Worship Sun 27 March - Lent 4: 'Outrageous'

WELCOME/
Hello – and welcome to this 4^th Sunday in Lent, also the day on which Mothering Sunday falls: so we give thanks for all those who have nurtured us – whether through the bonds of family or the bonds of friendship. And, ironically, on this Mothering Sunday, we move further into Luke’s gospel and hear Jesus tell the story of a father and his two sons – in many ways, an ‘outrageous’ story...

As per usual, the church notices appear below for ease of reference, but, if you'd prefer to skip straight on to the service and just listen to them, you'll find the WORSHIP LINK HERE.

CHURCH NOTICES/
On the matter of Covid restrictions and attending on-site:
as of today, we no longer have to take names at the door. And, with the easing of restrictions, you can sit anywhere – but, it would be very prudent to maintain the 1 metre distancing rule, unless you’re in a bubble with others. Covid is still with us. Sth Lanarkshire is currently at 1 in 11 people catching Covid...so let’s be canny, shall we? At the moment, we are still required to wear face masks – and, when that regulation is eased, one very practical way of showing we love our neighbour is to continue to keep wearing them... but this will very much be a matter of individual choice... so whatever you decide to do on the matter of masks, let’s all try to be respectful of each other’s choices, even as we try to look out for each other. 

Funeral of Jenny Hodgen:
We're still to confirm exactly, and I'll update this as soon as I have confirmation hopefully on Monday. However, it looks like this will take place on Fri 1st April - a church service in the parish church at Abington, followed by graveside committal at Roberton.

Parish newsletter:
Proofs are now at the printers and we hope to have these by the end of the week, for mail out the following week.

Clydesdale food bank: 
Don’t forget that this month we’ve been flagging up the good work of Clydesdale food bank and encouraging you to help out a struggling neighbour by supporting this work. Onsite, the foodbank box is in the vestibule to leave food and other items, while, online, you can go to their website and make an online financial donation there. The link is on our 'links' section on the r-hand panel.

Evening worship: 
This evening, there’ll be an informal service of worship at Leadhills Village Hall at 5pm – and we’ll be looking at an encourager and champion of the faith, Margaret of Scotland. There’ll be refreshments and a chance to have a blether over a cuppa after the service.

Anna Chaplaincy Commissioning: 
This coming Saturday at 2pm in Douglas Parish Church, there’s a commissioning service for our Anna Chaplaincy ministry – a ministry shared between Upper Clyde, Douglas Valley, and Tinto Parishes. It’ll be a wee service to mark the official start of this ministry, after which tea will be across in the Bowling Club – if you can come, it would be lovely to see you there as we celebrate this first of its kind ministry in Scotland.

'Let's get growing': 
I’m delighted to say that we’ve managed to get some grant funding towards our ‘let’s get growing’ project for a second year – so keep an ear out for further plans in the very near future.

Worship Sun 19 Dec - Advent 4: 'love'

WELCOME/ Hello and welcome to  the gateway for our online service of worship. It's the fourth Sunday of Advent and the traditional theme is 'love'. We'll be focusing in on a meeting with cousins Elizabeth and Mary, as they meet together and catch up with each other's news and, we'll hear Mary great song of liberation and love the Magnificat. 
As ever, just for reference, I'll post the church notices below, but if you'd prefer to just go across to our youtube channel and listen to these in our 'welcome', that's fine. You'll find the WORSHIP LINK HERE.

CHURCH NOTICES/
There are quite a few...

Evening worship: there’s worship this evening at 5pm in Leadhills Village Hall – come along for some Christmas carols and some Christmas reflections... music will be provided by some of the members of Leadhills Silver Band.
And, in light of the First Minister's comments this week, just to emphasise that, as we do normally, we’ll be observing social distancing, we’ll have sanitiser at the door, and be operating a one way flow system, as well as wearing face masks – we want to continue to be as Covid-compliant as possible.

