New Laigh Kirk Magazine December 2019

THE MAGAZINE OF

NEW LAIGH KIRK Church of Scotland KILMARNOCK Scottish Charity No.:SC031334

DECEMBER 2019

“A caring welcoming church at the heart of Kilmarnock reaching out to all”

Minister: Rev. David S Cameron, 1 Holmes Farm Road, Kilmarnock (525416) Session Clerk: Mr Derek I’Anson Depute Clerk: Mrs Margaret Patterson Community and Families: Amy Tanner Youth Worker: Rachel Taylor

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CHURCH CALENDAR SUNDAY 11.00 a.m.

11.00 a.m.

5.30 to 7.30 p.m.

MONDAY 7.15 p.m.

8.00 p.m.

7.00 to 9.00 p.m.

MORNING WORSHIP Crèche (0 to 3 years) Junior Kingz (age 3-primary 3) and Senior Kingz (primary 4-primary 7) Contact: Amy Tanner (07980 665432) TrekkersNG (11-17 years) Rachel Taylor See Youth activities programme

Guild (every second Monday) Contact: Ellen Stewart (524321) or Lesley Wright (523039) Highlights Klub (1 Monday per month – see Syllabus) Contact: Mrs Angela Mitchell (534622) or Mrs Eileen Murphy (543488) Ranger Guides (every second Monday) Contact: Mary Dunlop (07519 124548)

TUESDAY 10.15 to 11.15 a.m. Tots Praise (Babies - 4 year olds) Contact: Amy Tanner (07980 665432) 2.00 p.m.

Music and Movement Contact: Christine Kinnell (535190) or Jean Mulholland (403891) 7.00 p.m.

Badminton Club Contact: Mr Alan I’Anson (07949 169051) 7.00 p.m.

Congregational Board Meeting Contact: Emma Johnstone (07853 240753) 7.00 p.m.

Session Meeting (Dates as arranged) Contact: Mr Derek I’Anson (521445) WEDNESDAY 2.00 p.m.

Friendship Group (downstairs second Wednesday of each month) Contact: Mrs Margaret Paterson (551288) 6.00 to 7.00 p.m. Rainbows Contact: Sheena Baillie (07749 617204) 6.30 to 8.00 p.m. Brownies: Contact: Alison Murdoch (07508 903293) 7.30 to 9.00 p.m. Guides Contact: Mary Dunlop (07519 124548) THURSDAY 2.00 p.m.

Guild of Friendship (every second Thursday) Contact: Janette Howard (529005) 7.00 p.m.

Vestry Contact: Rev. David S Cameron (525416)/Mr Derek I’Anson (521445) 7.30 p.m.

Choir Contact: Mr Martin Sharp (524133) FRIDAY 6.00 to 7.30 p.m.

Boys’ Brigade Anchor Boys (5 to 8 years) St. Andrew’s and St. Marnock’s Halls Contact: Mrs Michelle Taylor (529266) 7.00 to 9.00 p.m.

Boys’ Brigade Junior Section (8+ to 11 years) St. Andrew’s and St. Marnock’s Halls Contact: Elaine Park (533464) 7.00 to 9.30 p.m. Boys’ Brigade Company Section (11+ to 18 years) New Laigh Kirk Hall Contact: Mr David McDonald (544037)

Safeguarding Co-ordinators: John and Jamila McDowall Safeguarding Panel Members: John Dale, Bill Sherry and Ellen Stewart

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New Laigh Kirk Manse December 2019

Hello everyone We’re now into the Season of Advent, we enjoy or at least try to enjoy the preparations for Christmas.

Certainly at New Laigh we prepare well for the festive celebrations which include all generations of our church. The Bethlehem Experience for the Town’s Christmas Lights Switch On is a bold witness and reminder to everyone with no church connection why we put so much effort into celebrating Christmas.

