2017 – autumn editionR E N F R E W N O R T H P A R I S H C H U R C HOUTREACH

From Rev Alistair Shaw, our Interim Moderator

Life is a mixture of good experiences and bad, hopefully more good than bad. We often have hopes and dreams for the future and sometimes when they materialise, they surpass our expectations. But sometimes it works the other way and we are disappointed. This summer the Nominating Committee faced a disappointment. There was a candidate, whom they really liked and they would have been happy to recommend him to you as Sole Nominee. However, there were two other congregations interested in him as well and he chose to go elsewhere. Members of the committee quickly picked themselves up from their disappointment and are continuing their search for a minister. In the autumn a new list of probationers becomes available and they will include that in their considerations. With any disappointment or unpleasant experience we need to pick ourselves up and get on with life. Saint Paul wrote about this in his Second Letter to the Church at Corinth. I particularly like the way in which J.B. Philipps has translated the passage. Notice his forceful use of the word “but.” “We are handicapped on all sides, but we are never frustrated; we are puzzled, but never in despair. We are persecuted, but we never have to stand it alone: we may be knocked down, but we are never knocked out!” Paul knew what he was talking about. He had been imprisoned in Philippi, chased out of Thessalonica, smuggled out of Beroea, laughed at in Athens. He was involved in a riot at Ephesus and was almost stoned to death in Lystra. He had been flogged by Jews and

Romans alike and had been ship-wrecked on three occasions. But Paul always picked himself up and got on with his Christian mission. A member of my own congregation told me of how she went to Largs one summer day when the weather was dismal and there on the beach she saw a family who had set up windbreaks and were cooking a barbeque. That is the right attitude. When life throws obstacles in our path, we have a choice. We can let them get on top of us or we can rise above them and make the best of the situation. It lies in our own hands to determine the spirit in which we will tackle life’s difficulties. Let’s ensure that “we are never knocked out!”

With best wishes to you all,

Yours sincerely,

Rev Alistair N Shaw

Dear Friends,

Mens’ AssociationThe Men’s Association’s new session begins with enrollment on 4th and 11th September with our first games night on Monday the 18th. Our doors are always open and any men, young, old, or somewhere in between, are always welcome to join us, come and have a fun night out. The Men’s Club would also like to reinstate an inter-organisational games night for a bit of fun. If interested please contact me on 07762 353 111 to organise an evening.

Alan Canavan, Secretary

Prayer Group Meeting Tuesday 5th September, 7.30pm - 9.00pm There will be a time of rededication for the year ahead during this meeting. We will be praying for our congregation during this vacancy period. We will also be remembering all who are in great need of our prayers. All readings and prayers are led by Sheila but there is also an opportunity if you wish to pray for others. All are welcome—especially if you’ve never attended a meeting before. For more information please contact Sheila Love on 561 4535.

renfrewnorth.org.uk

Church diarySeptember3 11:15 Morning Worship10 11:15 & 2pm Sacrament of Holy Communion17 11:15 Morning Worship24 11:15 Morning WorshipOctober1 11:15 Morning Worship8 11:15 Morning Worship 15 11:15 Morning Worship22 11:15 Morning Worship29 11:15 Morning Worship

November5 11:15 Morning Worship12 10:45 Remembrance Service19 11:15 Youth Parade26 11:15 Morning WorshipDecember3 11:15 Morning Worship10 11:15 & 2pm Sacrament of Holy Communion17 11:15 Morning Worship24 11:15 Morning Worship24 19:00 Christmas Eve Service24 11:15 Morning Worship

Congregational BoardWed 6 September and 1 November at 7pm

Kirk Session Wed 4 October and 6 December at 7pm

(Please note: These dates, details and times may be subject to adjustment by the Interim Moderator or the Minister on pulpit supply)

Junior Church

Much has been made of the fact that, over the

summer at Ice Cream Sundays, the children do indeed enjoy ice cream! But what else happens, you might wonder? The youngsters can choose from games, crafts, painting and drawing, lego and toys and then while they have a cone or a cup of ice cream, there is a bible story to listen to. Using ‘The Jesus Storybook Bible’ we’ve made a whistle stop tour of stories familiar from our childhood but less familiar to today’s children. These stories are such as Moses and the burning bush, Joshua at Jericho, David and Goliath, Daniel in the lions’ den, Jesus healing Jairus’ daughter and Saul on the Damascus road.

Every week this summer there have been children in church, so Ice Cream Sundays provides a valuable link to the autumn when all the Junior Church departments restart.

Just as the description goes “it does what it says on the tin”, so too does Junior Church “do what it says on the tin”, as one limb of the Christian community of Renfrew North.

Christian Aid Coffee LoungeMany thanks to all who have supported, in any way, the coffee lounge after church on a Sunday! Christian Aid started over 70 years ago and it is tragic that in our modern world, there still remains a need today. This year Renfrew North has donated £2,300 towards this work. However, a few of the groups are needing more helpers – it’s only once in every eight weeks between September and May. So, if you would be willing to help, please give your name to Annette Russell.

