Monday, 29 May 2023

Combined car boot sale and coffee morning

COMING SOON - 17 JUNE:
our combined
CAR BOOT SALE
AND
COFFEE MORNING!

In the run up to our fundraising event, if you're able to help by providing items of baking, donations of goods for the tombola, give of your time to help set up/ put away/ serve on the day...
then we'd love to hear from you.

Together, let's make this both a 'funraiser' and a fundraiser of a community event!

And do, please share this on social media.
Many thanks.

 

Sunday, 28 May 2023

Worship Sun 28 May: Pentecost

WELCOME to worship - it's Pentecost Sunday and we're remembering the coming of the promised Holy Spirit and celebrating the birthday of the Church.

Notices are copied below... but to go straight across to the service, the WORSHIP LINK IS HERE

CHURCH NOTICES
Evening worship
 is happening in Leadhills Village hall tonight at 5pm, where we'll be exploring God through sacred art, in what's being called our 'Iconic' service. Curious to find out more? Come along and see... and then stay for a cuppa and a blether afterwards. All welcome.

Sun 4 June 
Communion, 10.30am - our quarterly Communion service will be held onsite in the parish church at Abington. All are welcome to come and share in the meal that Jesus created for his friends.
Annual Stated Meeting - this will be held immediately after our service. A chance to review this last year and to receive the annual accounts. If you're able, please do come along.

Looking ahead
Sat. 17 June, 10am-1pm
 Car boot sale and coffee morning - this will be held at the parish church in Abington. Details below on the poster. If you're able to help by providing baking for the coffee morning, serving, etc. we would so appreciate it. Also, if you've any items you think would be useful to put into a tombola, we'd love to receive them! Thanks in advance....
Monies raised will be shared between Clydesdale Food Bank and Upper Clyde Church.


Sunday, 21 May 2023

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

Sunday, 14 May 2023

Worship - Christian Aid Sunday 2023

WELCOME to our time of worship, on this Christian Aid Sunday. 
If you want to go straight to the service, the  
WORSHIP LINK IS HERE

Church notices are below...

CHURCH NOTICES
Funeral of John Rudder: for those who've not heard, just to say that our friend, John Rudder has recently died. There’s been a little delay around a date for his funeral but I can confirm that it will now be held in the church on Tuesday the 23rd, at 2pm, and thereafter, his committal will be at 3pm in Leadhills cemetery. If you’re able to come along to the service, I’m sure his family would very much appreciate your support.

 Car boot sale and coffee morning: Looking further ahead: a date for the social diary – a wee community event. We’ll be having a car boot sale and coffee morning on Saturday, the 17th of June from 10am to 1pm. I’ll be getting posters printed shortly for this. If you know of anyone who might like a pitch, Heather Craig will be coordinating that. And, a wee request to our bakers… if you’d be willing to do some baking for this, that would be very much appreciated!! Also, if you happen to have any items you’d be willing to donate towards a tombola, that would be great. As with last time we did this, monies raised will be split between Clydesdale foodbank and the church. 

Have a great week, 
God bless,
Nikki




Sunday, 7 May 2023

Worship Sun 7 May: 'Living Stones'

WELCOME to worship on this coronation weekend. This week, we'll be exploring the theme of 'living stones' - Christ as the living stone, and the call to us to be his living stones. What might that look like in our everyday lives... and what might the coronation have to do with any of this?

Our WORSHIP LINK IS HERE

CHURCH NOTICES
Guild AGM
 - the Guild meets in the church this week, on Wed.  at 2pm for its AGM. All are welcome to come along for this final meeting of the Guild for this session. Refreshments in the hall afterwards.

Christian Aid Sunday - this coming Sunday is Christian Aid Sunday, which we'll be marking with a special service both onsite and online. There'll also be opportunities to donate to this great organisation to help with the work they do on behalf of some of the most vulnerable people at home and abroad.

No other notices this week. As you move into a new week, may you know God walking alongside you.
Until next time, God bless,
Nikki

Sunday, 30 April 2023

Worship Sun 30 April: Good Shepherd Sunday

WELCOME to worship on this Good Shepherd Sunday – a special time of year, where, in the busyness of the lambing that’s going on all around us in our parish, we pause to reflect on Jesus, our Good Shepherd. 

The church notices are copied below, for ease of reference. 
And to move straight across to our service on YouTube the WORSHIP LINK IS HERE

CHURCH NOTICES/
Several rounds of thanks:

And the first is to say a massive thank you to everyone who helped in some way with Mary Hamilton’s funeral – what a great team you all are, and I’m sure the family felt very supported. I hope you all know just how much I appreciate you all and, given I was away, I’m so very thankful to you all for pitching in.

Last week, we big a fond farewell to our friend, Bill Buchan, who has been with us over these last couple of years providing pulpit cover when I’ve been away. Thanks to Ursula for saying a few words of thanks on behalf of us all, and presenting him with some tokens of our appreciation. And as he winds down, we do wish him well as he takes a very well earned rest from all his labours.

And one more wee note of thanks – and that’s to our small posse of gardeners yesterday, who gave of their time and skills to do some planting around the church building. I’m looking forward to seeing how the trees and plants progress over the rest of the year – and also hoping the deer don’t go ‘yum, dinner!’ 

