Update 6 August

 

NEWS, INFORMATION, UPDATES 6th AUGUST

Annual leave:
The minister has now returned from annual leave.

Many thanks to the Rev. Morag Garrett, minister of Coalburn and Lesmahagow Old Parish for providing funeral cover over the holiday, to Mr Roy Garrett for conducting worship on Sun 26 July, and to Ralph Barker and Ursula Baillie for leading our Songs of Praise service on Sun 2 August.
Thanks, also to Dr Dee Yates and Ms Heather Watt for acting as parish contacts during this time.

Annual Stated Meeting: our ASM will be held on Sunday 9th August on the return of the minister. During the meeting, we will receive the accounts and hear an overview of 2025. This is much later than usual this year, but huge thanks to Ralph, and to the presbytery finance team for helping untangle some 'heritage' accounts that had held up the accounts being approved. 

Parish magazine - summer edition: we are hoping that this will be ready around mid-August and available for distribution.

Martin Raine: we were very sad to hear of Martin's death. Please remember Janet and the family at this time. The funeral will be held at the parish church on Thurs 13th August at 2pm. Thereafter, refreshments at the family home in Crawford.

Update for Mon 20 July - Wed 5 August

NEWS, INFORMATION, UPDATES for MON 20 JULY - WED 5 AUGUST

Annual leave:
The minister will be on annual leave during this time.
Funeral cover will be provided by the Rev. Morag Garrett, minister of Coalburn and Lesmahagow Old Parish. Her contact details are: email -  MGarrett@churchofscotland.org.uk or phone deleted
General parish queries - should any arise, please contact Dr Dee Yates on deleted from Mon 20th - Tues 28th July. Thereafter, Ms Heather Watt on deleted
Worship cover will be provided by Mr Roy Garratt on Sun 26th July, and by Mr Ralph Barker and Mrs Ursula Baillie on Sun 2nd August - this latter will be our annual Songs of Praise worship service with themes centring around Ps 100.

Annual Stated Meeting: our ASM will be held on Sunday 9th August on the return of the minister. During the meeting, we will receive the accounts and hear an overview of 2025. This is much later than usual this year, but huge thanks to Ralph, and to the presbytery finance team for helping untangle some 'heritage' accounts that had held up the accounts being approved. 

Parish magazine - summer edition: we are hoping that this will be ready around mid-August and available for distribution.

Martin Raine: we were very sad to hear of Martin's death. Please remember Janet and the family at this time. The funeral will be held at the parish church on Thurs 13th August at 2pm. Thereafter, refreshments at the family home in Crawford.

Sun 7 June 'Is the hokey pokey really what it's all about?'

Hello and welcome to our online reflection based on our Sunday morning service of worship.

Welcome is very much the theme today, as we hear of a feast to which Jesus was invited and see just who was ‘in’ and just who was ‘out’....

Notices

Just a couple of notices to flag up:

Tues 9 June, 10:30am funeral of Morag Forrest.  This will be in the church and then followed by her committal across at Roberton Cemetery. 

Please do keep the family in your prayers at this time.

Clydesdale food bank: As this is a communion month, the food bank box is once again in the church vestibule and ready to accept any donations of food and hygiene products – if you’re able to help, that would be very much appreciated.

The box will be uplifted on the last Sunday of the month

and, as ever, thanks in advance.
To help online, please go to this LINK to make a donation.

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Our Gospel reading for the day:

Luke 5:27-39 

After this he went out and saw a tax-collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ ²⁸ And he got up, left everything, and followed him. ²⁹ Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax-collectors and others sitting at the table with them. ³⁰ The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his  disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax-collectors and sinners?’ ³¹ Jesus answered, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; ³² I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.’ ³³ Then they said to him, ‘John’s disciples, like the disciples of the Pharisees, frequently fast and pray, but your disciples eat and drink.’ ³⁴ Jesus said to them, ‘You cannot make wedding-guests fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? ³⁵ The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.’ ³⁶ He also told them a parable: ‘No one tears a piece from a new garment and sews it on an old garment; otherwise the new will be torn, and the piece from the new will not match the old. ³⁷ And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. ³⁸ But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. ³⁹ And no one after drinking old wine desires new wine, but says, “The old is good.”’

Reflection

For our time of reflection, one of life's big questions:
What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
'In, out, in, out, shake it all about, you do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around, that's what it's all about.'...
But is it?
This, as we think about the ‘in’, ‘out’ in relation to our gospel reading for today, in which we see some who think of themselves as the ‘in’ group, and those who they consider are ‘out’. 

So what have we got here in our text?

There’s Levi, who we know more familiarly as ‘Matthew’.

Levi’s a tax collector.

Levi is based in Capernaum – which is loosely being used by Jesus and his disciples as a handy go-to base from which to travel around the surrounding countryside of the Galilee region.

Capernaum is a port town, a trading centre, a busy place.

