Tartan Day at the Guild

Transcription

1 Tartan Day at the Guild. Duntocher Trinity Parish Church Spring 2015 Clockwise from top: Mhairi addressing the haggis, toasting Burns, enjoying the singing, and the Braehead Ladies Choir contributing to the entertainment She turned to the sunlight And shook her yellow head, And whispered to her neighbour: "Winter is dead. A. A. Milne When We Were Very Young

2 Pastoral Letter Dear Friends I m not the fittest person around, especially as I have spent much of my working life stuck on a chair in front of a computer. Well, typewriter initially, if that doesn t betray my age too much! I know I ll never recreate those days when I was a track star, even representing my school at national level in sprinting. But I do my best to keep active, albeit often half-heartedly. My weekday mornings I draw the line at weekends begin with a visit to the gym. I always feel the better for it but when the alarm sounds, it s still dark outside and I hear the rain battering on the window, it s hugely tempting to stay curled up under the duvet and let the treadmill roll along all on its own. The pressures of the recent festive season combined with a period of ill health meant that my exercise regime fell by the wayside. So when I resumed my fitness drive it was a painful experience in every sense. Anyone seeing me shuffle back to my car after the first session could be forgiven for thinking I d been beaten up in the changing rooms! Thankfully, as the weeks have gone on, the journey has become not quite a sprint but a lot less of a trial. On February 18, we mark the beginning of Lent and the long road to Easter Sunday. It s a challenge for us all to respond to the alarm call which signals the start of the most significant of Christian festivals. It s easy to get out of the habit of Easter, to become complacent about our faith, to curl up in the warmth of the familiar and let the challenges pass us by. Like the wee boy who gravely informed his minister that he was giving up using his Sony PlayStation for Lent. That will be hard for you," the minister said, knowing his fondness for video games. Not really, said the child. We also have an Xbox. We should not see Lent simply as something to test us. It is not so much about giving up bad things as about creating good things. And there are many ways in which we can do that within our own congregation, community and beyond. Once again Christian Aid is inviting us to Count Your Blessings with its daily challenge to learn about and help others in practical ways. Visit the Christian Aid website to see how you can get involved. Yes, Lent can be a hard and painful journey to resume. For people who live every day with the joy of the knowledge of the resurrected Christ it is difficult to rouse ourselves to see something new and fresh and exciting. For ministers too, it is hard to find something new and fresh and exciting to say! Perhaps we don t need to. All God asks is that we walk the journey together in faith, reminding ourselves that Christ waits not at the end but at the beginning. Let us see this coming season as something worthwhile getting up and getting out for; an opportunity to refresh and invigorate our faith; a chance to exercise our gifts and talents to help others. And whether we shuffle or sprint, may we be reassured that God himself has walked the treadmill before us and endured the ultimate pain for us. May we be fit to serve him today and every day. God s blessing on you all. Tina Locum Minister and Interim Moderator

3 Sssh... The computer swallowed grandma. Yes, honestly it s true! She pressed control and enter And disappeared from view. It devoured her completely, The thought makes me squirm. She must have caught a virus Or been eaten by a worm. I ve searched through the recycle bin And files of every kind. I ve even used the Internet, But nothing did I find. In desperation, I asked Jeeves My searches to refine. The reply from him was negative, Not a thing was found online. So, if inside your Inbox My Grandma you should see, Please Copy, Scan and Paste her And send her back to me. December Communion and Christmas Carol Collections The amount of 341 was donated to The Craighalbert Centre Our Watchnight Collection of 105 was donated to Glasgow City Mission March Communion Collection Our March Communion Collection will be donated to the Guild Project, Heart for Art for dementia sufferers. The Guild Hello everybody By the time you read this, there will be only a few weeks left, of what has been a very successful session. Talks have been very interesting, giving us the opportunity to give to various charities, based all over the world thus upholding our theme A World to Serve. Jean Mennigall, a member of our Guild, spoke on the Craighalbert Centre. Jean s talk was very interesting and moving. The Rev Harbison, Rev Kemp, and Rev Donaldson, gave up precious time, to talk on subjects related to their work in the Church, home and abroad. Fun days were also included in our Syllabus, laughter being the best medicine. Working together is so important, and can I say we have a great Guild, girls don't ever change. See the back page for photos of our Tartan Day Lunch with entertainment by some of our talented members. Date for your diary 4th March Marie Curie Afternoon Tea. Hope you and your friends can join us. I leave you with this thought: I shall journey through this world but once, Any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. Best Wishes Mhairi Clark, Convenor

