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LETTER FROM
THE MINISTER
Dear Friends,
We have a New Year – and a new magazine editor! Thanks to Mary and
Ian Harper who have done an excellent and dedicated job of producing the
Magazine and will no doubt continue to contribute to its pages. May God
richly bless Nancy Young as she takes over her new role and may God richly
bless you and your families in 2012.
As you know, I am not into high fashion, but it does amaze (or should
that be amuse?!) me how fashions and clothes change season by season.
Purple and mustard were the 'in' colours this winter and, yes, I did eventually
invest in a purple jumper. Whether you keep up with the colours or not,
you will certainly change outfits to match each season's weather the changing
weather and will know, almost instinctively, when to get the 'winter claes
doon oot the loft'.
Changing colours, changing clothes, changing seasons. There's a sense
in which, in our spiritual lives we also 'change clothes' with the seasons
of the Christian year. We move from the bright, clothes of Advent and
Christmas with its stories of Jesus' birth, songs of the angels, excitement
of the shepherds and wise men to the more sober colours of Lent and Holy
Week with its stories of Jesus' suffering and death, the harsh tones of
opposition and mockery, the betrayal and denial of the disciples. Party
clothes to funeral suits.
It's good to be properly 'suited for the season' – no good wearing
sandals in the snow!
So what does that mean for us as we approach the season of Lent and Holy
Week? What 'clothes' should we be wearing to help us through, help us
make the most of this most Holy of times?
Some Christians spend more time in these months praying, reading the bible,
fasting. These are all good clothes to wear – highly recommended
by our Lord Jesus. He encourages us to 'watch and pray' (Matthew 26.41);
he reminds us that we '...do not live on bread alone, but on every word
that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4.4, Deuteronomy 8.3);
he taught that when we fast we should not make a meal of it (!) but just
do it without any fuss or show and also that some things need both prayer
and fasting (Mark 9.29) Prayer, bible reading, fasting. Serious clothes
for a serious season.
But whether it is praying, reading, fasting that we commit ourselves to
that bit more determinedly during Lent, 'serious' is a good description
of the kind of clothing we need to wear. As we move to remember and celebrate
and be thankful all over again for the earnestness and sincerity of the
love Jesus had for each of us in going through the events of his life's
final week and offering his life for us on the cross, we need to be serious
about ourselves. It's a good time to put on humility – an honest
appraisal of who we are, where we are with our Lord and with the people
around us; to put on sorrow, a genuine sorrow for our sin, a realisation
that, no matter how good we feel about ourselves or how good we think
we are, in the light of God's goodness there are a lot of, at the very
least, grey areas in our lives. And it's a time to put on the deepest
gratitude our souls can muster for the amazing commitment of love and
sacrifice Jesus blessed us with in the final week, and especially the
final moment of his life. Where do we get these clothes from?
Humility is woven from honesty - the kind of honesty good friends give
us, the kind of honesty God gives us when, in prayer, with the help of
the Holy Spirit we lay our lives before him. What Paul calls 'godly sorrow'
(2 Corinthians 7.8-11) comes, I believe, from looking at God in Christ
– through the pages of the Gospels, seeing again the authentic nature
of his life as both God and human person, the passion he had for people
– for their health and wholeness in body and mind, for their relationship
with God through knowing and following him and behaving well towards one
another, for the eternal safety of their soul, his awful death on the
cross. And gratitude? It almost makes itself. It's a by-product of all
that we discover of ourselves and all that we discover of our God: 'Love
so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.' (Isaac Watts)
May God help us all to dig into the wardrobe and put on the clothes that
suit us best for this coming season. Oh, and don't forget, have them standing
by, ready to put on - the party clothes that is, the best you can find,
for that glorious Easter Day. Christ is risen! Let that party begin and
never end.
May God bless you and yours,
Helen Cuthbert
Thank
You
Dear friends,
My sincere thanks to you all for your cards, gifts, love and good wishes
over Christmas. I did miss all the services very much but hopefully soon
I will be able to come along to be with
you again.
