Including informal Communion on Maundy Thursday at Symington with Rev Susan Cowell. Evening services last 30 minutes and all are welcome. Easter Services Sunday April 8 th at 9.30am Cairngryffe and 11am Symington Prayer and Praise Services Third Monday of the month at 7.30pm: Symington Monday 12 th March, and May 21st; Cairngryffe 23 rd April All are welcome. Visit our websites at www.symingtonkirk.com Webmaster Robert Carson www.cairngryffekirk.org.uk Webmaster Jim Watt From our Deacon, Ann Lyall Friends, As you read this letter, we will be into the Season of Lent. Lent begins this year on Ash Wednesday the 22 nd February and takes us up to the 1 st April, Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. Tradition encourages us to mark this time in the Christian Calendar in some way. It seems to me that Protestants are never quite sure what to do in Lent, whether we should give something up or not, whether we should pray more or not, should we be observing Lent at all for that matter. I have for many years now tried to do something for Lent. Most years I follow a pattern of Bible readings set out for this time of year along with a book which expands on the readings. I have also, in the past, religiously given up sweets, biscuits, cakes and many other enjoyable things. In more recent times I have tried to do something positive each day – for example I tried to follow ARK which means and Acts of Random Kindness. This involves trying to do something kind or helpful every day for someone for no special reason. I failed miserably at this as days would go past and I would realise I hadn’t done any ARKs! Last year I followed the Christian Aid programme called ‘Count your Blessings’. It compares all that we have with the majority of the world who live in abject poverty. Whatever you do it seems to me that Lent is an ideal opportunity to reflect on God’s love for us as we begin the journey, once more, towards Jerusalem, a time to pray, to read, to fast or do some positive good. Can I encourage you this Lent to reflect again on Jesus the One we follow and how we follow Him. With every blessing, Ann Lyall NEWS FROM THE PARISHES Deaths (Symington) December – Paul Howat, Rathmor Road, Biggar February – Alistair Macdonald, Kirk Bauk, Symington

New Members (Cairngryffe) Mrs. Jean Black from Biggar Church and Mrs. Rosemary Whitefield from Douglas Valley Church, both transferred by certificate. WHAT’S HAPPENING AT CAIRNGRYFFE This is to keep all our members up to date with what is happening in the Kirk Session at Cairngryffe. * Presbytery Plan Review Group. It appears that there is no news from the new Review Group in Presbytery .This is very disappointing from our point of view I would have expected that we would have heard something by now. They say no news is good news so we can only hope that proves true in our case *We will continue to do all we can in the Kirk session to keep our church moving forward with the help of our Deacon Ann Lyall and our Interim Moderator Alan Gibson . The numbers on the roll have remained steady with new members replacing any we lose and we ended 2011 with an increase of one compared to 2010 and financially as you will see from our treasurer’s report we ended the year with a small surplus. * Easter Services. Our Elders will be conducting the joint Palm Sunday Service at Cairngryffe on 1st April at 6pm and the Evening Services on Mon 2 nd and Tues 3 rd at 7 pm .The Wed Thurs and Friday evening services will be at Symington and conducted by Symington Elders. The Thursday one however is our usual Thursday Communion Service and will be conducted by Rev S Susan Cowell. * We have also agreed with Symington to hold joint Services again during July we will have the 1 st and the 15 th and Symington will have them on the 8 th and the 22 nd returning to normal again on the 29 th . Times will be as normal for each church we will be 11.am by that time and 9.30am at Symington. *We will be embarking on a stewardship campaign in the near future, the plans have not all been agreed by session yet but you will be advised as soon as we have all the details . Jack Meikle. Session Clerk at Cairngryffe WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SYMINGTON Pulpit Supply We continue to value the support given to us each week to enable Sunday worship. Sincere thanks to Harry Findlay, Ann Lyall, Alan Grant and Alan Gibson for their input. Particular good wishes to Alan - we are delighted that he is getting back to his usual form and we look forward to seeing him again soon. It was good too to have Susan Cowell back – just like old times for us! Thank you too, to all who turn out faithfully each Sunday. Office Bearers We welcome Lambert Allan to his new undertaking as Congregational Treasurer and wish him every satisfaction in the post. We extended our sincere thanks to Robert Carson our retiring treasurer for many years’ dedicated work and to Douglas Mackenzie for his work in handling things at the Scotland end while Robert was in Spain. SAM The Stated Annual Meeting will be held during the service on Sunday 25 March. We look forward to seeing you there.

