The Sentinelsentinel 2014

MAY TheThe SentinelSentinel 2014

Volume 52 No 5

I’ve got my collecting can for Christian Aid week. Have you got yours? Magazine of Giffnock South Parish Church

The General Assembly opens on Saturday 17th May and closes on Friday 23rd.

New Moderator-Designate appointed—see page 2

Look at our fab Easter bonnets!

Our Christian Aid Convener, Brian Cochran is looking for more collectors for Christian Aid Week which starts on Monday 12th May. Please help. Can you spare a few hours of your time? Of course you can. Phone Brian on 616 3236 NOW. Page 2 We’re fairly looking forward to May’s big event, the BIG SING when all our favourite hymns and yours will be given the Alan Gillon treatment on the organ and will allow the choir (and hangers-on too) to give them the Beattie ‘wellie’. Make sure you don’t miss this five-star evening on May 18th at 7pm. Remember to hand in a list of your favourites to any of the office bearers or a member of the choir or the events group.

Contributions for the June edition of The Sentinel should be sent to the Church office or emailed to [email protected] by 11th May.

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND NEWS

The Rev John Chalmers (pictured) was recently named as Moderator-Designate, taking the place of the Rev Dr Angus Morrison, who had to stand down due to ill health (as reported in last month’s Sentinel). Mr Chalmers, 61, the long-standing and widely respected Principal Clerk to the General Assembly, has spent most of his life supporting the work of Enable, the charity for people with learning difficulties. During his moderatorial year he intends to visit many special-needs facilities. He is quoted as saying: "I want to tell the story of a church which cares about the conditions in which people live and which puts its money where its faith is, in the work it does amongst the most vulnerable and marginalised." Mr Chalmers also said that he would: "seek above all else to hold the people of the Church of Scotland together in peace and unity". These remarks were as a result of the anxiety voiced by a former Moderator, Alison Elliot, who was worried about the future of the country after a divisive campaign leading up to the referendum in September. She said in February: "How will you feel on September 19th if you have not done as much as you might to promote the particular view you want?"

GIFFNOCK SOUTH NEWS Honour for As we write this, Easter has just passed and we look back Giffnock over these past few days, commencing with the joint Rainbows service on Maundy Thursday at the Park Church with a memorable sermon by the former moderator, Rev Dr John Fiona Doyle, Assistant Miller. Our church was then open on Good Friday when Leader of the First Catherine read The Passion and Alan Gillon and Robert Giffnock Rainbows has Beattie provided a gentle musical accompaniment to our been selected to carry meditation. This was followed by the Good Friday service the Commonwealth at URC led by Rev Mary Buchanan and our own Catherine Games Baton when it Beattie. But what was surely the high point was the early passes through East service on Easter Sunday in Giffnock South’s garden The Baton Renfrewshire on July followed by breakfast magnificently prepared by Hannah 16th. She was nominated because of and Laura Beattie. The entire Beattie family do so much to her work with the Rainbows and for enhance the fellowship of our church. The main service at The beautiful cross raising money for local charities by 11am was also very moving with many rousing Easter made from papier running half marathons and 10k hymns and, as usual, a thought-provoking sermon. mâchḗ by Mora Kerr’s events. SEE PHOTOS ON EGAP father.

