in May this year. The amount collected was �1483.07 made up as follows:
Symington envelopes �735.48
Thankerton envelopes �278.21
Carmichael and Pettinain envelopes �260.38
Coffee at Symington �184.00
Envelopes returned after counting �25.00
Approximately �200 would be added to this from the gift aid declarations that a lot of taxpayers filled in.
The Watson family would like to thank everyone who supported their cream tea in August. A sum of �205 was raised from this and that has also been sent in to Christian Aid.
Marianne Watson
FLOWER LISTS
CAIRNGRYFFE SYMINGTON
September 3 Isobel Brown Annie Gilchrist
September 10 Margaret Cooper Christina Mackenzie
September 17 Mamie Gilmour Betty Morton
September 24 Rosemairi Galloway Val Horsfield
October 1 Mary McLellan Irene Maddox
October 8 - Shirley Pratt
October 15 Annie Callan Anne Blacklaw
October 22 Susan McDougall Ella Hodge
October 29 Sheana Rodger Moira Taylor
November 12 Elizabeth Warnock Margot Leadbitter
November 19 Margaret Clarkson Lynn Carson
November 26 - Linda McKay
SYMINGTON CHOIR
Choir practices are held in Symington Church at 7.30pm every Wednesday and have already restarted! Don�t panic! There is still time for you to join this tuneful group. Currently, as well as preparing for each Sunday service, the choir is practising hard for the special Symington Guild Fundraising Concert on November 22
More information on this will be available nearer the time but mark the date on your calendar
Choir Director Gaynor Russell, phone 01899 308240
CAIRNGRYFFE EVERYOUNG CLUB
This club meets fortnightly on Thursdays in Thankerton Village Hall at 2.00pm. The programme for this autumn is as follows: -
October 12 Beth Brown Talk on Bolivia
October 26 Sgt McCaughey My life as a policeman
November 9 Dr Goldie Charity Cycle Run
November 23 Martin Millar Fire Prevention
December 14 Christmas Lunch, Cornhill House Horel, 12.30pm
For more information contact Sadie Campbell at 01899 308328
SYMINGTON BADMINTON
Adult badminton plans to continue on Wednesday afternoons 1pm to 3pm and on Friday evenings from about 8pm. Other times and days could possibly be arranged if these don�t suit. Come along for some fun and exercise, or phone Marianna (308711) for details.
SCOTTISH WOMEN'S RURAL INSTITUTE
Carmichael Institute
Carmichael WRI meets on the second Monday of each month in Carmichael Hall at 7.30pm. Forthcoming meetings are: -
September 11 Talk from Stanmore with Lorraine Swan
October 9 Dinner at Cornhill House Hotel (7.00pm for 7.30pm)
November 13 Demonstration and Sale with Andrina Alexander
December 2 Bowling Tournament Mixed Rinks
December 11 Decorated Log with Betty Archibald
Janette Elliot, secretary, at 01555 880614 can provide more details.
Thankerton Institute
Thankerton SWRI holds its first meeting of the 2006/07 session on Thursday 7th September at 7.30pm in Thankerton Village Hall. This meeting has a local flavour with Andy Barr coming to share the experiences of his 50th birthday year fund-raising events in a talk entitled �50 not out�. Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month between September and April and all ladies thinking about joining will be made most welcome. The committee has once again tried to arrange a varied and interesting programme for the session. These include: -
October
5 Lord Lieutenant, Gilbert Cox
November 2 Bee Keeping with Andrew Hay
December 7 �Starters� with Tom Stockman
Connie Johnstone, secretary 01899 308764
Pettinain Institute
Pettinain WRI meets in Pettinain Village Hall at 7.30pm on a Wednesday, annual subscription �7. Why not join us?
