1968

The Good News for Modern Man Bible, a new paperback translation (Today's English Version) of the New Testament was published on January 1st by Fontana, costing 5/-. It had already sold 8 million copies since its publication in the United States the previous year.

There was a great deal of damage to the church roof during the storm of 14th- 15th January, and it would have been much worse if not for the prompt action of Rev. James Millar and Mr Bill Strain. Although insured, the church would be out of commission for several months. For three nights in a row Mr Strain led a party of men in the darkness and heavy rain on to the roof to effect emergency repairs. Since rain was still dripping into the chancel area, half a dozen men spent a whole Saturday re-covering the roof with felt. Services were held in the church hall and Communion was held in Castleton School. It was noted how people rallied round to give practical help and words of support, and volunteers went willingly on to the roof at their own risk.

The Sunday School departments and the Junior Bible Class put on the pantomime “Peter Pan”. They planned and rehearsed for almost a year, sometimes under extreme difficulties, and even in the cellar because of pressure on accommodation. The producers were the Misses Kathleen Grant, Irene Sinclair and Christine Stewart and the children whose ages range from 5 to 14 years not only acted and sang but also helped to make the props and scenery. The tickets were 2/6d for adults and 1/6 for juveniles. The proceeds from it, £53 4s 3d, went to Sunday School funds.

The Men's Association had two open nights, a Salvation Army musical evening, and for the first time in the church the Flute Band at a cost of 2/6d.

The minister and Kirk Session decided to mount a campaign “to awaken a greater

interest in all our members in the work of West and in the wider service of Christ, through an increased giving of our time, talents and possessions”. This was called “Impact '69”. “The services on Sundays were normally well attended; the youth and other organisations were going well”; they had “a devoted and first class ministerial team, and a host of willing workers”; they had been “repaying the building debt at £1000 a year (£1,300 last year) and had hoped to have it cleared by the end of 1968”, and it appeared that Castlemilk West was “going like a bomb”.

However “the plain fact of the matter” was that “they were working far below capacity”. “If everyone of the 1,200 – 1,300 members were really dedicated workers in Christ's cause”, it was felt that they “could revolutionise Castlemilk in a few months – the IMPACT would be tremendous”. It was stated that the vast majority of the members were lukewarm – content to come to church on Sundays and go away again.

Appeals to them for help fell on deaf ears. They needed Sunday School teachers, leaders for organisations, sick visitors, men to help with the church grounds and do odd jobs and helpers to produce and deliver the Crusader. Most of all they were needing help to go out to the thousands in Castlemilk who had no church connection and who were waiting to be brought into the fold. They were looking to revitalise the church, shake themselves from their nice comfortable rut and begin to move forward to greater rewards.

A massive Stewardship Campaign was to be mounted among the members of the church, spread over the months September to December, always hoping the impact would be felt in 1969. Every member would receive a personal invitation to come to a stewardship meal in the Church Hall, when all aspects of the project would be explained to them. The membership would be divided into seven groups who would come on any of seven evenings, so that no-one would not be able to come because the night did not suit. As they were determined to have as near 100% turnout as possible, babysitters would be arranged for those with young families, and transport would be provided for the old and infirm.

A joint display with the Junior, Company and Senior sections of the Boys' Brigade was held. The Summer Camp with about 40 boys, took place in glorious sunshine on the Isle of Arran, under canvas, and their Visitors' Day was “one to be remembered” with 54 visitors arriving. The Company, with regret, said farewell to Warrant Officer David Maxwell who had accepted an appointment in the Civil Service and had been posted to London.

The Church of Social and Moral Welfare Board decided to build a £45,000 hostel for 20 epileptic girls in the grounds of the eventide home, Queensbay Lodge, Edinburgh. They already operated a similar one for men in .

The Compass Ski Club, Scotland's first Christian Ski Centre was opened at Glenshee Lodge, one and a half miles south of the Spittal of Glenshee. The aim of the club, which was non-denominational, was to provide good ski-ing facilities and expert tuition for beginners. The club was started by Rev. Bill Shannon, Warden of St Ninian's Training Centre, Crieff, and was to be run by Mr Archd Mackenzie, his wife and other members of the Ski Club. It had received encouragement from all the major Churches.

