Spring 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
March and April 2007
9.30am Symington 11.00am Cairngryffe
May June July and August 2007
9.30am Cairngryffe 11.00am Symington
COMMUNION SERVICES
Sunday March 4th
9.30am Symington 11.00am Cairngryffe
Holy Week Services 2007 April 1st-6TH:
Palm Sunday Family Services at 9.30 (Symington) and 11.00 (Cairngryffe) on Sunday April 1st.
Sunday April 1st Symington, 6pm, Service led by Elders.
Monday 2nd, Tuesday 3rd, Symington, 7pm.
Wednesday 4th-Good Friday 6th, Cairngryffe, 7pm,
Including informal Communion on Maundy Thursday.
Evening services last 30 minutes and all are welcome.
Joint Office Bearers’ Meeting: Monday April 23rd at 7.30pm Cairngryffe
Board and Session Meetings: Symington Monday April 30th at 7.30pm
Cairngryffe Monday May 14th at 7.30pm
Visit our website at www.symingtonkirk.com
From the Manse Spring 2007
Andrew (not his real name) grew up in a small village on the west coast and his Christian upbringing was fairly strict. But when he went to university in Glasgow he stopped going to church. “I found other things to amuse myself with on Sundays”, including joining the rowing club, he says. After uni he got a good job, spent a lot of time with friends and stretched his rowing standard almost to professional. But he began to ask questions about why he was working so hard to improve his skills and continually pushing his rowing prowess. “You win a race but the feeling doesn’t last. Why am I doing all this?” He got friendly with a female colleague who was openly but unobtrusively Christian, and one evening she told Andrew matter-of-factly that she “belonged to Jesus”. That really got through to Andrew and later on he asked if he might go with her to her church. His visit was life-changing, in four different ways. The sermon spoke directly to him. He sensed an awesome feeling of warmth and peace. He felt that being a Christian was nothing to be ashamed of, and accepted the minister’s offer of prayer to help him find faith. The next morning Andrew phoned his mum and told her of his Sunday experience; not just going to church after such a long time. “Better than that, I’ve become a Christian”, Andrew said. His mum burst into tears of joy.
About 15,000 people find faith in Jesus every year in the UK, according to the latest statistics. It’s not just overseas that God is at work in people’s lives. And virtually all of them, like Andrew, have been invited to church by a friend. Despite all the cynicism about the church being boring and irrelevant, a recent survey has shown that the church is probably the single most important factor in people’s spiritual journeys. Time and again respondents talked about the impact that the body of Christians gathered together had on them, usually in overwhelmingly positive terms. There was just something different about the people they met there. There was a remarkable sense of acceptance. Respondents reflected on how non-judgmental people were and on the friendliness and informality that they found in church. Several likened their experience to that of a happy family, and were struck by how joyful and enthusiastic Christians could be. Above all, they experienced love, as one new believer said: “The love of the fellowship of the church was overwhelming in that sense and I said to myself ‘These people have
faults like everyone else but I was amazed by the help they gave in practical ways.’”
As
we approach Easter, we all have an opportunity to discover that for ourselves.
Perhaps like Andrew we have drifted away from the worship of the church.
Perhaps we’ve never really experienced real Christian commitment. We may have
joined the church as a matter of course when we were young, or maybe some crisis
or misunderstanding made us question God’s presence in our lives, or filled us
with a critical spirit. Either way we lost interest in church. Maybe we know of
family and friends who have never responded positively to the Christian message.
Perhaps you or they have never heard the gospel clearly. Easter brings us the
real message of hope, and we want to encourage everybody to join us for any or
all of the services and events that are presented in this issue. A few years
ago Mel Gibson shocked Hollywood with his film The Passion of the Christ,
which portrays vividly the sufferings of Jesus from his struggles in Gethsemane
to his death on the cross, and shows just how much God loves the world which he
made. The cross is not just a Christian symbol, but the heart of real Christian
faith. This Easter, let’s make sure that we can put our own name instead of
“everyone” in the most famous verse in the Bible: “God
so loved the world that he gave his only son that everyone who believes
in him may not die but have eternal life.”(John 3:16).
Yours in Christ,
Graham Houston.
