1 Reflections The magazine of Kay Park Parish Church Kilmarnock February—April 2020 Issue No 44 …… a welcoming church in the heart of the community From the Minister, February 2020… “Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world. All things break. And all things can be mended. Not with time, as they say, but with intention. So, go. Love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally. The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you.” (L.R. Knost) I was reminded of these words this week having, in the past, found them helpful and reassuring. Take a moment and consider the word ‘brokenness’, which if you ‘google’ you will find explained thus… 1. having been broken. "he had a broken arm" synonyms: smashed · shattered · burst · fragmented · splintered · shivered · crushed · 2. (of a person) having given up all hope; despairing. "he went to his grave a broken man" synonyms: defeated · beaten · vanquished · overpowered · overwhelmed · subdued · 3. having breaks or gaps in continuity. "a broken white line across the road" synonyms: interrupted · disturbed · fitful · disrupted · disconnected · discontinuous · fragmentary · intermittent · unsettled · sporadic · spasmodic · erratic · troubled · incomplete 4. having an uneven and rough surface. "he pressed onwards over the broken ground" synonyms: uneven · rough · irregular · bumpy · jagged · ragged · craggy · rutted · pitted · rutty Where do we experience ‘brokenness’ in our lives, our families, our church, our community, our world? Stop, get a piece of paper and pen and note down what comes to mind. Then in the days to come bring the situations and people you have noted down to God in prayer. In Isaiah chapter 42 v 16 we find these words: ‘I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn darkness into light before them, and make the rough places smooth’ As always, thank you to everyone who has contributed to ‘Reflections’ this month: thank you too to Eleanor Hamilton and her team for all their work. And finally, thanks to all those who distribute the magazine around the Parish. God Bless and Keep you all in His love and grace, Rev Fiona p.s. Can you help? We are looking for some new people to deliver Reflections around the Parish, this would be on 4 occasions across the year. To find out more Please speak to the Minister or Eleanor Hamilton. Ideally, 6 new volunteers would be great. The vision of the Church of Scotland is to be a church which seeks to inspire the people of Scotland and beyond with the Good News of Jesus Christ through enthusiastic worshipping, witnessing, nurturing and serving communities. 2 Connecting and Caring At a recent meeting I was discussing with some of the elders the subject of how we look after one another in our church family and parish. Through the discussion we distilled the essence of what we do and hope to do better as ‘connecting’ and ‘caring’ for God’s people in Kay Park Parish Church and the wider community. There are many ways that we connect and care for one another, through groups that meet, Reflections magazine, flower delivery, acts of kindness, visits, prayers and many others. I love the words of the hymn, Brother, Sister, let me serve you’ We are pilgrims on a journey, and companions on the road; we are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load. I will hold the Christ-light for you in the night-time of your fear; I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear. I will weep when you are weeping; when you laugh, I'll laugh with you; I will share your joy and sorrow, till we've seen this journey through. Going forward we would like to enable lots more people to get involved in the work of ‘connecting and caring’. This might be through helping to deliver the church magazine, ‘Reflections’, or agreeing to visit a small group of house-bound people, delivering church flowers, providing transport for someone to get to church or a hospital ap- pointment. This is not about forming another committee, it is about creating a growing group of people who ‘connect’ and ‘care’ for one another and our parish area. Is this something you would like to consider? In the first instance can you please give your name and contact details to me, best plan is to write your name and contact de- tails on a piece of paper and hand to me. Or you can email me. May God Bless as we seek to love and serve in Christ’s