Church news, info, updates: wk beg 20 July thru 5 August

Minister on leave Mon 20 July - Wed 5 Aug inclusive 

[available from c. lunchtime Thurs 6th Aug]

Arrangements during this time...

Contact details:
For urgent pastoral cover, please contact:
from Mon 20th - Sat 25th July, the Rev. Louise Mackay on 01555 661936
and from Sun 26th July - Wed 5th Aug, the Rev. George Shand on 01899 309400
For all other enquiries, please contact our Session Clerk, Miss Heather Watt on 01899 850211

Worship for 26 July and 2 August:
While I’m taking on annual leave, why not pay a 'visit' to worship with some of our other online parishes in the Church of Scotland...
These first two links feature daughters of Upper Clyde Parish - and sisters -
the Rev. Dr Jean Kirkwood, Minister of Townhill and Kingseat Parish,
and the Rev. Dr Fran Henderson, Transitional Minister in the newly created Shetland Parish.
CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR TOWNHILL
CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR SHETLAND
Both links will take you to the YouTube channels of each parish and into the 'playlist' section.
Look for the service with the date of worship you need - and scroll your mouse over it: you should see 'play all' - click on that, and you'll find a similar set up to our own, with clips that will play one after the other...

For live, streamed worship, you could visit:
Dunfermline Abbey, with the Rev. MaryAnn Rennie.
CLICK ON THIS LINK - it's a 10.30am start, but if you're late, you can watch it anytime thereafter.

Within our Presbytery, watch Lanark Greyfriars, and Lanark St Nicholas as they share in worship -
CLICK ON THIS LINK - it's an 11am start, but you also have the opportunity to watch again if you miss it.

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Update on opening of church:
If you look to your right, you'll see the 'featured post' - if you click onto that, you'll get a long update on where we are in the process of moving toward getting our church building open once again for worship together. So, please do go and have a wee look.
And keep an eye out for further updates as they come.

We're still a little way off opening the doors just yet, so please do bear with us...

Worship, Sunday 19 July: Weeds and wheat

Welcome/
Hello and welcome to online worship with Upper Clyde Parish.
I hope this last week has been a good one for you.
As ever, it’s great to be able to praise and thank and bless:
the One who called into being the universe and everything within,
the One who is the Word of God,
the One who illuminates the word of God in scripture.

We have a special guest preacher with us for our worship time, the Rev. Dr Fran Henderson,
now in Shetland, but no stranger to us in the parish, given she grew up here. It's lovely to
welcome her and to hear her preach God's word.

Before clicking on our worship link below, please do check the notices underneath the link first.
WORSHIP LINK HERE

Notices/
There are several church notices to... well, to notice!
Update on opening of church:
If you look to your right, you'll see the 'featured post' - if you click onto that, you'll get a long update on where we are in the process of moving toward getting our church building open once again for worship together. So, please do go and have a wee look.
And keep an eye out for further updates as they come.
But again, we're still a little way off opening the doors just yet, so please do bear with us...

All-age worship resources: 
For those of you who live in a household of all-ages, do CLICK ON THIS LINK which will take you across to all-age, family-friendly resources that you can use and which pick up on our Bible passage and worship theme for today.

Minister on leave Mon 26 July - Wed 5 Aug inclusive [available from c. lunchtime Thurs 6th Aug]
Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be taking a rather overdue break.
Contact details are as follows:
For urgent pastoral cover, please contact:
from Mon 20th - Sat 25th July, the Rev. Louise Mackay on 01555 661936
and from Sun 26th July - Wed 5th Aug, the Rev. George Shand on 01899 309400
For all other enquiries, please contact our Session Clerk, Miss Heather Watt on 01899 850211

Worship for 26 July and 2 August:
While I’m taking on annual leave, why not pay a 'visit' to worship with some of our other online parishes in the Church of Scotland...
These first two links feature daughters of Upper Clyde Parish - and sisters -
the Rev. Dr Jean Kirkwood, Minister of Townhill and Kingseat Parish,
and the Rev. Dr Fran Henderson, Transitional Minister in the newly created Shetland Parish.
CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR TOWNHILL
CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR SHETLAND
Both links will take you to the YouTube channels of each parish and into the 'playlist' section.
Look for the service with the date of worship you need - and scroll your mouse over it: you should see 'play all' - click on that, and you'll find a similar set up to our own, with clips that will play one after the other...

For live, streamed worship, you could visit:
Dunfermline Abbey, with the Rev. MaryAnn Rennie.
CLICK ON THIS LINK - it's a 10.30am start, but if you're late, you can watch it anytime thereafter.

Within our Presbytery, watch Lanark Greyfriars, and Lanark St Nicholas as they share in worship -
CLICK ON THIS LINK - it's an 11am start, but you also have the opportunity to watch again if you miss it.