CHRISTMAS APPEAL
Christmas Appeal this year went to help the work of the David Gordon Memorial Hospital, Livingstonia, Malawi, Central Africa. We supported the work of Emmanuel Healthcare, who run the hospital, a Scottish charity and medical mission, which plans to improve the hospital’s water supply, to develop staff training and provide new housing and transport, which will cost over £100,000. In this way, more children and older people will be protected from life-threatening conditions. The combined total from both congregations was £535. Thanks are due to all who contributed.
News from the Parishes
Funerals
Symington Dec 4th 2006 Catherine Bryce 37 Main Street
Symington/Covington Dec 15th Anne Walkinshaw
150 Covington Road
Symington Dec 21st Robert Bryce 40 Biggar Road
Symington/Covington Jan 11th 2007 William Cuthbertson
13 Millands Rd , Thankerton
Mortonhall Crematorium Feb 8th Alan Craig
63 Main Street, Symington
Symington Feb 8th Elizabeth Day 7 Scaut Hill
Cairngryffe Feb 20th William Hamilton 108 Stonehill Road.
Baptisms
Symington
Jan 21st Erin Haynes 38 Millands Road, Thankerton
Cairngryffe Feb 18th Ewan Morley Bedfordshire
Members leaving by certificates of transference
Mr Eric and Mrs Fiona Kirkland, 42 High Meadow, Carluke to Kirkton Church, Carluke
Outreach Event in Lent!
Enclosed with this issue is a flyer for our Cheese and Wine Evening on Friday March 16th in the Church Hall, Symington, at 7.30pm. Musical items and a presentation of the Amazon Hope Project will be led by Erica Bonnar and team from the Vine Trust, who have provided two ferries for the Upper Amazon which generate employment and provide care for street children in Peru. This is an opportunity to invite family and friends to find out more of what God is doing in today’s world and how Jesus can become real in our everyday experience. Please make use of the flyer as an invitation.
Presbytery Visit
A team from Lanark Presbytery will visit the congregations, meeting with office-bearers and the minister on Thursday March 29th, led by Rev Anne McIvor, Law Parish Church. They meet in Symington at 7pm, and Cairngryffe at 8.15pm, as part of Presbytery’s ongoing support and encouragement of our fellowship and work.
Presbytery Worship Course
Three elders at Cairngryffe completed the Lanark Presbytery worship leading course and participated in prayers in a church service before Christmas. They are Liz Hiddleston, Denham MacDougall, and Jack Meikle. They will also be sharing in services during Lent.
WHAT IS HAPPENING AT 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 still ongoing and I will keep you advised.
*The Kirk Session, as I reported in the last edition of Focus had plans drawn up for a meeting room under the gallery and other renovations to the interior of the church. The good news is that the General Trustees (these are the people who own the Church) at a meeting of their Fabric Committee on 6th February fully approved our proposals. We have now applied for Listed Building consent.
*I would like to thank all the volunteers who helped to deliver a Christmas Card to each house in our Parishes. Well done! I know this was no easy task.
*My thanks also to our small band of volunteers who help the Elders with door duty each Sunday. They also do a grand job on Communion Sunday by looking after the door, the bell and the collection allowing the Elders to concentrate on their Communion Duties.
* Finally do you know of anyone who needs a visit from our dedicated band of visitors? If so please let me know. I would like to hold a “visitors meeting” some time in the future so if any of you visitors have any views on this please speak to me about it.
Jack Meikle. Session Clerk at Cairngryffe
SYMINGTON CHURCH CHOIR
Practices for our event on April 19th when we have been invited to sing at Greenbank Church, Edinburgh are underway, with a few welcome ‘courtesy’ choir members swelling the ranks. In addition Wednesday evenings in the church continue to focus on practicing the music for Sunday services. As always more members would be warmly welcomed.
Contact the choir director, Gaynor Russell at 01899 308240.
Prayer
Page
Eternal light, shine in our hearts,
Eternal goodness, deliver us from evil,
Eternal power, be our support,
Eternal wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance,
Eternal pity, have mercy on us,
That with all our heart and mind and soul we may seek your face.
And be brought by your infinite mercy to your holy presence. Amen.
Prayer and Praise Services
The joint Cairngryffe and Symington Churches Prayer and Praise Services continue to be held on the first Thursday of every month and we invite everyone to come along and be part of it. The service only lasts for about 40 minutes and it would be an ideal opportunity to spend some time in prayer, praise and fellowship. Look at Jesus! No matter how busy he was, he went off to pray.
