Summer 2025
Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow and reap and store in barns, yet our heavenly father feeds them.
Bearsden Cross Church – Scottish Charity No: SC009082 – Congregation No: 1811
Minister: Rev. Dr Graeme R. Wilson GWilson@churchofscotland.org.uk 61 Drymen Road, Bearsden, G61 2SU | 942 0507
Minister’s Secretary: Anne Reid
Office: 942 0507 | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30-12.30am
The Secretary may also be contacted by email secretary@bearsdencross.org
Session Clerk: Douglas Thomson SessionClerk@bearsdencross.org
Editor: Peter Grant MagazineEditor@bearsdencross.org
Cover picture:©Peter H Grant Text: Matthew 6:26
Content for the September 2025 edition of Word from the Cross should be sent to the editor no later than Friday 22 August 2025.
Web version of the magazine www.bearsdencross.org
Dear Friends,
Julie and I enjoyed a break to Denmark and Sweden at the beginning of May. We enjoyed four days in Copenhagen and were enchanted by this beautiful and charming city ... while also managing to avoid getting flattened by the countless cyclists who rule the roads!
We then travelled to Lund in Sweden where I played in a joint Church of Scotland and Church of England golf team against the Church of Sweden. We won! We also made and renewed many friendships with our English and Swedish colleagues and the highlight of the trip was undoubtedly a moving service of communion we shared together (in Swedish and English!) in the Undercroft of Lund Cathedral.
Another highlight was the journey by train from Copenhagen to Lund over the famous Oresund Bridge. The bridge, which joins Denmark and Sweden by both motorway and railway, one atop the other, was opened in 2000 and spans some 5 miles. It is an incredible feat of engineering, and also of economic co-
operation between the two countries.
April saw the passing of Pope Francis, and one of the messages attributed to him (echoing that of Martin Luther King Jnr.) was that people should “Build bridges, not walls.” Denmark and Sweden literally built a bridge together ... bridging the countries if you’ll excuse the pun. But, to “Build bridges, not walls” in a theological context is to reflect core Christian teachings about love, reconciliation, inclusion, and peace-making.
The phrase "build bridges, not walls" carries deep theological and ethical significance. It reflects core Christian teachings about love, reconciliation, inclusion, and peace-making. Building bridges is about healing divisions, encouraging forgiveness and unity, and being agents of reconciliation in a divided world.
Jesus taught a love that transcends barriers. He taught us to ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ (Mark 12:31), and to ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’ (Matthew 5:44). Building bridges means reaching out in compassion—even across cultural, social, or ideological divides—rather than retreating behind barriers, or walls, of fear or judgment.
The Apostle Paul writes about Christ having ‘broken down the dividing wall of hostility’ between Jews and Gentiles (Ephesians 2:14). In this light, Christians are called to resist creating barriers based on race, nationality, class, or denomination, and to embrace the unity of all people in Christ.
Building bridges also involves radical hospitality—welcoming the stranger, the marginalized, and the outsider. Jesus consistently included those who were excluded by religious or societal norms, and he told stories such as the ‘Good Samaritan’ to demonstrate a love that transcends self-made human barriers and the things that divide us.
To "Build bridges, not walls" is both a personal challenge and a communal mission—a call to embody the Gospel in action.
Wishing you a happy and sunny summer.
Shalom, Graeme
We have decided to continue the practice over the last couple of years of holding joint services with New Kilpatrick Church over the summer weeks. At present we anticipate that there will only be one service at 10.30am each week, though if this changes we will let you know in the next magazine.
The schedule of services will be as follows: -
10.30am Traditional Morning Service
29th June New Kilpatrick
6th July New Kilpatrick
13th July New Kilpatrick
20th July New Kilpatrick
27th July Bearsden Cross
3rd August Bearsden Cross
10th August Bearsden Cross
17th August Bearsden Cross
I know that for many of you, myself included, 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 8th June at 10.30am and at 4pm.