Morning tea after worship in the parish church: Given the First Minister’s statement about the need to be a little more vigilant because of the Omicron variant of Covid, we’ve decided to take a wee pause on morning tea through in the hall, just for the time being. We’ll revisit this decision at the end of January, just to see how things are then. However, if you’re willing, we could still have a self-catered version here in the worship part of the building: it’s a bigger space, so were not sitting quite as closely  together, and there’s more ventilation... 

If folk are happy to bring a flask of tea or coffee with them, we can stay for a blether in the [socially distanced] pews for a while after our time of worship has ended - I'll have individually wrapped biscuits separated out on the vestibule table, just pick a couple up as you come in for the service.

Let's get growing project - an update: As I mentioned last week, our ‘let’s get growing’ project has moved from seed potatoes to planting trees: Angela was able to secure 420 wild food tree saplings donated by the Woodland Trust and was wanting to rehome them all before Christmas. Well, just to say, all the trees have now been claimed, so thanks everyone for getting behind the project, and also, helping us to work a little towards reducing our carbon footprint within the parish. Well done.

Pastoral matters: Some sad news to share: which is that our friend and fellow church member, Jeri Crutcher died earlier in the week. Her funeral will be held at Elvanfoot Cemetery at 11am on Wed this week. Please do spare a prayer for Jeri’s family at this hard time.

Christmas worship: a reminder that, given the way Christmas falls this year, we’re not going to have our usual watchnight service in the church building – but I will make a simple online service available. This is because the Kirk Session and I felt it a little unfair to expect anyone to stay back and do deep cleaning after midnight on Christmas, or come in on Christmas day. Had there been a 72 hour gap, we would have been fine.
As it's not our custom to have a service on Christmas Day unless if falls on a Sunday, we'll be celebrating on Sunday the 26th with a bit of a carol-fest, some poems, and a wee story. And, because the 12 days of Christmas start on Christmas day, we’ll have the opportunity to sing a good few more carols the following week, and think about wise men journeying to Bethlehem from the east.

These are all our notices. I hope this time of worship encourages you on your journey of faith.
God bless
Nikki

Worship Sun 8 Aug: Ps 40 'The God who hears'

WELCOME/
Hello and welcome to our online time of worship. Over the next several weeks, we'll be spending time in the Book of Psalms - God's songbook - reflecting, in part, that for worship in person, we're now allowed to sing once more. This week, we look at life through the lens of the writer of Psalm 40, and, as we do, we discover the God who hears us...
NOTICES/
Several notices this week, which are covered in more detail in our online welcome across on youtube.
The first is just to note that there will be a one-off meeting of the Kirk Session to approve adjustments to our Covid forms, required by presbytery. We're hoping to get these sent off by Sunday evening.
Briefly, they reflect the changes to regulations regarding Covid - we're now below level 0.
So, congregational singing will be mentioned, changes relating to social distancing, the use of our hall for meetings, and preparing to reintroduce morning tea after worship. This all needs the tick of approval from presbytery before we can proceed.
Second: Don't forget, this coming Sunday - the 15th - is our Songs of Praise service, with hymns chosen by both online and in person worshippers. For those of you online, our service will look and sound a little different, as there'll be a lot more music!  
Last: A wee reminder about our upcoming car boot sale on Saturday the 21st of August. Come and join us for a celebration of decluttering, and finding new treasures. If you're looking to see, a pitch is £10 - just use the 'contact us' form on the r-h side of our blog and we'll make sure it gets to the right person. We're also looking for helpers... if you're able to help with baking or looking after the refreshment stall, stewarding, and such, do let us know via Janet Telfer 01864 504265.

OUR WORSHIP LINK IS HERE

Blessings on you for this coming week, 
Nikki

Worship Sun 18 July: 'Rest awhile'

WELCOME/
Hello and welcome to worship, where, after some rather hard-going Bible readings and worship themes, today, we reflect on Jesus' invitation to 'come away...and rest awhile.'
Our WORSHIP LINK IS HERE and notices are below.

CHURCH NOTICES/
The minister will be taking some annual leave from Mon 19 July to Thurs 4 August. During that time...
for general parish matters 19-25 July, contact: Heather Watt 01899 850211
26 July-4 Aug: Dee Yates 01864 504093
And, for urgent pastoral cover, contact: the Rev. Paul Grant 01698 373180.

