NOVEMBER TheThe SentinelSentinel 2013 Volume 51 No 9

I’m wearing my poppy. Are you?

Magazine of Giffnock South Parish Church

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY IS on 10TH NOVEMBER

Remembrance Sunday is on 10th November and the service will start at 10.55am. There will be a short ceremony after the service at the War Memorial, seen in the illustration above.

As always, under the direction of Mora Kerr and her dedicated band of helpers, the church was magnificently decorated for the harvest thanksgiving service on Sunday 22nd September. The service was followed by a lunch in the Winton Hall prepared by the ever-active Events Group. See more photos on egap.

The GIFFNOCK KWENDERANA TEAM VISITS THEIR PARTNERS AT EKWENDENI See the article on page 7 Page 2 Boris asks: Why do most choir practices take place on a Thursday?

Answer: In ye olden days most workers were paid on a Friday meaning that by the following Thursday they were skint. As going to choir practice costs nothing it was an obvious way to spend an enjoyable evening for free. Contributions for the December edition of The Sentinel should be sent to the Church office or emailed to [email protected] by 10th November.

The Guild HELLO FROM POLLOKSHAWS I am deputising for Frances who is on Yes! I’ts the holiday. You will not be surprised to know our article wonderful, this month focusses on the induction of our Pollokshaws Parish Church new minister the Rev Roy Sanderson. The fabulous, miss-it-at Induction Service was held on Thursday 3rd October and it was a great delight that there were so many of our friends from -your-peril, annual Giffnock South present. The Service was a truly uplifting occasion and it was particularly appropriate that, in view of our twinning, Catherine preached the sermon and Tony read one of the lessons. Roy was thrilled with the whole evening and it was of particular note that some 53 members of Guild ChristmasNovember Fayre 30th Presbytery attended, much more that the norm (we had to bring in more seats!) and is a measure of the affection in which from 10am till noon Roy is held and respect for his role in Presbytery. The service was followed by the usual bun fight, and again we are grateful All the usual stalls… home baking, books, to those from Giffnock South who donated baking. The short gifts, bric-a-brac etc social evening gave us the opportunity to formally welcome Roy, pay tribute to and thank our Interim Moderator Rev Just Be there! Graham Cartlidge and also our locum Rev Archie Robertson who did such a great job for us over the past 2 and a half years. An Invitation…. The family have now moved into the manse and with that The artists of Giffnock South Art Club cordially major trauma survived, we all look forward with great faith and invite you to view a grand display and sale of their enthusiasm to the new ministry. As Paul McStay, the former Celtic captain used to say "There's a real buzz aboot the works in the Eglinton Hall on Saturday 23rd place" We also look forward to new opportunities for our November from 10am till 3pm. Tea, coffee and twinning relationship. biscuits will be on offer. They hope you will also A couple of dates for your diary: Saturday 23rd advise friends to come and browse this November 12pm - 2pm, our Christmas Fair and Monday 16th December: a Ceilidh being held amongst other things to feast for the eyes. All welcome. celebrate Rev Archie Robertson's 80th birthday. We hope to see as many of you as possible at both events.

