Autumn 2015 St&UC Mag Proposed layout. · Bible!Reading!Rota!2015! 30th!August!Alastair!Campbell! 6th!September!KayCorsie! 13th!September!Chris!FettAWorsfold! 20th!September!ImogenFettAWorsfold!

From our Minister . . .

Communication is something we take seriously at St Andrews Lhanbryd and Urquhart. We have an up to the minute website, a Facebook page, we have prayer diaries and have a well-‐developed pastoral care structure. We also have this magazine – I would like to thank Shirley for the years of service that she has given as editor and also extend my thanks to Elsbeth for taking up the baton to carry it forward.

But there is another form of communication that the people of the church need and that is communication with God and that is the area we perhaps need the most practice. Prayer lies at the heart of Christian life and should be the fuel that drives the life of the church.

Why is that? If we turn to scripture we find that Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray, Luke 5:16.

So just how do we go about prayer:

1. Take Time to Pray. The great fruitfulness of our lives is rooted in meaningful, biblical prayer. Jesus is asking us just as He asked His disciples: Can’t you give me an hour in prayer (Matthew 26:40-‐41)? It’s worth it to spend time with Jesus.

2. Find a place to pray – Jesus told us to go into a room to pray and shut the door (Matthew 6:6). It’s important to pray as you go about your day, but it’s also important to set aside specific times to pray without distractions like your phone, TV, or other people. Don’t let yourself get sidetracked from alone-‐time with God. Covert prayer with God produces overt results.

3. Expect Answered Prayer.

This is the confidence which we have before Him that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him, 1 John 5:14-‐15. In saying that, Jesus reassured us that when we pray according to God’s will, He hears and answers us. If you don’t know God’s will, read the Word to find out the things that we already know are God’s will – like healing, blessing and favour. And remember: when you pray, first forgive (Mark 11:25).

Pray this Prayer: God, I place You first in my life. You are so great and wonderful and worthy to be praised. Your will be done in my life and in the earth. I forgive anyone who has offended me. Help me to accomplish Your plans in my life. I trust You, God! In Jesus’ Name, amen! Blessings Rev. Andrew

Message from Editor

Welcome to the magazine. This is my first magazine, so I hope you find it helpful and interesting.

The magazine will be published in August, December and Easter each year.

If you have news or an article, please send them to me (by email if possible) ~ in November for the Christmas magazine, February for the Easter magazine or July for the autumn magazine.

Thank you,

Elsbeth

Prayer Book The Prayer Book can be found on the Welcome Table at the back of the church and is there for anyone to give thanks or to make requests for prayer. A copy is circulated each week to those on the prayer list and is also used at the monthly prayer meeting. If you would like to be included in the circulation of the prayer list please contact Fiona MacKay

THE CHOIR

The Choir is a fun loving and committed group of all ages who meet on Thursday evenings in the Church hall at 7.30 pm.

We enjoy singing a variety of music, old and new, during the Church services – whether be it an “Introit” or a “Reflective piece”.

If you would like to come along and join us that would be just great.

Please contact Evelyn McHattie

Dates for your diary…

Where? Lhanbryde Community Centre

When? Sunday 6th September

Sunday 4th October

Sunday 1st November

Sunday 6th December

We meet from 4-‐6pm and enjoy Games, Bible stories, Crafts, Singing and end up with a tasty meal where there is always lots of chat and laughter.

Come and join us for family fun!

Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

For further details contact Shirley Robertson

Praise group starts back after the summer break on Wednesday 2nd September in the small hall from 7.30pm-‐8.30pm.

All are welcome

The Abernethy group of four outdoor centres in Scotland. They are a Christian organisation, which in their own words “means that our staff team are Christians and we hope that our guests see a positive difference in the care and contact that they receive.”

Over the past few years our teenagers in Tic Tacs have had the privilege of spending a weekend of fun activities at the centre in Nethybridge and we’ve booked to take a group of 8 young people there again this year from 18-‐20th September. They are extremely grateful to the congregation for once again supporting their Coffee & Baking fundraising at the end of June. The final total raised

was a generous £385.

When we asked what the teenagers were most looking forward to about Abernethy here are some of the replies:

“I've really enjoyed getting to know people better and getting to try things I'd never done before. I'm really looking forward to going again this year and getting to spending time with everyone that's going.”

