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Dear friends,
 I would like to comment on the two issues which are to some extent dominating the thoughts of some of us at the present time. I would rather not be giving any more attention to the General assembly's decisions on same sex relationships and the ministry but I feel it is important to bring members up to date with this issue given its potential for disruption within the Church of Scotland. It might seem as though I am giving more exposure to this matter than it warrants at present having devoted the last pastoral letter I can assure you that I know of several congregations where it has been given a lot more exposure with congregational meetings being held to discuss it. What has been happening? Three congregations I know of are almost certainly leaving the Church of Scotland imminently - none of them in our Presbytery or immediate area. Two are in Aberdeen one is in Edinburgh. I know of several elders who have already left the Church of Scotland one of them not far from Dalserf, it was announced at East Kilbride South church on Sunday that two elders there had resigned and left the Church of Scotland - these are only situations I know of personally it must be happening all over Scotland. I along with our Session Clerk Joan Pollok attended a meeting held in St George's Tron Church in the centre of Glasgow on the afternoon of Friday 17 June lasting two and half hours. It was a private meeting for ministers and elders for those on the traditionalist side of the issue. It was by invitation only but nevertheless there was an estimated 700 present. About 5 or 6 ministers spoke, the thrust of their message being predominantly that to them there seemed to be little hope of a recovery of a Biblical position on this issue and therefore no alternative but to move towards leaving the Church of Scotland sooner or later.
The meeting was helpful I believe in impressing on anyone who may have doubted it, the seriousness of the situation we are in but I have to say that since the meeting I have become increasingly convinced that the pessimistic tone reflected in the meeting is based on a premature assumption that there is nothing those who are opposed to these decisions can do. The General assembly decision was to consider allowing people in same sex relationships to be in the ministry and to that end to set up a theological commission to do the considering. I think until the commission comes to the firm conclusion that we should accept this proposal we should not be giving up on the Church of Scotland but rather trusting that God will intervene to enable the Church of Scotland to adopt an approach to this issue which is in accordance with the teaching of the Bible and the consensus of the worldwide church both past and present.
The second issue on which I have only a little to say is that of the position of Dalserf with regard to the future Presbytery plan. It was intimated at a Sunday service that Lanark Presbytery had approached Hamilton Presbytery with a proposal to transfer Dalserf from Hamilton Presbytery to Lanark Presbytery. The pulpit intimation about this was made simply because it was known about by a number of people in the Lanark presbytery area through the publication of their Presbytery plan and I felt it was important to let the congregation of this proposal but that it was only a proposal and had not even been discussed by us far less be agreed to. The proposal involved in the (very) long term a union between Kirkmuirhill, Crossford and Kirkfieldbank and Dalserf retaining all the existing places of worship. Lanark Presbytery however rejected their whole plan so we have no idea until a new plan is drawn up and approved, if our future is going to be with Lanark or Hamilton. Meanwhile a meeting of the local area committee on Monday 27 June may produce an interesting proposal in relation to our future with the Larkhall churches.
Finally, please remember that the time of the service does not change to 10.30 this summer but remains at 11.30.
Have a good summer holiday
Yours faithfully,
Cameron McPherson
Notice Board:****************
PLEASE NOTE TIME OF SERVICE DURING JULY AND AUGUST REMAINS AT 11.30
With Thanks:***************
With Thanks - Charity Concert
I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part as either a musician, front of house, caterer or as an audience member. Together we enjoyed a memorable and polished evening of fine and rousing musical entertainment from a variety of local Larkhall talent.
The tea and baking was commented upon enthusiastically especially by choir members who are always glad of a
cuppa.
“Sound Routes” Community choir will be performing again on the 20 and 21 June at the Glo centre…tickets on the door for the Tuesday if you missed the concert here at Rorison Church
Trio “Troyka” and Ross Forrest are available professionally and CDs are available for both singer and flautist Shona Brown and Heather Young.
Special thanks to W Hume and family for services rendered and general support and to Rev Cameron and Session permitting the free use of the church for the event. Also to Paula and Andy White for supplying the baking ;this was superb and freshly made that day!!
