Dialogue MARCH 2011
The Newsletter of Arthurlie Parish Church Barrhead
www.arthurliechurch.org.uk
Dialogue
From the Interim Moderator
Dear friends,
It is good to have the opportunity to say a few words, even if it is in writing!
My visits to Arthurlie have been mainly to meetings but I have enjoyed being able to meet
you and conduct some services, though due to circumstances they have been restricted to
9.30 am. On that side I am sure you join with me in thanking Douglas, Alan and Joan for
conducting so much of the worship. Their different styles and approach are a gift and indeed
a blessing. Douglas now has to move from Arthurlie and undertake the practical element of
his training and we wish him well.
As a result, we are now short of cover for leading worship. It is too much to expect Alan and
Joan to cover every service, therefore I asked Presbytery for some help. They readily
granted this request, no doubt encouraged by the efforts Arthurlie had made in supplying
cover for the past few months. They have appointed Geoff Orry and as you read this he will
have been in post for a couple of weeks. Geoff is no stranger to you and he will be taking
the 11.00 services and also providing some funeral cover for the parish. Alan and Joan will
concentrate on providing worship at the 9.30 services. I will continue as Interim Moderator
and depending on Jim’s recovery will be conducting worship at the communion services on
13th March.
Not only have we some changes on the worship side, but there are also some on the
‘administrative’ front. These were arranged before Jim’s absence, and we considered it
sensible to put them into motion. On the Session side Ag Law has stepped down as Clerk.
We thank her for all her efforts and commitment to this important position. My work here
has been made considerably easier by Ag’s organisational skills and her attention to detail.
Elma Farr has now taken over as Session Clerk and we know she brings her own talents and
experience to the position. Elma’s move naturally resulted in the position of Clerk to the
Board being vacant. This has been filled by Stanley Esson and again we wish him well as he
undertakes this task.
There seem to be a number of changes at Arthurlie at the moment and while at first they
may seem disconcerting, they can also bring a new time of opportunity and challenge.
However, no matter what changes around us, one thing we can be certain of is the constant
love and presence of our Lord and Saviour. ‘Surely I am with you always.’ Matthew records
Jesus saying to his disciples. It was true for them and it is a promise to us as well, for we
follow the living God, the one who created us and cares for us, his people.
Yours in Christ,
Robbie McFarlane
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Dialogue
Session Clerk’s Retirement
Dialogue reaches out to those members and friends who have difficulty getting out and
about and who in their prime would never have missed coming to church. This information is
being repeated for them and for others not present on a particular January morning at the
11am service. On Sunday 30 January 2011, as retiring Session Clerk, I was presented with a
selection of lovely gifts - a voucher for the Glasgow Concert Hall, a plaque bearing the
Church of Scotland logo describing my service to Arthurlie, a bouquet of flowers and a
musical version of CH4. Needless to say this generosity from the Kirk Session and
Congregation was much appreciated.
Recently, at Billy Docherty’s big birthday party, I had the opportunity of speaking to Quintin
Blane about the advantages of being a designated person - in this context the Minister and
Session Clerk. We agreed that it is so easy to introduce yourself without seeming to be too
familiar when you have the advantage of being a “somebody” - in the nicest possible way of
course. I have really enjoyed being a kind of ambassador for Arthurlie Church and I can
honestly say that my faith has grown during this time. The role of Session Clerk has given me
both challenge and pleasure.
When responding to the presentation of gifts, I mentioned all those who had supported me
in carrying out the responsibilities of Session Clerk. Jim Cowan has been a very easy minister
to work with – he has always been appreciative of my efforts and never critical despite
having cause from time to time; the congregation has been very cooperative, friendly and
even loving; Archie Mitchell - what can I say except that he has always been there for me;
my own family - Jim who was great at pouring the Communion wine and my twin sister
Georgie who took time to make the pew cushions which has made life a little more
comfortable; last but not least – the members of the Kirk Session who have always been
supportive both emotionally and spiritually, faithfully attending Kirk Session meetings and
turning up for Communion Duties. Any success can be credited to the joint effort of all those
mentioned above - thanks to everyone.
