24

FINALLY

I sincerely hope that you all enjoyed this Magazine Issue. Please

remember this is OUR platform to share news, articles, photographs with all

our Church Family and welcome ALL contributions. Next Issue will be

February 2017.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you good

health, happiness, peace and joy at this very special time.

Alison Berry

Alison Berry 0141 563 5142 Email: berryalison4@gmail.com

1

MEARNS KIRK CHURCH MEARNS KIRK CHURCH

MAGAZINEMAGAZINE

WINTER 2016WINTER 2016

MEARNS KIRK (CHURCH OF SCOTLAND) Scottish Charity No. SC007125

CHRISTMAS IS THE CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS, THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD

2

WINTER CALENDAR

NOVEMBER

27th First Sunday of Advent: Worship at 9.30am (C) and 11.00am (G)

Remembering Those We Love: — A Service for the Bereaved 6.30pm

DECEMBER

4th Second Sunday of Advent: Worship at 9.30am (D) and11.00am (H)

Gift Service

11th Third Sunday of Advent: Worship at 9.30am (A) and 11.00am (I)

Candles, Carols & Communion: 6.30pm ALL ARE WELCOME!

18th Fourth Sunday of Advent:10.30am (J) Christmas Nativity Play

24th 11.30pm Watchnight Service

25th 10.30am (K) CHRISTMAS DAY FAMILY WORSHIP

JANUARY:

1st 10.30am (L) NEW YEARS DAY

8th 9.30am (B) and 11.00am (G)

15th 9.30am (C) and 11.00am (H)

22nd 9.30am (D) and 11.00am (I)

29th 9.30am (A) and 11.00am (J)

FEBRUARY

5th 10.30am (K) & 2.30pm (K)

COMMUNION

12th 9.30am (B) and 11.00am (L)

19th 9.30am (C) and 11.00am (G)

26th 9.30am (D) and 11.00am (H)

ELDER GROUPS

A: Sandra McFarlane, Beth Seymour, Ramsay Withycombe

B: Isabelle Dyer, Bill Jenkins, Des Young

C: Ronnie Sinclair, Marshall Wyllie, Bea Young

D: Barbara Bremner, Mary Deas, Bryan Robertson, Ian Stubbs

G: Donald Fraser, Marje Gillies, Violet Kavanagh, Sandra McKay

H: Ann Campbell, Robert Paton, Sandy Watson

I: Stewart Drummond, Roger Eason, Marianne MacGregor

J: Heather Anderson, Susan Fraser, Christine Milliken

K: Norman Anderson, Isobel Dawson, Anne Kerrigan

L: Lindsay McKendrick, Liz Ronald, Jim Shaw

23

TEEN RANCH

Our young folks had an amazing time at the beginning of October - an action

packed weekend at Teen Ranch. The weather was sunny for most of the

weekend - and warm enough for using the waterslide into the boating pond.

Activities included horse riding, canoeing, BMX biking, bonfire and hide &

seek in the dark! Everyone enjoyed the Time Out sessions where we talked

about God and the World - and did plenty of singing. Our wee group had a

lot of talented musicians amongst them - so the guitars and piano were well

used. Special “Thank You” to Shona and David Clark for giving up their

weekend and taking us in their cars - we could not have done this without

you.

Feedback from some of group included this:-

“Horse riding, air rifle shooting, BMX tracks were all great fun—my favourite

activity was all of them ! I cannot pick one. When we went horse riding , I

rode Sunny. I had been to Teen Ranch once before and would definitely go

again. I enjoyed it so much I am hoping to go back in November to the junior

staff training weekend, so I can volunteer to work there over the Summer

Holidays” Elsbeth

“Archery, Mojave (my horse) was great and I would love to go again and

recommend to friends” Grace

“My favourite activity was air rifle shooting. I got to ride Tex, the Clydesdale

horse and I would definitely go next year” Matt

Marianne MacGregor

22

EAST RENFREWSHIRE FOODBANK

In October, we had an Outreach Meeting where speakers from the East

Renfrewshire Foodbank and the Lodging House Mission told us about the

need for donations of food for the two organisations and how each

operated. Ag Law of the Foodbank told us that since its inauguration three

years ago, over 4000 people had been fed, and the need is still as great.

Food donated is sorted into date order, so that no out-of-date food is given

out, and packages are made up for singles, couples, small and large

families. People who come to collect their food are given the opportunity to

talk to someone over coffee or tea, and pointed in the direction where

further help and advice may be given.

