Something fishy this way comes...

Wiston school had fish hanging
from the rafters

Our Harvest and Season of Creation celebrations have come to an end. Huge thanks to everyone who helped in some way - from flower arranging, window decorating, donations of fresh produce to be donated to Clannalba, and tinned and dry foods to be given to Clydesdale Food Bank.
For home baking and harvest morning tea 'prizes', and for good humour, and lots of kindness. Huge shout out to our five wee primary schools for their fabulous 'fishy' decorations, celebrating the harvest of the river [a nod the Clyde running through our parish], the seas, and oceans. 
Having had our Sunday harvest service, we continued the harvest theme, as our schools all joined together in the church on the Friday, for our own wee service. 

Some fantastic singing, excellent reading, and some beautiful listening when I was story telling. 

Good effort, everyone.
Some pictures below to enjoy...

Crawford provided fish and wise words to share

Abington School gave us a
variety of sea life

Leadhills fish were having a swimming time
along our pews and walls

Lamington school was off
on a fish trawling expededition

Praise God for the harvest!

Worship Sun 14 March: 'Nic, at night...'

WELCOME:
Hello and welcome to worship!
It feels only a moment ago since we began the season of Lent, yet here we are, at the 4^th Sunday of Lent already. We began in the wilderness, journeyed to Caesarea Philippi, and last week, we arrived in Jerusalem.
Staying with Jerusalem, our time of worship takes us to a conversation held at night, between Jesus and a teacher of the Law named Nicodemus...

It's also the Sunday that we mark Mothering Sunday – 
and, the anniversary of the last time we were actually worshipping together in person in the church building... although we didn't quite know that at the time!

CHURCH NOTICES:
Several notices this week...
Possible reopening of the church building - 
this last week, the First Minister announced that, subject to all being well, that church buildings might be able to reopen in time for Easter.
At the moment, it's a bit of a 'wait and see' - but the Session has agreed that if it is possible, all things being equal, that we would hope to open.
We do, however have paperwork that needs to be done, and checked with Presbytery - once that is signed off, we'll have a better idea of where we stand... or sit... or pray, for that matter.!
Do please be aware that we still must abide by the COVID-19 regulations, and part of that requires social distancing to be in place. This means that we will only be able to accommodate 15 people in the building for Sunday worship - and you'll need to book ahead, I'm afraid.
It's not ideal, but it is a wee glimmer of light on the horizon.
Watch this space...
And remember, that it’s all subject to change... which seems to have been the theme for this past year!

Parish newsletter: behind the scenes, we've been putting together a newsletter and we aim to have that out to all on the congregational roll for Holy Week. Thanks to all who contributed, and to Dee, our intrepid Editor. A copy of the newsletter will also be available online for wider availability

Lent challenges: 
Some of you have been in touch - letting me know how you've been getting on with our various Lent challenges. Bakers have been busy, it seems. We've had a delicious, albeit messy, pineapple upside down cake, and a recipe that ended up making a multitude of biscuits - these pictured, from Greta.
I'm glad you've been enjoying the challenges!
And don't forget...
The LEGO challenge begins on Monday, and runs each day [not Sun] all the way through to Easter Saturday. A challenge for the young and the young of heart! You'll find that over on our youtube channel – so keep an eye out for that. [use the YouTube link on the right hand side 'links' panel to take you there].

WORSHIP -
Our WORSHIP LINK IS HERE

In the meantime, have a good week and take care,
Nikki

Lent Lego challenge: coming soon!

Hi everyone, just a wee heads-up about our upcoming Lego challenge that you can find across at our YouTube channel.
It starts on Monday the 15th of March and each day, apart from Sunday, running all the way to Easter, there'll be a story with an Easter theme, and a challenge to build a particular item from that story.
This is hosted by our new Community Outreach Worker, Angela Brydson. 
Are you up for the challenge?
We really hope so - and, we'd love to see photos of your amazing Lego constructions - you can send these along to Nikki at - minister.upperclyde@gmail.com
Below is an introduction to give you an idea of what we'll be doing...