Take care and God Bless,
Mrs Cuthbert.
Babies
& Toddlers
The group is going well, we are averaging at 12 children per week, which
is really good, considering the weather sometimes!!!
The children had their Christmas
Party in the Church Hall this year, and had a special visit from Santa!!
A great time was had by all.
We are currently considering
applying for funding for Art and Crafts etc..
We will be organising our Summer
Trip soon too.
I would like to take this opportunity
to thank Elaine Young most sincerely for running the group while I had
maternity leave!!! She did a great job and it is much appreciated.
Fiona Howat
Whatever you want to do,
do it now.
There are only so many tomorrows.
Submitted by Ella Goldie
Boys
Brigade
After all the Christmas activities, we are back into full swing and have
a busy programme.
The Anchor Boys went to the Playhouse in Cumnock, Company went Go Karting
in Kilmarnock for their Christmas treats, Juniors night was postponed
because of the weather but have since had their night out .
The Anchor Boys were at Mauchline at a fun day with "Billy the Clown"
as the entertainment, and Junior Section were at a Battalion Quiz day
at Galston. The boys came in second place - well done!
Company Section are working on a stain glass window project at the moment
and preparing for a Drill competition. All sections have still a few competitions
to attend in the next weeks.
The date for the Annual Display has yet to be made.
Captain Crawford Sloan
Sure and Steadfast
Christian
Action Group
“ Use what you have to enrich the life of others and you will soon
find your own cup running over with joy “ Luke 6 v8.
In the last newsletter I was unable to give the final total for our harvest
retiral offerings, on behalf of D.E.C. East Africa, the final total was
£442.66, and we would like to thank all who donated.
It seems so long ago but we would like to thank, all who supported our
“Jenny a’ things table “ at the Christmas Fayre and
especially the team of workers at the table who took your money with a
smile!! Thanks also go to those who helped at the Sunday School service
with baking and cars, also a big thanks goes to Pathead Bakers for their
donation of mince pies.
Mrs M. Davidson and Mrs H. Lamont took flowers and card to Mrs M. Clapperton
to celebrate her 90th birthday at Glennie house and were able to join
in the party, our good wishes go to her. We are very much indebted to
the grapevine!! that keeps us informed regarding these special dates if
you know of any please contact myself or any member of the group thank
you.
Our next event will be the car run in June, we look forward to a sunny
midgie free evening.
Take care,
Jim Murray.
If you let yer hert tak a sair dunt when things are gangin contrary –
weel, there cannae be muckle smeddum aboot ye. Prov. 24 : 10.
Coffee
Bean
We have been kept busy since our return in January. We have some new faces
coming along on Thursday mornings, which is encouraging, so if you haven’t
managed yet please try and come along for a cuppa and a chat. We are open
from 9.45 – 11.30pm.
As you will probably know Fiona Ferrans is going to Malawi in April. The
Coffee Bean has contributed £100 towards her trip. We wish Fiona
well and look forward to hearing of the progress being made on her return.
Mary McCormack
THANKS
I would like to thank members of the congregation for prayers before,
during and after my stay in hospital.
The visits, telephone calls, cards and flowers were also very much appreciated.
Knowing that I have been in your thoughts has been a great comfort to
me.
Margaret Kay
Easy
Fundraising
As you are all aware the Church requires a lot of money to maintain it
to the level everyone expects and wants. The Finance Committee know that
the favourite saying is “they are always wanting money” Now
we have a unique way of making money without it coming out of our own
pockets.
It is very simple.
I have registered New Cumnock Parish Church with Easyfundraising for on-line
shopping. All you have to do is go on line and Google to Easyfundraising
and follow the instructions to register yourselves and nominate New Cumnock
Parish Church as your charity and every time you shop on line you go in
to Easyfundraising and log on to your shop through them and we will receive
a percentage of your purchase for our funds.