“Local supermarkets have boxes where customers can donate food, and

several of them allow us to collect instore from time to time. When we run

short of particular foods, the cash donations we receive enable us to buy

items to make up what we need. The items we tend to run short of are

sugar, coffee, jam, milk, juice and biscuits, but we are always grateful for all

the donations we receive, and would like to thank the congregation here at

Mearns Kirk for their continued generosity.” A reminder of the items

needed by the Foodbank: Tins of soup, beans, spaghetti, vegetables,

fruit, fish, meat, tomatoes, rice, custard. Sugar, jam, biscuits, teabags,

coffee, cereal, pasta, pasta sauce, long-life milk/fruit juice

Elaine MacNiven

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

ACROSS

3. Solomon , 5. Oath, 8. Isaiah, 9. Publican, 11. Cupbearer, 12. Nabad

13. Stephen, 14. Bel, 15. Enoch, 18. Ezra, 20. Jubal, 21. Lion

DOWN

1. God, 2. Embalm, 4. Saviour, 6. Tabernacle, 7. Hilkiah, 8. Iniquity

10. Whales, 14. Bath, 16. Hell, 17. Saul, 19. Dan

3

Hi Folks.

Advent approaches! For a good while, already, people

have been preparing for Christmas but now, in the

Church, we begin our own preparations.

In Church we shall sing our songs of expectation and

promise.

In Church we shall, again, tell our stories of God’s

purposeful planning.

In Church we shall prepare to welcome Jesus afresh into the world and into

our hearts.

Advent helps us to truly focus on what is at the heart of Christmas, a making

known, in Jesus, of the heart of God for all people. There will be much to lay

hold of to make our Christmas so very special; please come and enter into

the preparations and celebrations. And then there is Christmas itself. What

beauty, wonder and mystery are bound up with what our Faith says about

the birth of THIS child.

God coming to share our life: amazing!

God coming to make Himself known in ways we can see, hear and relate to:

incredible!

God coming to love us, and through such love to offer hope for humanity

and indeed all of creation: astounding!

We cannot understand how this all comes about, but when we experience

the love of God in Jesus, we can know the reality of which it speaks. I hope

and pray that all our hearts will be open to what God is saying and offering

to us and all people in the birth of Jesus. This is a time of new possibilities

and, indeed, a new life for the world. So listen, sing, read,

pray, worship, get ready for Jesus the Saviour who comes

to save the world through love.

Joy and Peace to you and all whom you love.

Joe

MESSAGE FROM JOE

4

The charity KIND was founded in Liverpool in 1973

by Stephen Yip. KIND stands for Kids in Need and Distress. Its purpose is to

help children whose lives are disadvantaged by poverty. For many years

Stephen brought children to Scotland for residential breaks and always

included Scottish children. He started in Quarriers Village, in Bridge of Weir

and ended up at the charity’s own beautiful estate in Balbeg in Ayrshire.

In 1993 KIND (Scotland) was established specifically to raise money to help

children living in Scotland benefit from the KIND experience.

Thanks to my husband, KIND’s solicitor, I became a Trustee of the charity

and since then have been involved in organising lots of fundraising events.

Unfortunately, we are no longer able to meet the cost of residential breaks

but have, instead, expanded another aspect of our work—the provision of

food hampers at Christmas.

Thanks to trusted relationships with organisation such as Aberlour Trust,

Quarriers in Ruchazie, Glasgow Befriending & Family Addiction Support

Services, we can identify families most in need and provide food hampers

that will not only cover the Christmas period, but will take the family through

into the New Year. This way, the most vulnerable children get help that will

make their Christmas a little happier. The Reverend John Miller, when he

was at Castlemilk East, told of families reduced to tears of joy as the door

closed after he had delivered the hampers. Another health visitor friend told

of the wee boy, who had never seen a Christmas cracker, and whose joy on

receiving such a small gift was humbling. Each hamper costs us £50 to

produce. In addition to the main hamper, the family will receive a tray of

fresh fruit and vegetables. My work for KIND (Scotland) compels me to do all

that I can to make a difference wherever possible.

Please look out for an event which will take place on Saturday 3rd

December called “My KIND of Cake”. All the money raised from this event

will enable me to provide more hampers for families who really need our

help.

Susan Fraser

K.I.N.D.

