Dear friends,
Our congregational life has been overshadowed in the earlier part of this year by the unexpected loss of two of the most active and prominent members: Moira Kerr and Helen Knox.

We were shocked by Moira's death on 27 December and again on Monday 8 February by Helen's. Helen had been unwell for much of last year and had entered Hilton Gardens Nursing Home for respite care pending a possible move to sheltered housing in Larkhall. Being unwell on the Monday morning she was taken to Wishaw General but suffered fatal cardiac arrest in the ambulance on the way.

Around 250 attended the funeral service in Dalserf church on Wednesday 17 February. Our Guild in particular has been bereft, Helen being the president and Moira the Vice-President. In each case there was no doubt whatsoever about their Christian faith and therefore their eternal destiny and for that reason while we are undoubtedly sad our sadness is not "as those who have no hope" (1 Thess.4:13).

While a preoccupation with death would be unhealthy the same is true of the increasing tendency in our society to avoid the subject, understandable as that is. Apart from the wisdom of preparing for something which is inevitable for everyone, the Christian can afford to look death in the eye without fear because for him or her its sting has been removed through the death and resurrection of Jesus. So true is this that the apostle Paul could say "for me...to die is gain" ( Phil.1:21 ). The unbeliever may regard such a declaration as simply an attempt to whitewash an uncomfortable truth but the reality is that for the Christian death marks the beginning of a new mode of existence which is incomparably better and higher than this life at its most blissful. While I would want to encourage people to live life to the full I would also want to encourage a robust acceptance of the inevitability of death and preparation for it by getting and keeping right with God. I sincerely hope you will feel free to speak to me if you have any concerns regarding this matter.
 
Your faithfully
Cameron McPherson

New Organist

Miss Lesley Blackwood has agreed to become our organist. Lesley is a medical student and for that reason may not always be available during the week. We are glad however that she will be available to play most Sundays and as far as possible for a monthly choir practice.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Andy and Joan Pollok who celebrate their 40th. Wedding anniversary on 6 March this year - (they don’t look old enough!).

Correction To February Newsletter

Death of Tam Williamson should have read 14 January and not 14 December.

Tribute - Helen Knox

Helen Sarah McHolm was born at Straiton in Ayrshire on 20th October 1934, but lived during her childhood in Coltness Estate attending both Wishaw Public and Wishaw Central schools.  Helen had a sister Jean who died in 1939 at 3 years of age and one brother David. The family moved to Dalserf village to 3 Kirk Road in 1952.  Helen took a course in shorthand and typing at Coatbridge Technical College and worked for a while at Lanarkshire steel works offices. She married Willie Knox on 27 February 1960 and lived at 2 Kirk Road, Dalserf Village. They had one daughter Ann and a grandaughter Sarah-Jane and at a later stage another grandson in the form of Georges son Scott.  Helen worked as an auxiliary and classroom assistant at Craigbank, Hareleeshill and Dalserf schools.

Helen was a Burns enthusiast having been a member of Larkhall Burns Club since 1987 and being president 2000 - 2002 and 2008 to the time of her death. She was also a delegate to the Lanarkshire Association of Burns Clubs and for many years until recently was Minute Secretary to the Association. She gave much time to the Club's work in schools and has tutored many children in the art of recitation.

Helen had been involved in Dalserf church since her teenage years. She had been a leading member of the church Drama group the Dalserf Church Players. As a teenager she was a Sunday school teacher many years later to become Sunday school superintendent. Along with Willie and then on her own after Willie died she was church officer at Dalserf opening and closing and cleaning the building and making the it ready for weddings and funerals and other events. She greatly missed Willie who died in 2004. 

Helen was involved in the establishing in 1983 of 1st Dalserf Girls Brigade company being at the first meeting with Brigade personnell to discuss the matter. Then when 1st Dalserf BB company was re-established a year later she became the Anchor Boys leader.  She also accompanied our GB company to camp on several occasions.

For 30 years or more she had been a member of Dalserf Woman’s Guild as it used to be called - now the Guild, and was the Guild President when she died.

Helen was also our purchases convener which means that she was in charge of the sale of church mementoes - pens, key-rings, fridge magnets, historical booklets etc. Along with Gail Blackwood, Helen set up a Scripture Union group in Dalserf School.

Helen’s father was an elder in Dalserf Church her husband Willie was a Dalserf elder and I am sure she was very proud of the fact that the eldership extended to a third generation when her daughter Ann became a elder of Dalserf Church on 24 January this year.

Photography Competition

As you may recall in the last edition we were asking for photos of the church and Parish for our launch edition.  Well we have decided to extend the deadline for this competition as many of you have expressed an interest in providing a picture

So get those cameras out and at the ready - we want to see as many photographs of the parish as we can, this includes the church and the surrounding area.

Submit your photo's to either Andy or Paula White or you can email them to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
by the closing date (too be announced). The photographs will be udged and a small prize given out for the best picture.

We would like to take this opportunity to ask that you only submit the maximum of three photos.
So get those camera's flashing!
GOOD LUCK

New Elders

On Sunday 17th January 2010, we were witness to 4 members of the church being ordained as church elders, please welcome  John McPhee, Willie Hamilton,  Anne Price and Michael Phillips.

The Guild

The ladies of the guild celebrating  their Centenary at the end of 2009. Congratulations .

Sunday Pathfinders

For the attention of all  parents who have children attending Sunday Pathfinders: Please be assured that if any changes have to be made regarding a particular Sunday - you will be given prior notice, otherwise we will meet as normal. 

Any queries please contact

Claire on 01698 376 890
Or
Kim on 01698 881674  / 07928121830. 

Communion

Sunday 7 March
Dalserf 11.30
Rorison 3.30

"Do this in remembrance of me"

Nativity 2009

(Picture to follow)

Deaths

8 February Helen Knox

Certificate of Transference Granted

David Chapman to Lanark, Greyfriars