C u m b e r n a u l d : C o n d o r r a t P a r i s h C h u r c h

Rev. Grace Saunders

We are moving forward in the Sanctuary

Refurbishment process and I know there will

soon be progress reports in the magazine.

This is a time of mixed emotions, excite-

ment at the thought of something new happen-

ing, yet tinged with sadness at times. Still, we

move on, and there will be some changes over

the next few months while the church building

is closed and fenced off. We will be meeting in

the Church Hall and this will require us all to

pull together in creating a meaningful worship

space. For when we meet together to worship

we do so as the body of Christ the Church, and

wherever we meet we know that Jesus will be

with us. Our church is not just a building, but

consists of the people who use it and it is com-

forting to know that we are going to be working

together and be part of something new.`

I am looking forward to all the events

coming up in the next few months. This month

we have the Fashion Show and the Craft Fair

which I hope all will enjoy. We are also holding

a “Giving of Talents Service” as part of the

Stewardship Season and this will be fun. The

abilities of different people will be highlighted

and opportunities to explore your ‘talents’ or to

look at something new. This is a service which

will start in the church and then be completed in

the hall with a cup of tea or coffee and an op-

portunity to look round the exhibition and I

challenge everyone to try something new.

If you are at home and unable to come to

church there is a way that you can help us so

much. Please pray for our Church and all the

groups involved, for the Sanctuary Refurbish-

ment and the Talents Service. There is so much

that can be done by those folk with time to set

aside and be ‘prayer warriors’.

Talking about doing something new we

are hoping to host “Messy Church “ in Condor-

rat as well as in Balloch. We are looking for

volunteers and if you feel that you can help or

would like to know more, please let me know. It

has been great fun so far and I think that people

will enjoy it. It will be on a Sunday afternoon

once a month and consists of a time doing

crafts, taking part in games and then worship.

I cannot end without mentioning the Boys

Brigade and the Girls Brigade. The Officers of

both Companies have been busy preparing for

the new Session. We are truly blessed that so

many young people come along and our bless-

ings continue to the Officers and supporters who

are so enthusiastic.

May the Lord Bless you and keep you all

and may He give you His peace.;

AMEN

Dear Friends,

2013

‘Loving Lord, lead us forward with your loving hand;

Help us to see that as one door closes another opens; Step out with us as we move onward to a new beginning.’

Amen.

SUNDAY SERVICES:

Morning Worship in Church & Sunday Club……………………….11.00 a.m.

( Tea/Coffee is served after the Service ) - All Welcome -

Communion Services (1st Sun – March; June; September; December)...11 am & 6.30pm.

Cumbernauld: Condorrat Parish Church

Charity No.: SCO 11839

Weekly Diary

Monday

BB Anchor Boys Hall 6.15pm Choir Church 7.15pm Tuesday

Girls’ Brigade Explorers Hall 6.30pm Juniors & Brigaders Hall 7.30pm Wednesday

The Guild (alternate weeks) Hall 7.30pm Thursday Prayer Group Ch. House 1.30pm BB Junior Section Hall 7.15pm

BB Company Section Hall 7.15pm

Parish News Editor

P Taylor Logan Tel: 732404

( e-mail; tayval@tiscali.co.uk )

CLERK to the BOARD

Mr. Gordon Ross Tel: 728160

TREASURER

Mr. John Allan Tel: 731133

HALLS LETTING

Mrs. Evelyn McKie Tel: 611325

CHURCH OFFICER

Mr. John Graham Tel: 611222

Minister

Rev. Grace Saunders

(Tel: 01236 452090)

Sunday

Welcome Teams

September 2013

1st. (Morning Communion)

Mr J. Moir & Team 6.

1st.(Evening Communion)

Mr. J Newlands & Team 1.

8th. Mr. J Cameron & Team 2.

15th. Mr. J. Allan & Team 3.

22nd. Mrs. J. Ward & Team 4.

29th. Mrs A. Russell & Team 5.