All proceeds to World Horse Welfare in support of my fund raising challenge ride later this year.
If you would like to donate further please visit:
www.Justgiving.com/Jennifer-Hume
Thank You and God Bless
Jennifer Hume
Quote of the Month**********************
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He
shall direct your paths.
- Proverbs 3:5,6
Prayer of the Month**********************
Father,
Thank you for getting me through another year.
Thank you for times to stay up late—
and for times to sleep in!
Thank you for a chance to just take it easy for a while, and to get some much-needed rest.
Thank you for summer vacation!
This summer will be full of new experiences for me and my friends:
new jobs, exciting mission trips,
and vacations to places we've never been before.
Grow me, stretch me through whatever I do, and through wherever I go,
Guide me in my preparation for another year In order that I can do my best Keep me safe in all that I do
so that I'll end the summer just a little more like you.
Amen
Flowers*********
July3rd Mrs. Kennedy - Blackwood
10th Mrs. Fairley - Dalserf
17th ----
24th Mrs. Brown - Overtown
31st Mrs. Blair - Ashgill
August7th Mrs. White - New Lanark
14th Mrs. Clarkson - Dalserf
21st Mrs. Budgell - Netherburn
28th Mrs Hunter - Dalserf
Mrs. Pollok - Crossford
Calendar***********
July 20111st,Wedding, 2pm
20th,Wedding
21st ,Wedding, 1pm
20th,Wedding
August 201127th,Wedding Blessing Service, 2pm
Machan Trust****************
The Machan Trust had a very successful Easter Programme, where our young people took part in our:
- “Mega Munchies” an exciting programme for all Primary School aged children, which included games, crafts, puzzles, drama and music.
- Badminton coaching by Scottish Badminton Champion Keith Turnbull in Netherburn hall and in Larkhall Baptist Church.
- On Friday 15 April we got on our bikes and enjoyed a day cycling. From Chatelherault to Strathclyde Park and back, with a stop along the way for a picnic lunch.
We have just completed an Anti-Sectarianism project supported by funding from Sense Over Sectarianism and Larkhall Problem Solving Group. This year the Machan Trust has been working in partnership with 250 P7 pupils and their teachers at each of the 10 local primary schools across the Ashgill, Larkhall, Netherburn and Stonehouse areas planning and delivering an anti-sectarianism initiative.
There were three streams to this initiative as follows:
- Drama - 60 workshops (6 at each primary) were delivered during March and April using skilled and talented actor, playwright and director David Carmichael and a team of local volunteers. The children scripted their own plays, acting out their ideas and producing quality drama performances.
- Literature - Theresa Breslin, author of the Divided City visited each of the 10 primaries on two occasions sharing her literary skills and talents with the pupils. She gave the children tips and techniques on writing and how to create suspense, tension, excitement focusing on beginnings and endings.
- Art – The children supported by their teachers produced anti- sectarianism artwork to highlight visually their views on sectarianism.
The end product of these workshops will be the production of a sustainable electronic workbook containing 12 anti sectarian drama sketches which can be used year on year in all the local primaries and perhaps in schools across other areas too. These drama performances were showcased and performed by pupils from each of the schools on Wednesday 11th May in St Machans Church, Larkhall. This event was also picked up by the STV early evening news programme.
This year our summer programme will run during the School Holidays from 27th June until 12th August. We have many varied and exciting activates for all ages and in many different locations.
Ashgill – Gnome Nap/Walking/Cinema Night
Larkhall – Art/Gnome Nap/Cinema Night/Cycling/Teen Day away Mini Olympics
Netherburn – Arts and Crafts/Lazerquest/Walking/Cycling
Stonehouse – Cinema Night/Masterchef/Glasgow visit with activities
Our final week of activities will be our Summer Mission which is a programme open to all primary school children and is run each evening from 6.30pm until 8.30pm. There will be something for everyone including games, crafts, puzzles, drama and music.
If you would like to book a place or get more details about any of these events or would like to help us by volunteering, please contact Martha on 01698 305674.
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