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JANUARY 2016
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Letter from Alasdair Nativity Stars Let’s Build a House in Nepal Wider World & the Life of Alexander Duff Sunday Worship Arrangements War Memorial at Cathcart Trinity Reflections - Best Christmas Present Ever Community Work at Hillpark Secondary Fabric Report
Lamentations 3:23
Scottish Charity No SCO 33802
NEWSLETTER
Dear Friends
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When I was younger, New Year’s Day was spent at my Grandparent’s house in Broxburn. As the door opened for us to ‘first foot’, two smells would hit us as the hot air escaped. There was the delicious smell of my Gran’s freshly baked homemade shortbread. There was the faint whiff of cleaning products. The evidence that Gran had spent her Hogmanay baking and cleaning. To my Gran, like many others, the thought of starting the year in an unclean house was unthinkable – not that the house was particularly messy at any other time of the year either! But a New Year meant a clean house. A New Year meant a fresh start. The concept of having a fresh start at the beginning of a New Year is the one that is at the heart of a New Year’s Resolution – I won’t ask how many of you have made one? Or whether you are still keeping to it! But as the calendar changes from one year to the next there is something in us that knows the New Year gives the potential for something new. It may offer us a clean slate or a new beginning. One of the most exciting things about the gospel of Jesus Christ is that we are offered a fresh start by God. The Bible tells us Christians have been born again “into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5) What this means is a fresh start now – the wrong things we have done wiped away, dealt with and forgiven; a glorious future – receiving all the promises of God, the full benefits of being his children and a promise for today – that God is guarding us and keeping us until we join him in eternity. No wonder the writer of Lamentations writes God’s mercy is new every morning (Lamentations 3:23)! Each day we are given as a Christian is a new day to say goodbye to sin and hello to following God; to forget about what is behind us and press on to what is ahead; to say “today I am going to worship you God”. We don’t need to wait for a New Year to resolve to do any of this, but at the beginning of the year, it is always good to fix our eyes on God and to commit what is ahead of us to Him. If this means at the beginning of this New Year you are looking for new ways to practically serve in the Church, I am delighted to say that there are lots of opportunities for you to get involved in something new or to recommit yourself to something you were previously involved in but at some point stopped. If that’s you, please have a chat with me. However, whatever this New Year may bring, I encourage you all and myself to use the fresh start God gives us for worship, for doing good and for displaying love. May God bless you and all those you love this coming year. With love,
Alasdair
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LET’S BUILD A HOUSE
by Iain Duff (Session Clerk)
The Church of Scotland has been working in Partnership with United Mission to Nepal in the Dhading region .The region is one of the poorest and since the recent earthquake they have assisted 12,000 households. Shelter is now a major issue and, as part of the partnership work, Presbyteries throughout Scotland are each being asked to "Build a House” in Dhading at an approximate cost £500.00. Glasgow Presbytery would like to build a street not just one house through contributions from congregations throughout Presbytery. At the Kirk Session meeting on 30 November it was agreed that the Trustees should take the lead on this appeal on the basis that if each contributed £10 that we would fund the building of a house. We are well on our way to achieving this goal and are now encouraging members of the Congregation to participate. Over the next few Sundays, Yellow offering envelopes marked ‘NEPAL’ will be available for anyone who wishes to contribute. These should be sealed and placed in the offering bag. The envelopes will be sent directly to the Presbytery Treasurer. Should you wish to ‘Gift Aid’ your donation please ensure that you complete your details on the envelope. If you wish to indicate the value of your donation on the outside of the envelope our Treasury Team will record the total raised.