YOU WILL NOT PAY MORE FOR YOUR SHOPPING THE REASON RETAILERS ARE ABLE
TO GIVE US A DONATION IS THERE ARE LESS OVERHEADS WITH ON LINE SHOPPING
AND MOST RETAILERS INCLUDING EBAY ARE REGISTERED WITH EASYFUNDRAISING
IT IS COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL
It is so easy and you can ask your family and friends to do the same and
YOUR Church will benefit. It is not just members who can help in this
way. It is not time consuming and it is FREE to us
There are many retailers involved in Easy Fundraising e.g. Amazon, EBay,
John Lewis Argos, M & S Debenhams etc. Why not go on line and see
for yourselves the wide variety of goods obtainable through Easy Fundraising
and it is FREE.
Any questions please speak to Susan Hastie
Finance
It is this time of year again when Violet and I balance our Church
Accounts, so it is a busy time.
The Stated Annual Meeting is to take place on Tuesday 27th March 2012
at 7pm.
Since our last newsletter we
have had our Christmas Fayre and our Burns Supper. The Christmas Fayre
raised £2300. It was a lovely time when fellowship was shared with
lots of customers to all the stalls. 10% of this total is given to a local
charity; this was given to the Swimming Pool.
The Burns Supper was the usual
great night, over 100 sat down to a
traditional supper. The speakers were the usual very high standard, which
everyone enjoyed.
Our next date to note is the
NEARLY NEW SALE which is the 4th & 5th May, with the hall being open
on the Thursday night. So if you are having a clear out of clothing, bedding
household goods etc. also Bric a Brac, these will be gratefully received.
More details later.
Isabel McDicken
Finance Convener.
Forward
in Faith
'Forward in Faith' is a five-week course visiting (or re-visiting) the
basic beliefs of the Christian faith. Meetings will be held once a week
at the Manse, provisionally on Mondays from 7 to 8.30 pm.
Anyone interested in joining the Church must attend each meeting of the
course (as well as a sixth and final meeting before admission to membership
for those who wish to make that commitment), but anyone at all who would
like to explore the Christian faith is welcome to attend all or some of
the course.
The course begins on Monday April 15th at 7 pm in the Manse.
Helen Cuthbert
Thank you! – From Andrew and Sheila McGurk
We would like to thank the
folks of New Cumnock for the many cards and good wishes which we have
received over the past few weeks. Every one of them has been greatly appreciated
and we have been touched by your kindness.
A special thank you to all those who came along to the Farewell Evening
at Largs on 7th January, a memorable occasion when it was just great to
see New Cumnock so well represented. We are particularly grateful to you
for the gift of the painting which Mr Harper presented us with that evening.
It is now up on the wall and will remind us of the many fulfilled years
which we spent in New Cumnock.
We are slowly getting adjusted to a new way of life and to living in a
new community, and no doubt living nearer to New Cumnock our paths will
cross more frequently.
Our sincere thanks to you once
again and we assure you that our prayers will continue very much for the
Lord’s work in New Cumnock.
With kind regards in our Lord’s
Name
Andrew and Sheila McGurk
Girls Brigade
The first half of our session
finished with our Christmas Service in the church followed by tea with
mince pies and shortbread served in the hall.
The whole company went to see Peter Pan pantomime on 14th January in Glasgow,
a great day out for all the girls and officers.
We are now finishing off our badge work and company competitions before
we start rehearsing for our Display which will be held on Wednesday 28
March at 6.30pm in the Church Hall.
Some of the girls will take part in the Divisional Competitions being
held in Ayr on 3rd March - the theme is Physical and the girls have to
make up 2 different dances to perform on the day.
Our next Bag2School collection is Tuesday 20th March, if anyone requires
blue bags please speak to any of the officers or pick up a bag from the
church.
On behalf of the girls and officers thank you for your continued support
to 1st New Cumnock Girls' Brigade company.
Fiona Ferrans
Captain
Guild
After a varied first half of our session we look forward to another busy
time. We finished with our usual Christmas Party and a lovely evening
and meal at Lochside.
