CHURCH MAGAZINE EXTRACTS
SEPTEMBER 2008
FROM THE MANSE
I have been watching the Olympics these past couple of weeks and although I have
been very impressed with and proud of the achievements of our countrymen.... it
is the Logo of the games that I like most of all. They are circles all linked
together. They remind me of how we are linked together in many ways. In our case
it is within the church and we should work hard at our togetherness. It makes me
think of the hymn 'Bind us together with chords that cannot be broken'. The
chord that binds us together is that of Jesus' love for us. If we are in union
with Christ....if we have asked Him into our lives, then we are of the same
family. We are related. We are bound together with His love which has no
beginning or end. Like the games logo, we should work together in harmony and
for the good of one another.
For us, we should be doing it for Christ, to show the light of his love to the
world. If we are not doing that then we are not working to Jesus' plan or for
His sake.
Now that our holidays are over and we are back to work again let us make an
effort to hold back the comment which we know will hurt someone....let us look
for the good and positive in others and in situation...let us give a word of
praise and build one another up instead of the opposite and when people try to
engage us in negative and hurtful gossip...let us refuse.
We have a smashing wee church, let us work hard together to make it stay that
way and with our Lord place firmly at the head as our loving example.
Shalom my friends in Christ.
From Christine.
CHURCH FLOWERS
The change in the system for providing the Church flowers each week, which
we proposed earlier this year, has now been put in place and we have set up a
flower fund for this purpose. We now have envelopes available for one-off annual
donations to the flower fund and we will also provide a box for anyone wishing
to make a small contribution from time to time. All such donations will be
greatly appreciated and we are hoping that everyone currently on the flower list
will continue with their support. We have a regular arrangement with Isa
Cruikshanks at Ridgeview Nursery to provode the flowers each week and I hope you
all agree that they are always of a very high standard. Isa is happy to fill any
requests for particular flowers or colours at any time. We try to pass the
flowers on each week on a Pastoral Care basis and it would be very helpful if we
could be kept informed of anyone who would appreciate being remembered in this
way. We are also happy to assist in any special requests for recipients of the
flowers. We sincerely hope you are all happy with these new arrangements.
FUND RAISING - CRAFT FAIR - 11TH OCTOBER 2008
I mentioned earlier in the year that we were trying to arrange a craft fair
as a fundraiser for the Church I can now confirm the above date. We have already
been promised some lovely items including baking, handcrafted cards, knitting,
patchwork, crochet and woodwork but we would appreciate anything that you
talented people would like to donate. As I stated in my earlier note, we have a
wealth of talent in Whitburn South and this is an odeal opportunity to showcase
it and raise funds for the Church at the same time. We sincerely hope that as
many of you as possible will support this effort either by gifting your handmade
articles (new items only) for sale at the fair or by coming along and buying
some lovely things. There will be tea/coffee and lovely home baking served on
the day. We will be advertising the fair locally nearer the date but in the
meantime we would appreciate you passing the word among your friends and
relations and noting it in your diaries.
Thanking you all in anticipation of your support.
Irene Wright.
WHITBURN OLDER PEOPLE'S GROUP
Did you know that there was a group in our town called 'Whitburn Older
people's group'...their main aim is to help our 'older folks' to be as informed
of their entitlements as is possible where some people unable to do their
gardens can have help especially from young people from the Academy. They will
be opening a shop in the town for 6 weeks soon with people who can give advice
on areas of life that some find difficult. They are always looking for
volunteers to befriend or visit..speak to Alison Bonnar for more information. It
would be good if our church could be active on this group.
KIDZONE
Great...............Great..................Great...............Great
Kidzone was a great success with 35 children there. They had fun with games,
songs, crafts, stories about Noah and of course the inevitable food. Many thanks
to all who helped and made it the success it was.
NEW BOILER
The boiler in the hall needs renewing. We do have heat at the moment in the
hall...if you would care to contribute to the huge cost of replacing the
boilers, or if you would like to fund raise for it...please let me know.
NEW HALL KEEPER
Our new hall keeper is David Beatson and we wish him well as he goes about
another avenue of his work for God and the Church.
FROM AN AMERICAN CHURCH MAGAZINE
Don't let worry kill you.....................let the Church help
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind and may be seen in
the Fellowship hall all day Friday
In the afternoon, there will be a meeting in the South and North ends of the
Church - children will be baptised at both ends
1ST WHITBURN GIRLS' BRIGADE
Girls Brigade enrolment will take place on
Thursday 26th August, with the new session beginning on Tuesday 2nd September.
We look forward to welcoming back all girls returning to Brigade and also any
new girls joining our company. Please note girls can join our company at any
point throughout the year so if you know someone who missed enrolment please
send them along. Our session will get off to a fun start with the girls from
last year going on our annual trip to Loudon Castle on Saturday 30th August.
Lets hope for a nice dry day!!!
The girls returning will notice a few changes this year, we are looking at a new
way of presenting badge work programme and each section has new officers in
charge.
As part of our fundraising we will be continuing to collect pennies, so if any
of the congregation would like to help with this, we would be extremely
grateful, thank you to all who helped last year.
on behalf of all the officers and helpers I would like to take this opportunity
to say congratulations to Dawn and Graham on the birth of their beautiful baby
boy Logan.
Anne Cartwright
GREETINGS FROM THE GUILD
I have the privilege to have been voted on as President of the Guild and I
am so looking forward to the next session. I am taking over from Irene Beatson
and may we take this opportunity to thank Irene for being an excellent President
over the past three years. We have a full and varied syllabus. Some of the
nights will be open nights so I hope you can all come along and join us, also,
we are looking for more men to join (yes you can boys), we have two so far, so
are very welcome!
The first meeting on 11th September we have Christine our minister and we are
putting on two small sketches one of which was written by Christine and
published by the Guild Office and will go out to all Guilds.
The second meeting on 25th September is on the Heartlands Project at Polkemmet.
9th October is our Annual Silent Auction.
23rd October we have someone coming to our Guild to speak about Borderline, one
of the Guild projects.
13th November, the speaker that night will be Len Phillips who will give a talk
on India.
Guild week is from 16th to 23rd November, we will be having a soup and sweet
lunch over in the hall on Sunday 23rd after morning worship.
27th November, Harthill Flute Orchestra will be with us, come along and enjoy a
great night of music.
Christmas Party is 5th December.
I look forward to welcoming everyone in the first half of the session.
God Bless
Margaret Bishop.