Update: Re. opening of the church building

Reopening of church building news:

The following concerns the announcement about the possibility of 

opening church buildings from the 15th of July:

Due to the seriousness of COVID-19 and because of its highly contagious nature
before we can open the church building, there are a number of tasks to be done to
ensure that when we do gather together once again, that it is as safe as possible to do so.
Currently, where we're at is here:

• completed a Risk Assessment exercise and filled out corresponding RA form;
• filled out a major checklist covering all aspects of safety measures for opening the building, 
• procured items needed to to ensure safety and comply with Gov't regulations -
  [sanitiser stations, sanitiser gel, sanitiser spray, supply of face masks, aprons, gloves, etc]
• implemented a strategy for best practice when gathering
• written a water safety management plan [this re. ensuring a legionella-free building after closure for a long period of time]
• written a strategy plan in the case of someone becoming ill during worship in church - due to COVID-19
• drawn up a diagram to indicate one-way flow system/ seating arrangements
• all paperwork now approved by the Session
• paperwork has been sent to Presbytery for approval re. opening

Next on the to do list is:

• the installation of our new sanitiser stations, 
• putting information posters up so that everyone coming to the building knows the new procedures and what we all must do to comply with regulations,
• placing distancing stickers outside the entrance and exits to the building
• placing arrows inside to show the one-way flow system
• tagging seating to indicate where to sit to ensure physical distancing
• run all water taps for no less than 20 minutes to ensure no stagnant water in system

All the forms, checklists, procedural plans have now been gone over by the Kirk Session for a final check and all has been approved. 

Paperwork has now been sent to  off to Presbytery -

this works as a double-check process to make sure nothing has been missed.

Only when Presbytery is satisfied that we have complied with both Government and Church of Scotland regulations, will we be given permission to re-open the church building for worship and for funeral services.

So, while technically we'll be able to open the church building on 15 July,
as per the Scottish Gov't announcement... ensuring all measures are in place for maximum saftey takes a little time... 
In good conscience, we would rather take things a little more slowly and surely rather than to put anyone at risk by not being absolutely thorough.
With your safety in mind, it will be a good few weeks yet, before we can open the building.

Given the procedural business, as well as the fact that the minister is taking long overdue leave at the end of July and early August, in the best possible circumstances, the Session and I would hope to open on the first Sunday in September. I can't make a firm promise on that, but it is what we're hoping to do.
Also, when we do open for gathered public worship, there will be certain things that all of us must and must not do, and to be aware of. We'll be drafting up a bullet-point list for clarity, so that everyone knows best practice.
If some of you are anxious about coming to the church building for worship, online worship will continue to be available for the foreseeable future, which you can access from the safety of home.

As I said:

• we want to make absolutely sure that we can worship together as safely as we possibly can.
• We’ll keep you posted with updates.

So do bear with the Session, and me, as we get this rather substantial undertaking sorted and thanks for being patient in the meantime.

A dedicated page has been created above in the tabs at the top of the page - this will keep you up to date with information as we have it.
You can also LINK TO IT HERE to have a look

Considering the matter of opening the building for private prayer:
the Session felt that for both the congregation and wider community, that it might be seen to be more helpful in preparing the building for use for funerals....

We could now open the church building for private prayer – but we won't.
Why not? 
Because if you came here to pray we'd have to:
*make you wash or sanitise your hands at the door
*instruct you to wear a mask
*ask you if you had COVID symptoms, underlying health problems or got a flu jab
     (and turn you away if the answer to any of these was yes),
*tell you which seat you could sit in,
*warn you not to sing,
*make sure you left by a different door,
*then clean and sanitise every surface you touched.

Alternatively...
*you could sit on an armchair at home with a cup of tea,... 
*walk in the hills and watch the birds go by, 
*or sit along the Clyde, or the Daer, or Duneaton water... 
and talk to God just as easily.
You don't need special words, a special place, special objects or special people to talk to God.
God loves you and He is listening. 
So just do it.

Worship/ Sunday 12 July: 'Seeds'

Hello everyone, welcome to worship once again - for me, it feels as if the time is fairly flying by.
Our theme for worship is 'seeds' - we'll be thinking about the Parable of the Sower, with a quick
check in with the prophet Isaiah. Both readings are not quite your 'everyday garden variety' kind of reading, but do concern gardening!
Hope you've all managed a good week, and especially in light of the further easing of lockdown,
enjoying a little more freedom and a little time with family and friends.
One big church notice which concerns the announcement this week concerning the opening of church buildings for worship. You'll find it just below our online worship link along with some pictures below that of the new church window in the vestibule.
May your worship time be fruitful, refreshing, and help to reassure you of God's great love for you.
CLICK HERE FOR WORSHIP

Church notices/

Reopening of church building news:

The following concerns the announcement about the possibility of 

opening church buildings from the 15th of July:

Due to the seriousness of COVID-19 and because of its highly contagious nature
before we can open the church building, there are a number of tasks to be done to
ensure that when we do gather together once again, that it is as safe as possible to do so.
Currently, where we're at is here:

• completed a Risk Assessment exercise and filled out corresponding RA form;
• filled out a major checklist covering all aspects of safety measures for opening the building, 
• procured items needed to to ensure safety and comply with Gov't regulations -
  [sanitiser stations, sanitiser gel, sanitiser spray, supply of face masks, aprons, gloves, etc]
• implemented a strategy for best practice when gathering
• written a water safety management plan [this re. ensuring a legionella-free building after closure for a long period of time]
• written a strategy plan in the case of someone becoming ill during worship in church - due to COVID-19
• drawn up a diagram to indicate one-way flow system/ seating arrangements

Next on the to do list is:

• the installation of our new sanitiser stations, 
• putting information posters up so that everyone coming to the building knows the new procedures and what we all must do to comply with regulations,
• placing distancing stickers outside the entrance and exits to the building
• placing arrows inside to show the one-way flow system
• tagging seating to indicate where to sit to ensure physical distancing
• run all water taps for no less than 20 minutes to ensure no stagnant water in system

All the forms, checklists, procedural plans are now being gone over by the Kirk Session for a final
check and then approval. Once this is done, they will be sent off to Presbytery -
this works as a double-check process to make sure nothing has been missed.
Only when Presbytery is satisfied that we have complied with both Government and Church of Scotland regulations, will we be given permission to re-open the church building for worship and
for funeral services.

So, while technically we'll be able to open the church building on 15 July,
as per the Scottish Gov't announcement... ensuring all measures are in place for maximum saftey
takes a little time... In good conscience, we would rather take things a little more slowly and surely
rather than to put anyone at risk by not being absolutely thorough.
With your safety in mind, it will be a good few weeks yet, before we can open the building.

Given the procedural business, as well as the fact that I'm taking long overdue leave at the end
of July and early August, in the best possible circumstances, the Session and I would hope to
open on the first Sunday in September. I can't make a firm promise on that, but it is what we're
hoping to do.
Also, when we do open for gathered public worship, there will be certain things that all of us
must and must not do, and to be aware of. We'll be drafting up a bullet-point list for clarity,
so that everyone knows best practice.
If some of you are anxious about coming to the church building for worship, online worship will
continue to be available for the foreseeable future, which you can access from the safety of home.

As I said:

• we want to make absolutely sure that we can worship together as safely as we possibly can.
• We’ll keep you posted with updates.

So do bear with the Session, and me, as we get this rather substantial undertaking sorted
and thanks for being patient in the meantime.

A dedicated page has been created above in the tabs at the top of the page - this will keep you up to date with information as we have it.
You can also LINK TO IT HERE to have a look

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Church window:
Thinking about the church building – I mentioned the other week that Fiona Foley has now installed the vestibule window – a huge improvement on the big white wooden board, and also an improvement on the previous window design... here’s a picture or two that I took on Tuesday, just so you can see what she’s done and she’s made a lovely job of it indeed.

Look! No more nasty white wooden board
on the lower tower window!

From inside

From outside

Minister's impending annual leave:
Just a little advance warning that I’ll be taking some very overdue leave as of Monday the 20th of July for a couple of weeks. Details for pastoral cover and for getting in contact will be posted here next week.

And, finally... All-age, family-friendly worship resources for today's service can be found:
AT THIS LINK

Worship: Sunday 5 July - Lay down your burdens

WELCOME/
Hello and welcome to worship at Upper Clyde Parish, where today  we’ll by laying our burdens down... as we listen to, and reflect on Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Matthew:
‘Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’
So, whether you’ve been with us a long time, or you’re with us for the first time –
you are welcome here as we gather in our different places and unite in the One who calls us his people.

Before we move more fully into our time of worship, just a reminder that if you have
smaller people in the house, there’s a link to some worship-friendly all-age resources
that may be of help to make worship more accessible for them.

Over the month of June, we were exploring prayer.
As we move into a new month, we’re going to be spending a little time in Mathew’s gospel.
And, in this particular time of worship, we’ll be looking at those well-known words from
Chapter eleven – Jesus’ invitation to ... rest:
to rest in him and to give to him all the burdens you’re carrying.
It's a great invitation at any time, but especially in a time where anxiety and stress are a
little more heightened than usual.
I hope you enjoy this time of worship, and that you leave refreshed and re-energised
for the days ahead...

If you CLICK THIS WORSHIP LINK you'll be taken across to our YouTube channel for worship
Meanwhile, downloadable resources for all-age, family-friendly worship can be found by:
CLICKING ON THIS LINK

Just one note - which is to say that a statement from Session concerning opening the church building
will be coming over the course of this week - so will be posted in time for Sunday worship next.