Not to be missed! Archie Sinclair

Out now, and illustrated here, is a new range of Christmas Cards from Lodging House Mission. There are 10 different designs, five of which depict the Christmas story, and are in packs of 10 priced at £3.50 each: one pack of 10 notelets, snowdrop design is priced at £3.00 and a bumper pack of 20 cards of assorted designs and messages is priced at £4.00. "May you know Joy and Peace this Christmas and in the coming year" is the message on all other cards. Early ordering is recommended to avoid disappointment. Orders placed support LHM's work by as much as 50% of the cost. The prices are competitive, and in order to avoid high postal charges on orders; e.g. £3 for up to 10 packs, £5 or up to 50 packs, £6 for up to 100 packs, over 100 pack free - a composite Order Form will be posted on the Outreach notice board opposite the Winton Hall. Details needed are: NAME, TELEPHONE NUMBER, ORDER DETAILS and CHEQUE (made out to LODGING HOUSE MISSION) to be left in the envelope provided. Orders will be collected as soon as possible. The closing date is 1st DECEMBER, 2013. Dear friends, Page 3 When did you last sit down to write a letter? When did you last receive a hand-written letter? In these CHURCH DIRECTORY modern days, the future of letter writing seems uncertain as most of us often favour electronic formats The Minister: for our correspondence. Although many fear that paper letters will soon be objects only found in a Rev Catherine Beattie BDMin museum, it seems that the aesthetic value of a well- written letter continues to appeal even to our 0141 258 7804 technology driven generations. 07709 086 767 Mobile Like me, you probably have a container of some sort in which you have filed letters and other hand- [email protected] The Minister’s written notes. Perhaps, you even revisit them from time to time, hoping to resurrect past memories or Church Officer: Letter just bring new insight in your interpretation of them. Mr Graham Morton Letter writing has been a defining aspect of our cultures. For historians, they are priceless documents revealing glimpses of life in a past era. Letters depict 0141 638 3594 the lives of ordinary people and add colour and perspective to their everyday concerns. They offer modern readers insight into their own history and the Church Office Hours: desires and concerns of their ancestors. The church office is open in the At a time when communication and travelling were slow, letter writing was the favoured method of communication used by the early Christians. The New mornings from Monday to Testament itself is essentially made of letters (21 out of 27 books). In those Friday from 9am till noon letters, Christians would share news with each other, encourage one another, remonstrate and rebuke those who strayed from the right path. The essence of 0141 638 2599 Christian teaching was, in fact, drawn from those letters and their experience has become the norm for what it means to be a Christian. [email protected] As the nights draw in this autumn, why not read some of these wonderful letters Session Clerk: contained in the New Testament? Why not try to discover what these letters, written nearly two thousand years ago, have to say to twenty first century Tony Ireland people. St Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians writes: “You yourselves are our 0141 639 6532 Home letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you 07831 525 513 Mobile are a letter from Christ, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”(2 Corinthians 3:2-3) Church Website: Perhaps, in exploring these letters, you might translate Paul's analogy into your own context and live a life that would be like a letter, displaying God's love for Www.giffnocksouth.co.uk all. Scottish Charity:SCO007807 With love, Catherine.

We Are All Going To Be Inconvenienced Enjoy a cup of tea or This is really good news. Since the “Church on the Hill“ was coffee before and erected at the end of the 1920s, anyone wishing to visit the loo after the service every before, during or after a service or concert in the Church has had Sunday to find their way through the small door at the front of the nave, or leave the building through the main door, brave the elements and re-enter through the side entrance to the halls. This is inconvenient not only for our own TEXT OF THE members but also for visitors, who are not familiar with our buildings, and who have often asked where the nearest toilet is located. MONTH

Through the generosity of one of our members, a new toilet is about to be installed within the vestibule at the main entrance to the Church, which will be unisex and wheelchair friendly and have a rest area in the event of someone becoming unwell. Shout for joy to the Lord, all the Work was due to commence on Monday 21st October and the contract will take four earth, burst into jubilant song with weeks to complete during which time access to the car park will be restricted. Please music; make music to the Lord…. avoid using the car park during that week although the contractor has promised to try and the sound of singing… and leave the area as clear as possible for our Sunday Morning Service. This project has been long in the planning and we will all be relieved when it has been completed. From Psalm 98