“It’s great spending time with friends and trying new challenges and games. I’m really looking forward to having another go on the King Swing – it’s exhilarating!!”

This weekend at Abernethy is just part of the whole programme we have at SALU, encouraging all our young people, whatever their age, to learn what following Jesus is about. On Sundays mornings during July and August there are activities for the younger ones during the church services, and when schools return both Young Church and Tic Tacs will be meeting to continue to discover more about how we live out Christian faith wherever we are.

Bible Reading Rota 2015

30th August Alastair Campbell

6th September Kay Corsie

13th September Chris Fett-‐Worsfold

20th September Imogen Fett-‐Worsfold

27th September Jane Foy

4th October Susan Gilliland

11th October Willie Jack

18th October Meg Anderson

25th October Andrew Kirkby

1st November Angie Dunn

8th November Ian McHattie

15th November Ian MacKay

22nd November Stuart MacKenzie

29th November Valerie Moore

6th December Christine Mutch

13th December Yvonne Pearson

20th December Alastair Rossetter

27th December Jane Rossetter

CHURCH FLOWERS

Flowers in church provide a fresh focus in the sanctuary each week, and are distributed after the service to people who may be ill, housebound, bereaved or celebrating a special birthday or anniversary. They are always very well received, being a tangible gesture of our love and concern for members of our congregation and community.

The Session is very grateful to members of the congregation for financing flowers each week and is pleased to receive suggestions as to who should receive them. Thank you all for your continued support.

If you would like to provide flowers, a Flower Calendar is available at the turn of the year on the notice board at the back of church on which you can write your name and telephone number in any week of your choice. There are usually vacant weeks throughout the year. You may arrange the flowers yourself or use our willing rota of flower arrangers who will be pleased to do this on your behalf. For further information, please contact me or speak to your district Elder.

Marlene Hay

Flower Co-‐ordinator

THE GUILD

The Guild meets monthly from September to March in the church hall. The theme this year is ‘Go in Peace’. The programme is interesting and the company enjoyable so please come and join us. Just drop in for a meeting. You will be made very welcome. The Guild Project partnership scheme was established in 1997 and has raised over 3 million pounds. It has also expanded our knowledge of different issues of concern in the world. The last 6 projects supported over three years raised £750,000. Last year our Guild was able to send away £1,000, which we raised with a Soup and Sandwich Lunch and an Afternoon Tea. We are very grateful for the support of the congregation. The six new projects chosen under the strategy of ‘Be Bold, Be Strong!’ will run from 2015 – 2018. We can choose to support some or all of them. They are: -‐

1. Street Pastors, an initiative of the Ascension Trust. 2. Breaking the cycle of FGM (Feed the Minds). To empower women and girls in Kenya. 3. All Friends Together – is about helping churches to welcome people with learning difficulties

and to include them in all aspects of church life. 4. Caring for Mother Earth in Bolivia. To prevent deforestation and, with climate change, to

support vulnerable communities. 5. Haiti Project (Mission International). To construct a multipurpose building in one of the

poorest countries of the world. It will be used as a school, a church and a community centre. 6. Let’s Stick Together (Care for the Family). Aimed at new mums and dads in Scotland to

prevent family breakdowns. The work is motivated by Christian compassion with support available to all.

I am sue you will agree that all are worthwhile causes. If you want to have more details there are posters on the Guild notice board in the church hall. I look forward to our first meeting in September. Yvonne Pearson Guild Convener

GUILD

Convener Yvonne Pearson

Secretary Ruth Keir

Minute Secretary Jane Rossetter

Treasurer Christine Mutch

Project Partner Susan Gilliland

Committee Members Meg Anderson Moira Anderson Evelyn McHattie Sheila Silvestri

SESSION 2015 – 2016

STRATEGY “Be Bold Be Strong”

GUILD THEME “Go in Peace

DISCUSSION TOPIC “Let’s talk about . . . working through conflict”

MOTTO Whose I am and whom I serve

Tuesday 15th September “Mary Slessor” Marjorie Clark

Tuesday 20th October “Peace of Mind Margaret Cowie

Tuesday 17th November “Setting the Message Free” Maggie Lunan

Special Guild Week meeting for all Guilds to be held in Church Tuesday 8th December “Bits and Peaces!”