A clear majority of the presbyteries in the Church of Scotland opted in favour of women in the ministry, which meant that the General Assembly could declare women eligible for the ministry on the same terms as men, if it so decided.

On 28th April, Rev. James Millar preached on the words in 2 Corinthians ch. v.1, “We are workers together with Him.”, marking his first 5 years in Castlemilk West. During that sermon he said,”Here in Castlemilk West it has been wonderful to experience the co-operation of so many – all working away in their different spheres and with their different tasks, but together in our desire to extend the Kingdom of God in our midst.” The congregation, for its part, wanted both Rev. James Millar and his wife to know that they appreciated fully all they had done for them and were very grateful to them.

Since the long-drawn-out negotiations towards an insurance settlement had been agreed, work on the repair of the roof after the storm damage was able to begin on the 13th May and would take up to six weeks to complete. It was too soon to say when the church would be ready for use.

Mr Frank Kean of Road took over as Treasurer from Mr Bob Campbell who had done the job for two years and was now giving up because of business and other commitments. Mr Kean was a chartered accountant, with two young children, Eleanor (2) and Andrew (6months). He had been three or four years on the Board, previously coming from Ross Memorial Church in Dalmuir, where he had taken an active interest in the Youth Club. Mrs Kean was a former teacher in Castlemilk West Beginners' Sunday School.

The long-awaited Community Centre in Castlemilk Drive was opened on 24th April for adults over 18. A week after the opening the ceiling number was reached when 2,000 people had taken out a membership. There was a Main Hall and stage, with an excellent lighting system, a Lesser Hall for smaller functions, a Games Room, a fully equipped Woodwork Room, a Sewing Room, a Dark Room for photographers, a Lounge and a Tearoom. The tea would be 3d a cup, and the opening hours for members were 10.30–12.30, 2-4 and 6.30-10p.m. The warden was Mr George Absolom.

The first “Impact” meal took place on the 16th September, and by that time close on 200 workers had been committed and made into committees for clerical, publicity, visitation, hostessing, catering, transport, babysitting, etc.

Mr Kean, the Treasurer, informed the tax-payers in the church of the Covenant Scheme whereby if they paid more than £80 in tax per year the Church, as a registered charity, could reclaim the tax on the amount they gave to the church, if they were willing to declare it formally by signing a form. If they put 5/- per week, £13 per year, into their Freewill Offering Envelope, the church could reclaim £9, providing they agreed to pay this for seven years. Their Code Number would change slightly and they would pay an additional £2 per year in Income Tax.

Mr Hamish Gardner, Headmaster of Glenwood Secondary School since it opened, retired, and Mr Alexander Wallace, a native of Nairn, educated at Nairn Academy and Glasgow University, took over the job. Mr Wallace was an Honours Graduate in History from 1948, and had taught for 12 years in Albert Secondary and nine years in North Secondary School where he had been Deputy Headmaster and Principal Teacher of History. He had served in the armed forces from 1939 – 1946, and was married with one son of eight years of age.

Miss Jean Grigor, the deaconess, was awarded a scholarship for one year to study adult religious education, in Chicago, America, and would be returning to Castlemilk at the end of that time. Rev. Gordon Keir, assistant to Rev. Wm MacKay in Church, came to Castlemilk West in her absence. Before entering the ministry Mr Keir was a member of St. George's Tron Church, where he took an active part in church life.

Advertising revenue for the Crusader magazine had dropped considerably, and so an increase in donating through the Crusader Box from £27 4s in the first four months of 1967 to £30 7s 10d for 1968, and a donation from the Men's Association of £7 were very much appreciated.

The Garden Committee, having worked hard on the grounds, and with additional “skilled work on the rose-beds” from the Woman's Guild, ensured all would be in good condition for the Fête.

Mr and Mrs R. Adams of Dougrie Terrace celebrated their Golden Wedding in April with a small family party.

