Contacts, information, church notices

The minister will be on leave from: Fri 22 Jan - Thurs 4 Feb. 

Pulpit and funeral cover: 

Sunday 24 Jan - we welcome back the Rev Sandy Strachan. Prior to retiring, Sandy worked for the NHS as a healthcare chaplain in Dumfries.

Sunday 31 Jan - and another welcome return: this time Uniting Church of Australia minister, the Rev Sarah Agnew.
Sarah is a Biblical Storyteller, Poet and Uniting Church Minister who is currently working on her PhD at New College. Sarah facilitates workshops, worship and classes that invite people to tell their own stories, discover the Biblical story, and communicate effectively, because she is passionate about sharing stories that celebrate the fullness of our humanity.

Funeral cover will be given by the Rev George Shand of the Tinto Parishes. Let's hope nobody needs to get in touch with George, however, he can be contacted on 01899 309400. For any ongoing parish queries, please contact our Session Clerk Moira White on 01659 74261

Funeral cover will be given by the Rev George Shand of the Tinto Parishes.  Let's hope nobody needs to get in touch with George, however, he can be contacted on 01899 309400.

For any ongoing parish queries, please contact our Session Clerk Moira White
on 01659 74261

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News, events, and general notices:

The Lunch Club will be held on Wednesday 27th, from 12.30 pm, in the Church hall. Join us for soup, a sweet, tea/ coffee, and a catch up with friends. The cost is £5. If you’ve not booked, please let Jenny Worthington know by Tuesday afternoon, for catering purposes.

Parish magazine: Our next parish magazine is in process of being created. We’re hoping to have it distributed before Palm Sunday - the 20th of March. It will be Holy Week and Easter-related. If you’d like to submit material to be included: a poem, a story, suitable jokes... please let Dee Yates know, and if all items could be handed in by Sunday 14th of February.
The magazine team would love your input on what you’d like to see included in upcoming parish magazines. Thanks in advance!

Creative crafters’ group: do you enjoy handicrafts? Would you like to meet up with other like-minded folk with the purpose of putting your talents to use around the church? The minister would love to see you. There are already several interested folk - come and join us as we work towards creating seasonally appropriate materials for use in worship. The main project is aimed for Advent and Christmas. Once we’ve identified a time and day for meeting up, we’ll be gathering together in the church hall - and refreshments will be on hand. All welcome!

Church notices - volunteers: the minister is looking for volunteers who would read out the church notices before worship on Sunday mornings. Ideally, it would be great to have a team of 4-5 people, working on a rotational basis. Please let the Nikki know if you’d be willing to do this - and thanks for those who have already offered.

Lent is on its way! And there are several items for your diaries:
Pancake Party - Tuesday 9th of February, at 7pm: Nikki will be hosting a pancake evening at the manse, to which all are very welcome to come along.  A bit of fun before we move into the season of Lent. Why not bring along a favourite pancake topping?

Ash Wednesday Service - Wednesday 10th of February, at 7pm: there will be a short evening service to mark Ash Wednesday, the traditional beginning to Lent. The service will be a time for reflection and preparation, as we begin the journey with Jesus to Jerusalem...All are welcome.

Our Lent discussion groups will once again combine faith and film.
We'll be contemplating the themes brought out in the film 'Chocolat', making use of the study book:
'Christ and the Chocolaterie'.
We begin together in the Church Hall on Sunday 14th of February, at 3pm.
There may be a sighting of Johnny Depp, and popcorn - or chocolates - might be appropriate accompaniments for the afternoon... Regardless of whether you're thinking of joining a discussion group or not, why not come along for the afternoon for some fun. as we introduce the series in a gentle relaxing way.
Discussion Group details/
Sundays at 3pm in the Hopetoun Arms at Leadhills - an opportunity to sit by the fire for a 'chill and chat' as we explore the study book.
Subject to numbers, another group will be held in the manse, in Crawford during the week.
Please use the sign up sheet in the hall - and let Nikki know if you’d like to order the accompanying book, which will cost £5.99