www.tpc.org.ukTorrance Church | 01360 620 970 | office@tpc.org.ukRev. Nigel Barge | 01360 622 379

VILLAGERTHE

Chu r ch News f o r t h e V i l l a g eIssue 25 . Autumn 2013

inside this issue: The World Through Other Eyes • Space Academy • Friendship Lunch

As I head towards a full recovery, almost a year after my stroke, I have had much time and space to reflect!

I have recognised that over the years with changes in society, a gap has opened up between the organisation of the church and individuals in the community. This is not a criticism of either but is simply the way things are. Currently people may be interested and engaged by the character of Jesus but are understandably unwilling to commit themselves to the church in order to find out more. They would like to look into his claims in peace and in private rather than in joining an institution.

There was a man called Nicodemus who came seeking Jesus secretly by night. Jesus told him privately that ‘no-one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ (John 3:3)

Little else is heard of this man until the end of Jesus’ life three years later. Then, when his disciples had melted away, Nicodemas along with Joseph of Arimathea, risked all by taking Jesus’ body and giving him a ‘royal’ burial. (John 19:38ff). Perhaps it took all that time and quiet reflection for him to really become a follower of Jesus.

There may be many folk in our village who are unsure of the church but who would like to ‘come by night’ and consider the person and claims of Jesus. The challenge for those who believe in Jesus is how to make that possible. Perhaps a ‘meristem’ is a solution?! More soon....!!!

With thanks for your friendship and support over this last year.

Torrance Parish Church of Scotland is a Scottish Charity No. SC016058

TPC Social MediaIf you want to keep up with all the latest news, events and sermons - and let us have your views too - then join us on:

Twitter: @torrancechurch

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Coffee ShopOpen 9am to 12pm on Wednesdays for teas,

coffee, hot chocolate, scones and shortbread and on Friday 9am to 2pm for

light lunches (during term time)

Crossoveris a youth club for all in P7

to S3 and meets on the 1st Saturday of every month at 7pm.

They enjoy a great variety of activities, often going

out to a particular event.

Carrot Cake Club

S5 to university students meet on a Sunday from 8-10pm for lively discussions and guest speakers, fun

and social events. It provides fellowship as a follow on to

church on a Sunday.

Girls’ BrigadeEvery Wednesday from

12th September. Explorers P1-P3 6:15-7:15pm

Juniors: P4 to P7 7-8:15pm

Brigaders S1-S6 7-9pm

The Prayer Clinic

Is open on Wednesday and Friday from 10:30am to 12pm

in a confidential setting where you can be supported

in prayer for yourself or others.

SERVICES unless otherwise

advertised are at 10:15am and 6:30pm every Sunday. A crèche is available for

under 3’s and JUNIOR CHURCH for 3 years to S2.

Community Policewill be available to offer general advice, or you can speak personally if you have a particular concern, in Torrance Church meeting room on the 2nd Wednesday of

each month 10:15-11:15am approx.

Community LibraryBrowse through books/digital audio books, which are all on free loan, courtesy of East Dunbartonshire

Leisure + Culture Trust, every Wednesday between 10:30 and noon

during Coffee Shop. Boys’ Brigade

Every Thursday from 19th September.

Anchor Boys P1-P3 6:15-7:30pm

Junior Section P4-P5 7-8:15pm

Company Section P7+ 7:30-9:45pm

Children with cancer need more than merely medical support and The Emma Cameron Foundation seeks to provide “extras” like real hair wigs, use of a holiday home, outings, and a cinema at Yorkhill Hospital.

Emma was a member of Torrance Girls’ Brigade and they are great supporters of the Foundation. Since 2011 they have raised £1,300. On top of their own individual efforts the girls have an annual “Purple Party” evening. This year they dressed in purple (Emma’s favourite colour) and had a sing-along-movie-night watching Little Mermaid with props like blowing bubbles, wearing tiaras and eating sweets!

Adults can support the Foundation by coming to the annual CEILIDH AND DINNER at Oran Mor on 6 September. Tickets are £40 per person. To book - email: emmacfoundation@aol.com or phone Alan on 07557 128031.

Holiday ClubWhy Space Academy? Well, we heard about four young men who were taken into exile in Babylon, (in present day Iraq). The place and the culture were so foreign to them that it was like being on another planet, hence our Space Academy theme! Daniel and his friends’ world was shattered: everything had changed, much was lost, but one thing continued – God was still with them.

The children had lots of fun as they learnt how these young men loved God and wanted to live in a way that pleased him, against all the odds. They discovered that God was able to meet all their needs, even when it seemed impossible. It was great to learn that we can trust Him too!

Autumn 2013

Picture the scene. You’re at the checkout on a rainy Saturday. In front of you is a child lying on the floor kicking the trolley (and anyone who comes near) screaming at the top of his voice, his hands covering his ears. His mother is standing worn out, helpless and embarrassed while on-lookers ‘tut-tut’ in disapproval. Words like ‘bad behaviour’, ‘no discipline nowadays’ and ‘some mother!’ float through the air.

But first appearances are not what they might seem. The child is autistic. The strip lights are hurting his eyes, the background music is as deafening as an electric drill, his comfy jeans are as scratchy as steel wool, the man in front’s aftershave smells like disinfectant being stuffed up his nostrils and the room is spinning at an increasing rate of knots. And his mother is in meltdown, not having slept a full night in weeks.

Fortunately society is slowly being educated about children with ‘Additional Support Needs’ which, of course, covers many different conditions and diagnoses, and terms like ‘inclusion’ are familiar in education. But how inclusive would we be if someone with additional support needs wanted to come to our school, our dance class…….. or our church?

At present Torrance Church is privileged to have several children with additional support needs in our Junior Church, Boys’ Brigade and Summer Holiday Club. They are a delight to have in our church family and we celebrate their individuality. They have taught us a lot about themselves and ourselves and life is never dull. It has not always been easy and we still don’t have all the answers but we try. We provide one to one support where necessary, have learned some Makaton and made some changes to the early part of our worship. We also aim to give parents support and enable them to worship with us each Sunday knowing their children are safe and happy.

We want to welcome everyone to our Sunday services and midweek activities and will do our best to support any particular needs. Please come and join us!

Katie Leitch Additional Support Needs Co-ordinator

(Katie was a teacher at Campsie View School. The Kirk Session has asked her to organise and co-ordinate church provision for those with additional support needs - Ed)

Sheltered Housing UpdateEDC’s Development and Regeneration Department have confirmed they are aware of our interest in the site of the depot/demonstration garden between School Road and Campsie Road. They are also aware of the Bield Housing Association’s interest in the site. We now await the Council’s formal decision to dispose of the site before further steps can be taken.

Look out for our Information/Questionnaire leaflet in the autumn.

A delicious lunch is the treat every first Tuesday of the month at 1pm in the church. Or even a massive ice-cream on our outing to Peebles!

So it’s not surprising that those present were very moved when a speaker from Mary’s Meals told them about supplying one nutritious meal a day to otherwise hungry children in Malawi,

Liberia and Haiti. They decided to join in their Backpack Project and have spent the summer finding and filling backpacks with basic essentials for schoolchildren in Liberia. Look out for the pick-up lorry at the church on Tuesday 3 September!

PS If you are retired, come and join us for lunch too!

Autumn 2013