Looking ahead, I’d like to flag up Christian Aid Sunday – which is on the 14th of May this year. There’ll be the opportunity during the service (onsite) to donate to the great work Christian Aid does – and for those of you who watch online, I’ll include the web address that you can link to, should you wish to make a donation.

Monday, 10 April 2023

News, announcements, and information 10 - 25 April

 Hello everyone, just some info and updates for the period between Mon 10th - Tues 25th April....

The minister will be unavailable from the above time: 

  • For any general parish queries, please get in touch with our Session Clerk, Dr Dee Yates on 
  • For any urgent pastoral matters, please contact the Rev. 
  • Worship cover will be provided onsite by the Rev. Bill Buchan. Online why not use these two weeks as an opportunity to visit some of the following:
    Biggar Parish Church - LINK 
    Dunfermline Abbey - LINK            
    Kirkton Parish Church - LINK        
    Hamilton Old Parish Church - LINK 
Mary Hamilton - Thanks to all who attended the funeral of our church member and friend, Mary Hamilton, on Wed. 12th April - your presence and support was most appreciated by the family. Please do continue to remember Mary's family at this sad time. Thanks, as well, to those who helped with stewarding and parking of cars.

Sat. 29 April, 10am - 'let's get growing' at church - a gardening morning at the church, potting up plants, some wild fruiting trees, and getting some 'incredible edibles' planted to be available for common use. All are welcome to come along - bring a snack, and we'll get the kettle boiled as needed!

The Guild has rescheduled its meeting this month and will now meet for its AGM on Wed. 10th May at 2pm in the church.

Sunday, 9 April 2023

Worship - Easter Sunday 'Earth, tell it out abroad'

WELCOME and a happy Easter to you! Christ is risen, hallelujah! He is risen indeed. 
We've made it through Lent, and Holy Week, and arrived at Easter Day...
Let's celebrate our risen Lord.

Church notices follow below..

CHURCH NOTICES
Minister's annual leave: 10th - 25th April. 
I’ll be back at work once again from Wed the 26th…
While I’m away, we’ll be welcoming back our old friend, the Rev. Bill Buchan, who’s agreed to cover both our Sunday mornings. Over these two Sundays, we’ll also be welcoming back our friend, Shenna Fox, who’ll be playing the organ for us. So, a chance to dust off our hymn books!!
During this time, for any general parish queries, please get in touch with our Session Clerk, Dr Dee Yates on 01864 504 093.
For any urgent pastoral matters, please contact the Rev. Mike Fucella, of Biggar Kirk on 01899 229291 or by email at - mfucella@churchofscotland.org.uk

Funeral of Mary Hamilton - Most of you should now know the details for Mary Hamilton’s funeral – but just to confirm that the service will be held in the church at 11.30am on Wednesday the 12th. It’s going to be conducted by the Rev. George Shand, who is known to a number of you – and, who Mary knew through the Guild. After the service, there’ll be a funeral tea up at the Elphinstone Hotel in Biggar….

Guild AGM rescheduled - One more notice, which is that the Guild AGM has been rescheduled from this Wednesday, and will now be held on Wed. 10th May at 2pm.

A post will go up on Monday with these, and other notices...
In the meantime, a joyful and blessed Easter to you all,
God bless
Nikki

Sunday, 2 April 2023

Worship: Palm Sunday - 'An old, old story'

WELCOME to worship on this Palm Sunday …

We’ve walked with Jesus through the wilderness over these weeks of Lent, following in the footsteps of our ancestors in the faith and hearing ancient stories.
As we did so, we recalled that God’s people are a people on the move.
And so, we accompany Jesus, the word of life, on this last part of the journey:
today, we stand at the gates of Jerusalem… 

The WORSHIP LINK IS HERE

CHURCH NOTICES/
Some hard news this week. For those who may not have heard yet, our friend, and church member, Mary Hamilton passed away, quietly at home, on Monday morning. It was unexpected and has been a shock to both Mary's family and friends. Once I have details of the funeral, I'll make sure to post it here on the blog, and, to ensure it's passed on in other ways as well. The only thing that I can say is that it will be at some point after Easter. 
In the meantime, I'm sure our thoughts and prayers are already with Mary’s family in their time of loss.

Online, on Good Friday, I'll put up a meditation that we used last year, to help us with our personal prayer and reflection. 
On Sunday, on site, our Easter Service will be at the usual worship time of 10.30am, and there'll also be an online service to accompany it.

As you move through Holy Week 2023, may it be a time of connection, and reflection, and may you find yourself drawing nearer to the heart of God.

Every blessing

Nikki

Saturday, 25 March 2023

Worship, Sun 26 March

Hi everyone... just a wee note about worship this week...
It's a pulpit swap week here at Upper Clyde, 26 March. I'll be across at the Douglas and Rigside congregations sharing the sacrament of communion with them. Meanwhile, onsite at Upper Clyde, we welcome back Mr Denham MacDougall - Interim Moderator for Douglas Valley congregations, and an elder at Cairngryffe Parish Church. We also welcome back Shenna Fox, who has kindly agreed to play for the service.