THE WIDER WORLD
by Bill Seaman
In this month of January (named by the Romans after their god Janus, who could look backwards and forwards at the same time), we sometimes find ourselves doing the same. So, as we look forward to seeing God’s people, including ourselves in Cathcart Trinity, increasingly looking outwards and reaching out in mission to our world, let’s also take a look back at some of the beginnings of overseas mission in the Church of Scotland. The great modern mi ssio nary mo ve ment began in 1792 with the vision and passion of William Carey, whose lead was followed soon by the founding of several Mission Societies. In 1827, the Church of Scotland began to see that vision too, and looked for someone to send to India. The choice fell on Alexander Duff. Born into a humble home in Moulin near Pitlochry in 1806, he showed early signs of his life’s passion for overseas mission by founding a Student Missionary Society when he was studying at St Andrews University. A s soon as he was ordained in 1829, he set sail for India. He had an early introduction to the rigours of missionary life as he was shipwrecked as they rounded the Cape of Good Hope. He was saved, but his library of eight hundred books went down. A few days later, however, his Bible and psalter were washed ashore! They resumed their voyage in another ship, but didn’t enjoy “plain sailing”, as they were chased by pirates and then shipwrecked once again before reaching Calcutta, eight months after leaving Scotland! Duff’s strategy was evangelism through
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education. He started a school, using English, which would attract middle and upper class Hindus. Although there were fewer conversions than he had hoped, his college, and those modelled on it, produced many well educated men, who were able to contribute to the development of India. For example, being exposed to Christian teaching and western ideas helped many high caste Hindus to overcome their aversion to touching dead bodies, and so enabled them to enter the medical profession. The first college Duff founded eventually developed into Calcutta Medical College. However, the ill-health which dogged so many nineteenth century missionaries, meant that Duff spent several long spells back in Scotland, but he used these to good e ffe c t, c a mp ai g n i n g vigorously to stimulate interest in Mission. One rousing address which he made to the General Assembly of 1835 is still in print today! He left India after thirty six years’ service, but continued to devote himself tirelessly to mission, raising funds to establish, in Edinburgh, the first Chair in the world to be devoted wholly to Mission Studies. He was appointed to the Professorship and served almost to his death in 1878. His whole life is well summed up in his own words. “World evangelism is the subject which constitutes the chief end of the Christian Church. The Church is a lamp to give light, not to itself only, but also to the world”. May we be able to say a resounding “Amen” to that.
GUILD NEWS
by Margaret Brough
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There were only two meetings in December. We had our AGM Finance, when we disbursed our funds to several Church of Scotland charities, and finished off with a fiendish quiz made up by Margaret Simpson. Then our Christmas Party night, when we enjoyed mulled wine and mince pies, and were royally entertained by some of our many talented members. Joan Lindsay did a couple of readings (one was the story of Rudolph and there were prizes for the group who were quickest in remembering the names of all nine reindeer – how many can you name?). Mary Smith played the flute for us and Shirley MacLean gave a glorious rendering of O Holy Night. We also sang several favourite carols and distributed presents from under the tree. By the time you read this we will have started 2016 with our ever-popular Holy Beetle Drive, and January continues with: 12th 19th 26th
‘Are Ye Dancin’ Christian Aid Glasgow Bridges
Mr J Walker Mrs V Brown Mr T Marchant
As always, if any of the above interest you, then please come along to join us on Tuesday evenings, Kent Hall, 7.30 pm.’
FOODBANK UPDATE
by Anne Hind
Many thanks for the wonderful donations which we received from you in the lead up to Christmas and thank you too for adhering to our request for items to be donated by the end of November. This does make such a difference as it allows us to plan and wrap our Christmas gifts and organise the food items for the Christmas meal bag which our clients receive. Those who sadly require to use our service are so grateful for the gifts and Christmas meal as many would have nothing otherwise. People are so delighted to receive Christmas puddings and mince pies which we just take for granted. The delight too for parents when we are able to give selection boxes and Christmas sweets for their children is amazing. The winter months are particularly difficult for people who are struggling financially with the additional demands of fuel and winter clothes. We would be grateful if you would continue to remember those who require the help of the Foodbank. We continue to have an excess of cereal and pasta and would ask therefore if you could focus on tinned meat, tinned vegetables, tinned fruit, tinned fish, packets of mashed potato, dried or UHT milk and snacks.
