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NAME / POSITION / PHONE NUMBER / E-MAIL ADDRESSK TUDOR / Session Clerk / 470008 /
J DUNWOODIE / Treasurer / 466895 /
R McMILLAN / Elder / 556014 /
M BRANNAN / Elder / 466017 /
F BURNETT / Elder / 469737
P CAMPBELL / Elder /
M CRAIK / Elder / 214733 /
J CUNNINGHAM / Elder / 466174 /
J DUFF / Elder / 466545 /
A EWART / Elder / 601117
G FERGUSON / Elder / 467742
C GRAYSTON / Elder / 468992 /
R KELSO / Elder / 468264 /
I MAGNESS / Elder / 465724 /
M MONTGOMERY / Elder / 605110 /
P MOORE / Elder / 469883
J Mc ALLISTER / Elder /
J MCGARVA / Elder / 461365 /
M MCKINNEY / Elder / 464940 /
PW MCLELLAN / Elder / 464778
D McMAIL / Elder /
J NIVEN / Elder / 467788 /
D ORR / Elder / 468345
J RAMSEY / Elder / 462688
M ROLLEY / Elder / 461963 /
A SANDS / Elder / 468297
E STEWART / Elder /
D THOMSON / Elder / 469067 /
M THOMSON / Elder / 469067 /
I am sure that I speak on behalf of all the Ardeer family in thanking Rev. David Hebenton and Ken Welch for all they have done for Ardeer. They have certainly “gone the extra mile”. Thanks we needed you both. Margaret Kelso
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ
Two disciples were walking away from Jerusalem after Jesus’ crucifixion and the subsequently empty tomb. They were on the road to Emmaus and were joined by someone else as they walked. Their new companion listened in to their conversation about Jesus’ death and eventually asked them directly about their conversation. The two disciples not recognising Jesus told him all about the crucifixion and the empty tomb. Jesus then took the time and space to talk about the Scriptures from the time of Moses. It was only when the stranger gave thanks and broke bread with them that they recognised Jesus and when they did so, Jesus disappeared and the disciples ran back to Jerusalem to tell the others.
Maureen and I are delighted to join you all at Ardeer and Livingstone to walk with you as we all journey with Jesus. It’s my prayer that as we walk and talk, we will see Jesus Christ and follow Him as He leads us into a time together. Over the last year, as part of Path of Renewal, I have been looking at discipleship, being missional church and evangelism as the way in which church can move forward into the future. Church no longer holds the position within the community it once did and so we need to look at how we make connections with individuals and communities.
I’m looking forward to sharing time and your stories in faith with you. The only thing I can really promise is change: I’m not the same as previous ministers and changes within both churches have happened over the last few years. But maybe I can say that we walk and talk together and look at how, when and why change happens.
There’s only so much that can be said in a letter but I hope to be able to share with you soon. In the meantime, I would express my thanks to your Interim Moderator, Ken Welch, for his hard work and his kindness towards Maureen and I as we make this move. I also want to thank your locum, David Hebenton, for his service to you in Christs’ name.
May God bless each one of you
Dave
My time with you is drawing rapidly to a close. Little did I imagine in May 2011 when the Presbytery Clerk asked me to act as Interim Moderator at Stevenston Ardeer linked with Livingstone that it would be 2017 before I retired. However, despite my protestations at that time that I had no experience to carry out such a task, the appointment went ahead. Despite the marathon, I found the journey interesting and I hope that from your point of view it has been worthwhile but now I am delighted to hand over the reins to the Rev. Dave Sutherland.
When I look back to 2011, the building has been completely transformed and you also share with Livingstone a modern manse which we trust will be a real home for the Manse Family and those who may follow in the future.
Taking these steps to restore the building and purchase a new manse took a lot of courage and the Kirk Session needs to be congratulated for taking the steps to allow this to happen. It has not all been plain sailing but now you have a building which is suitable for the 21st century, can be a real centre of the community and we pray that more of the community will wish to make use of the facilities. We thank all the funders who have contributed to the cost of the work but above all, we thank God for the blessing which enabled this to happen.
Ardeer Parish Church could not have continued to function without the dedicated work of a number of people. Kay as Session Clerk has been a tower of strength and ably supported by her husband John who at times is an unsung hero. Finances were well looked after by Jim and you could always rely on Mary and Jean if catering was required. The Young Church has been in safe hands with the organisation of Jean and Margaret and June Duff has convened the Guild for a number of years. The Girl’s Brigade has been able led by Mary and her team and the Boy’s Brigade by Eileen and her officers. Margaret has made sure that you are all well informed by editing the quarterly newsletter and ensuring that copy is received on time. The entire Kirk Session has responded well to the challenges and it was good that new elders were ordained, particularly younger members and some have recently been playing a prominent role especially in A Chance to Thrive.
