ST ANDREW’S PARISH CHURCH

COATBRIDGE

 

OUTLOOK – DECEMBER 2003

Minister:                                                                                  Session Clerk:

Rev Ian G. Wotherspoon                                                         Mr Alex McKee

77 Eglinton Street                                                                   34 Woodlands Drive

Coatbridge                                                                               Coatbridge

Tel: 437271                                                                             Tel: 421191

St Andrew’s Church Tel: 431385

www.saintandrewscoatbridge.org

 

Dear friends,

Another Christmas is almost here and another year is almost away, so I begin by wishing you all a very happy Christmas and a peace New Year when it comes.

As always, when I look back over the year I am delighted by the unfailing support you give your church in every way.  The Christmas Fayre last month, is a glorious example of that generosity and hard work which surfaces so often, my sincere thanks to you all.

As I write the hope is that a start will be made to the replacement of the Albert Street railings, it would be nice if that section was completed before the end of the year – keep your fingers crossed!

We have managed to get the Church Hall painted for Christmas and it looks bright and fresh again.  Our volunteer team (The Last of the Summer Wine) has installed ‘pin board’ round the main hall so that the organisations have plenty space for notices and craft work.

Our halls are in almost constant use and are an invaluable asset to the congregation and our community at large, so it is important that we keep them ‘up to scratch’.

All in all, as I look forward to 2004, I can do so with confidence that St Andrew’s is in good heart in every way.

With best wishes to you all for the festive season,

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Ian G. Wotherspoon

 

PARISH REGISTER

NEW MEMBER BY SPECIAL RESOLUTION

7.    12. 03       Mr Neil Robertson, 2 Higherness Way, Douglas Gardens, Coatbridge

BAPTISMS

2.   11.  03       Aimee Louise Farrell Mills (d of b 12. 5. 03) 41 Coltswood Court, Coatbridge

16.  11.  03      Lauren Jane Cooper (d of b 17. 8. 02) 5 Tinto Grove Bargeddie

                        Lauren Katie Cockburn (d of b 2. 5. 03) 8 Chatton Walk, Coatbridge

 

 

FUNERALS

31. 10.  03       Mr James Reston 196 Albion Street, Coatbridge

2.   11.  03       Mrs Margaret Norris, Deanston Nursing Home, Coatbridge

11. 11.  03       Mrs Nelly McCracken, 196 Whifflet Street, Coatbridge

30. 11.  03       Mr William Bell, Deanston Nursing Home, Coatbridge

3.   12.  03       Mrs Catherine Muckersie, 46 Auldhame Street, Coatbridge

 

COLLECTIONS                   F.W.O.            Open Plate                 Total

November 2003 5 weeks         £5583.83           £336.23                     £5920.06

 

The retiring collection in aid of the Earl Haig Fund amounted to £292.

 

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

By the time you receive this edition of Outlook, our Christmas Services will already have started with our annual United Carol Service this year in St Patrick’s Church on Sunday 7th December at 7.30 p.m. with the pupils of Rosehall and St Patrick’s High Schools and both church choirs taking part.

On Sunday 14th December at 11.00 a.m. our choir will be singing a number of pieces of Christmas music for us and their will also be a baptism on that day.

On Sunday 21st December at 11.00 a.m. our Sunday School will be performing a traditional Nativity Play.

There will be the usual Christmas Eve service on the 24th with community carol singing from around 11.00 p.m. onward, with the service starting at 11.30 p.m.

The morning service on the 28th will be a carol service.

 

BOYS’ BRIGADE

The Boys Brigade have recently been through a busy period. The Anchor Boys took part in their competition and came 3rd, they have also enjoyed a visit to the Adventure Zone and are now looking forward to Christmas when they are having a party and going with the Junior Section to a pantomime and the Battalion Carol Service.

The Junior section have taken part in the Top Team Quiz, came 3rd in the PA competition and continue to play football on a Saturday Morning. They have also attended three parades and the swimming baths which helped us to pick the team for the swimming gala.

The Company Section have also been preparing for the Gala and the Cross Country. Badge work is progressing nicely and they are practising for the PT competition.

