Sunday June 3rd 9.30am Cairngryffe

11.00am Symington

Tuesday June 19^th 7.00pm Symington

Dates to Remember

Sunday June 17th 9.30am - Sunday School Prizegiving, Cairngryffe

Sunday June 24th 11am - Trailblazers Prizegiving, Symington

Board and Session Meetings

Monday June 4th 7.30pm (Manse) - Joint Finance Committee

Monday August 20th 7.30pm - Congregational Board and Kirk Session Symington

Monday August 27th 7.30pm - Kirk Session Cairngryffe

Visit our website at www.symingtonkirk.com

From The Manse Summer 2007

Since last September I have served as Moderator of Lanark Presbytery, and I warmly invite you to join with me for a special communion service at the end of my moderatorial year, on Tuesday June 19^th in Symington Kirk at 7pm. Following that, refreshments will be served in the Church Hall, and thereafter our June meeting of Presbytery will be held, the last regular gathering which I will chair. You are very welcome to remain for Presbytery, as it is a public meeting except for any items on the agenda which must be taken in private. During my year I have presided at the induction of ministers to Lanark Greyfriars and Carluke St John’s, which was a great joy. I have also had to chair some difficult meetings, some comment about which you may have seen in the local press. I have been very impressed by the professional way that committee conveners have prepared their reports and led discussions in our meetings, and have every confidence in the competence of hard decisions which have had to be made and the genuine care for congregations and their leaders which has been expressed and implemented. Being Presbyterians means that individual ministers, office-bearers and members have the opportunity of participation in the life and work of the Church of Scotland, but it also implies that we are all accountable to each other, to the wider church, and to God. We cannot claim our rights if we play down our responsibilities.

Being Moderator gives a wider perspective on mission and ministry today in Scotland and the world church, as well as opening up new avenues of Christian service. My experience has confirmed my largely positive convictions concerning our Presbyterian heritage, about which some people in the church and the wider community are often cynical. Our Presbytery annual world mission rally back in November included musical items from a group of Korean students who are studying in Glasgow, most of whom belong to growing Presbyterian churches in their homeland. Of course, it was Scottish ministerial missionaries who planted those churches in the 19^th century, and some paid with their lives when they were martyred for the faith. Yet we are all too aware that there is another side to the Kirk’s relationships with people in our parishes throughout the land. A minister’s wife (not mine) recently overheard a conversation on the High Street of one of our towns, in which opinions about the shortcomings of ministers in general were being aired. One of the participants reckoned that we are all pretty hopeless at what we do, and questioned whether anything better could be expected! Over the last 30 years I have had the privilege of serving the Scottish church and community in various charges and appointments, and I share some of the frustration felt by that group.

I know that I have not been as faithful and effective as I could have been, and every minister is only too aware of her or his human weaknesses. But I must say that, in my experience, the vast majority of ministers whom I know in the Kirk today are hard working people who genuinely want to see their parishes blessed by congregations which embody the best possible traditions in Christian witness, service, and pastoral care. Of course, leadership in Presbyterianism is also about elders, who are numerically equal with ministers on the roll of every presbytery, and increasingly the service of elders in our parishes and congregations is of key importance as ministerial manpower is stretched, with over 180 vacant charges throughout the Church of Scotland which need to be looked after in addition to the charges which ministers have been called to serve. It is of paramount importance that each of the elders in our congregations has the highest possible expectation of their role in today’s church. Each year we leaders should ensure that our diaries set aside the dates agreed for Kirk Session meetings and that only the most serious of issues or interests prevents elders from attending and participating. Here, that just means six evenings in the year where church business has the priority, which is surely not too much to ask. Because of our Presbyterian structure it is very difficult to move things forward if only a few church leaders are prepared to lead by example. We are grateful to all who have done that in the past year.

Over the last year one of the most encouraging developments locally has been the establishing of monthly united Prayer and Praise Services on the first Thursday of each month from September-June. These will continue in the autumn, and thanks are due to our prayer promoters, whose PrayerPage has become a feature of each issue of FOCUS. These services last just 45 minutes, and include modern praise backed by a CD band, times of silent prayer, and prayers led by our prayer promoters. We have also enjoyed prayers and praise in the style of the Taize community in France, which attracts thousands of people, most of whom are in the youth age bracket which is conspicuous by its absence from most Scottish congregations. We have also issued a monthly PrayerNews for informing our prayers at the gathering and during the subsequent month. I believe that many more could enjoy and benefit from these services, and I hope that those who have been thinking of joining us will take the plunge in September!