As Robbie McFarlane, Interim Moderator, said at the Session Meeting on 18 January - an old
minister friend gave him this advice as a young minister about to take up his first charge -
“Pray for a good Session Clerk”. In his absence I know that Jim Cowan appreciated our
working relationship and we all know that in Elma Farr and with our support, he will have a
good Session Clerk.
We wish Jim peaceful and continuing progress and look forward to his return.
Ag Law
“What you BECOME on earth matters far more than what you DO. You're taking
your character to heaven, not your career.”
Rick Warren
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Dialogue
Lenten Reflection: Are you ready for Easter?
How do you pack for a holiday? Do you perhaps a parable that Jesus told that
wait until the last possible moment and could be the key for us understanding Lent
hope it will all fit in the suitcase (and that today. In Matthew 25, we read the
your passport is still valid) or do you make Parable of the Ten Virgins who were
a list a week or two beforehand, ensuring waiting for the bridegroom to arrive. Five
you’re prepared? The danger of leaving it of them were foolish “and took no oil with
to the last minute is that you could find them”, the wise five had brought enough
you’re out of sun-tan lotion, or that your with them to be in for a long wait – but
swimming costume no longer fits and there wasn’t enough to share. The foolish
there’s no time to get a replacement. five had to go off and buy the necessary
oil to keep their lamps burning but didn’t
Lent, which starts on get back in time to
Wednesday, March be allowed into the
9, is a period of wedding.
preparation. For the “Watch therefore,
40 days before for you know neither
Easter (Lent excludes the day nor the hour
Sundays), Christians in which the Son of
are encouraged to Man is coming”
take part in acts of warns Jesus
prayer, self-denial, (Matthew 25:13) Like
Bible study and Christmas or packing
almsgiving (giving to for a holiday, being
charity) to help focus prepared is essential.
their minds on the
events that led up to Lent is an
the Resurrection. opportunity for us to
Easter is the most spend time
important date on refocusing ourselves
the calendar: on what it means for
without Christ’s us to be disciples on
sacrifice on the cross, without his the journey of faith. It’s a period when we
Resurrection and without him taking our can ask ourselves what we are doing to
sins away with him, there would be no help bring about God’s Kingdom on earth
easy way to God. and it’s an opportunity to reflect again on
the salvation that we enjoy thanks to
It’s easy for us to take our salvation for Christ’s sacrifice.
granted; when you’ve been a Christian for
a while, you may start to accept your Jesus gave us a clear warning in Matthew
freedom in Christ and even become blasé 25 to be ready for his return. We would be
about it. Lent is an opportunity for us to foolish to ignore it.
redress that balance. While we can take
inspiration from Christ’s 40 days in the Gideon Mitchell
desert, facing temptation from Satan, it’s
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Dialogue
Lent Bible Study
Date:
Date: Thursday 31 March 2011
Time: 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Place: 25 Levernside Avenue,
Barrhead
This year a series of 3 Lent Studies will be
offered utilising a variety of materials
including music, DVDs, prayer and reflection. You are invited to attend as many or as few of
the evenings as you can manage. The studies are intended to re-awaken awareness of the
Easter story and so an in-depth knowledge of the Bible is not required.
If you would like further information please speak to Morag Inglis or Morag Allan at church.
Services
Easter Services
Palm Sunday 9:30 & 11 am Arthurlie Church
Sunday 17 April
Palm Sunday 7:00 pm United Reformed Church
Sunday 17 April
Monday 18 April 7:00 pm South & Levern Church
Tuesday 19 April 7:00 pm Arthurlie Church
Wednesday 20 April 7:00 pm Bourock Church
Thursday 21 April 6:30 pm Maundy Meal Arthurlie Church
Good Friday 10 am St John’s Walk of
22 April Witness
Good Friday 7:30 pm St John’s Stations of the
22 April Cross
Easter Day 9:30 am Communion Arthurlie Church
Sunday 24 April
Easter Day 11:00 am Family Service
Sunday 24 April
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Dialogue
Friends of the 1st Barrhead Company
The 2nd meeting of this group took place on 7 February in Arthurlie Church at 7.30pm. This
was a very productive evening where we discussed how we could set about generating the
£1500 needed each year to run the company. This figure covers registration fees to the
local and national brigade, badge work costs and weekly meet night programme costs.