Night of fun

Tuesday 19th January “Working Together” David Millar and Tim Betts

Tuesday 16th February Discussion Topic “Let’s talk about working through conflict”

The Thrift Shop

The Thrift Shop, situated in St Andrews Road, Lhanbryde has been operating for over 30 years. It was the brainchild of Maggie Lunan, as a way of raising money for Christian Aid. Initially it operated from Bill Watson’s workshop at Wakatani, St Andrews Road. Donations of clothes and small household items were requested from the congregation and we were in business.

These premises were only temporary so when it was obvious that this shop was a great idea, the garage at the manse in time became home to the Thrift Shop. To begin with, it was rather like a Jumble Sale, with black bags being handed out for customers to collect the items they wanted to buy. Gradually it became more organised, with boxes labelled for different items of clothing. A lot of work went on in the background, and still goes on, making the shop what it is today. It is really an “Aladdin’s Cave” and certainly worth a visit.

The shop, in 2014, had another successful year with the total of £5,932 slightly down from the previous year. The usual rota of volunteer assistants work under the guidance of Helen Fordyce who along with her husband George are to be thanked for their essential work of collecting, sorting and preparing the goods for sale. Any donations to the shop should be in good and clean condition.

The Thrift Shop is open Tuesday mornings 10 – 11.30 am and Thursday afternoons 1.30 – 3 pm. In addition to these times the Thrift Shop shows a presence at most of the Primary School events and other local events. Twice a year a bookstall is held outside the Keystore, Lhanbryde.

When the Blythswood Shoebox Appeal is undertaken, the Thrift Shop is involved and in 2014 a total of 186 boxes were uplifted – 22 from St Andrews-‐Lhanbryd & Urquhart Parish Church, 83 from Thrift Shop and 71 from Lhanbryde Primary School.

The funds raised are administered by the Session and distributed between Christian Aid and Local Charities.

T.O.F.M. ~ Together on Friday Mornings ~ is a ‘get-‐together’ for girls! -‐ -‐ Sorry boys! We meet from 10 to 11.30 am, in various places, for a variety of activities.

Week one of each month is ‘Chat’ when we meet mostly in each other’s homes.

‘Well-‐Being’ is week two, when we have all kinds of activities to stimulate or relax our minds, bodies and spirits. We meet in the Church Hall.

Week three is ‘Share’ when we get together at St. Margaret’s Hall, Urquhart, to make banners, share experiences and welcome visitors from local organisations.

‘Discuss’ is week four. This year we will be reading Desmond Tutu’s book ‘In God’s Hands’. It’s a very informal get-‐together where we seem to learn so much from one another. We meet at June’s home, Kirkhillhead, Walkers Crescent, Lhanbryde.

There are highlights throughout the year. The first one is our annual trip to Kincraig in late September. You have to come to experience the three days of amazing food, crazy fun and laughter, as well as enjoying peace and rest . . . and God’s wonderful presence.

Please pick up a programme from the back of the church and check out all the details. We begin on Friday, September 4th. If you have never been to T.O.F.M. why not come and give it a try. ‘Togetherness’ ~ in all aspects ~ is important (chatting, laughing, caring, sharing and transport if you need it).

A warm welcome to you all!

Finance

In the six months to 30 June, total regular giving amounted to £24,103 which is an increase of £117 over last year. This figure is made up of Gift Aid donations of £19,595, Freewill Offering Envelopes £2,207 and Open Plate donations £2,301. Gift Aided donations is our main source of income and the tax claimed on donations up to 30 June amounted to £4,899.

Total receipts up to June amounted to £39.284 with payments of £38,074 resulting in a surplus of £1,210 to date. In June, we were also grateful to receive a legacy of £1,000 from the late Dennis Thomson.

Christian Aid Community Partnership

Earlier this year, we were asked if we would consider becoming involved in a community partnership project with Christian Aid. The community partnership scheme links churches, schools and other groups to a Christian Aid project, in this case to promote maternal and child health in Balaka, Malawi.

Christian Aid aims to sign-‐up 10 churches each donating £5,000 over three years to March 2018 and the Scottish Government has also awarded match funding of £600,000. The Kirk Session recently agreed to become involved in the scheme and the funding will be made from 50% of the proceeds of the Thrift Shop. As these funds are already donated to Christian Aid, they will now be match funded by the Scottish Government at a ratio of 12:1.