Blythswood CareOnce again, the shoebox appeal will be launched at the Harvest service. Leaflets will be available at that service detailing the goods required for the appeal. If you are unable to fill a shoebox, items required for the boxes can be donated and these will be used to fill additional boxes or donated to Blythswood Care.

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The Forget-Me-Not CaféThe Forget-Me-Not Café Renfrew North, Wednesdays at 2 o’clockThere’s always a friendly face to welcome you in, so you don’t need to knockThe guests come each week and have a great timeSing along with the choirs and groups, they definitely shine

Guests enjoy a wee dance so they get up and take the floorThey enjoy it so much they get 3 tens for a scoreMusical bingo goes down a treatIf you are lucky to win, you’ll get a pack of sweets

At arts and crafts they make cards and gifts for family and friendsThe gifts are better than they are in the shops, those you would definitely recommendWinter arts and crafts made at this time of yearThey all look so beautiful and deserve a good cheer Reminiscing of old Renfrew they really enjoyRemembering old times when they were wee girls and boysGames of dominoes, making beetles, Connect Four to name but a fewAt curling, hit the bullseye but don’t worry if you miscue

After all these activities it’s time for coffee, tea, biscuits and cakeWith tasty treats, volunteers bake or guests donateAfter the break tell a story, a joke, play piano, mouth–organ and all sing along if you canNow it’s time to go home after we finish with ‘The Music Man’

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The Guides had a great day out at the Tartan Gig on 17th June - as did the Guiders! Thanks to the massive fundraising effort at our Race Night in March where over £800 was raised for the unit, each girl got a free day out and saw some of their favourite bands. The Guide Company returns after the summer on Tuesday 5th September at 7.30pm.There are spaces available so if your daughter is aged 10 and over, please contact Jen on secondrenfrewguides@yahoo.com for joining information.

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Boys’ BrigadeSince the summer edition of Outreach featuring an article from ourselves at 1st/3rd Renfrew Boys’ Brigade, we

have had a busy summer that has continued on from the end of session. In May we had our Weekend Camp at Auchengillan Outdoor Centre, nr Blanefield, where boys in Juniors and the younger Company Section took part in a range of activities such as crate climbing, raft building, grass slides, giant inflatables, and more. They had a great weekend.We also had the senior boys in Juniors and Company Section take part in the Gleniffer Dog Agility Show at Lanark Racecourse. We camped there for the weekend, the boys assisted in move dog leads from the start line to finish line, replace knocked down poles and issuing tickets. The boys did this for the Saturday and Sunday and was long days for them. However the Dog Training Club

donated towards our funds. They have asked us back to their September show. On Friday 2nd June, we had our Celebration Party at the church halls - what a night it was, fantastic! We thank everyone who came and supported our event, the hall was full of people enjoying themselves. The hall also looked fantastic, thanks to Simon Bain and Gordon Ferguson and their company SLS Scotland for supplying and installing all the lights and decor. We also thank Gordon Simpson for being our compere on the night and holding it all together. Many have asked for this to be an annual event...watch this space! We have also just returned from our Summer Camp, following is a brief editorial from our Roving Reporter, Euan Crombie: “For the first time since 2009, the 1st / 3rd Renfrew BB Company (then simply the 3rd) has successfully run a summer camp. Setting out with 13 boys and 7 adults (although some officers could be considered just as large boys), we arrived in Beeston Regis after a 10 hour bus journey (although for the officers present it felt closer to 10 months. Through the following 7 days, we went through various activities, plenty of competitions and, worst of all, endured Captain Scott’s snoring. The boys went on days out to Cromer and Sheringham, nearby coastal towns, and to

Pleasurewood Hills, an amusement park near Great Yarmouth. We also held onsite competitions, including an all-day Olympics event. Older traditions were also upheld, including Tent Inspection and Orderly Squads, both of which were marked and the winners awarded at the end of the week. The camp newspaper is also underway, keep your eyes peeled in the future for more updates!” I may add that the site was fantastic, as Euan reports it was a long journey, however worth it in my view. We had changeable weather, mostly dry, however two very challenging days featuring a two hour thunder and lightning storm and rain thereafter for 18 hours followed by high winds gusting off the coast causing some site damage, however we got through it and had a great time. Some pictures are enclosed with this edition, but if you follow our Facebook page you will have seen what a great time we had. By the time you read this we will have enrolled for the new session on August 31st, so spread the work we are back hoping to do bigger and better than last session. Keep eyes on our notice board and Facebook page for updates throughout. Our first Coffee Morning is on Saturday 30th September from 10am till 12noon.

