Dear friends,
 On the 19th, 20th and 21st November a number of Dalserf residents including some church members along with about 50 to 60 other people including about 30 Americans were treated to lavish hospitality at the Cartland Bridge Hotel, the Caledonian Hotel Edinburgh and Lennoxlove House Haddington, the ancestral Home of the Duke of Hamilton. The reason was the launching of a book about Dalserf compiled by Diana O’Niell from Houston Texas who was married in Dalserf Church to Charles O’Niell from New Orleans in 1985. The reason they chose Dalserf for their wedding was that Diana’s grandfather Andrew Shaw came from Dalserf leaving his home in Manse Brae early in the twentieth century as a lad of 14 to emigrate to the United States of America, settling in Indiana. May Greenhill was able to tell me that her father Lawrence Ritchie who died at 100 years of age was at school with Andrew Shaw. Diana and Charles have kept in touch with us in Dalserf, I visited them at their home in Houston in January 1998. It was the O’Niell family who gifted the large stained glass windows on either side of the pulpit. Due to an error on the part of the publishers the book has not been printed yet although we have been able to view one copy of it. It is a large and very comprehensive work (well over 300 pages). It is not for sale. 1000 copies are being produced. I asked Diana if it would be possible to have copies available for members of the congregation and she has kindly agreed to give me a number of copies to make available for those interested. If every household in the congregation asks for a copy there will be a sufficient number but these books will not be distributed automatically to every member. You will be asked to indicate within a certain timescale if you wish a copy. This publication entitled "Hands Across the Sea" is packed full of fascinating social historical information. It also includes an account of the wedding in Dalserf in 1985 and details of Diana’s family.
Youth and children’s work has always been challenging but is more so than ever in the present secular society.
At its September meeting the Kirk Session agreed to a proposal to form a partnership with a Christian Organization specialising in youth work and called "MAD Ministries". The leader is Brian Lowrie whose work in schools is well known and acclaimed in Lanarkshire. Brian has recently taken on a youth worker. They would do Christian work amongst the children in the Primary schools in the parish but also have an input to the life and worship of the congregation. They will be leading a family service in Dalserf on Sunday 7th December. The Session agreed that the congregation be invited to pledge a fixed amount per month for a year. You will find a slip enclosed with the newsletter. Please consider prayerfully if you would be in a position to contribute to this venture and to what extent. Even if it is only £1 per week every contribution counts and will make a difference to the children and young folk of our parish. You may wish to come along to see MAD Ministries in action on Sunday 7 December before committing yourself.
Yours sincerely,
D. Cameron McPherson
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