Investing in equipment for the boys is an additional costs. This group aims also raise the
profile of the Company helping us attract other children to the 1st Barrhead in years to
come.
The following key initiatives are now in the planning for 2011:
Quiz Night and Auction on Friday 25 March 2011 in Barrhead Bowling Club. We are currently
seeking suitable auction items for night, so if you have any contacts who would donate to
our cause could you let me know as soon as possible. Tickets will be produced and
distributed soon.
Bag Packing - It is hoped to obtain a day’s bag packing at a local store and in return raise our
profile, while generating funds for the Company.
Fetes
Summer Fetes - We hope to be able as a Company attend some summer fetes in Barrhead
and use this as a recruiting ground to attract more new members for the new session in
September 2011. If you know of any schools or community groups running an event like
this, I would appreciate you passing on the details.
Shoppers Night – Towards the end of November 2011 (just in time for Christmas) we hope
to run a shoppers evening in Arthurlie Church as a further fund raiser.
As you can see this was a evening with great enthusiasm, generated from those who
attended, these events however do take a lot of planning and many hands do make light
work, so it would be good if some more people were able to join us at future meetings.
Watch out for a date in September in the Pew News or speak with me now.
Jim Glen
1st Barrhead Parent Evening Thursday 28 April 2011, Arthurlie Church, 6.30pm.
Come along and join the fun
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Dialogue
It
Fair Trade - What It Is and How It Helps
As many of you will know Audrey and I Rainbow Turtle import handmade
run the fair trade stall in the church. We greetings cards, and Esperanza, a group of
do this on the first Sunday in each month ladies from Peru, who also supply cards.
(except during the summer holidays), Everything for sale in the shop is fairly
before and after both services. traded. The goods for sale on the stall are
supplied by Rainbow Turtle on a sale or
Fair trade means giving usually small scale return basis, which means we carry no risk
producers in some of the poorest parts of in the stock, and the proceeds are
the world, a fair price for returned to them.
the products they supply to
us. This contrasts to the Rainbow Turtle supply many other
large multinationals, who churches as well as schools in the local
see the third world as a area, and in addition Renfrewshire Council
cheap source of goods purchase tea and coffee for use at Council
which does nothing to help the people lift meetings. See their website,
themselves out of the harsh conditions www.rainbowturtle.org.uk., for more
they have to endure. Fair trade, also information.
called trade justice, was started by
Christian people and the thrust for this Just Trading Scotland is based in Paisley, in
still comes from the Church. Fair trade Wallneuk Road, just behind the town
gives people a little more cash, which can centre. They import jams, chutneys,
be used to improve conditions in their marmalades and curry sauces from
village such as introducing a piped water Swaziland, the Eswatini
supply or sanitation, or improving their brand, and a range of jars
homes. It also can mean that they can are usually on the stall.
afford to send their children to school, This helps about 30
and pay for medical supplies. women who make the
jams, etc, together with
The goods we have for sale come from the small farmers who
two main sources: supply them, to send their children to
school, pay for medicines and save for a
pension. These fairly traded products are
sold in the Rainbow Turtle shop and also
sold wholesale to fair trade shops
throughout the UK. They also import
Their Shop for Justice is based in Paisley, goods from Malawi – macadamia nuts and
at 7 Gauze Street – opposite the Abbey. kilombero rice amongst others. For a
The shop sells a range of foodstuffs, small farmer to send one child to
confectionery, and fancy goods, and is secondary school for a year, he needs to
open Tuesday-Saturday 10am to 4pm. sell 90kg of rice. Just Trading Scotland
Their goods are sourced from a variety of supply organisations such as schools and
suppliers, from larger organizations such churches with the rice, together with
as Traidcraft and Tearfund as well as literature and a PowerPoint presentation
small, often one person concerns like in support, and so far the response has
Pedro from Mozambique, from whom
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Dialogue
been wonderful. Here at Arthurlie, we Where I come in, is that I act as
have just completed a 90kg rice challenge, accountant for both of these
and the evidence of this is on the yellow organisations, on a part-time basis. What I
sheet on the back wall of the church. have said here is only a very brief
More information is on their website, summary, so if anyone wishes to know
www.justtradingscotland.co.uk. more, just speak to me.
