THE COVENANTER

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

'the kirk in the braes'

SEPTEMBER 2013

The Church of Scotland

PARISH OF CARMUNNOCK
Minister: Rev. G. Gray Fletcher BSc BD The Manse of Carmunnock, 161 Waterside Road, Carmunnock, Glasgow G76 9AJ Telephone: 0141 644 1578 email: gray.fletcher@virgin.net

Dear Friends, Would you describe yourself as generous? Im not just talking about finance true generosity can be seen across all of someones life. Its not about how much you have, nor is it proven in a single act. The true spirit of generosity is a lifestyle. Has someone ever blessed you with their words or a kind act? Gods nature is to give, and everything He does comes from a generous spirit. In the same way, we should desire to be truly generous and allow our lives to be a flow of blessing to others. A Way of Seeing He who has a generous eye will be blessed because he gives of his bread to the poor (Proverbs 22:9). If your eye is generous, youll see beyond yourself and quickly spot opportunities to bless others. Instead of sitting back and making harsh judgements about others, your generous spirit will be open to believe the best. A Way of Thinking But a generous man devises generous things (Isaiah 32:8). When you develop a generous way of thinking, youll find yourself devising plans to bless others. God saw the need of the world and he devised a generous strategy the Gospel. A Way of Living And by generosity he shall stand (Isaiah 32:8) When you choose to live generously, it becomes your stance. Its not a labour, a single action or an obligation its a way of life. Gods promise to those with a generous eye is that they will be blessed themselves. Would you like to be more generous? To have a kingdom spirit means you have a vision that is bigger than you you will always be devising generous strategies or plans to bless others. Generosity will be a way of seeing, a way of thinking and a way of living. Rev G. Gray Fletcher

"THE KIRK IN THE BRAES"

Session Clerk: Mrs Helen Thomson, 156 Waterside Road, Carmunnock, Glasgow G76 9AJ Telephone: 0141 644 1884 Clerk to the Congregational Board: Mrs Evelyn Eason, 14 Sycamore Way, Carmunnock, Glasgow G76 9DB Telephone: 0141 644 1998 Treasurer: Mrs Jean Thompson, 15 Netherburn Avenue, Glasgow G44 3UF Telephone: 0141 637 4339

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P A R ISH R EGISTER
BAPTISMS
(..the promise is for you, and for your children..) 5 May 2013 - Laurianne Birkett Ferguson (21/07/12) infant daughter of Mr Iain and Mrs Laura Fergusson 26 May 2013 - Amanda Lucinda Bryce (adult) 16 June 2013 - Poppy Amelia Gogarty (03/10/2012) infant daughter of Mr Craig and Mrs Kim Gogarty

CHURCH SERVICES & NOTICES

September Sun 1st Sun 8th Sun 15th Sun 22nd Sun 29th October Sun 6th Sun 13th Sun 20th Sun 27th 11am 11am 11am 11am 11am Morning Service Informal Communion Morning Service Morning Service Morning Service Morning Service

11am 6pm 11am 11am 11am

Morning Service Evening Service Clason Hall Morning Service Alan McKay Morning Service Rev James Whyte Morning Service Communion

BIBLE STUDY GROUP Begins in OctoberTBA MEETINGS CHURCH OFFICE 7pm Wednesday 18th September Congregational Board & Kirk Session Open Thursdays from 9:30am to 10:30am

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The deadline for articles to be included in the October Covenanter will be Sunday 22nd September. Mark 11:22-24

So Jesus answered and said to them, Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain: Be removed and be cast into the sea and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

THE GUILD The Guild resumes the new session on Monday 7th October at 2pm in the Clason Hall. Once again our secretary, Helen Thomson, has arranged a very interesting syllabus. Our speaker on the 7th will be Angus Boyd of Mitchells Restaurant - why not come along and join us? A warm welcome awaits you. Meetings are held at 2pm each Monday afternoon, with an occasional evening 'Guest Night'. Meetings are open to ladies and gentlemen and all are welcome. (Subscription 8.00) Monday 7th October 2pm Monday 14th October 2pm Monday 21st October 2pm Monday 28th October 2pm Monday 4th November 2pm Angus Boyd Mrs Marion Dickie: Travels in Sri Lanka Rev Gray Fletcher: Guild Theme Guest Afternoon: Ian Walker entertains Canine Partners

