ST ANDREW’S
PARISH CHURCH
OUTLOOK – AUGUST 2005
Interim Moderator: Session Clerk
Rev Bill McKaig Mr Alex McKee
53e Blairhill Street
Coatbridge
Tel: 421191
St Andrew’s Church Tel: 431385
www.saintandrewscoatbridge.org
August
2005
Dear Friends in St Andrew’s,
Well, it doesn’t seem that long ago since Moira
McCall was biting my ears off with, “where’s my pastoral letter?” – and yet
that was back before the summer. I hope
you had a good summer and that you feel rested and ready to start the autumn
with renewed vigour. AND a new minister!
As I write this – 4th August – it’s
just over a month till Fiona Nicolson arrives.
You probably don’t realise, but many changes are about to take
place. A new minister – a woman at the
helm – a new chapter in St Andrew’s story.
And the most important change has already taken place – you voted to
call Fiona Nicolson as your minister.
She will not institute change because she is a
woman. We’re too far down the road to
taigle ourselves with that old chestnut.
She is change because your journey as a family of faith has brought you
to a new point in your journey. A new
century dawned under Ian’s ministry – now the new century’s challenges will
face you fresh and clear under what I believe will be the steady hand and wise
counsel of Fiona Nicolson.
The folk at Clifton enjoyed our worship together during July. It was a time of celebration and making/renewing acquaintances. It was a time of growing together. It was also, for the last 3 weeks of July, time apart for St Andrew’s folk. I trust that many of you used it as time to get ready.
As you now face the future with your new minister,
may I wish you God’s richest blessing on your journey of faith. I have enjoyed being your Interim Moderator
this past 10 months and look forward to many future times when I and the folk
at Clifton can enjoy our faith journey together with our friends at St
Andrew’s.
I’m feeling like Moses now (though he was 120 at
the time!). He spent 40 years (in your
case 40 weeks) getting the folk to the edge of the promised land when God told
him that, although he could see the promise, he would not go there. Your new minister is a promise from God to
you – use what she brings to you well.
And enjoy!
Bill McKaig: Interim Moderator.
COLLECTIONS F.W.O. Open Plate Total
June £6004.10 £342.40 £6,346.50
July £4197.70 £123.40 £4,321.10
The retiring collection on behalf of Erskine
Hospital at the June communion raised the sum of £410.15..
INDUCTION
The
Office-bearers are delighted to intimate that the Induction of our new Minister
the Rev. Fiona M. Nicolson will take place on the evening of Wednesday 7th September.
The
Induction Service, arranged by the Presbytery of Hamilton, will be at 7.00 p.m.
in the Church, followed by tea in the hall and a Welcoming Social back in the
Church. We expect to have tea about
8.00 p.m. and then return to the Church for the Social about 8.45 p.m. –
finishing before 10.15 p.m. On this
occasion we expect visitors from Ms Nicolson’s previous congregation of
Dunfermline: St. Margaret’s, members of her family and members of our
neighbouring congregations and hope that many members of our own congregation
will be present to welcome Fiona and her friends at this very important and
exciting time in the life of St. Andrew’s.
There will be no collection at the Service and likewise no charge for
the Social.
When
a Minister comes to a congregation it is a time of excitement and rejoicing and
to mark the occasion it is the custom for the members to give him/her a
present. We, at St. Andrew’s, are no
different from other churches and therefore we would like to welcome Fiona by
giving her something which she will appreciate. I’m sure that you would wish to contribute to this collection –
if so, put your donation in an envelope marked Rev. F. Nicolson and put it in
the plate or give it to your elder when he/she visits you before the September
Communion.
Remember,
the Induction of OUR NEW MINISTER, the
Rev.
Fiona M. Nicolson is on Wednesday 7th September at 7.00 p.m.
in
the Church – put it in your diary and try to be there.
Alex. B. McKee, Session Clerk.
INDUCTION
SOCIAL
This is an appeal to the congregation for
donations of home baking and fillings for sandwiches for the social after the
induction. Due to Health and Safety regulations
the sandwiches must be made up in the Church Hall.
Anyone who is willing to donate home
baking, make sandwiches or set up the hall should come along between 10am and
12 noon on the 7th September.
Tinned goods for fillings can be handed to me after any Sunday service.
Looking forward to what will be another
exciting and momentous occasion. Jean MacDonald Tel 425301
SUNDAY
SCHOOL
The Sunday School will commence its new
session on the 28th August.
All children will be made very welcome.
George
McCall, Superintendent
THE
BOYS’ BRIGADE
Any
new members wishing to join please call Jim Elliot 60547.
The
age is Anchor Boys age 5 till end of p4
Juniors p5 till end of
p7
Company section high school age till 18
We
are still on the look out for extra helpers. Anyone who can spare time in
assisting with the running of the company or just to help on the respective
nights please call the number above. Jim
Elliot, Captain
6th
Coatbridge Rainbows, Brownie and Guides
The Rainbows finished the session this year with a
barbecue, while our Brownies entertained their parents with items that they had
performed for their Entertainers Badge and the Guides as usual finished off
with a fun night with parents and then the presentation of Certificates and
other awards. This year our Best Guide was won jointly by Megan
Brown and Toni Addie and Runners up again were joint winners with Ailsa McRae
and Nicole Thomson. Best Patrol this session was the White Rose -
Katherleen Docherty Patrol Leader Ailsa McRae Seconder, Laura Stewart, Bethany
Griffith Jones and Julie McClelland.
This year we have a Senior Section with 11 girls who
help at Rainbows and Brownies and are also working on the Duke of Edinburgh and
some are starting the training to become Guiders.
I would just like to say a thank you to all Guiders in
each section for all their hard work over the last session.
The Rainbows start on Friday 9th September 2005
from 6.15pm to 7.15pm for all girls aged between 5 and 7 years.
The Brownies start on Monday 5th September 2005 from
6.30pm to 8.00pm for all girls aged between 7 and 10 years.
The Guides start on Monday 5th September 2005 from
7.00pm to 9.00pm for all girls aged between 10 and 15 years.
The Senior Section start on Monday 5th September
2005 from 7.00pm to 9.00pm for all girls aged between 15 and 25 years.
Alexis
Crichton Guide Guider
The Hospice are
holding their Christmas Fayre in November 2005 in John Wilson Town Hall
Airdrie.
RNLI
COFFEE MORNING
The RNLI are holding a Coffee Morning in the Church
Hall on Saturday 27 August from 10a.m to 12 noon.
SEPTEMBER
EDITION OF OUTLOOK
All items for the September issue should
be placed in the box at the Church door or handed in before Sunday 28 August
2005.