DECEMBER 2016
No. 49 / The Magazine of South Wishaw Parish Church of Scotland
A record of where we have been and where we are going
CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGEAt the October Meeting of our Kirk Session and Congregational Board it was agreed we recommend to the Congregation that we move to the Unitary Constitution of the Church of Scotland.
At a similar meeting held last Tuesday 15th November some further detail regarding the operation of the Unitary Constitution was discussed and following discussion the recommendation including the operational detail was unanimously agreed.
WHY CHANGE THE PRESENT CONSTITUTION?
Over the last year there has been a review by our Trustees (i.e. The Kirk Session and Congregational Board) of the workings of the Congregation.
In January 2016 the Trustees agreed to investigate the merits of moving to the Unitary Constitution and appointed an ad hoc group to look further at what would be involved.
In May 2016 the General Assembly of The Church of Scotland urged all Congregations to adopt the Unitary Constitution to resolve potential legal issues arising from the two separate groups of Trustees making decisions for which all Trustees are liable, even where they were not involved in the decision making process.
As stated above the Session and Board agreed unanimously that the change should be made.
Proposed Organisational Structure in South Wishaw.
The present Trustees would, in essence, continue to carry out the work they are at present doing but have agreed that the organisational process should be undertaken by the Action Groups listed below.
ACTION GROUPS
1. Kirk Session
2. Coordinating Group (COG)
3. Property, Finance and Stewardship (PROFS)
4. Mission, Outreach, Discipleship and Evangelism (MODE)
5. Fundraising, Activities, Communication and Events (FACE)
Each of these Groups will have definitive Terms of Reference and Remits and these are all detailed in a document that will be issued to the congregation prior to a meeting to be held on 15thJanuary of 2017.
The document gives far more detail than can be shown here and members are asked to ensure that they read its detail prior to the Meeting / LEST WE FORGET
A Capacity Congregation attended ourannual Remembrance Sunday Service on 13th November 2016
We were again fortunate to have the Coalburn Silver Band lead the praise at that Service and this helped create a most reverent and respectful occasion.
The Group Scout Leader commanded the Scout and Guide contingent and the members of both Groups aquitted themselves with dignity as they carried their respective Group Colours.
The Scripture Lessons were read by Scout and Guide members.
The Congregational wreath was carried by Mr William Smith and wreaths were also laid on behalf of the Scout and Guide Groups.
Our Minister, as expected, conducted the Service in a manner that kept adults and Young People interested and engaged while the Congregations singing of the Hymns was both moving and inspirational.
As is our usual practice the Books of Remembrance listing the names of all members of the former Congregations of South Wishaw Parish Church who made the ultimate sacrifice were open and displayed on the Communion Table.
Our thanks to all the ‘volunteers’ who opted to sit upstairs because of the large attendance.
Letter from the Manse
Whose festival is Christmas? I found out by chance that the Christmas lights were being turned on in Wishaw by a young, local hopeful from this years’ X-factor programme. Great - but I found out AFTER it had happened! As one of the town’s parish ministers I found this somewhat surprising.
The same happened last year but I put that down to my being new in the area. Over the last year I have spoken to a number of people to try to make sure that all the churches were included, despite which it happened again. What this seems to mean is that the Christian church’s participation is not deemed important as far as the organisers are concerned. But whose fault is this? It has to be ours!
The Christian community has allowed the celebration of the birth of its Saviour to be taken over by the secular world. Indeed, we have encouraged it, as it means we don’t have to take the responsibility upon ourselves, both financial and organisational, to promote the gospel over this very special season. And it’s time this stopped! We have been entrusted with good news to share and what better time to share it.
Let’s give everyone we meet a special gift this year – the message that God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life [John 3:16]. And let’s not allow the message to be lost or mishandled by entrusting its proclamation to those who have no faith in its truth.
Q. Whose festival is Christmas?
A. It’s ours. Let’s celebrate it, then, for all we are worth!
Your brother in Christ
Terry
/ WEDNESDAY WELCOME
Launched in October this initiative continues to grow in enjoyment and numerically.
We usually start with a form of Table Quiz mostly in the form of a Word[i] Search or something along similar lines.
Our GET ACTIVE SESSIONS comprise of some Chair exercises (more energetic than you may think) and one or two of us are now aware of some muscles that we had long since forgotten about..