The Rev David Hebenton deserves out grateful thanks for being the locum over such a long period and apart from the services he conducted, his pastoral work has been appreciated by many members. David carried on through some very difficult times and now deserves a well earned rest although I am sure that he will find others ways of serving his Lord and Master in the months ahead.
My greatest debt is to the congregation who have made Charlotte and myself so welcome that we feel that we are part of the Ardeer family. We will both look forward to hearing of the progress as your journey of faith continues to unfold.
May God’s richest blessings be on you all and especially your new minister Dave and his wife Maureen who I am sure will receive your full support.
God bless
Ken Welch
Get Together Group
The Get Together Group meets once per month on the firstWednesdayof each month 11.30 till 1.30. The aim of the group is for people from the local community to come together, to enjoy each other’s company, have a chat, share stories, homemade soup, sandwiches,home baking, tea and coffee are provided.
As the group develops we will look to provide information/help to any identified issues within the community of Ardeer and surrounding areas, with information days, guests speaker etc. This will be depending on the feedback from those who attend. The group has been going for two months and we have increased in numbers already with 17 attending our first group increasing to 27 at the April group.
The group is facilitated by volunteers, children under school age are welcome to come along with their parents, grandparents (babysitters), small activities are provided within the hall, highchairs are also available, the menu includes yogurts and juice if preferred.
If you require any further information contact Debbie McMail or Jack McAllister, any donations of home baking will be gratefully welcome as is you attendance,
Debbie McMail
Assistant Convener
Chance to Thrive
I would like to express my gratitude for the many cards, flowers and supportive words, following the sad death of my son Iain. Thanking you all
Isobel Easton
Treasurer’s Report May 2017
General Funding
Income from Offerings to end March 2017 total £8, 971, representing a weekly average of £690. This compares with a weekly average of £705 during the same period last year (2016).
Should this weekly average be maintained for the remainder of the year, income from Offerings is anticipated to be £36,000 compared to the budgeted figure of £40,000.
To date no fund-raising has been undertaken. We do however need to supplement our regular income through special funding events. Information will be advised in due course when details have been finalised.
A Gift Aid application is presently being prepared covering the period July 2016 to March 2017.
Thanks to the Guild for their donation of £1,000 to church funds.
Major items of expenditure during the period January to March include:
Salaries £1,080Energy Costs £1,200
Insurance £896 Ministerial Costs £7,798
Restoration Fund
Income to the Restoration fund to March 2017 totals £1,175.
Expenditure to date totals £22,240 for the lighting plus £10,238 for erection of the glass screen across the Transept area.
As ever we ask for your continued efforts, both by way of your on-going regular donations and special fund raising to ensure sufficient funds to support our on-going work.
Jim Dunwoodie (Treasurer)
We have completed another very successful session at the Guild. We enjoyed lots of interesting speakers and activities.
Planning for 2017 2018 is well advanced and we hope to have another worthwhile syllabus.
New members are always welcome on a Monday evenings at 7.15pm in the Church Hall.
Parents Night was held on the 25th April in the church and here we celebrate and also look forward to the summer break.
The Explorers this year learned about journeys, as the learning for explorers is in a relaxed fun way we planned a walk and how we would stay safe whilst out walking. What kind of transport we would take, Train, Bus, Car, BoatAeroplane and yes a Bike, but we also learned that we could be safe and go walks without using transport but just walking, for spiritual part of this work we learned about the Good Samaritan, and also the parable of the Loaves and Fishes.
Juniors, seniors for the Main worked together, and worked hard learning about Personal Hygiene, Relationships, and Friends and learned how to work together. They also learned new crafts. There was also some down time with games etc.
Brigadiers as part of their Badge work, have to do a number of voluntary hours and for this the girls helped out with Explorers and Juniors. A big thanks to Rebecca Rebeckah ,and Abby for your help as we were often short of Leaders. Congratulations to our Girls of the Year Lexi Muirhead Explorers. Lucy Saunders, Junior/Senior Brigader RebekahMarshall. Ashely Grayston Memorial Trophy Mercedes Grayston, and the William Wright Trophy went to Abby McCrystal to gain these awards the girls have to go above and beyond.
Congratulations to all winners. We were delighted to have Mrs Charlotte Welch present the awards to the girls, she has always shown a keen interest in the work the girls are doing, so a sincere thanks to her and Ken for joining us on this special evening.
Last but not least on a serious note we are asking for outgoing folks to come join our team as we are rather short on the ground, and would love to see the work carry on with new people there leading.
On behalf of all Leaders of the Company we would once like to thank you all for your support and look forward to the new season.
Children’s Church
The Children’s Church are looking forward to the last few Sundays before everyone breaks up for the summer. In the past few weeks we have been looking at the stories of Palm Sunday, Easter, the Holy Spirit, Creation and the story of Joseph. Each Sunday we have some choruses, a bible story, a craft or activity related to the story and of course juice and biscuits !! During the summer holidays the children the formal Children’s Church will stop but we will run a summer club for the children. Everyone is welcome.
