NOVEMBER 2009 Your loss—our gain! Volume 47 No 9 “Goodbye Eddie, even I will miss you.” Boris (see my Cata- torial) Magazine of Giffnock South Parish Church Above: Eddie receives a farewell gift from The Guild at their opening meeting. Left: Presentations (and a kiss) at the Farewell Social on Friday 23rd October. See page 2 Giffnock South BB old boys parade The future The cake The (march) past The 254 BB 75th Jubilee celebrations took place at the Red- The 254th BB Company hurst and at the church. See article on Page 3. Page 2 Yes, you’ve guessed it. A.P. got what he deserved after that fi- asco last month. Fancy no colour! And all that harvest thanks- giving display just crying out for colour. And it was dull black and white. So he’s gone and good riddance, I say. I told you last month his coat was on a shooglie nail. Well, it shoogled for the last time an’cam oot. It’s left to me to apologise most profusely for the lack of colour in October’s issue, so sorry, sorry, sorry, and I’ll try and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Boris And it’s goodbye to him.....I know for a fact that Eddie wasn’t terribly keen on us moggies though I must admit he never did me any harm probably because I don’t think he ever met me which is maybe just as well! But he’ll be missed - he had a huge fan club - it’s a wonder he didn’t get big-headed - and now he’s gone (to the donkeys, I hear) we’ll have his replacement to look forward to. The question is, what’s happening and when? I am wondering and I guess you’ll be wondering too, so I got Tony to tell me and all your questions are, I hope, answered . See ‘What’s Happening’ on page 3. Boris CONTRIBUTIONS FOR DECEMBER ‘SENTINEL’ TO THE OFFICE BY 22nd NOVEMBER PLEASE OR EMAIL [email protected] My Dear Friends The (LAST) With Betty who has shared every day of these years of minis- Minister’s My entire ministry I have try with me, I wish you Grace, Mercy and Peace, from God been indebted to others for Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Letter their help, not least to you the good folk of Giffnock South. But I leave you with this little prayer of another minister but one there have also been many others, too numerous too mention, that I have no difficulty praying myself as I take my leave of and many of them forgotten, whose words and example have you. been an inspiration to me, and through me I trust, also to you. O Lord God, merciful and mighty: Help those whom I have neglected to help, Now that I come to this final letter there is so much I could Set aright those whom I have caused to stumble; Visit those say but once again I find that others have said it better and I whom I have neglected to visit; Bring back those whom I will simply share their words with you, as I have done so have led astray; Cheer the hearts of those whom I have made many times over the years that I have been your minister at sad; Giffnock South. Draw with the cords of your love those for whom my love has Before I do, let me say that Betty and I will always bless grown cold. God for the day we were invited to come to Giffnock South. Save them all, 0 Lord, and have mercy upon me the chief of Mere words could never express the love and friendship we sinners, have known with you all over these 26 years. We will never lest after I have preached to others, I myself should be a forget the support, encouragement and wonderful kindnesses castaway. you have shown to us since the day we arrived with our Hear me, 0 Father, for the sake of young family at Langtree Avenue. It has been an immense Christ my Lord. Amen privilege to be the minister of Giffnock South and, in the words of a recent sermon, we feel we have received far more Your friend and Minister than we ever achieved. This is not false modesty but a genu- Eddie ine feeling that we owe to you a debt we will never be able to discharge. CELEBRATIONS AT We are not discomforted in the least by this feeling, how- THE SOCIAL IN ever, for what after all is Grace, if not to receive at the hands of God what we could never deserve or ever repay. EDDIE’S HONOUR on Friday 23rd October “The RAVE at the ROUNDABOUT” said Hugh Smith. There was a ‘full house’ to say ‘goodbye’ to Eddie and the line-up of talent, ably compered by David Richmond, included Pauline Adams, Eddie’s niece, William A Simpson, his brother and Alastair Symington who knew Eddie from university days. Further entertainment was provided by Charlotte McKechnie and the choir while Hugh Smith, the former church officer and now ‘bard of Islay’ was his usual witty self. Commenting on the family he said: ”There was an eruption of Simpsons” and they were all there to enjoy and enhance the occasion. There was a presentation of a portrait of Eddie by the Art Club and the congregation’s gift of an acer tree and garden bench was combined with a generous cheque. Betty and the family also received gifts and Betty made a charming speech of thanks followed by a ‘tour de force’ by Eddie which had the audience in stitches as they were regaled with memories of his 26 years. It was indeed a privilege to have attended this evening of first class entertainment and it will remain in the memory for many a year. PHOTOS ON FRONT AND BACK PAGES The lunch– page 4 NEWSNEWSNEWNEWSNEWS 254th Glasgow Page 3 Company The Boys’ Brigade This is what’s happening. 75th Anniversary weekend, th th As the November magazine goes to print va- 17 & 18 October 2009. cancy procedures should have commenced. The The Company welcomed 80 “Old Boys” on Saturday 17th plan is that on Sunday 1st November immediately October to a dinner in the Redhurst to celebrate the 75th after Eddie`s last Sunday at Giffnock South, the Anniversary of the Company which was founded by Alec Rev George Mackay, the interim moderator and Turnbull in 1934. The present Captain, Hugh Campbell, minister of Stamperland Church, will lead our welcomed past and present members and officers of the Company and Ken Bruce then reminisced on his days in service to “preach the Church vacant” and to in- the 254th. The Chaplain, Eddie Simpson, in his penulti- troduce himself to the congregation. Our good th mate weekend as minister of Giffnock South, said grace friend Iain Campbell will lead our services on 8 , and all present enjoyed their meal and caught up with th nd 15 & 22 November and will assist with pas- friends they hadn’t seen for many years. toral cover until the arrival of our locum minister the Rev Eric McLachlan who will remain with us The last revellers left at 1.00 a.m. to reconvene on Sun- from 29th November until we can call a new min- day morning at an excellent and very meaningful service ister. conducted by Mr Simpson. The Company Colours were The Presbytery will be present at the Kirk Ses- on parade and there was a short March Past at the end of sion meeting in November in the form of a three the service which was well received by the congregation who applauded as 30 “Old Boys” showed that they could person committee from Parish Support & Devel- still “strut their stuff”. opment to start the necessary Presbytery rou- tines. It will only be after their visit that steps will A truly memorable weekend. Here’s to the next reunion be taken to form the Nominating Committee, which we hope will be held in five year’s time to mark the chosen by the congregation, who will represent 80th anniversary of the Company. us in our search for a new minister. As a first step we will shortly be publishing a list of all our SEE PHOTOS ON FRONT PAGE members so that folk can verify that the current Roll of the church is accurate. Keep up to date WITH MORE NEXT MONTH each month with the sensational ‘Sentinel’……… You read it first here !! Tony Ladies Golf Outing The photographs taken at the outing will be displayed in the halls area Maria during November. Watch for the announce- REAPPRAISAL UPDATE Praisal ment in the Order of Service. Meanwhile a ‘taster’ to remind you of that happy occasion is As Finance Convener, I would like to express my shown on EGAP. thanks to the Congregation for the generous re- sponse to this year’s Reappraisal against the back- The FWO envelopes for 2010 will be available for uplift- ground of the current financial climate. ing on Sundays 6th,13th and 20th December at the main At the time of writing, we have banked just short of door of the Church. If you have changed to paying by £32,000 which should enable us to claim a Gift Aid Standing Order or if you wish to change from weekly to tax rebate in the order of £6,500. It is also possible, monthly or vice versa could you please telephone the from past experience, that some further donations FWO Treasurer, William H Walker at 0141 638 4257 in may yet still be received It is pleasing also to report the evening.