There is of course confusion about Advent and Christmas. Are we coming or going? Christmas is the celebration that Christ has come; Advent is the celebration that Christ is coming. Advent is preparation for Christmas and looks forward beyond what we can see and says what happened in Bethlehem. It is also mysteriously related to what will happen in the end, when Christ comes again in glory.

I was delighted by the huge effort everyone put in at Kilmarnock’s Christmas lights switch on. Sharing the Bethlehem Experience brought the light of the gospel to the countdown for the Christmas Lights Switch On by retelling the Nativity Story. You could also hear the excitement the countdown had and then the great cheer as the lights sparkled down King Street, some brilliantly lit, others tacky beyond compare, none depicting the nativity.

Everyone needs a little beauty in their lives, especially in hard times.

The lights of Christmas provide or represent that hope, but they cannot and will not change the world and bring us the salvation we desire.

Only the Christ who was born on Christmas Day can do that. Only the hope that we have in him, can make the celebration of his birth something that is more than a brief, frantic, and often senseless time of spending money we don't have on gifts that our children don't need.

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That first coming, that first Advent, with all its hope and joy and promise, still leaves a lot of unfinished business.

If Christmas is about God becoming a helpless child, joining our weak and hurting human family; If the Christmas carols are true, "peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled"; If the candles we light at Advent represent the true light that the world can never put out; If all we celebrate at Christmas is true, then Christ must come again.

It is wonderful to prepare for Christmas by hanging lights and decorating trees and preparing gifts for those you love. We need the reminder that God’s Reign is at work in our world, in order to keep us faithful to what we proclaim and believe. As a church we embody the life-giving, hopeful Reign of God. As we respond to his call, we become a sign of God’s Advent to others, leading them into the hope we have in Christ. It is a wonderful thing to defy the course of the world and to proclaim that there is a special day. It is even more wonderful you have reason to believe the light which only briefly defies the December darkness, will be established forever.

May the true light of Christmas brighten the way you go in your coming and going this Advent Season and the light of Christ shine brightly from you in all your preparations.

Merry Christmas to you when it comes.

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Monthly Prayer Meeting and Prayer Requests There is a Prayer Request Box on the Table of Remembrance in the church. If you would like anyone to be prayed for or something to be prayed about then please leave your request in the box provided.

Some people ask, “What is a Prayer Request?�

The simple answer is when you feel you need something to be prayed about then write a wee note and drop it into the box on the Table of Condolence in the church.

Your request might include a wide range of prayers needed for example: Request a prayer for the work of the church, the organisations you are part of, the ministry, Sunday School, Sunday Services, people visiting, people needing to be visited.

Request a prayer of thanksgiving for life events, birth, marriage, new home, children setting out in life, retirement , anniversaries, happy times.

You might like a prayer for someone who is ill, at home or in hospital, someone going through difficult times, bereavement, family break up, job insecurity.

Prayers for others are important as well as the issues that concern us in a troubled world. You might want prayers said for news items or newspaper headlines that trouble you or that we should be thankful for.

You can name people if you like and there is no need to name yourself, you can make your prayer request anonymously.

From this very small list you can see there is no barrier to a prayer request. The limit is our own anxiety of making the request.

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The prayers are removed from the box at our Wednesday Prayer meeting, the group respond offering your concerns and thanksgiving to God prompted by the words written in your request.

Please use the tear off slip below and place it in the box. You may also send your request to the minister, again this may be done anonymously.

The prayer group will meet on the first Wednesday of the month at 7.00pm in the church.

Please also note, anyone at all may attend the prayer meeting. You do not need to pray aloud. Others will lead the group in prayer. Just sitting in the stillness is all you need to do. There really is no barrier to attend and you will be made very welcome by all who already take part in this very worthwhile ministry of our Kirk.

If you pray for another you will be helped yourself Please Pray for…………

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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The following is an extract from the Draft Minutes of the last Kirk Session meeting held on 17th September 2019.

