Bridgeton St Francis-in-the-East Church of Scotland Parish Magazine

Transcription

1 Bridgeton St Francis-in-the-East Church of Scotland Parish Magazine Church: 26 Queen Mary Street, Glasgow, G40 3BB, Tel Minister: Rev. Howard Hudson, Tel Session Clerk: Mr James Gibson, Tel Church House: 6 Boden Street, Bridgeton SPRING Scottish Charity SCO

2 WE HAVE A DREAM We have a dream of a church that is full of people of all ages including the young, from the district and beyond, enthusiastic, willing to play their part, keen to know the Lord, praising and thanking God from the very bottom of their hearts, willing to share their love, caring for others, both inside the church and outside it. We have a dream of a church that is hungry to be led by God, to serve the Lord, study the Bible, grow in faith, communicate clearly, worship, spread the gospel in the community, pray, and live in fellowship with each other. We have a dream of a church made up of tolerant people between whom there are no barriers of class, colour or creed, age, hatred, bitterness, jealousy, criticism, wealth or poverty, appearance, health, sex, status or position. We have a dream of a church that is inclusive and open to everyone, no matter who they are or what they might have done, whether they are like us or not, and that is open to ways of working in the community. We have a dream of a church that has a heart for the community, our neighbours, pleasing God, other people s needs, friendship, mission here at home and abroad, and has the courage to take the flack for being Christians. We have a dream of a church in which God s Spirit is present, is really believed in, and is working in us to fulfil our commitment to Christ, leading us, always near, felt, transforming us more and more into the people God wants us to be. We have a dream of a church that is excited and passionate about Jesus, the gospel, praising and worshipping God, prayer, evangelism, reading the Bible, full of hope for the present and the future. This is our dream for Bridgeton, St. Francis-in-the-East Church. Will you share it with us? Will you help us make it a reality? - Your Kirk Session 2

3 Dear Friends, Message from the Manse As some of us will remember, in June 1991 Billy Graham came to Parkhead for a week of gospel rallies. Night after night he proclaimed the good news of what God has done in Jesus and what that can mean for us, and many lives were changed as a result of that, including some of our church members. Well, Billy Graham is now 96 years old and a short film has been made called The Cross in which he gives what may well be his last public message, and it is well worth seeing. He says in it, With all my heart, I want to leave you with the truth and he shares from his heart about The Cross, along with two other, younger people who speak about the difference trusting Jesus has made to their lives. One of them was a young man, angry at life, into gangs, drugs and violence. The other is a young woman who had decided to commit suicide following the devastating death of a close member of her family. The film speaks powerfully and helpfully into a range of difficult situations and questions that so many people face in life today. When I showed this 27½ minute film to the people who are planning our events for Holy Week and Easter, they all agreed that we should show this film on Monday 30 th March at 7.30pm in our church hall for anyone who would like to see it. So I hope that you will come along and invite neighbours, family, friends, colleagues at work and others to come along too. It is a wellproduced film that will speak to people who would never attend a church service, as well as to people who would. It will not be a service that night, simply a film night, just showing this film, for anyone who wants to come, with tea and coffee afterwards. And it s all free. No pressure. No hassle. Just an opportunity to see a film together. So why not come? And feel free to invite others along as well. It will be well worth it. Yours in His love, Howard. 3

4 MINISTER S MENTIONS I will be on holiday from 17 th 23 rd April. If you need the help of a minister during that time, please phone Rev. Peter Davidge at STAY FOR OUR AGM After our 11am service on Sunday 8 th March there will be a very important meeting of our congregation our church s AGM. It s short. It gives you the opportunity to find out more about what s happening in your church and, if you wish, to ask a question or make a comment on anything to do with our church. And if you are a member of our church you can play your part in electing members of the congregation onto the Congregational Board. However, please remember that out of common courtesy and to avoid embarrassment no-one should nominate anyone for the Board unless they have spoken to that person in private first and made sure that they are happy to be nominated. So please talk to people in advance about this. If you attend our Church services or are a member, you should receive with this magazine a copy of the minutes of our last AGM and the annual accounts for Please read them and bring them along with you to this very important meeting. WILL AN ANNNEXE BE BUILT ONTO OUR CHURCH TO REHOUSE CHURCH HOUSE? The answer is no-one knows. The Scottish Government and the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland have agreed to provide the money for this, but Glasgow City Council still have not agreed to release the land. If we don t get the land in time, we can t build the annexe. Please pray that if God wants this annexe to be built, we will get the land. If God does not want this annexe to be built, we will not get the land. After all, as God s people we want God s will to be done. 4