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Prayer breakfast SATURDAY 30 JANUARY 8.30 - 10AM cathcart uf church, STRUAN road 2016 is here and many New Year resolutions will have been made. Why not add the monthly prayer breakfast to your list of “DOs” - no better way to start the New Year! It is a great opportunity to meet with other Christians and have fellowship together at breakfast before settling down to pray. We have a different subject every month and are given guidance on what the particular need is that month. Many comment on having this time set aside away from outside distractions as being helpful to concentrate minds and hearts before God. The atmosphere is relaxed and encourages us in our walk of faith. Come and join us, all will be made welcome. Please note the date. Hope to see you there! “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.” 1 Chronicles 16 v 11&12
THANK YOU FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS
by Linda Burke
Thank you for all of the gifts you brought along for Church House and Barnardo’s. They were well received and added to the lives of others at Christmas. My thanks also to the team who sorted, packed and delivered the gifts.
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sofa groups Sofa Groups meet regularly & study a variety of topics. Everyone is welcome to join. There’s also a Facebook group, so you don't have to leave home to take part. Speak to one of the leaders, or email for more details: sofagroups@cathcarttrinity.org.uk
Front Doors
Thanks for your co-operation in using the side entrances each Sunday to access the Church. This helps to save energy and keep the building warmer. The doors will be back in operation in March.
Leaders are: Dougie Paton, Jim Tarves, Angus Morrison, Alison Ogilvie, Janette Wright, Caroline Roger, Ian Whiteford.
Looking for help with resources FOR your group? Check out the Church of Scotland Web Site
www.resourcingmission.org.uk
SUNDAY WORSHIP ARRANGEMENTS WORSHIP IN CONTEXT Community worship is a central element of our Christian faith. We believe in a God who in Himself is community (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), who has invited us to join Him in His everlasting worshipping community – variously called in the Bible “the New Jerusalem”, “Christ’s body”, “God’s family” or simply “the Church”. However, while the Bible lays out principles for how God’s people are to gather and worship Him, within that framework there is much room for the Church to choose what is the best way in her own context and situation to express her worship and adoration of God. Throughout the ages and around the world, Christian communities have searched for the most culturally relevant expression of community worship they can find. For some medieval monastic communities this meant silent meditation punctuated by communal prayers and chanted singing. Today, in some Pacific Island communities, it means using the flesh and water of the coconut to celebrate the Eucharist (Communion) instead of bread and wine because the coconut is so central to the community’s life and existence. Worship in Scotland is no different. Historically, Sunday evening worship was created to allow day workers (typically servants) to attend communal worship. And strange as it may seem now, in Leith, there were riots in the street when Church fellowships tried to introduce the pipe organ to to aid their communal worship. People couldn’t understand why they would want instrumental music in Church. SUNDAY WORSHIP AT CATHCART TRINITY During the year I have been minister at Cathcart Trinity, the debate of what is the best way to worship God in our context has focussed in on the question “Should we have one Sunday morning service or two?” As I had committed to not personally instigating any major changes in my first year as a minister, I had asked that this debate be put to one side. Now this year is up, and I want to share my vision for Sunday worship – which has been accepted by the Kirk Session. Over the past year I have listened to the various opinions that have been expressed over whether one service or two on a Sunday morning would be best. I have a lot of
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sympathy for arguments for holding one service (I love to see the Church full and to have lots of the Cathcart Trinity family together in one place) yet after prayerful consideration I believe that for Sunday morning the best option is to maintain a two service format, with certain exceptions which I will outline below. WHY TWO SUNDAY MORNING SERVICES? I believe God is calling us to maintain our two Sunday morning services for these reasons: • New members/adherents have been attracted to both styles/times of Sunday morning services over the last year. • Cumulatively, more people attend the two morning services than on average attend a 10.30am service. • A multi-service format of worship is more likely to suit different people in different circumstances (that is to say a one size fits all approach does not work). • While all communal worship involves compromise, there are times when our 10.30am service’s compromises feel overly strained. • At the moment, stepping back to a single Sunday morning service would be out of step with our policy of developing a multi-service programme of worship. We already have a Sunday evening service, the Thursday lunchtime service and a monthly Messy Church. We hope to develop others over time. We don’t know where the Dementia cafe will lead and we are about to make a tentative exploration of “Cafe Church”. Each of these services offer something different or meet the needs of different people and in the same way, I believe the 10am and 11.15am services also offer something different from one another and are both necessary. • Psychologists tell us that when a room is more than 80% full visitors will struggle to feel that they can see a place for them to have a role in that community. As the Church exists for other people and not just for ourselves, we should be making it as easy as possible for new worshippers to join us. In fact in other churches where there is an attendance around the same numbers that we have at a “Mix” service, the churches are actively exploring ways of creating two services out of the one so that both services can welcome new people more easily and the Church can grow.