We may then try some line dancing, or simply have a wee sing-a-long session followed perhaps with a game of Bingo where the concentration on faces has to be seen to be believed.
The programme varies from week to week and has included Big Screen Movies, A Horse Racing Game (that was exciting). We were entertained by a professional Singer one afternoon and he had all of our feet tapping as he sang his way through some well-known 50s and 60s music. We have Craft Days, Karaoke Sessions and even a hilarious game of Charades.
On the horizon we are having a showing of the great Christmas Musical WHITE CHRISTMAS on 23rd November. This is the ultimate feel good movie.
We have had the pleasure of the company of two young 4th year pupils from Coltness High School, Kyle and Sam, on a Work Experience placement. They have both proven to be very mannerly and helpful pupils who even stay on when their official time is up.
Of course we have a cup of tea and some refreshments during which we listen to a Thought for The Day message from the Minister or one of the Church personnel before departing around 3.30pm
Come along and enjoy a couple of hours with us. It IS good fun and you are among a great group of people.
If you wish to come early, around 12.30, you can have a delicious lunch to ready yourself for the rest of the activities. If not then we start at 1.30pm
THE SHARING CIRCLE
If you want to spend a pleasant afternoon with friendly people then come along to the 'Sharing Circle' on a Thursday afternoon. We meet at 1.30pm (except the 2nd Thursday in each month when the time is 12.30pm). We take part in various activities (nothing strenuous) such as Tri-ominos, Jig-saws, Craft work, Snooker or just to have a relaxing time and a chat. On the 2nd Thursday in the month we have a light lunch consisting of homemade soup, filled rolls and tea or coffee. Near the end of the afternoon we have a short devotion in the form of a hymn, a scripture reading and a prayer. This is followed by tea or coffee and biscuits. The 'Sharing Circle' is open to everyone (not only for the 'over 50's, as shown on the church notice board at the front of the church) and all will be made very welcome.
JBP
THE FELLOWSHIP
We have started this season with some interesting speakers and a visit. We have heard about the work and experiences of a Vet, local war veterans from WW1 and the history and refurbishment of 'The Flying Scotsman'. Our visit was to Thomas Taylor (Bowls), Glasgow which was very interesting, where we were given a detailed, conducted tour of the factory, showing us the manufacturing process, stamping and testing of all types and colours of bowls suitable for outdoor and indoor games. Other interesting speakers have been arranged for the future and all men (and ladies) will be made very welcome at any of our meetings.
JBP. / As the year comes to its end the Messy Church Team will be taking a well-deserved break till the New Year. Our Halloween party saw 3 new families come to join in the fun and games and we spoke of how there is no fear in the Lord. Messy Church is an opportunity for families to ‘do church’ together in a more informal, creative way, with craft and activities - all based around a central theme from a scripture, character or story in the Bible. It’s an opportunity for people of all ages to come together and worship Jesus. Anyone is welcome to come and experience the funand games!
(S Moran)
Thursday Evening
We continue to meet in the Lounge on the second and fourth Thursday evening at 7.30pm. The Life Group is the new name for our Thursday evening Bible Study group. With the new name has come some new members and, although we are small in number, we are large in faith and have some thought provoking discussions on God and the part He plays in our lives.
It is encouraging for the leaders to hear ALL the members contributing to the evening’s discussions and to witness spiritual growth within our group. Please feel free to join us if you are interested in exploring and growing in your faith.
Wednesday Morning
This is the former Bible Study Group who met on a Wednesday morning. It is led by our minister and it takes the Scripture Reading from the previous Sunday and discusses it in more depth. The group is well attended by its regular members and it gives us all much food for thought as well as taking us to a deeper spiritual level. If you think you would like to be a part of us, please join us in the lounge on a Wednesday at 10.45am. For more details please contact our minister Terry on 07766007171 /
WORSHIP GROUP
As we once again approach the Christmas period, the worship group are hard at work putting the finishing touches on At Last, Noel, our gorgeous Christmas musical. We've been working on it for around twelve weeks, and I really hope you enjoy and find spiritual value in it. We're performing it on Saturday 10th December, as part of the church's Saturday Night Live series of entertainment evenings. If you come along, you'll experience original music, readings, and re-workings of some classic Christmas songs and carols, all performed alongside a small group of professional musicians. It's sure to be an evening to remember, and I'm looking forward to sharing it with you.
