The Magazine for

East Kilbride

Old Parish Church

2

As we see changes taking place around us, whether it’s enjoying more

time with family and friends, returning to a favourite restaurant or that

long overdue visit to the hairdresser, the conversation in our church invar-

iably turns to discussion about when we will be re-opening and getting

back to “normal”. The honest answer is “not any time soon”.

The responsibility for deciding on re-opening lies fairly and squarely with

the Kirk Session. Not the Government, not our national head office in

Edinburgh and not Hamilton Presbytery, but with the Minister and elders

of our own Kirk Session who alone can decide when it is safe to re-open

for public worship.

There are many reasons why the Kirk Session is taking a cautious ap-

proach to re-opening. The legal requirements to maintain a safe environ-

ment for our congregation include all the aspects of 2-metre social dis-

tancing, face coverings, hand hygiene and contact tracing that we have

become familiar with in other settings such as shopping and socialising.

Coupled with the limit of a maximum number of 50 in the congregation,

the balcony being “out of bounds”, a ban on hymn singing and a prohibi-

tion on using Orders of Service these all add up to very significant chang-

es in our arrangements. For example, as all of us who know the layout of

our church very well will understand that maintaining a 2-metre distance

between the congregation in our pews will be quite challenging. A

church service wearing face coverings and without hymn singing will also

be an uncomfortable experience for all of us.

On re-opening, we are likely to need significantly more elders and volun-

teers to manage the safe entry and seating of the congregation so

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one area we’re currently working on is the expansion of our Door Duty

teams and this too will be essential before we decide on a re-opening

date. Once we do re-open, our expectation is that after a few Sundays a

capacity limit of 50 in the church will be insufficient, so we’ve been work-

ing to develop options for an “overflow” in our halls. We intend to pro-

vide additional safe seating in our church halls to enable the congrega-

tion to view and hear the service broadcast live on a large screen and to

participate in the morning service communally albeit in a different build-

ing. This will also mean that members of the congregation with internet

access will be able to view the live service on their own tablets, phones,

or PCs at home.

We intend to continue development of these arrangements during Au-

gust and to test all aspects of them in a “practice” service with a small

number of volunteers towards the end of the month. We will then be

able to reflect on the new procedures, make any necessary changes, and

then make an informed decision on the timescale for a full re-opening of

our church for regular services.

Our weekly half-hour video services on Sundays have proved very popu-

lar and these will continue in the meantime as will our “virtual” coffee

mornings on Thursdays and Sundays and all the other arrangements to

support church life through the different phases of these extraordinary

times.

- Session Clerk

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One of the things I don’t miss about teaching is the staff room. While I always

got on well with my colleagues, there was always a distinct etiquette about

staff rooms and one was definitely, don’t sit in someone else’s seat. Yes, every-

one had their own seat and woe betide you if you sat in someone’s place.

We are creatures of habit, and even at home, Tom and I have our usual seats.

We have our own armchairs to watch TV, we have our own places to eat at

the table, and we even have our own desks from which we work. The church

is a bit like that, although I hope that if someone sat in your usual seat you

wouldn’t give them the glare of the staff room. What we would give now for

things to be back to normal and everyone in their usual seats. That won’t be

happening for some time, I fear.

When we talk of the church building we often refer to it as “The Sanctuary.”

Here is how the Oxford dictionary defines “Sanctuary.” “The definition of

a sanctuary is a place of refuge or rest, a place where you can feel at peace or

the holiest part of a temple or a church.” For the past few months, we’ve

missed our church sanctuary, missed our usual seats, and above all missed be-

ing together. Yet, we know that God is not confined to a particular place.

Some people encounter God in the countryside, or by the sea, or at the top of

a mountain.

We all miss being in our church sanctuary, but God is not confined to that

particular place. I hope that in the last few months we have all encountered

God in our own sacred spaces, perhaps our armchairs as we watch or listen to

the service, or as we read and pray. Jesus said, “When you pray, go into your

room, close the door and pray to your Father.” (Matthew 6:6) For now, that

will be our sanctuary.