Miss Morag Erskine of Arnprior Road and Miss Margaret Mathieson of Farne Drive, Simshill completed their training in nursing successfully, Morag as a State Registered Nurse and State certified Midwife, and Margaret as a State Enrolled Nurse. Both had been Sunday School teachers in Castlemilk West, as well as being active in the Girls' Brigade, Youth Fellowship and Youth Club.

The Boys' Brigade Seniors now did Circuit Training, a modern method used by football clubs, Olympic coaches, etc. where they began by doing fairly ordinary exercises in a series of six, and speeded them up and increased them till exhaustion. The Junior Company Section under Mr Piggott took part in games and light exercises.

A new uniform appeared among the Senior Section boys, consisting of a forage cap, similar to Staff Sergeants, and small lapel badges, with no haversack, bandolier or belt. The aim of the Company for the next session was to associate themselves more closely with the work of the church, and in particular involve themselves as far as possible with the “Impact '69” campaign.

The church reopened for public worship on Sunday 1st September, when the minister preached on the three things you expect to find when you come into church. The first was the Lord, the second was what was needed to walk life's way and live for Christ, peace, joy, strength, faith and love, and the last was friendship.

The church had been made available for four weddings on the 24th August, only because of the hard work of “a huge labour force” of 40 to 50 men, women and children who turned up from the congregation, each with his or her own paintbrush on Monday to Wednesday of the week before the weddings to paint the pews. A group of elders had previously spent a hard fortnight stripping the old paint off. On the Thursday and Friday “a large force of ladies” moved in and scrubbed the floors, and “the miracle was complete.

Mrs Betty McKay, who had been a member of the congregation since the early days, was typical of several very loyal lady workers in Castlemilk West. Being already treasurer of the Building Fund Committee and a member of the Congregational Board, she had now become a member of the Impact '69 Committee and was in charge of the hostesses at the Family Meals. She had also taught in the Sunday School for some years. Her husband,Tom, was also an enthusiastic member of the church and could be relied upon to give of his services when required.

The Grand Christmas Fayre, with Santa Claus Grotto, took place in the Church Hall on the 23rd November at 2.30 p.m. A dance with a Buffet Tea was held the following Saturday and tickets were 5/-.

The Woman's Guild began the session with a “Getting to know you “ evening, and there followed a series of evenings like “Film of Coventry Cathedral”, “Holiday in the Bulb Fields”, “Some Songs Old, Some Songs New”, “My Life in Radio” by Mr Howard Lockhart and “Talkback” about housekeeping money.

In far-off Jerusalem, the minister of the Scots Church, St. Andrew's, and the Hospice, Rev. Gardiner Scott was able to visit all his parishioners, as Jerusalem was again without its dividing wall. Previously he could only go twice a year or by special permit to members “on the other side”.The church and hospice had been built to commemorate the deliverance of Jerusalem during the 1914-1918 war and in memory of Scottish and other soldiers who fought and died in the Holy Land.

Christian Aid Week in Scotland raised a record figure of £135,000, the most popular event being a sponsored walk which raised £30,000.

Miss Jean Cochran returned after a year working in Uganda under the auspices of Voluntary Service Overseas. She had been working as School Secretary in Gayaza High School, 10 miles to the north of Kampala, the capital city. There were four hundred and forty-three girls who attended the school and slept in dormitories.

Miss Jacqueline Petrie, who had been an active member of the Youth Fellowship and a Sunday School teacher for some years was accepted for St. Colm's College, Edinburgh for training as a deaconess of the Church of Scotland.

Mr Howard Marshall, son of Mr and Mrs Alex. Marshall, who lived in Dougrie Road before leaving for Cumbernauld, returned to an evening service in Castlemilk West. Howard was at Glasgow University and was hoping to study for the ministry. Mr Marshall, sen. had been a highly esteemed member of the Kirk Session of Castlemilk West.

Miss Joan Sherriff of Downcraig Road, a leader in the Junior Boys' Brigade and a Sunday School teacher gained her Teacher's Diploma at College of Education. Miss Morag McGrath of Glenacre Terrace graduated B.A. at Strathclyde University. Miss Margaret Thomson of Dougrie Road graduated B.Sc. at Glasgow University.