Chris Lush
Folks by the time you the church. Valentine’s Night was
read this the Guild celebrated in a light hearted way with
session 2010-2011 Sandy Farr being amusing and nostalgic
will be almost over. most of the time, but with a serious look
Where does the time at love and its influence on the world and
go? our Christian application of it.
We have had a very The Projects are progressing well with
successful syllabus this year and are funding from The Guild. The Visitor’s
grateful to all who contributed to this Centre at Perth prison is most successful
success. Our Sale of Work was well and much appreciated by prisoners and
attended and raised nearly £900. families alike. The total raised for the 6
December meetings were badly disrupted projects to date is £325,577.
by the famous snowy weather; Geoff Orry
was scheduled to speak to us on the work We in the Guild are trying to lead the way
of Mission Aviation Fellowship. The in Barrhead Church by uniting as often as
Presbyterial Council Carol Service should possible in preparation for being one
have been on December 6, at Paisley Laigh church. We have already had 3 successful
Kirk. Both had to be cancelled. joint meetings, with one more still to
come. Several meeting have been ‘open’
2011 began with a trip to Peru ably meetings when we have enjoyed the
recounted and illustrated by Graham and company of non-Guild members. I hope
Lynne Steen who had visited Kenneth the visitors felt the same.
there last March. The Bard was
remembered in an informal and fun way. We all enjoy meeting each Monday for
The wider work of the church was well worship, fellowship and friendship and
documented at 2 of our meetings. Cathy would be delighted to welcome anybody
McLachlan kept us up to date with the who would like to join us. Guild meetings
Oversees work and Douglas Elliot (Cathy are open to all of either sex. ‘Come and
More’s brother) was marvellously join us’ occasionally or regularly as you
informative about the great work done by will.
Crossreach, the social responsibility arm of With every Blessing, Elma Farr (President)
Don’t miss life’s best. Find God.
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Dialogue
Congregational Board
The business of the Congregational Board and Good News Club. This is a very
progresses apace. familiar method of communication used
by that generation therefore we must
The not so good news is that our income is move with the times! Needless to say we
down slightly on last year. This is caused have asked one of our younger members
by deaths of members and general to deal with this.
financial constraints. That said we are still
covering our costs and meeting our Within the next few weeks there will be a
commitments to the National Church. general ‘spring clean’ of church premises.
However I would urge all our members to Please ensure that all your belongings are
review their givings annually. clearly labelled, otherwise it will be
assumed they are surplus to requirements
Fabric work is carried out as necessary. I and removed.
am delighted to tell you that we received
a very good report from the Presbytery This will be my last report as Clerk to the
property survey. Congregational board. I wish Stanley
Esson, the new Clerk, every blessing in his
We are exploring the possibility of new post.
installing Broadband in the church. Quotes
are being obtained from several suppliers. Elma Farr
The benefit of this facility would be
greatest for our young folk - B.B., Genex Clerk to the Congregational Board
Barrhead Church – A Step Forward
On 25th January 2004, the four Congregations comprising Barrhead Church covenanted to
work together towards an eventual union. This aspiration has been reaffirmed several times
at successive joint services. Although progress has been slow, an important stage has now
been reached with full agreement of the Project Group.
Page and Park, Architects, have been appointed to carry out a Feasibility Study to advise on
how the building facilities required by the united Congregation might best be provided.