On our first meeting of the
New Year our own minister, Miss Cuthbert, had us dancing different tempos
relating to moods and feelings in various bible passages. Our next meeting
was a visit to Pathhead Bakery when George, Libble and Drew hosted our
evening. George explained many baking techniques, and then we all sampled
his baking from bread to buns and gateaux. Drew then showed us how to
make a decoration for a wedding cake and explained some of the methods
used in modern cakes.
At our guest night in February
we are looking forward to being entertained by the Salvation Army.
The World Day of Prayer will
be held in the Church on Friday 2nd March 2012 at 7pm.
Thursday 8th March 2012, New
Cumnock will be hosting the Guild Spring Rally, Alison Angus, National
Convenor is the speaker.
The summer outing is to Perth
on Saturday 26th May. There are still seats available on the bus, if anyone
would like to go with us please speak to me.
Anne Ferrans
Secretary
Hats
Once again a big thank you for all the hats that have been given to me
to pass on. I have just sent some to Mrs McGurk and will soon have another
bag ready to pass over. There is a bag ready to send to Kilmarnock, to
be passed on for cancer patients and premature babies. This is an on-going
project and the recipients are most grateful for the knitting from New
Cumnock Parish Church.
One of my hat knitters also knits blankets for people in homes. Wool is
expensive, but we would be very grateful if anyone has any spare wool,
full balls or just little bits. They can give them to me either at Church
or Open Door.
Thank you.
Ella Goldie
Thanks
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all who remembered me in prayer
during my time in hospital and recuperation at home. I would also like
to thank the many church members & others who expressed their sincere
concern by visiting, phone calls, cards and kind words. It is good to
know that so many people care for you. I was surprised and grateful for
the different ways people showed their concern.
Ian Harper
Malawi
Our thoughts on Malawi at this time are a mixture of great sadness and
great joy.
In the last magazine, I reported that Rev Baxter Mkandawire had been ill
for some time with sciatica and was receiving treatment. His friend, Rev.
Bostone Mvalo, minister in a neighbouring Church told us by email that
Baxter had suddenly passed away. Bostone said that Baxter died on February
2nd, 2012. 'I know it will take you time to believe, says Bostone, 'of
course you loved him ….BUT God loved him more.'
Baxter was 35 years old, deeply committed to His Lord and a hard and good
worker for his Church. He will be missed by his congregation of Kajilirwe
Kavusi, by his family and friends and, although we had only heard of and
from him through his emails – by us.
I'm sure his wife Brenda and young son Alpha and baby Agape, as well as
his congregation will be in our prayers.
The great joy is, of course, that plans for Fiona Ferrans and the other
five members of the Ayr Presbytery Malawi team are well underway. They
will leave at the end of May for 12 days. Fiona will take greetings and
gifts from our congregation to our sister Church in Kavusi. She will also,
on her return be able to give us a first-hand account of the Church there
and hopefully, through her visit, ties can be established between organisations
in our Church and the Kavusi Church. Please add your questions and greetings
to the 'Malawi Map' that Fiona has set up in the Hall. She will pop it
in her suitcase, take the greetings and bring back the answers!
There will be a coffee morning in March to help fund the travel and expenses
of the team.
At the moment a key problem in Malawi is a shortage of petrol which hampers
not only people getting to and from work, but goods and resources reaching
towns and villages. Areas such as Nkhata Bay where our sister Church is
are especially hard hit because of their distance from larger towns.
'Our love is like the misty rain that falls softly, but floods the river.'
(African Proverb)
Helen Cuthbert
As most of you may already
know, I am part of the Ayr Presbytery Group visiting Malawi in May 2012.
There are six people in the group which is being led by Rev. George Fiddes,
minster of St Nicholas Parish Church, Prestwick. If anyone has any questions/queries
they would like me to find out during my trip or have any messages/greetings
they would like me to pass on please write them on the 'Fact Finder/Greetings'
poster in the church hall or pass them directly to myself and I will do
my best to bring the answers back and post on the board.