21

BAPTISMS

AT THE FONT: Jesus said “Baptise in the

Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of

the Holy Spirit”

28 August: Eleanor Maria Park, daughter of Chris and Christine, Glasgow

9 October: Nathan Ian Robert Macrae, son of Euan and Lesley-Anne,

Symington

9 October: Darcey Rose Cassels, daughter of Andrew and Melanie,

Mearns

30 October: Grace Elizabeth Finlayson, daughter of Gordon and Lucie,

Mearns

GUILD’S CHRISTMAS FAYRE

As mentioned earlier in the Magazine, the Annual Old Time Christmas Fayre

will be held on Saturday 26th November from 10am. This is a wonderful

fundraising opportunity, with plenty of seasonal items plus tea, coffee and

our famous home-baking. So come along and enjoy the fellowship and

friendship of our Church Family.

“Where there is faith there is love; Where there is

love, there is peace; Where there is peace, there

is God; Where there is God , there is no need”

(Leo Tolstoy)

WEBSITE

The new Church Website is coming on well - a lot of work has

gone into its development and it is really taking shape. We should

all be able to access by the end of November.

Marje Gillies

20

CAROL SINGING IN ASDA

Please come along and join us in Asda, Newton Mearns on Sunday 18th

December. We are delighted to have been asked by the Management to sing

carols and Christmas songs in the store from 12 noon—4pm on that day. The

Church Choir will start off the afternoon at 12 noon, followed by the

Friendship Singers, the Lunch Club and finally our young people. We are

looking for friends, families and members of the Congregation to join any of

the groups and help with numbers. No choir experience needed, just

enthusiasm and a love of singing! This is a wonderful opportunity to let the

community see and hear that the Church is present and alive in Mearns

today!

AN EVENING OF SCOTTISH

HOSPITALITY

Date for your 2017 Diary! Saturday 4th February. A Celebration of All Things

Wonderfully Scottish, including a Ceilidh. More information and tickets will be

available soon. Contact myself, Marianne MacGregor (07718 317215) or

Mandy Stewart (0141 419 9747)

Alison Berry

FAIRTRADE CHRISTMAS CARDS

Please remember that the Fair Trade Christmas Cards will be on sale from the first Sunday in November until the end of the first week in December in the Church

vestibule after each service.

5

SRI LANKA

EXPEDITION

I would like to thank the entire Church Family for your exceptionally

generous support with regards to my expedition to Sri Lanka. Without this

support, I would have been unable to fund it and I am very grateful for

everyone of you who either bought jam; a Christmas cake; came along to

my Coffee Morning, or simply pressed money into my hand! The trip was an

absolutely amazing experience and I had the good fortune to meet some

truly inspiring people along the way. For the main element of our expedition

- the Project Phase - we were stationed at an incredibly rural school, up in

the mountainous region of Sri Lanka called Bambarrabedda Junior School.

Shortly before our arrival in the country, there had been a devastating

rainfall, causing mass flooding and landslides. Our school had a wall

washed away by the flooding and we were brought in to clear all the rubble

away and start rebuilding a replacement wall. It was very hard work, in hot

conditions, but it was extremely rewarding. We were also asked to help out

in some of the classes, teaching English to the younger students, who were

very excitable! Thank you once again to everyone for making this incredible

opportunity available to me - it was truly unforgettable.

Rhona McCalmen

6

JARS OF GRACE

Our charity for this year is the Eastwood Dementia Project

which is held in the Stables at Eastwood Park. This Day

Centre provides meals, activities and care for people in this

area. All clients are allocated a key worker who will write their personal care

plan and will oversee the person’s needs and requirements. We ask

everyone to keep collecting their small change. Pop it into a jar and this

goodwill is translated into a good deed. When the jar is full, please bring it

to the Church and leave it in the box in the vestibule. An amazing total of

£663 was sent this summer to Vis de Copil, so it just shows how all your

loose change can really make a difference when all added together.

Mary Deas

THANK YOU

Bill and I would like to thank everyone for the cards and flowers we received

on our 60th wedding anniversary. To everyone in Church for their singing

and good wishes. This was very unexpected—thank you Joe. To Doris for

her, as usual, beautiful playing of “Congratulations”. To the members of the

Thursday Club for making it such a special day—and the beautiful cake! A

special thanks to The Kitchen Cabinet for their generous gift and always

making Thursdays such fun.

I am very blessed to belong to such a caring Church.