by Rev Alasdair MacMillan So in terms of both supporting the current Church community and growing the future Church community a two Sunday morning service format seems the most appropriate in our current context. 10.30AM SERVICES As a Kirk Session, we also agreed that 10.30am “Mix” services would continue to play an important role in the life of our community. We will celebrate “Mix Communions” on the first Sunday of Advent and in June. In addition, there would be 10.30am services for Easter Sunday, Harvest, Remembrance, The All Age Nativity and during the school holidays at both Summer and Christmas. We hope that by linking 10.30am services directly with school holidays over summer will give a greater degree of certainty over whether we have a 10.30 service or our normal two service diet of Sunday morning worship. In terms of celebrating the sacrament of Baptism it was agreed that where families were in full agreement baptisms would be held at 10.30 services, but where they were not, they would held at another service (10am, 11.15am, 6.30pm, Thursday lunchtime or Messy Church etc.). When this is the case, generous notice that the sacrament was being celebrated would be provided in advance to all other services. It was further recognised that some things needed to change. SERVICE NAMES For some time people have felt that the terms “Traditional”, “Contemporary” and “Mix” (of traditional and contemporary music) have not been accurate expressions of what goes on at each of our services, and can cause some confusion at times. Therefore, services will now be labelled according to their time and not according to their style. This will mean we will now have the 10am service, the 10.30am service and the 11.15am service. A crèche and groups for the young people will continue to be provided at the 10.30am and 11.15am services. SERVICES ONON-LINE It is the intention of the Kirk Session that as many of our services as possible – and ideally all of our services – be recorded and shared online where people can listen to them or download them.
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PUBLICATION OF PREACHERS From the beginning of 2016 the names of those preaching at various services will be published in advance of the services for the information of the congregation. However, should this practice lead to fluctuations in attendance this will be reconsidered. EVENING COMMUNION ARRANGEMENTS As most of you know evening worship is shared between ourselves and Cathcart United Free Church. In the past, the UF Church has celebrated Communion on the Sunday after our celebration of Communion and those of us worshipping at the Evening Service will go across the road on those days and worship in their building. However, in association with the ministers of Cathcart Trinity, the Cathcart UF Kirk Session recently decided it would make more sense to celebrate communion on the same Sunday as we do. This makes a lot of practical sense, but one of the downsides is that on an evening we would move from celebrating communion 8 times a year to 4 times a year. We were very keen that Communion would still be celebrated 8 times a year in the evening, 4 in each Church’s building and therefore the Kirk Session decided that this would still be the case. This means on Communion Sundays at Cathcart Trinity there will be an Evening Communion too and in addition there will be four other celebrations of Communion between these dates. The first one of these will be in the UF building on the 31st January 2016. Please forgive me for the length of this article. However, I have written at such length so that you know exactly what has been decided by the Kirk Session and why. I realise that this decision will not please everyone and I want to remind you that I am here if you would like to talk to me about it. However, I would encourage all of us, to embrace the service structure we have, to come along and try new services and to make all our services the best that we possibly can, so that Cathcart Trinity Church continues to be a community where people can grow their faith and visitors and searchers can find that they are not just welcome, but can be part of our family too.
WAR MEMORIAL CORRIDOR & BOOK
by Bill Martin
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While helping members of Scottish Military Research to photograph the War memorials in our church , I thought I would write to Graeme Pert the Architect who was responsible for the alterations to our Sanctuary to ask him for information in regard to the memorials from the former New Cathcart Church and the thoughts behind placing them in the memorial corridor. Graeme’s reply and mention of a “narrative for visitors” inspired me to collate the existing information of the war years that I had from the former churches and to research the Session minutes held by the Mitchell library, in order to bring it all together in one memorial book. The War Memorials are dedicated to those who served and those who died in the two world wars and I wanted to include the certificates of the Common Wealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) that honour the fallen. The sacrifice that they made became even more poignant for me when I read in some cases the names of their spouse or parents and the fact that they were living in the very streets in Cathcart that we live in to-day. Young men from Cathcart, Muirend and Newlands Balmoral Ave, Bogton Park, Bute Gdns, Clarkston Rd, Castle Rd, Courthill Ave, Greenock Ave, Hazel Ave, Holmhead Cres, Kilmailing Rd, Kingsford Ave, Merrylee Rd, Ormonde Mount, Rannoch Str and Tulloch St. You will find the Memorial Book in our Memorial Corridor and I invite you to come to visit this special and peaceful place.
WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM
THANKS FROM THE GUIDES Thank you to all the members of the congregation who came along to our Christmas Fayre in December. Your support was much appreciated especially considering the weather! Congratulations also to John who won the quiz with a perfect score of 12/12." Sarah Black & the 46th Glasgow Guides
MOMENTS CAFE
by Wilma Pearson
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It’s been good to see our numbers growing with each café – even better to see people enjoying time with others and engaging in the activities. Board games have proved popular with ludo and snakes and ladders bringing back memories and revealing a competitive streak in some! The café is open to anyone who wants to come along. It is dementia friendly making it an ideal place to bring a friend or family member who is living with dementia; but it’s also a good place to come if you want some company, or a chance to play games, explore items from the past and enjoy some home baking. Please let people know about the café – it’s not just for the church family. We are open from 2-3.30pm, Mondays 11th January and 25th January. Look out for the banner!
SINGERS WANTED! If you’d like to be part of the singing group at any of the three Sunday services then please speak to our Ian Watson our Worship Leader.
BIG CHRISTMAS THANK YOU Thank you to everyone who took part in the Big Christmas Greeting. You will be delighted to know that the £250 raised will go towards the total sum which Trinity will donate to Lodging House Mission and to City Mission. A huge thanks to Ewan who kept us up to date with the individual messages on the loop. Jim and Elaine Tarves
BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER ... No batteries required!!
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by Carol-Anne Latta (Learner Christian)
When we accept Jesus as our living Saviour, we can talk to Him anywhere at anytime through our prayers. Prayer is portable, no batteries required, no need to download, or cut out a coupon! I'm a learner Christian, therefore my prayer conversations with God take place in the strangest of places, on the London Tube, in the steam room at my health club, before business meetings, outdoors, indoors and in the kitchen, hoping a good flavour will emerge from my burnt offering ! Strangely enough during 2015 the most interesting conversations have been in the steam room, people ask if I'm praying - I've had many conversations and had the privilege to offer prayer for my fellow early morning enthusiasts. I also met the local minister there and we shared some great conversations and discussed our shared vision to pray around an Alpha course being possible at the club. Over and over, God has placed the bible verse, Matthew 28: 16-20 on my heart, it was a reminder that finding our personal faith is just the beginning of the purpose God has for our lives - this scripture is challenging as it reminds me not to be satisfied that I have my faith - what about other people who are out there seeking and searching, we can stand in the gap between them and God, by praying for them, whilst they find their faith. As I look around our church family, I'm totally inspired as I see God answering prayer in so many ways, as part of the Alpha real time prayer group - we wrap each evening in prayer which God has been honouring, the key is that we are spirt -led, we have learned to wait, be patient, but most of all listen to God's leadership and His timing. Prayer is the bedrock of my faith, I'm filled with excitement as I can't wait to see what God will do in 2016, please continue to pray for our Alpha outreach.
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another .....
ROLL BACK THE YEARS
SATURDAY 27 FEBRUARY HOPE THE DATE IS ALREADY IN YOUR DIARY - TO ALL OF YOU WHO MADE LAST TIME AN EVENING TO REMEMBER, TO THOSE WHO WANTED TO COME BUT COULDN'T MAKE IT, & ESPECIALLY TO ANY WHO HAPPENED TO MISS THE NIGHT ALTOGETHER!!! A FUN NIGHT FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, 7:15 - 9:30PM. NO TICKETS, DONATIONS ONLY.
I would like to express my sincere thanks for the lovely Flowers, Cards and Good Wishes received after my recent accident. Hazel McKinnon.