Mr and Mrs David Shaw (Anne McLay) thanked the officers and girls of 74B company of the Girls' Brigade for the smart Guard of Honour at their wedding in September.

A special appeal was launched in June by the Moderator of the General Assembly for aid to Nigeria-Biafra. By the end of August, the amount raised, mainly by children holding impromptu fund-raising efforts such as back green concerts and jumble sales, amounted to £25,116. The money was being channelled through Christian Aid, the British Churches' refugee and relief agency. Thirteen Church of Scotland missionaries were still working in Biafra. The retiring offering at the September Communion services in Castlemilk West was allocated to the Appeal Fund and amounted to £32.

By the end of the year, the total contributions, which included the Nigeria-Biafra Appeal, raised by Church of Scotland congregations to the Co-ordinated Appeal amounted to a record £976,871, the target being £980,000, the smallest gap since the Co-ordinated Appeal began in 1961. The Co-ordinated Appeal was the joint fund for work in such fields as overseas mission, youth and education work, social and moral welfare, home mission, and church extension. Castlemilk West contributed £500 to the Co-ordinated Appeal and also repaid another £1,000 towards the building debt, leaving £468 to pay. This was paid in two instalments – one in March and one in June of 1969.

From September to December well over a hundred ladies in the congregation went from door to door inviting members of the congregation to one of the Impact Family Meals. In all, seven evenings were arranged, with an average of one hundred and forty at each, and they seemed to be a resounding success. Having invited the people, the hostesses on the night waited on them during the actual meal; clerical staff checked and rechecked lists of names; speakers had the task of putting over the message; kitchen staff worked hard and efficiently behind the scenes to prepare the meal; and visitors called on the members afterwards in their homes.

Members were able to sit around the tables together and it gave them the opportunity to meet and talk to people in their district who were also members of the church. This gave them the feeling of being part of the family.

Dedication cards were completed by those who had attended, indicating their desire to enter more fully into the worship and service of the church, and in some cases they indicated what they were able to do and how they were prepared to help in the work of the church. There was no question of “bribery” or “blackmail”, and no pressure was exerted to make them do anything they were unable to do. The first words on the Dedication Card were:

I renew my pledge to attend worship regularly, to serve as I am able, and to give regularly and as liberally as I can in the work of the Church.

The Crusader donations reached an all-time record of £108 19s 4d, exceeding the previous best (1967) by over £21, but there was still a deficit of £35 over the year, largely due to reduced income from advertising.

1969

Mr Albert Barker, originally from Sheffield but who had been north of the border for over twenty years, had been the “highly esteemed church organist” and choirmaster in Castlemilk West since April 1959. An organ builder to trade, he had been connected with organs for most of his life. In Castlemilk West Mr Barker had also been involved heavily on the Congregational Board and was again the convener of the Building Fund after having given up the post for a year or two.

The Young Wives and Mothers Group had a “wonderful session with many interesting speakers and demonstrations”, and although numbers had greatly increased, they would have liked more.

Despite “rain, rain and more rain” the ladies of the Woman's Guild continued to attend their meetings. The Church of Scotland Woman's Guild decided to realise £2,000 of its capital as a grant for overseas development.

The Women's World Day of Prayer was again held in Castlemilk West.

Rev. Gordon Keir recommended to the congregation the Children's Bible, in colour with over 500 pages, at a cost of 30/-. He had copies in stock in the church.

A letter was received from Miss Jean Grigor, the deaconess, from the Chicago Theological Seminary where she was studying. In it she spoke about the inauguration of Richard Nixon as President, and the huge divided nation of the U.S.A. The crime rate was very high, and the police, on the whole, seemed brutal, especially towards those “with black skins or the bearded-type students”. She also spoke about the reactionary behaviour, especially among the young people, the demonstrating against war and especially Vietnam, against racial discrimination and the rules of the universities. She was struck by the odd clothes and hair-styles and the very free attitude towards sex and drugs. She was amused when asked where she learned to speak English, and at their surprise that she was returning to her own country after spending some months in “the Promised Land”.

