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Dear friends,
I have spoken elsewhere in the newsletter about the official opening of Hamilton Hall. I would like to say something here about the history of additional accommodation in Dalserf. Dalserf Church attractive as it is, is severely limited in terms of accommodation and facilities for anything other than worship. The need for additional accommodation in Dalserf was met in various ways over the years of my ministry in Dalserf. When we first began serving teas we did so in the Mauldslie (centre) gallery. A sink unit was installed in the vestibule of the Mauldslie Gallery to make this easier. Willie and Helen Knox's living room was used for the crèche. In 1994 we were offered a residential caravan which was purchased at the relatively small sum of £250 and was sited where Hamilton Hall is now. This was used for the crèche and for the Big Bible Breakfast Club and the prayer meeting prior to the Sunday service. Dalserf Estate had been approached with a request for a plot of land on which to build a hall. We were given a plot eighty feet by fifty feet on the opposite side of the path from where Hamilton Hall is, on the understanding that if a hall was not built within five years the offer would lapse. In 1996 the Session began to investigate the possibility of a second hand prefabricated structure twenty one and a half feet by at least thirty feet which would cost around £1500 for the basic structure if we carried out the labour ourselves. An anonymous gift of £1100 was available for this purpose. In the meantime it was noted that the "shed" in the village belonging to Dalserf estate was no longer used and the estate were approached with a request to use it as extra accommodation for the congregation. This was graciously agreed to with some conditions to safeguard the concerns of the residents - no parking by users in Kirk Road, no regular meetings of youth organisations etc. The shed was quite unusable as it was, it required a proper floor, ceiling, walls lined, new windows and back door which it did not have. We were fortunate to be able to utilise the services of Community Industries run by the council to give young people work experience. This meant that we had to cover the cost only of materials which amounted to around £5,000. "The Meeting Place" as we called it was dedicated on 31st August, 1997 and was invaluable as the venue for tea and fellowship after the service and also for stalls on Open Day Saturdays. One major drawback was the distance from the church, another was the absence of toilets. It is not at all clear from the Kirk Session minutes why this option was chosen rather than the pre-fabricated building. I can only assume the permanence of the Meeting Place was considered more important than close proximity to the church.
The Kirk Session considered extending The Meeting Place and adding toilet facilities and upgrading for catering purposes. Although this would have cost considerably less than Hamilton Hall it was still unsatisfactory particularly in terms of the distance from the church. The possibility of a building of some description adjacent to the church was reconsidered. Bruce Archibald in particular began to investigate various possibilities beginning with a portacabin moving on to a wooden chalet type building. The Presbytery instruction to install a disabled toilet to serve Dalserf Church gave added impetus to the better alternative to build a new hall and only as more funds began to be available for the purpose and the New Meeting Place Committee was set up, did it become apparent that the fine building we now have was possible, meeting all our needs and more.
It is to be hoped that a goodly number of members will attend the special service, meeting and lunch with Richard Higginbottom on Sunday 3rd February. I think it should be stressed that the meeting which will probably last about half an hour should not be looked at as a church business meeting. We will not be making any decisions and I would not expect people to be using this as a platform to promote divisive views. It is a friendly chat about the congregation with Richard to give him as much information as possible about ourselves. I have deliberately avoided discussing with Richard my own views about the strengths and weakness and issues of the congregation in order to allow his assessment to be as objective as possible. Herein lies the value of this church consultancy - someone with knowledge and experience of the church and of many other congregations taking a look from the outside at our congregation without the personal baggage created by our involvement in the congregation which we all carry and which reduces our ability to be objective.
Yours sincerely,
D. Cameron McPherson
Calling all Parents…Grandparents and Carers….Jan 08Sunday Pathfinders is open to all pre-primary and primary aged children and is running every to the local school timetable.
We are looking at Jesus life this term in the run up to Easter with games, songs, memory verses, and crafts to reinforce the bible lesson for all the ages…
We meet in Rorison Church in Ashgill from 10-30 till 11-30.
All parents are welcome to stay with their children or to make a visit to see what we get up to…
Please speak to any of us after the service…
Kim, Claire and Jennifer look forward to seeing you there.
Jennifer Hume
To,All those who made the opening of the ‘Hamilton Hall’ such a wonderful day.
Your hard work was much appreciated. The flowers made it home in one piece and are still blooming. The paperweight will have pride of position. Thank you so much for both gifts.
Chris & Jen Henderson-Hamilton
Letter received 4th DecemberDear Cameron,
I write to express my delight at the afternoon both Elizabeth and I enjoyed with yourself and the folk at Dalserf on Sunday past.
It was a very great pleasure, as Moderator, to receive an invitation to participate in such an important event in the life of the congregation.
The new meeting place looks and feels splendid and, I am certain, it will be an excellent resource for the church and wider community. I am sure that the Lord will be able to use it for the extension of His kingdom and the glory of His name for many years to come.
There is obviously a good spirit at work in the church and a tangible desire to serve God. People were very attentive during the time I was preaching and I sensed a willingness to go forward in faith, which is encouraging. This is a great tribute to your own ministry there over the years.