A useful place for a tax collector to set up his business – 

and, no doubt, Levi’s set up his tax booth so it’s right in the midst of things:

a place where he can easily access those who are obliged to pay tax.

His is a face that would be well known and because of his career, Levi is generally the last person anyone really wants to have dealings with.

In the time, and place, and cultures of the day, there are all sorts of pecking orders, hierarchies.

Levi lives in a land where a foreign power rules – the occupying Romans.

They have their own particular customs, rituals, culture, their own social niceties and levels of status.

Given they’ve taken over the country, the Romans consider themselves at the at the top of the pile:

the ones who are most definitely ‘in’.

And because they view themselves as conquerors, they very much look down on those they’ve conquered and, who they were essentially, oppressing.

Outwith the Romans, there were the Jews, whose land it was, and who had their own particular customs, rituals, culture, and ways of classifying people who to them were either ‘in’ or ’out:

which people were important and which ones weren’t;

who was contributing, and who wasn’t;

who to include and who to avoid at all costs.

Now, if the Romans looked down on the Jews, 

the Jews looked down on those who were not Jewish, those they called ‘gentiles.’

But, whether Jew or Gentile, all of them have to pay their taxes to the Romans.

And, while Levi’s not a Roman, he works for them,

and has built up substantial wealth in doing so.

In the eyes of his own people, the Jews, just because of the nature of his work, Levi’s considered to be of dubious moral character, a collaborator and a traitor.

But there’s more:

because he also spends time with people of all kinds, there are those in the Jewish religious hierarchy who view him as ‘unclean’.

While it’s a cause of upset and offence to the pharisees and the scribes that Jesus both calls Levi to follow, and then accepts a dinner invite, I’d hazard a guess that no one is more surprised than Levi at being asked to hang out with Jesus and his followers. And unlike the followers who were fishermen, Levi just can't simply return to his job should things not work out: there's no Plan B, no going back.  When Jesus invites Levi to come and follow him, well, a little like the hokey pokey, Levi turns himself around – for to repent means just that, to turn from what you’re doing.

In doing so, he discovers that, for the first time in however long it’s been, he’s less a case of being ‘out’:

he’s in.

He belongs.

It’s a cause for celebration.

The sign of his belonging is further seen by Jesus willingly accepting a place at Levi’s table for a feast. To sit at table and share a meal was a sign not only of sharing hospitality, it was a symbol of relationship - you were considered an extension of the family.

Jesus sits with Levi and his friends - those considered completely 'out' by the Scribes and Pharisees - and it completely messes with their whole social, religious, and hierarchical understanding of how the world worked.

Jesus was a rabbi, one who was supposed to know the Law,

Jesus was one of 'them'.

What on earth was he playing at?

Grace.

Simply, grace.

Grace is about God’s gift of life and goodness, of God’s enduring love for humanity.

It reflects his nature to love without limits, to love freely, unconditionally, whether we ‘deserve’ that love, or not.

And so, Jesus reminds the scribes and the pharisees that they are already ‘in’ –

they already know God’s grace.

Jesus doesn’t need to sit and eat with them …

he needs to be with those who feel cast out:

the ones who in so many ways within their lives have never really felt they’ve been included,

who’ve never felt they’ve belonged, 

who’ve never felt that they deserved God’s grace:

the ones who’ve felt that God’s love is not for the likes of them.

Sitting at table, Jesus is showing those gathered at the feast that they are not ‘them’…

not ‘the others’,

but that they are utterly loved and held within God’s grace, just as much as the scribes and the pharisees are – in God’s eyes, there is no ‘them’, only ‘us’.

Last week, we were thinking about God as Trinity:

the three and oneness of God –

and we thought about the concept of Trinity within the framework of relationship:

One God, in perfect community –

bound by love, which unites, not excludes.

God, as a Trinity of love, calling us into a relationship of love –

with God, and with one another.

In a week in which we are invited to come to the table where Jesus is host, this story reminds us that as with Levi, his grace is extended to us, 

for, as with Levi and all those gathered around the table for that particular feast so long ago,

we gather to share in the meal of grace created for all who follow,

and, in doing so, to turn their lives around -

and discover, that in him, as with Levi,

so too, we are welcome,

we are included,

bound together in a relationship of love with him.

Who are the ones we might think of as ‘them’, 

the ones we think of as ‘out’ not ‘in’?

How might we turn ourselves around from that way of thinking, and so extend God’s grace, God’s love?

The story of Levi’s calling, of Jesus breaking bread with him and the company of those considered by some as ‘outcasts’ is a story of profound grace:

about a life turned around.

It’s a story that calls us to rejoice that no one is beyond hope,

no one is beyond God’s love and grace.

And it’s a story that challenges us to share that grace.

May you know the blessing of God's grace, this day and everyday. Amen.

Let's pray:

Gracious God,
In a moment of quiet prayer, we pray for all who are on our minds and in our hearts this day, and bring to you our own particular needs…

Lord, we commit the week ahead to you. 

