Dear friends,

I am writing five days before the world feasts its spectacle-hungry eyes on the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton on Friday 27 May. It is not just their wedding day which will be scrutinised by the whole world but to a large extent their marriage as well It is hard to imagine what it must be like to be in the public eye in such a conspicuous way and realise that the whole world will know if our marriage ends or gets into serious trouble. Generally speaking to know we are being watched is to be inhibited in acting in unacceptable ways. Does the fact that the marriages of so many high profile couples end in divorce - evidence that being in the public eye in no way prevents marital failure, suggest then that marital breakdown is now taken for granted as almost normal? That would seem to be the conclusion to be drawn. Sadly marriages do end prematurely as a result of couples being unable or unwilling to live together any longer. It would be strange in a fallen world if such a thing never happened .It is however evidently much more common today than in previous generations. Happily there is more acceptance of and support for people whose marriages have failed than in previous generations. We cannot assume that every victim of a failed marriage is guilty in respect of the breakup and even where guilt exists Christians need to be ready to accept unconditionally rather than criticise and reject those whose marriages have failed. Christian love demands this as does the humility based on the fact that we are all failures in some respect.. A censorious attitude will never bring healing into the life of a soul wounded in the struggle of life. Far better of course it would be if marital breakdown did not occur in the first place bringing in its wake so much pain and devastation in the lives of families as well as the couples concerned. To this end as Chistians we ought to pray for the marriage not just of William and Kate but of every couple in the land. If that seems too impersonal then how about those we know as well as the couples married in Dalserf Church? The names of the latter will appear from time to time in the newsletter, you may wish to pray for them when they do.

I have been appointed Interim Moderator for East Kilbride South Church and will take up the appointment officially as from Sunday 1 May. This will involve me being away some Sundays from Dalserf but hopefully not too many.

We were sorry to hear of the death of David Paterson who had been a Dalserf elder and lived in Netherburn. A number of years ago after retiring David moved to Newton Stewart. David was the Fabric convener when I was inducted to Dalserf in 1982. Davids wife Jane died several years ago . More recently David suffered the amputation of a leg. Sharon and I were able to attend the commital service at Ayr crematorium on 14 April.

The Joint end of Session Parade for BB/GB will be in Rorison Church on Sunday 8 May. Please note that on this Sunday there will be no service in Dalserf Church. There are several reasons why the venue has been changed to Rorison. The flexibility of Rorison is better suited to all-age type services. Also the last phase of the work on Rorison is now complete and it seems appropriate that we celebrate that by having the service there, allowing members and adherents who would not normally be in Rorison to see what has been done. We could have had a separate afternoon service for BB/GB but our congregation is not particularly large and to divide the congregation between two services even allowing for a number of folk attending both is likely to result in two poorly attended services. This would not be inspiring in particular for the young folk who are not normally in church and possibly reinforce for them a negative image of "church". For this reason the more people who attend the better.

Yours faithfully,
Cameron McPherson

Wedding

As many of you already know, we are to be married at Dalserf Church on Saturday 14th May at 1.30pm.
If anyone from the congregation would like to come to the service, you will be most welcome.
(The reception afterwards in Hamilton Hall is just a small family gathering.)
And we have made it very clear that, since we are combining two households into one, we would be exceedingly grateful if everyone would refrain from giving us any wedding presents!

Michael Philip & Liz Sorensen

Thanks to the church and congregation for cards, flowers and prayers during Alex recent illness. They were all much appreciated.

Alex and Bette Gillespie

A sincere thank you for all your prayers, good wishes and cards over the last few months.

Isobel Kennedy

Guild Outing to Perth -A6 14th May 2011

The bus will leave Dalsref Village at 10am and will proceed to the usual pick up points in Ashgill, Netherburn and Larkhall. Should anyone wish to join us there are a few seats available cost £18.00. Please contact Ann Carson for further information.

Joint Service

Joint Boys Brigade / Girls Brigade End of Session Parade - Sunday 8th May - Rorison Church 11.30am.
Please note the change of venue for the service on this day as there will be no service in Dalserf Church on 8th May.

Saturday Coffees

Even if you cannot be there on a Saturday you can still help by donating some of the essentials required to stock the tea room and sales table. Again if you would like to make a donation speak to me or any of the ladies on the rota. the rota can be seen on the Notice Board in Hamilton Hall. We also need your prayers that the Outreach through the fellowship, during the summer, will touch the hearts of those working in and visiting Hamilton Hall.

Kay Blair

Quote of the Month

“May the Holy Spirit be my personal guide always so that I will live only for Him. May I overflow in love so as to draw others to Christ & may His strength be perfected in my weakness."

Prayer of the Month

Lord God, I pray that you will fill my heart with the blessing of your Holy Spirit.
Grant me this day the strength to be temperate in all things, diligent in my duties, and patient under my afflictions.
Direct me in all my ways. Give me grace to be just and upright in all my dealings; quiet and peaceable; full of compassion; and ready to do good to all people, according to my abilities and opportunities. For the sake of my Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ,
Amen

WEDDING

8 April Carol Moore to Mark Davies

DEATHS

Feb 24th - George McLelland
Mar 23rd - Marion Welsh
Apr 25th - Barbara Whitelaw
Mar 11th - Flora Thomson

Flowers

1st May Mrs Baillie - Over Dalserf
(Rorison) Mrs Hunter - Dalserf
8th May OPEN DAYS
(Rorison) Mrs Blair - Ashgill
15th May Mrs Scott - Larkhall

22nd May Mrs Newlands - Dalserf
29th May Mrs Lawrie - Manse Brae
5th June Mrs MacPherson - The Manse
12th June Mrs Hoey - Larkhall
19th June Mrs Gallacher - Larkhall
26th June Mrs McHolm - Ashgill
3rd July Mrs Kennedy - Blackwood

Calendar

5th Scottish Parliamentry elections.
7th Open Day, 12am - 4pm
8th Joint BB/GB Service, 11am - Rorison.
12th Focus: Rorison 13.45, Rev. Dr. Lindsay Schluter
14th, Wedding: Michael Philip & Liz Sorensen
21st, Wedding
26th, Focus: Rorison 13.45
29th, McWhirter Home Service 15.00