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Manse letter Dear friends Iwas a Moffatonian - for ten minutes! Recently, I have taken an interest in
tracing my own family’s history. My maternal grandmother was always the
key to such knowledge, but she now suffers from Alzheimer’s - so it is
up to me to put the pieces together. We
have a series of family photographs that were taken in the Moffat studio
sometime between 1870 and 1910, and we were trying to find if there is a
connection - and for ten minutes I thought I had it! My great-great-great
grandmother worked in Terregles House and
thereafter, the family moved to 33 Queen Street, Castle Douglas, and her son, John McDonald,
was the blacksmith, and the family business continued through a couple of
generations. I searched for John
McDonald’s wedding certificate to trace his wife’s family history
to see if there was any Moffat connection
through her side. This took me to Canonbie and
finally to Annanbridge Cottage here in Moffat. Having discovered I was a Moffatonian by descent, I decided to double-check my
facts, only to find that there were two John and Sarah McDonalds, living in
close proximity to one another; I was no longer a Moffatonian! The search goes on to find out why we have
these Moffat studio photos and who they are - watch this space! Dabbling in this thing called genealogy has raised all sorts of questions for me about identity and belonging. I find it fascinating to uncover the past and the popular TV programme “Who do you think you are” has allowed many of us to join well-known personalities on their own personal quests through past generations. It’s amazing how details recorded in births, deaths and marriages, and also at census time can give us a snapshot of life lived and its accomplishments and dreams and journeys begin to unfold. It seems appropriate therefore to think of Christ being born in the midst of a census: In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be
taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place
while Quirinius was governor of Syria) And everyone
went to his own town to register. (Luke ii) Amidst the busyness of a city preparing itself for the recording of a census, people were coming and going, scurrying about, attending to responsibilities and ensuring that their civic responsibilities were fulfilled. Some families were welcoming loved ones home, returning to their home town, others were having to travel long journeys to return to a birth place of many years before. Some homes were full, some were empty. Some people had to spend a great deal of time effort and money to do what needed to be done. And as families got together, and old friends were reunited, there was laughter in the air and conversation was light and carefree. There were shared meals, parties and camaraderie as a city came to life with old friends and long lost relations. On the other hand, some couldn’t really afford a long journey and all that was involved. Some spent too much, and others would borrow what they knew they couldn‘t repay. Those who were alone were reminded of just how lonely life was as they gazed across at their neighbours’ busy and bustling house. As others revelled, the vulnerable became more vulnerable, and some were forced to sleep out in the cold air, on street corners and stables among the livestock. It’s hard to imagine isn’t it, that the picture we have just painted was one of Bethlehem over 2000 years ago, and that the first Christmas is not unlike that of today. Christ was born in a forgotten corner, clothed in vulnerability and exposed to the harsh conditions of poverty, and therein lies the Good News. Emmanuel, God is with us wherever we are. We need to find that forgotten corner this Christmas. Have you lost a sense of belief and wonder and awe because you’ve heard it all before? Are you struggling because you are lonely, or this time of year reminds you so much of those whom you have loved and lost in this life? Do you revel and enjoy the festivities at the expense of others, have we forgotten those around us who are vulnerable or frightened or lonely? Emmanuel, God is with us. Don’t let Christ remain in the forgotten corner of our lives. Have a wonderful, merry and happy Christmas. Give thanks, pray and listen to God’s Word unfolding in the naiveté of the children’s nativity and the happy, cold faces of carollers, and whatever else makes Christmas for you, and remember - Emmanuel, God is with us. Don’t forget! Your
minister and friend Adam
J Dillon From
the session clerk Harvest
Thanksgiving Once again your response to our appeal for gifts for the
Glasgow City Mission was excellent and I would wish to share with you their
letter of thanks. “The
Glasgow City Mission (GCM) storage shelves have gone from completely empty to
having enough food to feed homeless and vulnerable men and women throughout
the winter. Between
this and our Christmas appeal we collect enough food to distribute almost
9000 food parcels every year. This is only possible with your support. Thank
you. We welcome
up to 90 men and women each evening and the food parcels that they take with
them are often their only source of food for the coming days. Your kind