Shine your light into every situation so that we can see where you are at work and follow your lead. 

Send us out as people of hope to bring your love into every place you lead us.

We offer you these prayers, 

in Jesus’ name, amen.

Sun 31 May - Trinity Sunday

Welcome.
First, some notices, and thereafter a reflection and prayer...

Church notices

Sun 7 June, 10:30am: Service of Holy Communion - we join together this coming Sunday to share in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. It is an open table, for Jesus is the host and he welcomes all.

Tues 9 June, 10:30am: the funeral of Mrs Morag Forrest will be held in the church at Abington, and thereafter, the committal will be at Roberton Cemetery. Please do keep the family in your prayers at this time. 

Clydesdale foodbank month: over the month of June, we will be collecting items to deliver to the food bank. If you would like to donate but can't get to church, you can send an online donation HERE

Reflection for Trinity Sunday

In the church calendar, the Sunday following Pentecost is known as 'Trinity' Sunday. It's a time in the year where preachers and theologians can come a little unstuck, trying to explain what is essentially, really rather inexplicable:
God as One yet Three, but Three yet One.
We try, in our limited way to describe the limitless God, who is so much more than the sum or our words and stretches of imagination can fathom. 

Back in the day, the early Christians, trying to distil the essentials of the faith into a handy 'catch all' to help teach people the basics about God, put together Creeds. One of these was the Athenasian Creed and you can almost hear the writers of this sighing just a little as they struggled to describe the God who is more than we can fully comprehend:
God the Father: incomprehensible;
God the Son: incomprehensible;
God the Holy Spirit: incomprehensible.
Bless them, I love them for trying to do the impossible.
However, mystery is not always a bad thing and I suspect that we'll cope if we haven't got the answer to every single question about God this side of heaven.
This, I say, because what we do know of God is what we see in Jesus. And while it is always  absolutely right to ponder and ask questions, and wrestle with this matter of what it is to be God’s people, and while theology is important, the most important starting place for theology is to remember that, for all our attempts to try to explain God, God can’t be put into a box –
and, when humans tried to do that to Jesus, he simply rose from death itself and out of the box we’d tried to put him in.

One way that I find helpful to try and get my head around this One in Three and Three in Oneness of God, is by thinking of God within the terms of relationship. Augustine, a 5th century African theologian who I have a lot of time for, used this idea of relationship to help understand the nature of God, and also, how that sat within the nature of what it is to be human.
He used love as his building blocks: God as One and then as Three seen in:
God as the one who loves,
God as the one who is beloved,
and God as love itself.
The very core of God being love and energised by love: a love that looks to the other, looks out, that is generous, giving, sharing, and spreading that love beyond just the circle of relationship within that perfect community of love which is God. 

And what of us?
Jesus is love made into flesh and blood and bone showing us what love looks like: not a private solitary thing – but something that is lived within community, joyfully, creatively. If we want to know what God looks like – what God thinks, and feels, and wishes, we look to Jesus who points us to love – for love is at the heart of who God and the reason why God does anything.
So, mirroring that relationship of God we, who are created in God’s image, might use a day like Trinity Sunday to ask:
How do we love?
Who do we love?
What is the impact of that love on others?
For, if love is the very heart and motivation of God, then as his creatures, so love should be at the heart of our lives, as we navigate this life of faith.

The priest and poet, Malcolm Guite, wrote the following sonnet for Trinity Sunday, which I leave you with (you can find this, and other sonnets in his collection 'Sounding the Seasons', published by Canterbury Press - do check his work out, he's excellent).

In the Beginning, not in time or space, 

But in the quick before both space and time, 

In Life, in Love, in co-inherent Grace, 

In three in one and one in three, in rhyme, 

In music, in the whole creation story, 

In His own image, His imagination, 

The Triune Poet makes us for His glory, 

And makes us each the other’s inspiration. 

He calls us out of darkness, chaos, chance, 

To improvise a music of our own, 

To sing the chord that calls us to the dance, 

Three notes resounding from a single tone, 

To sing the End in whom we all begin; 

Our God beyond, beside us and within.
                                  Malcolm Guite

Prayer
God, Creator, for your glory shining forth in sky and sea, 

in the changing light on the hills, 

in the flight of birds, 

in the plants of the field 

for the gift of life in all its fullness, 

we thank you. 

Jesus, Redeemer, 

for blessing children, 

healing the sick, 

raising up the lowly, 

suffering the brokenness of the world 

in your own body that we might have fullness of life, 

we thank you. 

Holy Spirit, Comforter, 

for breathing new hope and strength into our lives,

breaking down barriers,  

drawing human beings together in love, 

resisting all that diminishes fullness of life, 

we thank you. 

Holy Trinity, 

in all that we do and say and are, 

may we always choose life, 

for ourselves, and for our neighbours. 

Amen.

As you move into a new week, may you know God walking with you through the moments and the days.
God bless

Nikki

'Wow'- worship for Sun 2 March

WELCOME to this week's time of worship, where on this Transfiguration Sunday, we spend some time up on the mountain-top with Jesus.