The next Service is in Symington Church Thursday 1st March ’07 at 7.30pm
Then at Cairngryffe Church Thursday 3rd May ’07 at 7.30pm
Note: There will be no Prayer & Praise service in April as the Holy Week evening services will be held between Palm Sunday 1st April ’07 - Good Friday 6th April ‘07.
A box for prayer requests is held in the vestibule in both churches. Anyone can ask for a prayer to be said for themselves or someone they know or for any charities or organisations or groups and if they wish can remain anonymous.
Why pray at all? What is it that motivates us to pray?
The example of our Lord Jesus Christ. He taught his disciples to pray (Matthew 6: 5-14), he offered prayer to his Father for himself, the disciples and the church (John 17), and he took time out to pray (Luke 6:12). So, when we pray, we are following Jesus. Some times it’s hard to pray on your own so what better way to learn how to pray than among friends at the Monthly Prayer and Praise Services.
Prayer Promoters
Cairngryffe – Sandra Stewart Tel: 01555 880655
Symington – George Mathew Tel: 01899 308648
THE GUILD
Symington Guild
At our January meeting members were given an insight into the production of organic milk and vegetables by Murray Brown of Clyde Organics, and on February 22 we look forward to the Rev Dr Jim Francis telling us about his work with the Territorial Army Chaplaincy. Our last meeting of this session is on March 22 when the Rev Frances Henderson will give a talk on ‘Children’s Books’.
Our closing dinner will be held on April 26 and we hope that all members, past and present, will join us on that occasion (the venue to be announced).
Contact Sheena Carlyle at 01899 308269.
Cairngryffe Guild
The second half of our season opened on February 14 with a talk by David Duncan on the Museum of Lead Mining. Our nextmeeting is on March 14 when Rev Dr Graham Houston will talk on ‘Honouring the Body’. At the meeting on April 11, when we will hold our AGM, the topic for the evening will be Scottish Churches Housing Action. Members are reminded that the World Day of Prayer will fall on March 2nd this year. Contact Jessie Duff, President at 01899 308365.
SYMINGTON TRAILBLAZERS
Trailblazers started back after the Christmas holiday on January 13. The 9.30am start does not seem to be suiting most people but we hope to see everyone back very soon. We continue to welcome new members and it is good to see our roll still growing.
We are planning a trip for the children around Easter time and are soliciting ideas from the trailblazers about where they would like to go. The zoo and ice skating are proving popular at present.
The fun and activities continue on Sunday mornings at 9.30am until the end of April (when we switch back to 11.00am) and we welcome new members.
There
will be no Trailblazers on the following dates:-
February 25th Guiding Organisations
Thinking Day
April 1st to April 15th School Holidays
May 6th May Bank Holiday
For more information, contact Lynda Tucker at 01899 308943.
CAIRNGRYFFE SUNDAY SCHOOL
We meet every Sunday during school term-time; spending the first part of the Sunday Service in church with the congregation then we go over to the hall for our own activities.
The children enjoy singing hymns and choruses. We read a bible story and then have bible based activities; worksheets, artwork etc. We have recently been studying some stories about Jesus and will soon be preparing for Easter.
Contact Rosmairi Galloway 01555 880779
PRESBYTERY NEWS
Rev Sarah Ross and Mr Tom Smith have been appointed as the Presbytery’s Ecumenical Relations contacts.
Presbytery is to consider having a “Festival of Hope” as a follow on from the “Nexus” event which is to be held in Glasgow in August 2007. The Moderator, Rev Dr Graham Houston, is leading the discussion.
The debate on Civil Partnerships took place on the 5th December as planned. Members of Lanark Presbytery voted 20 to 11 against the proposal to approve the blessing of Civil Partnerships.
The Rev John Turnbull, recently retired from Balfron linked with Fintry, has taken up residence in Biggar and has become a member of Presbytery.
Rev Bryan Kerr, formerly of Douglas Valley Church, is to be inducted into the charge of Lanark: Greyfriars on Thursday 8th March. Rev Harry Findlay is to be the Interim Moderator at Douglas Valley.
Revival FM, the religious broadcasting station, made a presentation to Presbytery at its February meeting concerning its Christian Work and witness. Those wishing to tune in will find them at 100.8 FM or online at www.revivalradio.org.uk. Unfortunately in Symington you can only receive them on the website.
There is to be a World Mission Evening for congregational representatives on 14th June 2007. Further information will be available shortly.