The Kirk Session previously agreed that a feasibility study should be undertaken on potential refurbishment of our premises in order to achieve maximum use. A budget of £10,000 had been set for this purpose. Mr Ken Stewart, Treasurer, reported on discussions with Mr David McCall, architect, with a spend of £4,200 to date. Mr McCall will speak to the Kirk Session in November and display plans. Once plans have been approved by the Kirk Session and the Congregational Board, the plans will be costed.

This will clearly be a long process, with ample time for consultation with elders and the congregation. Options include the following measures in the church: ● Pews to be replaced with stackable chairs to allow more flexible use of space and potential for income generation from lets. ● Conversion of the Session Room into a kitchen, with direct access to the sanctuary. ● Conversion of the current kitchen into an accessible toilet for disabled people. ● Retention of the central balcony and conversion of the side areas upstairs into meeting rooms and storage space. . The following are options for the halls: An office near the entrance.

Removal of the stage to create meeting rooms.

An enlarged kitchen.

Re-location of toilet facilities.

A new floor above the suspended ceiling in the lower hall with an extension at the back of the building with a glass atrium. ● Installation of a lift. ● ● ● ● ●

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Another matter discussed was on the subject of a Praise Worship Leader, with an extract from the Minutes: “New Laigh Kirk is a congregation with a mission to reach out to all in its local community by going beyond the traditional boundaries of our Church and its organisations and forming a much broader conception of how we build a stronger community whose lives are based on Christian values built around worship. Our congregation enjoys a variety of musical styles, including traditional hymns, gospel hymns and contemporary worship music. Seeking to combine the best of contemporary and traditional, the Moderator’s proposal to advertise for a Praise Worship Leader was approved by the Kirk Session. This will enable New Laigh Kirk to offer different worship styles, aimed at diverse kinds of audiences. This post will be advertised immediately.”

Mr. Derrick MacAllister intimated his retiral from the post of Elder, due to health reasons. Mr MacAllister was thanked for his many years of faithful service, including representing New Laigh Kirk as our Presbytery Elder.

Derek I’Anson Session Clerk.

The late Iain Munro Vari and Russell wish to acknowledge with sincere thanks the huge number of letters, cards and expressions of sympathy received from friends at New Laigh Kirk following the sad loss of a dear Dad and proud Grandpa.

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Thanks to everyone who supported our recent Coffee Morning at the New Laigh halls and anyone who contributed to Boys Brigade Flag week.

Since the start of the session we have had boys from the Company Section taking part in the Battalion Activity evening at Dumfries House sports centre where they used the Climbing Wall and Dodgeball court.

Seven boys from the Company section were representing East Ayrshire Battalion at the 2018/19 National Cross Country Championship at Kilsyth, this was postponed from March 2019 when it was cancelled due to the weather. Jonathon Downie, Rowan Taylor, Ewan Rutherford and Charlie McNulty were 1st in the Team competition in the intermediate category and Jonathon was 2â żd overall in the same category.

The Junior section have enjoyed an evening of 10 pin bowling and brought home 10 medals from the Battalion swimming gala which was held at Cumnock outdoor pool.

Winning team at the national Cross Country L to R: Jonathon Downie, Charlie McNulty, Ewan Rutherford, Rowan Taylor.

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It has often been said that “The only thing that’s constant is change”. That has certainly been true of 2019. The political scene changes daily at home and abroad. The Church of Scotland announced a Radical Action Plan, which will re-shape our churches to be fit for the future. In our own lives many of us have encountered life-changing situations.

While some of us thrive on the challenge of change, for most of us adapting to new situations can be difficult – especially when we feel swept along by changes over which we have little or no control. It is especially stressful when there are divided opinions about which path we should take into that unknown future. This can lead to disputes within and between nations, in local communities and even within families.

Recognising the harm done when people spend more time arguing than working together constructively, the Church of Scotland has called for a Season of Prayer. The Rt Rev. Colin Sinclair, Moderator of the General Assembly, has prepared the following prayer for a time of radical change, not only within the Church, but at many levels in contemporary society.