Please pass on my thanks to all involved in organising the day. Especially remember me to Mrs. Brown, who welcomed us at the door of the church and faithfully looked after my wife at the lunch, to Mr. Archibald and Mr. McPhee, who have obviously worked unstintingly to encourage others in the completion of this important task. Also, many thanks for the beautiful flower arrangement given to my wife, and to the ladies who worked so hard to offer such excellent hospitality during lunch.
Every blessing to you, Sharon and the congregation at Dalserf for the future.
Yours sincerely,
The Revd Derek W. Hughes
Official Opening of Hamilton HallThe official opening of Hamilton Hall took place on Sunday 2nd December following the noon service and an excellent lunch masterminded by Sheena Archibald. Around ninety were present. John McPhee who had been the chairman of the New Meeting Place Committee ably chaired the proceedings. Our treasurer Bruce Archibald who had been particularly active in pursuing the "dream" of a new hall in Dalserf gave an excellent speech tracing the development of the project. The Laird of Dalserf Estate Mr. Christopher Henderson-Hamilton unveiled the plaque thus officially opening Hamilton Hall. Mr. Henderson-Hamilton who has given us the use of the plot of land on which the hall stands, spoke at the service of his family connections with Dalserf. The moderator of Hamilton Presbytery Rev. Derek Hughes who had been the preacher at the service beforehand offered a prayer of dedication. A vote of thanks by John McPhee concluded the ceremony. The new hall is a wonderful asset and is already encouraging a greater number of members to remain for refreshments and fellowship after the service. All the groups which previously met in The Meeting Place now meet in Hamilton Hall and it will be no surprise if requests are made by other groups to use this excellent facility which may even be for small wedding receptions and funeral teas. Well done to all involved in the opening ceremony and even more so to all involved in making the dream a reality.
The Minister
Change of Congregation NameThe Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) have stipulated that congregational names must conform to certain criteria involving the name of the parish and of the denomination. As a result our congregation which has hitherto been referred to as "Dalserf Parish Church" will now be referred to as "Dalserf Parish Church of Scotland". Our charity reference number which should be given in all congregational documents is SCO16156 (What a pity it couldn't have been 1655!). Also to be included in church documents is one of the following terms:- Charity; Charitable Body; Registered Charity; Charity Registered in Scotland; Scottish Charity or Registered Scottish Charity. "Charitable Body" can be understood in more than one sense - perhaps we should opt for that one!
Editorial CommentWe empathise with the ‘regular attendee’ who was “surprised and disappointed” there was nothing in the January Newsletter about the opening of Hamilton Hall.
Every month we are ‘disappointed’ but no longer ‘surprised’ at the lack of interesting, informative or witty articles from you the congregation. It would appear that everyone expects someone else to write these articles. All we ask is that the articles are signed, and whether you wish your name to be appended.
On a positive note we do thank the few who do contribute.
As a regular attendee at Dalserf Church, I was surprised and disappointed that there was no mention of the opening of the Hamilton Hall in the New Year Newsletter.
The completion of this building is indeed a milestone in the life of the church, the congregation and the 25 years ministry of our minister, and is surely worthy of some comment.
The organising committee has to be congratulated on its efforts on our behalf. The results speak volumes for the thought and planning that had gone into the project. I am sure that many in the congregation will be guilty of indulging in the first of the 'seven deadly sins', pride! I am certain that the hall will prove to be a huge asset, both to the church, and to the community at large. Since its opening, I for one have enjoyed every moment within its walls, and look forward to its future use.
Those that organised , provided and arranged the opening celebration and meal performed an amazing feat, considering the numbers that attended that very happy and joyful occasion. The Rev. Hughes's preaching and his prayer of dedication were very meaningful and very appropriate for the event.
As I understand it, the whole project would not have been possible without the cooperation and generosity of Mr. Christopher Henderson-Hamilton, the owner of Dalserf Estate. His presence, along with his wife, added greatly to the day. They both proved to be very 'ordinary people', very willing to talk to and spend time with, everyone who caught their eye.
I feel certain that their warm personalities, like the building, will leave a lasting impression on the congregation.
Regular Attendee
Alpha CourseThe Alpha Course began on Wednesday 23rd January. Michael Philip our administrator was anxious this time to do the course as much "by the book" as possible. This means beginning every meeting with a two course meal. The course runs for eleven weeks and includes a "Day Away" when three talks on the Holy Spirit are given and discussed. All meetings (apart from the Day Away) will be held in Hamilton Hall and all meetings (except on Thursday 31st, January) will be on Wednesday evenings. The course including the meal is free. New members will be accepted provided you can come along on 31st January and commit yourself (as far as possible) to the whole course. If coming please contact Michael Philip (Tel. 01236 875729) or the Minister (Tel. 01698 882195) before the 31st January.
The Minister
A Very Big Thank YouI’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped with the cleaning of Rorison during this time of renovation. There have been times when it has been overwhelming with the amount of work required to be done. Some have been helping me or have done work while I have been on holiday. There is still a lot of work to be done but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
We have a new roof, lovely toilets, a beautiful peaceful and holy sanctuary, and two halls with new heating keeping them nice and warm.
Thanks be to God and we pray that windows and floors will not be too far away.
Anne McHolm
Missing ItemThe aluminium stepladder kept in Rorison has gone missing. If you borrowed it, no need to own up just return it quietly please. Failing that, any information about the whereabouts of the steps will be welcome.
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