May God Bless you all. Liz Gourlay

If you have a Church or Social Event you would like publicised

on the Church’s Facebook page, please contact Liz Ronald at

mearnskirkmedia@outlook.com, giving a short description of

your event, or alternatively see Liz at Church on a Sunday.

Many thanks. Liz Ronald

FACEBOOK

19

GLASGOW HALF MARATHON

Team Mearns Kirk came top of the class with a great showing in the Great

Scottish Run Half Marathon.

The fleet-footed faithful—comprising of Joe, Richard and Helen Mowat,

Neil Leslie, Andy Munro, Alan Wilkinson, Clare Wilcock, Craig Jackson

and Karen Young—had beautiful sunny conditions for the event on

Sunday 2nd October and responded with excellent times all round.

Pipers, cheering crowds, high-fiving youngsters and booming music to see

us off all contributed to making it an incredibly enjoyable day.

As expected Karen “The Cannon” Young shot to the front early on and led

the group home with a fantastic time of 1hr 41mins. Joe, meanwhile,

recovered from injury to get round in a cracking 1hr 50mins and easily

topped the Minister Over The Age of 58 category! Most importantly

though, the team raised an incredible £4,102.73 plus £458.25 gift aid for

Macmillan Cancer Support—a fantastic 800% over the target amount!

A huge thanks to everyone who donated and supported the team over the

past few months. A fantastic effort all round.

Alan Wilkinson

18

AT REST: Jesus said “ I am

the Resurrection and the Life”

Eastwood Bereavement Group meet in the Church Hall at 7pm on the 1st

Tuesday of each Month. If you are struggling with the loss of a loved one,

please join us in the Small Hall, where you will be made most welcome.

This Community Group is for ALL people trying to cope with the pain of

bereavement and our aim is to try to offer support at this very difficult time.

Christina Shafi

16 Sep: Margaret Service (Mearns)

30 Sep: Ian Rooney (Mearns)

8 Oct: Graham Edmiston Mearns)

21 Oct: Jean Lunn (Mearns)

21 Oct: Ann Humes (Mearns)

25 Oct: L Eileen Connor (Barrhead)

The Pastoral Group makes visits to the elderly, infirm, housebound, those in

care homes etc. Please call Margaret Gray on 0141 644 1606 if you know of

anyone who should be on our list. We will be delighted to visit them.

Margaret Gray (Convener)

Please inform Joe if you are ill, in hospital or facing particular difficulties. If

he knows about your needs, he will endeavour to offer every possible

assistance. Contact him at the Manse or by phone on 0141 384 2218

THOSE WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH US

BEREAVEMENT GROUP

PASTORAL CARE

7

Our Guild is the longest-serving adult organisation in our Church. We have

40 members and are a lively, friendly, fun-loving group of ladies (no

gentlemen, as yet!). We meet every alternative Wednesday evening at

7.30pm in the Small Hall, from September until April and, of course, there is

always tea and coffee!. Our syllabus is well received and hopefully caters for

all tastes. Our Annual Guest Night gives us the opportunity to meet up with

old friends in the Guilds within 6 other Churches in our area, with an evening

of entertainment and supper. We have special evenings ahead when we

hope Church members and friends will join us. An evening with Medecin

Sans Frontiere and one with Mission Aviation Fellowship should be very

interesting. We also have a Hair & Fashion Show and, of course, our Scots

Night (with soup and lashings of “happy trifles”!)

We venture out three times a year—To Eros pantomime in Eastwood

Theatre; Christmas Lunch in Fenwick Hotel and to our Summer Outing

which, this year, was to Rosslyn Chapel, a little shopping and High Tea.

FUNDRAISING - We fill Smartie boxes with 5p pieces for our chosen

project; all our copper coins go to Erskine and our main fund raised is our

Old Time Christmas Fayre on Saturday 26th November. We work very hard

for our Fayre because every penny we raise goes to our chosen charities. In

spite of the effort, it is great fun and everyone enjoys it. So please come

along and join in. Copies of our syllabus can be seen on the Notice Boards in

the Church vestibule and down at the Halls.

Guilds have a stuffy image, but not us! We all love to laugh and all enjoy our

evenings and would encourage you (gentlemen too!) to come along and see

for yourselves. You are assured a very warm welcome—and always tea or

coffee!