Our WORSHIP LINK IS HERE

Church notices follow...

CHURCH NOTICES/
Communion - As today is a Communion Sunday in the parish church, just a reminder to those living within the parish who are unable to attend, that home communion is available on request. Please do let Nikki or Dee know if you would like us to 'extend the aisle' and share communion with you at home, we'd be very happy to help.

Church newsletter: We are now in the process of preparing out Easter newsletter. If you would like to contribute any items for inclusion, please do get in touch with Dee or myself. If you don't have Dee's details, just use the 'contact us' facility to the right of our blog page, to get in touch.

Fri. 7 March -
11am - Funeral of Jean Carrick in the parish church, followed by graveside committal at Lamington Cemetery. Do please keep the family in your prayers at this time.

2pm - World Day of Prayer - the combined Guilds of Upper Clyde, Rigside, and Cairngryffe will meet together at Cairngryffe Parish Church for the annual World Day of Prayer. Refreshments will be provided after worship.

'Jesus is my superhero' - worship for Sun 23 Feb

Welcome to worship this week. Over these last weeks we've been exploring various aspects of Jesus. We began with Jesus the boy, moved to Jesus the storyteller, and this week, it’s wonder-working Jesus – as we hear two different accounts from Mark’s gospel, of Jesus demonstrating his power.

The WORSHIP LINK IS HERE 

CHURCH NOTICES -
Jean Carrick: Some sad news to share. If you’ve not yet heard, Jean Carrick died on Monday. Please keep Jimmy and the family in your prayers at this difficult time. Jean’s funeral will be on Friday the 7th of March, at 11am, here in the parish church, followed by a committal at Lamington Cemetery.

Evening worship: a reminder that evening worship will begin again on the last Sunday of March, and not this evening. So, if you turn up to Leadhills hall at 5 this evening you’ll be having a rather quiet time of it!

Quarterly Communion: this coming Sunday, the 3rd of March, will be a service of Communion, on site. Please do let anyone know, who you think would like to come along, and remember, that all are welcome, for it is the table of the Lord, and he invites us to come and share and remember.

As you go out into a new week, may you know God's presence with you each step of the way.

God bless

Nikki

Church news: arrangements during illness

Arrangements while minister on sick leave:

Hi all. For those of you who may not yet have caught up with the news, I made a wee detour on the way down to the village on the evening of Friday the 9th. Ongoing complications with covid saw a trip by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh - not how I'd envisaged spending the evening, let alone this last wee while! First: huge cheers for the NHS and thanks to the various wonderful folk who've been taking excellent care of me while I'm in. I'm hoping that I'll be discharged early this coming week but it will be a wee while until I'm fully able to be back. 

Second, thanks to all who are stepping into the breach in my absence. So, some arrangements as we go forward...

General queries: for any general queries while I’m away, please get in touch with Heather Watt on and, in Heather's absence, Dee Yates on 
Urgent pastoral/ funeral cover - will be provided by 

Worship arrangements - we have a worship rota now in place for worship onsite up to the end of September coordinated with thanks by our friend, the Rev. George Shand. Services will be covered between George and volunteers from the worship team at Cairngryffe Parish Church - partners in our cluster. It'll be a great opportunity to work together in this way and I'm grateful for their willingness to jump in and support us at this time.
Links are provided below while Upper Clyde is unable to provide online worship for those of you who worship remotely. Again, it's an opportunity to have a wee visit elsewhere to some other Church of Scotland congregations who have services available on the interwebz: 
Biggar Parish Church - LINK  
Dunfermline Abbey - LINK 
Hamilton Old Parish Church - LINK 

Members of the Kirk Session, and the Acting Presbytery Clerk, George Whyte, have been informed and hopefully should any particular matters arise, Session/ Pres Clerk can help to advise as we navigate our way through this next wee while.

In the meantime, sending my love and prayers to you all. And hopefully things will return to normal in the not too distant future! All well be well. 

Take care and God bless

Nikki

'Rest and be thankful' - Worship Sun 21 July

Welcome to this week's time of worship where we're taking time to 'rest and be thankful'. As people called to love and serve the Lord, and to love our neighbours, it’s very easy to get so caught up in the busyness of doing, that we can forget that in order to do … we need to recharge our own batteries at times. But also, to take time out is quite a subversive thing to do. What can Jesus teach us about work and rest and perhaps breaking from old ways of thinking, when it comes to service to God and others?

WORSHIP LINK IS HERE and service is uploaded for viewing.