Moira White - please keep Ali, Graham, and Andrew in your thoughts and prayers as they say their final farewells to Moira, who passed away last Sunday morning. The funeral will be held on Monday, 12pm, at Ruchan Loch Crematorium. Moira was the first Session Clerk of the new charge of Upper Clyde, in 2013, and served in that capacity for nearly five years. We are so thankful for her wisdom, and her faithful service, especially in that time of transition. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

Car boot sale - volunteers wanted. Our upcoming car boot sale is on the 21st of August. If you're able to help by providing home baking, or being there on the day to help with stewarding or tending to the refreshment stall, the tombola, or helping with the prize draw, we'd be so grateful. Please get in touch with Janet Telfer on 01864 504 265, and thanks in advance for your kind help.

Worship Sun 27 June: 'I'm holding out for a hero'

WELCOME/
Hello and welcome to worship!
We come to an end today of our brief series on David - we've been there for his beginnings, his highs, his lows, and today, we come full circle to his ending, as he passes on the torch to his son, Solomon.
What is a vital tool for kingship... we'll see what Solomon thinks as we delve into our text for today.

Meantime, as with the last couple of weeks, I'm very happily gathering up favourite hymn choices to be used in worship for when we move to level one and can sing... do keep them coming!
And, don't forget, as part of our 'Let's get growing' project, do please share any favourite recipes you have that feature the humble spud as the main ingredient - and hopefully, if we receive enough, we'll put them together in a wee booklet, or set of recipe cards.
In the next few weeks, you'll also be hearing a little more about another project that is currently in planning stages, so, keep your eyes and ears peeled for that.

Our WORSHIP LINK IS HERE

Hopefully, we might get some summer over the next couple of weeks [I confess, I'm still in cardigans and jumpers here!], but in the meantime, may you know the love and presence of God with you through this coming week.
God bless
Nikki 

Worship Sun 20 June - '#HerToo'

WELCOME/
Welcome to worship online, as we continue our short series on David. Last week, David hit a high point, defeating the great warrior, Goliath. This week, however, we meet David at what is his lowest point - the messy, sorry story of his encounter with Bathsheba. Years have passed, and David has realised the promise of his anointing by Samuel when a boy. Our story takes place about 10 years into his reign as king and we see David go from hero to zero through one fatal decision.

In the meantime, a couple of notices -
these from last week...
The theme is 'gathering'!
If you've not submitted any favourite hymn choices yet, there's plenty of time - these will be used when we get to level one of the COVID restrictions. So, do please get in touch and tell us what you'd like to be singing over the next wee while!
We're also gathering... recipes!
To go alongside our 'Let's get growing' potato project, we'd love you to share any recipes you have that feature as star the humble potato. We're hoping to put together some recipe cards or even create a wee potato recipe book, for later in the year when it's time for harvesting out potatoes. 
These are all the notices.

Our WORSHIP LINK IS HERE

May you know God's presence with you this week,
God bless
Nikki

Worship Sun 13 June: 'An underdog's tale'

 WELCOME/
Welcome to this week's time of worship, where we continue with our short series on David.
Last week, we met David, fresh from tending the family flocks, being anointed king by Samuel. To all gathered, David seemed a most unlikely choice for a king...
This week, as we continue journeying with David, we hear of his encounter with Goliath - that very well known Bible story, and a favourite of Sunday School teachers around the globe! 
If David was an unlikely choice for king, we find that when it comes to battle, he is very much the underdog... or is he?