They will consider whether a new purpose-built complex on a site near the town centre is
possible, (the ideal solution), or whether one or more of the existing sites could be
developed to provide the necessary accommodation and facilities. The Architects will
provide an estimated costing for development and also estimates of proceeds from disposal
of buildings no longer required.
Page and Park have considerable experience of this type of study and are aware that in
addition to satisfying the requirements of the united Congregation, use of the
accommodation by community groups would be encouraged to maximise the use of the
facilities. The study will involve consultation with each of the Congregations and with East
Renfrewshire’s Barrhead Development Team, and will take between 4 and 6 months. It will
be paid for by the Church of Scotland General Trustees and the United Reformed Church
Synod. Peter Inglis
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Dialogue
Behind the hymn: All glory, laud and honour
Holy Week, the last in Lent, begins with a but he was a working priest whose
bang. Palm Sunday is a time to celebrate ultimate concerns were pastoral. So verse
the kingship of Christ, and to share in the two says, ‘The company of angels/ Are
rejoicing of the disciples and the praising thee on high/ And mortal men,
enthusiasm of the crowds as Jesus made and all things/ Created, make reply’. And
his way into Jerusalem. Of course there’s just as ‘The people of the Hebrews/ With
the shadow of the cross, and we know palms before thee went’ so we too
what comes next, after the procession and present ‘our praise and prayer and
the palm branches: but Jesus is king. anthems’.
The hymns we sing reflect that, and one of This is one of the reasons we observe
the best-known is All glory, laud and Lent, after all. Some of us give up a luxury
honour. It’s from an –chocolate,
original by Theodulph traditionally, though it
of Orleans (760-821), could be anything.
an Italian who was That’s a way of
appointed Bishop of reminding ourselves
Orleans by Charle- that our daily lives,
magne. While in prison which we fill with so
he wrote the hymn much activity, have a
which was translated great deal in them
more than 1,000 years which we could lose if
later by John Mason we chose, and perhaps
Neale. not miss very much.
All glory, laud and But in clearing a space
honour is a simple hymn with a cheerful like this, we can make the connections
melody (St Theodulph, appropriately) again between the story of Jesus and our
which makes it ideal for children to sing, story today. What are the similarities, and
especially when they are coming into the what are the differences, between what
church waving branches. But it is very we do when we sing, and what the angels
careful to make the connection between do? Or what the Hebrews did when they
what happened then, and what happens praised Jesus, and what we do? It is a
now: Neale might have been captivated simple hymn, but there are depths in it if
by church history, we choose to see them.
Mark Woods
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Dialogue
The end or the beginning? You choose
Youth Alpha has now concluded and anyone present at the joint service on the 2 January will
be familiar with most of this course summary, but it is worth repeating.
Before Youth Alpha commenced we asked for support with leadership, finance, children,
speakers, marketing, planning and an Away Day. Each of these areas were all very well
supported and we should give thanks for all those answered prayers.
Over the 7 weeks, 20 children attended the launch event at Barrhead Sports Centre, 39
attended overall. The average attendance weekly was 15.
The course highlight was the Away Day at Lapwing Lodge (according to the children) and of
those who attended, we had a number of children who had no regular contact with any
church before Youth Alpha. At the conclusion of the course we asked the children to rate the
various key aspects of the programme, please read on to hear what they thought. We
achieved the following satisfaction rates: Food 70%, Talks/Speakers 90%, Worship 85%,
Venue 85%, and the Away Day 100%.
We also asked the Children to comment on what they would most take away from Youth
Alpha, the following quotes are all directly from the children:
“the prayers and how / why to pray”
“more knowledge about God and confidence to speak about him”
“I’m now more aware about Christianity”
“I’m now more happy to say I’m a better Christian”
“I am now more of a Christian than I was before”
“to worship more and how to talk to God through worship”
“most things”
“to be more confident about God, who he is”
“knowing more about God”
“learning about the Holy Spirit”
“getting to understand the Christian faith”
“finding out about the Holy Spirit”
This was a very positive experience and we give thanks for having this opportunity to work
with these children, while continuing to ask for God’s rich blessings on their lives. Thanks
also go to the many people who from across Arthurlie and all the Barrhead Churches made
this event happen.