Yours in love,

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SUNDAY SCHOOL FLOWER QUIZ ANSWERS

How did you get on with last month’s flower quiz? Here are the answers

1. Iris 2. Rose; 3. Foxglove; 4. Daisy; 5. Sweet William; 6. Stocks;

7. Honesty; 8. Snap Dragon; 9. Dandelion; 10. Snowdrop; 11. Daisy;

12. Crocus; 13. Love in the Mist;

14. Forget-me-not; 15. Primrose

As government lockdown measures continue to ease, we all look for-

ward to returning to a more normal way of living, even though we may

feel a bit anxious. The Sunday School Team is especially mindful that all

our children will be starting back to full-time School this month - all being

well. Our thoughts are with them (as too are our thoughts with the Con-

gregation). We trust that all will go well.

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We in the prayer group continue to take your requests to our Heavenly Fa-

ther. Text requests to 07443503142 or email to marionleddie@gmail.com.

Believe that our God listens to all our prayers.

1st. Thank you Lord, for caring and loving us.

2nd. Heavenly Father, as I open my eyes to the world, please open my eyes to

what you want me to do.

3rd. Thank you Lord, for the numerous examples in the Bible, you chose to use

weak men and women to carry your mission. Help us not to run away

from our responsibilities when you call us to do your work in our church.

4th. We give thanks for the loveliness of the trees and flowers, and countryside

and the whole natural world of God's creating and sustaining.

5th. Father God, give comfort to those undertaking long term health treat-

ment at this time.

6th. Lord, thank you for being our strength and shield.

7th. Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me.

8th. Lord, we thank you for walking with us through the seasons of our lives.

9th. Thank you for the ministry we have received from Fiona during her time

with us and bless her as she prepares to minister now in Strathaven.

10th.Lord, I cherish in my heart your gift to me today.

11th.We pray for God's blessing on all who are returning to work, that they

may be able to work safely.

12th.Heavenly Father, comfort and care for all the sick and lonely.

13th.Lord God, we pray for the people of Hong Kong that they would be de-

livered from the might of China.

14th.Thank you Lord for the people who show kindness and thoughtfulness.

15th.I am so very grateful for the blessing of living, breathing, loving and shar-

ing.

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16th.Father God, give us fresh eyes to recognise the countless blessings that

surround us.

17th.Pray that the people who are waiting for the results of Covid tests and of

hospital tests, will be upheld by God's loving care.

18th.Father, help us to appreciate and be thankful for all we have.

19th.Be still and know that I am God.

20th.We pray for all involved in our schools as they prepare to reopen and all

who work in schools, all the pupils including the children who are starting

school, or moving from primary to secondary and all their parents, pray

that all may be safe well and happy.

21st.We thank you Lord, that we are fortunate enough to have a roof over

our heads and would ask you to care for the homeless

22nd.Father give us grace and patience when others wrong us, to forgive and

not to hold a grievance just as you do not hold our sins against us.

23rd.Give thanks for all the renovation work on the abbey building on Iona

has started up again after the lockdown and we pray that the final

£65,000 will be donated to the £3,700.000 project which is nearing com-

pletion.

24th.We pray for guidance for world leaders who are coping with civil unrest

in the midst of the pandemic.

25th.Thank you Lord, that we can have the confidence to know that you are

always with us.

26th.Lord ,help us not to sit in judgement when others make mistakes but in-

stead to support them and show them that God loves us despite our many

failings.

27th.We pray for God's help and guidance for all who have lost their jobs be-

cause of the effects of the virus on the companies they worked for.

28th.Lord, thank you for your wisdom, understanding and strength.

29th.Help us to look after our beautiful world properly.

30th.Thank you Lord, for the many people who have recovered from the virus.

31st.We pray for all charities who are not getting any income during this time

and therefore not able to do their work.

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Two of our senior elders, Angus McConnell and Jim Ballantyne, were surprised

a few mornings ago when they each received a presentation to mark their

contribution to the work and life of the congregation over many years. An-

gus’s was to mark 60 continuous years as an elder in the Old Parish Church

Kirk Session, and Jim’s was to mark his many years of service as Session Clerk.