NOTICES/
Just a couple of notices -
So many around the parish have jumped in to join the 'Let's get growing' community gardening project - tatties are being grown in most of our 9 villages, which is brilliant. Given this, Angela, our Community Outreach Worker, is wondering about putting together a wee recipe book, or set of recipe cards, with the humble potato as the star performer. So, what are your favourite potato recipes - simple or splendid - and, would you like to share them for inclusion in our recipe book?
If so, you can use the 'contact us' form, or make use of the comments feature, or email Angela at: abrydson@churchofscotland.org.uk 

And, our other notice: just a reminder to get your hymn selections in for inclusion in worship over the Sundays of July. We're very much hoping that by then, we'll be in level 1 and, for in-person worship, actually able to sing our hymns... but it doesn't stop those of you watching online worship to join in and share some of your favourite hymns for online worship. Please do get in touch and I'll see what we can do!

These are all the notices, so may this time of worship encourage you in your faith journey.
May you know God's presence with you this week...
You'll find our WORSHIP LINK HERE.

Until next time, God bless,
Nikki

Worship, Sun 6 June 'An unlikely choice'

WELCOME/
Welcome to our time of worship this week.
After pondering the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, and then, meditating upon the mystery of God - one, yet three - the holy Trinity, we move our focus this month to King David. Over these next four weeks, we'll be taking a whistle-stop tour of the life of David, exploring some highs, some lows, and his walk with God. What might we learn of God, and of our own walk of faith with God, as we reflect on David?

The WORSHIP LINK IS HERE

And, only the one church notice - which is, once we move to level 1 under the COVID regulations, we will be able to sing again in worship. If we move into level 1 in time [which I hope we can] over the 4 Sundays of July, it's over to you to choose the hymns for worship... both online and in-person. So, if you happen to have a particular favourite, do let me know and I'll see what we can do!

In the meantime, may you enjoy God's company with you this week, 
God bless,
Nikki

Worship Sun 30 May - Trinity Sunday

WELCOME/
Hello and welcome to another Sunday, and another opportunity
to gather online and worship our great and awesome and mysterious God.
Last week we recalled the coming of the Holy Spirit on that first Pentecost.
This week we ponder the mystery of the Trinity - God who is One, yet, Three.
You can find the WORSHIP LINK HERE

NOTICES/
A couple of notices - 
the first being that, subject to levels being lowered on schedule, the latest announcement
from the Scottish Gov't is that, should we move into level 1, we will be able to sing hymns -
albeit with our face masks still firmly on! So, should you turn up to worship in person from
Sun 13 June, we may be finally getting some congregational singing in! We wait and see.
One other piece of information to pass on, which is that over the 4 weeks of June, we'll be
doing a series on that notable character in the Bible, King David. What might we learn
from his relationship with God, his life, and some of the choices made on the way? 
Well, join us online or in person to find out.

In the meantime, may you be encouraged and nourished as you set this time aside for worship,
and may you feel God close beside over this week.
God bless
Nikki

Sun worship 23 May - Pentecost

WELCOME/
Hello and welcome to worship online on this Pentecost Sunday! We celebrate the 'birthday' of the church in our time of worship today, recalling and reflecting upon the coming of the Holy Spirit. We'll do so by taking a wee tour to a valley filled with dry bones - this from the Book of Ezekiel - and, then we hear the story of the disciples and of a mighty rushing wind and tongues of what looked like fire, resting on their heads... 
Unusually, there are no notices today, so, let's move straight on to our time of worship, which you can find by clicking ON THIS LINK.

And, as ever, I hope this time online is encouraging and helps to strengthen your faith, and put a spring in your step, as you travel along the way with Jesus.
Blessings on you this week,
Nikki

Worship Sun 16 May, 2021: 'Psalm 1 - Like a tree'

WELCOME/
Hello and welcome to worship on what is the last Sunday of the season of Easter. Next week, we celebrate the birthday of the church, Pentecost. But before we move into the celebrations, today, an opportunity for a gentler time of worship, as we contemplate the words of Psalm One, and of being grounded in God, the One in whom all our hope is founded, and grounded in God’s word...