Our twice-yearly joint meeting of Office-Bearers has also been very encouraging, with plans effected for an autumn United Conference at the Tinto Hotel on Sunday October 7^th, 1.30pm-5.30pm. One of the main themes explored then will be youth work, with the possibility of having a youth worker trainee serving with us from next year. Please pray for that and for every aspect of our life and work. And have a good summer

ensuring that you are refreshed for the new church session in the autumn. If you have not been worshipping with us for a while, why not take this opportunity to get back into the regular habit of meeting together with God and his people. You’ll find a very warm welcome when you come.

Yours in Christ

Graham Houston.

NEWS FROM THE PARISHES

Funerals

March 19^th Symington - Jean Mackie, Orchard House, Crossford

March 26^th Symington - Norman Welburn, 57 Main Street

April 5^th South Lanarkshire Crematorium - Ronald Lindsay, Harperfield Farm

April 27^th Mortonhall Crematorium - Margaret Brown, 5a Park Place, Biggar

May 24^th Symington - Euphemia Bunt Duncan,Abbeyfield House, Biggar

NEXUS

The Big Saturday event back in September 2005 made a big impact on those who attended from the Clyde Presbyteries area (the Presbyteries of Greenock and Paisley, Dumbarton, Glasgow, Hamilton, and Lanark.)

This year, from August 23^rd-25^th, NEXUS, a bigger event, is planned for the SECC, Glasgow, which will include the Scottish Christian Resources Exhibition. There will be a wide range of exhibitors, almost 60 churches and church-based organisations sharing their stories, talks and seminars on a variety of themes relevant to today’s church. On the Saturday there will be two additional events, like the ones which proved very popular two years ago. In the afternoon there will be a children’s event in the Armadillo, open to 3,000 children, families and leaders. This will be a packed time of music and mayhem, aimed at primary-aged children. In the evening, also in the Clyde Auditorium, there will be a worship event. Last time 2,500 people gathered for what proved to be an inspirational experience.

Tickets for NEXUS are available from the SECC Box Office. Entry to the Exhibition Area is £5, to the Children’s Event £4, and to the Worship Event, £4, telephone number 0870 040 4000. Group bookings: 0141 204 0200. For more details see the website www.nexusscotland.org

THE GUILD

Symington Guild

The Guild celebrated the end of the session with a dinner held at the Tinto Hotel in April.

The committee has already been busy and the syllabus for the next session is well underway. We hope to welcome all present members – and hopefully a few new ones – to our opening meeting in September.

Contact Sheena Carlyle, President, at 01899 308269

Cairngryffe Guild, Thankerton

Well that's another Session of the Guild over until 22nd September.
Our Guild is small in number but as the saying goes "Small is Beautiful” and we enjoy our evenings together in Fellowship and a lot of laughter. (We are not a bit fuddy-duddy as is sometimes supposed).
The ladies are looking forward to their outing on the 22nd August when we will be visiting the Museum of Leadmining at Wanlockhead for a guided tour and high tea.
I would like to wish everyone a healthy and happy summer full of glorious sunny days.
For more information about the Guild contact Mrs Jessie Duff, President, at 01899 308365 or Mrs Margaret Watt, Secretary, at 01555 663384

SYMINGTON TRAILBLAZERS

We are heading towards the long summer break. Presently we are building our scarecrow for the Village Day competition. Our theme this year is David and Goliath. Hopefully we can win the shield again.

Our Annual Prizegiving will be on Sunday 24 June and that will be our final meeting of the session. Trailblazers will restart in August when the schools have gone back and then, as now we will be meeting at 11.00am.

Linda Tucker 01899 308943.

CAIRNGRYFFE SUNDAY SCHOOL.

We are currently studying the life of Joseph as our topic. This session ends with our Prize Giving on June 17 2007.

The autumn term starts on Sunday September 2 2007 at 11.00am.

Contact Rosmairi Galloway for further information, on 01555 880779.

PRAYER PAGE

Prayer and Praise Services

The next Prayer and Praise service at Symington on June 7^th will be the last for this term. I think we have all been pleasantly surprised by the attendance and I know that personally I have felt a strong bond of fellowship at all our gatherings. I hope that when we meet together again in the autumn that the word will have spread and perhaps some of us who feel we have benefited from the services will be encouraged to bring along a friend, neighbour or anyone we feel may also be comforted by the prayer, praise and fellowship.

Cairngryffe and Symington Churches both have a prayer request box please feel free to use these, the request can be anonymous.

