Reflections The Magazine of Kay Park Parish Church Issue No 27 April - May 2017 FROM THE MANSE Gary Noonan Easter Sunday sees the end of Gary’s placement with us. In one paragraph of his final report from me, I have written:“ He feels – and patently is – called to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament, and to Parish Ministry. That call must be affirmed in him at the close of every service which he has conducted when the people respond as positively as they have done. He shows a fiery enthusiasm for the old role of Minister but is genuinely open to the new ways which are ahead.” Kay Park, Minister and people, have really enjoyed having him, and also getting to know Ruth, Robbie and Gregor. He goes on to Probation at Alloway Parish Church with the Rev. Neil McNaught. Our thanks, prayers and affection go with him. Farewell St. Paul ends his 2nd letter to the Corinthians Church (v.11) with“ And now, my friends, farewell….” I prefer Eugene Peterson’s version in “The Message”, “And that’s about it, friends”. My retirement on May 7th does not, I hope, mean, “Farewell”; the reason Joan and I are staying in the town (although at the opposite end!) is because of all the friendships we have made here, especially in the congregation: these are not ending. But, as far as being your Minister is concerned, “That’s about it”! What a privilege it has been! I have loved leading worship here; I have felt a deep two- way interaction with the congregation (that doesn’t happen everywhere, believe me!) which has helped me to grow and develop my own faith and proclamation of it. I have shared in so many key life-moments with many of you and, in them, I have myself been blessed. Even(!) the work of the Kirk Session, the old Deacons’ Court, and the administrative life of the congregation has brought enlightenment, fellowship and fun. I know that Kim Watt and Eddie Simpson will know these blessings as Interim Moderator and Locum during the vacancy. I thank God for calling me here all these years ago and for being with us ever since. And Joan and I, from the Manse, for the last time, both thank all of you with lots of love “The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” (The Message IICor.13/14) May 7th. is indeed the date of David’s retirement and the last time we will hear him preach as minister of Kay Park Parish Church. Please come along and join in Holy Communion with the congregation. There will be a short presentation to Joan and David at the end of the service and a bubbly and cake reception downstairs in the hall afterwards, to which everyone is invited. This will give us all an opportunity to wish Joan and David good luck and good health in their retirement. May 14th. is the date of the Celebration Retirement Dinner. The tears should have dried after the previous Sunday and we can all relax and enjoy the fellowship of the evening. It is not possible for everyone to attend for various reasons, but there are places available if you would like to come along. Just give Eleanor Hamilton a ring on 526817 before the 16th. April. 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,1 witnessing, nurturing and serving communities. PALM SUNDAY - 9 April 11.00am - Morning Worship HOLY WEEK SERVICES - 10 - 14 April Each evening at 7.00 p.m. in the Baptist Church GOOD FRIDAY Vigil in New Laigh Kirk 12 - 3.00 p.m. EASTER DAY Dawn Service 7.00 a.m. in Kay Park. Breakfast in St. Matthew’s Morning Worship 11.00 a.m. in Kay Park Parish Church Christian Aid Week: standing with refugees like Nejebar Nejebar and her family have fled horrors in Afghanistan, where her husband was threatened with torture and death for being a government worker. But now they’ve arrived in Greece, all they have is a tent. They have no other protection against wind and rain. There’s no school for their five children. And they have no certainty or clear idea of what will happen to them now. They thought they would stay here for 10 days, but it’s already been six months and there’s no end in sight. Nejebar with her sons Hinayat (left) and Nejebar’s husband Noor describes their initial reaction to arriving in Sudai Photo Credit - Christian Aid the camp in Greece: ‘It was like suicide for us. But we took the decision that it is better to die here than to die there from war.’ You’ve helped us be there for refugees since 1945 Thanks to you, Christian Aid has been there for refugees like Nejebar since 1945, providing essential food, shelter and legal assistance for people far from home. And we still believe in life before death. This Christian Aid Week, 14-20 May, our church is continuing to walk with refugees by... collecting from the streets in our parish. We’re not going to turn our backs on refugees now. Speak to ANNE STEWART on 07835 026705 to join us. Nejebar has welcomed two brothers, Faraidoon (left) and Farzad, into her PLEASE DON’T LEAVE THIS TO OTHER PEOPLE TO DO. THIS IS home. Photo Credit - Christian Aid SOMETHING YOU CAN DO. 2 KAY PARK CHURCH Farewell to David and Joan Lacy FAMILY FOCUS We, in Kay Park Church, are approaching a milestone in move. An our history, when our well-loved minister David retires in important May after twenty-eight years in Kilmarnock, the first consideration, twenty three as minister of Henderson Church, followed however, was by the last five as minister of the new Kay Park Church. the children’s He and Joan will be greatly missed, not least for the education, marvellous and uplifting sermons he has preached over since they the years. were well settled at David and Joan met in the choir and Youth Fellowship at Jordanhill Bearsden North Church, when David was studying for a School. degree in languages at Strathclyde and Joan was training Nevertheless at Jordanhill College to become a primary teacher. While a decision was at university, David was on the committee of the taken, and in National Council of Youth Fellowships. After graduation January 1989 he had yet to decide which path to take, and they moved to consequently spent that summer of 1972 as a travel Kilmarnock. courier in Spain. At the end of the summer, despite From the outset David found Henderson a happy, settled several offers of employment from firms in Spain, he and well run church. Any trouble or challenges he may decided to return home. Decisions had to be made, and have anticipated, did not present themselves. He found his father suggested to him that he might have a word it to be a very inclusive church, and although there have with their minister regarding doing a Divinity degree. He been offers to move during his time with us, he has came to the conclusion that this was the path he wished refused them, because the family were happy and well to follow, and fortunately was able to undergo the settled. David was keen to point out however, that selection process, apply for the B.D. course, and be without Joan’s backing and support, life as a parish accepted, to begin in October of that year. He was only minister could have been very different. A minister’s wife twenty years old. must take on the role of a multi-tasker to support her At the first lecture on the first day – Systematic Theology husband, and, at times, act as the mainstay of the family. – doubts began to surface, but soon disappeared, when, During his ministry at Henderson and Kay Park there at ten o’clock, the legendary Professor Willie Barclay, have been several important events. Firstly, in 2005, gave an inspiring lecture on the topic of Mark’s gospel. David was appointed Moderator of the General The young David was hooked! During the final year of his Assembly of the Church of Scotland. As well as being a degree he and Joan were married. Joan was the great honour for him, it was also a great source of pride breadwinner and was teaching in Bearsden, while her for our church. He and Joan spent a fascinating, as well new husband was, in fact, a “kept man”. as exhausting year as representatives of the Church of After graduation the couple moved to Edinburgh where Scotland at home and abroad. Then in 2012, the Union David spent two years as a probationer at St. George’s between Old High and Henderson took place. David had West under the Reverend Bill Cattenach. This placement previously had some experience in Glasgow overseeing provided him with an excellent grounding for his future such a union, and this helped him to avoid any ministry. prospective pitfalls. The union, in fact, did run smoothly, His first charge was in St. Margaret’s Knightswood, which is, in no small part, due to the real commitment of where he and Joan were to spend the next twelve years, both our congregations. We are really now one united during which time Michael and Claire were born.