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
Alpha Course
We expect to run an Alpha Course in the New Year, from mid-January through to Easter.This is a great opportunity to get to grips with practical Christianity, whether you're an experienced church-goer or completely new to the whole idea.
What's in the course :
12 sessions each consisting of (1) a sit-down meal, (2) the chance to listen to clear explanation of some aspect of the Christian faith, and (3) the opportunity to say whatever you want in open group discussion.
Alpha evenings will be held in Hamilton Hall, Dalserf and begin at 6.30 p.m. with the meal. The evenings will finish promptly at 8.45 p.m. allowing you to be on your way home by 9.
Absolutely anyone can be involved, so please chat to others who have done an Alpha Course before. Perhaps you have a relative, friend or neighbour whom you could bring, or perhaps you just owe it to yourself to get a fresh shot of enthusiasm into your faith.
All we ask is that those embarking on the course accept the commitment to 12 weekly meetings - we discourage folk from just 'dropping in'.
We can promise it will be interesting, stimulating, sociable.
And the food will be excellent!
Please let us know if you'd like to book your place and you'll get full details once everything's organised.
Michael Philip (Alpha Co-ordinator)
Church Flowers
We should like to thank most sincerely all who have put flowers in the Church. These flowers are not only a wonderful adornment to our Church but also give very great pleasure to those who receive them afterwards.There are a few Sundays still available for anyone who wishes to provide flowers, just contact Helen Knox (883770) or Rose-May Clarkson (882451).
We also greatly appreciate hearing of anyone in need of flowers.
Helen Knox & Rose-May Clarkson
Hello Everybody!
Happy Christmas and every blessing to you all. It is grand to be among family, but I miss all my friends in Lanarkshire! Having joined St Clements Church and the Guild I’m getting to know the locals.Best Wishes and ‘All the Best’ for 2009.
Alice Forrest
Thank You
Once again can I thank the wonderful band of helpers and cleaners who again have come up trumps, cleaning and doing all sorts of things, in Rorison. It is now looking really nice an I pray that our new windows will be installed in the near future.Thanks once again especially to the Girls Brigade Officers who gave up much of their free time.
Anne McHolm
‘The Oxen’
Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock,‘Now they are all on their knees,’
An elder said as we sat in a flock
By the embers in hearthside ease.
We pictured the meek mild creatures where
They dwelt in their strawy pen,
Nor did it occur to one of us there
To doubt they were kneeling then.
So fair a fancy few would weave
In these years! Yet, I feel,
If someone said on Christmas Eve,
‘Come; see the oxen kneel
In the lonely barton by yonder coomb
Our childhood used to know,’
I should go with him in the gloom,
Hoping it might be so.
Thomas Hardy
Elders Rota
December
07 D. Manson, J. Grove,J. Macfarlane, B. Archibald, K. Blair, J. Pollok
14 R Fairley, A. Carson,
A. Brown, M. Letham,
E. Budgell
21 I. Kennedy, R. Clarkson,
W. Callan, l. Eathorne,
H. Brady, G. Stewart
28 D. Manson, J. Grove,
J. Macfarlane, B. Archibald, K. Blair, J. Pollok
January
04 R Fairley, A. Carson,A. Brown, M. Letham,
E. Budgell
Christmas Appeal
Once again we will be giving the congregation the opportunity to make donations to the Machan Trust and the ‘Hamilton Drop In Centre’ by sending Christmas Messages on the church tree and making a donation instead of the frustrating task of writing and delivering our Christmas Greeting personally.Please make use of this service as the two charities mentioned have welcomed our support in previous years.
Kay Blair
Creche Rota
December
07 Miss Letham, Mrs. Yuille &Mrs. Kennedy
14 Mr. & Mrs. Harvey
21 Mrs. Blair & Mrs. Budgell
28 Mrs. McPherson & Mrs. Jones
January
04 Mr. & Mrs. ArchibaldCoffee/Tea Rota
December
07 Mrs. Hume & Mr. McManus14 Children’s Gift Service
21 Christmas Service
28 Mrs. Budgell & Mrs. Blair
January
04 Mrs. Manson &Mrs. McCallum
Flower Rota
December
07 Mrs. Budgell, Netherburn14 Mrs. Knox, Dalserf
21 Mrs. Blair, Ashgill
28 Miss Kerr, Larkhall
January
04 Mrs. Callan, LarkhallNewsletter
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Articles for the January newsletter are due on December 14th.
Notice Board
Guild Christmas Fayre
Saturday December 6th12 noon - 3pm
Dalserf Church & Hamilton Hall
Advent Family Service
With MAD MinistriesSunday December 7th
Dalserf 12 noon
Children’s Gift Service
Sunday December 14thDalserf 12 noon
(You are invited to bring along a wrapped gift and indicate whether for a boy or girl and approx. age)
Larkhall Joint Service
Dalserf 6.30pm
Christmas Family Service
Sunday December 21stDalserf 12 noon
Candlelit Carol Service
Dalserf 7pm
(arranged and led by the GB)
Christmas Eve Service
Thursday December 24thDalserf 11.30pm