Joyce Millar, George Barbour, Margaret Gilchrist, Linda Tough and Marlene Allison were all welcomed as Warrant Officers into the Junior Section of the Boys' Brigade, after an appeal for helpers. There were no offers for the Company or the Senior Section, and another appeal went out for Football Coaches, Swimming Instructors, First Aid Instructors or Drumming Instructors, no need to join as an officer. William Shields, jun. resigned as Junior Section Leader, as he had moved to . Jim Symon agreed to take over. There were about 70 boys, and although there was room for more, any boy must be prepared to attend meetings regularly, dress neatly and above all attend Bible Class every Sunday morning.

A show was put on this year instead of a display, and the camp went to Skegness. Mr McLeod was thanked for “whipping away the springboard without authority” and “repairing it beautifully”.

There were a number of promotions in the Company:

to Warrant Officer, Eric Ashley; to Staff Sergeant, Colin Guy and Ian Millar; to Sergeant, Jim Calderwood, Douglas Ashley and Ian Rough; to Corporal, Alistair Guy, David Braes, Stephen Robertson and Alex. Kidd; to Lance-Corporal, William Campbell, James Barry, Harry Olverman, Alan McKechnie, Hugh Belshaw, Gordon Millar, Albert Vine, Ian Warnock and William Grierson. Queen's Awards went to Ian Millar and Douglas Ashley.

The number of children, aged seven and over, attending the Children's Library in the Church Hall continued to grow. The borrowing charge was 2d per book for two weeks. For teenagers and adults the cost of borrowing paperbacks was 6d per book.

A survey prepared by Dr John Sutherland, formerly of Moray House College of Education, on behalf of the Committee on the Religious Instruction of Youth of the Church of Scotland indicated that of those who became full members of the church before they reached the age of 21, over 85% of men and 87% of women had previously been members of the Sunday School. Of those after the age of 21, 65% of men and slightly over 65% of women had previously attended Sunday School.

The Property Committee planned the redecoration and maintenance of the church for the year. Under the command of the “indefatigable Mr Bill Strain” the whole of the stairway area at the front of the church was repainted and the woodwork varnished. The passageways to the hall at the front and back of the church building were similarly treated, and the hall was to be repainted. Outside, the preliminary work was started on making a concrete path along the south side of the church where a small house for the gardening tools and a cover for the bins was to be erected.

The congregation received a letter from Miss Jean Grigor, the deaconess, where she told them about a weekend in which Nessie and John Lawrence had driven down from Canada to be with her in Chicago. She intended to visit them in their new home in Rochester, U.S.A on her way home. She also told of a week's holiday she had when she went to visit Bob and Martha McDill, about which she had heard so much from the people of Castlemilk, and their two girls. While she was there , Bob had been installed at a special service as Associate Pastor of his church. His twin brother, George, was the preacher, and she met him, his wife and their wee son. On 7th June she was leaving Chicago to drive with two fellow students to San Francisco, where she was to take an intensive course of training in Chaplaincy in a large state mental hospital for eleven weeks.

The Garden Fête took place on the 31st May when the Queen, Moira Phynn of Arnprior Quadrant, a member of the Junior Bible Class, was crowned. The admission for adults was 6d and for children 3d.

The Stewardship campaign, Impact '69 was a modified version of what some churches had undertaken, and the cost of it was £261 as against £1,000. The cost was one reason for the modified version, and there were “reservations about coercing members into making hasty commitments”. However, as a result of the campaign, attendances at church over the winter months were higher than usual despite the inclement weather and a high incidence of illness. Offerings rose over the first three months of the year by 20%. Most organisations increased their membership, more especially the Woman's Guild and the Young Wives and Mothers. More people offered to help with the Gardens and Property Committees, to deliver the church magazine, to visit the sick and aged, to help in the crèche on a Sunday morning, and the sale of “Life and Work” almost trebled.

The congregation having repaid £13,174 over a period of about thirteen years,

decided to continue to fund-raise and put the money into a reserve fund to provide for increased accommodation.

Mr Albert Barker was presented with “a small souvenir” to mark his ten years as organist and choirmaster of Castlemilk West, and in that time it was estimated that he must have sat through close on 1,500 services.

