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September 2009 Newsletter |
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Pastoral Letter
Dear friends,
 I am writing on the day Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi who was the only person convicted of the Lockerbie bombing is being freed from prison on compassionate grounds, most if not all of you will be familiar with the story. This is an intriguing and complex matter. A TV documentary earlier in the year argued strongly for Megrahi’s innoncence on the basis that the evidence against him was flawed. If he is innocent the cause of ultimate justice is being served by his release even if the integrity of our justice system is not. However the issue has nothing to do with the question of Megrahi’s guilt. This man is being freed on compassionate grounds because he is terminally ill. The Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny McAskill gave what was in many respects a highly emotional and impressive speech in which he traced the reasoning which led to the decision to release. In it he condemned Megrahi uncompromisingly for the Lockerbie atrocity stating that he had shown no mercy or compassion to the victims or their families but adding that this is no reason why we should not show mercy and compassion to him and his family. There was a strong hint that our faith was one important element underpinning such mercy and compassion.
Much as I rejoice in the exercise of mercy and compassion, I think it was a serious mistake to release this man on these grounds. Until Megrahi is found not guilty he has to be regarded as guilty. The crime he is being punished for is so horrendous that it is questionable whether any number of years in prison could be said to be an adequate punishment
Does our Christian faith demand that the state show mercy and compassion? The answer is "yes provided first and foremost justice is carried out". If someone acts wrongly against you, as a Christian your duty is not to see that the perpetrator is suitably punished but that your attitude towards them is one of forgiveness "forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors". The duty of the state is different however. The duty of the state is to ensure that those who threaten and disrupt the lives of others and of society are punished in a way which is proportionate to their crime. Paul in Romans chapter 13 states that the secular governing authorities have been "established by God" and that the "one in authority" is "an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer". What I believe has happened in this current situation is that what should belong only to the subjective realm of personal responsibility is being inappropriately brought to bear on the objective judicial responsibility of the state. The Justice Secretary said "those who have been bereaved cannot be expected to forget let alone forgive"how strange that he questions the possibilty of grace where it truly belongs and imposes it where it does not belong. This is not authentic Christian ethics but misplaced sentimentality.
What about consideration for the victims families who expect justice? McAskill freely admits "their pain runs deep and their wounds remain" In so acknowledging the pain of the loved ones of the victims does he not see the importance for them of receiving justice and that for most of them the release of Megrahi is only going to increase their pain? Has compassion for Megrahi been considered more important than compassion for the victims loved ones? Certainly those who believe in Megrahis innocence will not be adversely affected by his release but what about those who do not? Inasmuch as it is appropriate for compassion to be exercised by the justice system should compassion for the victims families not demand that whatever help otherwise Megrahi is given to cope with his illness he serve his full sentence or as much of it as his life span will allow?
Looking at the whole picture, are the interests of justice being served by this decision to release Megrahi? Ponder it for yourself. I am sorry if you think I am being unduly harsh but I reiterate the sentiments I expressed earlier that if Megrahi is innocent after all I am glad for him and his family that he is being released, but either way inasmuch as the reasoning behind the release is flawed I fear that the cause of justice in Scotland has not been best served in this case by its justice system.
Your faithfully
Cameron McPherson
Come Back To Church SundayMany churches throughout the country of all denominations will be participating in this. The idea is simply to invite to a special service on 20th September, (in our case), folk who have had some contact with the church in the past but have been absent for some time. This would apply to former and lapsed members and people married or baptised in Dalserf. We would be delighted of course to invite anyone to the service whether or not they have had some involvement with Dalserf or any church in the past. We will try to produce an invitation card which members can use to invite others.
Guild Re-dedicationSunday 13th September
Dalserf 12 noon
New Session Starts
Wednesday 16th September
Rorison 7.15pm
1st Dalserf Girls’ BrigadeNew Session
Monday 7th September
Primary 1-3 6-7pm
Primary 4—S6 6.30-8pm
Big Bible Breakfast ShowResumes Sunday 6th September
10.45am, Hamilton Hall
Open DaysDalserf Church—Hamilton Hall
Saturday 12th September, 12-4.00pm
Sunday 13th September, 2.00-4.00pm
Baking for the Teas: Kay Blair Tel. 882499
Cake & Candy: Cathie Yuille Tel. 889885
Plants: Louise Lawrie Tel. 887378
Soft/Fancy Goods: Jean McFarlane Tel. 373486
Second-hand books: Rhona Campbell: Tel. 884035
Souvenirs: Helen Knox Tel. 883770
White Elephant: Lilias Eathorne Tel. 882862
Crafts: Rae Hunter Tel. 888435
Christian Books: Rita Fairley Tel. 881160
Beatitude for the AgedBlessed are they who understand my faltering step and palsied hand.