Jesus Christ, You call us all to follow You in the adventure of faith.

As we begin the process of change guided by Your spirit, help us to trust You. Help us to willingly let go of all “the ways we have always done things”, when it feels safer to shrink from changes that deeply affect us, back into what we have known.

Inspire us to take risks, to creatively and courageously be Your church today,

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looking to You in worship, reaching into our communities, venturing out in service.

Bless the Church of Scotland as we seek to build Your Kingdom.

Bless the Assembly Trustees in their tasks, Bless the new Chief Officer when he takes up his post and help us all to see what we can do, together, to bring into being the Radical Action Plan.

Let us renew our commitment to follow You as we step out in glad obedience.

For Your name’s sake. Amen This prayer reminds us that there is no point in putting up a stubborn resistance to all change. After all, the book of Revelation promises us “a new heaven and a new earth”.

We are therefore called to embark upon “the adventure of faith”.

Changing times may draw us out of our comfort zones, but although we cannot predict what the future holds, we know who holds our future. It is our Father God who has promised never to leave us, nor forsake us throughout eternity.

At this time of constant change, you may wish to pray for: � wisdom for political leaders and a genuine desire for the well-being of our entire nation; � guidance for diplomats who seek peace within and between nations; � healing for families who are under pressure due to adverse circumstances; � inspiration for church leaders and members planning how to be “salt and light” in our communities.

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Highlights Klub Our session this year started with a Fairtrade wine tasting night with our very own Charles Sim. It was a very interesting and informative insight into the origins of some Fairtrade wines, and how the profits go to help the people who work so hard to produce it.

An added bonus was the tasting of the wine, which has now given us a few different options on our shopping list. Everyone was very impressed by how nice they tasted. Thank you Charles for introducing us to new wines!

A fashion show by Bonmarché in Kilmarnock was our next event, which again proved to be very interesting and entertaining. The ladies from Bonmarché had the evening very well organised, and five of our own ladies were the lovely models. A huge thank you to Anne Brown, Margaret Brown, Claire Bryson, Lillian Gillies, Jan Lamberton and Anne Scullion for strutting their stuff on the catwalk, modelling coats, knitwear, evening wear, casual wear and finally pyjamas! They did a great job and looked absolutely wonderful – thank you ladies! Thank you also to the Bonmarché staff for their professionalism and organisation, for the 20% discount offered in the shop to the ladies present on the evening, and also for the promise of a voucher for our charity raffle in April.

By the time the magazine is published, we will have had our Movie night, singing along to ‘Mamma Mia – Here I Go Again’ and I am sure everyone will have enjoyed letting their hair down for a little while!

Our Christmas evening on 9th December is being provided by Teatime Treats, who will be bringing a Christmas themed afternoon tea (in the evening!), complete with linen table cloths and china, to us in the halls.

We are looking forward to seeing all the ladies in their party wear, with a prize for the ‘blingiest’ outfit.

New members are welcome at any time – come along on your own or with a friend and you will be assured of a very warm welcome.

For more information, please contact Eileen on 543488 or Angela on 534622.

Eileen Murphy, Chairperson 12

New Laigh Kirk Walking Group By the time this issue of the Magazine reaches you, the Walking Group’s 2019 season will have ended. The Wednesday evening walks ended in late August. Our Monthly Walks continued until the end of October, with the September Walk taking place around Irvine Harbour, refreshment stop in the Puffer Café at the Maritime Museum. At the time of writing, our final walk for 2019 has still to take place – at Craufurdland, with tea and cake afterwards in the Laird’s Table restaurant there. Our 2020 season will commence on a Saturday afternoon in late March (date still to be arranged), with our annual inaugural walk around the grounds of Dumfries House.