EASTWOODHILL NEWS The Annual Eastwoodhill Coffee Morning was held this year on Saturday 12th April and proved to be as popular as ever with stalls besieged by keen customers with an eye on a bargain. Every table in the Winton Hall was filled and the waitresses were kept on their toes satisfying the thirsty throng. The ability of the new kitchen to cater for large numbers was amply demonstrated and the quality of the coffee was particularly noted. Around £1700 was raised which is to be spent renovating the healthcare room in Eastwoodhill to cater for minor medical treatment and other uses which will enhance the experience of the residents.. Such an event entails a huge amount of extremely hard work by the staff and the ‘Friends’ of Eastwoodhill and they and the generous ‘customers’ deserve a huge dollop of Eastwoodhill Care Home grateful thanks. Dear Friends, CHURCH Page 3 It hardly seems like any time since we’ve completed our recent projects within our building! I don’t know DIRECTORY about you but I still get something of a buzz when I walk into the sanctuary and see again what a The Minister: wonderful job has been done - not to mention our wonderful kitchen. As everyone says, far from Rev Catherine Beattie BDMin spoiling the church, we’ve enhanced it! We still retain the sense of the sacred and yet we have all 0141 258 7804 the attributes of a flexible, inclusive space – the perfect combination for furthering the worship and 07709 086 767 Mobile witness of the congregation. [email protected] Though pride is to be avoided – coming as it usually does before a fall – there’s a good deal of Church Officer: pleasure to be had in showing visitors around the The Minister’s buildings! Seeing how others appreciate what’s Mr Graham Morton Letter been done helps me to appreciate it all over again. 0141 638 3594 But here’s the thing; re-doing our kitchen was never an end in itself. We’ve made that clear throughout the various stages of the project and will continue to Church Office Hours: do so. Rather, it was about providing for ourselves a means of progressing the mission of the church. The church office is open in the That’s why I’m so delighted then that we’re seeing signs of that taking place. We mornings from Monday to have people coming into our buildings for the first time – some of them to share Friday from 9.30am till noon in our worship, others of them to take advantage of one or other of our midweek ministries. In terms of worship, as has been written elsewhere, wasn’t it 0141 638 2599 wonderful to see the church so busy on Easter Day and what a breakfast! [email protected] Well, the Parent and Toddler Group is going from strength to strength and, by way of one more example, earlier this week (at time of writing) we have added Session Clerk: baby change facilities in the Ladies loo to make coming to our building with a wee one an easier experience. (See photo on page 7). Tony Ireland We’re making it abundantly clear that our church is not a closed shop or a holy huddle, but the kind of place where everyone is welcome and where anyone can 0141 639 6532 Home find a home. 07831 525 513 Mobile I’ve never doubted for a minute that we made the right decision in going ahead with these projects. It has required a huge effort – not least by our fabric team, Church Website: who still continue to oversee the final stages to ensure that all loose ends are tied up. But it’s an effort that will, I’m sure, reap rich rewards in terms of the Www.giffnocksouth.co.uk future health and well-being of the congregation and its mission.

So - there’s plenty to rejoice in and to look forward to. If you’ve been away for a The church Facebook page can be found at: while, why not try to get yourself back on board. We would love to see you and www.facebook.com/giffnocksouthparish to have you as part of all that’s going on.

God Bless, Catherine. Enjoy a cup of tea or Inspiring Easter Cantata by the Choir coffee before and after the service every If you missed the choir’s rendition of American composer John Sunday Peterson’s ‘Hallelujah What a Saviour!’ on Sunday evening 6th April, you missed an absolute treat as this was a stirring and dramatic Easter Cantata with wonderful tunes that lived with us TEXT OF THE long after the event. Alan Gillon, as was expected, provided a John W Peterson stirring accompaniment on both the organ and piano (though not both at once) MONTH and Martin Bennie conducted the choir with an enthusiasm that led to an accurate rendition, with only a few minor blips in what was an outstanding And it shall come performance. Morag Steven’s narrative was beautifully modulated, setting the scene for each choral piece and the soloists, Carol Cochran and Ian Ritchie to pass, that whosoever shall call provided a lovely contrast to the singing of the massed choir. The ‘extras’ who on the name of the Lord shall be were persuaded to join the ‘regulars’ deserve our grateful thanks and it is hoped saved. that they will sing with the choir again. We hear that this composer has produced more than this one work and we look forward with eager anticipation Acts 2:21 AV to hearing more of his compositions in the future. Page 4 GOLF OUTINGS