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS DEATHS 6 December Gordon Bulloch
COMMUNITY WORK WITH HILLPARK SECONDARY SCHOOL
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by Wilma Pearson
COSY CAFE
As many of you know, every Wednesday the school chaplaincy team host a café for pupils. This takes place in a ground floor room in the school which we lay out with tables for board games and a serving area for hot chocolate. Our clientele come mainly from year groups S1 and S2 and we have a regular attendance of between 40 and 60 pupils. The school is hugely supportive and encouraging about the cafe which ensures a safe place for pupils during a lunch hour. Staff pop in from time to time and have been delighted to see pupils interacting well, engaged in fun activity, well supervised and feeling comfortable. We have a number of volunteers from local churches who help out at the café but it would be good to have a few more. Requirements are a friendly disposition, a willingness to engage with young people, tolerance of heat and noise (the room gets hot and noisy!) and a desire to serve the school community. We require all volunteers to be PVG checked – this can be arranged. Cosy café takes place from 12.45-1.25pm (setting up from 12.15, clearing up by 1.45) every Wednesday during term time. Volunteers choose the weeks they want to attend. If you’d be interested in this community work please let Wilma know.
STAFF COFFEE MORNINGS
From time to time the chaplaincy team host staff coffee mornings which give staff and chaplains time to engage with one another. At these events we like to provide home baking. If you’d be willing to bake for a coffee morning (tray bake for 15-20 people) please let Wilma know. The coffee morning dates are: Wednesday 17 February & Thursday 5 May.
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FABRIC REPORT
by Ruth White
The Fabric Team has been asked by the Congregational Board to put regular updates in the Newsletter as to what is happening regarding the maintenance of our church buildings which include the sanctuary, halls, manse and church officer’s flat. There is much we would like to do, but we are restricted by financial constraints. There are seven of us on the team and a great deal of the maintenance is done where possible by our members. The following is a report of what has been happening over the last two months. MANSE The roof developed a leak which has been fixed by an outside roofing company. As a result of the leak a wall in the master bedroom has had water damage and is currently drying out with the aid of a dehumidifier. Damage will be assessed when the wall has fully dried out. CHURCH The boilers continue to give us problems from time to time and require heating engineers to be called which is expensive. A new actuator for the heating system has been ordered and that will be fitted in house. A new water heater has been installed to serve the wash hand basins in the ladies toilets and new taps fitted by outside contractors. Six of the sunken up-lighters surrounding the outside of the church have been removed and refurbished in house. Scaffolding which was kindly donated to us recently has been used allowing us to remove the overhead light on the balcony and take to the electrical engineers for servicing and repair. Drains have been power flushed and the low gutters have been cleared as per the usual regime in house. The annual electrical testing (PAT) to moveable electrical appliances has been completed in all areas of the church and halls. The lightning conductor failed its yearly test and has now been repaired and complies with the statutory specification and certification has been obtained.
january WORSHIP SERVICES
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Sunday 3 January
Service
10.30am
Thursday 7 January
12.45pm
Lunchtime Service (Lunch from 12 noon)
Sunday 10 January
Services at:
10am
Thursday 14 January
12.45pm
Lunchtime Service (Lunch from 12 noon)
Saturday 16 January
4pm
MESSY CHURCH
Services at:
10am 11.15am 6.30pm (CYMP) Also 3pm Service at Cartvale Care Centre
Thursday 21 January
12.45pm
Lunchtime Service (Lunch from 12 noon)
Sunday 24 January
Services at:
10am
Thursday 28 January
12.45pm
Lunchtime Service (Lunch from 12 noon)
Sunday 31 January
Services at:
10am
Thursday 4 February
12.45pm
Lunchtime Service (Lunch from 12 noon)
Sunday 7 February
Services at:
10am
Sunday 17 January
11.15am
11.15am 11.15am 11.15am
6.30pm
6.30pm 6.30pm 6.30pm
FOR ALL OTHER ENQUIRIES CONTACT CHURCH OFFICE 0141 637 6658 EMAIL office@cathcarttrinity.org.uk To include an article in the next Newsletter email newsletter@cathcarttrinity.org. uk
www.cathcarttrinity.org.uk