Graeme
As a result of the generous donations from this year's Lenten Lunch I was able to send £100 to Marie Curie.
The letter of thanks I received is on the wall in the Assembly area
Anne E Henderson
The Minister’s Communion ware – from the shores of the Sea of Galilee
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 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
Funday Friday (and Sunday!)
Funday Friday continues to meet at 4pm on Friday and with the lovely weather we have been in the garden . Our runner bean wigwam is planted and growing nicely. We have planted seeds and the tomatoes gifted to us by Maureen Meldrum. Our furniture has also been treated to a coat of paint.
We have three further meetings in June before we finish for the summer...our plan will be to be outside as much as possible. We are also studying the Parables during this time. We will finish on 20th June with the presentation of our prizes
Further information from Anne in the office
Anne and Lesley
TMC continues to meet on the last Monday of the month at 7 for 7 30 in Massimo's for food and fellowship. This month's charity will again be Riding for the Disabled
We are still taking names for our picnic in Gartocharn on Friday 1 August.
Anne E Henderson
Following the success of our first gatherings, it has been decided to keep meeting as a Men’s Group for conversation and company.
The next gathering will be at Raja Rani restaurant, 5 Kirk Place on Thursday 12th June at 7pm. We will continue to rotate venues going forward.
Please let me know if you are interested in coming along so that we can book tables accordingly. Either email gwilson@churchofscotland.org.uk – or, please just turn up on the night.
Looking forward to seeing you on Thursday 12th June at 7pm.
Graeme
Christian Aid Week does seem to go on a lot longer than it used to, doesn’t it? For us, it starts in April with the Kiltwalk and carries on till the end of May with the sale of quizzes and online donations to the Bearsden Churches Christian Aid Justgiving page which you can access, as also the Kiltwalk donations pages for Jim and Diane through our own church website, www.bearsdencross.org.events. In fact, the only event which has actually taken place during Christian Aid Week is our Coffee Concert on 17th May. The students of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland gave us a lovely concert which was clearly enjoyed by all who came, and the amazing sum of £1,106 was raised for CAW. Many thanks to Nairn Young and his team who arranged it and all the kind people who supported it.
Grateful thanks are also due to Jim Stewart for getting the Bearsden Churches Christian Aid flyers printed, organised and distributed by street, and to all those of our congregation who went round houses with them. They contain instructions on how to donate online, but, as many people donate anonymously or conceal the amount they give, it is not possible to know how much Bearsden Cross has contributed. For those not donating online, it will be possible till 1st June to donate in church by putting money in the envelopes in the pews (with Gift Aid if possible) and then placing them in the offering dishes at the front or back of the church. 1st June is also the closing date for submitting quiz entries and a box for these will be placed in the Assembly Area. If you haven’t bought yours yet, they are £2 and available after morning service.
Jim Stewart (a busy man!) and Diane Walker took part in the Kiltwalk for Christian Aid and so far they have raised the amazing sum of £4, 236.50 from online donations and also cash donated at church, the actual amount of which is not yet known. Well done, both of you, and thank you ever so much.
Bearsden Cross Church has a long tradition of helping Christian Aid Week which it would be easy to take for granted, but I can think of a number of other churches I know that have given and done much less. Christian Aid Scotland does not take our efforts for granted and is most grateful for all donations however small.
And what happens to the money raised? Well, ask the children at Messy Church on 16 th May! They listed war, disasters like earthquakes and climate change as causes of the poverty Christian Aid tries to alleviate, and they drew pictures of the flags of the countries most affected, in chalk on the drive up to the church, where, unless rain washes them away, you can all admire them. So my final thanks must go to our very youngest members!
Katie Thomson
In the Mission’s Prayer news for May, there is a special request for blessing on chef Denis and those who work in the kitchen and at the Drop-ins, as the numbers at both lunch and dinner continue to break records. Enough food for everyone has to be found for the guests need nutritious meals and cannot afford to buy them. As I chop up whole baskets and sacks of vegetables and wash more and more dishes, I think God has enabled us to meet the need so far!
