Dear Members of the St Andrew’s Family,

This is a letter which I wish I didn’t have to write and, God willing, will not have to write too often in the future. Regrettably, however, Ian your Minister has been struggling these past weeks with health issues and I have been asked to take care of your pastoral needs at St Andrew’s until things appear clearer. This I am glad to do.

Just this past weekend – the one after Easter – the weather took a surging turn for the warmer and the better and so it’s safe to say that Spring is with us. What an appropriate time to celebrate the new life all around us – just as Christ’s followers carry fresh in their hearts and minds the “new thing” that is the message of the Resurrection. New beginnings, new opportunities for witness, new energy to do God’s work and share God’s joy in this town and in this world wherever God calls us to be.

This year St Andrew’s will be facing a season of change when a Ministry with which you have been happy and familiar these past years reaches its fullness and you contemplate new challenges and situations in the unknown. Easter was, for the first followers of Jesus, a leap into the unknown. We are here because they leapt – may God grant you grace to leap into the new times that lie ahead soon.

The “market” in ministry has changed these past ten years or so – but so have the needs of congregations. I would ask you to be very aware of the need to change in the coming months and years. It was Burns who asserted

“look abroad through Nature’s range:

Nature’s mighty law is change.”

Change has come; change is waiting – embrace it as a gift from the God of change to you, the followers of his Son.

Meanwhile, if there is anything I can do to help you in any way in the weeks to come, don’t hesitate to call at the number printed below.

Yours sincerely,

Bill McKaig

Interim Minister

Telephone: 01236 421181

MAY 2004 Page 9.

PARISH REGISTER

Funerals

“I am the Resurrection ….”

Funeral services were held for the following:

14^th April 2004 Demi Leigh Grant 8 Morven Street

16^th April 2004 Alexander Heron 66 Coltswood Court

30^th April 2004 Janette Grant 49 Blairgrove Court

Marriage

“Let us love one another ….”

On 16^th April 2004 the Marriage of

Alex Miller and Gillian Stone was celebrated in St Andrew’s

COLLECTIONS F.W.O. Open Plate Total

April 2004 £4422.80 £150.59 £4573.39

SUNDAY SCHOOL

The Sunday School trip is going to Perth on Saturday 5^th June. Anyone wishing to go, should give their name to Joyce McClelland or any Sunday School Teacher as soon as possible so that transport can be arranged. The price of the tickets is £10 for adults, Sunday School children go free and non Sunday School children pay £4. Joyce is running a bank for anyone wishing to save for this event.

The Sunday School Prizegiving will be held on Sunday 13 June during the morning service, and the Sunday School will finish for the summer break on Sunday 27 June. The Summer Club will be available for all children in July and August during the morning service. Would volunteers please give me their names so that a rota can be arranged. George McCall, Superintendent

6^TH COATBRIDGE GIRLS’ BRIGADE

This is just a quick reminder that the Girls’ Brigade will be holding their annual display and prizegiving on Tuesday 11 May 2004 in the Church Hall at 7.00p.m. Our Presenting Officer will be Mrs Janette McGill, Headteacher of Victoria Primary, Airdrie. We warmly invite all parents, relatives and friends to our display and look forward to seeing you. Thank you for your support throughout session 2003/2004. Irene Krebs (Captain)

BOYS’ BRIGADE

All our sections are working towards parents' night on Friday 14th May at 7pm. We would like to extend an invitation to any parent, family or friend to come along on that evening but be early to guarantee a seat. The rehearsal for all sections will take place on Wednesday 12th May from 6.30pm till 8.00pm.

The Junior Section and Anchor Boys fun day will take place on Saturday 8th May at Summerlee Heritage Park.

Our 5 Queen's badge candidates have attended their completion course at Carronvale and are now approaching the finishing line.

Finally we would like to send our best wishes to Mr Wotherspoon and wish him a speedy recovery. Jim Elliot, Captain

SCOTTISH BIBLE SOCIETY

Our annual Bake for Bibles will be held in the hall on Sunday 13 June. Donations of baking would be much appreciated and I hope you will all come along and support us in this worthwhile cause. Thank you. Jessie Rock