In normal circumstances such presentations would be held during Sunday

morning worship in the presence of the congregation. Current circumstances

however are far from normal, so an alternative scheme was hatched.

In an elaborate setup, each was asked to make the presentation to the other

unaware that they were also to be recipients! By arrangement, and primed

with a suitable excuse, Jim called on Angus at his home and solemnly present-

ed a framed scroll marking Angus’s 60 years as an elder, after Angus had re-

covered from his surprise he, in turn, presented Jim with a watercolour of the

church in recognition of his years as Session Clerk.

After a bit of hilarity and mutual congratulations both posed with the Minister

and Session Clerk to make a permanent record of this unusual but nonetheless

historic occasion.

Session Clerk

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Last month’s Guess Who was Angus McConnell. Prize winner: Hazel Brown.

Guess Who 3

Q1. Favourite place visited - when I could I loved to travel and lots of very

memorable holidays abroad but my most favourite was to Lake Lucerne in

Switzerland the scenery was so stunningly beautiful. It was so clean, the peo-

ple were an absolute delight, not to mention the sweets and chocolate they

were heavenly, I'm very partial to a little bit of chocolate.

Q2. Most exciting thing ever done - on a flight to London the captain came on

the tannoy to advise we were experiencing engine problems, we would need

to make an emergency landing. A crew member practically pushed me out of

the plane to safety. Not to be put off I picked myself up, went on a bus to get

to London. After recovering from this experience I went on my onward flight

for South Africa. Despite this unexpected start to my holiday I had a lovely

time at a wonderful hotel.

Q3. If you could turn back the clock would you change anything - no I've had

a pretty good life. Like everyone it has had its share of ups and downs but on

the whole I've had a really good life and can't complain. One regret in all my

travelling I didn't manage to visit Japan and I would have loved to see the

country and experience the culture.

Q4. Favourite song, film and book - my favourite film is the Sound of Music,

wonderful scenery and contains all my favourite songs, I love them all. My fa-

vourite book is The Verdict: Life, Laughter and The Law by Irvine Smith QC,

wonderful book, must have read it at least 3 times.

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Q5. What message do you want to send to our church family - EKOPC has al-

ways been my church I was baptised in it with my brother 4 years older than

me. One Sunday Anne asked us all to stand and only sit down in numerals of

ten years of how long we had come to this church, I think I was last person

standing. Its a wonderful Church, so welcoming we have a fabulous sense of

community always looking out for each other, everyone treated very kindly its

just lovely. Although I can't see Anne in these times I still feel connected to

everyone listening every Sunday to the service, just lovely.

Q6. Your wish for the world - all peoples treated with respect, no poverty and

peace

The Arts and Crafts Group, like all the organisations, has been unable to meet

since March but our members have been keeping in touch with each other

by telephone. We have been enjoying the Sunday Services and appreciate

the ways the Church has been communicating with everyone. Looking for-

ward to seeing each other again but meantime sending best wishes to every-

one receiving this magazine.

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AN AFTERNOON IN THE PARK

(Translated at great personal effort from the German “Hühnersüppchen für

die Seele” –“Chicken Soup for the Soul”))

There was once a young boy who wanted to

meet God. He knew it would be a long way, so

he packed some chocolate bars and a six-pack of

lemonade in his bag, and set off.

When he had gone

three blocks, he met

by chance an elderly lady. She was sitting on

a park bench, gazing at the pigeons. The

young lad sat next to her and opened his bag.

Just as he was about to have a drink of lemon-

ade, it struck him how hungry the old lady

looked, so he offered her a chocolate bar.

She accepted it gratefully and smiled at the boy. Her smile was so lovely

that the lad wanted to see it again, so he offered her a bottle of lemonade.

Again she smiled at him. How happy the boy was!

They sat side by side the whole afternoon and ate and smiled and neither of

them said a word.

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When it was getting dark, the boy was feeling a bit tired. He stood up and

started to go, but then after a few steps, he turned round, ran back to the

old lady and gave her a big hug. She thanked him with the loveliest of

smiles. When a little later the boy got home, his mother wondered why he

looked so happy. “What have you done today,” she asked “that you’re so …

radiant?”