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6 FLOWERS Many thanks to all who have contributed in any way to the church s Flower Fund. Your donations are always appreciated. If there is anyone else who would like to put flowers in the church, perhaps in memory of someone or an anniversary, etc, please speak to either Rita McKenna or Sharon Miller. Donations are as follows: NOVEMBER Flowers donated by May Cross from Bill s funeral DECEMBER For the Love of Bill from Agnes Dickson For our wee Treasure Lee, from Granma E from Margaret Elliott For Tommy, on our Anniversary from Elsie Donation (anon.) JANUARY For Mum & Nan from Isa For my Sister, Helen from Isabel Flowers donated by Betty Glassford from her Mum s funeral FEBRUARY For my Sister, Cath from Isabel For our Son, Thomas from Mr & Mrs Sinclair For my Wife, Margaret from Jack Russell FUNERALS 22/01/15 Mrs Lizzie McIntyre 12/02/15 Mrs Margaret Fleming 19/02/15 Mr Charlie Bryce Correction: In our last magazine, the date of Mrs Irene Barrie s funeral should have been 18/09/14 not 18/01/14. We apologise for any concern caused by this mistake. 6

7 BRIDGETON, ST. FRANCIS-IN-THE-EAST EASTER 2015 The Cross means HOPE Palm Sunday, 29 th March, 11.00a.m. PRAISE Palm Sunday, 29 th March, 6.30p.m. See the film, The Cross with Billy Graham Monday, 30 th March, 7.30p.m. LOVE Tuesday, 31 st March, 7.30p.m. PEACE Wednesday, 1 st April, 7.30p.m. FORGIVENESS Thursday, 2 nd April, 7.30p.m. SUFFERING Good Friday, 3 rd April, 7.30p.m. NEW LIFE Easter Sunday, 5 th April, 11.00a.m. JOY Easter Sunday, 5 th April, 6.30p.m. EVERYONE WELCOME! 7

8 Come watch Billy Graham s powerful film, THE CROSS Featuring Lecrae Billy Graham Lacey When: Monday 30 th March at 7.30p.m. Where: Bridgeton, St. Francis-in-the-East BRIDGETON ST FRANCIS IN THE EAST/ 8

9 NEWLANDS SOUTH LINK GROUP We recently held one of our biannual meetings to discuss our activities for the next few months. Subject to film availability we are hoping to see the Martin Luther film Selma in late February. In March we are hoping to visit the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St Luke off Great Western Road. On 29 April we shall be joining with Margaret Anderson for a walk starting at the Cathedral, making our way along Rottenrow then down Montrose Street to George Square. We shall meet at the Cathedral at 2pm. On 20th June we will be joining with the Newlands Walkers for our combined walk (destination to be established). Our bus trip this year will be on Saturday 22 August to St Andrews. We will have a guided tour of the town including university precincts. St Andrews is of course iconic both in terms of golf and university fame. I am also sure that the local shops will not be neglected during our visit. 9 - Alistair McMillan NEWLANDS RAMBLERS REPORT December Ramble As it was only 5 days till Christmas, we opted for a local walk. Starting from the church, we crossed the bridge over the River Cart and followed the walkway upstream to Linn Park via Old Castle Road. At the Snuff Mill Bridge over the river, we entered the Linn Park and, on our left, were the remnants of Cathcart Castle. It was a beautiful day, blue sky, sun shining and little wind as we encountered dog walkers with their charges, some under control others not. Further on we reached the edge of the golf course where a group of four were in play. Passing a plantation of conifers, we soon reached the children s play area at the rear of the Old Manor House (now modernised and occupied). At the White Bridge over the river mallards were swimming above the falls while earlier, we saw 2 goosanders. Continuing