Church notices:
Mon July 22 - Wed Aug 7 - minister on annual leave: Very much taking up the theme for today, I'll be on annual leave for the next fortnight.
General queries: for any general queries while I’m away, please get in touch with Heather Watt on 01899 850211 
Urgent pastoral/ funeral cover - will be provided by the Rev. Louise Mackay of Lanark, St. Nicholas who can be reached on 01555 661936 or via email: lmackay@churchofscotland.org.uk
Worship arrangements - over the next two Sundays, worship on site will be conducted by a familiar friend, the Rev. George Shand.
Online, it's once again an opportunity to have a wee visit elsewhere to some other Church of Scotland congregations who have services available on the interwebz: 
Biggar Parish Church - LINK  
Dunfermline Abbey - LINK 
Hamilton Old Parish Church - LINK 

Wed. 24 July - Guild summer outing: A reminder that the Guild summer outing is on Wed 24th July. The Guild will be paying a follow up visit to Moffatt Parish Church to see what it looks like since its renovation. The plan is to arrive in Moffatt for 10.30am. There'll also be time for some shopping and lunch. If you'd like to go and haven't yet booked, please get in touch with Heather W. 

Thurs 25 July - funeral of Isobel Taylor: For those of you who might not have heard, our friend, Isobel Taylor has died. Her funeral service will be held in Biggar Kirk, at 2pm on Thursday the 25th, and everyone is very much welcome to attend. I know many here and around the parish will have some very fond memories of her, as do I - she was one of the kindest people I've ever met. Please do keep her family in your thoughts and prayers at this time.

Sun 25 August - Annual Songs of Praise service, 10.30am: and just to flag up something for a wee bit further down the track: our annual Songs of Praise service is on the near horizon so get your thinking caps on to work out which hymns you’d like to nominate for inclusion - nominations are welcome from both our on site and online communities. The deadline is 1pm Sun 18 August - to give me time to format the hymns as needed. 

May you know God's presence with you over the next wee while, and catch up when I'm back from annual leave!

God bless

Nikki

'What's in a name?' Worship for Sunday 26 May

Welcome to worship, where this week, our worship theme is all about names. Having fled Egypt, Moses is taken in by Jethro, settling in and even marrying Jethro's daughter. As part of the family, Moses works as a shepherd, tending Jethro's sheep. One day, in the course of his work, he comes across something quite unusual which will change his life forever... 
You can access the service by clicking on the WORSHIP LINK HERE 

Church notices:
Sun 26 May, 5pm: evening worship will be held in Leadhills Village Hall. It will be a Taizé service. After, there’ll be time to catch up with one another over a cuppa. If you’re able to join us, that’d be grand.

Tues 28 May, 2pm: funeral for Iain Wilson. On Tuesday, in the church building at Abington, we’ll be remembering and saying our farewells to Iain Wilson. Please do keep Iain’s family in your thoughts and prayers at this time.

Kirk Session meeting after the service on Sun.2nd June, we'll be holding a one item meeting in order to approve our annual accounts. 

Sun 2 June, 10.30am: communion service in the church at Abington, to which all are welcome.  Please do let folk know, who you think might like to come along – it is the table of the Lord and he welcomes all.

Foodbank Sundays in June: as this is a communion month, the food bank box will be in the vestibule at church over the Sundays in June. You can leave donations for the ongoing work of Clydesdale Food Bank there - food and other goods. The box will be uplifted after worship on the last Sunday of June. Online, you can support the food bank by clicking on the FOODBANK LINK HERE.
Thanks in advance for your kindness.

That's it for this week.

May you know God walking close beside you as you go.

God bless

Nikki               

'Gathered and scattered' - worship for Pentecost Sunday 2024

Welcome to worship. Today we celebrate Pentecost, the 'birth' day of the Church. To go directly to the service click on THE LINK HERE

Church notices -
Church of Scotland General Assembly is being held this week. Do remember all involved in the Assembly this year as reports are brought before those gathered both onsite and online. Lots of debate, lots of decision-making, as we both take stock of what's gone before and look ahead to the future and where we're going...

Sun 26 May: evening worship, 5pm at Leadhills Village Hall. All welcome.

Funeral of Ian Wilson: just a reminder that Ian's funeral will be held in the church on Tues. 28th May at 2pm. Please remember Bertha and the family in your prayers at this time.

There are no other immediate notices for this week - let's hope this warmer weather continues and there's a few more sunny days!! God bless as you move into a new week,

Nikki

Christian Aid Sunday - worship for Sun 12 May

Welcome to worship and huge apologies for the delay. Busy time at the moment. 

Today marks the beginning of Christian Aid Week and we'll be hearing the story of Aline Nibogora from Burundi, and how Christian Aid have helped transform her life and the lives of people in her village.
The WORSHIP LINK IS HERE 

Church notices/
Christian Aid Week 12-18 May: If you would like to make a donation to the work of Christian Aid, click on THIS LINK to take you to their website.

Sun 17 May is Pentecost Sunday. If you're planning on attending on site, it would be great if you could wear something red - it's the colour for Pentecost. Given Pentecost is traditionally thought of as the birthday of the church, there may be something in addition to the usual biscuits after the service!