name, Rev Fiona. SCRIPTURE READERS IN CHURCH FEBRUARY MARCH 2020 APRIL2020 2 Audrey Gray 1 Marilyn Malcolm 5 Jack Leishman 8 Andrew Raeside 12 Olive Gow 9 Allan Hamilton 15 Linda Wallace 19 Jess Barry 16 Eleanor Hamilton 22 Ronnie Hamilton 26 Tracey Neilson 23 Colin Wilde 29 Hannah Ferguson Would all scripture readers please note it is their responsibility to find a substitute if they can- not read on their given date and to let Jess Barry know. Also please report to the sound desk for a sound check before the service. If anyone is not willing to continue being a reader would you please let Jess know as soon as possible 3 Lent 2020 begins on Wednesday 26 February. On the Please come along and invite family members, neigh- Sunday before, we will have booklets entitled, The bours, friends. Pop in on your way to the shops or on Sanctuary for Lent, for each person available; they the way back from the school run. have a bible verse and reflection for every day of Lent Lent Reflections to help us all draw closer to God. This gathering will take place on the following dates/ During Lent this year we will have the LENT CAFÉ, run- times during Lent, we will explore living out our faith ning in the Café area of the church. Dates and times can today in an ever-changing world. be seen on page 5. LENT REFLECTIONS GROUP DATES Wednesday 26 Feb 2.00—3.00pm 7.00—8.00pm Wednesday 4 Mar 2.00—3.00pm 7.00—8.00pm Thursday 12 Mar 7.00—8.00pm Wednesday 18 Mar 2.00—3.00pm 7.00—8.00pm Wednesday 25 Mar 2.00—3.00pm 7.00—8.00pm EASTER IN KAY PARK CHURCH 2020 5 April Palm Sunday 6—9 April Holy Week Services at 7.00 pm each evening in St Marnock’s and St Andrew’s Church Come on any or every evening 10 April Good Friday Vigil in New Laigh Church From 12.00 to 3.00 pm in 30 minute segments Come when you can, go when you must 12 April Easter Sunday Worship at the Fountain in Kay Park at 7.30 am Worship in Kay Park Church at 11.00 am 4 as the three main elements. Messy Church is a different kind of church and encourages those who don’t usually go to church. The theme on this day will be The Armour of God. We will look at Ephesians Chapter 6 v 10 – 18 which speaks about The Whole Armour of God, a belt, a breastplate, a shield, a helmet, a sword. We will enjoy making these different items, then come together to learn about what they mean for us today and enjoy a meal together Our next Messy Church will be on Saturday afterwards. th 28 March from 2pm -4pm in the Church Our last messy Church was a huge success hall. with lots of families coming together for a fun filled afternoon. Put the date in your Messy Church encourages families to come together and learn about God in a fun and Diary and join us at Kay Park Church. friendly way by using crafts, games and food Vanessa Twomey KPPC SNOOKER AT THE CLUB Following last year’s successful Monday evenings of snooker with Kay Park Parish Church members of The Club and other members of Kay Park Parish Church, we will be playing again in 2020. Following discussions with the players at the end of last year, we will add a more competitive edge to the matches. Lunch Colin Wilde has offered to donate the KPPC Snooker Break Cup, to be played for annually, starting this year 2020. As usual, we will start about 7.00pm on a Monday at The Club in Dunlop Street. The following dates are pro- posed as to when we will be playing again. Lunch Break’s Doors are open from Up to the Summer Break the dates will be: Monday 17th February 12.15 pm every second Thursday Monday 16th. March from 13 February until April and you Monday 20th. April are invited to enjoy the wonderful Monday 11th. May homemade soups with crusty bread, For further information regarding the rules and con- followed by a choice of delicious duct of the competitions or just general info, please contact Colin Wilde, Bill Caldwell or Ronnie Hamilton. homemade desserts, and finish with tea/coffee and biscuits Why not give it a try—do you have anything better to do on a Monday evening? ALL for an unbelievable £3! Colin Wilde Jan2020 5 THE LENT CAFÉ I can’t find my Communion Card! Well, it won’t matter in future, because the Kirk Session has abandoned the practice of issuing Communion Cards for the two Communions in LENT April /May and November. In the long distant past, communion cards were used to check attendance, this has NOT been the practice in this congregation for many years.