10 up to Clarkston Road, we arrived at the Derby Café, which was full, but we were able to enjoy a snack in the adjacent restaurant before resuming our walk along Netherlee Road to Cathcart Cemetery. Here, we entered the older part where we scanned the many and varied types of headstones and the range of names inscribed on them. It is a haven for grey squirrels. When we reached the exit on to Clarkston Avenue, it was a surprise to see who the former lodge had been restored and occupied and Christmas lights glowing on the railings. Splitting into 2 groups, one went via Rhannan Road and Cathcart Station to the Church and the other went by Merrylee Road and Langside Drive covering some 6 miles Bill Taylor January Ramble Given the poor weather we decided on a city walk and five of us took the bus to town. It was icy under foot, though some areas had been treated with salt and others were crisp to walk on. Our route took us from Oswald Street along the Clyde to the Kelvin, up the Kelvin to the Botanic Gardens and then home by bus again. Our weather was very mixed; for about ten minutes in Finnieston we had a heavy wet snowstorm and several of us privately thought we d have to abort and head for home, but it passed and got brighter and part of the afternoon we had lovely bright sunshine. We avoided the riverside walkway since we thought it might be too slippery but when we had to use it from the SECC on we found it to be not bad going. We crossed the expressway on the pedestrian/cycle bridge and chose to continue alongside the road rather than trying to go up and over Yorkhill Park since we feared that the steep stairs down to Ferry Road would be too icy, though when we reached there they were not. We crossed to Kelvingrove Museum for a snack we had planned no picnic this time and since it was only we were in time to have breakfast! Refreshed we set off up the river again. The park was by now full of families and sledgers, snow balls were being thrown and snowmen built. Our way took us up past the ruins of the North Woodside flint mill and then

11 across the river and up the steep stairs to the Botanic Gardens. The statues in the Kibble Palace, one of a Nubian slave girl in particular, drew us inside and then we headed for the bus and home. While the history of the area of our walk was discussed, we also saw natural history with goosanders, mallard, a robin, a squirrel, and a female blackbird. We are not quite sure how long the walk was but we think about the 5 mile mark. - Margaret E. Anderson 11

12 REGNAL CIRCLE Monday Night 7.30pm Last November we lost a very loyal member, Bill Cross who will be sadly missed. In December we attended a Christmas Lunch at Greenock. Then in January we met up with the Sidlaw Regnal in Dundee for a Burns Supper. Looking ahead, some of us are planning to go to the Regnal Annual Conference in Derbyshire in March. Then in April we are planning our annual fundraiser Beetle Drive for Monday 20 April. Your attendance would be greatly appreciated. Tickets are 2 and will be available from Robert Humphries. We re always looking for new members to join our group, so why not give it a try on a Monday at 7.30pm! - Robert Humphries GUILD Tuesday Afternoon 1.30pm We ve enjoyed some very interesting speakers since we started back in January. The World Day of Prayer service will take place here at St. Francis on Friday 6 th March at 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend. The Guild Sale will be on Saturday 21 st March at 11am. Please support us! Any donations will be gratefully received. If you need help transporting your donation, speak to one of the Guild members who will be happy to help. Mar 3 Mar 10 Mar 17 Mar 24 Guild v Regnal Quiz Armchair Keep Fit Guest Afternoon A.G.M - Betty Arbuckle 12

13 CAN YOU HELP? We currently need someone to be our Church and Society rep and someone to be our Mission and Discipleship Council liaison person. If you would be interested in finding out more about either of these opportunities, please talk to Howard Hudson. CHILDREN S HOLIDAY CLUB Last summer we ran a very well attended week long children s holiday club. We are hoping to run another one this summer as long as we have the people to do this! If you would like to help this year, or to find out more, please speak to Howard. Thank you. CHURCH CLEANING Could you help clean our church for less than an hour a week? The cleaning team currently meets on Thursdays at 1.30pm, but this can be changed to accommodate new helpers. We desperately need at least 4 more helpers. If you could help please speak to Robert Humphries. WHAT S HAPPENING IN THE INNER EAST END CHURCHES? If you would like to write something for the next issue of the Inner East End Churches magazine (deadline is 10 th May 2015), then please Michelle MacLeod at bridgetonstfrancis@gmail.com or phone the church on Looking forward to hearing from you! My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you. John 15:12 13