The schedule of monthly walks for 2020 will be published in the first 2020 issue of the magazine. Our Wednesday evening Walks will recommence on the Wednesday immediately after Easter - Wednesday 15th April (the first Wednesday after the clocks go forward is in Holy Week, so there would be no walk that week).

We would like to wish all our walkers a Merry Christmas and a peaceful, healthy and happy New Year.

Ellen Stewart

Thank-you Ella Colman wishes to thank Rev David Cameron and her many friends in New Laigh Kirk for their cards and kind wishes on her ninetieth birthday. It was lovely to be remembered by so many good friends.

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SU Camp NLK youth joined 60 young people from churches around Ayrshire at SU camp and had a great time with outdoor activities like biking, bouldering, archery, a sing song and marshmallow toasting round the fire pit. Dez Johnston from Alpha Scotland shared some inspiring teaching on the life of Peter. All round it was a fabulous weekend and each of the youth came back exhausted, happy and with several new friends.

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61 Years an Ordained Elder On 3rd November Derrick MacAllister was honoured as he formally retired from Office after 61 years of faithful service as an elder of the Church of Scotland.

The Minister paid warm tribute to Derrick as he described him as having a servant’s heart labouring faithfully as an Elder.

Derrick was ordained at Cargill and Kincraig Parish Church in Maybole in 1958. He has been a father figure to Elders with lesser experience, as well as members within the wider community of the church. We have valued his counsel, administration skills and friendship as he carried out his duties with a smile and good humour.

As a pastoral visitor he has been very supportive offering words of encouragement and advice in the pastoral care of the sick, the aged and the needy and has encouraged people both within and without the fellowship of the church.

Derrick has used his skills, and life experiences to keep people interested with a wisdom and knowledge that come from being well read and able to relate to people of all ages. Always his own man, he has been very decisive in deeper roles for the wider Presbytery. Derrick has offered his talents in three Committees of Enquiry for Presbytery in congregations deemed to be in an unsatisfactory state; appointed as an Assessor Elder again making use of his wide ranging skills and experience encouraging depleted congregations and Kirk Sessions to grow and mature in their own leadership roles. Derrick also served as Moderator of the Presbytery.

As a Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland Derrick has contributed to the national work of the church in discerning the major issues, contributing to debate and making decisions on the church’s behalf. No matter the task, big or small, Derrick did it voluntarily, often when others failed to carry their share, he willingly stepped up to carry their load. We have seen in Derrick a

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quiet, humble and principled leader who has given much to better the lives of others without seeking personal recognition.

Derrick has carried out his pastoral and spiritual oversight of our congregation with dignity, integrity and commitment. He has been a good friend to all of us at New Laigh and we will miss his example of service and support for the church’s work in Kilmarnock.

He used to say when giving reports, ‘I’ll cut this short – but he never did.’ His service to the church has not been short and he himself has enjoyed every minute of it.

On behalf of the Congregation the minister presented Derrick with a framed picture of New Laigh Kirk along with a long service certificate as a small token of thanks and the congregation responded with warm appreciation for Derrick’s service to his Lord and his Church.

Music and Movement We resumed on Tuesday 17th of September., with a good turnout of our ladies, and one or two new ones, ready for another session of exercise. The exercises aren't too strenuous! and afterwards we have tea, biscuits and a blether. We would give a warm welcome to any newcomers wishing to join us on a Tuesday at 2pm in the lower hall.

We are now looking forward to our Christmas lunch at Piersland House Hotel, Troon, on 3rd Dec. The bus will leave from Tannahill's in John Finnie St., at 12pm, returning approx 4pm.

Cost is £25 which includes the bus, lunch and tips. There are still a few seats available and if anyone else would like to come please contact Christine on 535190 or Jean on 403891.

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The Guild The Guild has recommenced after the Summer break. As the temperature falls, daylight hours reduce and clocks have gone back, we are enjoying the colours of Autumn, before the approach of Christmas.

