SKELMORLIE AND WEMYSS BAY PARISH CHURCH Parish Record Winter 2013/14 Archie & Christine Speirs with the painting by Gavin Nicol www.SkelmorlieWemyssBayChurch.org Cover Photo The photograph on the cover shows the Minister Archie and his wife Christine with the picture of the Clyde which was a gift from the Linked charges of Inverkip and Skelmorlie and Wemyss Bay. Archie said of the painting – ‘ The gift of the painting is just stunning, and I should like to mention just how talented the local artist Gavin Nicol is. You need to stand back and look at the painting and it just seems to come alive with its colours and perspective. It is as if you are standing there looking out towards Arran.’ 2 From the Minister ………. Well the summer has gone and winter is here with its cold north winds and heavy rain, but the views of the Firth of Clyde with its ships and the ferry are just stunning no matter what time of year. The beauty of the scenery is also reflected in the warmth and kindness given to Christine and I and this has made our journey from further up the Clyde so much easier and we can’t thank you enough. Jesus spent a great deal of his time in a boat sometimes just watching Peter and Andrew James and John fish. At other times he would use the boat not to catch fish but to catch people. Again this day a great crowd gathered at the water’s edge at the Sea of Galilee. People were hearing about this man from Nazareth and they wanted to see him for themselves and listen to what he had to say. Jesus was connecting with people in a way that the religious teachers and political rulers of his day could not. From that boat Jesus was reaching out to people and saying,” This is the way the world is, but come and follow me and I will show you a better way.” Jesus wants to use us to catch people. We have some big challenges ahead of us and as part of the Presbytery Plan for Inverkip, Skelmorlie and Wemyss Bay Liz Geddes as our Ordained Local Minister will soon come and join us in those challenges. Liz will be ordained on the 27th November in Skelmorlie & Wemyss Bay Parish Church and I know that you will make Liz and her husband Jim just as welcome. You are a wonderful congregation, a congregation who wants to hear what Jesus has to say to us. “Come and follow me and I will teach you to catch people.” I think of those times out in a boat looking at the scenery around me, the Firth of Clyde, the mountains, things take on a different perspective; the quietness and the beauty are food for the soul. I think about Jesus out on the boat where the beauty of his life could be seen even from the shore. When James and John, Peter and Andrew were out fishing they had to work together to bring in the catch and over the coming years we will be asked to work together in new ways. Like fisherman we need to adapt to where the fish are, the different weather conditions, but the greatest thing of all we know that Jesus is in the boat with us. Christine and I are looking forward to our first Christmas with you. Not that long away now, only a matter of weeks, but it is still an amazing thought that God became like us that we might become like him. This Christmas time may the Lord continue to richly bless us as we fish together, thank you all for the support you have given me and for the wonderful welcome you have given Christine and I. Your Minister Archie 3 DIARY OF SERVICES CHRISTMAS 2013 December 1 11.30am Morning Worship: 1st in Advent: December 8 11.30am Holy Communion: 2nd in Advent: December 15 11.30am Christmas Family Gift Service 3rd in Advent. A special giving envelope is available for your donation to Glasgow City Mission – please do use Gift Aid if this applies to you December 22 11.30am Morning Worship : 4th in Advent: CHRISTMAS EVE 10.30pm Hot mince pies, shortbread, mulled wine and Christmas drinks in the hall 11.15 Carol singing in the church 11.30 Watchnight Service CHRISTMAS DAY In Inverkip Church December 25 10.00am NB Inverkip Church Children are invited to bring along one of their Christmas presents ____________________________________________________________________ December 29 11.30am Morning Worship: Last of the year Services are held each Sunday Morning at 11.30am . There is a Sunday Club for the younger children following the Children’s address. Tea and coffee is served in the Hall following Morning Worship. We look forward to seeing you there. 