Convener: Evelyn Eason Tel: 644 1998

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DUTY ROTA
1st 8th 15th 22nd 29th 6th 13th 20th 27th* 3rd 10th 17th 24th 1st 8th 15th 22nd 29th D CAMPBELL W LAWSON G SHANKS G BROWN G CAMPBELL J DAVIDSON I LOWDON G LAWSON I MARSHALL G DOW D MILLER J HAWKINS R DICKIE J DAVIDSON R EDWARDS P SHANKS F HEARLE G CAMPBELL R EDWARDS J MCCREADIE P SHANKS D MILLER J HAWKINS R DICKIE M HATFIELD D CAMPBELL E LAWSON F HEARLE J LAWSON W LAWSON A CAMPBELL I LOWDON J MABERLEY G SHANKS M HEARLE D MILLER M HEARLE F HEARLE E SMITH J LAWSON A MACDONALD E ROXBY F WILSON J MABERLEY M HARDIE P SHANKS G CAMPBELL G BROWN E LESLIE E ROXBY D CAMPBELL G LAWSON E LAWSON E SMITH E LAWSON G DOW M HARDIE A KERR A CAMPBELL E LESLIE R EDWARDS M HEARLE E SMITH G SHANKS J MCCREADIE A KERR M HATFIELD A MACDONALD F WILSON I MARSHALL M HARDIE G DOW

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

FIRST AND SECOND NAMED MEMBERS ON BANK DUTY * Communion

LODGING HOUSE MISSION MEAL VOUCHERS Meal vouchers priced at 1.50 each are available for the Lodging House Mission. You can give these to people begging in the street, and the voucher will entitle them to a hot meal at the Mission. This will also introduce them to the other services available there. Thank you for your support. Anne Campbell

SOUP & ROLL LUNCH

The Church Fund-Raising Committee are holding a Soup & Roll Lunch on Sunday 6th October at 12 noon in the Clason Hall. Come along and enjoy many varieties of homemade soup. Ticket 3.00.

FAMILY FUN DAY

Evelyn Eason

After last years success, Castlemilk Churches Together are organising another Family Fun Day on the 21st of September at St Bartholomews Church from 12 noon until 4.00pm and you are invited to come along at some point during the afternoon to enjoy some fun and fellowship!

FOR MEN AND WOMEN 55YRS & OVER EVERY ALTERNATE WEDNESDAY 2PM 4PM IN THE REID HALL

AUTUMN CLUB

INCREASE YOUR LEISURE The Autumn Club begins the new session on Wednesday 2nd October at 2pm in the Reid Hall. Our programme is second to none, and is comprises entertainers, speakers, Christmas Lunch, Scottish Quiz, a Special Tea and a Bus Outing you must admit the best in clubbing! New and former members will be made welcome. Increase your leisure! Come and join the Autumn Club!

Jim McCreadie, President 644 4579

An old Texas cowboy counselled his granddaughter that if she wanted to live a long life, the secret was to sprinkle a pinch of gun powder on her oatmeal every morning. The granddaughter did this religiously until the age of 103 when she died. She left behind 14 children, 30 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren, 25 great-great-grandchildren, and a 40-foot hole where the crematorium used to be.
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FLOWER LIST SEPTEMBER

1st 8th 15th 22nd 29th Mrs Debbie McKenzie Mrs Fiona Wilson Rev Gray Fletcher Mrs Ann Campbell Mrs Isobel Kirkwood Mrs Irene Hamilton will deliver flowers 6th 13th 20th 27th

OCTOBER
Mrs Una Lambie Mrs Cis McKenzie Mrs Mhairi Hearle Mrs Bunty Cameron

Mrs Isobel Kirkwood will deliver flowers

We are looking for volunteers to supply flowers on 3rd November and 8th December if anyone is willing to assist, please give us a call. Thanks in anticipation! Flower Conveners: Sheila Murray: 644 1719 & Elizabeth Cadiz: 644 1720

GLASGOW South East FOODBANK

The TRUSSELL TRUST foodbank network works in partnership with local churches and organisations to bring foodbanks to communities across the UK. There are now over 265 foodbanks in the network, and our local branch is at Elim Church, 43 Inglefield Street, Govanhill, Glasgow G42 7AT. The Trust relies on food donations to feed local people in crisis. From packets of pasta to tins of tomatoes please give what you can (non-perishable goods only - and dont forget cans of cat & dog food too for families with pets). Care professionals such as doctors, health visitors, social workers, Citizens Advice and the police identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher. Foodbank clients then bring their voucher to the foodbank centre where it can be redeemed for enough emergency food to last for three days. The Trussell Trust points out that the number of people referred due to problems with benefits has soared; eight years ago, the proportion coming to their food banks for this reason was 20 per cent, now it is 52 per cent. Volunteers meet clients over a cup of tea or free hot meal and are able to signpost people to agencies able to solve the longerterm problem. More and more people very many of them children - are going hungry in modern day Scotland. Its hardly credible, but those of us who go to bed with a full tummy can help please do whatever you can. You can visit the website to find out more: www.trusselltrust.org

The Committee Member

Please! Give me your pity, Im on a committee Which means that from morning to night, We attend, we amend, contend and defend Without a conclusion in sight. We confer, we concur, defer and demur And reiterate all of our thoughts. We revise the agenda with frequent addenda And consider a load of reports. We propose, we compose, suppose and oppose The points of procedure are fun; But though various notions are brought up as motions Theres terribly little gets done. We resolve, we absolve but never dissolve Thats out of the question for us. What a terrible pity to end our committee Where else could we make such a fuss?