As in previous years, at the beginning of September several Guild members made their way to Dundee for the annual Gathering of Guild members from across Scotland. What a fabulous day we had – good speakers and great music. Once again the event was live-streamed. This year marked a major change in the celebration of ‘Guild Week’ across Scotland, which was moved from its November date to the beginning of September, following on immediately after ‘The Gathering’ in Dundee.

Our Guild marked Guild Week with a ‘Big Guild Quiz’ followed by refreshments. We were thrilled to have participants from several of our church organisations, and a great time was had by all, with the quiz being won after a tie-break.

Our Guild session proper started on 23rd September. We were delighted to welcome several new Guild members again this year and to welcome Natalie Sharp to play the piano for our Devotions. After several years of using a CD player to provide our music, it is lovely to have an accompanist once more. The opening meeting for our 2019/2020 session was our traditional visit from Rev. David Cameron, who talked to Guild members and celebrated Holy Communion with us. The evening ended with tea/coffee and cake. The following meeting was a talk about Centrestage Projects by Andrew Swanson, and at the subsequent meeting, Victoria McDowall, one of our own Trekkers, came to talk to us about her Guiding experience which included having been selected to attend an international Guide Camp this summer. At the beginning of November, we had a guest speaker from the first of this year’s Guild Projects – 18

“Growing the Future.”

By the time this issue of the magazine is distributed, we will have held our annual Fund Raiser, featuring ‘The Von Crapp Family Singers’. Followed by a cheese and wine and a raffle. Future events for the remainder of 2019 are: December 2ⁿd

Christmas Craft with Miriam Patterson

December 16th

Christmas Night Out (£21.00) Fenwick Hotel

Our meetings restart on 6th January 2020 with a talk on Whiteleys Retreat by Bernard Smith. On 20th January we will be entertained by Folk Group ‘Luckenbooth’, and on February 3rd, Father Martin Chambers will talk to us about the Ecuador Trust, followed on 17th February by a talk on ‘Avoiding Fraud’ by Nationwide. 2nd March will be our final Guild meeting before the AGM and will be a talk on the second of this session’s Guild Projects ‘Free to Live Trust’(known as ‘Seema’s Project’). The Annual Guild Coffee morning will take place on Saturday 7th March.

Followed on Monday 16th March by our AGM. We are breaking with tradition by having a meal out to end our 2019/2020 session.

If you aren’t a Guild member, everyone is welcome to attend. Please come along. We’d love to see you.

Ellen Stewart

Thank-you Bill, Eileen and family would like to thank the many people in our Church family who sent cards and messages of sympathy and condolence following the sad loss of Pat. Your kind words and support were a great comfort, and were very much appreciated by us all at such a difficult time.

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EACH Each person matters

Scottish Charity no: SC 036849 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:37-38

As ever, we at EACHa have been very busy, with numbers at our drop-ins remaining high, and requests for hygiene packs steadily increasing, showing that the numbers of people presenting as homeless continue to grow.

However, apart from all the activity, a few events this autumn have helped us focus on what we do, and why we do it.

We were thrilled to be chosen as the charity to receive donations at the wonderful Music at the Movies Music At the Movies! concert in October. We had the opportunity to tell the audience about our work, and the magnificent sum of over £1,000 was raised. Sincere thanks to all who donated.

We held our AGM in October, when our Chair, Rev David Cameron, reinforced that as Christians our duty is to care for all those whose lives are blighted by poverty. We are all made in the image of God, and when someone is scarred by poverty, he or she is less able to reflect the beauty and wonder of God. When we walk alongside those who struggle for their dignity in the face of grinding poverty, we are doing Christ’s work. David also paid tribute to our many committed volunteers who give their time week after week to talk to our guests, to listen to their stories, to offer hospitality, and to treat everyone, without exception, with dignity and respect.