Blessed are they who know my ears today must strain to catch things they say.
Blessed are they who seem to know my eyes are dim and wits are slow.
Blessed are they who looked away when coffee was spilt on the table today.
Blessed are they with a cheery smile, who stop to chat to me a while.
Blessed are they who never say "You’ve told that story twice today".
Blessed are they who know the way to bring back memories of yesterday.
Blessed are they who make it known I’m loved, respected and not alone.
Blessed are they who ease the days of my journey home in loving ways.
Submitted by Valerie Holmes
Table Top Sale
The Machan Trust are extremely grateful to everyone at Dalserf Parish Church who helped to raise the wonderful sum of £450 at the Table Top Sale at Rorison on 2nd May. This was and excellent start to the programme of events undertaken by all the churches in the area not only to mark the 10th Anniversary of the setting up of the Trust, but also to help fund all the invaluable work undertaken to “make a difference” for our young people. Special thanks are due to Margaret Curness—ably assisted by her family— for organising the event in her usual brilliant manner, to Thomson Forrest for transporting the tables, to Anne Brown for collecting and counting the money, to Kay Blair and Lily Budgell for organising the teas, and to John Grove for supervising the car parking. Many others also provided valuable assistance—putting up banners, donating goods to be sold, providing baking, setting up tables, etc., etc. as well as raising funds for an exceptionally worthwhile cause, the event gave great enjoyment and fellowship to all who took part.
Robert & Rose-May Clarkson
“You’ve made my day”
“You’ve made my day” is rarely the choice of words used by a parishioner on greeting their elder on his or her monthly home visit. But such was the warmth of May Cuthill that a visitation to her home was one to be looked forward to with keen anticipation. The inevitable cup of tea, the chocolate biscuit, (always served on a plate,) along with her repartee, and stories, were the hallmark of a visit which could easily extend beyond an hour and a half. Until the latter part of her life, her memory for names, relationships, dates, marriages and deaths were staggering in their quality and quantity, as well as their accuracy. She loved to relate stories of her youthful days in Rosebank and the wide range of activities in which she participated, and the clubs and organisations to which she belonged. Despite the lack of transport she seemed to be a very busy young lady. She would recall with delight the close neighbours that congregated on a regular basis in her mother’s house opposite the Popinjay. Such were the times that an open door policy existed in that rural setting. She could recount with amazing clarity many of her romantic ‘dates’. On one occasion she even escorted the chauffeur to King George V to the cinema in Lanark, as he passed through that town on his way from London to Balmoral. When questioned about other ’suitors’ in her life she would invariably reply “the desirable were rarely available and the available were rarely desirable”. She loved to talk about her family and rarely missed the opportunity to boast about her two granddaughters and their jobs at Wishaw General Hospital. After the passing of her husband Tom, the prospect of visits from ‘the girls’ was anticipated with eagerness. She greatly appreciated the regular support and care she received from her daughter Elizabeth.
Her connection with Dalserf Church extended from baptism, through Sunday School, youth groups, drama groups, to marriage and continued through her adult life. She was very proud of her long standing membership and resisted many attempts by neighbours and friends in Carluke to entice her away to a more local congregation. She could easily recall the personal details and foibles of all the previous ministers, and seemed to have a lingering fondness for Louis Watson.
She often quoted the fact that she and I were the last two members of Dalserf who were actually born in the village of Rosebank , so I shall greatly miss her recollections of the various happenings in the village as well as the names of the long forgotten residents I had known as a boy. I shall miss her hospitality, her interest in my own family, her tales of yesteryear, her sense of humour and the warmth of her welcome. It was indeed a privilege to be her elder. She certainly brightened my day, I hope I brightened hers.
Bruce Archibald
What if...?
