Content for the March 2025 edition of Word from the Cross should be sent to the editor no later than Friday 14 February 2025. Web version of the magazine
‘There was a wedding at Cana-in-Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also among the guests.’ (John 2:1-2)
I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas, and that 2025 will be a year full of health and happiness for you and yours.
I had a significant ‘0’ birthday at the start of the year and had a wonderful surprise at the end of the service on Sunday 5th January when a lovely birthday cake was produced, and shared, after the candles had been blown out! Thank you to everyone who sent birthday cards or lovely messages – I had a wonderful couple of days around the birthday and then managed to get away for some sun and relaxation in Gran Canaria. And now it’s back to ‘auld claithes and porridge”!
I came across a story a while back. It concerns the legendary American TV host and comic, Johnny Carson, who was for many years the host of ‘The Tonight Show’ – one of America’s most popular television programmes.
Years ago, Jonny Carson interviewed an eight year old boy. The young boy was asked to appear on the show because he had rescued two friends in a coalmine outside his
As Johnny Carson questioned the boy, it became apparent to him and the audience that the young man was a Christian. So, Johnny asked him if he attended Sunday School. When the boy said he did, Johnny inquired, "So, what are you learning in Sunday School?" "Last week," came his reply, "our lesson was about when Jesus went to a wedding and turned water into wine." The audience roared, but Johnny Carson tried to keep a straight face. Then he said, "And what did you learn from that story?" The boy squirmed in his chair. It was apparent he hadn't thought about this. But then he lifted up his face and said, "If you're going to have a party, make sure you invite Jesus!"
The little boy was on to something. In the story of the Wedding at Cana in John Chapter 2 the amount of water turned to wine is remarkable … somewhere between 120-180 gallons of wine, the equivalent of perhaps 600-900 modern-day bottles … now that is some party!
And then there is the quality of the wine. It wasn’t the cheap stuff usually reserved for later in the celebrations when no-one might notice. No. ‘You have saved the best wine till now,’ the wine master says. (John 2:10)
The best wine. The good stuff. And plenty of it. There is a richness of life on offer through Jesus that we can only imagine ... a gift of ‘extravagant abundance’ beyond our reckoning, understanding, and even deserving. Jesus offers us more than we ever need or know.
So, why does this matter? The fact of the matter is, we all ‘run short’. The chances are, we have all experienced some form of ‘running short’, or even ‘running out’, in our lives. It is the rare person who has always had enough, or always had the resources, to make it out of a particular situation. In the Wedding at Cana story, nobody turned to Jesus until they were ‘running short’, until the wine was gone. Then again, we should not be surprised. There are many people, ourselves included if we are being honest, who do not seek Jesus until something runs out – be it luck, or love, or health, or life itself.
The issue is not being empty. The issue is not even ‘running out’. The issue is whether or not we will turn to Jesus to be filled. The story of the wedding at Cana is a story of knowing who to turn to. To trust him to bring transformation and joy, where there is emptiness and need.
So, just as the young boy said, make sure you invite Jesus into your life too! And don’t just invite him when you’re running short or are completely emptied. Invite him into the joys and the fullness of life too.
Shalom,
Graeme
Celebration of Communion
The celebration of the sacrament of Communion is a central part of our faith life and experience –a way of connecting at a deeper level.
We will next celebrate the sacrament of Communion on Sunday 9th March at 10.30am and at 4pm.
Home Communion
I know that for some of you, getting to church can be difficult or even close to impossible. If that case, then the church can come to you!
The Minister is always willing to bring communion to your home if you wish. He would be accompanied by your Elder, or another, to celebrate the sacrament together with you and this is a way in which to remain connected to the church and its life, even when you are less physically able to
The Minister’s Communion ware – from the shores of the Sea of Galilee do so.
If you would like to arrange for Home Communion to be brought to you then please contact the Minister on 0141 942 0507 or email him at gwilson@churchofscotland.org.uk,or contact your Elder.
