New Laigh Kirk June 2020

New Laigh Kirk Summer Newsletter July 2020 A Message from the Minister A holy silence filled the sanctuary as the spring sunshine scattered the rainbow colours of our stained glass windows onto the walls of the ‘grand old lady’ of Kilmarnock. I donned my robes, checked the mic and battery and took my place at the communion table. All familiar on any Sunday morning at New Laigh Kirk, except on that day surveying the empty pews, I turned to the camera and smiled.

‘Welcome to New Laigh Kirk Live Stream worship on line. We may be separated by distance, but certainly connected this morning. In silent sanctuaries, in our homes, wherever we are in these moments of worship, God greets us with joy and wonder and envelopes us in grace.

During these days of isolation and worry, in this time of uncertainty and fear, Jesus challenges us with the possibility of faith. The light of life shines upon us and gives life. Let us worship God.’ In a new way for a new day, embracing the use of technology allowed us to live stream a worship service into your homes due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Our church family could no longer meet physically together out of fear of spreading a deadly virus. The only way to stay connected was using technology platforms — such as Zoom meetings, Facebook and Twitter. The decision to launch an online format was made a year ago 1

in order to care for the congregation more consistently and effectively because we saw how important it was for those in our congregation who couldn’t be with us — those in hospital or at home. Having this connection to church and being able to experience worship online has become invaluable. This crisis has also helped us to see our town and parish differently and, how online worship can help us reach out to those not connected with New Laigh Kirk.

Most folk are connected to one another by social media and have the devices to do so. People of an older generation in our church have no such thing. Pastoral care is being maintained from a distance most effectively by our elders and volunteers contacting folks by telephone or posting a card or note through the letter box. My thanks to all who have made regular contact with folk over these past weeks. Taking the time to keep in touch has been much appreciated by our members.

As phased easing of restrictions is introduced, our hearts are full of hope.

I encourage everyone to pray more as we look to return our church to some form of normality. �

We pray for common sense.

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We pray for people to listen to good advice.

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We pray for a reduced number of COVID 19 cases throughout all the phases.

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We continue to pray for those families who have been, and still are affected by COVID19.

In the Gospel of Matthew (28: 16-20), the disciples gather in the presence of the risen Lord, who assures them that in all they now face: ‘I am with you always, to the very end of the age’.

The Gospel affirms that the life of God has been shared with us in the revelation of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and that our lives

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are to be lived out in the enduring presence of God. Knowing this to be so, Lord, we dare to believe that things are improving; that the crisis we’ve been facing is under control and that the end may finally be in sight.

Help us now then to rebuild – cautiously thoughtfully and patiently; to work boldly, creatively and constructively for a safer world; to strive sensitively fairly and wisely for a more just society in which the contributions of all are recognised and rewarded.

Save us from simply cobbling a future together, from knee-jerk responses that ultimately solve nothing.

Grant that something better and stronger may emerge from the traumas we’ve faced, and that the suffering, sorrow, heartache and loss endured by so many will not have all been for nothing.

Give wisdom and guidance to those who will take decisions, and help them to get them right, for us all.

In Jesus Name we Pray Amen.

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We believe that God created us for life together and that the Christian life is most faithfully and joyfully lived in the community of faith that is the church. While it is possible to live faithfully as a Christian in isolation, our Church sustains, nourishes, and challenges us to greater and steadier faithfulness to Jesus Christ. We will continue to do that by all means available to us.

The Kingdom of heaven is brought near in every loving, caring, compassionate, welcoming action. You are bringing life and love to New Laigh Kirk, which makes everyone feel connected. To be the church is, for most of us, to be part of a family of faith like New Laigh Kirk folk. We are getting used to doing that in a different way. The work of our church never stops.

We will continue to follow the guidance and advice available, sadly this means we will not be together, nor participating in activities as we have normally done for some time yet. We need to be sensible and put one another’s health at the forefront of our planning for gathering again. Please keep an eye on the church’s website or Facebook page for more information.

Should you need to contact the church, or indeed if there is something you think we should be doing that we are missing, please call me 01563 525416.

I’ll be glad to hear from you.

In the meantime, be good to yourself, stay happy and cheerful, and help whoever you can by whatever means you can, and above all – Keep Smiling God Bless You

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East Ayrshire Churches Homelessness Action

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have entertained angels without knowing it . Hebrews 13:2

Sadly, when our church and halls had to close suddenly in March, the Community Friends drop-ins were suspended too. However we have found different ways to keep in touch with some of our regular clients, even if just to check that they are coping the best they can.