Given the swap, there will not be an online service from Upper Clyde. However, you might like to explore the following online worship options: 
Biggar Parish Church - LINK 
Dunfermline Abbey - LINK            
Kirkton Parish Church - LINK        
Parishes of Upper Tweed - LINK 

Normal service options are back this coming week, 2 April, which is Palm Sunday....

Don't forget that we're still accepting donations for the Clydesdale foodbank.... Thanks in advance for your support.

Sunday, 19 March 2023

Worship Sun 19 March, Lent wk 4: Moving in a mysterious way

WELCOME/ Hello – and welcome to worship. We’re continuing on in our journey through Lent and this week we find ourselves with Ezekiel in a valley filled with dry bones, asking ‘can these bones live?’

If you'd like to go straight across to the service on YouTube you'll find the  WORSHIP LINK HERE

Copied below are our church notices:
This is our support your local food bank month. So, if you’d like to take the opportunity to donate food and other items, they can either be dropped into the box in the church vestibule, or to me at the manse. Alternatively, you can also donate through the webpage HERE 

Next week, there’ll be a pulpit swap, as I head across to the congregations of the Douglas Valley to share communion with them. Visiting onsite will be Denham MacDougall – who’s an elder at Cairngryffe and also the interim moderator for Douglas Valley and who some of you already know. Given this, there’ll be no online worship from Upper Clyde, but I’ll put some links to other online services if you’re not able to be with us onsite.

The parish newsletter has been put together and is now at the printers. These will be mailed out to those of you who are members, and spare copies will be available in the hall, as well as in the village stores at Abington and Leadhills, plus at the Abington community hub. I’ve already put an online version of the newsletter up on our blog, if you’d like to access it that way. Just look above this post at the tabs and click on 'Easter newsletter '23'

As we continue our journey through Lent, have a good week!

God bless
Nikki

Thursday, 16 March 2023

Easter Newsletter 2023

Hi everyone, 
just to flag up that a copy of our Easter newsletter can be found on the dedicated page in the tabs above... but to make life quicker and easier, just click on the LINK HERE to take you straight there!
Hard copies of the newsletter will be posted to those on the membership roll...

Sunday, 12 March 2023

Worship Sun 12 March 'Moving in circles' - Lent wk 3

WELCOME to our time of worship this week. We're moving further into Lent and this week, we're 'moving in circles' as we hear the story of Moses and the Israelites wandering and wondering in the wilderness.

WORSHIP LINK HERE

CHURCH NEWS 
Food bank: just a reminder that this month is a donations month for our local food bank. If you have any food, toiletries, or other items to donate, please drop them off at the manse, or the box in the vestibule at church on any Sunday morning during March. Alternatively, you can donate online via this LINK 

Cluster conversations: our next meeting to discuss the presbytery plan will be online, via zoom, at 7pm this week. The link will be emailed to all rep's.

In the meantime, have a great week.

God bless,
Nikki

Sunday, 5 March 2023

Worship Sun 5 March - Lent 2: 'Moving on'

WELCOME to worship where we continue our Lent theme
‘On the move’.  
Last week, we were moving out… out of the garden with Adam and Eve and into an unlooked for, unwanted, and unknown future. This week, we’re moving on, this time, by invitation: with Abram and his family – as take a step of faith, and make a journey into the unknown.

Church notices are copied below, and our 
WORSHIP LINK IS HERE 

CHURCH NOTICES/
Congregational meeting today - onsite in the parish church we'll be having a congregational meeting to discuss the presbytery plan. For those of you worshipping online and who are members, or, who live within the parish bounds, we want to make sure you get to have your say as well. If you have any questions, or would like to share your thoughts, get in touch with me - Nikki - either by phone, or email, or via the 'contact us' link to the right of this page. We want to hear from as many of you as possible.

Church newsletter - just a reminder that the deadline for our Easter newsletter is coming up: if you have any items for inclusion, please send them to Dee or myself by 1pm this coming Sunday the 12th March. Thanks.

Bereavement support group - we meet on Thursday at 1.30pm in the Abington Community Hub. 

Kirk Session - meets online via zoom on Thursday at 7pm. Link will be emailed out.

Foodbank donations this month - 
as this is a month in which we have a formal communion, you’re invited to make a donation to the Clydesdale foodbank over any of the Sundays in March. You can do this by dropping in items in the box under the vestibule table, at the manse, or by making a donation online via their website…. at CLYDESDALE FOOD BANK DONATIONS

As you move on, into another week of Lent, be blessed and take care,
Nikki

Sunday, 26 February 2023

Worship Sun 26 Feb: 1st Lent: 'Moving Out'

WELCOME to this first Sunday in the season of Lent:
As Lent is a time when we think of walking with Jesus, and the journey of faith, over these next weeks of Lent we’ll be a people ‘On the move’ – our Lenten theme for 2023.
To help us as we travel, we’ll be exploring some passages from the Old Testament and we start in a garden where some choices are being made...

Today, we’re thinking about ‘moving out’.

If you'd prefer to go straight across to worship, the WORSHIP LINK IS HERE.

For reference, notices are copied below.

CHURCH NOTICES/ 
Let’s get growing:
this afternoon, at the manse, between 1 and 3pm, you’re welcome to come along, pick up a bag of compost and collect a variety of vegetable seeds … so, grow your own veg, or grow them for the food bank… but whatever you choose to do: let’s get our community gardening project up and running again for the year – let’s get growing!