14 CHURCH HOUSE UPDATE Over the Christmas period, Church House had an exciting time, Parent & Toddler Group, children and parents, attended Santa s Wonderland at M&D s Theme Park, they enjoyed soft play, carousel ride, seeing reindeers, storytelling and then a visit to see Santa. Both adults and children had a great time. Primary 1 5, to see Peter Pan at the Kings Theatre, the young people really enjoyed the panto, great to see them dancing and singing along. Great behaviour by all, including our volunteers! Everyone went home exhausted! Some of the Primary 6 & 7 children went to the carnival on the opening night had a ball on all the rides. Some of our partner Churches were very generous in their gifts to Church House, everyone went away delighted with their gift. The changes in the times of the groups that we implemented are running well, here is a wee reminder of when they are: Monday 7.00pm 8.30pm Primary 6 & 7 Wednesday 11.00am 1.00pm Parent & Toddlers Thursday 4.00pm 5.30pm Primary 1, 2, 3 Thursday 6.00pm 7.30pm Primary 4 & 5 Our recruitment for a new youth worker went well and we look forward to someone starting in the near future to develop our youth work programme. Our plans over the next few months include Triple P discussion workshops, 6 week cooking programme for 16 years and over, baby massage, 10 week Learning Works programme, if anyone is interested in these opportunities, please contact us. Through the help and support that Clyde Gateway has given to Church House, we are delighted at being successful in securing the funding from Scottish Government to enable us to plan for a new building. Community consultations regarding this will take place the week beginning 8 th February at various locations. Thank you to all the people who help and support our work with the young people, it is much appreciated and valued, please keep up the good work. Also the financial support we receive from other Churches enables us to give more opportunity to young people. 14

15 Please remember to let the minister know about any of our members who are seriously ill or in hospital. He will never know about it unless someone tells him. NOTICEBOARD Remember to keep looking at our church notice boards near the lane door, above the hall piano, and in the corridor between the kitchen and session house. If you have an address, please let Howard know at A very BIG THANK YOU to all who donate tea, coffee, etc. It is greatly appreciated - Helen Thinking about joining the Church? Or wanting to know more about living for Jesus? Then please see the minister as soon as possible so that he can arrange a new series of the ENQUIRER S GROUP at a time that suits you. The Enquirer s Group meetings are very informal and open to anyone, whether a member of the Church or not, whether wanting to join the Church or not. No pressure is put on anyone to join the Church. There is a SUGGESTION BOX on the table at the front door of the church. If you have any helpful suggestions to do with our church, please put them in the box. All suggestions will be carefully considered. Please remember to look at our table of FREE LITERATURE near the front door of the church and take from it anything you want. Please remember to CLOSE ALL DOORS behind you when you come into church to keep in the heat. If you want to see the minister on a Sunday, please see him after the service. If you are housebound and would like to receive a tape of our Sunday service each week, please let your elder know. We can supply a tape recorder if you don t have one. 15

16 LHM UPDATE LHM CHRISTMAS UPDATE May I take this opportunity to THANK all who purchased LHM Christmas cards & also assortment of different things from the LHM Christmas stall. We managed to raise a total of from LHM Christmas Cards, from stall, from LHM Envelopes & 10 from Meal Vouchers. THANK YOU all these monies are very gratefully received & appreciated. Christmas was the first time in a long time we returned 6 Packs LHM Christmas Cards, very unusual, perhaps next Christmas will be better. Once again LHM find themselves without a manager. Gus Smeaton from the LHM Board is standing in meantime as Interim Manager, with the rest of the board taking more responsibility with leading & directing the work of LHM. Neil Watton the Day Centre Manager still leads the day centre activities, with Mark Smyth Senior Day Care Assistant striving for the safe keeping of all who attend LHM on a daily basis. I believe they are not looking for a new Manager at the moment, but Staff & Service Users have responded positively to the recent changes in the management structure at LHM. I have intimated on a number of occasions the need for LHM Volunteers. If you can manage to give some time during the day to LHM, they still need help with the Computer Classes, you don't have to a whiz kid at IT, but just basic skills with those learning to work a computer for the first time, perhaps with online form filling, sending s etc. Also needed is help in the kitchen area, together with help clearing tables and generally keeping the hall clean. If you feel you can help in any of these items or perhaps something else, please contact Gus McKay as a starting point. Contact him at LHM West Campbell Street - street facing the Barras or phone him on THANK YOU. Once again THANK YOU for your generous giving and responding to the needs of those less fortunate than ourselves. LHM staff & Service Users also pass on their THANKS, for without Bridgeton St. Francis in-the-east and so many other 16