donations are helping us to save lives and meet people's basic need, and
right, for food. As we give out these parcels with Christian love, we are
sure that they will do more than just feed men and women but that they will
be an expression of our faith. The winter
time is an especially bleak time for the vulnerable individuals that use our
services and we will continue to strive to be a shining light in the darkness
and offer a lifeline to Glasgow's most disadvantaged. Thank you
for the vital part that you play.” The
harvest lunch was also successful, with more members joining us for this time
of fellowship and contributing £463 to the Christian Aid Harvest
Appeal. As some of you may already know, Margaret Watson
has given up her role as superintendent of the Junior Church. She has been
part of Junior Church for over 30 years, and we are indeed very grateful for
her commitment and faithful service over these years. Junior Church has been a large part of her
life. I know that she derived much
pleasure and satisfaction working with all the children, and was always aware
of the part those working in Junior Church played in introducing the children
to the Christian faith. I wish to express our thanks to Margaret and extend
our best wishes to her. I know that she will continue to have an interest in
the work with the young people of St. Andrew’s. Margaret’s successor is Jane Paterson, and
the Kirk Session is very grateful for the way she stepped into the role as
leader last year when Margaret became ill. Jane has done a very good job over
these months working with the young children, a most important part of
Christian outreach. Your support
and encouragement for Jane and all others who work with the young people in
our church will be very much appreciated and I ask that we remember them all
in our prayers. Long-service awards Three
of our members qualify for the Church of Scotland long-service certificates
for their service to Christ’s church and they are:- ·
Mrs. Jessie Newlands for 30 years as a member
of the church choir; ·
Douglas Smith for 31 years as an elder; and ·
Mrs. Margaret Watson for 30 years as a leader
with the Junior Church. We
offer our congratulations, and our thanks, for their contributions to the
life and work of the church and trust that they will continue to serve
Christ’s church in the days ahead. A date has yet to be arranged for
the presentation of the certificates. Once
again, we find the Christmas season with us and, amidst all the commercialism
which now prevails, let us take time out and ponder the true message of
Christmas: the birth of the babe in the manger and the message which this
event sent out by God to his people. Let us, as followers of Christ, radiate
God’s love and His concern for all as we live out our lives in our
community. As part of our love and
concern for those less fortunate than ourselves, Junior Church children are
again giving gifts to Women’s Aid, in Dumfries, for distribution to
less-privileged children. Last year, we also gave small gifts to the mothers
of these children. These presents were very much appreciated and we would like
to do the same again this year with, say, toiletries. Gifts can be brought along to the service
on Sunday December 14th. I
extend greetings to all of you for a happy and peaceful Christmas and every
good wish for 2009. Adam Anderson Junior church As I write this letter, Junior Church
is in the middle of rehearsing for the nativity and gift service on Sunday
December 14th, when coffee will be served with the proceeds going
to Unicef.
On Saturday December 13th, we are making a change from our
usual Christmas party and, instead, we are going with the crèche children to
Annan cinema to see Madagascar 2. This term, we have been looking at the
miracles of Jesus, and also learning more about praying, and praying together
as a group. I should like to thank everyone who has helped
at junior church, and to assure them that their assistance and support have
been greatly appreciated. We extend to
everyone our best wishes for a happy and peaceful Christmas. Jane Paterson People in high places An intrepid group of Discoverers set
off from the church car park courtesy of the newly-formed “Dillon and
Dillon Minibus” company for a day of enthusiastic endeavour and
excitement at X-scape in Glasgow. Our task for the day was to survive the
15-metre-high aerial assault course under the guidance of the superbly able
(and barking mad) Luke. Once we were
all kitted out in our harnesses, hard hats and two-sizes-bigger shoes, we
were hooked on to what can only be described as an oversized curtain
rail. Then without much time to think
about an escape route, we were individually and unceremonially
pushed out across a 20-metre long, 15-metre drop to begin our aerial
assault. Anyway, after we had
completed three or four laps, it was time to try our hand (and feet) at the
climbing wall. As you will appreciate, being high up and then
having to climb up even higher may seem daunting to some. But we still had the intrepid Luke guiding
and encouraging us. The directions
for climbing the wall were as follows:
The final part of the morning activities was the
aptly named “fan drop”.