Auxiliary Minister

Rev. Marion Perry (e-mail: perryask@hotmail.com)

SESSION CLERK

Mr. Harvey Baird Tel: 01236 729963

ROLLKEEPER

Mr. Ian Miller Tel: 735751

(3) PARISH NEWS

Hi Folks,

Well, to all intents and purposes that is

the summer gone or at least it will be by the time you

are reading this. And quite an odd one it was too….

certainly as far as the weather went. As I remember it

we had quite a lengthy spell of very poor weather and

this was followed by a reasonably extended hot spell

and now even though I am writing these notes before

the end of August, it is already beginning to look

quite autumnal. I am hoping to be lucky as I am not

going away for my main holiday until just after the

middle of September. I do hope that whatever you did

you were able to have a happy and pleasant summer.

Things are beginning to start up again after the

break. The schools are back, and our own organisa-

tions have either started back or are about to do so

shortly. I think that elsewhere in Parish News there

will be details of ‘start dates’. I am sure you want to

join me in wishing all our organisations an enjoyable

and successful new Session. I do not know if you are

aware of it but pairs of our Elders are appointed to

visit each organisation at least once during the year.

The Kirk Session then gets a report from the Elders of

how the respective organisations are getting on.

Our September Communion Services will have

taken place by the time this Parish News goes out, but

during the months of July and August our Services of

Morning Worship were at the slightly earlier time of

10.30am. It will be interesting to get some initial

feedback on this as I assume that at a future meeting

the Kirk Session will review how that went. Please do

let the minister, me or your Elder know if you have

strong views on this — Should the services have had

an even earlier start (10am maybe)? Should the time

have been changed at all? Should all services be at an

earlier time?

I have been looking through my notes from the

June meeting of the Kirk Session, which of course

took place after that month’s edition of Parish News

had gone to print, to see if there is anything in particu-

lar which I should mention here. I think the main

thing is the ‘Giving of Talents’ to which you may re-

call I made passing reference in the June edition. Ses-

sion appointed a small group to deal with this and

bring proposals to its next meeting. As the group is

still making final adjustments to its proposals and as

that Session meeting is not until after this Parish

News, what I am saying is subject to Session approv-

ing the group’s proposals, but I hope this will not be a

problem. The group has been working hard over the

summer months. A ‘Giving of Talents’ Service is

planned for Sunday, 15th September and has the gen-

eral theme of “Don’t hide your light under a bushel”.

The group is very keen that no one should be put off

or misunderstand what will be meant by “Talent”.

Very often it is taken to infer some very special skill

or ability, but that is not the case here, and all that is

meant is something that you may be reasonably good

at and which perhaps other people may not know

about, or which you may not be sure how the Church

might make use of. Please do come along to this Ser-

vice as we need and want you to be there, if it is to be

a success. As well as looking for hidden abilities there

may perhaps be some demonstrations from folk we

already know have particular abilities/interests and an

opportunity for you to say if there is something you

would like to learn/know more about. I think that is

really all that I need mention from that meeting.

The Kirk Session has quite a full agenda for its

September meeting though to some extent this is quite

normal after the summer break. Something which

will be mentioned, is that later in September the

Church of Scotland are issuing a questionnaire seek-

ing views on the role of the Eldership and Session

may feel it best to have an additional meeting on this.

From time to time in the intimations I mention

the World Mission Council’s (free) Newsletter. If you

have never looked at it before can I suggest that you

might want to do so. It contains some terrific insights

into the work the Church does throughout the world –

all the year round and not just at a time of some disas-

ter or crisis. When you read about the difficulties and

challenges Christians face in some parts of the world

it really does make one appreciate how fortunate we

are in this country to be able to worship freely without

fear or threat of violence or whatever.

Although there may be more about it elsewhere

in Parish News I want to finish with a brief reference

on the Sanctuary Refurbishment. We are now at a

very exciting stage where, although there are still

some things to be done, we are proposing to make a

start in October. When it does begin there will inevi-

tably be some disruption with Services having to be

held in the Hall with a possible knock-on effect for

those who normally use the Hall. We have been ex-

tremely fortunate thus far with being awarded several

Grants but meantime it is important to continue to

support our own fundraising. It is only right that I

acknowledge how generous the Congregation and the

wider community have been in doing so thus far.

Until next Parish News,

May God bless you,

guard and guide you

Harvey Baird

Notes from…..The Session Clerk September 2013

To bow the body is easy; to bow the will is hard

Church Register

Hospital Visitations.