17 churches in & around our city, together with individuals generous giving - LHM could not survive. Please continue to keep in your thoughts & prayers the staff as they continue to lead without a manager, to the Service Users who pass through the door of LHM on a daily basis, struggling with so many issues in their lives some also with trying to deal mental health issues, as they admit without LHM life would be even harder to cope with, with some even considering suicide. Please also pray for the finances of LHM as they struggle to keep afloat in these difficult times of austerity. THANK YOU all at BSF for continuing to help LHM throughout the year, as I know from all at LHM, it is gratefully & prayerfully appreciated. GOD BLESS - Jackie Hughes (LHM Rep) CRÈCHE ROTA Mar 1 st Betty Glassford Nancy Humphries Mar 8 th Joyce Robinson May Livingstone Mar 15 th Cathy McNealy Mar 22 nd Margaret Miller May Cross Mar 28 th Betty Glassford Nancy Humphries Apr 5 th Joyce Robinson May Livingstone Apr 12 th Cathy McNealy Apr 19 th Margaret Miller May Cross Apr 26 th Betty Glassford Nancy Humphries May 3 rd Joyce Robinson May Livingstone May 10 th Cathy McNealy May 17 th Margaret Miller May Cross May 24 th Betty Glassford Nancy Humphries May 31 st Joyce Robinson May Livingstone More helpers needed for the crèche rota. If you can help, please speak to Betty Glassford. Thank you. 17

18 ROLL KEEPERS REPORT We now have 79 members in the church roll, following the death of two of our members, Mrs Elizabeth McIntyre and Mrs Margaret Fleming. They will be sadly missed. CHURCH LIBRARY - Betty Glassford (Roll Keeper) The Church Library is open each Sunday, just next to the piano in the main hall, for everyone to use. A wide range of Christian books are available for borrowing, including books on Christian history, biographies, practical books to help you pray, or read your Bible, as well as theology books for anyone wanting to study that bit deeper. Don t forget we also have some videos and tapes available, and that there s something there for everyone including children. Just make a note in the book of anything you take, and enjoy your book. Remember the library is there for you. We are missing YOU! So come along to our Evening Service Sundays 6.30pm in our main hall. Unlock the Bible Wednesdays 7.30pm in the upper hall. It may be better than you think! THE EVENING SERVICE IS CHANGING Unless God works by His Spirit in people's lives all our efforts will come to nothing. Therefore, apart from special Sundays like Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, we are changing our evening service to having a new emphasis of praying for the Holy Spirit to work in people s lives. So after opening praise, bible reading and short sermon there will be a time of prayer. So whether you are in need of prayer or wanting to see God make a difference in people's lives, please come along to our main hall any Sunday for 6.30pm. You will be most welcome. 18

19 WEEKLY EVENTS EVERY SUNDAY EVERY WEDNESDAY Service 11.00am See the Minister 1pm Crèche 11.00am Parent & Toddler (CH) 11am Young Frankies 11.00am Unlock Hosea 7.30pm Evening Service 6.30pm EVERY THURSDAY EVERY MONDAY Foodbank 11am-1pm Church House (P6/P7) 7pm Church House (P1-P3) 4pm Regnal Circle 7.30pm Church House (P4/P5) 6pm EVERY TUESDAY The Guild (until Easter)1.30pm Brownies 6.15pm CH = Church House, 6 Boden Street DATES TO REMEMBER MARCH 6 World Day of Prayer 7.30pm 8 AGM 11.00pm 13 Spring Fling (CP) 7pm for 7.30pm 19 Congregational Board Meeting 7.00pm 21 Guild Sale 11am-1pm 29 Palm Sunday Service 11.00am 29 Parish Grouping Palm Sunday Service 6.30pm 30 The Cross with Billy Graham 7.30pm 31 Holy Week Service 7.30pm APRIL 1 Dalmarnock Primary Easter Service 1.45pm 1-3 Holy Week Services 7.30pm 5 Easter Sunday Services 11am & 6.30pm 16 Kirk Session 7.00pm 20 Regnal Beetle Drive 7.30pm MAY Christian Aid Week 14 Congregational Board Meeting 7.00pm 24 Pentecost Service 11.00am 31 Parish Pentecost Service (CP) 6.30pm CP = Calton Parkhead Church, Helenvale Street 19

20 Anyone wishing to submit material for the Challenge magazine should hand it to Barbara Jennings or it to: The deadline for the Summer 2015 magazine will be Sunday 10 th May