At the end of March, our Project Co-ordinator David Quinn retired (pictured left) . David is well known and liked by many at NLK, and we’ll all miss him. Dorothy Craig took over from David at the beginning of April, and it’s been a very strange beginning to her EACHa career, but she will soon settle in. We’re a very friendly team!

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For the past few weeks we’ve been giving out food parcels on Wednesdays, from outside the church, rather than the hall. We have

been fortunate to receive donations of food from Asda, Tesco and the Co-op Member Pioneers, and members of our congregation have been very generous with donations of food or money to buy what we need. Any donations of food can be handed in to the hall on Monday mornings, between 9am and 12noon.

We have been able to keep in touch with quite a few of our regulars. Without exception, they are desperate to know when they can come back.

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A food parcel is just not the same as the fun, friendship and expert advice they find at Community Friends.

Our volunteers are all keen to get back too. We all hope it won’t be too long. We have something very special at Community Friends, staff, volunteers and clients all part of one big family – and we’re looking forward to having a party when we get back together!

With our thanks to everyone who supports our work in any way. We couldn’t do it without you.

Dorothy Craig – tel 07762 020641 Janice Grant – tel 07581 722331 Craig McCance – tel 07967 63718

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Pastoral Care News Hello again on behalf of the Pastoral Care Group of New Laigh Kirk.

We hope that you are well and are getting all the support that you need.

The lock down has eased slightly, but for people who are considered to be “vulnerable” the waiting time has been extended. Despite this, there is one walk which you can take – a walk down memory lane. What a rich treasure you can find there! So – relax and come with me back to days of long ago and happy memories.

One of the highlights of June was school sports day. At Grange School we went to the Saxone playing fields at the end of London Road. What a buzz of excitement there was in the air! I was pretty nifty at the egg and spoon race, but when it came to the sack race and the threelegged race – well, they were more about laughter than victory as we fell head over heels on the grass.

St Paul was not thinking about school sports when he talked about running a race, but he was encouraging us to persevere in the Christian faith.

As we journey through life, there are times when daily living can seem like a struggle and we can be downhearted. It is then that our faith in God can guide us through to the end of a crisis as we remember His promise never to leave us nor forsake. Keep the faith!

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Another highlight of June was the Sunday School trip. Do you remember flying streamers from the top deck of a double decker? We did that en route to Saltcoats. It is hard to remember why a trip to Saltcoats seemed like a big adventure in the 1950s, but it did if your family didn’t have a car. I suppose that there must have been a wet weather plan to go to a church hall if there was a deluge of rain, but

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with selective memories of childhood, I can only recall sunny Sunday School trips.

These outings often ended with a sing-song, on the beach or on the homeward journey. Favourite choruses were “Wide, wide as the ocean” and “Running over, running over, my cup’s full and running over”. Thinking of sunny days, I remember another favourite chorus which you may like to sing if you know it.

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“Climb, climb up sunshine mountain, heavenly breezes blow.

Climb, climb up sunshine mountain, faces all aglow.

Turn, turn your hearts from doubting, looking to the sky.

Climb, climb up sunshine mountain, you and I.” Another hymn which speaks of sunshine also encourages us to walk in faith with God on life’s journey.

Looking upward every day, Sunshine on our faces; Pressing onward every day Toward the heavenly places.

Looking upward every day, Sunshine on our faces; Pressing onward every day Toward the heavenly places.

Growing every day in awe, For Thy name is holy; Learning every day to love With a love more lowly.

Growing every day in awe, For Thy name is holy; Learning every day to love With a love more lowly.

Walking every day more close To our elder brother.

Growing every day more true Unto one another.

Walking every day more close To our elder brother.

Growing every day more true Unto one another.

Leaving every day behind Something which might hinder.

Running swifter every day.

Growing purer, kinder.

Leaving every day behind Something which might hinder.

Running swifter every day.

Growing purer, kinder.

We cannot imagine summer without strawberries. I have happy memories of collecting them from our garden and then crowning them with the glory of a scoop of Forum ice cream. Oh, bliss! I hope that a kind guardian angel will bring you such a treat as you sit at home or in your garden.

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There is a Bible text for every occasion and so I shall end with a text about fruits.

If you need help at this time, please contact your regular New Laigh Kirk visitor or call me (Barbara Graham) on 01563-522108.

With good wishes from the Pastoral Care Group.

Barbara Graham

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Amy - Community and Families Hello everyone!

It is so good to be connecting with you all again!

As I’m sure many of you know, my position with the church was furloughed for the last two months; a decision that was definitely in my, and the church’s, best interests. It has been an exceptional challenge for me not to see all of you and the families of New Laigh Kirk regularly on a Sunday morning as we normally have done.