4 1 st Duntocher Girls Brigade In the year of 2015, the 1 st Duntocher Girls Brigade will be 60 years in existence. What an achievement! I would like to express my thanks and congratulations to everyone involved, especially our founder Captain Mrs Margaret Alston, who have made the 1 st Duntocher the success it was and still is. We seem to have recovered from the Christmas Carol Service another great evening- thanks Hilda! Our last night of the year was our Disco Party where everyone enjoyed themselves. Chips and Pizza went down well! The company had a great day out to see the Pantomime Aladdin at the Cumbernauld Theatre. The Juniors and Brigaders are off to the Waterfront in Greenock on Sunday 1 st February to skate and swim in the fun pool and, of course, McDonald s on the way home. No better way to finish off a great day out. The Divisional Camp is again at Ardlui Outdoor Centre, Loch Lomond on the 2 nd -4 th May. The Juniors and Brigaders are really looking forward to the activities on offer archery, kayaking, abseiling, hill climbing, night walking to name but a few. I am looking forward to sleepless nights! Our Display this year is on Wednesday 27 th May at 7.15pm in the Church Hall and behalf of the girls and Leaders, I extend a warm invitation to come along and support us. Maureen Shields Captain 1st Duntocher Girls' Brigade March 1 Carol Leonard March 29 Mrs M Ferguson April 12 Elsie Lothian April 19 Mrs McKee April 26 Ella Donaldson May 10 Ella Donaldson May 24 Edith Glen If you would like to donate flowers to enhance our Church please add your name to the Flower Calendar in the Vestibule or speak to Josephine Shaw. Deaths I am the resurrection and the Life Miss Agnes Galbraith Mr Bill McColm Church Flowers Marie Curie AfternoonTea On 4 th March, the Guild is having an open day with Afternoon Tea at 1.30pm in the Church Hall. This is to raise funds for Marie Curie. You will be entertained by Fine Fettle. Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy an afternoon of tea and entertainment. If you have any items for the June 2015 In Focus please give them to Edith or Marion edith.glen43@talktalk.net by 5 th April

5 Greeting you at the Door March April May Sunday 1 March Communion Everyone is welcome to join us at The Lord s Table on Sunday 1 March at am Mr & Mrs Stormoth, Mrs C Fanning Mr & Mrs Ward, Mr T English Mr & Mrs Dow West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare (Food Bank) Over the last 12-months, our Church, Duntocher Trinity has played an active part in supporting Clydebank Community Foodshare. Therefore on behalf of the Board I should like to record our thanks to all who have contributed. To date, we have made about 15 deliveries of non-perishable food supplies from our Church to the focal point at Radnor Park Church where it is sorted and distributed. One of our members is taking a very active part in the procedures at Radnor Park Church with other members also attending. Foodshare supports individuals and families of Clydebank through an otherwise difficult situation where the alternative is doing without food for a period of time. It is not a service which can be used week after week with people becoming dependant on it. This is not sustainable. All I can ask and appeal to you, if possible, is to continue to donate any items of non-perishable food, and place them in the box at the Vestibule when we will ensure that they will go to Radnor Park Church for distribution. These donations are for our neighbours of Clydebank who require temporary assistance. Easter is a believing time That Christ arose for us to see The way to grow eternally. Ever wonder? Why the sun lightens our hair but darkens our skin? Why is abbreviated such a long word? Why isn t there mouse-flavoured cat food? As the Moderator of Glasgow Cathedral stated, Foodbanks are not a charity but rather Humanity towards your neighbours Again thanks to all of you who have contributed over the last 12 months and pray that you continue to do so. For and behalf of the Church Session/Board Easter is a grateful time For all our blessings every day For health and friends along the way.

6 Did you know that the chocolate you enjoy this Easter could help people on the other side of the world to enjoy simple things like clean water CHURCH SERVICES AND ORGANISATIONS SUNDAY SERVICES Morning Worship am If you choose fairly traded chocolate then you will be making a difference to cocoa farmers and their communities. Traidcraft is the UK s largest Fair Trade Organisation, helping thousands of families around the world to work their way out of poverty. It was established in 1979 as a Christian response to poverty. So why not make a difference? Buy Fair Trade chocolate this Easter Mrs Margaret Brown We at Duntocher Girls Brigade Company were saddened to hear of the death of Mrs Margaret Brown. Margaret was our Tuck Shop lady for many years and just loved her time with the girls and leaders. WEEKLY ACTIVITIES Monday Banner Group 2nd and 4th Monday In each month February to November Wednesday The Guild Girls Brigade Explorers (age 5-7) Juniors (age 8-11) Seniors & Brigaders Company Section * * * * * * 7.30 pm 1.45 pm 6.00 pm 6.30 pm 8.00 pm 7.45 pm Even when Margaret and Jack moved to Callander she still supported our Company. I remember on one occasion, we dropped in on Margaret and Jack for pancakes and lemonade on our way back from camp. The Banana Bus with 40 girls and staff stopped off and they had set out in their garden, patio tables and chairs all borrowed from the neighbours so everyone knew we were coming. Easter is a joyful time For thoughts, for growth, for songs to sing Yes, Easter is a constant spring She really was a special lady and will be missed in our lives. Maureen Shields Captain 1 st Duntocher Girl s Brigade Congregational No Charity No SC008854