Graeme
Bible Basics – Exploring the Old Testament
The Old Testament can be a fairly daunting subject to try to grasp (even for the Minister!) due to the wide nature of the people, places and subjects covered. The writing styles range from the poetic to apocalyptic, and from the historical to the farcical (Jonah). The Old Testament can perhaps be best understood as a ‘library’ of books ... with some quite obscure titles! What is Deuteronomy? Why Numbers? Who was Jeremiah, and why and what was he ‘lamenting’?
Unlike most books we might pick up, there doesn’t seem to be any kind of a clue as to how we might read the Old Testament. What is it, actually, all about? Why was it written? Who wrote it? Is there some key to the order of the books? In ‘Bible Basics’ this year we will try to explore some of these wider questions as well as looking at some of the books and key passages in a bit more detail.
‘Bible Basics’ is intended to be a fairly gentle and non-threatening entry into Bible Study and is aimed at those curious to find out some of the basic stories and themes of the Bible. ‘Bible Basics’ will take place on Tuesday mornings at 10.30am in the Guild Room and will last around 60 – 90 minutes. I will provide all of the relevant materials.
We will meet on the following dates going forward:-
Date Topic
Tuesday 4th February
The ‘Torah’ – 4. Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy
Tuesday 18th February ‘History’ – 1. Moses to David
Tuesday 4th March ‘History’ – 2. David to Exile
Tuesday 18th March ‘History’ – 3. Exile to Restoration
Graeme
Funday Friday (and Sunday!)
Funday Friday is once again in full swing following the break for Christmas. The children have looked at the journey of the wise men, doves of peace, mega scrolls and are enjoying the activities and crafts/baking that we undertake. All are welcome to join us on Friday afternoons in the big hall from 4 until 4:45pm
Activities will also be available during morning service on first and third Sunday of the month (unless during school holiday/half term break).
At this time we would also like to extend our thanks to all of you who so generously supported our Christmas gifts collection for East Dunbartonshire Women's aid. As always you gifted in large amounts and they were thankfully received.
For further information please contact Anne or myself.
Lesley
TMC continues, after a break in December, to meet on the last Monday of each month at 7 for 7 30 in Massimo's for food and fellowship.
We plan to support two charities with the collection we take each time:-
RNLI and DEBRA
New members always welcome. Just turn up on the night
Anne E Henderson
Phoenix Circle
Our programme for February:
February 3rd Burns’ supper with a Phoenix circle twist.
February 17th Learn all about scams from Graeme Hill of East Dunbartonshire coucil.
Our meetings start at 7:30pm. Everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be served after the talk.
Jo Moody, Secretary
The Guild
The next meetings for the Guild are:
Monday January 27th Anderson Singers who will entertain us with many songs.
Monday February 10th Glasgow’s Historic Shop Fronts.
Monday February 24th Milngavie in Bloom; A discussion about the flower arrangements in Milngavie.
All our meetings are in the Church Hall and start at 2:00pm. All are welcome!
June Macdonald
Following the success of the first Curry Night, and subsequent evenings in Massimo’s and Garvie’s (on Thursday 30 January), it has been decided to keep meeting as a Men’s Group for conversation and company.
We have decided that our next gathering will be at the Ashoka restaurant, New Kirk Road on Thursday 6th March at 7pm. We realise that curry might not be everyone’s favourite, and so we will continue to rotate venues going forward.
Please let me know if you are interested in coming along so that we can book accordingly – email gwilson@churchofscotland.org.uk – or, please just turn up on the night.
Looking forward to seeing you on Thursday 6th March at 7pm.