The Guild LADIES By the time church members read this Our Annual Ladies’ Golf outing will be at article, the AGM will be over and we can Whitecraigs Golf Club on Thursday 28th look forward to another interesting August at 2pm. The golf group began in session. Meantime, we have two outings planned for 1994 and is still going strong, but we would May. First, we are planning to book a coach on Sunday like to see new folks joining us. Don’t be 25th May to take us to Kelvingrove for the concert by ‘In afraid. We play ten holes in tri-am or quad- Harmony’ with our organist Alan Gillon playing the am form so it is very very sociable. Players famous Kelvingrove organ. We will leave the church at of all handicaps are welcome. 2pm for the concert at 3pm and return around 5pm. We finish with a good meal, a prize-giving and a load of Secondly, we hope to have our main outing to Holyrood happy relaxed chat. Please sign up as soon as the entry Palace on Thursday 29th May leaving the church around sheet is posted. This is golf at its most enjoyable. 9.45am and returning about 4.30pm. A bonus for this visit will be the opportunity to see the Queen’s many gifts from Commonwealth countries. Following the successful resurrection of Members who have not Holyrood Palace GENTS the Gents’ Golf tournament last June after given their names to a gap of over 12 years, we are planning to run the the secretary for either event again this year. or both outings, should please contact Pat As was done previously, this will be a single round Stableford scoring competition to be played on Sunday Connell 638 1352 as th soon as possible. 15 June 2014 - weather permitting - at Whitecraigs Golf Club commencing at approximately 2.00pm with a Eastwood Court meal afterwards in the clubhouse. There will be prizes for 1st & 2nd places Our final service before the Summer break will take th and the winner will also receive the place on Tuesday 20 May at 6.30pm when we much-sought-after Giffnock South Gents’ celebrate the Christian festival of Pentecost. We will be Golf Trophy to hold pride of place in their reminded of two wonderful truths; firstly the power of home for 12 months. The total cost of God’s Holy Spirit in each of us and secondly, that we are entry is not likely to exceed £20 per part of a Worldwide Church. As always, the service head. includes four hymns, singing from choir members, readings and recitals all packed into 30 minutes. Church If you would like to come to this great members are welcome to join us. afternoon out, please enter your name and the other requested details on the entry form sheet which will be put up on the notice board outside the Winton Hall. POLLOKSHAWS PARISH CHURCH NEARLY NEW Any questions, please contact Alan Gray, Don’t forget that this weekly sale offers a chance for a Iain Grimmond or Alasdair Beaton. real bargain and also an opportunity to donate unwanted clothing and gifts. It’s open every Wednesday from 10am to 11.30pm. May Dates at a glance Sat 3rd 10.30: Jumble Sale at URC There’s also a SPRING FAYRE on Saturday 17th May from Thu 8th 7pm: Choir Dinner 10am to 12 noon. All welcome. Sat 10th am: Christian Aid Book Sale at Morrison’s Sun 11th 11am & 3pm: Communion Service GIFFNOCK UNITED REFORMED CHURCH NEWS Christian Aid Week commences Wed 14th 7.30pm: Session Meeting Sat 17th 10am: Spring Fayre at Pollokshaws  Remember to come on Saturday, 3rd May from Sun 18th 7pm: The BIG SING 10.30 till noon to our Jumble Sale. Tue 20th 6.30pm: Service at Eastwood Court Sun 25th 2pm: Guild outing to Kelvingrove Art Gallery for ‘In Harmony’ concert. Thu 29th 9.45am: Guild outing to Holyrood Palace Sat 31st: Visit to Royal Yacht There will be a Christian Aid June Dates th book sale on the morning of 10 Wed 4th 7.30pm: Board Meeting May outside Morrison’s on Tue 17th & Wed 18th: ‘In Harmony’ Concert Fenwick Road Page 5 EVENTS REPORT LODGING HOUSE MISSION EVENTS REPORT The AGM of Lodging House Mission, held on the 4th April, provided a report on last year's THE BIG SING activities along with a Financial Statement. Chairman Peter Rodger announced a major refurbishment of 18th May at the upstairs sanctuary that is rarely used at present to provide 7pm for their activities which are hampered by a lack of space to conduct expanded recreational, educational and support activities. The plan is to strip out pews, extend the stage and This will be held in the Church and you will get the chance to create a dedicated workspace for DIY activity at the rear, thus sing your favourite hymns and hear Alan Gillon on the organ. enhancing the scope to help their service users and perhaps provide a facility for outside groups in the East End of Glasgow. Saturday 31st May: Visit to the "We are continually grateful," he reported, "for all the Royal Yacht Britannia at Leith. volunteers who offer their help on a regular basis including Lunch on board or at the Ocean members of Guilds who quietly work away in the kitchen two Terminal. Cost of the bus is £10 days a week....and to service users who are now able to for adults with children going contribute to the work of the Mission by sorting the huge free. The bus is nearly full but harvest donations, cleaning at the end of the day and working in the kitchen and day centre. This work helps them in their ask Brian Cochran if he can quest to reintegrate into the community." squeeze you in! Referring to the finances, he said that a rigorous control of operating expenses was enforced while still despite The Summer Fete planned for the 7th June has had to be maintaining a full programme of activities. Costs were reduced postponed due a similar event being run by the Scouts nearby by over 10% providing a surplus at the end of 2013. Three and it will now be held on the 30th August in place of the large legacies and a living bequest more than offset the Arran Awayday. absence of a Lottery Fund grant. Substantial increases in grants from Charitable Trusts and other organisations were received On a Sunday evening in the Autumn a and donations from Churches and individuals remained speaker will talk about the new Hospice remarkably constant making total income higher than 2012, which is to be constructed in although it was sourced in a different way. Bellahouston Park. There will be an Fund raising for the conversion of the Church had begun by the opportunity on the night to donate to end of 2013, and £20,000 is already earmarked for the project. the building fund. LHM plans to work hard to contain running costs in 2014, whilst seeking to communicate with all present and We hope to host a visit from the prospective supporters, in order that all outgoings can be talented young jazz musicians of covered and maintain the various support programmes in Williamwood High School on place to advise service users. October 26th at 7pm in the church The Outreach Group thank everyone who contributed so generously to the Easter Egg Appeal and conveys LHM's own Letter from Frances Mcarthur of Pollokshaws expression of thanks. First, thanks to those of you who sent condolences after the death of my husband. Ivor died where he would have wished, in Penang, his favourite place. He had a very brief illness after a lovely 4 weeks’ holiday there. Ivor wasn’t a believer but asked the chaplain at the hospital to pray with him which gave me some comfort. His cremation was exactly what he would have wanted, not the Linn Crematorium on a wet day but a sunny day in an open-on-all-sides Chinese Crematorium, surrounded by 38 people, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christian and Atheists. I have no family apart from two cousins in England but I have wonderful friends, two of them, Morag Steven and Jean Stevenson, from Giffnock South. Our Easter services went well. There were three: on Wednesday, at Eastwood Parish church, on Thursday at the Methodist Church and on Friday at Pollokshaws. On Easter Sunday there was the wee garden service at 9.30 with two guitarists and a set of bongo drums! It transpires that Roy, our new minister is multi-talented. He says very meaningful prayers, makes us think deeply at sermon time and plays a mean guitar. There was then a short, informal communion inside the church. In my humble opinion this was much more reminiscent of the preaching of Jesus than a formal service would have been. This was followed by breakfast of porridge and rolls and jam. We tried toast last year but so many people had to bring toasters and there weren’t enough power points for them all!! It had been suggested to Roy that he could have a shortened service, in church at the usual time, but he gave us the full works and the service was very well attended. The congregation of Pollokshaws Parish Church wishes Catherine a safe and interesting trip to Malawi. Page 6 Parish Register Joining: We extend a warm welcome to: Margaret Hetherington