September 6 Wee Sweetie Shop with Marjory Romer
October 18 A night with Marion Davidson, our Chairperson
November 1 Whist Drive
November 15 Visit to Warburton�s
December 20 Fun and Games
For further details contact Ann Murray,secretary on 01555 870379
Symington Institute
New members are always welcome to join us at our meetings in Symington Village Hall on the first Thursday of the month at 7.30pm. The talks and demonstrations for this session begin with: -
September 6 Ribbon Weaving with Susan Crosby
October 5 Quaint and Curious with Sandy Gilchrist
November 2 85th Anniversary Dinner at Tinto Hotel
December 7 Christmas Flowers with Graham Crouch
Contact Janet Hope, President �01899 308716.
PETTINAIN BADMINTON
Adults resume on Mondays from 2nd Oct 7pm - 9pm
Juniors resume on Fridays from 6th Oct 7pm -9pm
Both groups meet in Pettinain Village Hall and cost �1 per night to cover cost of Hall Let, refreshments and renewing equipment.
Contact Charlie Galloway on 01555 870 865 with any queries.
CARMICHAEL CARPET BOWLING CLUB
The Club meets in the Carmichael Hall every Tuesday evening at 7.30pm. This will be our main night this winter, as we will no longer be playing regularly on a Monday. This is the start of the 97th year of this club
(ed: this must be a record surely?) Please come along and join the fun. For more details, give me a call.
Jack Meikle (secretary), phone at 01899 308397.
Biggar Probus Club, open to men over 50 who are fully or partially retired, residing in Biggar and the surrounding area, resumes on October 3rd in the Municipal Hall, Biggar. The club meets on the first and third TUESDAY of each month from October to April, beginning around 9.45am for a cup of tea and a chat followed by a visiting speaker, finishing around 11.30am. Amongst the subjects we have to come are
A talk on life in the Fire Brigade, John Buchan from 39 steps to Governor General, Mercy Ships and various others.
Membership currently costs �5.00 per annum plus refreshment costs. Any man who wishes to join should come along to a meeting or telephone one of the numbers below. He would be assured of a warm welcome.
Contact John Pratt at 01899 308729 or Robert Ross at 01899 220017.
Carmichael Playgroup & Toddlers Group
This
group for little ones from 0 to 5 years meets in Carmichael Village Hall on
Mondays and Thursdays from 9.15 to 11.15am.The children enjoy a good
variety of activities and all will be made
very welcome. More details can be had from the playleader Catherine Hamilton, on 01555 665239.
Symington Playgroup
Symington Playgroup is open to all little ones from 2 years upwards and is held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It offers a fun time of art games toys and children always have a piece of work to take home. A drink and healthy snack are provided and each session ends with a story and songs.
There are still spaces available so for full information please contact Lesli at 01899 229137.
Tinto Toddlers
Tinto Toddlers meet every Monday and Friday in Symington Village Hall from 9.45 to 11.15am. Parents and carers with children from newborn to nursery age will be warmly welcomed. Older school age children can join in during the school holidays as the group now operates throughout the year. There is a range of toys to play with, a baby area and equipment for arts and crafts and music sessions. We charge �1 per session for Toddlers and 50p for babies, which includes a healthy snack, with tea or coffee for mum/dad. If you would like further information please call Alison on 01899 850624
Beavers,
Cubs and Scouts
1st Biggar Tinto Beavers, Cubs and Scouts meet in Biggar on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout term time. They currently have a waiting list in all sections.
If you are interested in joining, either as a Beaver Cub or Scout or are interested in helping as part of the leadership team, please contact Alex Clark at 01899 308330. He can give full details of meeting times and venues and of the waiting lists involved.
Rainbows
Rainbows are for girls aged 5-7 years and meet in Symington on a Monday during school term time. This session we are looking forward to a very special treat � an outing at Christmas to Purves Puppets! � thanks to both current and past members who have raised excellent funds for our group. Each week we will be having fun working towards badges.
At the moment we are full but for more information, please contact Wendy Carrick at 01899 308544
Brownies
1st Tinto Brownies (Thankerton)
had a fantastic Oriental Themed pack holiday at Wanlochead Community Centre in April. The weekend was filled with lots of crafts and games all based on the Orient, finishing with their annual sausage sizzle and badge presentation. Some of the badges presented were, entertainers, communicator and agility.