Rev. James Millar completed his sixth year working in Castlemilk West in a congregation of 1,200 and a parish of around 15,000 people.

Miss McNaughton, the first deaconess of the church, and who now worked in St. Columba's Church in Glenrothes, was warmly welcomed when she paid a surprise visit to the evening service in April.

A gift of £100 was received from Mrs Henderson, widow of Mr James Henderson. Both had been members of the church and had lived in Holmbyre Terrace.

Miss Jessie Sinclair of Arnprior Road, a Sunday School teacher for a number of years and latterly leader of the Beginners' department took up a post as Assistant House Mother in Cathkin Children's Home.

Mrs Clifton, a member of the church was to be seen helping out in the crèche, and this lady was “an inspiration to all”, as she was in a wheelchair.

Mr Bob Galloway and his family left the congregation to go to Inverkeithing in Fife.

The Men's Association joined the Glasgow Churches Bowling Association and played on the Corporation greens over the summer. Unfortunately, although enjoying the outdoor bowls very much, they finished 6th from the bottom.

Mr John Smith was the President and Mr Charles Rough was the Secretary of the Men's Association.

Alistair Angus, James Symon, Joan Sherriff, George Barbour, Margaret Gilchrist and Marlene Allison, all of the Boys' Brigade, were promoted to Lieutenant. Mr Belshaw, a parent, joined Mr Piggott in looking after the boys in the Junior Company in the Gym on Wednesdays, and Les Warnock rejoined the Company as an officer.

A pupil from Glenwood Secondary, Bruce McGrath(17) of Glenacre Terrace went on an educational trip, sponsored by the Rhodes Trust, to Canada. He visited the St Lawrence Seaway and many other places of technical and scientific interest.

Rev Gordon Keir left Castlemilk West after one year to go to work in East Kilbride, and the congregation welcomed back Miss Jean Grigor.

Mr H. Logan of Glenacre Terrace, the convener of the Gardens Committee thanked those who had helped with the church grounds, especially Mr Bill Sutherland of Glenacre Drive who had been mainly responsible for the colourful display at the main entrance. Mr Logan was himself thanked for his work over many years.

Mr Donald Stuart, the very popular assistant minister, had been in Castlemilk West for almost five years. Born in , Mr Stuart had spent a good part of his life abroad. After completing his training as a missionary, he spent six years in Africa, preaching the Gospel and opening mission stations. During the war he had been a chaplain with the Merchant Navy, and at the end of hostilities he travelled extensively in Europe, the United States and Canada, as Director of the European Missionary Crusade.

Miss Lesley Crichton of Glenacre Terrace, a Sunday School teacher, graduated M.A. from Glasgow University. Miss Ena Thomson of Downcraig Drive, Captain of 74B Girls' Brigade graduated B.A. from Strathclyde University. Miss Mary Duff of Castlemilk Drive, a teacher in the Junior Bible Class, Miss Margaret Edwards of Castlemilk Drive, a teacher in the Sunday School, and Miss Margaret Findlay of Glenacre Terrace all gained their Teacher's Diploma from Jordanhill College.

Miss Sandra Dane and Miss Edna Steele, both of Dougrie Road and both members of Castlemilk West gained their Residential Child Care Certificate.

Miss Morag Erskine, S.R.N.,S.C.M., of Arnprior Road, formerly a Staff Nurse at Hospital was studying at St Colm's College, Edinburgh, in preparation for undertaking nursing work in one of the African countries. In St Colm's she joined Miss Jacqueline Petrie, also from Castlemilk West, who was training as a Deaconess.

The new Swimming Baths in Castlemilk Drive opened its doors in the

summer, and adults and children alike rushed to take part in the activity.

As a result of a petition to the General Assembly by three young members of a congregation in Arbroath, an appeal was made to every member of the Church of Scotland to give one day's pay, on St Andrew's Day, towards Christian Aid. The gifts were to be a token that Christians were seriously concerned about, and were actively engaged in, the problem of World Poverty. The amount raised was £207,000, and just over £174 in Castlemilk West.