The date and time of the next Prayer and Praise Service is as follows:

Symington Church Thursday 7th June at 7.30pm

Prayer is a powerful tool that anyone can use at any time of the day or night in times of sorrow or stress. Ask most people who have a belief in God if they have personally been helped by prayer or if they know of any one who has been helped and I think you would be surprised at their answer. We don’t always listen to what our Father is saying to us but I can assure you he is always listening to what we are saying to him.

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

THANK YOU

Margaret McGregor would like to express her gratitude for all the cards, gifts and visits she received during her stay in hospital and for the continued support since her discharge. The kindness shown was most uplifting and sustained her during a difficult time.

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 now being constructed but we would like to ask the congregation for their views on what they would like to see appearing on it. Church and Sunday School information and details of organisations such as the Guild and the Ever Young Club are obvious choices. What information would you like to see on it? Please let Jim Watt or Mary McLellan have your ideas and suggestions they are our experts.

*The Kirk Session, as I reported in previous editions 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 this is progressing well and some work will be going out to tender in the near future.

We will be meeting soon to agree fabric and the type of chairs that will replace the pews removed from that part of the Church. 14 pews will be sold and I will give out more information on this when we have a price for them.

*I would like to take this opportunity to mention Gift Aid. This is the system that replaced the old Covenants. Please ask yourself, do I pay Income Tax and if the answer is yes then, does the money you contribute to your Church go through the Gift Aid scheme which allows us to claim back 28 pence in the pound at no cost to the giver? Thank you if you already do this. Over £3,800 was claimed back last year at Cairngryffe from the H.M. Revenue and Customs at no cost to the people giving it.

* Finally the number of people attending our Services on a Sunday has dropped slightly recently. We in the Session know there are many reasons for this but we need your help. Do you know someone you could invite to come and join us in worship or do you know anything we could do to improve the situation?

If so let me know your thoughts and ideas please.

Jack Meikle, Session Clerk at Cairngryffe

CAIRNGRYFFE EVERYOUNG CLUB

A Mystery Tour is planned for Thursday 5^th July to round off the activities for this session. Meetings will resume on Thursday 11^th October in Thankerton Village hall at 2.00pm.

For more information contact Sadie Campbell at 01899 308328

WORLD MISSION

The minister preached recently on El Salvador - the only country in the world to be named after the Saviour - and the great need there. Christian Aid giving is one way we have of promoting God's work in the world.

The trailblazers at Symington found another way of helping those in need in other countries. They raised £180 to buy a Yak in order to contribute to schooling for nomadic Tibetan Children. A tent school can be self sufficient if there is a herd of Yaks to support it.

Plateau Perspectives is an organisation which works with the Tibetan people helping with education, health and the environment. If anyone wishes more information they can look at their website www.plateauperspectives.org ,

contact me on heather@tinto.demon.co.uk

or phone 01899 308331 for leaflets.

If anyone has a project or individuals they wish us to support in any way please get in touch.

Heather Gardiner

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK

Grateful thanks go to all who helped with and supported the Christian Aid Lunch in Symington on 13th May. A total of £305 was made and this will be added to the envelope collection which took place between 13th and 20th May in Symington, Thankerton, Carmichael and Pettinain.

Money raised during Christian Aid week goes to support ongoing projects in various parts of the world.

Marianna Watson

FLOWER LISTS

CAIRNGRYFFE SYMINGTON

June 3 Carol Gardner Jean McCurrach

June 10 Winnie Tucker Frances Sandilands

June 17 Elizabeth Galloway Peggy Prentice (Parkview)

June 24 Hilda Jeffrey Laura Dewson

July 1 Ann Murray Pat Allan

July 8 Sheena Baillie Jenny Newlands

July 15 Margaret Watt Susan Craig

July 22 Cathryn Forrest Margaret Prentice (Leafield)

July 29 Claire Scott Nan Mackie

August 5 Marion Clarkson Gaynor Russell

August 12 vacant vacant

August 19 Ena Meikle Martha Cowan

August 26 Sadie Campbell Marianna Watson

FROM OUR KIRK TREASURERS

Cairngryffe Church

Treasurers Summary for the period 1^st January 2007 – 14^th May 2007

Income

Offerings and covenants £6838

Woman’s Guild donation 150

Social Committee 462

Donations 163

Calendars 90

£7703

Expenditure

Church of Scotland Ministry £5974

Travel expenses 303

Joint congregational account 1000

Wages 827

Hall lets 100

Water Rates 201

Insurance 700

£9105

Deficit for this period £1402

Linzi Struthers, Treasurer

Symington Church

The Church’s financial position is fairly healthy although has dropped back a bit since the January to April Services were at 9:30 am, a time when attendances are generally lower.