We are planning to formally present this project to Church Members in the near future and more details will be available when plans are finalised.

Gift Aid

First of all, a big Thank You to everyone who is supporting our church with their donations. No matter how much you are able to give, every penny helps us! When taking over the role as Gift Aid Convener from Glenn at the beginning of last year, I had been vaguely aware that the Gift Aid scheme makes a huge difference to the donations given to the church but only after working with the actual figures, it really became clear to me how much money is actually involved. At present, we have 102 members of our congregation who are gift aiding their donations. They either donate by having set up a Standing Order with their bank, pay by cheque at regular intervals or by using the Blue Envelopes for cash donations when they attend the Sunday Service. The split between Blue Envelopes and the other methods is roughly half/half with more and more people opting for Standing Orders as it is convenient for them (once set up, they no longer have to worry about it). – I know that some people feel uncomfortable not putting something in the collection plate when it is passed around (and I am among this group) but there are handy small cards available that say that you are giving by other means that can be used. Looking at the figures for the last tax year which ended on 6th April 2015, the total amount given under the Gift Aid Scheme amounted to just over £38,000. With the current tax rate of 20% (i.e. 25p/£ ‘extra’ through reclaimed tax) this means that we were able to claim an additional sum of over £9,500 from the government. This makes a big difference to our church finances! To be able to gift aid your donations, you need to be a tax payer and pay at least £25.00 of tax for each £100.00 you donate to our church. Once you have enrolled in the scheme, there is nothing else for you to do, I will take care of everything and will hand you a tax slip at the end of the tax year stating the relevant amounts that you can then hand in with your tax assessment. Please speak to me if you have any questions or wish to use Gift Aid. Thank you. Simone

September 2015

1st Tuesday Thrift Shop 10.00 – 11.30 am 2nd Wednesday Praise Group Church Hall 7.30 – 8.30 pm

3rd Thursday Thrift Shop Choir Church Hall

1.30 – 3.00 pm 7.30 pm 4th Friday TOFM

10.00 – 11.30 am 5th Saturday

6th Sunday Church Communion Service Messy Church

11.00 am 4.00 pm 7th Monday

8th Tuesday Thrift Shop 10.00 – 11.30 am 9th Wednesday

10th Thursday Thrift Shop Choir Church Hall

1.30 – 3.00 pm 7.30 pm

11th Friday TOFM 10.00 – 11.30 am 12th Saturday

13th Sunday Church Service Prayer Meeting

11.00 am 7.00 pm

14th Monday 15th Tuesday Thrift Shop

Guild Church Hall

10.00 – 11.30 am 7.30 pm 16th Wednesday


1.30 – 3.00 pm 7.30 pm


20th Sunday Church Service

11.00 am 21st Monday

22nd Tuesday Thrift Shop Kirk Session

10.00 – 11.30 am 7.30 pm 23rd Wednesday


1.30 – 3.00 pm 7.30 pm


27th Sunday Church Service Evening Service, Urquhart

11.00 am 7.00 pm

28th Monday 29th Tuesday Thrift Shop 10.00 – 11.30

am 30th Wednesday

October 2015

1st Thursday Thrift Shop Choir Church Hall

1.30 – 3.00 pm 7.30 pm

2nd Friday TOFM 10.00 – 11.30 am 3rd Saturday 4th Sunday Church Service

Messy Church 11.00 am 4 pm

5th Monday

6th Tuesday Thrift Shop 10.00 – 11.30 am 7th Wednesday Praise Group Church Hall 7.30 – 8.30 pm 8th Thursday Thrift Shop

Choir Church Hall 1.30 – 3.00 pm

7.30 pm 9th Friday TOFM 10th Saturday 11th Sunday Harvest Thanksgiving Service

Prayer Meeting 11.00 am 7.00 pm

12th Monday 13th Tuesday Thrift Shop 10.00 – 11.30 am 14th Wednesday 15th Thursday Thrift Shop


7.30 pm 16th Friday TOFM 10.00 – 11.30 am 17th Saturday 18th Sunday Church Service 11.00 am 19th Monday 20th Tuesday Thrift Shop