Mildred, the church gossip and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose into other people's business. Several members did not approve of her judgement and criticism, but feared her enough to maintain their silence. She made a mistake, however, when she accused Frank, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's only bar one afternoon. She emphatically told Frank (and several others) that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing. Frank, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and then just turned and walked away. He didn't explain, defend, or deny. He said nothing. Later that evening, Frank quietly parked his pickup in front of Mildred's house... walked home...and left it there all night. Page | 5

An Evening With Paul Jones & Fiona Hendley

Clarkston Churches Together presents an evening with Paul Jones and Fiona Hendley in Cartsbridge Evangelical Church on Wednesday 23rd of October at 7.30 pm. Tickets 5.00. Paul & Fiona have been at the cutting edge of the music and entertainment industry for many years. Paul's distinguished career includes being the award-winning lead singer of Manfred Mann and The Blues Band as well as a weekly show on BBC Radio 2. His extensive stage credits range from the Royal National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company to the West End and Broadway. Fiona is an accomplished actress and singer, who has worked in all areas of showbusiness from the acclaimed TV series "Widows" (for which she won Personality of the Year Award) to leading roles at the Royal National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company and has starred in many West End productions. Together they have recorded several CDs celebrating the work of composers from Irving Berlin to Andrew Lloyd Webber. Their Gospel album "Personal" has been very well received: its songs express their love for their Heavenly Father, and for each other. Paul and Fiona's testimony is humorous, but compassionate. Paul came to faith from a background of intellectual arrogance; in 1968 he argued against Billy Graham with Cliff Richard on television, and he was convinced he had won the argument. Yet all his immense success in show business could not remedy the failure within himself. Fiona sought God from an early age, thinking that she was a Christian, but was surrounded by deception (including spiritualists and mediums); she too hoped that success in show business would bring her happiness. Their testimony tells how each of them found true happiness and real faith. As they bring their testimony, they sing songs from their album, and the Gospel message is clearly explained.

...they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength Isaiah 40:31 At the windowsill of heaven, let me linger Lord, I pray, Before I start the duties and the burdens of the day. Let me pause for just a moment, gaze in silence on Your face, Drinking from Your fount of wisdom, gaining strength to run the race. Let me lie there in the sunshine of Your warm redeeming love, And receive a sweet renewing of Your Spirit from above. And with heavenly breezes blowing, let me turn, with You, I pray, From the windowsill of heaven, ready now to meet the day.

Does God exist?

A man went to his usual barbers shop to have a haircut and began a conversation with the barber. They discussed a variety of issues before turning to the subject of God. The barber said: I don't believe that God exists." "Why do you say that?" asked the man. "Well, it's easy, came the response. You just have to go out in the street there to realise that God doesnt exist. Tell me, if God existed, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? Would there be starvation and hunger? Would there be wars? Would there be murder? If God existed, there would be no suffering and no pain. I can't think of loving a God who permits all of these things to happen." The man thought for a moment, but he didn't want to respond in case an argument ensued. The barber finished his job and the man left the shop. Just after he walked a few paces, he saw a man in the street with long hair and an unkempt beard. It seemed that it had been a long time since he had his hair cut as he looked so untidy. The man turned back to the shop and said to the barber: "Do you know what? Barbers do not exist. "How can you say they don't exist?" asked the barber. I am here and I am a barber." "No!" the man exclaimed. "You don't exist because if you did there would be no people with long hair and beards like that man outside in the street right now." "But I do exist, and that is what happens when people do not come to me." "Exactly," affirmed the man.