Evening worship & informal communion: It’s the last Sunday of the month, and at 5pm, at Leadhills Village Hall, we’ll be having a quiet evening communion with taize chants. So, come along, if you’re able, and get your Lent off to a gentle and contemplative start. There’ll be time for a cuppa and a blether after and all are welcome to come.

Funeral of Nan Steele: On Friday morning, this week, we’ll be saying our goodbyes to Nan Steele in the church, as we commit her to God. The funeral will be at 10am, followed by her interment at Crawfordjohn cemetery. 

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: Friday afternoon, at 2.30, Upper Clyde will be meeting up with our friends at Rigside, in their community hall, to share together a service in this week of prayer for Christian Unity. If you’d like to go – and need a lift, get in touch with Heather Watt. 

Communion: This coming Sunday will be our quarterly communion – it is the table of the Lord and all are welcome to the feast. Please do let friends and neighbours know. 

Congregational meeting: after the service next week, we’ll be having a congregational meeting – this to discuss the potential presbytery plan and our conversations with our neighbours in Douglas Valley and Cairngryffe parishes – again, please tell anyone you know who might be interested to come along. This is the time for everyone to have their say as we look ahead to the future.

As you journey into Lent, may you know God's blessing.
Take care and have a good week!

Nikki

Sunday, 19 February 2023

Worship Sun 19 Feb: Transfiguration Sunday

WELCOME/ Along with many congregations around the world, today we’re marking the ‘transfiguration’ of Jesus: remembering that strange and mysterious story from the gospels in which Jesus walks up a mountain, taking Peter, James, and John and where a dazzling brightness falls upon him and there, in the midst, he meets with Moses and Elijah. One of those passages that remind us that while Jesus is human, he’s also divine – Son of God.

There are a lot of notices, all copied below for ease of reference.
If you'd like to go straight across to our time of worship
THE WORSHIP LINK IS HERE 


CHURCH NOTICES/

Lent begins: This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season we call ‘Lent’ –
a traditional time of preparation as we mark the weeks leading up to holy week and Easter. Last week I flagged up the possibility of having a Lent discussion group. If you’d like to take part, do let me know and we’ll begin this the week beginning Sunday the 26th at some point that’s suitable for all.

Parish newsletter: The Easter edition of our newsletter is now being prepared. If you have any Easter-related items that you’d like to include, please do get in touch with Dee our editor, or myself - you can make use of the 'contact us' feature to the right hand side of the blog page.
The deadline for submission is 1pm Sunday the 12th of March.

Let's get growing - again: Our ‘let’s get growing’ community gardening project is starting up once again. If you'd like a free bag of compost and a package containing several packs of different vegetable seeds, you can collect these from the manse on Sunday afternoon the 26th of February, between 1 and 3pm.

Upcoming funeral: I’m sad to announce the death of Nan Steele who died on Thursday evening. For those of you who would like to attend: Nan’s funeral will be in the church at 10am on Friday the 3rd of March, followed by her committal at Crawfordjohn cemetery. Notices will go up closer to the time.

Presbytery plan update: On Thursday, we had the first of our online cluster conversations discussing the presbytery plan, exploring a way forward with our neighbouring parishes of Douglas Valley and Cairngryffe to work together more closely - with a view to forming a possible union. Essentially, we're wondering about creating a rural 'maxi' parish, as each congregation has shared rural interests, and, since 2018, have been working as an informal parish grouping, each sharing our community outreach worker.

In our first meeting, with rep's from each congregation, we used what’s known as the 5 marks of mission to help frame our conversation.
The first half of the meeting was given over to each of the congregations represented to outline the different activities in their church life that fit under each of these 5 marks. The second half was spent looking at these and highlighting what we shared in common, as well as possible things that we might be able to do together, that we can’t quite do now, as individual congregations.
So basically, first, a bit of a stock take, and then a where to from here working together.

The next step is over to each congregation for the next few weeks, for our own conversations together –I’ll be putting up a dedicated page on our blog that you can access – to keep you in the loop, and also, in order for you to make your own comments, or give feedback, and such.
Essentially, what we did on Thursday night was to help get us started but the conversation involves all of us – so please do feel free to have your say – whether it’s thru the blog, or in person after worship over a cuppa, or even by just giving me a phone call.
More formally, we can do this onsite by having a congregational meeting after worship:
on Sunday the 5th of March – which is communion Sunday. So, a date for your diaries.
After worship, we can go through to the hall and have the meeting over a cuppa.

What happens then? There'll be another joint meeting of the three congregations online at 7pm Thurs 16th of March, where each of us will be bringing back any feedback, questions, and concerns. We'll then explore how working together as a union - with our various interests - might work. So, looking at possible systems and structures.
Out of this meeting, we hope to have enough information to draw up a draft plan to submit to presbytery for their consideration. This proposal is to be submitted on the 31st of March.

At each stage, we'll be keeping you informed, and, should you wish to join the next joint meeting, do get in touch... it's open to all members who are interested.