CHURCH NOTICES/
Community Growing project - The potatoes have now been distributed far and wide. And, as we look ahead, we're planning on 'growing' this project. To reflect this, we're changing the name to:
'Let's get growing'.
Working in conjunction with Crawford and Elvanfoot Community Council, we've been given permission to develop a wee patch of ground at the southern end of Crawford.
And there are several things from this:
first - we are looking for donations of Black Hammerite metal paint. If anyone has any left over paint of this type, and would like to donate it please let us know!
And second - we're hoping to form a gardening group as part of the project. If you'd like to know more, and get involved, have a chat with Janice Reid or get in touch with our community worker, Angela on  07543 796820 or abrydson@churchofscotland.org.uk
And third, a date to put in your diary:
Crawford and Elvanfoot Community Council have arranged for the Five Sisters Zoo Nursery to visit the area on Saturday 5th June. So, if you’re free, come along and find out more about our Let’s Get Growing project. As soon as we know what time on Sat. we'll post it to the blog.

WORSHIP...
And, now, for our time of worship - the LINK IS HERE

Have a blessed week, take care, and God bless
Nikki

Worship Sun 9 May - Christian Aid service

WELCOME/
Hello and welcome to worship. This week we're marking the beginning of Christian Aid week. This year, the focus is on the climate crisis. While the climate crisis affects us all, it impacts most heavily on those with fewer resources and so our online and in person services will feature stories from people who Christian Aid has been helping.

CHURCH NOTICES/
Very few notices this week, but just to say a huge thank you to Heather and Ursula, who did an excellent job leading in person worship last week, while I was away on leave. 
It's been great to see how many folk have signed up for our community growing project - and I caught a wee glimpse of photos of Lamington Primary students busily planting their tatties, and looking like they were having a good time of it as well. Thanks to all our other schools, and those of you in the community who've jumped on board with this project. I'm excited to see just how many potatoes we can grow, and give to the food bank.
As it's Christian Aid Week, should you wish to make a donation to their very good work, you can find a LINK HERE that will take you to their online donations page.

These are all the notices, so, may you all know God's blessing this week, and may this time of worship inspire and encourage you.
The WORSHIP LINK IS HERE 

Church notices, 2 May, 2021

Minister on annual leave - I’ll be on annual leave from 26th April up to and including 5th May. For any general parish queries while I’m off, please get in touch with Heather Watt  and, urgent pastoral cover will be provided by the Rev. George Shand via 

Worship Sun 2 May - Our in-person service will be done ‘in-house’, so thanks to Heather and to Ursula for conducting worship And here, online, why not pop across to the Church of Scotland website where you'll find a variety of worship services to choose from around Scotland... Here's the link 

Christian Aid Week - Christian Aid week is just around the corner – beginning on Sunday the 9th of May, and we’ll be observing that in both online and in-person worship services.

Worship Sun 25 April - 'An adventure in trust'

WELCOME
Hello and welcome to worship!  

It’s the 4th Sunday of the season of Easter – 

traditionally thought of as Good Shepherd Sunday.
Given our rural context, we'll be picking up this theme, and thinking about the One who is the great shepherd of the sheep, Jesus.

Below, you'll find a slew of church notices, which will also be given within our worship online, so, if you want to skip these for the moment, and go straight across to our time of worship, the WORSHIP LINK IS HERE.

CHURCH NOTICES

Ordination of Janice Reid to the eldership - 

At our in-person service in the church building, we’ll be ordaining Janice into the eldership,
welcoming her to serve on our Kirk Session.

For those who aren't able to attend this morning's service, some of you have asked if this might
be recorded. Janice has agreed to this, and I'll put it up at some point today - I'll edit this post to include a link.  [this is now up in the playlist, so just use the worship link to access it]

Anyway, some very happy and welcome news for our small community.

And I’d ask your prayers for Janice, as she steps into this new way of following in faith,
and in service to Jesus, our Good Shepherd.

Minister on annual leave -

As of tomorrow, I’ll be taking some annual leave from 26th April up to and including 5th May.

For any general parish queries while I’m off, please get in touch with Heather Watt 01899 850211

and, urgent pastoral cover will be provided by the Rev. George Shand via 01899 309400.

Worship this coming Sunday -
Our in-person service will be done ‘in-house’, so thanks in advance to Heather and to Ursula for conducting worship next week.