Apologies for the puns! Page 4 Sunday School News

The Guild A plea to all our amazing junior actors and actresses! Our minister, the Rev Catherine Beattie, took the opening meeting emphasising the Giffnock South Sunday value of our Guild to Giffnock South Church and the huge part guilds play in the outreach work of the Church of School needs your help……... . Get involved in our brilliant new We look forward to a busy November. On Wednesday 6th at 7.30pm we welcome guests from other guilds to a Nativity Play concert by the "In Betweeners" a talented musical group of around 20 ladies and gentlemen from Lanarkshire. All ‘Hey Ewe’ Giffnock South members are welcome too. On Wednesday 20th November at 2pm, Mr Bill Seaman Auditions on 27th October will inform us about the superb work of the Mission Aviation Fellowship, supporting medical clinics, education See you then! and evangelical initiatives in Africa, Asia, Papua New Guinea among other places. Kirsty and the Sunday School Gang Our Christmas Fayre is on Saturday 30th November from 10am until 12 noon. We will have the usual baking, Creche books, good bric-a-brac and Christmas gifts along with Diane Johnstonand Kirsty Duncan have taken over as excellent coffee/tea, home baking and lots of friendly Sunday School and Creche coordinators and are asking for chat. Come and join us in fundraising for the projects here and overseas. more volunteers for the Creche Rota for 2014 ... it would only be a handful of times a year and volunteers should th On Wednesday 4 December at 2pm we are having a contact them using the contact details below. speaker from Yorkhill Children’s Hospital to tell us about the inspiring work performed by dedicated doctors and Kirsty on 07739041712 or [email protected] nurses. Everyone is welcome to join us. Diane on 07762705550 or [email protected] Finally, as you enter the halls take a moment to admire our Guild Garden tended to by Elspeth Marshall. Reappraisal 2013

Eastwood Court Once again the members of Giffnock South have excelled themselves with a brilliant response to the 2013 On Tuesday 19th November at 6.30pm, the Outreach Committee and choir members will lead the good folk of Reappraisal Appeal. Not only have the ‘One Off’ Eastwood Court in their annual Remembrance Service. contributions exceeded last year’s donations, but the Most of those residents have vivid memories of the number of increased standing orders has gladdened the second world war, so this is a meaningful act of worship. hearts of the Finance Committee and the treasurer. All who As always, hymn singing and music play a big part, along with readings and poems. Members of the congregation have made this possible are warmly thanked. are always welcome at this 30-minute service. November Dates at a Glance GIFFNOCK UNITED REFORMED CHURCH NEWS Sat 2nd 7.30pm: Quiz Night Wed 6th 7.30pm: Guild Guest Night The lunchtime service is every Wednesday at 11.30am Sun 10th 10.55am: Remembrance Sunday Service  ‘Lunchbite’ is every Wednesday at 12.15pm Wed 13th 7.30pm: Session Meeting  ‘Leisure and Learning’ is every Wednesday at 2pm Tue 19th 6.30pm: Eastwood Court Service Wed 20th 2pm: The Guild: Mr Bill Seaman Our weekly coffee mornings are on Saturdays at 10am 7.30pm: Fashion Show Sat 23rd 10am-3pm: Art Show & Sale Alan Gillon will be playing 12noon-2pm: Pollokshaws Christmas Fair the organ at Kelvingrove Art Sun 24th 12.30pm : Elders’ Conference Galleries on Thursday 28th Thu 28th 1pm: Alan Gillon at the Kelvingrove Organ November at 1pm. Sat 30th 10am-Noon: The Guild Christmas Fayre We are told in good authority about the fellow who heard a December Dates gent in the street being approached by a homeless chap with a Sat 7th 2pm: Sunday School Christmas Party pile of magazines in his hand who asked: "Big Issue today, sir?" to Tue 10th 7.30pm: ‘In Harmony’ Concert which the gent merely replied "Syria" before walking on. Sun 15th 11am: Gift Service Page 5 EVENTS REPORT For many years the children (and their parents) of Giffnock The two charities being supported by events run by the South have kindly donated Events Group are- The Glasgow Care Foundation and Forrest toys before Christmas so that House. This month in Sentinel there is a brief resume̒ of the the Glasgow Care Foundation can pass these on to families work of The Glasgow Care Foundation and next month whose needs are particularly acute at Christmas. With increasing need, and fewer numbers in the Sunday School, we Forrest House will be featured. are appealing to members of the congregation to join the There are a few places left for the Harrogate/York/Castle children in bringing new toys in time for the Gift Service on 15th December. These can be handed in to me or left in the Howard trip leaving on Sunday 27th April 2014. If anyone is kitchen. interested please contact Elaine Clarke or Brian Cochran as This may be a charity that is new to you - so who are we? soon as possible. The Glasgow Care Foundation (formerly known as the City of Glasgow Society of Social Service) has been supporting and COMING EVENTS First up is on Saturday, November caring for citizens of Glasgow for 140 years. We are an 2nd at 7.30pm and is a Fundraising independent charity which offers practical help to those who Quiz Night in the Winton Hall hosted by Quiz Master/ cannot be assisted by any other agency. Magician Scott ‘C’ and raffle prizes. Tickets £5, We have a Welfare Officer who receives referrals from various children free. Book a table now and if you like, make agencies (mostly Social Services) and visits homes and assesses requests and arranges for provision of essential items such as up your team of 6/8 or 10 or just join in. This is a fun washing machines, floor coverings, bedding and cookers. night not to be missed. Our income comes from capital investments, legacies, donations and charitable trusts and we do not receive any