Phew!! And with that, may you find our time of worship an encouragement as you begin a new week.
Take care and God bless,

Nikki


Sunday, 12 February 2023

Worship Sun 12 Feb: 'Dedicated to the One I love'

WELCOME/ Hello and welcome to worship where, this coming week, love is in the air:
St Valentine’s Day is upon us. So, our worship this week is dedicated to the One we love…

To go straight to YouTube for our service, the WORSHIP LINK IS HERE.

And, for ease of reference our church notices follow below:

CHURCH NOTICES/
Presbytery plan -
'Cluster conversations': 
on Thursday evening at 7pm there’ll be an online conversation with our neighbours from the Douglas Valley congregations, and from Cairngryffe. This will focus in on exploring ways of looking to the future and how we might better work together – and underpinning all of this is the potential presbytery plan. This meeting is open to anyone within the congregation to attend, so if you’d like to join and hear what’s happening, and have your say, do let me know – you can join either by computer, or, use your phone. I’ll give you the details you’ll need to do so.
Following that meeting...
There will be further opportunities for more informal conversations within our own congregation and community over the weeks following. These will help feed into the next joint cluster conversation - which will be held in a further 4 week's time at 7pm, Thurs 16 March…
So: what are your hopes and dreams for our parish as we look to the future… here’s your chance to reflect and pray and have your say!

Possible Lent discussion group: I know this is rather late in the day...
If anyone would be interested in having the opportunity to form a discussion group over the weeks of Lent, do let me know.
We’ll either meet in person or online, or, find a way of doing both… a hybrid meeting, if you like. I’m looking at a book by Sheila Cassidy as a possible base for discussion, and it’ll cost £5.99. If you’d like me to order a copy for you, just get in touch and I can arrange it.

Easter newsletter: we’re now in the early stages of preparing our Easter newsletter, and as ever, we're on the lookout for items you might like to share. If you’ve particular memories of an Easter past, or a favourite Easter hymn you’d might like to share your thoughts on, or anything Easter related – quizzes, puzzles, a prayer or poem or favourite food or recipe do get in touch with Dee Yates, our editor, or myself – we’d be delighted to have your input! You can get in touch using the 'contact us' form to the right side of the blog page. For those of you who join us online from overseas - perhaps you have a favourite Easter tradition you'd like to share with us - we'd love to hear from you.
The deadline to get items in is by 1pm on Sunday the 12th of March – so, in four week’s time.
The newsletter will hopefully be out and available the week before Palm Sunday... and online shortly thereafter. (if you look above at the various tabs, you'll currently see 'Christmas newsletter' - the Easter newsletter will have its own dedicated tab).

As you move into a new week, the Lord bless you and keep you, and may you walk in the knowledge of God's love.
Nikki

Sunday, 5 February 2023

Worship Sun 5 Feb - 'Shine'

WELCOME/ 
 Hello – and welcome to worship. Today, we’re focusing in on the subject of light – and letting our light shine.

To go straight across to our worship video the WORSHIP LINK IS HERE.

And for church notices, please see below....

CHURCH NOTICES/ 
The Guild is meeting on Wednesday this week, at 2pm in the church building – if you’re able to come along it would be lovely to see you. 

Kirk Session - A reminder to all members of the Kirk Session that we’ve a meeting on Thurs evening at 7pm – we meet online by zoom, and I’ll send out the link by email later in the week. 

Presbytery plan - Just to flag up to everyone, not just session members: during our session meeting we’ll be having a wee discussion about the proposed timetable and process for us and our neighbours when it comes to having another go at getting a presbytery plan in place. As part of the ongoing process, we'll be joining with our neighbours for conversations concerning potential plans and where we all might fit within these. If you'd like to be a part of these conversations, let me know, and once we've settled on some dates to get together (for the most part, probably via 'zoom' online), I'll let you know.

Concerning ongoing presbytery conversations and the potential plan (mark II), I hope to have some information around about or just after Easter… and what information I have before then, I’ll put into our Easter newsletter so everyone knows what may or may not be proposed. As I said, I’ll keep you posted and if you’d like to join in the conversations that will be upcoming, let me know.

Let's get growing project update - we’ll be starting once again at the end of the month with a giveaway of a bag of compost, plus a bag containing 10 different packs of veg seeds to grow (so a pack of tomato seeds, cauliflower, salad leaves, lettuce, carrots, and suchlike). If you’d like to grow your own veg for satisfaction and to help keep the grocery bills down a wee bit, let me, or Angela know, and we’ll put your name down on the list - either call, email, or just use the 'contact us' form on the right hand panel of this page. Collection will be at the manse on the last Sunday this month between 1 and 3pm. I will flag this up closer to the time. 

These are all the notices, so, as you move into a new week, shine your light, and God bless,
Nikki

Sunday, 29 January 2023

Worship Sun 29 Jan: 'A road map for life'

WELCOME/ welcome to worship. Last week we heard the story of Jesus calling the first disciples – it was the beginning of his public ministry. Having responded to his call, the disciples travelled around the villages of the Galilee region, where Jesus began teaching in local synagogues and healing those who were sick. As word began to spread, many were drawn to him – and today, we find ourselves, with a gathered crowd, at the foot of a mountain, as Jesus is about to deliver a sermon… 

One brief notice – to remind you that evening worship will be held tonight at 5pm in Leadhills Village Hall – if you’re able to come along and join us, that would be great and you’d be most welcome. There’ll also be time of a cuppa and chat after the service. 

