PARISH LETTER

Letter from the Minister

My dear friends,
First of all, I want to say how sorry I am, that, before I left, I did not have the opportunity to call on so many of you, especially those who are now unable to come to church. The time seemed just to run away in the past couple of weeks.
As you know, I sincerely believe that God has called me to Ayr; St Quivox Church, but it is so hard to leave this church and also the community of New Cumnock.

Looking back over these past seven and a half years, there have been high points, low points, laughter and tears.
The “Highest” literally, was when I went up to the wind farm to meet the Moderator of the General Assembly and his wife. The journey back by helicopter will be one of these, once in a lifetime experiences.
Returning to full status, after three years was a tremendous achievement for the congregation, and it makes all the difference as you enter a time of vacancy.
I have kept a scrap book of all the cuttings from the Cumnock Chronicle over these years. Looking through that I remember all the different holiday clubs, all the fund-raising events over the years-the Christmas fayre, Autumn fayres and nearly new sales. I have always been delighted the way that the community supports these events.
The Burns’ suppers have been great evenings, and I have enjoyed visiting the GB & BB, the Guild and all the different organisations. There were also so many parties, and concerts at Christmas too. I can still remember the days when no-one knew what a Christingle was!! These services also became a highlight of the church year.
You all know, how successful our Songs of Praise Services became, and all the special events for our anniversary year. It was certainly a great privilege to be your minister for each of these events.
There are two funny times that come to mind-first the Sunday I dropped a puppet from the pulpit , and got the giggles, and the day I innocently said , after putting a crown on a child’s head-here is King Billie!!
The time for tears-the funeral of Lindsay Armstrong was the first really difficult time, and there were funerals of young teenagers, killed in road accidents, and a child of just 18 months. We have also lost many good friends, and great supporters of the church, over these past years.
I guess my own tears, show how much New Cumnock Parish Church means to me, it has been my privilege to be your minister here, and I will always cherish these years with you all.

With much love,
Rona

Boys’ Brigade
It is fitting that as Our Battalion is celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Boys Brigade this year (one year late) that we had 5 young men who gained their Queens’ badge. The awards were presented at the Annual display on the 1st of May and it was wonderful to see the proud mothers pin the awards on their sons. Tears were never far away!

The display followed the usual format and the boys excelled themselves in everything they took part in. Special comment was made about how smart they looked in their new uniforms.

The Company would like to thank the parents and friends who came along to the display and who helped throughout the year. Special thanks go to Mr Samuel Wilkes who was inspecting Officer, Mrs Diane Rutherford the Chairperson for the evening, Rev. Rona Young our Chaplain who presented the awards and conducted opening and closing devotions. Mrs Isabel McDicken our Elder gave the Vote of Thanks

Dear Friends in New Cumnock,
I want you to know how much I have appreciated the many prayers, and visits I received during my stay in hospital. Not only was I touched and moved by your love and care but my family were greatly encouraged by your care as-living at a distance-they were unable to see me often
Thank you, dear friends, and may God bless you
Hope to see you soon.
Michael Dickie.

Interim Moderator and Locum

During our vacancy Rev. J Paterson of Old Cumnock Old Church will be Ayr Presbytery’s appointed Interim Moderator for our church. Mr Paterson will oversee all vacancy business and other Kirk Session and Congregational matters. It is good that Mr Paterson is local and has first hand knowledge of New Cumnock Parish Church.

Presbytery has appointed the Rev. Tom Bogle as Locum. Mr Bogle will be responsible for Sunday worship, funerals etc. At the time of writing this note Tom is in New Zealand on holiday but it is expected that he will be home within a week or so. We look forward to sharing worship with Rev T Bogle.

Planned Giving Campaign
Over the past months you will know we have been carrying out a Planned Giving Campaign among our members. On behalf of the church I would like to thank everyone for allowing our visitors to explain the details of the campaign: some of which would be different; i.e. the standing Order method of payment. None of this would have been possible without the willing band of helpers who took on this challenge.
On Saturday the 4th of April we held our family supper, which I am delighted to say was well attended: around 120 guests sat down to a very enjoyable meal, well set out and served by our hostesses. The night continued with a few speeches about the campaign.
OUR HERITAGE > MARY HARPER
OUR NEEDS > ISABEL MCDICKEN
THE VISITATION > IAN HARPER
THE FAMILY PLEDGE > JIM MURRAY

The entertainment for the evening was supplied by Heather and Pete Heywood who gave an excellent selection of Scottish and Religious songs. It appeared from comments that the evening was very enjoyable and not as boring as feared by some of us.

The visits will have finished by 10th May and we will know the results on the 31st May at the Dedication Service. There will be a Results evening on the 29th May, at which Jim Barnes will explain the results to all the Hostess Visitors, Campaign Visitors and anyone who helped with the campaign, although the main result will not be known until after the financial year. I am sure you will all agree that as a testimony to those who have supported the church in the past; it is up to us to maintain the Church’s presence at the heart of the village for future generations.