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Moderator calls for more attention and resources for young people in the Church
The Moderator of the General Assembly for the Church of Scotland has called for changes to ensure that more children and young adults have a central role in the life of the Church. The Right Reverend Lorna Hood said: Young people are not the Church of tomorrow, they are the Church of today." Mrs Hood said that in her view there needs to be a review of the resources for Sunday schools to ensure fewer children drift away from the Church during their formative years. A parishioner said to me recently that her grandchildren were not going back to their Sunday school as they were 'fed up colouring in.' She continued: We need to make sure we have the right people and the right resources in the right places in our churches to encourage young people and their spiritual development. We need to ensure our worship resources are constantly updated and relevant in todays fast changing world. Mrs Hood said that many denominations have modest numbers of children, teenagers and young adults in their congregations and are asking the same question: What can we do to attract more young folk? The Moderator - who was ordained aged 24 - urged more people to consider becoming a Minister at a similar age and said that when the calling comes it should be supported and encouraged. She supported the words of her predecessor, The Very Reverend Albert Bogle, at the recent General Assembly where he suggested the need for a bursary support scheme to encourage members in congregations to come forward for ministry. She added: We should call for the church to recognise young adults as part of church today and not tomorrow, young adults have to accept the consequences of that truth/belief. By virtue of their baptism they are part of the church and called to be disciples like everybody else. Maybe we in the church have been unwilling to recognise this but likewise too few young Christians have themselves recognised that calling and its consequences. Michael Mair, who at 24 years old is about to become the Church o f Scotlands youngest Minister, added: Our recent General Assembly heard how there is a dearth of young people becoming ministers when I take up my own charge I will become one of a handful aged under 30, and the average age of a minister is 48. I hope my story can inspire other young people to become ministers or elders or just get more involved in their congregation. Many people attend church as children and come back when they have had their own children; it is those missing years we must tackle when they have a Christian belief but feel isolated from The Church of Scotland because they could be the youngest person in a congregation by more than a decade.

A new minister was visiting the homes of his parishioners but at one house, although it was obvious someone was at home, there was no answer. So, he took out a card, wrote "Revelation 3:20" on the back of it and put it through the letterbox. The next Sunday, he found that his card had been returned with the added cryptic message: "Genesis 3:10". On checking his Bible, he broke into gales of laughter. Revelation 3:20 begins: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Genesis 3:10 reads: "I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked."
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AT A GLANCE DIARY
21 Sep 22 Sep 6 Oct 23 Oct 2 Nov SAT SUN SUN WED SAT Family Fun Day St Bartholomews Church 12noon to 4pm Last day for articles to be included in the October Covenanter Soup & Roll lunch 3.00 Paul Jones & Fiona Hendley, Cartsbridge Evangelical Church, 7.30pm Christmas Fayre 1.30pm to 3.30pm Puppet Show 2pm

YOUR COVENANTER IS AVAILABLE BY EMAIL - all we need is your email address. Please send an email to: IsobelRutter@btinternet.com and we will add your name to the list. Page | 7

THE KIRK SESSION

George Brown Anne Campbell Douglas Campbell John Davidson Robert Dickie George Dow Evelyn Eason Bob Edwards Mike Hatfield Fred Hearle Mhairi Hearle George Lawson Jeanie Lawson Willie Lawson Liz Leslie Iain Lowdon John Maberley Ann MacDonald Jim McCreadie David Miller Tom Morton Elaine Roxby Gavin Shanks Pippa Shanks Jean Thompson Helen Thomson Fiona Wilson 644 1178

MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL BOARD

2011 - 2014 644 3735 Jeff Hawkins 644 3735 Betty Smith 631 2079 Graham Campbell 641 2094 644 0689 2012 - 2015 644 1998 Alison Kerr 644 2749 644 4530 2013 - 2016 644 5699 Mary Hardie 644 5699 Ian Marshall 644 1600 Elizabeth Lawson 644 3029 644 4414 644 4291 631 2594 644 3028 644 3782 644 4579 07576 850089 644 4910 644 1809 644 1609 644 1609 637 4339 644 1884 644 3107 644 1600 647 7926 644 4428 644 4015 01355 223430 644 3937 237 4225

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The Church of Scotland

The Church of Scotland is the National Church of Scotland. It is in the Reformed Tradition and part of the Universal Church.

DIRECTORY
MINISTER: CHURCH: SESSION CLERK: CLERK TO BOARD: TREASURER: ORGANIST: SUNDAY SCHOOL: GIFT AID CONVENER: FREEWILL OFFERING CONVENER: CHILD PROTECTION COORDINATOR GUILD PRESIDENT: AUTUMN CLUB PRESIDENT: FLOWER CONVENERS: Mrs. H. Thomson Mrs. E. Eason Mrs. J. Thompson Mr. T. Morton Maureen Fletcher Mr. Ian Marshall Dr. E. Roxby Rev. G. Gray Fletcher Tel: 644 1578 e-mail: gray.fletcher@virgin.net Tel: 07930 695760 644 1884 e-mail: HBBThomson@aol.com 644 1998 637 4339 644 4910 644 1578 647 7926 644 1809

Mr. R. Edwards Mrs. E. Eason Mr. J. McCreadie Sheila Murray Elizabeth Cadiz Isobel Drury Mrs. E. Lawson Mr. A. Currie

644 2749 644 1998 644 4579 644 1719 644 1720 Fax: 644 0202 e-mail: IsobelRutter@btinternet.com 644 1600 07866 695254

MAGAZINE EDITOR: HOSPITALITY CONVENER: CHURCH OFFICER:

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