It would be extremely helpful if the Minister could be informed as early as possible, of members who

have been hospitalised, giving her as much information as possible and allowing time to organise

visits; such as Member’s Full Name; District of Parish; Hospital; Ward number; etc.

PARISH NEWS (4)

Marriages : “Those whom God has joined together”

July 13th. Lesley Anne Grant and Robert Fagan Cumbernauld. August 11th. Susan McArthur and Derek Taylor Leven.

Baptisms: Jesus said “Go then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples;

baptise them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

July

7th. Nathan Thomas son of Stephen & Lynette Corran of Condorrat.

28th. Jacob James son of David & Donna Cowie of Balloch. August

4th. Aaron James son of Charles & Amanda Booth-Paul of Westfield.

18th. Harry Winchester and Oliver Winchester sons of James & Lesley Boyce of Auchenkilns.

Deaths: “Blessed are they who die in the Lord.”

May 8th. Catherine Myers Condorrat. 19th. Chalmers Maule Condorrat. 25th. James Coburn Condorrat. 31st. Alexander Duncan* Condorrat. June 5th. Winifred McHaffie Coatbridge. 14th. John Angus Bartholomew* Condorrat/Dunbar. July 9th. Margaret Kelly * Carrickstone Nursing Home. 18th. Elizabeth Laird* Condorrat. 19th. Jean Reid Condorrat. 21st. Robert Monteith Condorrat. 28th. George McAllister Condorrat. August 8th. James Fraser Westfield.

(* member)

Dedication:

June

9th . Oliver Andrew son of Andrew and Caitlin Brown of Craigmarloch.

Remember to bring your used postage stamps to

church to help in the wider work of the

Church of Scotland.

(N.B. It helps if you leave a bit of the

envelope around the used stamp).

(5) PARISH NEWS

The Fellowship & Prayer Group

Thursday Afternoons 1.30—3pm. in Church House

All are welcome to this informal time of Discussion and Fellowship

with approximately 15 minutes of Prayer.

All scripture is

inspired by God

and is useful for

teaching the

truth; rebuking

error; correcting

faults; and giving

instruction for

right living.

2Tim. 3: vs16,17.

Valerie Armstrong Tel: 737777

Remember: - Boxes are at the inner doors of the church for prayer requests.

‘You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own.

So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humil-

ity, gentleness and patience. Be tolerant with one another and forgive

one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone

else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you.

And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in

perfect unity.’

Colossians 3: 12-14.

Thomas Merton said, ‘Love is letting those we love be perfectly them-

selves, and not twisting them to fit our own image. otherwise we love

only the reflection of ourselves we see in them.’

Spiritual maturity is acknowledging that nobody is perfect,

yet accepting others just as they are.

Christian Dedications -

A Dedication, also known as an Infant Dedication or Baby Dedication, is a

Christian ceremony which simply dedicates an infant to God, welcomes the baby into

the church, and has the parents dedicate themselves to raising the child as a Christian.

The ceremony specifically does not include baptizing the baby with water.

A baby Dedication performed in Baptist, non-denominational, and Assembly of

God churches is instead of an infant baptism. These churches do believe in performing

water baptisms, but subscribe to the doctrine that baptism should only be undertaken

by someone who is a believer and follower of Christ and is able to make the choice to

be baptized; which an infant is not.

Most churches that perform these "Believer's Baptisms" normally do so with to-

tal submersion in water - often in "living waters" such as a river or lake - (or in pool

within the church) - with many church members in attendance at this exciting celebra-

tion of faith.

‘Christianity Explored’

A course of Bible Studies : ‘Discovering different characters and how they relate to our lives.’

Every Sunday evening in the Manse at 7pm.

All are welcome!

Please Note ….

There are some diary dates free for

‘Flowers for the Sanctuary’

Please contact any office-bearer

at the church door any Sunday should you

wish to make this donation.

Many, many thanks to all who help beautify the Sanctuary each week with flowers ;

and also to those who deliver them each week to the deserving.

Cumbernauld Churches Together

Please continue to remember

our Parish in Prayer.

Prayer for Condorrat

Circle Condorrat, Lord. Keep protection near and danger far.