THE WORSHIP LINK IS HERE 

May you know God's blessing as you go into this new week,
Nikki

Sunday, 22 January 2023

Worship Sun 22 Jan - 'Shine'

WELCOME to worship where, today, we're thinking about Jesus calling his first disciples by the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
Only the one church notice, which is that evening worship will be held this coming Sunday, the 29th of January, at 5pm - at Leadhills Village Hall. If you're able to come along, it would be great to see you - and catch up over a cuppa after the service.

In the meantime, as you move into this new week, go safely on the ice, and may you know the nearness of God. 

The WORSHIP LINK IS HERE.

Take care and God bless, 
Nikki

Sunday, 8 January 2023

Worship Sun 8 Jan: 'Saying a holy "yes"'

WELCOME once again to our time of worship. The baby of these last two weeks has now become a man, poised on the edge of the River Jordan, at the beginning of his ministry... preparing himself to say a holy 'yes' to God.
Our WORSHIP LINK IS HERE.

Church notices are copied below for reference...
NOTICES/  
Guild: the annual Guild afternoon tea will be held on Wed 11th Jan at 2pm, in the Abington Community Hub. Anyone is welcome to attend, you don't have to be a member of the Guild! If you'd like to come along, please let either Mary Hamilton or Heather Watt know, for catering purposes.

Bereavement support group: will be meeting on Thurs 12th Jan at 1.30pm, in the Abington Community Hub. All are welcome - if you, or someone you know would find this helpful, do come along, and pass this on to others. 

Annual leave: the minister will be on annual leave from Mon 9th Jan and back after lunch on Wed 18th. Arrangements are as follows: 

Worship -
Onsite, worship will be provided by the Rev Bill Buchan, with Shenna Fox accompanying on the organ. Online, you might like to explore the following: 
Biggar Parish Church - LINK 
Dunfermline Abbey - LINK            
Kirkton Parish Church - LINK        
Parishes of Upper Tweed - LINK 
Pastoral cover... Urgent pastoral care will be covered by the Rev Mike Fucella of Biggar Kirk - 01899 229291. 
General queries... please contact Dee Yates, our Session Clerk on 01864 504093 

Sunday, 1 January 2023

Worship New Year's day, 2023

WELCOME to our time of worship on this first day of the new year. Our service takes the form of several bible readings, reflections, poems - basically, a mix of lessons and carols meets 'a gate of the year' theme.
May you find this time of worship helpful, and encouraging, as you step into the first week of 2023.
The WORSHIP LINK IS HERE...

May you know God's blessing as you travel through this year:
a very happy new year to you all,
Nikki

Sunday, 25 December 2022

Worship - Christmas Day 2022

WELCOME and a very merry Christmas to you! The time of waiting is over and we've arrived at the stable and Jesus is born once again in our hearts and in our homes.

Just the one wee notice, which is about worship this coming Sunday - New Year's Day: due to the way the calendar falls this year, it will be the last opportunity for carol singing - so, while we're still in Christmastide, our service next week will take the form of a traditional Lessons and Carols service....
But, in the meantime, we've a little matter of celebrating Jesus' birthday - let's worship the God who is with us and for us - and may you know the hope, peace, joy, and love of this season.
The WORSHIP LINK IS HERE

Christmas blessings
Nikki 

Sunday, 18 December 2022

Worship Sun 18 Dec, 4 Advent: 'Joseph, in love...'

WELCOME/ welcome to worship on this 4th Sunday in the season of Advent. Time seems to be moving faster now, as we head towards shepherds in their fields, host of angel choirs, a star over Bethlehem, and, in that little town, around the back of an already full inn a young couple in the stable who are preparing for a birth...

Notices are below...
And you'll find the WORSHIP LINK HERE.

NOTICES/
Evening worship, 5pm, Leadhills Village Hall. 
Join us for some Christmassy worship this evening, followed by a cuppa and blether... but wait! There's more.
At 7.30pm Community carols in the hall with the Leadhills Silver Band - Scotland's highest carol service...
It’s all happening in the Lowther hills this evening, and if you can make it, do come along! 

Christmas and New Year worship arrangements...
Christmas day service, 10.30 in the church building - an all-age friendly wee time of worship as, together, we tell the Christmas story, gathered 'round the stable. Wear your favourite Christmas jumper.
Alternate online arrangements for those watching at home...
New Year's Day service, 10.30 in the church building - a service of lessons and carols, and the chance to sing those carols one last time.

These are all the notices for this week, so, as you move into this Christmas week, may God be your guide, and love be your way,
God bless,
Nikki

Saturday, 10 December 2022

Worship Sun 11 Dec, 3rd of Advent: 'Rejoice!'

PLEASE NOTE: WORSHIP ON SITE IN THE PARISH CHURCH HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO SNOW
given this, I've put up this blog post slightly earlier than usual

Hello – and welcome! It's the 3rd Sunday of Advent and today, we're all about joy!

Notices are copied below, and for those of you who would prefer to go straight to the service across on youtube, the WORSHIP LINK IS HERE

CHURCH NOTICES/
Guild - the Guild meets in the  church this week on Wednesday at 2pm. Our speaker is fellow member and friend, Fiona Foley who, as many of you will know is a very talented stained glass artist. All are welcome to come along...