Income in 2007 Expenditure in 2007

Offerings £11898 Ministry & Mission £6344

Other income £ 280 Building Costs £1654

Special Income £ 500 Other Costs £3247

TOTAL £12678 TOTAL £11245

Robert Carson, Treasurer

SYMINGTON CHURCH CHOIR

The weekly practices in the church have ended for this session but will resume in the autumn. Our choir director is hoping for a full turnout of current members on Wednesday 29 August at 7.30pm.

Naturally she would be delighted if any new singers also joined us on that date. They would be made most welcome.

Why not phone Gaynor Russell, Choir Director at 01899 308240

PRESBYTERY NEWS

Lanark Presbytery will this year be represented at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland by the congregations of Carluke; Coalburn l/w Lesmahagow Old, Kirkton, Lanark; Greyfriars, Lanark: St Nicholas and Law.

Rev Roy Cowison was inducted as the minister at Carluke; St John’s on the 3^rd May. Roy has spent the last twenty years in charges in Canada.

Presbytery is to hold its meetings outwith Lanark on at least two occasions per year. In the 2007/08 year the two meetings will be held in Abington and Carluke. This is an endeavour to more closely integrate the work of Kirk Sessions and Boards with the work of Presbytery. Each congregation will be invited to attend the meeting and give a presentation on what is happening within their congregations.

Lanark Presbytery is to receive a visit from East Seoul Presbytery (South Korea) in the late summer. This is seen as the first step in developing a sister-church relationship between the presbyteries as well as inter-congregational links.

Robert Carson, Elder to Presbytery

TINTO VILLAGE DAY

TINTO VILLAGE DAY - is nearly here - make sure you don’t miss it on Saturday 9th June. Programmes will have been (or will shortly be) delivered and we hope you agree, there is plenty for everyone this year.

This year, events start off with a family treasure hunt on Sunday 3rd June, being organised by 1st Thankerton Brownies. This will be followed by Columbian Hot Dogs at Symington football club - for full details, please refer to your programme.

Don’t forget to get your "Scarecrows" out early this year - judging will be on Friday 8th June. You can also now buy your tickets for "Stars In their Eyes", which is on Thursday 7th June (contact Mel on 308280 or Alison on 308069). We are hoping for lots of entries to the competitions on the day - check out your programme and get going now! Fantastic prizes to be won! We will also be running the raffle and have some great prizes this year - ticket stubs and money can be given to any committee member (see programme for contacts) or brought to the Club on the day. All donations for the raffle would be gratefully received, as will any home baking for the WRI. These can be dropped off at the Club any time from 9am on the day.

Here's hoping the sun shines and we all have a memorable day.

The committee also advises that they are also organising a family ceilidh for Saturday 11^th August. Full details will follow in the Gazette and on posters nearer the time.

Tinto Village Day Committee

PETTINAIN VILLAGE DAY

We don’t have full information regarding the annual event at Pettinain but we are sure it will involve all the usual enjoyable activities for the whole family. The fun will begin on the sports field at 1.30pm on Saturday 16 June. Come along for a memorable day out.

Tinto School After School Club

TINTO AFTER SCHOOL CLUB has now been up and running for nearly three years and we are delighted to report that we are currently running regular clubs for football, netball, badminton, chess, gardening, reading, chanter and guitar. The Club has been lucky to receive the full support of the parents, staff and members of the local community and, together with the enthusiasm of the children, the club has gone from strength to strength.

We are always looking for enthusiastic members of our community to help us out, especially with the garden, so if you could spare a couple of hours a month or would like to find out more, please contact Jane Stevens (Club Co-coordinator) on 01899 308713.

Editor's Note

Thank you to all contributors who provided the information contained in this newsletter.

The autumn edition of FOCUS will be issued early in September. Contributions from both community and church groups and organisations, covering the period from September 2007 up to the end of November 2007 should be sent to me by

Sunday 2^nd September 2007 at the latest.

For those organisations which have an annual syllabus, it would be very helpful if I could receive a copy prior to the September deadline.

I can be reached at: - Rena Mitchell, Mossgiel, 64 Biggar Road, Symington, ML12 6FT Tel: 01899 308261

or by the email address at mossgiel64@tiscali.co.uk