ST
ANDREW’S
OUTLOOK
DECEMBER 2007
Minister: Session
Clerk
Rev Fiona M Nicolson Mr Alex McKee
Coatbridge
Tel: 437271 Tel:
421191
St Andrew’s Church Tel:
431385
www.saintandrewscoatbridge.org
Scottish Charity Number
SC013521
December 2007
Dear
Friends
As
I write this letter I am conscious of lots of Christmassy thoughts going on in
my head. I have been planning Christmas Services and thinking about the
different events that will be taking place. So lots to look
forward to. On top of that I have in the past few weeks been having
conversations with people who are either panicking because they haven’t done a
thing for Christmas or those who have everything bought and organised and are
wondering what to do with themselves!!!! (I fall into
the former category where presents are concerned anyway!!)
This
has made me think quite a bit about the first Christmas which had been so long
expected and looked forward to. The people were ready for this very special act
by God. This was going to be the start
of a new era for the people and they awaited it with eager anticipation.
Then
the story unfolded. The longed for Saviour was born in seemingly unplanned and
unpleasant circumstances. And yet it had all been prophesied. It was all part
of God’s plan for mankind The Saviour of the world had come and now it was up
to mankind to take him to their hearts. Wise men and shepherds bore witness to
this event which would indeed turn history on its head. The
birth of a baby in humble circumstances.
Looking
at it that way it does make you stop and think. Why do we get ourselves into
such a state about Christmas? Our differing levels of organisation and
disorganisation really don’t matter all that much. What is important is the
birth of a baby and God’s plan for you and for me.
So
whatever circumstance you may find yourself in, I hope that you will know the
peace, the joy, the hope, and the expectation of this season, and that you will
be richly blessed.
Have
a fantastic and Happy Christmas and every blessing for the New Year.
With
love and prayers
Fiona
N
PS
Be sure to look out for all the different services taking place over the
festive season. Hope you can all come along xxx
Church Register
Baptisms
4th
November Zack John McCann
25th
November Aaron Loughridge
Funerals
5th
November Peggy Russell 94
Blair Road
12th
November Bill Angus The
Cottage, Holme Farm
13th
November David Farmer
OFFERINGS F.W.O Open Plate Total
November £5,112.30 £536.92 £5,649.22
6th
As
we are approaching the end of the first part of the session we have been very
busy within the company.
First
of all thanks to the parents who have volunteered to help on a weekly basis to
allow us to continue.
The
company have just completed six weeks of cooking/baking. The
Explorers are due to enter the Divisional
Marching competition on Thursday 29th November,
good luck to all of them and thanks to Jim for all his help.
The
Swimming Gala went very well with 15 girls from both Junior and Brigader section entering.
Primary
4/5 Relay team received
Natalie
Wilkie (P5) received
Well
done to all the girls.
To
end our session we will be having a visit to the Cinema or going to the Panto at
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone from 6th
Coatbridge Girls’ Brigade. Irene
Krebs, Captain
BOYS
BRIGADE
The Anchor Boys recently took part in their
competition which was to design a Christmas card. Our boys’ entry came third which
was a good effort by the boys - well done. The winning entry from 1st New Monkland is being printed and will be sold to raise funds
for the Anchor boy fun day. Our Christmas party is on the 5th December and the
following week we are going to the pantomime at
The Junior section football
is going well, the boys have won two and lost one this month. The highlight of
the session so far was our P.A. team winning the Battalion competition. Well
done guys. The Junior section are going to the bowling
on the 5th of December and on the 12th we are practising
for the board game competition.
The Anchor Boy and Junior section Carol service is
being held on Sunday16th December at 6.30pm in Blairhill/ Dundyvan. All boys, family and friends are invited to this
event.
Not to be out done, the Company Section came second in
the Battalion vaulting event, a great effort by all the boys. The boys are now
studying hard for the Bible Knowledge in January and practising
for the squad drill in December. Also in January is the Battalion swimming gala
for both Juniors and Company section. The company section are going to the
Champions league for their Christmas outing.
Well done to Adam Llewellyn and Daniel Glendinning for taking part in the Remembrance day service. This was the culmination of a project by all
the coy sect boys as part of their badge work. Congratulations to William Armour, Andrew Mathieson and
Steven Murray for representing the Battalion at the cenotaph on Rememberance Sunday and completing their grade three
leadership on the same day which means they are now on their way to completing
their Presidents badge.
We took part in the Battalion fun run, thanks to all
boys, family and friends who turned up on the day or who did it themselves, we
did raise enough money to cover our fees for the session so thanks to all who
contributed.
Finally thanks to Hugh McKee for his visit to the
company section unfortunately Hugh refused the invitation to put on his PT kit
and take part in the pirates game but thanks for the
excuse anyway.