Keep hope within and despair without. Circle Condorrat, Lord.

Keep light near and darkness far. Keep peace within and anxiety without.

Eternal Father, Son and Holy Spirit Shield Condorrat on every side.

Amen

Tea Rota - 2013 August 4th. Mrs. McCallum, Mrs. Innes

11th. Mrs. Graham Mrs. Gibson

18th. Mrs. Flavell , Mrs. Rankin

25th. Mrs. McRae, Mrs. Wales

Why not come along and join us for a cup of Tea/Coffee after the Services on a Sunday? Enjoy a bit of chat and fellowship …….. you may find you wish to help out! See Mrs Mary Innes.

Church Flowers – 2013

August

4th. Mrs. Hamilton 11th. Mrs. Marshall 18th. Mrs. McColl 25th. Mrs Ward

PARISH NEWS (6)

‘Parish News’. All articles for the Issue should be handed to or e-mailed A.S.A.P.

to Taylor Logan by Sunday 22nd September.

e-mail to tayval@tiscali.co.uk

Our thanks to all who promptly deliver ‘Parish News’ to our members throughout the year.

REMEMBER: You can view and perhaps even print off ‘Parish News’ in colour from

our Web-site at: condorratparishchurch.org.uk

Tea Rota - 2013 September

1st. Mrs. Muirhead, Mrs. Robertson

8th. Mrs Morrison, Mrs. Semple

15th. Mrs. McKinnon, Mrs. Henderson

22nd. Mrs. McCallum, Mrs. Innes

29th. Mrs. Graham Mrs. Gibson

Church Flowers – 2013

September

1st. Mrs. Shilliday 8th. 15th. 22nd. Mrs. Fleming 29th.

PARISH NEWS (7)

Dear Friends,

Here we are again with the first edition of

the Parish News for the new Session. There has been a

great deal happening and ‘Great News’ during the

summer recess which I will mention under the various

reports. In the mean time, I trust everyone has had a

good holiday and return refreshed and invigorated for

the coming months in the life of our Church.

The Sanctuary Refurbishment Steering Group

have been working diligently and are delighted to in-

form the congregation of the ‘Great News’, that we are

now in a position to commence the Refurbishment

Project. ALL our Grants are in place and these grants

are non-repayable. The proposed start date is October

— lasting approximately eighteen weeks. While the

Sanctuary is being refurbished all of our Services will

take place in the Church halls, as well as the usual

meetings of the Organisations. Also during the Project

there will be NO VEHICLE ACCESS to the Church

grounds….but, we have however, made arrangements

with the Nursery in Kirk Place to have the use of their

car park during this time. If you are unable to get

parked there, we ask that you park your vehicle with

due consideration to all of our Church neighbours.

This is a major step in the future life of our Church in

Condorrat and which can enable us to be more in-

volved in the local community and them with us.

We will keep you informed of our progress during this

time but rest assured the life of our Church goes on!!

Sanctuary Refurbishment Fund & Social

Committee: The first event for the new Session is the

Fashion Show, which takes place in Westerwood Ho-

tel on Saturday 21st September and we all look for-

ward to this event which is now in its third year.

During the Refurbishment of the Sanctuary we shall

continue to hold events in the Church Halls, the first of

which is the Coffee Morning/Craft Fair in October,

to be followed in November by the Christmas Fayre!

Watch for more details on these events nearer the time.

There will be a Coffee Morning in aid of the

McMillan Cancer Fund in the Church Halls on

Friday 27th September from 10.00am.

All are welcome, to support this worthwhile cause!!

The Property Committee have been ensuring that

the Church Fabric is kept in a tip-top condition. On

applying to C of S General Trustees for a Grant to re-

place both boilers in the Church Halls we were suc-

cessful. We received a grant in excess of £5,000 and

the work has now been completed. Faulty lighting and

damaged roof tiles in the Halls have been repaired and

a faulty smoke detector replaced. The floor in the

Halls has been repaired and cleaned. The Church

grounds (hedges, grass, plants and the Sunday School

trees) have all been well taken care of during the sum-

mer and I give a special thanks to all concerned for

this work.