Sheila Goldie

0141 639 1551

MEARNS KIRK GUILD

8

WALKING GROUP

On a cold dry Autumn afternoon, we set off, as

usual, from the Church car park and headed up

towards Mearnskirk. We walked down Mearnskirk

Road, passing “Joe’s House” on the way and then cutting along a path which

eventually brought us out near the Malletshaugh. Slight diversion at this

point—we asked if we could see round the Cala Show Home—the lady was

delighted to show us round, provided we all took off our walking shoes!

Fabulous house—we were all well impressed!

Back on the road again, we completed the walk by going up towards the far

end of Newton Grove and finally back along the road to the Church car

park—finishing off with coffee at Caulders Garden Centre! One more walk,

then our usual Christmas Lunch—venue to be confirmed. New members are

always welcome.

For further details, just call Irene Graham on 0141 639 4192

MIXED BADMINTON CLUB

We have had an active fun time and would like to encourage anyone to

come and join the games in the Church Hall every alternative Wednesday

evening—we have spare racquets and would love to welcome you to our

group. Do send your email address to Lyn Black houseohill2@gmail.com

and I will get in touch, or give me a call on 0141 639 3003, or just turn up!

Subscription £15 for Autumn & Spring sessions. Next get together

Wednesday 23rd November.

SCOTTISH WATER

Scottish Water’s proposed work on the glebe and local area has now been

put on hold. They are reviewing their options!. However, they may come

back to us in the future.

Marje Gillies

17

She came home for her first

furlough and was saddened to be

told that, for health reasons, she

could not return to China. Robert

Watson was less sad to hear this

news.

He had awaited her return, still

loved her and proposed again!

This time the answer was “Yes”.

They were married and had two children, my Aunt

Jean and then my father, David. As my grandmother was no longer able to

return to China, it was her fervent hope that both their children should be

brought up with the intention that they should service in China as

Missionaries—No Pressure!

Both my aunt and father went to Glasgow University and graduated in

Medicine. My aunt had fallen in love and wanted to marry her sweetheart.

That was not in my granny’s plan. Jean sought my father's advice and he

encouraged her to follow her heart. This, however, put further pressure on

him. He also fell in love, but felt that he had to offer himself to the CIM. He

was accepted and the girl he loved was not prepared to go with him. Their

relationship did not survive and he went to China in 1938.

My mother was one of 12 children, 2 boys and 10 girls—one baby died.

Born and brought up in Bedford, my mother and her siblings were very

close. There were so many of them that they were never without a

playmate or friend. As they grew up, they followed various careers— my

mother becoming a nurse. It must, therefore, have been quite a wrench

when my mother felt a call to join the CIM as a Missionary to China. In

those days, it was a long voyage from Southampton to Hong Kong. In an

old album I found photographs of my mother waving from the ship to my

grandparents with two sister standing on the quay. They were waving in the

knowledge that they would not see each other

again for 7 years ……… or maybe never again!.

Next Issue—Part 2 Medical Work in China

MY PARENTS

16

DIANE SPIERS - STORY OF FAITH

PART 1—NO Grandchildren

Here in Mearns Kirk we are privileged to have a Minister who expounds

God’s word so clearly each week. Recently, he has been making it very clear

that we have to make our own response to the invitation of Jesus to, “Follow

Me”. It has to be a personal response. God has no Grandchildren. If it were

otherwise, I would have a very good chance of acceptance for, on both sides

of my family, I had Godly grandparents. My maternal grandmother was an

invalid all my young life, but I knew that she prayed for me, my siblings and all

of my cousins. She also knitted rainbow coloured bed socks every Christmas

for us all and beautifully knitted woollen bathing costumes! Whilst we might all

have appreciated the former, we all had a mutual dislike of the itchy costumes

which sagged when wet and sand seemed to stick to them like glue!

My paternal grandmother was totally different. She was both physically strong

and very determined. When my grandparents came to live with us when I was

about 6, Granny told Bible stories to my brother and me every night. She was

a wonderful story teller and made both Old and New Testament stories live.

Much of my Bible knowledge dates back to sitting at her knee, Bible open and

hearing her enact many of the stories so vividly etched on my memory.

As a young woman she was truly remarkable. She came to a personal faith in

Jesus when she was quite young and had a burning desire to share the love

of her Lord with all whom she met. She lived in Stepps, as did a certain

Robert Watson, joiner and builder. He fell in love with Jessie Begg and

proposed marriage. At that time, Jessie felt called to be a Missionary in China

and she declined the offer of matrimony. She went on to join the China Inland

Mission (CIM), started by Hudson Taylor, and around 1898/99 went out to

China to share her faith. It was at the time of the Boxer Uprising, when

Christian were being killed and Missionaries expelled—some were killed.