The pack meet every Monday evening in Thankerton Village Hall from 6.00 to 7.3pm and all 7 to 10 year olds are welcome. The meeting are all about having fun and meeting other people. The brownies learn lots of new and different things, games, crafts, badge work and even baking on a good night. This session, for example, the brownies are going to be working to wards the science investigator badge. This will include a trip to the Glasgow Science Centre. If you would like further information about the Brownie Pack please contact either Anne Chappell 01899308293 or Mandy Reilly 01899308387
1st Symington Brownies
finished on a high in June with our sausage sizzle and treasure hunt. We also took the opportunity to present the girls with the badges they had been working on throughout the term. A big thank you to all those who helped make this event possible.
Since the summer break we have been catching up on all the Brownies� holiday news and adventures. We are now looking forward to lots of activities/crafts/fun & games. Girls aged 7-10 years old wishing to join will be made very welcome. For more details on times and venue contact Gillian Aitchison on 01899 308098 or Linda Tucker, 01899 308943.
Guides
Girls aged 10-14 meet on Mondays from 7.15 -9.15pm in Symington Village Hall. Every year the girls have a set of tasks to complete to gain their Guide Challenge Badge. They are encouraged to work together in small groups to plan, organise and carry out these challenges. We also enjoy camping, rock climbing, performing in shows, youth hostelling, scavenger hunts, celebrating different cultures, days out, oh and camping!
We are currently full with a small waiting list but if you'd like to join us or would like more information phone Anne on 01555 870 865.
Adult
help is also required to help us set up a rota. Two leaders have increased
demands on their time this year so if you fancy a night with us call Anne
Galloway at 01555 870865.
Senior Section: - girls aged 14 - 25 yrs now meet in Symington Village Hall on Tuesday evenings, due to increased numbers. Girls can progress to Senior Section any time after their 14th birthday, and is open to any girl with a sense if fun and a level of commitment. There are many opportunities for them to become more involved as they get older, such as Queens Guide Award; International experience such as GOLD (Guiding overseas linked with development) where the girls are involved in helping to educate people either by teaching children English through play etc or get involved in health projects, promoting good practice. Or they can attend an international camp representing their country, exchanging games and ideas and learning about Guiding in other parts of the world.
Our unit is currently working on their Chief Guide Challenge Award, which consists of 32 challenges, and also their Duke of Edinburgh Award, specifically on their skills section. If any adult with a particular skill and an hour to spare on a Tuesday would like to help out we'd be delighted to see you.
Call Anne Galloway on 01555 870865 for more information
Tinto School After School Club
The After School Club runs a variety of Clubs within the school and grounds once school has finished. We do not provide childcare but introduce the children to different sports, crafts, arts etc. The clubs currently running include Netball, Football, Gardening, Badminton, Cycling, Reading, Chess and Chanter.
We also offer blocks of activities 1 day per week for 4 or 6 weeks e.g. Basketball, Rugby, Cookery, Rounders and Decoupage. Some of these may become Clubs in their own right if we can recruit leaders with experience of an activity who could volunteer their time and enthusiasm to share their interest with the children!! Please contact Jane Stevens on 01899 309070 for further information or if you would like to help.
Our school garden is thriving, thanks to the activity of the Gardening Club .The club generally runs on a Thursday but we don�t meet during the winter months. We very much need help with the general maintenance of the garden and would be delighted if anyone would like to spend some time after 3p.m just pottering and tidying up.
If you would like more information about the Garden, or would like to discuss it contact June McGill on 01899 308389.
COFFEE
CLUB
Meets in the Symington Church Hall
Every Tuesday at 10:30 am
All welcome
Editor's Note
Thank you to all contributors who provided the information contained in this newsletter. Some articles had to be edited in order to fit them all in.
The Christmas edition of FOCUS will be issued early in December. Contributions from church groups and organisations, covering the period from December 2006 up to the end of February 2007 should be sent to me by Sunday 19h November 2006 at the latest.
I can be reached at: - Rena Mitchell, Mossgiel, 64 Biggar Road, Symington, ML12 6FT Tel: 01899 308261or by email at [email protected]
NB. Please use email if at all possible