Finally, as usual, The Finance Committee

encourages everyone who are Taxpayers to consider

(if you do not already) “Gift Aid”. This does not cost

you anything but the Church can claim back from the

Taxman a percentage of your Weekly Giving. This is

totally confidential, with our Treasurer the only per-

son knowing what you give. For further in-

formation please speak to Mr John Allan.

God Bless you all.

Notes from The Clerk to the Congregational Board September 2013

Gordon Ross

Offerings (2013) Total 1st Qtr (13wks)

April (4weeks)

May (4weeks)

June (5weeks)

Total 2nd Qtr (13wks)

July (5weeks)

Total (31 wks)

John Allan

FWO Ord. Bank/D.D Total Wk Avge

£7,703 £1,588 £4,522 £13,813 £1,063

£1,949 £283 £1,705 £3,937 £984

£2,160 £302 £1,463 £3,925 £981

£3,045 £443 £1,436 £4,923 £985

£7,154 £1,028 £4,604 £12,785 £983

£1,964 £402 £1,620 £3,985 £996

£16,821 £3,017 £10,746 £30,583 £1,019

Last month we were £2/week up on offerings compared to

last year — but down by £11/week against Budget.

From the Treasurer

PARISH NEWS (8)

Our 2013-14 Session will commence on

1st week of September.

The Anchor Section begins on Monday 2nd at 6.15pm.

The Junior Section begins on Thursday 5th at 7.15pm.

This will take the form of a ‘games night’ where our new

members can get to know the older boys of the Section.

The Company Section will now meet on Thursdays*

beginning on 5th at 7.15pm. - same as the Junior Section.

* Please note the change of evening

All sections meet at the Church Hall.

Contacts:-

Anchor Section :- Mrs Weir - 0141 777 7787

Junior Section :- A. Eadie - 01236 611317

Company Section :- G Ramsay - 07903289245

Andrew Eadie (Captain)

e-mail: andyeadie@blueyonder.co.uk http://1condorrat.boys-brigade.org.uk

Again, a big ‘Thank you’….

to everyone who helps with the

Group, either by participating on

Thursday evenings or with the

donation of the much needed and

varied materials.

Due to the Sanctuary Refur-

bishment starting we have still to

decide when to resume ‘stitching,

cutting and sewing’ meetings….

so watch out for further notice.

Anne Russell

BANNER GROUP

The Girls Brigade While all the Officers and most of the

Girls were enjoying the fine Summer break,

some of our Brigaders were taking part in the

Expedition Section of the Duke of Edinburgh

Award.

They were away for 2 days: 4days: and

7 days; depending the Grade they were doing.

Girls’ Brigade started back on 27th Aug.2013

Explorers Pr 1, 2, 3 6.30pm - 7.30pm.

Juniors Pr 4, 5, 6 ,7, 7.30pm - 9.00pm.

Brigaders S1+ 7.30pm - 9.00pm.

All girls are welcome so if you know of

any girl from Pr.1 upwards ask them to come

along and I am sure they will enjoy it.

Capt. Sheila Fraser

God’s Residence

Who has not found the heaven below

Will fail of it above.

God’s residence is next to mine,

His furniture is love. Emily Dickinson

The Sunday School

Sunday School starts the New Session

on Sunday 8th Sept.

We welcome all young people (new and

old) between 3years and 11years of age…

and it's not all sitting and listening — we

get up to all sorts of games and crafts and

other things too!

We meet Sundays @ 10.45am in the

Church Halls.

Lesley Freeland

We have no more right to consume happiness without producing it than to

consume wealth without producing it. GBS

PARISH NEWS (9)

The Guild September 2013

We commence our new Session on

Wednesday, 11th Sept. 2013 at 7.30p.m.

This will be an informal evening welcoming all members and anyone else caring to join us.

Our Theme this Session is "A Fellowship to Build" and we hope

to learn more of the work within our commu-nity. We shall also have our usual outings and events. Hope to see you on the 11th September.

The "Bohemians" outing is on Wednesday, 30th October, 2013.

This show is proving to be very popular, so if you wish to go, we will be taking names on Wednesday, 11th & 25th September. Please see Ann Kenny or any committee member on these evenings.