PRESBYTERY REPORT Still not much to report on the vacancy. The new Planning Group has met but until a Presbytery Plan on the distribution of ministers in the area, is approved by Presbytery, we will not be allowed to call a minister. There has only been one Presbytery meeting since the last Focus magazine. During this meeting Ann Lyall reported on her work as Deacon in our area. Presbytery is fully appreciative of what she provides in terms of services, visitation, work with schools and with other organisations. Lanark Presbytery has committed itself to raise £9000 to the HIV/Aids Programme of the Church of Scotland. To this end all congregations are encouraged to take part in a 'Souper Sunday'. This is intended to be a morning service, elder-led, focusing on the HIV programme followed by a simple lunch possibly of bread and soup but not necessarily so. Churches are also reminded that the General Assembly requires them to hold a Stewardship Programme every year, focusing on the giving of money every third year. Lambert Allan ( Elder to the Presbytery ) THE GUILD Symington Guild We met on January 26 th . Pat Allan introduced Duncan Turnbull from ‘Cairn Foods’ who gave an interesting talk and brought along many samples of dried fruits. As he spoke he told us amusing stories and experiences from his trips abroad. Feb 23 rd – Communion tokens & customs by Rev Rachel Dobie March 22 nd – Short Stories by the author Dr David Carvell April 26 th – Closing Dinner. Venue to be arranged. Contact Helen Anderson 308598 or Martha Cowan 308657. Cairngryffe Guild March 2 World Day of Prayer Service in Cairngryffe Kirk at7.30pm – All Welcome March 14 The World Accordion to Charlie March 14 Spring Rally AGM – Greyfriers Church Hall 7.30pm April 11 Guild Dinner and AGM - Tinto Hotel 6.30pm June 1 Summer Rally – Kirkmuirhill Church 7.30pm Many thanks to all who tested themselves with the Scottish Towns quiz. Congratulations to Eleanor and Allan Potts on their correct entry. for further information contact Margaret Watt Secretary 01555 663394 or Mary McLellan, President at 01555 871114 FROM OUR KIRK TREASURERS Cairngryffe The Annual Accounts for 2011 are currently with the Auditor, but the provisional figures are :- Income 2011 Expenditure 2011 Offerings £17,586 Ministry & Mission £9,606 Tea Ctte £446 Staff Costs £2,822 Gift Aid Tax Back £4,202 Building Costs £7,136 Donations £510 Joint Cong Costs £1,500 Social Committee £350 Calendars £832 Calendars £1,103 Miscellaneous £930 TOTAL INCOME £24,197 TOTAL EXPEND £22,826 Linzi Struthers, Treasurer

Symington The accounts for 2011 have now been completed and show a deficit of £1,695 in the year. This is less of a deficit than previously expected but nevertheless is a situation which can’t continue for too long. Income 2011 Expenditure 2011 Offerings £25,284 Ministry & Mission £18,902 Gift Aid £5,809 Staff Costs £5,001 Special Income £353 Building Costs £7,440 Other Income £1,247 Joint Cong costs £1,500 Diaconate £602 Other Costs £291 TOTAL INCOME £32,693 TOTAL EXPEND £34,388 Robert Carson (Treasurer) CAIRNGRYFFE SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday School meets in church at the beginning of the service, after the children's address we go to our own room for Sunday School. At the moment we are looking at the Ten Commandments and will soon be looking at some Bible Stories to help us prepare for Easter. Sundays from now up to and including 25th March 2012, Easter Break Sundays 1st, 8th and 15th April. Summer Term starts 22nd April.9.30AM till the end of April, 11am from the start of May. For further information, call Rosmairi Galloway 01555 880779 . CAIRNGRYFFE EVERYOUNG CLUB Meetings are held fortnightly on Thursdays in Thankerton Village Hall at 2.00pm. and all who are young at heart are welcome! The programme for the rest of the spring meetings is: - 8 th March 12 Life in the Manse – Mrs Cutler 22 nd March 12 BBC Reporter – Sheena Graham 12 th April 12 The PS Waverley – Gordon Wilson 26 th April 12 Railways in Peru – Brian Curie 10 th May 12 Annual Trip 12 th July 12 Half Day Outing For more information contact Sadie Campbell at 01899 308328 FLOWER LISTS

