ST ANDREW’S PARISH CHURCH

COATBRIDGE

OUTLOOK  SEPTEMBER 2008

 

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

Scottish Charity Number SC013521

                                                                                    September 2008

Dear Friends

As I sit and write this letter I am delighted that we have now come to a decision about our future. For those of you who were unable to be with us on Sunday (31st) the vote took place and it was agreed that we would proceed to a union with Clifton Parish Church. This having been agreed we will now have it approved at the October meeting of Presbytery. It will then be up to Presbytery to decide when we will have a Service of Union. In the meantime I hope that you will all continue to pray for your Church, its office bearers and your minister. But most especially I would ask you to pray for our brothers and sisters at Clifton Parish Church who now have to face the painful experience of seeing their Church building close. Many of you reading this letter will have had to face a similar experience so you know what they will be feeling and going through.

We ourselves must now prepare to make the members of Clifton who choose to join us as welcome as we possibly can and to ensure that they feel as much a part of the Church as we ourselves do. We too though are facing change. Our name will be changing – but so too we will have to look again at how we do things!!!  I know that change is not something that any of us really enjoy but I do feel that we have to embrace it and learn afresh what being the Church is all about. So as always – watch this space!!!!

We do I think face some challenges in the months ahead – but as I keep telling people it’s the challenges that make us stronger!!!

I know that whatever happens in our future that if we keep our focus upon God and his kingdom – all will be well.

May I take this opportunity of thanking my Kirk Session and you my congregation for your prayers and support. These past few months have been fairly stressful but I have felt myself very much upheld by you all.

It is for me a very real privilege and blessing to be your minister

I look forward to our future together

With my love and prayers as always

Fiona N

 

 

Church Register

Baptism

24th August     Olivia Janet Smith

                        Erin Alexandra Mary Smith

Funerals

7th August       Jane Porteous  66 Tantallan Drive

14th August    Jane Duigan   157 West George Street

   “       “          John Cochrane  71 Tantallan Drive

19th August                 John Ridley  Centenary House

28th August                 James Blades 40 Woodhall Place

 

OFFERINGS             F.W.O             Open Plate     Total

August 2008               £6028.50         £183.92           £6212.42

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL

The new session of the Sunday School began last week.  It is open to all children from babies up to and including 18 years.  All children will be issued with a consent form for parents or guardians to sign and return as soon as possible.  Any parent who has not received a form, please collect one from any Sunday School teacher.

It is good to see some children in the church during the summer holidays and we are grateful to the people who volunteered to take care of the Summer Club. Many thanks. George McCall 764065

 

GUILD

The Guild starts its new session on Wednesday 1st October at 7.45p.m.  Our minister, Fiona, will start us off with one of her humorous talks, I hope!!  Come along and join us, open to all.  Senga Weir

 

 

 

MENS CLUB

The new session of the Men’s Club starts on Thursday 4th September at 7.30p.m.  Old and new members will be made welcome.  Archie McDougall

 

THURSDAY CLUB

The Club will start the new session on Thursday 9th October 2008 at the usual time of 2p.m.  All members, old and new, will be made very welcome. Our session starts as follows –

Oct 9th             Mr Bob Sloan & Mr J Hutton

Oct 16th           Hospital Radio – Irene Dick

Oct 23rd           Mr R Dalzell – Talk on Royal Mile

Oct 30th           Mr George Baird – Talk on Drop in Centre

We look forward to seeing you on the 9th October.  Netta Stoddart

 

BOYS BRIGADE

The new session of the Boys Brigade has now started.

Anchor Boys 5yrs to 8yrs meet in the hall on Wednesdays

6pm -7.30pm

Junior Section 9yrs -11yrs meet in the hall on Wednesdays 6.30pm -8pm

Company Section 12yrs - 18yrs meet in the hall Fridays

7pm -9.30pm

We are always looking for new members so come along and give it a try, your first night will be free of charge.

We are still looking for helpers please contact any officer.

Jim Elliot

 

ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION 

The Coatbridge Branch of “The Lifeboats” would like to thank all friends in St Andrews Parish Church for  their support of the Coffee Morning held on August 30th.  More that £700 was raised.

 

INDOOR BOWLING

The first game of the new session will be on Saturday 20th September at 4p.m. with High Tea as usual.  We hope for another happy season and if anyone wishes to join us, just get in touch.  Slips will be given out as usual and new members are always welcome.  Jenny Ferguson 429333

 

FUNDRAISING

The next fundraising event will be the Silent Auction on 13th  September from 12.30 to 2.30 p.m.approx. Entry 50pence

Donations of anything saleable (no clothes or jumble please) would be greatfully accepted.

The Hall will be open on Thursday and Friday 11/12th September from 1-2p.m and 7.30-8.30p.m. to receive donations.

Lots of help is required during these times to sort, clean and arrange goods.  Help is also required on Saturday 13th to supervise tables and deal with sold goods. 

There will also be a café, hot roll stall and book stall.  For more information or to indicate your willingness to help please speak to Matt Sprott, Alex McKee, Jean Macdonald, Moira McCall or Sandra Burns

The first table is scheduled to be closed at 1.30p.m. with the others following at approx 20 minute intervals.

AUCTION

The auction will follow immediately after the Silent Auction at about 3p.m. when you will have a chance to bid on a wide variety of goods.

SOUP AND SANDWICH LUNCH

After the service on the 5th October the Sunday Tea ladies will host a soup and Sandwich lunch.  Further details will appear on the intimation sheet nearer the time.

 

 

------------------------------------------------------

 

Diary

.

Sept 13                        Silent Auction 12.30-approx 2.30pm

Sept 21                        Communion 6.30p.m.

Oct 5                Soup and Sandwich lunch in the Hall

Nov 29                        Coffee Day with Christmas stalls 2-4p.m.