Many mums and dads accepted the Education Authority's invitation to come back to school for an evening during Education Week.

Mr J. Richardson, a young man in the congregation, who had had a horrific motorbike accident and was left so critically ill that the neurosurgeon said that there was nothing they could do for him, recovered after 29 days in a coma. Through this crisis in his life he found God.

Miss Mairi Dick of Croftfoot Road emigrated to America at the beginning of July. Mairi had been a Sunday School teacher for a number of years and had been Captain of 74B Company of the Girls' Brigade. In October, she became Mrs Robb when she married Mr Peter Edward Robb of Hawaii,

at Norfolk Naval Base, Virginia. Her sister, Joyce travelled from Glasgow for the occasion. Mairi was intending to live in Los Angeles. Miss Ena Thomson of Downcraig Drive took over the captaincy from Mairi. From the 10th – 24th August 96 members of Glasgow Arts Centre toured Denmark, under the direction of Mr Ian Turpie, Principal Teacher of Music at Glenwood Secondary, who had started the organisation. They gave eleven concerts, involving two choirs, an orchestra and a drama section, and recorded a programme for Danish radio with soloists who were members of Castlemilk West. One of the Junior branches of the Arts Centre met in Castlemilk Community Centre on Saturday mornings.

On 2nd November, Messrs. James Gold of Glenacre Drive, John Mathieson of Farne Drive and Thomas Wotherspoon of Birgidale Avenue were ordained and admitted to the Kirk Session, and Mr Robert Millar of Glenacre Quad. was admitted to the Kirk Session.

A former leader of the Girls' Brigade Mrs James Watson (Miss Janette McClue) gave birth to twin boys, Timothy and Peter, in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India. Janette, a member of Croftfoot U.F. Church came to assist with the 74A Guildry Company in 1956, and when she left to get married in 1965 she had been Guardian for about seven years. Janette and Jim, with son Paul, were engaged in missionary work under the auspices of “Operation Mobilisation”.

At the end of November, Mr John Robertson of Dunagoil Road died. Born in 1899 in Oatlands, he served with the 15th H.L.I. in World War 1, and in 1926 he became an elder in Wellfield Church, . For a number of years he worked in the South Side Carters' Mission Sunday School. In the early days of Castlemilk West he became an elder and was convener of the Benevolent Fund. He was an active member of Croftfoot Bowling Club, President of Castleton O.A.P. Association, Treasurer of the Foresters' Friendly Society and a member of the Masonic Lodge.

In early December the church was broken into and among other things a In earlyvaluable December tape recorder, the church used was to relabrokeny hymns into andover among the broadcasting other things system a valuableon a Sunday, tape recorder, was stolen. used A tofew rela daysy hymns after over the break-inthe broadcasting a donation system of £25 on awas Sunday, received was from stolen. Rev. A T.B.few daysGirdw afoodter of the break-in Crossa donation Church, of £25the waschurch received that from had Rev.given T.B. the Girdw tape-recood orderof Shawlands in the first Cross place. Church, It was the churchremarked that had that given before the the tape-rec last warorder a br ineak-in the first in a churchplace. It would was have been remarkedunheard that of. before the last war a break-in in a church would have been unheard of.

In early December the church was broken into and among other things a valuable tape recorder, used to relay hymns over the broadcasting system on a Sunday, was stolen. A few days after the break-in a donation of £25 was received from Rev. T.B. Girdwood of Shawlands Cross Church, the church that had given the tape-recorder in the first place. It was remarked that before the last war a break-in in a church would have been unheard of.

Mr John Rennie of Ardencraig Road died on the 15th December, although he had

been on duty at the church only a week before his death. Born in 1890 Mr Rennie served with the armed forces during World War 1. He was first ordained as an elder in 1940 in St Margaret's Church, Oatlands, and was admitted to the Kirk Session in Castlemilk West in December 1957. In the young church in Castlemilk a man of his experience and knowledge was a great asset. Mr Rennie served as Secretary of the Rechabite Friendly Society for 20 years, and he was a founder member and office-bearer for 11 years in Castlemilk Masonic Lodge. As Benevolent Treasurer he visited hospitals and sick members.