Jim
Elliot, Captain
GUILD
The
last meeting of the year for the Guild will be on 12 December when retired
school teachers who are called Calypso are displaying and selling silver jewelry. We are
having an open evening, inviting anyone who would care to come along and join
us. Senga Weir
Church
Fund Raising- Thank you to all who helped in any way with our efforts this year. We tried
various old and new events which have all proved to be very successful
£
Flute
Orchestra Concert
667.50
Dress
down Sunday
207.90
Easter
Breakfast
99.00
Quiz Night
315.00
Sponsored
Walk
1,954.00
Summer
Fete
1,670.31
Table
Top
Miscellaneous
Fund Raising 424.94
--- ---------
6,639.04
=======
As we go to print I look forward to our Christmas
Coffee Day and Christmas Stalls and will give a report in Sunday
Intimations and February Outlook. None of the above efforts would be a success
without your continued donations and support
.Thank you. The next meeting will be held on
10th December at 8pm when we hope to discuss events for the 2008 diary. Why not
come along and join us? Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and
a Happy Prosperous New Year. Jean
MacDonald Chairperson.
Although not a fundraising event, as all monies went
to
We also took part in
Sunday Tea Break. Thank you to the team leaders and ladies who give of their
time and donations. To the congregation for their
support and also donations. It is very much appreciated.
Have a wonderful time over the Festive Season, Good health,wealth and happiness
during 2008. Jean
MacDonald Convener.
INDOOR BOWLING
The
first match of the season against the team from the Bellshill Churches took
place on Saturday 17th November and once again the cup went to
Bellshill. It was hard to believe – it
was a great even game all through and it took the last bowl of the last end to
decide the winner – unfortunately Bellshill won by one shot – but the real
winner was the sporting and friendly manner of the entire match. The return game will be on Saturday 16th
February so here’s hoping.
Our
own Xmas game will be on Saturday 29th December at 4p.m. as
usual. Slips will be given out and in
view of the busy time of the year, the last date for acceptance will be 20th
December as the caterers must know how many meals are booked. J
This
made £121 for Church funds – thanks to all who contributed. It was obviously TOO EASY as there were
thirty six correct solutions received and because of this it was decided to
have two winners who were drawn by Ann Clemenson. The next one is being prepared and should be
more taxing!!! The winners were Sheena
Owens and Nessie Hall, Dorothy
Dunlop
SAFEGUARDING OFFICE
In
preparation to extend all its Child Protection systems to also protect
Vulnerable Adults, the Church of Scotland moved from being the Child Protection
Unit to the Safeguarding Office two years ago.
Although the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (
The
Church of Scotland has taken and continues to take all reasonable steps to provide
a high standard of care to children, young people and vulnerable groups, and as
a congregation, we are required to implement the instructions, recommendations
and legislation relating to its safeguarding practices.
At
the start of the winter session for our organisations, with leaders and their
teams already planning interesting and exciting programmes, it is important for
all of us to recognise and appreciate the commitment of our volunteer
children’s workers, their efforts and achievements. In St Andrew’s we are grateful to those who
have undergone training and been awarded Child Protection Certificates. This enables St Andrew’s to maintain the
quality of work that is undertaken on behalf of the Church. I Milligan/Kirk Session
SONGS OF PRAISE
To mark the week
of Christian Unity an Ecumenical Service of Praise
will be held in
This service is
being organised in association with the Lanarkshire
Society of
Organists and has been held in recent years in the
Motherwell/Hamilton
area.
This is the
first time it has taken place in the Coatbridge/Airdrie
Area so I do
hope you will come along and join with our friends from
other churches to raise the roof with the
singing of favourite hymns.
I look forward
to seeing you there, Stewart Alston
The Scottish Poppy Appeal – 2007
This year has
been quite difficult for our collectors due to the fact that we were short of
Poppies because of the change from the pin variety to the stick on type (not
necessarily popular). However, the
team, larger than ever, worked harder than ever and with one or two major boxes
to come in we have exceeded the 2006 figure by at least £1500.
Many
thanks to the large number of members of the congregation who contributed their
money, time and effort to produce another record for
The Church
Retiring Collection raised £386 and the sale of Poppies produced £93.34. The Gift Aid amount was £165 which should
get another £46 from the Chancellor.
Well done – 2008
here we come. Alex. B. McKee
Recently the
Hospice Christmas Fayre took place in
Diary
3rd December Congregational Board 8p.m.
9th December Choir Service
10th December Joint Prayer Meeting in Memorial Chapel, St Andrews
7-8p.m.
16th December Nativity Service
16th December Joint
Carol Service with St.Patrick’s in St Andrew’s at
7.30p.m.
22nd December Sunday
School parties (note change)
23rd December Joint Service with
24th December Christmas Eve Service 11.30p.m.
30th December Family Service