Robert Carson, Elder to Presbytery
FROM OUR KIRK TREASURERS
Symington
The accounts for 2006 have now been audited and my thanks to Scott Aitchison and Robert Prentice for undertaking this task.
The Church’s financial position is much healthier than it has been for several years due, in no small part, to the success of the “Money Matters” campaign. My thanks go to all who contributed and continue to contribute to the Church’s finances.
Our annual income is up 11% to £39,783 while our expenditure has dropped 9% to £29,405 in the same period.
Income in 2006 Expenditure in 2006
Offerings £38889 Ministry & Mission £19573
Other Income £ 604 Staff Costs £ 5457
Special Income £ 290 Building Costs £ 2555
Other Costs £ 1820
TOTAL £39783 TOTAL £29405
Robert Carson, Treasurer
Cairngryffe
The accounts for 2006 have been balanced and are ready to go to be audited. The final accounts will be available for the congregation to view in early March.
2007 Ministry Allocation has increased to £14937 from £14121 and as usual all other expenses keep rising so please think about this when you make considerations about your giving to the church for 2007.
Linzi Struthers, Treasurer
Cairngryffe Ceilidh Night
Music by
Charlie Todd
Friday 9th March 7.30pm - 11.30pm
In
Carmichael Village Hall
Admission Adults £5.00 Children £1.00
No Bar Tea/Coffee
There will also be tray bakes on offer with the tea and coffee and we have a country dancing display from 2 of our Sunday School members. If anyone requires a ticket please see either Jack Meikle or Sandra Stewart.
FLOWER LISTS 
CAIRNGRYFFE SYMINGTON
March 4 Maureen Bannatyne Sheena Carlyle
March11 Isabelle Struthers Ella Hodge
March 18 Annie Callan Etta Prentice
March 25 Margaret Smith Marlyn Masterton
April 1 Margaret Struthers Mary Hodge
April 8 Mamie Gilmour Janet McDougall
April 15 Cathryn Forrest Jean Atwood
April 22 Mrs Warnock (Pett) Margaret McGregor
April 29 Jean Gilbert Anne Hill
May 6 Elizabeth Warnock Mrs Day McCormick
May 13 Liz Hiddleston May Lindsay
May 20 Agnes Mundell Nan Warwick
May 27 Isobel McClymont Peggy Prentice (Cairney)
Christian Aid
Christian Aid Week will take place from 13th to 19th May this year. We could do with some extra helpers to help with the envelope collection in Symington and Thankerton this year, so volunteers please get in touch. There will also be the usual get together after church in Symington on Sunday May 13th or 20th . This year it will be a lunch together with plant and baking stalls. More information will be available nearer the time from Marianna Watson, 01899 308711
.
CAIRNGRYFFE EVERYOUNG CLUB
Meetings are held fortnightly on Thursdays in Thankerton Village Hall at 2.00pm.
The programme for the spring meetings is: -
March 8 Rev D Scott on the Work of a Prison Chaplain
March 22 Miss Nirjam Coert on Life as a Vet
April 12 Life in Kenya, talk by Mrs Geddes
April 26 Talk on Oxfam by Pauline Branson
May 10 Annual Outing to Dumfries
For more information contact Sadie Campbell at 01899 308328
CARMICHAEL CARPET BOWLING CLUB
The club meets every Tuesday night in the hall at 7.30 pm. This year we are pleased to see a number of young people attending and enjoying playing each night .I am sure they will be the winners of the future.
Come along and join us any Tuesday night. The group who came from the Church last December. All had a good time. For more information phone me on 01899 308397 Jack Meikle
PETTINAIN
BADMINTON
Adults play on Mondays from 7pm - 9pm, Juniors on Fridays from 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.
Symington Decoupage Group
We raised £1400 last year from the events we have attended. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us this year and look forward to your continued support in the future. The total sum collected was divided equally between CHAS and the Guillene Barre Support Group.
Anyone interested in joining us would be made most welcome. We meet on Thursdays at 1.30pm at 18 Carding Street, Symington. Telephone No. 01899 308569.
Nan Mackie
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
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.
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:-
March 12 Panel Night with David Fanshaw in the chair
April 2 Business meeting and Barbara Robertson with a demonstration of tray bakes and sweets.
May 17 Annual outing (with Thankerton WRI to the Royal Yacht Britannia and the Botanic Garden, Edinburgh
Secretary Janette Elliot at 01555 880614 can provide more details.