He replied “I’ve been having lunch with God”. And before his mother could

say anything in response, he continued “And do you know something?

She has the loveliest smile I’ve ever seen!”

Meanwhile, the old lady had also come home. And she too was very

happy.

Her son wondered about her look of pleased contentment and wanted to

know about it. “Mother, what have you been doing today that has made

you so happy?”

She answered “I’ve been sitting in the park eating chocolate bars with

God”. And before her son could say anything in response, she continued

“And do you know something? He’s a lot younger than I thought!”

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As I write this short article, lockdown restrictions are beginning to ease and

hopefully, very soon we will be in Phase 4 of the Scottish Government’s route

map out of lockdown. I hope that by following all the advice and guidance

things will gradually improve and we will be able to return to our Church

building and our various activities can recommence in whatever fashion the

new normal might look like but with the overriding factor that everyone’s

health and safety must be of paramount importance.

So, what has been happening since my last magazine update 4 weeks ago?

Some virtual activities have been possible and much planning for future activi-

ties has taken place.

Activities update

Church Family Village Treasure

Hunt - This exciting new activity

was initially planned for our Sunday

school families but quickly word got

out and interest from their friends

and the wider community became

evident and so we advertised the

10-day treasure hunt using social

media. The event in mid-July at-

tracted many participants of all ages

and feedback showed that everyone enjoyed the fun and the challenge of

searching for pictures of love hearts throughout the village centre. I was de-

lighted and grateful to the local businesses who enthusiastically supported us

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by allowing the posters to be displayed in their windows and really encour-

aged by the level of participation from everyone who took part. This event is

something we will repeat in the future.

Virtual Sunday School / Messy Church - We are

now in week 14 and this is going well. The chil-

dren are thoroughly enjoying learning about God,

meeting each other virtually each Sunday and we

have been delighted to welcome 3 new families to

Sunday School. These families took part in the

Treasure Hunt and were invited to try our Sunday

activities too. On average 7 families join in each

session and we have 14 different families who have

been taking park during the lockdown period. In

total 23 children and 19 adults have engaged in

these fun activities.

Picnic in the Park - We originally hoped to have a socially distanced picnic in

the park for our church families and this was scheduled for 19th July. Unfortu-

nately phase 3 of the Scottish Government Guidelines didn’t allow for this type

of event at that time but we will reschedule when restrictions are lifted and

permit this type of activity.

Sports Outreach group – We have listened to the children and fami-

lies we have engaged with. We asked them what sort of new activi-

ties they might be interested in and sport was a popular suggestion.

As a result, plans for 2021 to launch a sports outreach group are in progress

and more details will be available soon.

Summer Holiday Club – although our planned holiday club was cancelled the

Sunday school activities are continuing throughout the summer months and

so far, continue to be well supported. It may not be possible to hold our

This Photo by

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planned October holiday club and so planning is starting for an Easter Holiday

Club.

Something for us to think about

Striving to do better is a good thing, but we must have realistic expectations.

Everything in life isn’t black or white, there are some grey areas and some ‘in-

betweens’ as well. Everything isn’t perfect all the time, and everything isn’t

horrible all the time. When you expect perfection from life you tend to expect

the same from other people. That kind of unrealistic thinking not only meets

with a great deal of disappointment but it puts a great deal of pressure on the

people you care about and can eventually destroy those relationships. The

apostle James in his letter said we all stumble, fall and offend in many things.

So, if we all make mistakes (and we do) then we also need to learn to accept

that it’s just part of the human experience and relax! Please remember in 1 Co-

rinthians 13 v 4 it says “Love is Patient, Love is kind”. Lockdown and the Coro-

navirus have been hard on everyone and as we begin to come out to what

may be a new normal it will be important to continue to be kind to each oth-

er, to accept that no-one is perfect and to be patient as a new norm is found.