The end of May sees the end of our Winter Project for the homeless which continued for an extra two months this year. The Housing Settlement Officers’ contracts end then and we pray for job opportunities for them. They have been a great blessing to our guests and are currently trying to get as many of them into permanent housing as possible before they leave. The national housing crisis becomes more urgent every year and we must pray for wisdom and discernment for those looking at possible solutions.
Meantime, the Child and Family Centre continues to expand its range of activities in the Govan area and there is much to be thankful for. 12 of the children went to a Scripture Union residential weekend in April and loved it, and some of the Centre staff have been doing Messy Science in Pirie Park and St. Constantine’s Schools for P7 pupils. Some of the activities are done in conjunction with two local Govan churches with which the centre has very cordial relations, and every effort is made by the staff in their one-to-one contacts with the children, to find out and develop their abilities and help them cope with their weaknesses. As one of staff said recently “The Centre is now part of the fabric of people’s stories in Govan.”
Prayer is also requested for the work of the Project Centre, especially with drug addiction and loneliness. A new schedule of activities has been started for the summer and it is hoped that all the guests will find some activity to enjoy and benefit from, including the Bible studies and Alpha classes that some choose to attend.
1st January 2026 is GCM’s 200th birthday and a special plea is going out for us to have a rummage in our attics for anything we have with a Mission connection that could be used in the planned celebration. (?A jar of Nutella, perhaps?) Or some stories?
You may have noted that money has not been mentioned in any of the above, and that is deliberate, for it is prayer the Mission values most and over the last 200 years it has seen
its needs met time and again by prayer. Thank you for all your help in this regard for GCM over the last year. Please keep it coming.
Katie Thomson
PS This year’s Zip Slide down the Clyde will take place on Friday 29th August. Look out for notices over the summer on how to support the brave souls doing it for GCM!
The season of Saturday Coffee Concerts finished on Saturday May 17th with a concert given by students from the Royal Conservatoire Scotland; proceeds in aid of Christian Aid. I am pleased to report that the concert raised £1,106 for Christian Aid. Thank you to all who helped to achieve this sum.
I would also like to thank all the folk who have helped with the concerts throughout the season in any way, especially the bakers whose donations have supplied the audience with such a variety of delicious dainties. I hear quite a few compliments from members of the audience regarding the tasty goodies and the quality of the coffee served at these concerts. Audience numbers have been good ranging between 50 - 70 with a lot of regulars for whom the concerts seem to be a pleasant social outing - just as we would wish. Thank you also, to all those who have attended the concerts. We have been able to transfer £1,000 to the church funds, which is much appreciated.
The first concert of the next season is on Saturday September 20th, when a recital will be given on our church’s 1906 Lewis organ by Christopher Nickol, organist of New Kilpatrick Church.
M Young
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
“ For as the earth brings forth its sprouts and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations .”
Isaiah 61: 11
MAY 2025
Provided by Arranged by
4th. In memory of Sheila Gibson
Thelma Struthers’s sister 11th. From funds.
Mrs E. Anderson
Mrs. H. Hutchison 18th. In memory of Barry Hutchison.
Mrs. K. Edmond 25th. From funds.
Mrs. M. Paterson
The Flower Group would like to take this opportunity to thank Helen Hutchison for all the many years she has helped place floral pedestals in Church for Sunday worship. Very much appreciated.
As in recent summer weeks the floral arrangements will be organised by the respective groups from New Kilpatrick Parish Church (26/06/25 - 20/07/25), then from Bearsden Cross Church (27/07/25 - 17/08/25.
Wishing everyone a restful Summer.
ChristineTaggart.
The Kirk Session has now 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.
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!
Contributions to the September 2025 edition of the magazine should be with the editor no later than Friday 22 August 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
June