Wednesday, 20th November: funding from government or other bodies. We have a very small paid administration staff so a high proportion of our

Fashion Show by Gloria of Toggery funds goes directly to helping those most in need. Our income has declined in recent years, due to lower investment returns, Tickets available now: £5 at a time when the need is increasing, and so we are looking at various ways of raising awareness of who we are and what we TUESDAY 10TH DECEMBER: ‘IN HARMONY’ COMMUNITY do, to help generate and secure income for the future. If you want to find out more visit our website - CHOIR CONCERT This is a ticket-only event //www.glasgowcarefoundation.org/

Friday, 20th December: Salvation Army Band There will be an opportunity to support our work by attending the Church Quiz Night and Friday, 7th February 2014: Electric Glen in Rouken the Fashion Show on 2nd November. Glen Park. Limited number of tickets available for this Many thanks in anticipation of your support. popular event—make sure of yours! Graeme Whyte

Saturday, 15th February: St Andrews Night Ceilidh in Winton Hall with Rusty Nail

A little girl wants to go A little nine year old girl was in church with her mother when she started feeling ill. "Mummy" she said "Can we leave now?" "No" her mother replied. "Well, I think I have to throw up!" "Then go out the front door and around to the back of the church and throw up behind a bush." In about two minutes the little girl returned to her seat. "Did you throw up?" her mother asked. "Yes" the little girl replied. "Well, how could you have gone all the way to the back of the church and return so quickly?" "I didn't have to go out of the church, Mommy" the little girl replied, "They have a box next to the front door that says 'for the sick'." Page 6 Parish Register If any of your personal details Baptism: Suffer the little children to come unto me. change, Sophie Lilian Leishman - on 29th September 2013 please notify the Church Office at: Leaving: We say goodbye to: 4 Greenhill Avenue, Giffnock, Patricia Doran Glasgow G46 6QX telephone 0141 638 2599 Lesley Burgess

Olive Campbell

Funeral: Well done thou good and faithful servant. Rest safe in the Lord

Marie Davidson – on 21st October 2013

To ensure that we comply with the Data Protection Act, we do not publish addresses in Sentinel.

Anyone who requires further information about any of the intimations above should contact the Roll Keepers.

Duties

Date 3 November 10 November 17 November 24 November

Office Bearers Team 2 Team 3 Team 4 Team 5

Crèche Diane Johnston Liz McAllister Mhairi McAllister Elspeth Marshall

Mora Kerr T.B.A Marion McLeod Susan Morton

Tape Recording Neil Grimmond Charlie Hunter Tony Ireland Bill Spalding

Café Rota 1 Sylvia Miller Sue Harvey Bett Coutts Janet Windsor One of the magnificent floral Liz Burns displays at the Harvest Café Rota 2 Murray & Joy Blair Alison Campbell Elaine Crawford Brian Cochran Thanksgiving Service

Janet Winsor Robert Beattie Marion Smith Carol Cochran Flower Delivery Pat Connell Remembrance Eileen Crawford Sheila Dunbar Sunday

