LETTER FROM THE MINISTER

My Dear Friends,

        Last week we remembered those who died in the wars that our country has waged over the last hundred years. There were other events, not maybe, so significant, but still important. Glasgow is to be the host for the Commonwealth Games in 2007. We are told that the Games will bring great benefit to both Glasgow and the whole of Scotland. The East End of Glasgow will be upgraded, money will flow like water – let’s hope that it doesn’t trickle away – and there will be long-term benefits to the City. It is to be hoped that the many visitors will spend time in the rest of Scotland, boosting our tourist industry. When Glasgow hosted the Garden Festival all of Scotland felt involved. Buses were run from all over the country to the festival. The same will happen with the games, only visitors will come from all over the Commonwealth. Scotland, as a whole, has been given a great opportunity. Let’s hope we take it and don’t let it get frittered away.

        The Christian faith is a bit like that. We, as individuals, are offered a great opportunity. Let’s hope that we don’t let it fritter away. God, as Jesus, came to earth as a human being, giving us a chance to get right with him. On our own we couldn’t, only with his help. Many people in Scotland worked very hard to bring the Games to Glasgow, but we don’t need to do anything to persuade God to love us. He does anyway. We do need to respond, accepting him as our Saviour, and following him – living, as he, with our best interests at heart, wants.

        Glasgow, I suppose, could manage on its own, but things will be much easier, if all of Scotland is involved. Similarly, I suppose that we could be real Christians on our own. We will find it happier, better and more fruitful if we show our faith, not solitarily, but in the company of other Christians, the family of the church, worshpping and sharing with our fellow members. Think how lonely Christmas would be if we were on our own. So it is with our faith. Let us share  it and encourage each other.

        A happy and blessed Christmas to you all.

        Your friend,
Allan Fawkes.

CHRISTMAS CARD DELIVERY

The delivery service will, again this year be masterminded from the Lodge and will run from Wednesday 5th until Tuesday 18th December.
The Lodge will be open to receive cards for fast, efficient delivery each morning and afternoon. If you a are able to help either in the Lodge sorting office or with deliveries please get in touch with Annie Sellar or sign the list in the Kirk Hall. All offers of help will be gratefully accepted. Further details about price and delivery areas will be displayed on posters nearer to the start of deliveries.

CHRISTMAS SHOEBOX APPEAL

Ever had one of those days when it feels good to be alive? Today found me thinking just that, I decided to take up Rosehearty School’s invitation to share in a talk about Blythswood Care and what happens to our Christmas shoe boxes. In a sentence I found the information humbling but the company
Uplifting, sharing with a very interested group, who like myself could not imagine the poverty. All 128 pupils of Rosehearty School, even the newest  members, watched the pictures and listened to what was said and sometimes even gasped at the reality of the plight of so many people. The children in the pictures were delighted with a toothbrush, a woollie hat or a small bible story book, I guess a very different picture from Christmas morning in many houses, where the wishes to have the finest of the latest piece of technology are granted.
The shoe boxes are packed in large cardboard cartons, and these grateful people even carried off the empty cartons. The pupils were asked what the adults might use the cardboard boxes for --- lighting fires, storing whatever little possessions they might have, or even spreading over the earthen floors in their humble homes !! – wise and caring thoughts from today’s youngsters
The pupils then sang :

Love is something, if you give it away,
Give it away, give it awaymarlene
Love is something if you give it away
YOU END UP HAVING MORE

Food for thought for all of us especially at Christmas    -------Marlene

Jointly between the school and kirk contributions, Rosehearty sent 75 boxes and a sum of money towards transport costs, to the Blytheswood Appeal. Very many thank sto everyone who supported this very worthwhile cause.

1ST ROSEHEARTY GUIDES

The Guides have been very busy this term. They have done a new ‘Go For It’ called, ‘Passion 4 Fashion’ which the girls had lots of fun with. Decorating t-shirts, making dresses out of black bags, designing outfits for celebrities and making different kinds of smoothies are just a few of the things they have done.
Now all of the Guides are working on their First Aid Badge. Bill Mowatt from the Red Cross is coming out for 4 weeks to teach the girls the up to date methods of first aid.
The Guides are having a Buttery Morning in the Church Hall on Saturday 24th Nov at 10 am.  All welcome.

By the Sea

                                                                                    By Grace Hotl Litchfield

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