Guild Church Hall 10.00 – 11.30 am

7.30 pm 21st Wednesday 22nd Thursday Thrift Shop


7.30 pm 23rd Friday TOFM 24th Saturday 25th Sunday Church Service

Evening Service Urquhart 11.00 am 7.00 pm



7.30 pm 30th Friday 31st Saturday

November 2015

1st Sunday Church Service Messy Church

11.00 am 4.00 pm

2nd Monday 3rd Tuesday Thrift Shop 10.00 – 11.30 am 4th Wednesday Praise Group Church Hall 7.30 – 8.30 pm 5th Thursday Thrift Shop


7.30 pm 6th Friday TOFM 7th Saturday 8th Sunday Remembrance Service

Prayer Meeting 11.00 am 7.00 pm



7.30 pm 13th Friday TOFM 14th Saturday 15th Sunday Church Service 11.00 am 16th Monday 17th Tuesday Thrift Shop

Guild Church Hall 10.00 – 11.30 am

7.30 pm 18th Wednesday 19th Thursday Thrift Shop


7.30 pm 20th Friday TOFM 10.00 – 11.30 am 21st Saturday 22nd Sunday Church Service 11.00 am 23rd Monday 24th Tuesday Thrift Shop

Kirk Session 10.00 – 11.30 am

7.30 pm 25th Wednesday 26th Thursday Thrift Shop


7.30 pm 27th Friday TOFM 10.00 – 11.30 am 28th Saturday 29th Sunday Church Service

Evening Service Urquhart 11.00 am 7.00 pm

30th Monday

For the Garden of Daily Living

Plant 3 rows of peas: Peace of mind Peace of heart Peace of soul

Plant 4 rows of squash:

Squash gossip Squash indifference Squash grumbling Squash selfishness

Plant 4 rows of lettuce:

Let us be faithful Let us be kind

Let us be patient Let us really love one another

No garden is without turnips:

Turn up for meetings Turn up for service

Turn up to help one another

To conclude our garden we must have time: Time for each other Time for family Time for friends

Water freely with patience and cultivate with love.

There is much fruit in the garden because you reap what you sow.

TEA ROTA – SEPTEMBER 2015 – JANUARY 2016

20th September 2015 Kay Corsie Mary Mitchell

27th September 2015 Margaret Third Liz Ashworth

4th October 2015 Jean Jones Elsie McDonald

11th October 2015 Simone Hernnkind Fiona MacKay

18th October 2015 Elsbeth Jackson Isobel Livesey

25th October 2015 Catriona Keir Colin Keir

1st November 2015 Jan Smith Jane Rossetter

8th November 2015 Moira Lawson Mary Thomson

15th November 2015 Moira Anderson Christine Mutch

22nd November 2015 Anne Mitchell Janet Grant

29th November 2015 Kay Corsie Mary Mitchell

6th December 2015 Margaret Third Liz Ashworth

13th December 2015 Jean Jones Elsie McDonald

20th December 2015 Simone Hernnkind Fiona MacKay

27th December 2015 Elsbeth Jackson Isobel Livesey

3rd January 2016 Catriona Keir Colin Keir

10th January 2016 Jan Smith Jane Rossetter

17th January 2016 Moira Lawson Mary Thomson

24th January 2016 Moira Anderson Christine Mutch

31st January 2016 Anne Mitchell Janet Grant

Please bring ONE pint of milk and ONE packet of biscuits each

Tea Money to be put in Bank Bag and handed to Elders on duty each Sunday If you cannot attend church on the Sunday against your name, please swap with someone else

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP

TEA ROTA PHONE NUMBERS

Moira Anderson 860240

Liz Ashworth 842375

Kay Corsie 842348

Janet Grant 843322

Simone Herrnkind 842558

Elsbeth Jackson 813374

Catriona and Colin Keir 842133

Jean Jones 843374

Moira Lawson 842477

Isobel Livesey 842547

Anne Mitchell 541486

Mary Mitchell 880271

Christine Mutch 842405

Elsie McDonald 843076

Fiona MacKay 544019

Jane Rossetter 542939

Jan Smith 545019

Margaret Third 843341

Mary Thomson 842791

Documents

Autumn 2015 St&UC Mag Proposed layout. · Bible!Reading!Rota!2015! 30th!August!Alastair!Campbell! 6th!September!KayCorsie! 13th!September!Chris!FettAWorsfold! 20th!September!ImogenFettAWorsfold!