Thankerton Institute
Thankerton SWRI holds its meetings on the first Thursday of each month between September and April at 7.30pm in Thankerton Village Hall. The meetings for 2006 were well attended and enjoyed by all. 2007 meetings will include:
March 1 A fund-raising ceilidh concert with Tinto Ceilidh Band &
Charlie Todd and Friends
Tickets are £5.00 payable at the door, with proceeds going to
Rachael House with some to supplement Thankerton’s funds.
April 5 Meal out at Robertson Arms, Carnwath including AGM
Any lady interested in coming along to any evening, or in joining, will be made most welcome.
Please contact Secretary, Irene Ross on 01899-308738 or President, Connie Johnstone on 01899-308734 for further details.
Pettinain Institute
Pettinain WRI meets in Pettinain Village Hall at 7.30pm on a Wednesday. Why not join us? New members are welcome.
March 21 Spring Flowers Talk by George Goulding
April 18 AGM and talk by Sheila Nixon on Canapes
Contact Ann Murray 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. We enjoy a talk or demonstration each month on a variety of subjects.
March 1 China Trip, a talk by Molly Wilkinson
April 5 AGM and a ‘Taste and Try’ session
Contact Janet Hope at 01899 308716.
YOUTH ORGANISATIONS
Brownies
1st Symington Brownies
The Brownies finished for Christmas on a high by putting on a puppet show entitled ‘Cinderella’. Everyone received their entertainer’s badge as a result. The girls thoroughly enjoyed making their own puppets for the show as well as helping out with scenery, etc. Patricia Ramage also took this opportunity to surprise Lynda with the presentation of her guider’s award.
Thank you to all parents and guests who supported us. An excellent time was had by all.
This term the brownies have been busy enjoying various arts and crafts, as well as playing games. They are looking forward to Thinking Day celebrations this month.
Girls aged 7 – 10 years old wishing to join will be made very welcome.
For further details on meeting times and location please contact Gillian Aitchison, 01899 308098 or Lynda Tucker, 01899 308943.
1st Tinto Brownies
Are open to all 7 - 10 year old girls. We meet on a Monday evening at Thankerton Village Hall 6.00 pm to 7.30 pm. The weekly meeting consists of the girls participating in crafts, games and working towards Brownie interest badges. We have an annual pack holiday and up to two outings a year. We do currently have places. For further information please contact Anne Chappell on 01899308293 or Mandy Reilly on 01899308387.
Guides
Guides, for girls aged 10-14 meet on Mondays from 7.15 – 9.15pm in Symington Village Hall. The Senior section for girls aged from 14 to 25 now meet on Tuesdays in Symington Hall. Both Guide groups are currently full but if you would like to add your daughter’s name to the waiting list or for more information on joining our team of leaders please contact Anne Galloway at 01555 870865.
Rainbows
Rainbows are for girls aged 5-7 years and meet in Symington on a Monday during school term time. If you have a little girl who would like to join, please contact new leader Debbie Grierson at the village hall, for details regarding waiting lists and vacancies.
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.
CARMICHAEL PLAYGROUP AND TODDLERS
This
group for little ones from 0 to 5 years continues to meet in Carmichael on
Mondays and Thursdays from 9.15am to 11.15am. The children enjoy a good variety
of activities and all will be made very welcome. More details of location and
times 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. The sessions take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9.30am till 11.20am. There are still a few spaces for new children. Why not bring your child along to join in the fun? For full information please contact Lesli at 01899 308164.
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
SYMINGTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL
DOG
FOULING
Over the last few months there has been a significant increase in dog fouling of pavements and open spaces in the village, where irresponsible dog owners have allowed their animals to foul the pavements, grass verges and open spaces and have failed to clean up after their pet. As this leads to soiled footwear, clothing etc of innocent passers by, as well as being a health hazard, particularly to young children, it is quite rightly a criminal offence.
If you are a dog owner, please clean up after your dog should it foul a public place. There are numerous bins provided by SLC to deposit the waste into [all waste bins are now suitable for this type of waste].
The attention of residents is also drawn to the numerous anti dog fouling stickers on lamp posts around the village which invite reports of dog fouling incidents to a special hot line telephone number 0845 600 2593.
Alan Mackie, Symington Community Council
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 summer edition of FOCUS will be issued late in May. Contributions from church groups and organisations, covering the period from June 2006 to the end of August should be sent to me by Sunday May 20th 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