Graeme
Church Flowers
“ No winter lasts forever; no spring skips it’s turn “
Hal Borland
December 2024
Provided by : Arranged by : 1st. In memory of John Pack. Mags Paterson. 8th. Myra McFarlane. Eleanor Sinclair 15th. Jan Thomson. Flower Group 22nd. Nairn and Margaret Young. Flower Group 29th. Mrs. Wilma Howith. Flower Group
January 2025
Provided by : Arranged by: 5th Flower group. Flower group 12th. Cherry Jamieson. ChristineTaggart 19th. Flower Group Elspeth Talbot 26th In memory of Edith Aitken. Rosemary Walters
With grateful thanks for those generous donations to the Flower Fund.
Christine Taggart.
Happy 80th Birthday to Christian Aid!
Christian Aid was founded by churches in Britain and Ireland in 1945 to bring help to refugees stranded in Europe at the end of World War II (photograph from Christian Aid). No doubt over the year we shall see many old black and white photos of ordinary people trundling barrows of saucepans, children’s clothes, sheets and the like to community collection points, often churches. There was a feeling of relief and gratitude that they had been spared and therefore must try to help those who had suffered. There will be various commemorative events over the year, the first of which in Clyde Presbytery is on 26th January when an anniversary service will be held at Paisley Abbey at 3.30 p.m. with music and the Moderator of the General Assembly, Rt. Rev. Shaw Paterson, as speaker. Email edinburgh@christian-aid.org if you are interested in attending.
Well, Christian Aid has come a long way since 1945, hasn’t it, and grown into a worldwide organisation that its founders could hardly have dreamed of, but the motives that prompt people to help it are still very much alive. Our appeals for Gaza and for Lebanon brought in over £1,800 and there was a further £100 (not including gifts given online) contributed to the Christmas Appeal as well, on top of the other charity appeals to which we donate at Christmas. Very many thanks to all who gave then or earlier in 2024. Your commitment and generosity are what keep Christian Aid going.
As yet, there has not been a new appeal to give increased help in the Middle East now that a ceasefire is a realistic prospect and aid will be able to reach Gaza especially, but I suspect there may be quite soon. Keep checking at www.christianaid.org.uk Meantime, we can turn our attention to the first event that we associate with Christian Aid Week, namely the Kiltwalk. This year, the Glasgow Kiltwalk will be held on both Saturday 26 th and Sunday 27th April, which may enable more people from our church to take part. See contactus@thekiltwalk.co.uk for more details and to register.
And thanks for all that your gifts, prayers and volunteering!
Katie Thomson
Glasgow City Mission
Well, it was the coldest spell we’ve had this winter but it was our week of duty at the Glasgow City Mission drop-in and we produced our usual two volunteers for each night except the Thursday - when we had three! Though some of our team were old hands, several were very welcome newcomers. We worked alongside the staff member(s) and regular weekly volunteers, serving out the meal, eating it with the guests and chatting to them to make them feel at home, then helping to clear everything up at the end. We were given clear instructions and help when necessary and several of the team commented afterwards about how appreciated they had felt, both by the Mission and by the guests, who always thanked them before leaving.
Last year, all guests who were rough sleepers were told to come for the drop-in meal with the other guests but stay till 9 p.m.; then they would see GCM’s housing officers who would try to find them a place to stay for the night. This year was different; the housing officer worked with these guests as soon as they arrived and almost all were accommodated in a hotel or lodging house. The usual number of rough sleepers helped per night was about 4-6 but on the Friday night when only 59 guests in all attended (as opposed to over 100 on the Thursday) 9 needed emergency help and all 9 got it. The housing officer would see each of them next day to try to find them a permanent home.
The team’s reactions were interesting. One liked going round the tables with a coffee and tea trolley, even though one guest told her her coffee was rubbish! She changed it to suit him and he gave her a wave of thanks when he left. Another spoke to one of the regular volunteers and learned that she has a full time job and does a lot of other charity work as well because, as she said, she was “the Lord’s puppet.” How humbling! Several liked having quite involved conversations at the tables with the guests (using translation apps on their phones), and one of the team said how poignant it was to be shown photos by one guest of his wife and cat in Syria whom he clearly missed very much. At a more practical level, one guest asked for warm socks, which were supplied. That’s why we have a box in the Assembly Area for donations of socks, hats, scarves, gloves and men’s underwear, so please keeping bringing in anything you can spare.