Fundraising has played a big part in the first part of our session, the anchor boys and junior section took part in the Battalion fun run and raised £765. Our recent coffee morning raised over £200 and we are on the run up to our Ceilidh. These funds will help to pay for our capitation fees, youth leader training for new officers and leadership training for our Queen’s badge men.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the boys, officers, parents, family and friends for their terrific support so far this session. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Jim Elliot, Captain

 

FUNDRAISING

Christmas Fayre.  Thank you to all those who helped in any way to make our Fayre a success.  The stall holders, Tea Room ladies, cars/van drivers, those who set up the halls and cleared up and of course donated goods.  To Alex McKee, Janie McDonald and Rev Ian G Wotherspoon for their continued background support.  The sum raised amounted to £3,200.  Thank you.  Have a very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year.  Jean MacDonald, Chairperson

 

Future Events – BURNS SUPPER

A Burns Supper will be held on Saturday 7th February 2004.  Tickets and further details will be announced soon.

 

SUNDAY TEAS

Due to illness and personal reasons some of our teams were a bit low in numbers, but thanks to the Girls Brigade and some new ladies we have a full compliment again.  We hope to donate £900 to Church Funds and with your support we can.  Thank you to all the teams and to those who are unable to sit with us but donate goods to help raise our funds.  Have a wonderful time over the Festive Season and I hope we will all have a peaceful 2004.  Jean MacDonald, Convener

 

THE GUILD

The Guild will close a very happy 2003 session with our Christmas evening on 17th December when we will be entertained by ‘Cantabelle’.  This meeting will be in the Large Hall.

We open again on the 7th January when Mrs Elma Cunnigham, one of our own members will be talking on ‘My kind of music’.

On behalf of the Guild may I wish all members and friends a very happy Christmas.

Rosemary Wotherspoon

 

SCOTTISH BIBLE SOCIETY

On behalf of the Scottish Bible Society, I would like to thank everyone who gave of their precious time to bake, everyone who gave donations and helped to sell the baking recently at our Bake for Bibles.  A warm thanks to all who came along and supported us and helped to raise the grand total of £235 for the Scripture Breakfasts project in Peru’s shanty towns.  I am very grateful for your kind generosity and continued support.  The General Secretary of the Peruvian Bible Society has written, “Thanks to your contribution, many youngsters living in extreme poverty will enjoy at least one good meal a day.  These children often miss out on proper education, so your support also gives them an opportunity to learn reading and writing.”  Best wishes and thanks again.  Jessie Rock

 

 

 

 

SOCIAL COMMITTEE

The last social evening for 2003 was held on 6th December when the whist and beetle and the social friendship was enjoyed by all present.  PLEASE NOTE…THE NEXT SOCIAL EVENING WILL BE ON SATURDAY 31ST JANUARY as the hall is required by the church on our usual first Saturday of February.  Thereafter our evenings will be held as usual on the first Saturday of March and April.

 

Indoor Bowling

Sorry to say we lost the match against the Bellshill churches – but nevertheless it was a very good game played in true sportsmanlike manner, and that is what counts.  We hope to have a return match in the spring and regain the cup.

Our own afternoon game is on Saturday 13th December at 4p.m. with High Tea as usual.  Slips have been given out and returns MUST BE MADE by 7th December at the latest.

 

The Social Committee would like to thank all those who have supported our efforts during the past year, and I would say a personal THANK YOU to the members of the committee and friends for their hard work and assistance.

Best wishes to all for a Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year. 

Mrs J Ferguson, Convener

 

CHILD PROTECTION

A Volunteer Children’s Worker Training Day is being held in Blairhill/Dundyvan Church on Saturday, 7th February 2004.  This is an ideal opportunity to complete, at a local venue, the Child Protection Training given by the Church of Scotland.  The invitation is also extended to any of the Kirk Session who would be interested in learning what Volunteers need to know to enable them to work with children.  The training day is expected to last from 10am until 3pm.

If interested in attending, please contact myself (427699) as soon as possible, as I have a reply form to complete, indicating the number from St Andrew’s expected to be there.

Irene Milligan, Child Protection Co-ordinator.

 

 
CHURCH OFFICER AND HALL KEEPER

Barbara and David Goldie wish to retire as from the end of this year.  Anyone interested in becoming Hall Keeper or Church Officer or willing to be part of a team to carry out the duties of Church Officer should contact the minister by 14th December.

 

FEBRUARY 2004 OUTLOOK

Outlook will not be published in January.  All items for the February issue should be placed in the box at the Church door or handed in before Sunday 25 January 2004