Food bank - we’re doing a special Food bank collection for folk who are just struggling a wee bit this year – I’ll uplift the box in the vestibule after worship this coming Sunday. Alternatively, you can make a donation online - the link is to the right of the screen under 'links'. Thank you in advance for your donations and kindness in helping others have a little joy this Christmas. 

Evening worship - will be held Sun 18th at 5pm in Leadhills Village Hall, with a Christmassy feel. After worship and a cuppa, the Leadhills Silver Band will be giving a Christmas Carol concert at 7.30pm.

Memory tree - our memory tree is now back up in the church over these next few weeks up to and including the 1st of January. For those unfamiliar with this, a little background...
It became a practice of ours in the years before lockdown to bring this tree out and place it by the pulpit. The purpose of the tree is that it can be used as a wee way of remembering and honouring those in our lives who we’ve lost, those who we miss, those who will be absent from the table at Christmas... even tho they’re no longer with us – for whatever reason – they are still with us in the memories we hold, and their place in our hearts. By the tree is a box of mini blue baubles. If you wish to remember someone, simply place a bauble of your choosing on the tree. Over these next few weeks, these wee baubles will be a quiet way of remembering. For those of you outwith the parish, if you would like someone remembered, please do get in touch via the 'contact us' facility to the right of the page here, and we would be most happy to place a bauble on the tree for you.

Tidings of comfort and joy service - sadly, due to the weather, this service was cancelled yesterday. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Have a good week everyone, and keep an eye on the ice out there!
Stay safe and until next time, God bless,
Nikki

Sunday, 4 December 2022

Worship Sun 4 Dec - 2 Advent: 'A little child...'

WELCOME/ 
welcome to worship on this 2nd Sunday of Advent –
where we listen to the voices of the prophets,
pointing to the Messiah, and calling God’s people to prepare.... 
The traditional theme for this Sunday is ‘peace’, so we’ll be picking up on that throughout this time together.

Today is also a Communion Sunday onsite - if you're watching the service from within the parish, and would like a home communion
do, please get in touch, as I'd be more than happy to accommodate!

If you'd prefer to skip reading the notices below, the LINK TO WORSHIP IS HERE.

CHURCH NOTICES/ 
Food bank: 
Over these next two Sundays, the food bank donations box is in the vestibule –
or you can access the website to make a donation online by our link on the right hand side of the page.

Bereavement support group: meets on Thursday, 1.30 at the Abington Community Hub –
if you, or someone you know would like a quiet, friendly space, where you can talk, or borrow helpful books, do come along, and pass this information along.

Special service: 'Tidings of comfort and joy' - Saturday at 2pm, in the parish church. A gentle, reflective service for those who struggle a little at this time of year. Again, if you know of someone who might find this service helpful, do let them know.

Parish newsletter: our Christmas edition is out and in the post. Please do bear with me as I organise uploading a copy here on the blogsite!!

Kirk Session: meets via zoom on Thursday this week, at 7pm. A link will be sent out on Wednesday.

These are all our notices. Have a good week as you move further along your Advent journey,
and until next time...

God bless,
Nikki

Sunday, 27 November 2022

Worship Sun 27 Nov - 1 Advent

WELCOME/
Welcome to worship on this 1st Sunday of Advent. 
It's the season that focuses upon the coming of light into the world - the birth of Jesus, the promised deliverer. It's a time of making ready, busyness, bustle, and... waiting. However you mark these following weeks that lead us into Christmas, may you know walking close beside you, and feel the light shining in these dark days of winter. 

If you'd rather skip the church notices (below) and go straight across to the service, you'll find the WORSHIP LINK HERE

CHURCH NOTICES/
Evening worship, Sun 27 5pm, Leadhills. A
 reminder that we have worship this evening, at Leadhills Village Hall which will be a very gentle Taize style of worship. Everyone is very welcome to come along, and there’ll be the usual chance for a cuppa and a natter after worship.

Communion, Sun 4 Dec. 10.30am at the parish church in Abington: This coming Sunday, will be a service of Communion. Remembering that it is Jesus who is the host, all are welcome to join as we share this time together. Please do pass this along to friends and neighbours who you know would like to attend.

Parish newsletter: the parish newsletter is back from the printers and our newsletter elves are busy getting these into envelopes for posting. If you don’t already receive one, and would like a copy, let us know and we can add you to the mailing list – or, you can access it online through our website, once I’ve put it up!

Just a wee note about Angela, our community worker - she is on the mend, very slowly, and is beginning a very gentle phased return back to work. Please do keep her in your prayers as she recuperates.

Until next week, God bless and keep you
Nikki

Sunday, 13 November 2022

Worship Sun 13 Nov. - Remembrance Sunday

WELCOME/ On this Remembrance Sunday, we pause to reflect on those whose lives have been forever changed by war - those who never returned, those who came home but who were never really the same, those who 'kept calm and carried on' at home but who, nevertheless, felt the far-reaching effects of war... We consider the words of Jesus on permanence and impermanence as he spoke to those who were awed and amazed by the wonder of the Temple in Jerusalem... We reflect on the peace that endures forever.