I encourage you as we start to establish this new normal that where possible,

take time to pause and take time to evaluate and reflect and consider God’s

plans for each of us. Make time to ask yourself questions, and then give your-

self enough quiet space to be able to hear the answers. Be Still, and know that

I am God. (Psalm 46 verse 10)

In closing, I pray that you will all stay safe and healthy and continue to look af-

ter one another.

(Youth & Families Worker) mobile 07912 295943 / email iain-

shaw18@gmail.com

16

Now that we’re emerging out of lock down it’s a good time to reflect on

what’s been good during this strange time. I’m certainly a glass half full per-

son!

Unable to rush out to visit or meet with friends and look around the shops

and be tempted to buy things not really needed made life very different.

We did very different things. Jim out doors me indoors. Not really sure what

Jim did in early April but do remember I cleaned out cupboards and draw-

ers and started to bake more- when I had flour and caster sugar available.

Seemed everyone had the same urge to bake!

We are very happy where we live and felt we know and get on with our

neighbours very well. The day before lockdown our next door neighbour

put a note through our door saying she would be very happy to help us

out with shopping or what ever we needed.

My first reaction.? We don’t need help from neighbours our daughter lives

only half a mile away we don’t need a neighbour’s help.

Next day as the reality of lockdown for over 70’s set in maybe I felt we

shouldn’t put such a burden on our daughter especially as she was also

helping my sister in Glasgow and her own daughter, our granddaughter

was in the shielding group. In fact I accepted my neighbours offer of help

and for the ensuing lock down days.

I enjoyed a new relationship with her. We chatted at a 2 metre distance for

longer periods of time than we probably did before. She told me of a sad-

ness in their lives and I was enabled to empathise and be supportive. I

doubt if we would have shared these confidences in our usual random

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contacts.

Lockdown isn’t so bad after all.

What happened next? Well I really enjoyed extended chats with my helpful

neighbour. I gave her some of my home baking and discovered she never

bakes at all. I realised through the weeks that she was getting pleasure in

helping us as much as we were benefiting from her help. Again I realised how

much easier it is to give than to receive. Its a good lesson to learn!

We have a strip of grass between our house and our opposite neighbours’

which is maintained by the council. They vanished during lockdown and our

grass resembled a field of hay. One neighbour cut the grass between his

house and his neighbour so Jim and another two neighbours cut the grass

between six other houses and continued doing this every two weeks. We all

think it looks better than it’s ever done before!

Lockdown isn’t all bad.

So what else have I learned? I have discovered how much a phone call means

to a friend I always saw frequently, and a church family friend I saw on Sun-

days and maybe at coffee morning or Guild. It’s not all been bad to realise

that.

I pride myself on being well organised. But occasionally I wasn’t as organised

as I thought. I hated asking for help! But I discovered the answer was always

“of course I’ll get that for you now.”

It’s not been all bad.

On Thursday nights we joined our neighbours on clapping for the NHS. and

waved and chatted to each other on our doorsteps as we hadn’t before.

It’s not all been all bad.

Being in church on Sundays has always been important. Sets us up for the

week ahead ready to face whatever comes. Meeting up with our friends in

church and

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in my case our lovely choir family sends me home feeling “right” and ready for

the week ahead.

But watching our service online each Sunday - we always watch at 11 am-

feels so good. Austin you take us to places we have been to in Scotland during

the hymn singing and it all adds to the words and the meaning. Thank you.

I then join the choir zoom meeting organised by Colin on a Thursday night at

the usual choir practice time and this makes me feel still a part of the choir

even if we’re not singing. Hope I still have a voice at the end of this separation!

Lockdown hasn’t all been bad.

I’m sure you will all have many more thoughts of your own about lockdown. I

just thought I’d share a few of mine.’

Submitted by:

The inner side of every cloud

Is bright and shining.

So, let us turn our clouds around

and always wear then inside out

To show the lining.

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From

I decided to get up early to see the young man they are all talking about

Unfortunately I slept in

Anyway I decided to go.

I got a shock when I arrived because there wasn’t a space left anywhere, the

young man was surrounded

I am not very tall so it was impossible for me to see him.

Just then I felt something land on my head.

It was a fig .