Jim Glen
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Dialogue
President
President Obama’s prayer life
He might be the most important man in And the President’s journey of faith has
America, but US President Barack Obama continued. He said that events during his
cedes to a higher authority. The President presidency have deepened his faith. To
is a Christian and recently publically much laughter, he added: “The presidency
declared that he had embraced Christ as has a funny way of making a person feel
Lord and Saviour of his life. At the the need to pray. Abe Lincoln said, as
beginning of February, the President many of you know, ‘I have been driven to
spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast, my knees many times by the
held annually in Washington. Hosted by overwhelming conviction that I had no
members of the United States Congress, it place else to go’.
is organised on their behalf by The
President Obama relies on a support
Fellowship Foundation, a conservative
network of prayers, including Joel Hunter
Christian organisation more widely known
and TD Jakes who visit him in the White
as The Family. Every U.S. president since
House; a chapel at the
Dwight D. Eisenhower has
presidential retreat Camp
participated in the annual
David has “provided
event and this was President
consistent respite and
Obama’s third appearance at
fellowship” and the President
the event.
starts his day meditating in
During his address to the Scripture.
3,500-strong audience, the
He also recognised that faith
President shared some of his
transcends political divides,
testimony. “[I was] just a few
paying tribute to a Republican
years out of college [and signed] up as a
Congressman Tom Coburn. “He is not only
community organiser for a group of
a dear friend but also a brother in Christ,”
churches on the Southside of Chicago,” he
he said. “Even though we are on opposite
said. “And it was through that experience
sides of a whole bunch of issues, part of
working with pastors and laypeople trying
what has bound us together is a shared
to heal the wounds of hurting
faith, a recognition that we pray to and
neighbourhoods that I came to know Jesus
serve the same God.”
Christ for myself and embrace Him as my
lord and saviour. Obama gave an insight into his prayer life,
revealing that he does pray constantly,
“Now, that was over 20 years ago. And
including praying for wisdom every day.
like all of us, my faith journey has had its
But above all else, there is one daily
twists and turns. It hasn’t always been a
prayer that the President makes: “The last
straight line.” He quipped: “I have thanked
recurring theme, one that binds all prayers
God for the joys of parenthood and
together, is that I might walk closer with
Michelle’s willingness to put up with me.”
12
Dialogue
God and make that walk my first and most ourselves to the possibility that God might
important task.” have a larger purpose for our lives, there’s
a chance that somehow, in ways that we
He concluded his talk by reminding his
may never fully know, God will use us
audience that prayer is a “source of
well.”
strength”.
Phil Creighton
“It’s a reminder that our time on Earth is
not just about us; that when we open
Kibera School Update
The new Silanga High School opened, in September 2009, with 7 classrooms, 107 pupils and
10 teachers. There are now 147 pupils and thanks to the new science lab the school has
been passed to offer State Examinations – these are terrific for getting a good job. Please
see the ‘photos of the Opening on the Notice Board in the Church Hall. “Happy Days”
The cost to run the School for one year is 1,579.445 Kenyan shillings or £12,904. The yearly
salary of a teacher is 100.000 Kenyan Shillings or £811. The yearly School fees of £100 per
pupil are mostly paid by parents - we currently sponsor 10 pupils who have no parents. The
Kirk Session oversees the working and wellbeing of the school – so we are confident the
school is in good hands. All this helps us realise how wealthy we are.
We recently sent £2,400 to cover the cost of installing water and electricity to the school and
the church. Our bank balance is currently £8,800 and we hope to grow this to our target of
£16,000 by the end of this year. This would allow the building of the toilet block (4 boys, 5
girls and 2 disabled). John Shanks would be proud if us.