Summer Trip
The summer trip will be on Saturday 24th June 11am to 4 pm. We are going to Kelbrun Country Park in Largs. The bus will leave the church hall at 11.00 and return for 4pm. Forms and further details will be given out nearer the time but please put your date in the diary now.
Prizegiving
The prizegiving will be in June. We will confirm the date with Rev Sutherland and put out an intimation once the date is confirmed.
We are now coming to the end of this term at boys brigade so it’s busy, busy. We still have a few things coming up.
Anchors
Anchors have just had their parent’s night where we played games and had our award ceremony. Thank you to our guests Margret Wilson, Jean Robertson and our BB elder Margret Craik.
Winners on the night were:-
Drawing Competition / Winner –Graeme Baird
Potted Sports / Winner –
Caleb Thomasson / Joint Second – Kieron, Lucas, Jamie
Church Attendance / Perfect Attendance -
Lucas, Caleb Thomasson
Winning Squad / Marc McColgan’s -Caleb, Sam, Tyler
Best Boy / Caleb Thomsson
Best Boy runner up / Lucas Waddell
Anchors have had their summer trip to Pirate Pete’s in Ayr followed by a day at Ayr playpark which was great fun made even better by the sun shining.
We have 8 boys moving up into juniors after the summer break.
Juniors
Juniors section is 100 years old this year so they will be taking part in a lot of themed parties and events. So far, we have made the number 100 using the boys.
We took part in the dasher service in Ardrossan.
We had a great success with our football team this year coming third in the battalion competition. A big thank you to the boys who come along, who practise hard every Saturday and Monday evening also a big thank you to the two coaches Gordan McInnes and Marc McColgan,
Alex Stewart was a winner in the battalion story writing competition, well done Alex.
We will be attending a camp in Dunure shortly. The boys in p6 have been over to the new craze at the APL centre to play paddle tennis.
The juniors and company parents night is Friday the 2nd June 7pm. The boys will then be finished till August 17thfor enrolment night. and begin activities on 24th August.
Company
Company boys have just been as busy; they have been at the indoor golf and will soon be going to paddle tennis. They are also going to Dunure camping.
We have had three boys receive their president’s badge this year Redford Campbell, Lewis Thomasson and Robert Quinn. We also have another boy who has received his Queens Badge John Wilson. Well done to all 4 boys.
The company boys also took part in the dasher service. We had a great night in the company of Mr John Steele the writer or the dasher novels. It was a fascinating nightthe boys have asked if he would kindly come again with his wife.
During the summer the boys will also be going camping at a date still to be confirmed.
FUND RAISING
We are holding a prize bingo in Ardeer rec bowling club on Friday the 26th may 7pm, please come along and support the boys. Money raised helps pay for the boy’s camp and London visits.
Summer Mission
A reminder of the summer mission dates mentioned in the last copy of Network,
Saturday 22nd July
Fun Day 2pm – 4pm in the gardens of the High Kirk manse.
Monday 24th – Thursday 27th July
11.00am – 1.30pm in High Kirk Halls.
This is the Kids club for children, the theme is Polar Explorers and there is a great programme planned. The kids club is for Primary aged children. The youngest group is those who are going in to primary 2 in August 2017.
Tuesday 25th and Thursday 27th 7pm – 9pm. In Ardeer Church Hall we are running Youth Nights for the older age group, Primary 6 – S4. Saturday 29th July there is a Messy Church in Livingstone Church. This event is for children and families. Children must be accompanied by an adult. There are lots of great activities and a light lunch will be provided and there will be a short time in the sanctuary, Times to be confirmed.
Sunday 30th July we are running a prayer walk again as it proved to be very popular last year. The route and times will be publicised nearer the time. You are welcome to do the full walk, travel by car from stop to stop or just meet us at one of the stops. There will be tea / coffee and fellowship at the end of the walk and we would encourage as many people as possible to come and join us.
It’s a busy week of activities. We would ask you for your prayers in the planning and preparation of the mission and for the success of the mission during the week. If you feel you can help in any way please let one of the Children’s Church leaders know. We are happy for people to give what they can so if you’re free to run a base on the fun day but not free at any other time that’s great. If you’re free one day out of the week your help will certainly be appreciated.
Jean Robertson
Learning Group
Concert by the Ayr Community Gospel Choir
The Ayr Community Gospel Choir are running a concert for us on the evening of Wednesday 11th October. Put the date in your diary now. More details will appear in the September issue of Network but it should be a great night.
Final Walk with Guy
Hello again and welcome to what will be the last part of our 1960’s tour of Ardeer’s shops and businesses. Before we start we have to add one further business called Peppe’s a tailors who operated from his house near the “Dairy” in Caledonia Road, bringing the total for Caledonian Road and Carment Drive to 17.