Jessie taught in Chefoo School in Yantai, NE China. In those days it was a

7-year term before returning home for furlough. Her health was not good

during her time away, but she was resolute in her desire to remain.

9

Believe it or not I have now been with you for 25

months and my training has now reached its end. Just a couple of weeks ago

I was given permission to begin looking for my own parish and I am now

spending time reflecting on where my call to ministry will take me next.

The past two years have absolutely whizzed past but I have learned so much

in that time and I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their

support and guidance. Joe has been an excellent teacher, guide and friend

through the process. Marje and the Session have welcomed me in to the

workings of the parish, and it has been very revealing just how much work is

involved behind the scenes. And special thanks to the congregation who

have been warm and loving throughout, treating me like I belong and never

shy of offering thoughts, comments and tips. I have been very blessed to

have spent time with you and my memories of Mearns Kirk will always be

memories of a family of faith, everyone contributing something to the

wonderful mix which is our kirk.

Two years has been far too short a time to spend with such wonderful people

but the time has come for me to move on to a new place. All of us are part of

God’s great mission in the world and I leave Mearns Kirk content that in your

hands, working together, our faith is safe for the future.

God bless you all.

A LAST WORD FROM BOB

CHURCH FLOWERS

A big “thank you” to everyone who helped at the Harvest Thanksgiving

service this year. We made up over 50 flower arrangements and had plenty

of volunteers to deliver them. Also many thanks for donations amounting to

£90 left for flowers over the last few months.

Rosemary Baillie

10

DEFIBRILLATOR NEWS

The Church is now in possession of a

defibrillator—the Lifepak CR Plus. It was purchased out of

Church funds, with some financial assistance from the Craig

Hodgkinson Trust. We are also in the process of purchasing a

2nd defibrillator, this time thanks to a significant donation from

one of our members (who wishes to remain anonymous), coupled once

again with assistance from the Craig Hodgkinson Trust. One device will be

stored in the Hall, and the other within the vestibule of the Church itself. We

hope to take delivery of the 2nd defibrillator in the near future.

In the meantime, our single defibrillator will be kept in the foyer of the Church

Hall, attached to the wall at eye level, above the fire extinguishers opposite

the office door. It must not be removed from that location, unless required in

an emergency either in the Hall, in the Church or on the glebe.

Training in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator operation was

provided during October by the Scottish Ambulance Service and this was

attended by 32 Church-goers and hall-users. It is possible, but not yet

certain, that a further training session will be provided when the 2nd

defibrillator is delivered—if there is sufficient demand for such training from

those who missed out on the October training sessions. If this opportunity is

of interest to you, please leave your name with our Church secretary (0141

639 6555) or email: mearnskirk@hotmail.com. Andrea will then contact you if

a further training session is made available.

Finally, the official Lifepak CR Plus training vide is available to view on You

Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4J1YCR9pAc. This video may

prove helpful, both to those who managed to attend the training sessions

and those already trained in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, who did not

attend.

Bill Jenkins

15

FELLOWSHIP GROUP

We are a small team of 4 who get together to assist with catering within our

Church. During the winter, we prepare tea/coffee after the 11am Service on

the last Sunday of the month. We also organise the catering for New

Members Lunch; the Elders Conference; Harvest Lunch and not forgetting

the mince pies and shortbread after the Nativity Play! Any other event re-

quests, we are happy to help.

It is great teamwork, plenty of chat (and tea!) when discussing forthcoming

events—truly a great way to get to know others.

So if you are interested in helping with our Fellowship Group—its really not

difficult and by spreading the load it is easier on everyone—just contact me.

Thank you Ann Campbell

A PERSONAL THOUGHT

I saw this article recently, and thought it really about sums up my

thoughts particularly at this time—I hope you concur.

“Dream with me of a world where children do not go to bed hungry or in fear;

where the lonely and the elderly are cared for with dignity and respect; where

the poor and vulnerable are not the prey to those with few scruples. Dream

with me of a world where we can live in peace, respectful of one another’s

belief.

God, whose love for us is boundless, is hoping and dreaming for us more

than we can ask or even imagine possible”

(Right Reverend Lorna Hood)

Why not come along and join our Church Choir? Rehearsals are every

Thursday at 7.30pm in the New Hall. You don't necessarily need to read

music , just enjoy singing! - you would be most welcome.