And here, online, I’ll put up suggested links for those of you who are worshipping in this way.
Christian Aid Week -
Christian Aid week is just around the corner – beginning on Sunday the 9th of May, and we’ll be observing that in both online and in-person worship services. 

These are all our notices.
May you know God's blessing throughout this week, 
Nikki

Worship Sun 18 April: 'What's your resurrection story?'

 WELCOME/
Welcome to worship with Upper Clyde Parish – 
and, don't forget, we meet both online, and in-person, so, which ever way you're worshipping God, it is always good to praise him, the God of new beginnings.
We continue to take time in this Easter season, to reflect upon that great event, so central to our faith, the resurrection of Jesus. Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve explored the resurrection through the eyes of John’s gospel. This week, we move across to Luke, to see what the view looks like from there.

Before we do, there’s just the one church notice, which is to alert you to the following edict from presbytery – concerning the upcoming ordination to the eldership of Janice Reid...
EDICT FOR ORDINATION AND ADMISSION OF ELDERS:
‘Janice Reed, member of this congregation, has been elected to be a ruling elder; Janice has accepted office as an elder: if anyone has any objections why she should not be ordained to office, they may state their objection at a meeting of the Kirk Session in Upper Clyde Church immediately following worship today, the 18^th of April, 2021 – which will be outside and fully covid-compliant; if no relevant objection regarding life or doctrine is made and substantiated, the Kirk Session will proceed to the ordination, which, subject to the said objections, will be scheduled for Sunday 25 April, 2021.’

That's all the church notices for the moment, so, to worship.
You'll find the LINK HERE

May your time in worship encourage, bless, and recharge you.
Have a good week, 
God bless
Nikki

Worship Sun 11 April: 'Those who have the faith, have the fun'

WELCOME/
It's the first Sunday after Easter Sunday, but the season of Easter continues...
This week, we move from the morning of that first Easter day, into early evening and an upper room filled with puzzled disciples... apart from Thomas who seems to be off getting the messages!
Our time of worship will focus in on our friend, Thomas, and we'll spend a little time reflecting on why his story directly impacts upon us - indeed helps us a great deal, as followers of Jesus from a time many centuries on.
Church notices are below, and our WORSHIP LINK IS HERE to go across to our YouTube channel for our time of online worship. May it be a blessing and an encouragement as you journey in faith.

NOTICES/
Church building - don't forget, we are now able to worship in a COVID-compliant way in our church building. Check the tab above ['COVID reopening of church'] to see what you need to do... and the first thing is to book a seat. Meanwhile, online worship will also run parallel for those who can't make it along in person.

Ordination to the eldership of Janice Reid - We're delighted to finally be able to ordain Janice to the eldership and welcome her to membership of the Kirk Session.

In accordance with Church of Scotland regulations, I’m required to read out the following edict

both this week and next week:

EDICT FOR ORDINATION AND ADMISSION OF ELDERS:

‘Janice Reed, member of this congregation, has been elected to be a ruling elder; 

Janice has accepted office as an elder: 

if anyone has any objections why she should not be ordained to office,

they may state their objection at a meeting of the Kirk Session in 

Upper Clyde Church on 18 April, 2021 immediately following worship; 

if no relevant objection regarding life or doctrine is made and substantiated, 

the Kirk Session will proceed to the ordination, which, 

subject to the said objections, will be scheduled for Sunday 25 April, 2021.’

Community Growing project -
And finally, just a reminder about our new project.

Over the course of the pandemic many folk within communities across Scotland found themselves struggling to put food on their table – more and more folk were needing help from food banks.

Although the food parcels themselves are a great help, they tend to be tinned and packaged food,
... no fresh veg.

So, as part of a response to this, the idea of a community growing project was mooted.

We’re kicking it off this year, and keeping it simple to start.

If anyone would like to grow potatoes - some or all of which could then be given away to the Clydesdale food bank, do let us know.

We were successful in getting some funding to provide seed potatoes and a growing sack, plus there’s a limited supply of compost available. 

For those with the space, you can choose to use the grow bag, or just plant in the garden,

and for those with less space, a grow bag doesn’t take up much room.