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At the end of October, we held our conference ‘Breaking down the barriers’, those barriers being the hurdles that people come across as they strive to break free of the cycle of poverty, homelessness, poor mental and physical health. Over 100 people attended, all of whom took part enthusiastically in the discussions. The keynote address was given

by James Docherty of Scotland’s Violence Reduction Unit, and he held the audience spellbound with his story. James has personal experience of addiction, poverty and crime and his address rang true with our own clients who were in the audience. His plea was to understand, to appreciate that, for those who turn to ‘anti-social’ behaviour, personal circumstances may be the root cause, in particular childhood hurt – both emotional and physical.

The delegates studied a fictional case study of someone who, on release from prison, finds hurdles at every turn in his attempts to get back to a settled way of life. These hurdles, or barriers, were discussed round the tables, and all comments were recorded and will be used as a springboard for further positive action.

What EACHa is about is committing to transform the lives of the most vulnerable in our community, and inspiring lasting hope for the future.

Much work remains to be done, but we believe there is a momentum, a growing belief that ‘the way things are’ is no longer acceptable.

We are very grateful for all the support that members of NLK continue to give us. We appreciate the use of the hall on three afternoons a week.

We could not manage without your continued donations of food, toiletries and cash. Many of you give your time, and we are always glad to welcome new volunteers. We’ll find a job for everyone!

Finally, we appreciate your prayers for our work, and for the men and women we support.

Janice Grant mob 07581 722331 David Quinn mob 07779 237318 Craig McCance mob 07967 637181 21

World Mission Council Dr Ann Jackson was born in Carluke and trained as a medical doctor at the University of Glasgow before being accepted to serve as a medical missionary with the Church of Scotland Foreign Mission Board, having been inspired by stories of Mary Slessor. She hoped that her work as a doctor in caring for the sick would also be a witness for Christ.

Ann started work at the Mary Slessor Hospital, Itu, in the present Akwa Ibom State. Over the next four years she worked in several hospitals and ended up serving at the Presbyterian Joint Hospital in Uburu, Eboyi State.

She made many Nigerian friends and when the Civil War broke out in 1967, Ann chose to remain in Nigeria to serve at the risk of her life, and the testing of her faith. The war, which continued until 1970, was characterised by mass starvation, lack of medicines and lack of food supplies. Ann used money sent by the Carluke churches to pay for medical bills for sick children in the hospital in which she was serving.

One of those children, now in her 50s, visited Carluke and shared stories and memories of Ann. She testified of how she was inspired by Ann's love and care to train as a medical doctor many years later, and she now practises as a doctor in London.

Ann worked in Malawi and then Glasgow before returning to Carluke in 1978, where she worked as a GP. In addition to her work, Ann prayed with those who needed healing and by the mid 1980s she ran a monthly healing service which still continues at St John's Church in Carluke. Ann now regularly attends and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Christian Healing Centre, Braehead House, Crossford.

During her time in Nigeria, Ann kept a personal journal, now edited by Joanna and William Storrar (former minister of St John's) and published

by Handsel Press as Last Doctor out of Biafra: The War Zone of Dr Ann Jackson. This book can be ordered online.

Copies of World Mission News are available every two months. Further information online at http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk.

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Guild of Friendship The new session got of to a good start on 3rd October with a visit from our Minister David he had us laughing at his amusing anecdotes. It was lovely to welcome new members. Our next meeting on the 17th we had a quiz. On 31st we had a lovely musical afternoon with SMT singing songs from 60s and 70s. We look forward to welcoming Deputy Provost Claire Leitch on 14th November. On 28th we are having a demonstration of Christmas decorations. Our Christmas party on the 12th December will end the first session. Anyone wishing to join us for any meetings can be assured of a warm welcome.

Janette Howard STAMPS With Christmas approaching could I ask you to collect your used stamps. They are passed on to the Blind Club to be sold for deserving charities. It’s amazing how they mount up so please keep them coming - no matter how few!

It would be greatly appreciated if when you are cutting them out you could leave a border of about 8 mm (1/2 inch), if possible, as I have discovered this is what is needed.