CHURCH CHOIR

14

LUNCH/SOCIAL CLUB PEOPLE LIVING

WITH DEMENTIA

Our Club continues to meet each Thursday for lunch, activities, afternoon tea

and music. We have 20 members at the moment, plus a waiting list! Our

volunteers have a wide range of skills from baking, managing our catering,

crafts, painting and compassionate touch therapy. The atmosphere is loving

and happy and, as a Church Family, we are privileged to be able to offer our

members and their carers a fulfilling and worthwhile break.

During the past few months, we have been on a canal boat outing;

entertained by wonderful musicians; had fun at our Halloween Party (as you

can tell from photograph!) and, this week, we are off to Kelvingrove Art

Galleries. Finally, we are looking forward to our planned singing at Asda on

Sunday 18th December.

Thank you all for your continued support.

Isobel Dawson

11

SUNDAY CLUB

Our Session has got off to a great start. The children have really been

engaged and seem to have enjoyed the craft activities. (Creation Cloud

photo) We will be moving onto: “How do you know God is with you?,” “Does

God every get cross? Jonah and the Whale and then, believe it or not, we

will be onto Nativity practice and Christmas craft! This year we will be making

cards and gifts for the Lunch Club for People Living with Dementia and for

the Pastoral Care Team to distribute on their visits.

Matthew MacLeod will be giving a short talk on his visit to Malawi on Sunday

20th November at the 11am Church service.

We are hoping to go to the Panto on Saturday 26th November at 6pm.

Look out for the Christmas Party invitation that will include our Nativity dress

rehearsal.

The Party this year is on Saturday 17th December.

The Nativity is on Sunday 18th December at 10.30am.

Note: If you haven't yet signed the permission form for the filming of the

Church Services, please do so at your earliest convenience, thanks.

Fiona MacLeod

12

On Tuesday evening, 11th October, Susan Fraser of Mearns Kirk’s Outreach

team, hosted two evening presentations from East Renfrewshire Foodbank

and The Lodging House Mission. 36 people attended this event which was

held in the New Hall and included home baking and refreshments.

East Renfrewshire Foodbank: Ag Law opened the event with a wonderful

presentation on the work of the Food Bank which achieved all that Susan had

hoped for i.e. that we can have a fuller understanding of what actually

happens to our donations after they have left the Kirk.

Mearns Kirk is a very generous Parish Church and we have never found

ourselves short of contributions whenever a need has arisen, but the

Outreach Group exists to strengthen and deepen the understanding of our

place in the great mission of the Church. There will always be a need for

generosity and humanity in the face of poverty and despair but it is also

important that we understand as best we can the nature of the strains people

are facing and the complexity faced by groups like the Foodbank in

distributing what is needed, when it is needed, and to those who are in the

greatest need.

The issues in the world are not always quite the way we expect them to be

and Ag told a moving story of a young man from Mearns Kirk who had

walked to Barrhead for food. His life was in a mess and he had simply lost his

way for a while but the story conveyed just how close poverty, need and

hopelessness can be.

OUTREACH EVENING

FOLLOW UP

13

Lodging House Mission: Gus Smeaton followed Ag with a revealing

presentation on the operation of the Lodging House Mission in Glasgow

City Centre.

This remarkable facility has been fighting poverty and homelessness for a

century and the work continues and is as busy as ever. Gus talked us

through many of the issues facing the homeless, as well as the logistical

pressures which the Mission faces daily. These include over-demand for

their few beds, the on-going battle to keep a busy facility clean, the

pressures on their single full time support worker who daily has to liaise

between people whose lives are a struggle and a benefits system which

struggles to deal with the specifics of an individual’s difficulties, and the

never-ending need for volunteers just to keep things going.

Both speakers were excellent in showing us the hard reality of what they do

but also demonstrating that the hand of God is clearly here also. At the

Foodbank and at the Lodging House Mission we must look at the hardships

so many of our brothers and sisters face but we must never lost sight of

those workers and volunteers who, out of simple humanity, strive to ease

those hardships.

Bob Johnston

OUTREACH EVENING

FOLLOW UP

We continue to meet up in the Church Main Hall (details below) from 1.45pm

to 3.15pm. Please come along and join us - all are welcome.

Tuesday 22 November The Caledonians (Musical Entertainment)

Tuesday 6 December Our Christmas Party

Tuesday 10 January May McIntosh (Gentle Exercise)

Aileen Fyffe

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