Deaths: Well done thou good and faithful servant. Rest safe in the Lord On 31st March – Edith Sneddon

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 4 May 11 May 18 May 25 May

Office Bearers Team 4 Communion Team 5 Team 6

Crèche Ann Watters Anne MacDougall Alison Stewart Jillian Fenton

Christine Gray Linda Stevenson Doreen Rogerson Emma Forbes

If any of your personal details Tape Recording Neil Grimmond Charlie Hunter Tony Ireland Bill Spalding change, please notify the Church Office at: Sylvia Miller Sue Harvey Café Rota 1 Kathy Fitzgerald Helen Black 4 Greenhill Avenue, Giffnock, Glasgow G46 6QX Jean Mercer Doreen Rogerson Pam Wallace

Café Rota 2 Sheila Dunbar Brain Cochran Christine Gray Sandra Mitchell Leaving a gift to the Church you John Fitzgerald Carol Cochran Sheila Walker Mora Kerr love is a great way of showing how Fiona Devon Helen Black Sunday School Diane Johnston Janet Hood much you care about Giffnock Di Fotheringham Irene Japp Michelle Grant Fiona Bruce South. A legacy can help to spread Lorna Wyllie Jean Lennox Christine Gray Margaret Scott the gospel.

Flower Delivery Vickie Bryce Communion Liz Carmichael Carol Cochran A gift in your will to the church is exempt from Inheritance Tax. General Assembly 2014 Reports to the Assembly Preview of Heart and Soul Assembly and Fringe Timetables A new Moderator-Designate Christian Aid Week Light in a Dark Place: a report on the work of a Christian Aid partner in Colombia The Big Question: What is your church doing for Christian Aid Week? A Month in a Life: Mary Davidson, co-ordinator of the Christian Aid book sale at St Andrew’s and St George’s West, Edinburgh ‘Someone To Talk To’ MAY EDITION OUT NOW Jackie Macadam meets the Scottish chaplain working with women in Kenya’s prisons. Supporting Student Ministers The principal of New College, Edinburgh, the Rev David Fergusson, highlights the hardship now faced by ministry students. God Over Mammon John R Hume reveals the connection between an Angus parish church and one of Scotland’s great inventors. ‘We Would Like to See Jesus’ Life and Work can be delivered with your The Rev Dan Carmichael highlights the importance of encounter in worship. ’Sentinel’ - just phone Everything is Spiritual The Rev Dr Martin Fair considers Acts 6: 1-7 and explains why everyone has a gift of Allan Gray on 639 1401 ministry. Page 7

Loading the van

Just some of the boxes of clothing and other useful goods collected by the Kwenderana partnership ready to be loaded on the van for onward transit to Malawi.

Job done! Time for a quick rest and a photo opportunity New kitchen is a big hit! All who have seen it have been in awe of the transformation and its worth has been amply demonstrated at the functions held recently.

The magnificent carving of the last supper scene brought back by The new baby-changing facility—See Minister’s letter on page 3. members of the congregation who visited the Holy Land recently.

Just in case you missed this on the front page, here it is again!

How does this Easter bonnet suit me?

Some of the assembled congregation at the Easter Morning Service in the Church grounds.

How’s this for an Easter bonnet? Tucking into a welcome breakfast Easter floral display at the pulpit

Easter Egg hunt

Easter egg rolling