Whilst on holiday in America we went to Palisades United Methodist Church. One of the services was devoted to 'Servant Sunday Celebration' and during the service each of the members was asked to fill in a card listing his/her strengths and gifts.
When the sermon (based on 1 Cor.12:4-11, 27-31) was over, each of the members quietly filed out to the front and placed his/her completed card in the offering plate, thus pledging appropriate time and talents to the wider work of the Church. The following was printed on the Order of Service for the day:-
What if...?
"I can't." "I won't". "I don't". These are the words that keep people from reaching their potential. There's no telling how different this world would be if people throughout the ages had not lived up to their fullest potential. Consider this: What if Michelangelo said, "I don't do ceilings?" What if David said, "I can't do giants?" What if Neil Armstrong said, "I don't do outer space?" Or what if Paul said, "I don't do mission work?" And what if Jesus said, "I don't do crosses?" Just think what a different world this would be! We have all been blessed because of a few individuals who chose not to say, "I don't, I won't", and "I can't". . . . . Now, what was it you were saying you just can't/won't do?? Give it some thought!
Lillias Eathorne.
Guild (Prayer Book)
As our Guild is 100 years old during 2009 it was thought we could make up a prayer book. We would like the congregation to pass on a prayer to enable us to make up this book. We sincerely hope you will cooperate with us in this venture. Please pass on your prayers to myself, Sadie Newlands, Lily Budgell, or Moira Kerr.
Hope to hear from lots of you.
Helen Knox
President
General Assembly 2009
News Releases
Kirk Youth Assembly wants more Mod online content.
THE Moderator should be sharing sermons with online Facebook friends - according to the youth wing of the Church of Scotland.
This was one of the proposals from the Kirk's National Youth Assembly, held in Dundee last September. Facebook is one of the most popular social networking websites, where users are encouraged to share their thoughts, photos and messages with friends.
Youth Assembly members felt that the Church of Scotland should explore and utilise appropriate technology to further the Gospel, and to develop fellowship locally, nationally and internationally. It encouraged the investigation of new avenues that computers open to engage with people the Church may not previously had contact with, and to provide training for key figures to maximise these opportunities.
Members also called for the implementation of a weekly Sabbath from unnecessary use of technology to ensure that personal relationships continue to have their proper place at the heart of the Church of Scotland's ministry and witness.
Kirk asks why less women enter the ministry.
The Church of Scotland is continuing an investigation into why fewer women are applying for the ministry.
In 2007 the Ministries Council's Vocation and Training Committee began researching why a disproportionately lower number of women than men go into training.
This year's Ministries Council report says the importance of the issue has led the Council to delay making a final report to allow for more in depth study. It will present its findings to the 2010 General Assembly instead.
Last year 32 women applied for the ministry, the highest number since 2004, compared to 40 men.
Deaths
May16th Joanna Robertson
August11th May Lindsay
14th Jack McDonald
Weddings
July3rd Christine Martin to Stuart Gray
24th Ruth Dalgleish to Dr. David McCaig
31st Linda Stewart to William Dodds
Elders Rota
September06th D. Manson, J. Grove, J. Macfarlane, B. Archibald, K. Blair, J. Pollok
13th R Fairley, A. Carson, A. Brown, M. Letham, E. Budgell
20th I. Kennedy, R. Clarkson, W. Callan, L. Eathorne, H. Brady, G. Stewart
27th D. Manson, J. Grove, J. Macfarlane, B. Archibald, K. Blair, J. Pollok
October04th R Fairley, A. Carson, A. Brown, M. Letham, E. Budgell
Creche Rota
September06th Mrs. Manson & Mrs. McCallum
13th The Humes
20th Rededication Service
27th Mrs. Price & Miss Rodger
October04th Harvest
Coffee/Tea Rota
September06th Mrs. Blair & Mrs. Budgell
13th Mrs. McPherson & Mrs. Jones
20th Mr. & Mrs. Archibald
27th Mrs. Clarkson & Mrs. Watt
October04th Mr. & Mrs. McPhee
Flower Rota
September06th Mrs. McPhee, Larkhall
13th Oper Day
20th Mrs. McLean, Ashgill
27th Mrs. Walker, Wishaw
October04th Mrs. Knox, Dalserf
Newsletter
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Articles for the Summer newsletter are due on June 14th.
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