This is exactly as it sounds:
you have your harness attached to a line that is wrapped round a drum,
which is attached to a fan that looks like a hamster’s exercise
wheel. So, once we were attached to
the “hamster’s wheel” and asked when we had, and what
we’d eaten for, breakfast, we were encouraged, cajoled, bribed or
pushed off a platform 15 metres above the unsuspecting public below. Only three people “screamed like a
girl”, one was a girl, which was acceptable, and the other was
Adam – twice! Following which,
we were entertained by the younger members of the group playing their version
of spin the bottle, with forfeits such as break dancing and twisting ketchup
sachets to explosion point. We then
concluded the day with a not-at-all-competitive couple of games of ten-pin
bowling. The day would not have been such a success without
the help and organization of Sheila and Adam, and the enthusiastic and
encouraging Luke. The youngsters were
a credit to themselves and gave their all in everything they attempted. Graeme Paterson Moffat and Area Alpha course The Alpha course – starting soon
What is the
Alpha course?
Alpha is an opportunity for anyone to explore the
Christian faith in a relaxed, non-threatening setting over ten
thought-provoking weekly sessions, with a day or weekend away. It is low-key, friendly and fun. Each evening involves some food, a forty-minute
talk presented on DVD, and some discussion time in small groups with a
tea/coffee. Each week focuses on a
different topic such as: How can I be
sure of my faith? How does God guide us? Does God heal today? Who is Alpha
for?
Everyone is welcome on the Alpha course and people
attend for a wide variety of reasons.
Some want to investigate whether God exists, others are concerned
about what happens after death. Others
may have attended church all their lives but feel they have never really
understood the basics of the Christian faith.
But all come with the same objective: to establish whether Jesus
Christ has any real relevance for their lives. Moffat and
District Alpha course
The next Alpha course will run for 10 weeks during
January, February and March 2009. An
introductory evening takes place in St Andrews Church Hall Moffat on Monday January
12th. The course will be run,
as much as possible, to suit the requirements of the people who wish to
attend, eg, on different nights of the week or in
peoples homes. If you wish to register,
please contact either Fiona McLean on Moffat 220645 or Margo Lawrie on
221881. What will it
cost?
The Alpha course is free. Guests are invited to make a voluntary
contribution towards the cost of food and the weekend/day away. Fiona McLean Finance action group By the time this report is published,
you will probably have received a notification from Drew Grieve and Margaret
Gibson of the date from which your contributions to the Building Restoration
Fund can be stopped. That we have
been able to conclude this almost a year ahead of schedule is an enormous
achievement and the committee would like to record its thanks to all members
who were inspired to give so generously during the last four years. Finance committees can be relied on to find a
problem lurking somewhere and add a “but” to the congratulatory
mood. Our treasurer estimates that
this year, regular offerings from members will fall by some £5,000 compared
with last year. However, it had
always been expected that these would be adversely affected by members’
commitments to the Restoration Fund and we are pleased that the drop in
income should not cause us to slide into a loss situation on our normal
running costs, although there will almost certainly be a book write off in
the valuation of our investments. The
world’s financial problems are a worry and will be a cause of great
concern to many, but we are nevertheless hopeful that despite these
anxieties, this financial blip will correct itself as members reassess their
giving in the months ahead. Thank you for your constant support, and every
good wish from the members of committee for Christmas and the coming year. George Gray The Guild The Guild week started on Sunday
16th November 2008, when we held our dedication service in church. Some members of the Guild conducted the
service after the minister had opened with a hymn and a Prayer of
Dedication. In the afternoon, the Guild
ladies prepared a cream tea in the hall, and it was lovely to see people
coming along to support this event which raised over £100 for our Guild
projects. There was a lovely, happy
atmosphere in the hall with plenty of chat. The Tuesday afternoon meetings are continuing
although the number of people attending has decreased. We would welcome any new member to the
church hall on Tuesday afternoon from 2.30pm. Our meetings recommence in the New Year on
Tuesday 13th January 2009, when the speaker will be the Rev Adam Dillon, our
minister. Members of the committee join me in wishing
everyone a very blessed and peaceful Christmas and New Year. Marjorie Blakesley tale
of two pebbles Many years ago in a small Indian village, a farmer had the
misfortune of owing a large sum of money to a village moneylender. The moneylender, who was old and ugly,
fancied the farmer’s beautiful daughter. So he proposed a bargain. He said he would forgo the farmer’s debt if he could marry his daughter. Both the farmer and his daughter were horrified by the proposal. So the cunning moneylender suggested that they let providence decide the matter. He told them that he would put a black pebble and a white pebble into an empty money bag. Then the girl would have to pick one pebble from the bag:
They were standing on a pebble-strewn path in the farmer’s field. As they talked, the moneylender bent over to pick up two pebbles. As he picked them up, the sharp-eyed girl noticed that he had picked up two black pebbles and put them into his bag. He then asked the girl to pick a pebble from the bag. Now, imagine that you were standing in the field. What would you have done if you were the girl? If you had to advise her, what would you have told her? Careful analysis would produce three possibilities:
Take a moment to ponder over the story. The above story is used with the hope that it will make us appreciate the difference between lateral and logical thinking. The girl’s dilemma cannot be solved with traditional, logical thinking. Think of the consequences if she chooses the above logical answers. What would you recommend to the girl to do? Well, here is what she did. The girl put her hand into the money bag and drew out a pebble. Without looking at it, she fumbled and let if fall onto the pebble-strewn path where it immediately became lost among all the other pebbles. “Oh, how clumsy of me,” she said, “but never mind, if you look into the bag for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I picked.” Since the remaining pebble was black, it must be assumed that she had picked the white one. And since the moneylender dared not admit his dishonesty, the girl changed what seemed an impossible situation into an extremely advantageous one. Moral of the story? Most complex problems do have a solution. It is only that we don’t attempt to think. Start your day with this thought-provoking story and have a fruitful day. Have a week filled with positive thoughts and sound decisions. May God grant us the wisdom to think outside the box. True wisdom comes from Him no matter how learned we think we are. Contributed
by James Buchanan . Summer coffee mornings The season started
well with a party of 50 ladies from Beith, who had
pre-booked a coffee stop on their way south. Throughout the summer, our
mornings were well attended by our local clientele who give us their
continual support over the years. Over the 15 Saturdays an excellent sum of
£2639.78 was realised, and again thanks to Jim Bell for his work every
Saturday and for looking after the money. A big thank you is due to all the ladies and
gentlemen who worked hard to provide the baking and hosting of the individual
events. There is always room for
additional help, so if you feel you can contribute in any way please contact
me on 220363. . Margaret Buchanan Sunday-morning
coffee
Iam pleased to report
that our monthly Sunday-morning coffee events continue to raise much needed
funding for projects advertised in Christian Aid’s Present Aid catalogue.
We are indebted to our faithful team of helpers who continue to give valuable
support in supplying and providing this service. Thanks are also due to all
who regularly donate so generously. Since I last reported, we have raised £62.84
for rainwater harvesters; £51.90 for teachers salaries;
and £102.54 for seeds and tools in April, May and June
respectively. In July, August and
September, we realised sums of £126.35, £56.00 and £137.89 for sewing
machines, basketballs and carpentry tools and training. In October, the coffee morning was
replaced by a Harvest Thanksgiving lunch, when the outstanding sum of £463.00
was raised. November’s event was
in aid of Human Rights advice and another excellent amount of £115.30
resulted. Margaret Buchanan Little Stars toddler group We have had another enjoyable term
so far, with Lucy White and Heather Scott from Moffat Academy helping on a
Monday morning, and Linda Halley, a local childminder, coming without
children to help too! The Guild team
has continued to support us by staffing the kitchen, and we have appreciated
the input from the Discoverers in setting out the toys on a Sunday night for
use on Monday morning. Audrey Sherwin
continues to do a wee exercise session fortnightly, which the children love,
and we thank all of the aforementioned people for their time and effort. Our friend, Michelle Wood, the toddler
development worker, has valuable information on all aspects of toddler work
and is hoping to organize a “healthy eating for toddlers” in the
New Year. Inevitably, we have more toys filling the crèche
room but with 15-20 children coming each week, and more children in crèche
each week, they are all well used. We
have also offered to lend some jigsaws, etc, to grandparents who only see their
grandchildren occasionally and do not have room for a large supply of toys. We are delighted that Linda is organizing a
wreath-making night on Wednesday December 10th. We are also delighted to have Adam and
Sheila’s support, and Adam is leading a Christingle
service for all involved in the group on Monday December 8th. We
shall have a wee party on the 15th, with Audrey leading the games. All our children are special to us and
loved by God, and we are keen to show that children are very welcome at St
Andrew’s during the week, as well as on a Sunday morning. We will continue to meet every Monday during
term time between 9.30am and 11.30am.
Thank you for your support. Sylvia, Helen, Margo and Jennifer
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