Andrew ScottBB Captain

F R A M I N G A R T

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OUTREACH

Oct 15, Dec 10, Feb 4—Leader: John Collins, Vivian Collins, Lesley Dargo, Charles Hamilton, David Henderson, Stuart Irving, Cameron Jeffrey, Gill McKay, Linda Smith

Oct 22, Dec 17, Feb 11—Leader: Annette Russell, Catherine Adamson, Rena Bradley, Elizabeth Bruce, Jim Bruce, Alan Canavan, Rene Canavan, Alistair Corkindale, Roddy Lawrie, Ellen Strachan

Sept 3, Oct 29, Dec 24—Leader: Gus Muchan, Jim Bain, Cherry Briggs, Margaret Cumming, Fiona Hendrie, Lesley McFarlane, Rhona McNeil, Sandra Moir, Lesley Smith

Sept 10, Nov 5, Dec 31 —Leader: Eric Smyth, Evelyn Brown, John Buchan, Mary Dempster, Scott Mitchell, Andrew Scott, Dorothy Scott, Aileen Winch, Jack Winch, Catherine Young

Sept 17, Nov 12, Jan 7—Leader: Brian Donaldson, Dixon Drye, Adam Loutitt, Campbell McGregor, Robert McRae, Carole Melvin, Robert Melvin, Sheryl Pickering, Marion Wallace

Sept 24, Nov 19, Jan 14—Leader: Eleanor Burns, Christine Barr, Betty Graham, Marion Henderson, Sheila Love, Charlie Newlands, June Newlands, Bob Parker, Betty Wilson, Valerie Wilson

Oct 1, Nov 26, Jan 21—Leader: Stewart Gilchrist, Alison Gerrard, Christine Louttit, Gary Louttit, Nancy Macdonald, Aileen Mitchell, David Mitchell, May Stevenson, Aileen White

Oct 8, Dec 3, Jan 28—Leader: Jim Mackie, Jacqueline Boyd, Elizabeth Cameron, Gordon Ferguson, Marian Ferguson, Marjorie Grant, David Ker, Sandra Kerr, Ellen Weir, Marion Weir

Plate Duties

Articles for Autumn 2017 Outreach should be sent to: editor@renfrewnorth.org.uk (or for those without access to a computer, please place articles in the ‘Church Office postbox’, marked ‘Outreach’), by Sunday 29 October 2017

DEATHSMrs Norma Murray (RN184, D23)35 Windsor Road, Renfrew, PA4 0SSDate of death: 24 May 2017

Mrs Agnes Syme (RN60, D59)Craigielea Care HomeFrench Street, Renfrew, PA4 8DGDate of death: 4 June 2017

Mr James Baillie (RN257, D62)22 Kirkaig Avenue, Renfrew, PA4 0YHDate of death: 9 June 2017

Mr Dick McMurtrie (RN58, D2)30 Simons Crescent, Renfrew, PA4 8TEDate of death: 12 June 2017

Who’s WhoInterim Minister: Rev Alistair Shaw, MA, BD, PhDTel: 01505 320060Email: moderator@renfrewnorth.org.uk

Session Clerk: Jack Winch23 Arkleston Road, Paisley PA1 3TETel: 889 0458Email: sessionclerk@renfrewnorth.org.uk

Clerk to the Board: Alison Gerrard93 Afton Drive, Renfrew PA4 0UDTel: 561 6540Email: clerktotheboard@renfrewnorth.org.uk

Treasurer: John F Buchan5 Gala Avenue, RenfrewTel: 885 2061 Email: treasurer@renfrewnorth.org.uk

Property: Gary Louttit8 Tweed Crescent, RenfrewTel: 885 1134Email : property@renfrewnorth.org.uk

Organist: Miss Rhona McNeil, BMus,57 Collier Street, JohnstoneTel: 01505 323779Email: organist@renfrewnorth.org.uk

Beadle: Mrs Marjorie Grant11 Urquhart Crescent, RenfrewTel: 886 4919Email: beadle@renfrewnorth.org.uk

Harvest AppealThe decision was made by the kirk session that due to the increased need for those in the local communities to access donations from foodbanks that the donations for the harvest appeal will be given to the Renfrewshire Foodbank. Fairtrade rice will be available for purchase and may then be donated to the foodbank.The goods required by the foodbank include the following; Foods: Breakfast cereals, soup, pasta, rice, pasta sauces, beans, tinned meats, tinned vegetables, tinned fruit, tea, coffee, sugar, UHT milk and biscuits. (All goods should have at least a 2 month use by date). Toiletries: Deodorant, toilet paper, shower gel, shaving gel, razors, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand wipes, sanitary towel and tampons. Laundry: Liquid laundry soap or laundry powder and washing up liquid. Baby: Nappies, baby wipes, baby food (not baby milk). Additional Goods: dog and cat food

These goods can be placed in the boxes provided in the church from the beginning of September.

Community Coffee BarOver the summer months, the Coffee Bar has been open for business every weekday from 10.00 to 12.00. While this has continued throughout the summer months, the valiant ‘Coffee Bar Work Team’ hasn’t been idle! Amongst other things, they have refurbished both the Lesser Hall and the New Hall floors. Both the church

and those who come to the Coffee Bar owe them a great debt of gratitude. The Coffee Bar will still be open, as usual, over the autumn and winter months. Please do make a point of coming along – you can be assured of a warm welcome, a good blether and a great cup of tea or coffee and cake or biscuit at a very economical price!

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