‘We Shall Not Forget’ Remembrance reflection by the Rev John Chalmers, two and a half years after his son was injured in Afghanistan. Jackie Macadam meets the Church of Scotland minister who helps injured service personnel look to the future. Remembrance prayer from the Moderator. Guild urged to ‘keep taking risks’ Lynne McNeil reports from the 2013 annual meeting of the Church of Scotland Guild. November issue out now Who is my Neighbour? The Very Rev Dr Sheilagh Kesting reports on new insights from a study of ecumenical activity The God Question Lynne McNeil learns more about a new resource in the science v faith debate ‘A God Thing’ Thomas Baldwin meets the Christian writer and actor Abby Guinness A Fife Success John R Hume focuses on a new church in Dunfermline Changing Church Thomas Baldwin discovers a Dundee congregation reaching out and serving the local Life and Work can be delivered along with community your Sentinel every month. Just contact The Church of the Night Alan Gray on 0141 639 1401 Elizabeth White and Jenny Williams report on the progress of NiteKirkin Page 7 Visit to Ekwendeni Christina Bryden, Fiona Gunning and Bill Steven of the Kwenderana committee visited our twin church in Malawi for a fortnight in mid September. Their bags were filled to the brim with things for special needs children in the primary school, for mothers and babies Farewell to Susan in the hospital and with sewing materials for the Wilson...who was women’s sewing group and our hosts generally. presented with a We presented to the church a pulpit fall embroidered bouquet on her by Morag Steven and a large supply of hymn books last choir both in English and Tumbuka, the local language. Bill preached here on the first practice…she Sunday and all three preached in the neighbouring villages of the greater parish responded with the following Sunday and gave gifts of hymnaries and suplies for the Sunday and the following.. day schools. Thank you Giffnock South We met the 30-40 children whose for asking me to play secondary education is sponsored an organ which is grand what can I say? by our church members. Generous gifts of money from folk Services were great and people friendly too back here were spent on the most so this short note of thanks needy: mosquito nets, maize seed, is sent to you. fertiliser (every cottage tends to have its little maize patch, producing Every Thursday night the staple food nsima), cement for the choir did rejoice The pulpit fall embroidered by Morag Steven as in four parts they sang the building of a Sunday School with every voice. house, plastic sheeting for thatched roofs which will leak in the rainy season, a new prosthetic leg for a 14 year old girl, bitten by a snake, whose leg had been They’re a friendly group amputated. We made up 60 bags of salt, sugar and soap for elderly ladies in the to members old and new villages and were wonderfully thanked in song and dance. Welcomes too were so if you’d like to join sometimes sung. they’ll welcome you.

We were instructed to examine the need for new or All I now can say repaired wells or boreholes for the villages of Ekwendeni is thank you from my heart and our committee has now sent funds for repair of two for flowers and stripey socks and for a new borehole in a village with no well (and a which are so smart! journey of 1/3 mile to a trickle of a stream which will have dried up this month). We have commissioned two As you will all be bursting to sing this water engineers, one American, one Scottish, with whom little song the tune of ‘God Who Made we had detailed discussions. the Earth’ is recommended ...and a warm The simple natural faith of the people is inspirational. They may have very little materially, yet are rich in the welcome to courtesies of life and have a readiness to smile. Alan Gillon Grumbling is a Western phenomenon. who was introduced by Catherine to Do ask to see the video presentation the choir on devised for us by Thursday 10th May Robertson’s October son Keith. Alan said he was delighted to come to Giffnock

South as he has a long association with the We pray that God church, being boy and officer in the BB and a will continue to member of the Youth Fellowship. It was the late Bob Simpson who gave him his first bless our twinning. lessons on the organ and set him on his career. He has since played many church and cathedral organs and plays regularly at Kelvingrove Art Gallery (see notice on page 2). Alan is looking forward to working with the Opening up the box of new bibles choir and playing our fine pipe organ. Each year Eastwood district BB hold a presentation for those Boys who achieved their Gold Award in the Junior Section and have continued into the Company Section.

This year’s event was held in Eastwood Parish Church this evening and we had a full turnout – Matthew Wilkie, Calum Taylor, Jack Devon & Struan Beaton.

HARVEST THANKSGIVING LUNCH

New Loo A-Coming—see page 3

The waiting will soon be over!