Our five primary schools have signed up, which is fab, and if you’d like to sign up for a tatties and a grow bag, do get in touch with either me, or Angela our Community Worker – by 18th April.
Angela's details: 07543 796820 or abrydson@churchofscotland.org.uk

Worship Sun 4 April, Easter Sunday

WELCOME/
A very joyous Easter to you all -
Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!
Alleluia!

And on this Easter Sunday, after a year and two weeks of having our church building closed because of lockdown, what better day in the church year than to be able to open the doors once more for in-person worship. Online worship will also continue because we still live in 'interesting' times, and there are those among you who may not be able to attend for a number of reasons.
Worship in the building will see quite a few changes, as we are very much focused upon being COVID-compliant. But whether we gather in person or online, we still worship the God who knows us by name, the great life-giver and light-bringer.

You can find our WORSHIP LINK HERE.

And below, a couple of notices....

CHURCH NOTICES/
Church building reopening - please see the COIVD-19 REOPENING OF CHURCH BUILDING tab directly above the blog post for information about what to do in order to attend, and what to do while attending. You will have to book, because we can only fit 15 people in at a socially distanced space.

Community growing project - 
We are starting a new project, so for all of you who enjoy a bit of gardening, check this out....
Here’s a note from Angela, our Community Outreach worker:
She says -
The pandemic has highlighted that many in communities across the country are struggling to put food on their table.  As part of a response to this we would like to develop a Community Growing Project, which could eventually link into other growing projects regionally. 

For this year we plan to keep it simple and grow potatoes which can be given to Clydesdale Foodbank.  We have successfully applied for funding to provide seed potatoes and a growing sack.  There is a limited supply of compost available.  Alternatively, you can use your own resources.   

To add a bit of competition to the project we want to see which community has grown the most potatoes, so when you harvest your potatoes, weigh them, and let Angela know your address.
If you wish to be involved in this project, please let Angela know by Sunday 18^th April.
abrydson@churchofscotland.org.uk or 07543 796820. 
This is to ensure the potatoes can be distributed by the end of April. 

These are all our notices for the moment...
May you have a very blessed Easter, however you're spending,
God bless,
Nikki

Good Friday: 'Seven last words from the Cross'

 Across on our YouTube channel, you'll find a short service of reflection.

Let us walk this last part of the Lenten and Holy Week journey as we stand by the foot of the Cross and contemplate the last words of Jesus...

WORSHIP LINK

Reflection: Maundy Thursday, in a time of pandemic

Maundy Thursday, in a time of pandemic...  

This Maundy Thursday,
there’ll be no shared meal around a table
for there’d be more
than two households who’d gather;
no washing of feet,
nor a beloved disciple coorying in;
no touching, no hugging—
and where a kiss is a betrayal
on a variety of levels.

In a time of pandemic,
when simple touch
can lead to death,
how then to show God’s love,
to do as Jesus has done for us?

Loving one another is:
a facemask worn;
the skoosh of sanitiser,
falling cool upon hands
when making entries and exits;
making space—
at least two metres.

There are other ways to practice love—
to touch hearts without touching:
be deliverers of medicines,
of food,
of news,
or, stay home—
for that, too, is an act of loving service.

Support the local food bank.
Phone a friend,
ask them how they really are—
and give the gift of listening
when, timidly, they tiptoe past ‘fine’
and move into harder honesty.

This Maundy Thursday,
we follow the command to love
by touching other’s lives...
without touching.

COVID-19 Building reopening update - Easter Sunday

AS OF 7.30PM WED 31 MARCH,

WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN PERMISSION TO REOPEN THE CHURCH BUILDING FOR WORSHIP - 

FOR EASTER SUNDAY

Having had the building closed for just over a year now with all worship moved to online, we are delighted that we can open the building on Easter Sunday - quite resonant with symbolism. In accordance with all the regulations, we are ensuring that we run a COVID compliant operation, so it won't quite be back to worship 'as usual'. Below, you'll find what needs to be done at the moment in order to be able to attend worship...