If for some reason you were missed during the campaign, or wish further information, please don’t hesitate to contact myself or let your elder know.

Yours sincerely,
Jim Murray

Holiday Club

Be Together / One to One / Pray as you go / Chat a way

This year the holiday club (Monday 29th June to Friday 3rd July) focuses on important life changing conversations Jesus had within the Gospel stories
Please encourage any primary school children you know to come along each day to the church hall between 2pm and 4pm. This includes those starting school in August. Maybe you would like to help on one or several afternoons?
Details of leaders meetings will follow.

The Guild
In march we had Mr McCaffrey from Hillside School in Cumnock talking to us. Our final meeting was the AGM. There are no new office-bearers this year but we are still looking for a vice convenor. There are three new committee members with three retiring, we thank those ladies for all their work and support in their time on the committee
Mr & Mrs Dornan entertained us with photos of some of the events that took place in and around our church . A lovely buffet meal was then prepared and served by the committee and this was enjoyed by all.
We are now looking forward to our Summer outing to Peebles on 30th May and pray that the weather will be kind to us.
Aims and ethos
Women and men of all walks of life meet together under our common aim:
"The Church of Scotland Guild is a movement within the Church of Scotland which invites and encourages both women and men to commit their lives to Jesus Christ and enables them to express their faith in worship, prayer and action."
The aim has been underlined in our motto which is taken from Acts 27, verse 23: "Whose we are and Whom we serve."

With Thanks

I would like to thank everyone who sent me cards, flowers and good wishes during and after my time in hospital. I also thank everyone for their prayers and am glad to say that I am feeling much better now.

Anne Ferrans

Thank You

I would like express my sincere thanks to everyone who sent their condolences when my mother died. It is good to know that people are praying for you and keeping you in their thoughts. For cards, phone calls, flowers and other expressions of sympathy, I thank you all.

Nessie Mackie

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Letters of Love. This year, the proceeds from used stamps, sold on to raise money, will go to the Roma people in the Czech Republic. This minority group experience much discrimination and prejudice, resulting in poverty and few educational opportunities. The challenge is to support our partner church in their outreach programme for the Roma children, parents, young and old people. Many thanks for handing in your British and overseas stamps.

Mary Alexander continues her medical and support work in and around Sapporo, Japan. Please remember Mary in your prayers, along with Pauline Devenish, formerly of Thailand, who is in the process of making a new life in Aberdeen. Ask for their newsletters any time.

Could it be you? The World Mission Council holds a recruitment open day in June, for enquirers interested in becoming Mission Partners or volunteers.

On 5th May, our Malawi Fund stood at £457.98. Please continue collecting your valuable change for our link with Kajilirwe-Kavuzi Church. Malawi goes to the polls on May 19th to choose a President from 7 candidates.
Mary Ritchie (World Church Rep)

Peden Court
Your gifts of tinned food and teabags are still very much wanted and appreciated.
Mary Ritchie (Coordinator)

Malawi Update

A letter was received from Rev. Anocks Chisiza with 3 photos of the dedication and Official Opening of the Kavusi New Cumnock Manse.
He thanks God for the partnership of New Cumnock, in Ayr Presbytery with Kavusi Church in Bandawe Presbytery, Malawi.

I have had an email saying that Rev. Anocks Chisiza is to be the next Presbytery Clerk. He has, therefore moved to Bandawe Station, and in his latest email, dated 23rd April, he says that he was transferred to the Station on 17th April, and he left Kavusi Church with the people in tears!
The Station is the area where the Missionaries formerly worked, and Anocks says that he is now Parish Minister at Bandawe Church, the Head of the Station and the Presbytery Clerk.
We will continue to pray for him each week, and for the new minister when one is appointed.

After I leave, Mary Ritchie has been appointed by the Kirk Session to correspond with the new minister at Kavusi Church, and we continue to collect small change for Malawi- thanks to everyone who regularly donates their money.
We trust that the new Minister in New Cumnock will continue
the link with Kavusi Church

Vacancy

In the very near future we will be appointing a nomination committee (formerly a vacancy committee) and we pray that it will be successful in finding a new minister for our church. The task for this group of people will not be easy, but we hope and pray that they will be guided by God in every aspect of their searching. Before they start looking for a new minister Ayr Presbytery Advisory committee will address the Kirk Session and give their advice and encouragement as we discuss what kind of minister we are looking for. Every church wants an “ideal” minister, one who ticks all the boxes: but every church requires a special leader who will lead the congregation in the best possible way to meet the demands and rewards of that particular church.
As we look to the future I would encourage every member to bring before God, the names of every Elder, every member of the Board and every member of the Nomination Committee.