To assist with fundraising for the trip I plan to have a coffee morning
and sales table in the Church Hall on Saturday 10th March from 10am, if
you would like to support me please come along and share a blether and
a cuppa with the community.
I will post any further information for the trip on the noticeboard and
the intimation sheet as it is available.
Fiona Ferrans
The 'Change for Malawi' fund
stands at £245.35.Thanks to Mary Ritchie for looking after this
fund.
Open
Door
We have had some new members attending the Open Door this Session.
Once again we welcome them and hope they enjoy the two hours spent in
the Church Hall every Monday from 2pm - 4pm.
So far we have had two speakers, Yorkhill Hospital and Mrs Helen Lamont
who showed us a DVD. We are now planning our Spring Day Out before we
close for the summer.
It can be a relaxing two hours at the Open Door and gives you a chance
to catch up with friends, so please feel free to come along.
I would like to take this opportunity to send our best wishes to all the
people who have been unable to come along on a Monday and to wish everyone
a happy and healthy Easter break, whether you are going away or staying
at home.
Ella Goldie
Billy & Margaret would
like to thank everyone who helped with the church Christmas decorations.
May god bless you all.
Peden Court
Many thanks for the donations of tinned food, tea, sugar etc. for the
hostel. It would be great to have a few more donors. Can you help? I try
to deliver items every two months. Contact me for further info.
Mary Ritchie
God is Great.
Each day is special; I love
it that way,
Another chance to do better, another chance to pray.
Some days that I go through, they seem a little rough,
I'm glad they are outnumbered by the good ones,
I make it because of JESUS and not because I’m tough.
I think of all the many things that CHRIST created for me,
My family and my neighbours, the people that I see.
Each day brings the beauty with all its natural sounds,
Its GODS little critters, both in air and on the ground.
I look out of my window and see the melting snow,
Spring time is around the corner,
Everything will begin to grow.
Mary Dornan
Sunday School
In December we performed our Christmas story, with the help of the choir
for the songs, we thank Mrs Wilson for this.
Since the new year the children have been learning about the fruits of
the Spirit, the children have enjoyed painting the tree and putting on
each fruit as they have learnt about it.
In February we enjoyed our outing to The Garage in Kilmarnock where we
went bowling.
The next thing on the Sunday School Calendar is our annual Sponsored Walk,
which will take place in early May.
Please encourage children to come along and join our Sunday School where
they would be made most welcome.
Isobel Dalzell
Weekly
Offerings
At this time of year our church
envelopes are given out to members for weekly offerings to The Lord.
Please could you destroy any
OLD church envelopes that you may still have after the end of March and
use the new envelopes from the first Sunday in April.Our system has been
updated so the numbers on your envelopes may have changed.
If you wish, you could give
by standing order to the church instead of weekly envelopes. Please speak
to your elder regarding this matter.If you are a tax payer you could also
sign a gift aid form and more money will be given to the church at no
cost to yourself. Again please speak to your elder regarding this.
Morag Ferrans, Church Recorder
Prayer Group
The prayer group continues to meet Wednesday by Wednesday bringing many
petitions, requests, needs and anxieties before God’s mercy seat.
Do you have any prayer requests?
Please pass them to Mrs Helen Glendinning.
World
Mission
This year, Mary Alexander retires as an OMF missionary nurse in Japan.
She asks for prayer for stamina as she attends to the many medical concerns
of her fellow missionaries and helps organise workshops and Wakaba Church
events. Mary and her colleagues pray that some of those who have attended
their various outreaches will some day find faith in Jesus. Copies of
her letters are available.
Thanks for all the used stamps
donated last year to the World Mission Stamp Appeal for the Mount Olivet
Boys’ Home in Jamaica. I should have the details of the 2012 worthy
cause soon. Meantime, please keep collecting. ‘Don’t bin,
hand in!’
The Church of Scotland HIV
Programme’s Souper Sunday 2012 is well underway. Each participating
church earmarks a Sunday for learning about how communities overseas and
in Scotland are now responding to the challenge of HIV, and raising much-needed
funds.The Feb-Mar WM Magazine discusses David Livingstone’s Legacy
in Africa, as we approach the 200th anniversary of his birth in 2013.