It brought home to our team how much the Mission does with the donations we and other churches give them and how much the guests depend on them. It was a great delight to me to learn, after being away over Christmas, that the special offerings for GCM made here at the Christmas services raised £406; that, plus money donated to
Professor Jim Parratt for his book Kenny the Koala and a few other donations, made up a total of over £700 which the Mission was very glad to receive. And please don’t forget Gwen Stokes’s Quiz Night on 1st February in aid of GCM. Tickets are £10, to include a light supper, and there will be a raffle as well. Gwen’s quizzes are always great fun if very frustrating, so do add your name to the list in the Assembly Area and come along.
And, as always, thank you very much to everybody who has helped in any way, by being in the duty team AND by being on standby in case of call offs, by knitting or buying items requested, by giving money without letting your left hands know what your right hands are doing, and, most of all, by praying for the Mission, its staff, the volunteers and the guests who, as our team realise each year, are really also our friends.
Katie Thomson
Quiz and Raffle
What: A quiz and raffle in aid of Glasgow City Mission
Where: Bearsden Cross Church Hall
When: Saturday 1 February at 7pm.
Tickets are £10 per head, cash or cheques only please. This includes a fork supper, BYOB.
To help with catering, please add your name to the list in the Assembly Area if you’d like to come along or contact Gwen. Friends and family welcome.
Donations for the raffle are most welcome. These can be placed in the box in the Assembly Area or brought along on the night.
Please come along for a fun night and support this worthwhile cause.
Gwen and Paul Stokes
DID YOU GET WHAT YOU WISHED FOR? THE ART OF GIVING
Rather late now, but did you get as a Christmas present what you really wanted? Or did you receive (again) that ugly vase from your now ancient Aunt Agatha - the vase that still gets passed around family members even though that aunt died years ago. Do you make a list of what you wish for, or do you really like surprises?
One couple solved this quandary in a way I would recommend. The husband liked, for a Christmas or birthday present, a surprise; the wife, of course, had clear ideas as to what she would like. The compromise, always a good idea, was for the wife to make a list (quite a long one) and give it to her husband. The ‘surprise’ is what things on her list he would choose; she would like any. The problem was that the list was in the pocket of the husband’s shirt which was already in the washing machine.
At our age we wish for rather little; the problem is getting rid of the many things we have accumulated over a lifetime. For Christmas Pam chose something from…. (no adverts allowed in this church magazine) whereas I had already chosen (and purchased way back in July) a particular CD. This year it was of my favourite pianist seen often at the BBC Proms (Solomon) in a recording from 1954 made shortly before he had a stroke, which sadly prevented him from ever playing again. After six months I had forgotten all about this purchase so that when Christmas came this present was a pleasant surprise. Just what I wished for.
Each Christmas we receive a parcel from our Australian daughter, contents unknown to us. It is delivered ‘door to door.’ When it arrives, from such a long way away, we never refuse to accept it. We know it is from someone we love and who loves us; it is a gift with much love behind it. We receive the gift and take it inside our home; it has become our own. Do we then put it away in a corner and forget all about it? Certainly not! At the right time we unwrap and open it, with much excitement and joy, and accept it. Sometimes we could see how much it cost to send it from far away Australia, and once it happened that we had to pay to receive it! ‘No worries.’ This gift was costly both to send and to receive. And now it belongs to us.
Perhaps you can see where this is all leading! Time to switch off then? I hope not.