I looked up through the sycamore fig tree and whispered "Zacchaeus gives

thanks"

…………………………………………………………………..

ODE TO A SENIOR SOUL

Submitted by but not credited to

There is really nothing the matter with me,

I am as healthy as I can be.

I have arthritis in both knees,

And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze.

My pulse is weak and my blood is thin,

But I’m awfully well for the state I’m in.

Arch supports prop up my feet,

Or I wouldn’t be able to walk down the street,

Sleep is denied me night after night,

Yet, every morning, I find I’m alright.

My memory’s failing, my head’s in a spin,

But I’m awfully well for the state I’m in.

The moral is this ( as my tale unfolds ),

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That for you and for me who are growing old,

It is better to say “I’m fine” with a grin,

Than to let folks know the state we’re in.

How do I know that my youth is spent,

Well, my “get up and go” has got up and went,

But I really don’t mind, when I think with a grin,

Of all the grand places my “get up” has been.

“Old age is golden” I’ve often heard said,

But sometimes I wonder as I get out of bed.

My hearing aid in a drawer and my teeth in a cup,

My specs on the table until I wake up.

‘Ere sleep overtakes me, I say to myself,

“ Is there anything else I can lay on the shelf?”

When I was young my shoes were red,

I could kick my heels right over my head.

When I was older my shoes were blue,

But, still I could dance the whole night through.

Now I am old my shoes are black, and I

Walk to the shops and puff my way back.

I get up in the morning and dust off my wits,

Pick up the paper and read the “Obits”.

If my name is missing, I know I’m not dead,

So I have a good breakfast and go back to bed.

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Submitted by Ronnie Niven (be warned!)

THERESA - WINTER

Theresa has stertit the judo

She’s been et it fur two or three weeks.

Winter’s came, the snow has fell.

Yid laugh at hur Japanese jaikit.

Wee Josie’s nose is froze as well

And her wide per o’ Japanese breeks

Wee Josie’s frozen nose is skintit

Winter’s diabolic - intit?

She comes breengin home after each lesson

Wi a new way to flatten a man

Fur the heid fella says she’s improving

That’s him she keeps callin Black Dan.

She wants me to be her opponent

Gets mad when I don’t take her oan

She says, “See you ya wee bachle

I could melt yiz wi just the wan haun.

Last night we wur goin ti wur scratcher

I leans up to put out the light

She stood on the bed like a mad thing

And cmoan Bobbie Let’s fight

Well I goat hur doon efter a struggle

An I’ll tell yi victory was sweet

Fur she agreed it was better than judo

But she calls me a durty wee cheat!

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David Kent -

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EAST KILBRIDE OLD PARISH CHURCH

In case of illness and bereavement, would the family please contact the minister immediately and directly.

Rev. Anne Paton will be available for consultation in the vestry after Sunday morning worship. Please arrange such consulta-tion with the door duty team.

Minister Rev. Anne Paton BA BD Tel. 01355 220732 40 Maxwell Drive. G74 4HJ Mobile 07912295940 E-mail address: apaton@churchofscotland.org.uk Pastoral Assistants: Rev. Stewart Smith MA BD and Miss Sheena Bell Youth & Iain Shaw Families Worker E-mail: iainshaw18@gmail.com Session Clerk Mr Alistair Walker Treasurer Mr Ronnie Niven Roll Keeper Mr Robert Cossar Gift Aid Mr Des Laverty Church Secretary Louise Reilly (Hall Letting) Church Halls, 3—5 Montgomery St. Tel. 279004 Glebe Street Hall Church Office E-mail Address: ekopc.office@btconnect.com Organist Mr Colin Thomas Publications Convenor Janice Gourlay Magazine Editor David Kent, 18 Glen Lyon G74 2JJ davidkent28@virginmedia.com

E-mail copies of August’s EKO magazine are available from:-

ekopcmagazine@gmail.com

Visit the East Kilbride Old Parish Church Website at: www.ekopc.org.uk

OR Facebook page: www.facebook.com/EKOLDPC

East Kilbride Old Parish Church, Church of Scotland, Scottish Charity—SC000609