It also introduces us to the Church of Scotland Mission Partners serving
in Malawi and Zambia today. Copies available.
Fair-trade Fortnight is from 27th February to 11th March this year.
The World Mission Council and
the Guild are supporting the Church of Scotland’s Interfaith Interaction
initiative in Israel and Palestine by arranging a pilgrimage in February
this year. Guild supported projects will be visited and the work of the
Church of Scotland and its partners, as well as some historic sites of
Jesus’ ministry. I’m going with this group of 25 folk! The
Rev. Clarence Musgrave, former minister of St Andrew’s, Jerusalem,
is the leader.
Mary Ritchie
Youth Club
Who is Jesus?
What can the Church mean to me?
Why do bad things happen?
These are just some of the questions asked by young enquiring minds. Youth
leaders seek to present the gospel message through Peter’s ups and
downs.
Please pray for safety on a Friday night as our young folk enjoy activities
within the halls.
Isobel Dalzell
For
the Housebound
An American friend of mine was visiting us in Kilmarnock with her husband.
They were devout Christians and frowned on things like alcohol and gambling.
My friend was a school librarian and therefore very interested in books.
One day when we were out and about in the town, she noticed a sign that
said 'Bookmaker'. 'Oh, she said excitedly, stop the car, let's go in there.
I'd love to know how they make books in Scotland.'
It took a while, but I eventually explained what (in Scotland) the term
'bookmaker' actually meant. Needless to say, we didn't stop the car.
It is, you have to admit, a confusing term, 'bookmaker'. It's straightforward
meaning should be bookmaker – a maker of books. Plain and simple.
In this straightforward sense, God is a bookmaker, a maker of books, all
the books in the Bible. When you stop and think about each book, even
just the books of the Bible we are familiar with, it is amazing how God
chose his words so carefully, chose his writing team so carefully to set
down for us the story of our ancestors in the faith, his plans for his
people and the world, the life-story of our Lord and thousands upon thousands
of words of comfort, hope and wisdom for our lives. God the bookmaker,
it seems, was taking no chances! 'Man does not live by bread alone, but
by every word that comes from the mouth of God.' God the bookmaker doesn't
want us to take any chances either, but to live by, to live on his word
and every 'word from his mouth' counts – whether it is a word read
from our Bibles day by day, as part of our Upper Room or Word for Today
readings, a word heard on Sunday mornings, a word made special because
we know it to be God's word to us at a particular time or event in our
life, a word remembered from a Sunday School lesson, a word recalled in
the line of a hymn. God speaks to us and we live, we go from strength
to strength in our faith by
the hearing of that word. Every word from the mouth of the Lord counts.
God's bookmaking was for us – to read and enjoy, to read and believe,
to read and grow strong in our knowledge of him and of Jesus our Lord.
For reading God's books, prayerfully carefully, in the power of the Spirit,
draws us into a relationship with him, knits together our thoughts and
his thoughts, our ways and his ways so that our thinking and our way of
living is transformed.
It would be a great New Year resolution for us all to stop the car and
make more frequent visits to the Bookmaker.
And finally ….
With these thoughts in mind, our magazine section 'For the Housebound'
will now be entitled 'A Word in Season', focusing on God's word, looking
at different parts of it, exploring how to make the most of God's great
gift of scripture to us.
We will begin in our next magazine with a series on the Psalms called,
'Psalms for all seasons', and Psalm 30 will be the first Psalm. If there
are any Psalms or other parts of the Bible you would like included in
'A Word in Season', please let me know.
God bless you and yours,
Helen Cuthbert
Thank You
I would like to thank everyone for their help putting this magazine together.
I would like any suggestions for what you would like to see included in
the magazine. Any articles can be handed to me anytime, or emailed to
nancy241@hotmail.co.uk. Any articles for the next magazine should be with
me by Monday 14th May.
Nancy Young
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