Funeral notices/
Some sad news once again this week, as we learnt of the death of Ian Wilson. Please do remember Bertha and the family in your prayers, along with Netta Wight and her family, and Andrew Craig and his family at this time. Details of the funerals are as follows:

Mary Craig: 2pm Thursday 16th of May, at the parish church in Abington, followed by the committal at Elvanfoot Cemetery. Thereafter, back to the church for the funeral tea.

John Wight: 1pm Friday 17th May, to be held in Biggar Kirk, followed by funeral tea at the Biggar Municipal Hall. Prior to the funeral service there will be a private family committal at Elvanfoot Cemetery. Many thanks to the Rev. Mike Fucella for enabling us to use the church building.

Ian Wilson: 2pm Tues 28th of May, at the parish church in Abington, followed by the committal at Elvanfoot Cemetery. Details for the funeral tea to be confirmed.

'What gives you joy?' Worship for Sun 5 May

Welcome to worship for this week. Apologies once again for a delay in uploading the service and thanks for your patience.  Our service this week picks up the theme of joy asking the question 'what gives you joy?' and exploring the answer by way of looking at Ps 16. To go straight to the service click on the WORSHIP LINK HERE 

CHURCH NOTICES/
12 May Christian Aid Sunday: just to note that this coming Sunday begins Christian Aid Week 2024. On site, there'll be a special collection for their ongoing work. Online, you can make a donation by going to their website HERE

Funeral notices:
Mary Craig - Mary's funeral will be held at 2pm on Thursday the 16th of May at Upper Clyde Church followed by her committal at Elvanfoot Cemetery at 2.45. Thereafter, all are welcome back to the church hall for the funeral tea.

John Wight - John's funeral will be held at 1pm on Friday the 17th of May at Biggar Kirk. Many thanks to the minister, Mike Fucella for enabling us to have the service there. Details for funeral tea tbc

Our thoughts and our prayers are with both families at this difficult time.

As you go through this week, may you know God's love surrounding you,
God bless,

Nikki

'An ever-fixed mark' - worship for Sun 28 April

Welcome to our service of worship for this week - again, sorry for the delay and thanks so much for your patience.

To go straight to the service, please click on the WORSHIP LINK HERE...
Just to note that I'm posting this at just after 10pm Monday evening - the service is currently uploading and might take an hour and a half to complete. So, it should hopefully be available around or just after midnight!! 

CHURCH NOTICES/
Parish deaths: it's with sadness that I pass on the news of the deaths of John Wight and Mary Craig over the weekend. Once I have details for the time of both funeral services, I'll let you know. In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers are with both families at this time.

Presbytery plan: at an all day meeting of presbytery on Saturday, the presbytery plan was finally approved after a number of amendments, motions, and counter-motions from parishes across the presbytery. Our cluster of Upper Clyde, Douglas Valley, and Cairngryffe parishes were successful in our bid to keep all 3 places of worship open, in order to cover this large, rural area. There will be a review at some point in 2027. What next? The plan will go to the national planning team for approval, and if passed, the presbytery will begin the process of implementing the plan. This will take time. For us, it means we begin the preparations necessary to begin the process of uniting our cluster into one parish, subject to all three congregations voting to agree. More details to follow in due course and these will be placed on the page 'presbytery plan' which you can find above along the tabs. The outcome for our area was much better than I'd dare hope for. So, potentially, a new chapter will begin for our parish.

Evening worship: I know this is after the fact, but just to say we had a really lovely time of worship in the Leadhills Village Hall last night. Thanks to Andy Foley for leading us in a reflection on joy via William Blake's painting 'Oberon, Titania and Puck with Fairies Dancing'. We were delighted to be joined by an old friend, Ann Lyall, who had worked with the parish during the previous vacancy and through the union of Lowther and Glencaple into Upper Clyde Parish. She is now retired and doing a 'farewell' tour of the different parishes in which she'd served. 

Parish magazine: preparations for the latest edition of the parish magazine are underway now that we have news of the presbytery plan. It will hopefully be ready within the next few weeks.

God bless
Nikki

'I give up!' Worship for Sun 18 Feb - 1st Sun of Lent

Welcome  to worship on this first Sunday in the season of Lent – those weeks that will lead us to Holy Week and Easter…and so we follow in Jesus’ footsteps to Jerusalem and begin with Jesus preparing for that journey by travelling into the wilderness… 

To access our service, click on the LINK HERE to take you to our YouTube channel.
Notices follow below...

Church notices:
'40 for 40' foodbank challenge: for those of you minded to take something on over Lent, let's take on supporting our food bank over these next weeks. On site, I’ve put the food bank box in the vestibule, where it will remain until after worship on Palm Sunday. If, over these next weeks, you had items to donate that would help folk in our local communities, that would be great – I was wondering if we could manage to gather at least 40 items – to symbolise the 40 days of Lent – though, of course, if we end up with more, well, that would be excellent! Also, thinking that these items will be delivered during the week before Easter, if any of you were minded to donate some Easter eggs for little ones, for families who just have no money for treats that would be very kind indeed. For those of you unable to get to the church building, either drop them to me in the manse, or, let me know, and I can collect them from you at some point. Alternatively, you can make a donation online by clicking on THIS LINK. Thanks, as ever for your support.