SUNDAY CAIRNGRYFFE SYMINGTON 4 th March 2012 Maureen Bannatyne Etta Prentice 11 th March 2012 Isabelle Struthers Ella Hodge 18 th March 2012 Annie Callan Marlyn Masterton 25 th March 2012 Margaret Smith Mary Hodge 1 st April 2012 Mamie Gilmour Jean Attwood 8 th April 2012 Jean Gilbert Easter Flowers 15 th April 2012 Mrs Warnock (Pett) Anne Hill 22 nd April 2012 Cathryn Forrest Margaret McGregor 29 th April 2012 Elizabeth Warnock Nancy Overend 6 th May 2012 Liz Hiddleston Nan Warwick 13 th May 2012 Agnes Mundell May Lindsay 20 th May 2012 Isobel McClymont Penny Nisbet 27 th May 2012 Margaret Clarkston Jean McCurrach SCOTTISH WOMEN'S RURAL INSTITUTE CARMICHAEL INSTITUTE Carmichael WRI meet on the second Monday of each month in Carmichael Hall at 7.30pm. For further information contact the secretary Janette Elliot on 01555 880614 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 2011and early 2012 have been well attended with a varied programme of speakers and demonstrators. Meetings for the remainder of the session included/will include: March 1st – Sugarcraft workshop with Doreen Dixon April 7th - Songs of Scotland Slide Show followed by 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 Helen O’Hara on 01899-308723 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 st – Baking with Joan April 18 th - A.G.M. Contact Ann Murray on 01555 870379 SYMINGTON INSTITUTE March 1 st – Organic Farm ‘Whitmuir’ by Heather Anderson April 5 th A.G.M. , Beetle Drive and ‘Taste and Try’. 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. Contact Janet Hope at 01899 308716 for more information. 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 We meet twice weekly in Symington Village Hall, Tuesday and Wednesday, from 9.30am until 11.20am. Come and join us for singing, stories, games, arts, crafts and lots of fun! Children from age 2 are very welcome. We still have places available. For further information please call Donna Allison on 01899 309049. Tinto Toddlers Tinto Toddlers, for parents and carers with children from newborn to nursery age, meet every Monday and Friday in Symington Village Hall from 9.45 to11.15am. All will be warmly welcomed. Older school age children can join in during school holidays as we now operate throughout the year. We charge £1 per session for Toddlers and 50p for babies, including a healthy snack, with tea or coffee for mum/dad. For more information please call Chairperson Kate Melanby on 01899 308997 Brownies 1 st Symington Brownies Alysoun, Claire and Elaine look forward to welcoming the Brownies back to the Church Hall. We are now looking forward to lots of activities, crafts, fun and games over the next few months. Brownies are open to all girls aged 7 – 10 years old. We meet from 6.15 – 7.15pm on Mondays. New members welcome - anyone wishing to join please contact Contact Alysoun Wilson on 01899 220609 / 07831 455404 for further info. 1 st Tinto Brownies (Thankerton) The pack meets every Monday evening in Thankerton and all 7 to 10 year olds are welcome. The brownies learn lots of new and different things, games, crafts, badge work and even baking on a good night. If you would like further information about the Brownie Pack please contact Call Anne Galloway (see below) RAINBOWS Rainbows are for girls aged 5-7 years and meet in Symington on a Monday during school term time. Each week we will be having fun working towards badges. More information can be had from one of our leaders, or from our sister organizations. Guides SYMINGTON GUIDES Junior Section - girls aged 10-14 meet on Monday evenings in Symington Village Hall from 7.15 to 9.15pm. We currently have 2 vacancies.

