ST ANDREW’S PARISH CHURCH

COATBRIDGE

OUTLOOK – FEBRUARY 2006

 

Minister:                                                                           Session Clerk

Rev Fiona M Nicolson                                                    Mr Alex McKee

77 Eglinton Street                                                           53e Blairhill Street

Coatbridge                                                                       Coatbridge

Tel: 437271                                                                       Tel: 421191

 

St Andrew’s Church Tel: 431385

www.saintandrewscoatbridge.org

February 2006

Dear Friends,

I hope this letter finds you well and happy. A lot of folk find this time of year a bit depressing. In fact I’m told that scientists have worked out that the third week in January is the lowest for most people. Oh dear!!!! I’m sure the weather has a lot to do with it. But I guess it’s also to do with Christmas and New Year being past, and we’re all wondering what to do with ourselves.

You know what I reckon, we should see this time of year as a preparation – a time to look forward. As someone once said Christmas is past but Easter is yet to come. And ok that’s not till April this year. But we have all that time to prepare – to remind ourselves of the hope which came into the world for us and which would prove itself at Easter.

A few years back an elder in my last Church came to see me just after I’d finished my Christmas services and handed me a small package. All he said was “that’s a wee reminder of what’s next” It was a while later when I got the opportunity to open it, that I discovered a cream egg. My initial reaction was “oh come on let me get this bit finished”. But as I thought about it some more I realised how right he was. The Christian walk needs to keep moving – we need to keep looking forward to what lies ahead.

So I hope like me, you’ll be giving yourself a metaphorical shake and reminding yourself of all the good things that God has yet in store for you in the months that lie ahead.

Take care and God bless you in your daily lives as you live them out day by day.

With love and prayers

Fiona

 

 

OFFERINGS             F.W.O.            Open Plate         Total

December                    £4,965.70          £486.14         £5,451.84

January                        £6,461.65          £226.63         £6,688.28

 

The collection from the Christmas Eve service was divided between CHAS and the Alzheimer Society with £195.59 going to each.

 

Our Givings in 2006

 

Each year our costs rise and we must increase our income to meet those higher costs.  2006 is going to be a very tough year for us financially for various reasons and although we may be doing more fund raising than in the past we will still need to increase our givings substantially .  In 2006 our total givings will need to increase by 10% to enable us to cover our costs.  We can all contribute to this increase, no matter our current level of givings.  If you give £1 per week moving this up to £1.10 will make the difference we need.  If you give £50 a month then increasing it to £55 will close the gap.  If you are able to increase your givings please do so as soon as possible.

 

If you make your givings by standing order you can increase them by writing to your bank or by getting a new form from me, signing it and sending it to your bank.

 

If you pay tax but have not signed a Gift Aid Declaration please let me know.  Signing a Declaration would enable us to reclaim tax you have paid on the donations you make to the Church.  You just need to sign a Declaration.

 

Hugh McKee

Finance Convener

 

PARISH REGISTER

BAPTISM

15th January  Emma Patricia Grace

 

FUNERALS

23rd December  Amelia Craig  3 Carrick Drive, Coatbridge

24th December  Jeanie Friar – Arran House , Airdrie

31st December   Maureen Glen  71 Coltswood Court

10th January    Annie McDonald   50 St James Way

13th January    Marion Vance   68 Woodside Street

27th January     Robert Hunter  41 Redbridge Court

 

GUILD

Programme

8th Feb             International Rescue Corps

22nd Feb           Airdrie Hospice – Katie Mulgrew

8th March         Morven Singers – Closing Social – A.G.M.

Look forward to seeing you.     Senga Weir (sec)

 

BOYS’ BRIGADE

The new year started for the Boys Brigade on the first Friday with the battalion swimming gala. Our 4 representatives from the Junior section Adam Llewellyn, Stuart Gillespie, Ross Devlin & Ryan McDougall all swam well in both the individual and relay events but were unable to gain a place in the finals. Our Company section fared a little better with Lyle Scougall gaining a bronze medal in the individual freestyle and the relay team led by John Armour with Lyle Andrew Bruin and Steven Murray reached the final with John having the honour of being the last man out of the pool on the evening.

Both these sections are now preparing for various competitions with the Juniors involved in the figure marching and bible knowledge competitions and the Company section practising for their Scripture knowledge and P.T competitions. The junior section took part in the recent Battalion 5 aside football at Airdrie sports centre. The boys won their group by winning two and drawing one of their games which put them into the semi final where after a 1-1 draw the boys lost 2-1 on penalties. This was a great effort by the team who were very sporting in defeat.

Jim Elliot, Captain

 

CHURCH FLOWERS

Due to age and illness in the last few months we have a great need for more help with the church flowers.  We have two people on delivery each week.  It only takes half an hour or so after church to deliver them and if the day allotted to you does not suit someone will be happy to change with you.

The flowers in the church do not have to be a big arrangement as most of the ladies do just now.  We have several vases in which they can be displayed just as well.  Any of the ladies who do the flowers just now will be only too willing to help and advise you. (The first arrangement I did at a flower show was described by a judge as a disaster), you have to start somewhere.

Please think about it and consider if you can be of help.  The flowers enhance the beauty of our church and bring a lot of pleasure to the sick, bereaved and housebound who receive them.

The more people we have on our rota the less often you have to do it.  I look forward to hearing from you.  Jean Reid

 

INDOOR BOWLING

The return match against the Bellshill Churches will take place on Saturday 18th March at 10a.m. – slips will be given out as usual. We hope to retain the cup we won the last time, but who knows... anyway these matches are always played in a most enjoyable way, but we will be trying our best just the same!

 

AFTERNOON CHURCH GAME

This is arranged for Saturday 8th April at 4p.m.  We look forward to another good afternoon’s bowling and friendly High Tea together.

J Ferguson

 

MARCH EDITION OF OUTLOOK

All items for the March issue should be placed in the box at the Church door or handed in before Sunday 26 February 2006.