Funeral for Kit McKendrick: Kit's funeral will be held in the church at 1pm on Thursday this week. Thereafter, we gather at Elvanfoot Cemetery for her committal, c.1.45pm. The funeral tea will be held in the Masonic Hall, Abington.

As we move into this season of Lent, a blessing to you on your journey.

God bless,
Nikki

'Do something wonderful, people may imitate it.' - worship Sun 11 Feb

Welcome to our online service of worship this week where we'll be reflecting upon a very large picnic...

Our WORSHIP LINK IS HERE

Huge apologies - the video didn't upload for some reason last night. It should be available from about 2pm this afternoon! (Sunday 11th)

CHURCH NOTICES
Pancake Sunday: on site, this week, we begin at 9.30am for a pancake breakfast. So I'd like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who helped to make this event possible - what a fab way to prepare for the season of Lent.

Lent books: for those of you who’ve put in an order, the books have arrived. I’ll try to drop them in to you by Wednesday.

Lent challenge: Using the number 40 for the 40 days of Lent, I wonder if some of you might be rise to the challenge of individually and together collecting pasta and tins of soup, so that by the time we reach Palm Sunday, we have at least 40 items ready to take to the food bank? For those at home wanting to do this over the weeks of Lent, do as you're able, and let me know - I'm happy to do a pick up when the time comes. Given Easter will be approaching, alternately, you might like to donate some Easter eggs for food bank users who have children - treats which those below the breadline can't really afford. Alternatively you can make a donation online to Clydesdale Food Bank by clicking on the FOOD BANK LINK HERE. 
Thanks everyone.

Funeral of Kit McKendrick: Some sad news to report: if you’ve not heard, Kit McKendrick died this last week. Her funeral will be on Thursday the 22nd at 1pm in the parish church, followed thereafter, by a graveside committal at Elvanfoot Cemetery. Please do let folk who might want to attend, know. 

Guild meeting: Wed 2pm. The Guild will be meeting this week through in the church hall and our guest speaker will be Anne Mackie from Riding for the Disabled. If you’re able to come along, it would be great to see you. 

As we move into the season of Lent, may your spiritual journey be a blessed one.

Have a good week,
God bless,

Nikki

news, updates, general information wk beg. 13 Nov - 29 Nov

 GENERAL INFORMATION FOR MON 13-WED 29 NOVEMBER

Annual leave: Just to note that Nikki (the minister) will be on annual leave from Monday 13th until the afternoon of Wed. 29th.
While I’m away, the Rev Mike Fucella will be providing urgent pastoral cover and he can be contacted by phone on or email at 
For any general parish matters, please contact Janice Reid, our Session Clerk by phone     

As to worship, over the next two Sunday mornings onsite, we’ll be welcoming our friend, the Rev. George Shand, who’ll be providing pulpit cover…
And we’ll also be joined by the Shenna Fox who’ll be playing the organ for us.
Online, below are some suggested links to other congregations who provide worship, so, an opportunity to have a wee visit elsewhere during this time:

• Biggar Parish Church - LINK 
• Dunfermline Abbey - LINK            
  
• Kirkton Parish Church - LINK        
  
• Hamilton Old Parish Church - LINK 

Sun 3rd Dec: Communion Service - It's our Winter communion, and everyone is very welcome to come and join us, as we share in the Lord's Supper together.

Clydesdale Food Bank donations: as this is a communion month, we'll be collecting donations for the Food Bank (tinned and dry food items, toiletries, and... if possible, maybe some Christmas-oriented items to bring some cheer e.g mince pies, Christmas pud, etc.) Last items please, for Sun 17th Dec. in order to ensure delivery to families before Christmas. Thanks in advance.

Christmas newsletter: The year is cracking on a-pace, and when I'm back, we'll be moving into the season of Advent that guides us through to Christmas. The Christmas newsletter will be out in hard copy and hopefully available the last week of November - a digital copy has now been uploaded - at the top of the blog, you'll find the 'Christmas newsletter 2023' tab - click on there... or just CLICK ON THIS LINK to take you there directly.

Songs of Praise Sunday - Worship 10 Sept

WELCOME to our Songs of Praise service and Guild dedication.
A slightly different style this week, as we enjoy hymns chosen by the congregation, interspersed with readings and short reflections. I hope you find it an encouragement and gives you a lift as you go into this coming week. It is good to praise our God.
THE WORSHIP LINK IS HERE
notices follow below...

CHURCH NOTICES 
Wed. 13 Sept. 2pm: the Guild meets in the church as we begin a new session. Our guest speaker is Sylvia Russell, who'll be speaking on 'The history of the Clydesdale Horse'. All welcome.