Session Clerk

Christian Action Group

At our last meeting we discussed our annual outing which will be held on June the 8th leaving the church around 6.30pm. I had a route planned to suggest to the committee, imagine my surprise when they came up with an alternative idea, a vote was taken and I lost!! Therefore the outing is going to the Barony Colliery memorial site, which I was assured is a very interesting site. Having worked there for 17 years I am quite looking forward to it, hopefully it will be a dry night and we will enjoy the visit, the ice-cream and the blether before returning to the hall for a good cuppa. Hope to see all of you on the night and as usual I will be looking for all our willing drivers to help us with the use of their cars.
Again we had some special dates over the past months: namely, Mr & Mrs John Ferguson and Mr & Mrs Jim McDonald who celebrated their Golden Weddings, and Mrs McIntosh who had a special birthday. We wish them all well and hope they had a lovely time during these wonderful celebrations.
At our meeting we also set the date for our concert: 25th August. Please enter these dates in your diaries and we look forward to an enjoyable time. The Group is very dependant on members of the church supplying us with information about special weddings and birthdays, if you know of one please let me or any member of the group know. Thank you.
Again I invite anyone who wishes to help with the group to please come along to our next meeting on 2nd July.

“Use what you have to enrich the lives of others and you will soon find your own cup overfloweth” Luke 6 v 38

A Note of Thanks
I would like to thank members of the church and everyone who sent me sympathy cards and get-well wishes on the death of my husband and my five weeks stay in Ayr and Cumnock hospitals. A special thanks to district nurses and the nurses at Stations 2 &1. My special thanks go to the local doctors and to the Rev. Rona Young for her words of comfort.
I never thought I had as many friends.
Sincere thanks,
Grace Harrison.

The Girls’ Brigade
The badgework this year was varied. The Explorers worked on the theme “Food”. The Juniors enjoyed “Following Jesus, Ball Games, Singing for pleasure and entertaining an audience”. The Brigaders covered “Being young today, hill walking, car Clinic and Service in the home”
In June last year the girls enjoyed an outing to Loudoun Castle Theme Park.
Our enrolment service with the Boys’ Brigade took place in October; we also celebrated our 50th Anniversary this month with a party in the church hall. The Rev. A McGurk and Mrs S McGurk joined us in our celebrations. The Rev M Dickie, Rev R Young and Mr T Young and past officers and helpers along with 2 members from various church organisations along with other friends of the company were also in attendance. During the evening there was praise, prayer, thoughts on the Girl’s Brigade, cake cutting, buffet dinner and entertainment by the Company. A most enjoyable evening...
In December the girls performed “Hosanna Rock” at our Christmas service. We also had a good day at the cinema... In March 4 girls from each section took part in the Divisional competitions and I’m pleased to say the Junior girls came in first but all who took part had a great time.
Our fundraising this year included: GB week £462.68, Christmas Service £93.92 and Clothing Bags £242.00
Our capitation fees amounted to £640.00 so you can see where our funds go. We have to thank everyone who helps us financially.
Brigade is not just a night out; it is a first class organisation for girls. We encourage the girls to be of service to their church and community and also learn to share and care for others.
Our numbers have fallen since the start of the session, but I’m sure the girls do enjoy themselves. The company is enhanced by the leadership of our Officers and Auxiliary, who freely give of their time and talents.
My thanks go to everyone who has helped throughout the Session.
Well done to each and every girl for her commitment and loyalty, thanks to the parents and friends who encourage the girls. Sincere thanks for supporting the girls as they endeavour to fulfil the aim of the Girls’ Brigade and in so doing help them find true enrichment in life, and may we as members of God’s family continue to

Seek, Serve and Follow Christ

Nan Paterson. Captain

For The Housebound

Recently I re-read a copy of the “Every day with Jesus” notes, by the late Selwyn Hughes. It is entitled, “Reality-a road less travelled”
There is no escaping reality. Millions of people attempt to do so every day of the week, but it is a pointless thing to do. We can no longer escape from reality, than we can jump out of our skins.
Let us think about the resources that God has given to us to face reality. But first, let us ask ourselves, “What is reality” Sin is a reality, death is a reality, illness is a reality, unemployment is a reality, and the Minister leaving is a reality. Sadly, for many of our congregation reading this, being housebound is a reality.
There are only two ways to respond to unpleasant reality: either we can face it, or we look for a way of escape. Why do so many people look for ways of escaping reality? The answer is because they do not know God, or know him well enough.
This is not meant that a close relationship with God means we will never have to face the hurts and difficulties of life. Life can be very hard, but the clearer our perspective of God, the better able we are to face up to reality, and deal with it.
With the credit crunch, and the failure of so many banks, obviously there are many people, who do want to escape from reality—through drink, drugs, crime, violence, etc, etc.
How well do we know God? The more we know God, the more we will be real honest human beings, and be able to cope with all that life throws at us.
John Powell says we can only be “fully human and fully alive” when we know Jesus. When we turn to Jesus in prayer, and ask that he is with us, whatever we have to face, then we do know an inner strength that nothing else in the world can bring.
It is only in this strength, that I can leave here and know that God has plans for all of you, here in this church. “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 29; 11)