4 Ordained Local Minister (OLM) As part of the agreed Presbytery Plan for the reduction of 14 ministry posts for Greenock and Paisley presbytery an OLM was appointed to Inverkip linked with Skelmorlie Wemyss Bay churches as it was felt that the linked parishes would be too heavy a work load for one minister. Presbytery has appointed Liz Geddes to that post and set the date for her induction on 27th November. In consultation with the two Kirk Sessions we have agreed a work plan with Liz as the post is a part time non stipendary position consisting of a Sunday plus ten hours during the week. That work plan is a basis for a contract being drawn up between ourselves Liz and Presbytery who ultimately have responsibility for Liz and her appointment. Liz is very pleased to be appointed to us and is looking forward to being part of the ministry with us. I will still be the minister for both churches as you have graciously called me to be your minister. May The Lord continue to richly bless us as we journey together. Your Minister Archie LIZ GEDDES Presbytery has agreed that Mrs Liz Geddes, one of a number of Ordained Local Ministers (OLM) be attached to our linked charge. Once formally ordained, an OLM is in effect a full Minister of Word and Sacrament. Liz will be ordained at a special Presbytery service conducted by the Moderator The Revd Kenneth Gray within Skelmorlie and Wemyss Bay Parish Church on Wednesday 27th November at 7 pm. Following the service, there will be a finger buffet served in the hall. Liz has been an elder at St Machar’s and Ranfurly, Bridge of Weir for over 25 years. She lives with her husband Jim in Bridge of Weir who has been with her on a number of visits to our churches over the last few weeks. They have two daughters, Joanna and Jessica. She has served for many years as a Reader in Presbytery and has also acted as Locum at several churches within Presbytery including Barrhead Bourock, Inchinnan , and more recently, Martyrs’ l/w Sandyford, Paisley so she brings a wealth of experience in preaching and pastoral care We look forward to getting to know Liz and Jim during their time with us and we welcome them most warmly to our church. 3 Jason Goodwin Wemyss Bay Handy Man Pharmacy General Home Repairs Open Mon - Fri 9am till 6pm Garden Work Early Closing Saturday 1pm Paving, Fencing etc For advice on health matters plus a wide choice of gifts [email protected] Home Deliveries good rates good rates Tel: 648683 Tel: 522995 FRIDAY SOUPS Please come along at 12.15pm to the Church Hall - there you will be warmly greeted with a wholesome bowl of soup, delicious filled roll, coffee and biscuits, all for £3.50 It’s a great place to catch up with friends, meet new friends and generally enjoy a nutritious lunch in pleasant surroundings. LAST SOUP DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS WILL BE 6TH DECEMBER WE RESUME AGAIN ON FRIDAY 24TH JANUARY Surprise! Surprise! I dreamt death came the other night, and heaven's gate swung wide; With kindly grace an angel came to usher me inside. Yet there to my astonishment stood folks I'd known on earth, Some I had judged as quite unfit or of but little worth. Indignant words rose to my lips But never were set free; For every face showed stunned surprise - NO ONE expected me! Anon Private Personal care in your own home • Fully qualified, Housekeeping/Laundry, Shopping, Outings, Appointments • References available Liability insurance Disclosure Scotland Care tailored to suit personal needs of our client One hour to 24 hour care and also respite Contact Sylvia on 0794 947 1995, 01475 670 365 or 01475 707 660 6 CONGRATULATIONS Christine Spence and Alasdair Burns on their Wedding Day 14th June 2013 Erika Yde and Kenny Diffenthal on their Wedding Day - 28th June 2013 7 MEN’S FELLOWSHIP (Skelmorlie & Wemyss Bay Church) FRIDAY 13th December 7.30pm CHRISTMAS CONCERT with the joint church choirs and the Soggy Bunnet Boys Thursday 9th January 7.30pm Skye in photographs Alastair Jackson Thursday 23rd January 7.30pm DIY BURNS 8 Chiefly Ourselves! Thursday 6th February 7.30pm A Life in Teaching David Johnston Thursday 20th February 7.30pm Travelling Light Jennifer Boag “Some Christians try to go to heaven alone, in solitude. But believers are not compared to bears or lions or other animals that wander alone. Those who belong to Christ are sheep in this respect, that they love to get together. Sheep go in flocks, and so do God’s people.” Charles Spurgeon THE GUILD (Inverkip Church) nd Monday 2 Dec Christmas Celebrations St John’s Gourock Tuesday 14th Jan My life with Dogs Ann Danabie Tuesday 28th Jan Le Jog Eddie Yde Tuesday 4th February A.B.M Lyle Community Kirk Tuesday 11th Feb Counter Terrorism Laura Stewart Tuesday 25th Feb A Faith to Proclaim Revd Archie Spiers Friday 7th March World Day of Prayer St Particks & St Joseph’s Wemyss Bay Retiral Offerings for 2013 January - July Jan Vision Ministries 172.20 Feb Inverclyde Family Contact Centre 142.30 Mar Yorkhill 141.50 Apr Erskine 258.00 May Christian Aid 912.80 June Ardgowan Hospice 150.50 July MAF 123.20 8 CHRISTMAS FAYRE Saturday 7th December 10am -12 noon Church Hall Stalls will include home baking, Forgotten Gifts, Flora's Baskets, Gifts by the Flower Club, Designer Cards, Jewellery and Christmas Decorations.