Good News for the fiscally minded – the “Barrhead Church Kibera Project” is now a
registered Charity – No: SC 041915 – so donations can be given via Gift Aid – increasing them
by 28%. We have 3 events planned for this year and as always look for your support. Please
put the following dates in your new blue diary.
Friday 20 May at 7.30pm - Auction in the United Services Club in Paisley Road – Tickets
available soon. Items for Auction would be most welcome – ‘phone 881-7539.
Saturday 5 June – Balloon Race. “Off” at 3.00pm from the grounds of South and Levern.
Plus enjoy a Strawberry Tea provided by the URC or the EU as some of us still say – 2.00pm
till 4.00pm.
Saturday in September – Coffee Morning in Arthurlie Church 10.00am till 12 noon.
A “Gold Star” will be awarded to those who gain “Perfect Attendance”.
Jim Law
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Dialogue
Presbytery Report
Presbytery has had three regular meetings The Church of Scotland is facing a financial
since the last Dialogue. crisis, and no one can fail to notice that
attendance at Sunday worship has
Members are always pleased to hear of
declined over the last few years. This has
outreach initiatives by congregations
naturally resulted in a reduction in income
within its bounds. The World Mission and
and as a result, the number of ministers
Ecumenical Relations Committee holds
within the Presbytery will be reduced. A
three minute interviews with ministers
conference was held on Sunday 7th
and we have recently heard from Ian
November and all congregations were
Johnston on the support being given by
invited to send four representatives. In
Greenock Old and West to St Columba
the course of a presentation, an
Siolkot School in Pakistan and Maureen
explanation was given of how Presbytery
Leitch of Bourock Church told of the work
proposed to meet the challenge of
being done in Kibera by the Barrhead
reducing the number of ministries. In a
Churches.
future article, we will explain how this will
We were pleased to hear that Paisley affect the churches in Barrhead. The
Castlehead and Laigh churches are General Trustees have agreed to provide a
negotiating a Basis of Union. Population grant to the Barrhead churches to assist
and housing changes over the years have with a feasibility study to investigate how
altered the balance of parishes and it is we can move forward.
inevitable that churches will look to unite
These articles for Dialogue must, of
over the next few years.
necessity, only be a summary of all
The Community Interests Committee Presbytery’s business. Anyone who wants
brought to Presbytery its concern over the to find out more should speak to me and I
matter of car parking at RAH, where a four will try and shed more light on the matter.
hour limit has been brought in. This is
Farr
Sandy Farr
helpful to visitors and out-patients but not
to staff who now have to park in
surrounding streets, much to the
annoyance of local residents. We heard at
the September meeting that large areas of
the car park now lie empty but there has
apparently been no move to amend the
situation. It is suggested that those who
feel sufficiently concerned should write
individually to MSPs, as this can often be
the most effective way of expressing
concern in such situations.
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Back Page Bible Study
Confession & Forgiveness
Sit quietly
Spend some time in quiet before the Lord, opening yourself to what he wants to say to you in prayer
and through the Scripture.
Consider
What is causing you to feel frustrated or envious or resentful today? Give your feelings over to God
one by one.
Read
Psalm 32
Discovering the Word
Verses 1 and 2 begin with the word blessed. How would you define this in the context that David
uses it? Notice in verses 3 & 4 how David’s unexpressed sin affects him and then notice how he
responds in verses 6-11. Verses 8-9 merit closer inspection; here we find how David records the
Lord’s promise of guidance.
Applying the Word
Consider whether there are things in the past for which you are guilty but have never sought
forgiveness. Are there things in the past for which you feel guilty but for which there was really no
wrong done?
Pray
At this time of Lent ask God’s forgiveness for what you have done and experience his grace.
This study has been provided by the Thursday House Group which meets each week in a friendly
group to discuss issues from the Bible in a non-threatening and educative way to better understand
what God has to say to us. If you would like to join us please speak to Morag Allan or Morag Inglis
Contributions to Dialogue are always welcome and if would like advice on how
to go about this please contact:
Douglas Allan
Tel: 580 1837
Email: doumor@ntlworld.com