As Christians we celebrate the so costly gift from God the Father, of Jesus, the Son who was with the Father from the very beginning, working together in creation. ‘From heaven he came, helpless babe’ as the hymn puts it. And this gift, so costly to send, was the very one we all needed. Indeed, it is the very heart of the Christian faith. We accept God’s gift, welcoming Jesus and opening our lives to him. In the words of scripture, we ‘receive Christ’. For many in the world today without a previous church connection (like
me) there comes a time when, like that gift from Australia, we ‘receive Christ’ as a definite transaction. Faith has a beginning. After that the Christian life becomes a journey, a walk. For me a very long one and nearing the end, ‘walking in friendship with the Lord’ learning more of Jesus as Saviour and Lord. For most of us perhaps not so costly a journey, but for many in today’s world, to ‘receive Christ’ is costly, often involving the sacrifice of life itself.
I heard this the other day about a well- known Christian leader (no prizes for guessing who) speaking to other leaders in the church. This is what he said. As you walk in the Faith keep your ‘eyes up’ (looking to the Lord), arms outstretched (to other believers), bare (!) feet on the ground (in costly service to others). Good word – and not only for leaders.
Waiting expectantly. Did they get what they wished for?
Jim Parratt
Mind That Song
Our church provides a safe and welcoming environment, where we would like to encourage carers to bring their loved ones or friends, who have Alzheimers. They will be treated to an afternoon of music and singing, along with a cup of tea/coffee and a biscuit. There is a representative from Alzheimer Scotland in attendance each time, to answer questions or give advice on a range of other events and support that is available.
It has been proven that music has a way to reach people who have Alzheimers and helps them to reconnect with the past.
Our events are on the 2nd Friday of each month 2pm to 3.30pm, there is no requirement to have any church connection, it is for all. Azheimers disease does not discriminate.
If you know of anyone who you feel would enjoy musical sessions along with a coffee and cake, please come along or contact Anne O’Donnell at Alzheimer Scotland (AO’Donnell@Alzscot.org) or speak Wendy Owler, Anne Henderson or Alasdair Meldrum at church
Wendy Owler - Local Mission Convenor 0141 942 1384 wendyowler@live.com
Submissions to the Magazine
Contributions to the March 2025 edition of the magazine should be with the editor no later than Friday 14 February 2025. Contributions reflecting all aspects of the life of the Church and congregation are welcome, including photographs! It would assist editing if contributions could be prepared in Calibri font, size 14.
Also, please only send photographs that are of sufficient resolution to print clearly. Do not send multiple photographs asking the editor to choose (select those you would like included and send only those).
All contributions should be sent to: MagazineEditor@bearsdencross.org
Baptism
08.12.24 Cora Frieda Robson
Funerals
30.12.24 Mr William (Bill) Muir
10.01.25 Mrs Doreen Irvine
New Members by Certificate of Transfer
30.12.24 Rev Harold and Mrs Allison Steven
Certificates
05.12.24 Mr Alistair and Dr Morag Allan
Recordings of the Services
An audio recording of each morning service is made, and circulated weekly to those who have expressed an interest in listening, To be added to the distribution, please email secretary@bearsdencross.org.
If you do not have email, we can let you have the recording in any way which suits you, please speak to the Minister or Session Clerk.
Anne Reid
The Kirk Session has established a free ‘Taxi Service’ to enable people to come to church who might not otherwise be able to do so due to a lack of transport.
The ‘Taxi Service’ is now ‘live’ and will operate as follows: -
1. Those interested in using the taxi service should contact the Church Office on 0141 942 0507 to register with Church. Leave a message on the answerphone if there is no reply.
2. You will then be given a Password, which is unique for the church account, which is ‘Bearsden Cross Church’.
3. Once registered you can then phone Station Taxis on 0141 942 4555 for a taxi to church, giving the account name ‘Bearsden Cross Church’ and the unique password. This can be pre-booked the previous day, or up until 10am on the Sunday.
4. Return taxis can also be booked for after the service.
5. If there are a couple of folk nearby each other then perhaps taxi sharing might be considered when booking.
6. There will be no charge for this service. The cost will be borne by the Session Fund, which exists for purposes such as this.
I hope that this service will enable people to get to church who might not otherwise be able to do so, and I look forward to seeing people back in church on a Sunday morning where they belong!