Thank you once again.

Esther Douglas

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Church Flowers The arranging and delivery of the flowers in the sanctuary each week is done by volunteers who give of their time for this worthwhile ministry of flowers.

We would like to thank all those who so willingly do this 52 weeks of the year and also those people who donate money to enable flowers and all that is needed for the arranging and delivery to be purchased.

However due to illness and deaths we are needing more helpers to cover all the weeks. If you could deliver flowers even just one week please contact Janice Grant[Tel.542202] or Sheena Macpherson[Tel. 524660].

We would also like to get more people arranging flowers. You do not have to have experience---- just a love of flowers----- because we would be only too pleased to give you some training.

Please do consider what YOU can do to help take these flowers to those who need to know that our caring church is thinking of them.

Sheena and Janice

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Church Open Doors New Laigh Kirk is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 12noon to 2.00pm. The church will be open for those who want to come for a period of solitude or reflection, to see the stained glass windows from the inside or to find out some of the history of the church and town.

We urgently require some more volunteers during 2020, especially men, to welcome the visitors, so if you could spare a couple of hours every six weeks or if you could cover shifts when regular volunteers are on holiday, we would be delighted to hear from you. We are particularly short of volunteers on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The church will be open every day during Advent. If you are able to help during December, especially on Tuesdays and Thursdays, we would be delighted to hear from you.

If you would like to be included in the rota, please speak to Helen Colman.

Remember that the more volunteers that there are, the less often you will be on duty!

Badminton Club The Badminton Club meet every Tuesday in the lower halls. It’s a fun and friendly club for all ages and abilities (over 16s). We play games, have a chat and a laugh.

Alan I’Anson 07949 169051

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Church Register Baptism 18th Aug 2019

Isaac Stephen Mark Barraclough 26 Gilmour Street Kilmarnock

8th Sept 2019

Calder James Lynn 6 Raasay Place Kilmarnock

13th Oct 2019

James and Russell Mitchell Newtonhead Farm Ayr Road Lanark

Marriage 4th Oct 2019

Robyn Mitchell to David Grant 17 Stirling Avenue Kilmarnock

Funerals 28th Aug 2019

Gordon Telfer 18 Barbadoes Road Kilmarnock

12th Sept 2019

Bert McAvoy (E) 129 Dundonald Road Kilmarnock

18th Sept 2019

Graeme Ritchie 4 Heather Place Kilmarnock

27th Sept 2019

Iain Munro (E) 19 Charles Street Kilmarnock

1st Oct 2019

David Strachan (E) 39 Melville Street Kilmarnock

4th Oct 2019

Pat Turner (M) 59 Loudoun Avenue Kilmarnock

7th Oct 2019

Bill Cairns (M) 21 Munro Avenue Kilmarnock

9th Oct 2019

Jean Cunningham (M) 122 Cameron Drive Kilmarnock

10th Oct 2019

Mary Whigham Crossgates Nursing Home Kilmarnock

16th Oct 2019

Sheila Adair (M) 2 Waverley Place Kilmarnock

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Funerals (Continued) 22rd Oct 2019

Brian Sanderson (M) 42 Glasgow Road Kilmarnock

14th Nov 2019

Ian Baird (M) 130 Hurlford Road Kilmarnock

Jesus said, Set your troubled hearts at rest.

Trust in God always; trust also in me.

In my Father’s house, there are many mansions; if it were not so I would not have told you; for I am going to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you I shall come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you shall be also; and you know the way I am taking.

I am the way the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except by me.

Peace is my parting gift to you, my own peace such as the world cannot give.

Set your troubled hearts at rest, and banish your fears.

St. John 14:1-4,6,27

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Fellowship of Kilmarnock Churches

Carols at the Cross Saturday 21st December 11 a.m. – 12 noon

Sing favourite carols with the Salvation Army Band.

Join us for tea, coffee and mince pies at New Laigh Kirk at noon.

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