It might be thought that with such a large project, the worship group wouldn't have time for anything else, but that couldn't be further from the truth! What seems like months ago, back in October, we sang a short set at the Talent Night in the Hall. This gave us a chance to experience the hall's new acoustic padding, which removes a lot of the echo and makes it a more pleasant place to sing. And following our visits last year, we have been invited back to Cambusnethan Old Parish Church and St John’s Church in Carluke to sing in February. I can't wait to start selecting and working with the worship group on a new programme of songs.
In the meantime, all of our efforts are focused on At Last, Noel. If I don't see you there, allow me to wish you a very merry Christmas! Robert Newth
Light Up
the Church Building
A little story that illustrates the problem of attendance goes like this:
In a certain mountain village in Europe several centuries ago, a nobleman wondered what legacy he should leave to people in his town. At last he decided to build them a church building.
No one saw the complete plans for the building until it was finished. When the people gathered, they marvelled at its beauty and completeness.
Then someone asked, “But where are the lamps? How will it be lighted?” The nobleman pointed to some brackets in the walls. Then he gave to each family a candle which they were to bring with them each time they came to worship. “Each time you are here the area where you are seated will be lighted,“the nobleman said. “Each time you are not here, that area will be dark. This is to remind you that whenever you fail to come to church, some part of God's house will be dark.”
Is anyone in South Wishaw ready to try saving the electricity we normally use on Sunday and Wednesday Services? Should we start giving out candles next Sunday? This is just a story but it has a stinging point. Those who seldom, if ever, attend worship may be like those of whom it was said:
“The people whom sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up” (Matt. 4:16).
That is, if they happened to see the church building in the evening from a distance. Jesus also said, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house” (Matt. 5:14-15).
Attending all services of the church is letting your light shine -- after all you come to worship God and study His word - then leave to serve. Maybe it would be good to pray, “For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness” (Psalm 18:28).
Editor / WHAT ARE WE TRYING
TO DO
IN SOUTH WISHAW?
Our Office-Bearers met a few weeks ago to discuss creating a Vision and Mission Statement for South Wishaw Parish Church.
There were various suggestions as to what ought to be included in such statements and, in the end, it was concluded that we needed to have words emphasising that all we do in South Wishaw was the responsibility of our entire membership.
These statements have been appearing on our Order of Service each week but we recognise that a large number of members do not attend the Services so we print the statements below because ALL of us are involved.
We are all asked to remember that printing such words is easy. Carrying out what we strive to do depends on the participation of us all.
Session Clerk
LOCAL CHURCH REVIEW
We are now aware that our Local Church Review is pending and two persons from the Presbytery’s LCR Committee were expected to carry this out before the end of this year. It now looks like this will not now happen until into 2017
The Review will involve the Presbytery of Hamilton sending two representatives from the LCR Committee to hold discussions with us in respect of what we currently undertake in South Wishaw and what our plans are for future work and involvement in our Parish and Community.
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The Visitors should offer us encouragement and advice and then a report will be submitted to the Presbytery for their consideration.
South Wishaw and St Mark’s
Parish Churches
present
Pantomime by
GRAHAM BARRACLOUGH
G. WIZZ PROMOTIONS
Performances at SWPC on Friday 13th/Sat 14th Jan
And at St Mark’s on Fri 20th/Sat 21st Jan 2017
(Matinees on both Saturdays)
HALL USERS PLEASE NOTE THE HALL and LOUNGE
WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE ON WEEK BEGINNING
9thJANUARY DUE TO PANTOMIME REHEARSALS
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
The November 12th Saturday Night Live event took the form of a Ceilidh Type Event. We danced to some music provided by two talented musicians.
The Interval was taken up with the consuming of some Scottish Fayre rustled up by Sabah following which we had another round of dancing and then we enjoyed some solo singing of some fine old Scottish Ballads from Terry before he was joined by his daughter, Ellie, for a couple of very well performed duets.
All in all this was a most interesting evening and our thanks are due to Terry for organising the event due to an apparent communications breakdown (or a Senior Moment on the part of the Session Clerk).
The next Saturday Night Live Event is on 10th December when we will be having a Christmas Event. (More details in Worship Group Item on Page 6 /
We’ve had a spate of 80th Birthdays this year and some more are on the horizon. So to all who are now in the Octogenarians Club
TODAY DEAR LORD I’M 80
Today Dear Lord I’m 80
And there’s much I have not done
So, Dear Lord, please let me live until I’m 81