However, I have found it incredible that so many people at this time have managed to adapt to the situation at hand and developed new ways of communicating. I, personally, have been trying to keep in touch with family and friends through virtual chats on Zoom, phone calls, social media messages and even some hand written letters too.

It certainly hasn’t been easy, but these ways of communication have been a great source of comfort to me whilst we have been staying at home to keep everyone safe. I know this has been an exceptionally challenging time for so many of us, in so many different ways, however, I think we have all done so well for those who have kept to the rules and followed guidelines. We’re not only thinking about others that we’re protecting, but we’re also keeping ourselves safe too.

Now that restrictions are easing slightly and we have more scope for get out a bit more, if you can, I encourage you to go for a walk and meet a friend in the park, keeping socially distant. Remember to keep washing your hands and preferably wear masks and gloves if possible. I encourage this because getting out for a walk and chatting for a short while with a friend or family member is so beneficial for our mental health and at this moment, we need to be looking after ourselves the best we can. As of July, I will no longer be furloughed and cannot wait to get connected with everyone again. I’m beginning to plan ahead for 13

the future and although I don’t think there will ever again be a “normal” way to life as it was before, I’m excited to tackle a new way of life that means we can continue to keep everyone safe and healthy, especially whilst worshiping together. Some plans that I had for our children and families will unfortunately not go ahead this year, however, I am not despondent! I have just postponed my plans to next year, not cancelled them, and I am planning new and improved ways to carry out plans for our children and families in healthier ways. I am always encouraged to hear of ideas from the members of NLK, so if you have had a think about something you would like to try “when this is all over”, then why not let me know!? I value others’ ideas to help improve and develop the faith of our children and families in the church. (amy_bh@hotmail.co.uk) As I have not been working, I’m keen to hear what everyone has been up to during lockdown. Why not email/call me and let me know how you’re getting on and what different activities you have tried during this time? (07980665432).

During lockdown, and furlough, I took it upon myself to try learning some Spanish! Not for any particular reason, but it has given me a purposeful activity to keep me going every day. (The Spanish is slow progress, but I have been enjoying learning it at my own pace). I have also been trying to go for more walks, and I’ve even been cycling more to get myself some fresh air. I also had the privilege of being asked back to the BBC in June, as myself and a friend, Andrew Jones, got to have our say about the difficulties we have faced recently. I want to personally thank all of you who congratulated me and Andrew on our appearance on ‘Reflections at the Quay’. We very much appreciated all the support. If you didn’t get the chance to see it, you can find the programme on BBC iPlayer.

I can’t wait to catch up with you all again!

Adios amigos!

Amy. 14

Church Re-opening Update Guidelines for partial reopening places of worship are included in Phase 2 of the Scottish Governments recovery roadmap. The guidelines state churches can open for private prayer and perhaps funerals, with caveats about numbers, separation and hygiene. Any church hoping to open must meet the requirements contained in risk assessments and secure the approval of Presbytery.

New Laigh Kirk recognises that much of this will take some time to put in place and is currently endeavouring to arrange sufficient volunteers to man the church and ensure that the cleaning and hygiene requirements are met.

When New Laigh Kirk opens it will only open for private prayer Mon to Sat. between noon and 2.00 p.m. in the first instance. As we are unlikely to gather for worship for some time yet, live streaming of a service on Sundays will continue in the current format for the foreseeable future.

As soon as a date is available for partial reopening, it will be publicised so please lookout for updates in the local press, on Facebook, Twitter and on the Church’s Website. http://www.nlk.church https://www.facebook.com/NewLaighKirk https://twitter.com/NLKkilmarnock

NEW LAIGH KIRK Scottish Charity No.:SC031334

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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Session Clerk Thanks and Thoughts We wish to express our gratitude to David for the weekly live streaming of Sunday services. It has been a great inspiration and encouragement under these difficult circumstances and we acknowledge it is not easy conducting a service to an empty church!

Our grateful thanks also to Douglas Bryson for all the technical stuff and to Martin for being on hand if there was a blip with the musical videos.

Nevertheless we are not over with this pandemic and times will still be challenging more for some than others.

The Kirk Session has not met since January (that seems an eternity) and we would normally have convened in Mid March, so obviously that was scuppered.

We had a lot of plans to initiate or take to another phase. However we have been forced to put some of these on hold, although discussions are being held via Zoom meetings, so we are not at a complete standstill.

Whilst we crave to get back to the ‘old normal’ – and much of that will happen – we should consider that our ultimate goal isn’t to ‘get back to where we were’, it is to be better than we were.

We are a vibrant and energetic church and with David at the helm he will lead us through these changes with your support and encouragement.

Please remember this – we didn’t go through all that sacrifice and stress just to remain the same.

Derek I’Anson 16