Our WORSHIP LINK IS HERE

CHURCH NOTICES/
Remembrance Services within the parish -
10.30am
 - in the parish church, Abington
11am - at Wanlockhead Memorial
12pm - at Leadhills Memorial
1pm - at Crawford Memorial

Annual leave: the minister will be using up the last of her annual leave from Mon 14-Wed 23 November. Arrangements are as follows: 
Worship -
Onsite, worship will be provided by the Rev Bill Buchan, with the Rev. Susan Cowall accompanying on organ. Online, you might like to explore the following: 
Biggar Parish Church - LINK 
Dunfermline Abbey - LINK            
Kirkton Parish Church - LINK        
Parishes of Upper Tweed - LINK 
Pastoral cover... Urgent pastoral care will be covered by the Rev Mike Fucella
of Biggar Kirk - 01899 229291. 
General queries... please contact Dee Yates, our Session Clerk on 01864 504093 

Parish Christmas newsletter/ A reminder that the deadline for all items is for 1pm today. If you have any items still to come in... you know what to do!!

Sunday, 6 November 2022

Worship Sun 6 Nov: 'Whose wife is this, anyway?'

WELCOME/ welcome to worship where this week, we find Jesus being asked a rather...delicate... question about marriage and resurrection.

The WORSHIP LINK IS HERE 


CHURCH NOTICES/
Christmas newsletter: 
the Christmas edition of our parish newsletter is in process – if you’ve any items you’d like to include, please let Dee – our editor – or myself know. The deadline for submission is 1pm on the 14th – this coming Sunday. If you're not sure how to get in touch, just use the 'contact us' facility in the right hand column of this page.

Remembrance Sunday - 13 Nov.: On site services will be at 10.30am in the church building; 12pm at Leadhills memorial; and 1pm at the Crawford memorial, as well as on online service for those who are unable to attend.

Until next time, may you know God walking close beside you,

God bless
Nikki

Sunday, 30 October 2022

Worship Sun 30 Oct: 'Going up'

WELCOME/ Hello and welcome to our time of worship. Last time, we heard the story of a pharisee and a tax collector, and contemplated both pride, and authenticity when approaching God – keeping it real. 

This week, instead of a parable, we have tax collector, take 2, as we meet a man named Zacchaeus, and hear of his encounter with Jesus – and, there may just be a little tree climbing involved!

I'll be filming the sermon within the Sunday morning service, and will upload it online later in the day. UPDATE:
The service is now available... WORSHIP LINK HERE

CHURCH NOTICES/ 
Bereavement support group: a reminder that this coming week, our bereavement support group meets at 1.30pm on Thursday in the Abington Community Hub. If you, or someone you know might find this helpful, come along. Tea and coffee will be available, as well as resource books to borrow, and just a space where you can talk, or just be. All are welcome to use this time as they need.

Christmas newsletter: It’s that time of year for preparing the parish Christmas newsletter. If you’ve any Advent or Christmas related items that you think would be suitable to share, do please let Dee, our editor know. The deadline for items will be 1pm Sunday the 14th of November – Remembrance Sunday.

Whether you're inspired to climb trees, or not, may you know God's presence with you through this coming week.

God bless,
Nikki

Sunday, 23 October 2022

Worship Sun 16 Oct - 'Matters of the heart'

 WELCOME/ today in our time of worship, we’ll be meeting two different people from vastly different walks of life, and listening it to their conversations with God...

To go straight across to the service, please click on the LINK HERE.

Notices follow below.

CHURCH NOTICES/ A huge thank you to everyone for making our harvest service last Sunday so successful:
it was lovely to welcome the Moderator, Iain Greenshields and his wife, Linda;
it was great to see so many people gathered together in the building, and good to watch the viewing figures online ticking over;
and it was fab to see all the brilliant decorations - flocks of sheep created by our primary schools (they were awesome), and all the beautiful floral arrangements in the windows and vestibule (stunning, thanks flower folk).
Thanks as well, to the lunch team, the makers, and bakers, and those who set up, served, and cleared away.
Two more things - thanks to all for your donations of food for the food bank - there was so much, that I couldn't fit it into my car... so thanks to Ben, our local food bank rep. for kindly transporting it up the road! 
Our leave-offering for the work of 'The Ripple Effect' (aka Send a Cow) raised £86.
Overall, it was a fantastic team effort... and a lovely Harvest Festival.

Evening worship: is on tonight at 5pm, at Leadhills Village Hall – it’s our delayed Songs of Praise from the hills service. So, if you fancy a good sing and can make it, it would be lovely to see you.

Parish magazine: it's that time of year again, as we begin to prepare for our Advent and Christmas edition of the magazine. If you've any favourite seasonally appropriate poems, jokes, perhaps a recipe, or other items that you'd like to share, please get in touch with our editor, Dee. If you're not sure how, just leave a message in the 'contact' us link to the right hand side of this page, and I can pass it along. The deadline for all items to be in is by 1pm Sun 14 Nov. Thanks in advance! 

I hope that you enjoy this time of worship and that it helps encourage you in your walk with God.
Have a good week, and God bless,
Nikki

Wednesday, 19 October 2022

Harvest 2022 - assorted pictures

Here's a clip put together that features various photos of Harvest displays and some lunch pic's as well. 

CLICK ON THIS LINK to take you to our YouTube channel to view...

Enjoy!!