Food Bank month: don’t forget that it’s a food bank month. In church, the box is in the vestibule and you can leave any donations there… and online, you can visit the Clydesdale food bank website, and make a donation that way, should you wish to do so. The link is on the right hand panel of our blog.

Sun. 1 Oct. 10.30am: Harvest Service and breakfast. We’re doing things a little differently in our church service this year… Rather than finishing with a simple harvest lunch, we’re starting with a simple harvest breakfast. The doors will be open from 9.30, serving a continental style breakfast, along with fruit, yoghurt, juice, tea and coffee. Do come along and bring others to share breakfast and blethers, and thereafter, our harvest service from 10.30.

Tues 12 Sept. 11am: funeral of Pam Dunn. It is with sadness that we say our final farewell to our friend, and member, Pam this week. After the service in the church there will be a committal at Holytown Crematorium, and thereafter, a funeral tea at Lanark Golf Club – to which everyone is very welcome to attend. Do please continue to keep Pam’s family in your prayers at this time.

These are all the notices. As you move into a new week, know that you take God's blessing with you.
Nikki

'Meals with the Messiah' wk 4: A meal to remember

WELCOME to worship where we end our 4 weeks of 'meals with the Messiah', thinking about the meal Jesus created for his followers. You'll find the WORSHIP LINK HERE and below, a copy of the church notices...

CHURCH NOTICES
Funeral of Pam Dunn: It's with sadness that I pass on the news of Pam Dunn's death. Her funeral will be held on Tuesday the 12th of September, 11am at the parish church. Please remember her family in your prayers...

September is food bank month where we're collecting items to donate to Clydesdale Food Bank and which will be uplifted with our Harvest donations. In church, the box is back in the vestibule to drop items in. Or, you can make a donation online by CLICKING ON THIS LINK Many thanks, in advance for your kindness. 

Sun 10 Sept. 10.30am: Songs of Praise service and Guild Dedication - If you've not yet sent your nominations for hymns for our Songs of Praise service, get them in quick: cut off is 7pm Wed evening.
We'll also be rededicating our Guild as they begin a new session.

Sun 1 Oct. 9.30am: Harvest Service - if you're able to join us in person this week, the doors will be open from 9.30 for a cheerful Harvest breakfast before we move from the hall into the worship space at 10.30 for our Harvest Service. Thanks in advance to our schools, who are preparing to make banners for us, as part of this year's decorations.
The church will be open on Saturday from 2pm-4pm for decorating, and for dropping in of harvest/ food bank items

News, updates, general information 24 July-9August

 MON 24 JULY - WED 9 AUGUST

Annual leave - during this period, the minister will be taking annual leave. During this time please contact:

• For funeral cover - The Rev. 
• For general parish queries - Ms Heather Watt on 

For worship - 

onsite: 

• 30 July - Pulpit supply provided by Mrs Jane Fucella 
• 6 August - Pulpit supply provided by Mr Denham Macdougall 

online: please visit our friends at -

• Biggar Parish Church - LINK 
• Dunfermline Abbey - LINK            
  
• Kirkton Parish Church - LINK        
  
• Hamilton Old Parish Church - LINK 

Guild Summer Outing - 25 July, to Durisdeer Kirk, followed by refreshments in Thornhill.

'Let's get growing' - for those of you around and about the parish, if you see herbs and various fruit ripening in our growing tubs around the church building, please do take some - it's to be shared as a community resource. The strawberries and raspberries are tasting rather good!! Blackberries just beginning to come in, as I type, and blueberries. There's plenty of parsley, mint, and chives. Help yourself - but don't forget to leave some for others.

Community Outreach Worker leave - please note that Angela Wilson, our Outreach Worker will also be on annual leave during this time, from 27 July to 9 August.

Worship Sun 21 May: 'We'll meet again' - Ascension Sunday

WELCOME to worship as we call to mind the ascension of Jesus. We encounter Jesus and the disciples just before he’s taken up to heaven…
It’s a story of mystery.
A story reminding us that, although Jesus is Son of Man, he is also Son of God.

You can go straight to the service over on our YouTube channel by using the WORSHIP LINK HERE.

Or, if you'd like to pause to check the church notices, they're copied below...
CHURCH NOTICES
John Rudder’s funeral will be held in the church at 2pm on Tuesday this week, followed by his committal at Leadhills Cemetery. All are welcome to come as we say our farewells to John, and to support his family.

This coming Sunday we celebrate Pentecost. Red is the colour for Pentecost, so why not join in the celebration either onsite or online by wearing something red.
Evening worship will be in Leadhills Village Hall. This month, we're starting the first of our ‘Iconic’ series – where we’ll be exploring God through sacred art.

Further ahead: Sun 4 June - formal Communion: all are welcome to come and share in the meal that Jesus created for his friends.
Also: Annual Stated Meeting will be held after the service, this, to receive our accounts, and give a review of the previous year.

These are all the notices for this week.

As you go into a new week, go gently, and go well, and be blessed.
Nikki