Guild Contacts are Jess McCallum(720788), Ann Kenny (732377) and myself (736499)

Mary Innes (Secretary)

Well, that’s summer over and although we

gave everyone a rest , it is now time to get those dia-

ries out and dates put in for the rest of this year.—the

Fundraising must go on !!

Obviously, the first main event is The Fashion

Show on Saturday September 21st.

Sat. Sept. 21st. (12 for12.30pm) -

‘Annual Fashion Show ’

I know I’ve been bullying everyone into buy-

ing tickets by August 18th, but this was so that I

could pay Westerwood for at least 100 tickets! — (all

done thank you).

However, we would like more people to support

this event and our amazing models from our Congre-

gation, so tickets can be bought up to September 15th

and are available from any member of the committee

or ring me on 01236 728086 or at 07799 281876.

Tickets are £25 -this includes a 3-course Lunch.

Tables are set for 10, so friends can sit together.

We would also be very grateful for ‘Prizes’ for

the Lucky Number Draw and I can always come to

collect these. Westerwood have also kindly donated:

6-month Membership of the Golf Club and a

3-month Membership to the Leisure Club again!!

These will go into a Special Draw at £5 a ticket and

this is open to anyone, regardless of whether you are

coming to the fashion show (men, especially) or not —

just let me know and your name will be entered on

the day.

Sat. October 26th. (10am)

Coffee Morning/Craft Fayre.

October's event will be a Coffee Morning and

a Craft Fayre — with Christmas in mind.

This was very successful in March so, by

popular demand, it is back again! Tickets will be £2.

All the Crafters are ‘gearing up’ for Christmas so

come prepared. There should be a wonderful selec-

tion of Crafts including Jewellery, Cards, Soaps,

Candles, Sweeties, Paintings and a variety of other

lovely gifts, and a good turn out would be wonderful

— so get this date into your diaries….NOW!

Sat. November 30th. (12 noon) —

Christmas Fayre.

This will be opened by Jamie Hepburn, our MSP.

There will be all the usual stalls as well as Soup/Roll,

and Coffees/Tea Room.

Unwanted empty Hamper Baskets are required for

Christmas Fayre Hampers

More details will follow nearer the time.

Thank you again for your support and we

look forward to seeing you on September 21st.

Margaret McCallum (Convenor)

Social/Sanctuary Refurbishment Fundraising Committee

Harvest Sunday Service

Sunday, 29th September at 11am

‘Come , you thankful people, come,

raise the song of harvest-home:’

‘There is a wonderful, mystical

law of nature that the three things

we crave most in life — happiness,

freedom, and peace of mind —

are always attained by giving

them to someone else’

PARISH NEWS (10)

Outreach Committee

The newly formed “Outreach Committee” are interested in bringing

together various age groups with ideas we have collated.

We have three so far, if you are interested and even if you have other suggestions we

would like to hear from you.

Please complete the questionnaire, to allow us to collate the level of interest.

The three ideas we presently have are: (Please tick relevant box)

*Young Wives Club

*Summer Stroller

*Knit & Natter

If you have any other suggestions we would be pleased to hear from you,

this includes the gentlemen as well.

(Please provide your details)

Name:

Contact telephone number:

Donald Morrison You may have heard that Donald Morrison our Points North Worker has resigned his position. He did so for personal reasons at the end of June this year. He has since been in touch and is well and looking forward to pastures new.

We are very grateful for the work that Donald has done and I know that many will miss his cheerful and thoughtful ways. He started ‘Messy Church’ (which will continue and move on), and the Westfield House Group which was so popular.

We wish him well in the future and he has our thanks and blessing for all his work.

Rev. Grace Saunders

Giving of Talents Service on

Sunday, 15th September

Theme: “Don’t hide your light under a bushel”.

A Service in 2 parts—first in the Sanctuary and then in the Church Halls. As well as looking for YOUR hidden abilities there will be demonstrations from

some folk we already know have particular abilities/interests.

There will also be an Information/ Questionnaire Sheet available giving you a chance

to say if there is anything in particular you wish to know or learn more about in the church. (sheets to be returned by 29th September)

Contentment is the

philosophers stone,

which turns all it

touches into gold;

the poor man

is rich with it;

the rich man

poor without it. Proverb