Senior Section: - girls aged 14 - 25 yrs now meet in Symington Village Hall on alternate Tuesday evenings from 5.15 to 7.15pm and there are spaces available. Help is always appreciated as our girls work towards various awards, so 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 hear from you. Call Anne Galloway (District Commissioner) on 01555 870865 for more information BEAVERS CUBS AND SCOUTS 1st Biggar/Tinto Scout Group has just got bigger and now has six sections. Beavers aged 6-8 years run in Biggar on Mondays and Symington on Thursdays. Cubs aged 8-10.5 years meet in Symington on Tuesdays and Biggar on Wednesdays and Scouts aged 10.5 years to 14 years are in Symington on Monday evenings and Biggar on Tuesday evenings. Both Cub sections are now full, but we have spaces in both Beavers and Scouts. If your child would like a place please contact Group Scout Leader Moira Struthers on 07917005464 or gsl.biggar@yahoo.co.uk. Now that we have opened new sections we don't currently have a waiting list, however we do still invite you to register your child's name with us from age 5 to ensure they receive a priority place when they turn 6. Children of Cub age can be registered too and if spaces become available they will be offered a place. We have an excellent team of leaders who have fun delivering Scouting to our young people. If an adult wishes to join the adventure, please also contact Moira. Moira Struthers Group Scout Leader 1st Biggar/Tinto Scout Group 07917005464 Registered Scottish Charity SCO4163 9 2CYtrust Alex Kelly started last May as 2CYtrust’s youth and schools worker. His last job was youth worker with a church in Hamilton. Since May he has made contact with many schools and churches throughout Clydesdale. He has already fitted in a visit to Cairngryffe Church. A glance at his diary for February shows regular dates at Biggar primary school: two school assemblies and the SU group each week – with our Deacon, Ann Lyall, and Biggar Kirk YF too. On Monday 13th February he was at Coulter Village Hall, for a Holiday Club morning, again with Ann Lyall. He is delighted to get involved with anything to do with children of all ages in church. He has been asked to take part in a Lanark Presbytery workshop for children’s workers provisionally arranged for May – “ideas for music when you aren’t very musical”. 2CYtrust’s vision is that all the school age children and young people of Clydesdale would have opportunities to explore the meaning, value and purpose of life from a Christian perspective. If you would like more information about 2CYtrust please email info@2cytrust.com, phone 01501 785413 or Mike Nisbet 01899 309018. Visit the website www.2cytrust.com or contact Alex at alex@2cytrust.com Clydesdale Christian Youth Trust is a Charity Registered in Scotland no SC 039824

BIGGAR PROBUS CLUB The last two meeting of the session will be on 6th March, when Alan Cameron will speak to us on 'Capturing the Energy' and on 20th March when our speaker will be Clare Pinchbeck talking on 'The Secret Life of a Hotelier'. This will also be our AGM. Meetings are at 10:30 with tea and coffee served from 09:45 to 10:15, except for our AGM which begins at 09:45. New members are always welcome. For further details contact Jim Watt (01555 663394) or look at our websitewww.biggarprobusclub.org.uk CAIRNGRYFFE KIRK SOCIAL COMMITTEE Saturday 31st March 2012 – Ceilidh in Thankerton Bowling Club 7.30 – 11.30 Tickets £5 (children under 12 free) including supper. Charlie Todd (Convener) 01899 308327 THE UPPERWARD PARISHES HISTORY PROJECT The latest additions to our local history series are :- Carmichael Primary School Photo Book 1900-2000 £7.50 Pettinain Primary School Photo Book 1890-1990 £7.50 A history of Ponfeigh/Douglas Water in 2 volumes £15 Available from the Editor on 01899 308327 Previous publications which are still available from William Fleming on 01555 661386:- Carmichael – a Parish and its Peoples – 2 Vols - £15 Covington & Thankerton – a Parish etc – 2 Vols £15 Pettinain – a Parish etc – 1 Vol £8 Libberton and Quothquan – 1 Vol - £8 A Life in the Landscape – 1 Vol – covering Abington, Crawford, Crawfordjohn, Elvanfoot & Leadhills - £13 + many time-saving transcriptions of various census records since 1841 (including Strathaven) CARMICHAEL CARPET BOWLING CLUB The Club meets every Tuesday night in the hall at 7.30 and we are all looking forward to the Annual Prize giving and Dance which will be held in Ravenstruther Hall on Friday 20th of April. Tickets are selling well as the band are the Neil Hardie S.D.B from the Borders. New members always welcome, for all information or tickets contact Jack Meikle (secretary) 01899 308397 Prayer Page Prayer and Praise Services Cairngryffe and Symington churches look forward to welcoming everyone to Prayer & Praise. Our next Prayer & Praise will be in Cairngryffe Church on Monday February 20 at 7.30 pm. All are welcome at these small and informal meetings, they give us time to reflect and pray on the important things happening in our personal lives, our local community, our country and the world. There are so many issues, in and around the world presently, that need our prayers and this time each month helps us to focus on these concerns and really bring them to God. It also gives us time to come and give God praise for the good things in our lives. We have all seen the disturbances in Greece and Syria, the ongoing problems in the Middle East and the famine

in Sudan and Somalia and I would ask that you would keep these things in your prayers. Closer to home please pray for our local community, our church and in particular the Presbytery Planning Group, anyone who is sick, recovering from illness or has been recently bereaved. The dates and time of the next Prayer and Praise Services are as follows: Symington Church Monday March 12 at 7.30pm Cairngryffe Church Monday April 23 at 7.30pm Symington Church Monday May 21 at 7.30pm Prayer Promoters Cairngryffe – Sandra Stewart Tel: 01555 880655 Symington – George Mathew Tel: 01899 308648 If you have anything at all that you would like mentioned at the Prayer and Praise please give your Prayer Promoter a call or leave a note in the designated box in the vestibule of your church. These requests can be confidential. If you find attendance difficult because of transport issues please contact either of the prayer promoters and we will try to arrange a lift. The Prayer of Faith: James 5: 13-14 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. Editor's Note I would like to express grateful thanks to everyone who contributed material for this edition of Focus The summer edition of FOCUS will be issued mid May 2012. Contributions from church groups and organisations, covering the period from June 2012 to the end of August 2012, should be sent to:- The Editor by Sunday May 15th at the latest. I can be reached at: - Charlie Todd, 63 Station Rd, Thankerton, Biggar ML12 6NZ Tel: 01899 308327 or by email at mtb345@aol.com

FOCUS Spring 2012 Kirk and Community News For the Parishes of Cairngryffe and Symington Church of Scotland Cairngryffe with Symington Parish Churches Minister: Vacant 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 2012 09.30am Cairngryffe 11.00am Symington May, June, July and August 2012 09.30am Symington 11.00am Cairngryffe COMMUNION SERVICES Sunday March 4th 9.30am Cairngryffe 11.00am Symington “Do this in Memory of Me” Board and Session Meetings Monday March 5th Cairngryffe 7.30pm, March 19th Symington 7.30pm Monday May 7th Cairngryffe 7.30pm Stewardship Services and Stated Annual Meetings of the congregations Sunday March 25 th at 09.30 am Cairngryffe Sunday March 25 th at 11.00 am Symington Holy Week Services 2012 - April 1st to 8th Palm Sunday 1st April Family Services at 9.30am (Cairngryffe) and 11.00am (Symington) also Service led by Elders 6pm at Cairngryffe. Monday 2nd , Tuesday 3rd April, Cairngryffe, 7pm. Wednesday 4th April, Thur 5th April & Good Friday 6th April, Symington, 7pm,