Guild Newsletter January 2021

Guild-News-Jan-2021-2

Guild News Sheet October 2020

Dear Friends,
Here we are into another new season.

Soon after we went into lockdown we moved the clocks forward into British summer time. We have now moved them back.
When we went into Lockdown the buds were just coming on the trees, today they are shedding their leaves. Spring came and went, we enjoyed some really fine sunny weather during May and June and now I quote ….“the nights are fair drawin’ in”.
Having watched the seasons following each other observing God’s creation we know we will heal from this pandemic in time and God is and will still be on His throne in Heaven.
I for one have certainly missed the fellowship of my Church family, the camaraderie of the Saturday Teas and now our Guild Meetings.

We would have met 4 times and been planning our activities looking towards Christmas, Harvest celebrated and Shoe Boxes filled.
At our October meeting’s our speakers would have been the World Mission Council and Join Up the Dots. Both organisations are part of the National Guild Projects.

WORLD MISSION COUNCIL

The Journeying together world Missions Council aims at empowering young women in Kanyama encouraging them to become independent and self-supporting.
Kanyam in Zambia is an area of considerable deprivation especially for girls and young women. Drainage is poor, flooding inevitable and disease prevalent. May girls become pregnant, fall out of education and enter an ever ending cycle of poverty. Journeying Together supports these young women, teaching new skills in parenting and healthy living, encouraging them back into education and gaining employment. Empowering them to take control of their lives and not be controlled.

JOIN THE DOTS is a project undertaken by Crossreach. Tackling loneliness and isolation across all age groups in Scotland. Reaching out to people isolated through complex living circumstances, drug and alcohol abuse, challenging family circumstances, amongst others.
Groups have been set up such as book clubs, dementia cafes, foodbanks, knitting groups and many others not only by Crossreach but Church Guilds.

Join the dots has set up opportunities to help:

• Parents of children with complex, challenging behaviour
• Befrienders helping folks re-adjust to living in the community with help in accessing resources, learning new skills and regular contact with others
• Respite holidays for people living in challenging circumstances.

Enabling people of all ages across Scotland overcome loneliness and isolation.
What can we do to help? It is not always possible to give financial or practical help to our Guild Projects but we can all pray.
Scripture tells us…

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people–
[Praying For Each Other] 1 Timothy 2:

Jesus Great Commandment is about serving neighbours through loving works. His Great Commission is about making disciples through the Gospel.

CHURCH NEWSLETTER

I do not know how many have been able to see the Church October News Letter. This can be found on the Church Web Site www.dalserf.org .
Here are a few of the items contained in it with links to the Guild

REFLECTIONS ON A WEDDING By Anne McHolm

At the beginning of the year I was delighted to be told to save the 25th September as my niece, Lorna, was getting married but as time wore on with Covid 19 happening we just didn’t know what the outcome would be

As the time drew nearer we found out that 20 could go but this included the celebrant and photographer. Unfortunately some close family members and friends couldn’t be invited.

We had a lovely day and the sun even shone. There was 20 in the room including the wedding party. It was a beautiful service, champagne followed and canapes were delivered on individual plates. After photos were taken the eleven Wedding party members sat down for the meal while the aunts and uncles retired to an anti-room where they were able to hear the speeches.

The aunts and uncles then went to the dining room in the hotel all at different tables, socially distance and enjoyed a tasty meal. After the meal we were allowed back into the room to share some time together, once again socially distanced of course. A very different wedding but a beautiful and enjoyable day.

REFLECTIONS ON A FEW DAYS AWAY By Joan Pollok

On Sunday 20th September Andy and myself headed for our favourite haunt, the George Hotel in Inverary. (Great accommodation and great food.) We were booked in for three days. Weather was kind, Monday and Wednesday but very wet Tuesday.

What a wonderful blessing this was from God. Like others we have been staying at home, so it was wonderful to enjoy the sunshine, the trees with their beautiful colours, the sound of laughter and the company of others. We were also blessed with having vouchers from some close friends and family (A golden Wedding present) to help pay for our time away. Thank you to those people.

Our Lord is loving and giving and bestows on us some wonderful gifts.
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17

JANET CALLANDER’S NEW ADDITION

Some time ago Janet and Hubby William sadly lost their dearly loved dogs, Meg and Bailley. Into their lives came Muffin who sadly became very ill with meningitis. Thankfully Muffin recovered much to Janet’s joy. Then came Covid 19. Janet and William had arrange to bring another pup into the home. The little charmer seen here on the right. Janet and William collected her from Lincolnshire, making the round journey in one day in fear of lockdown. Mabel has settled in and reported to be extremely mischievous. Muffin and Mabel are Miniature Schnauzers.

SENT IN BY RONA CAMPBELL

LEISURE

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight
Streams full of stars like skies at night

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance
And watch her feet how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care
We have no time to stand and stare.

William Henry Davies

RECOMMENDED

I would highly recommend the DVD “Miss Potter”. A fascinating and lovely story of the life of Beatrix Potter.
Rona
Starring Academy Award® winner Renée Zellweger and Ewan McGregor Miss Potter is the enchanting love story inspired by Beatrix Potter’s life and love affair with her publisher Norman Warne. Available on Amazon

Photo Competition

A reminder about the Guild National Convenor photo challenge of tree, trees, rainbow or all three. Anyone interested should contact Kay for details.

Also looking to hold our own photo competition on your Covid Lock down photos funny, sentimental or serious. All welcome.

GOOD NEWS

• Lewis Scotland gaining BB Queen’s Award. Congratulations Lewis
• Katy Watt achieving Duke of Edinburgh Award and new Job as Virologist at Biobest at Bus Animal Health Research, Penicuik. Congratulations Katie
• Baby James is growing like a wee mushroom and doing well.
• Thanks for prayers for Ian who is keeping much better and putting on weight
• Harvest donations response was exceptional and Food bank very grateful.
• Sunday Service to be held in recorded in Rorison church Sanctuary first Sunday of the Month

PRAYER LIST

David, Linda and Scott Marshall,
Prim and Andrew Gilmour,
Stewart Eathorne,
Willie Miller,
Helen Morison who has spoken at both our Guild and Focus. Helen is pretty poorly in hospital.
Thank God and ask for blessings for our Minister John, his co-producer Ewan and all John’s family.

REMEBRANCE SUNDAY

Dalserf church will be asking for the usual donations for Remembrance Sunday for Benevolent Fund. This would usually be a retiring offering. However anyone wishing to make a donation can do so by sending it to Bruce or put it in the black box at Dalserf Gate marked Remembrance donation.

There will be no acts of remembrance at the cenotaphs in Dalserf or Netherburn but we can all pay our respect in our homes and work place on the 11th of November.

SHOW BOX APPEAL

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Shoe Box Appeal. This year brought its difficulties. However we were able to send 33 boxes or bags and cash donations to Blytheswood.

Thanks to Graeme Anderson (son of Bill who comes to Dalserf) who very kindly transported the gifts for collection at Morrison’s in East Kilbride.

CHRISTMAS GIFT APPEAL

This would normally take place on our Gift Service at Dalserf. However we have been in touch with Social Work and they would still love if we can make our usual appeal for gifts. These will be collected by Kay and Joan in the Carpark at Rorison on 14th December. If possible put your gift in a gift bag clearly marked gender and age it is suitable for. This means Social Work do not need to open and re wrap gifts.

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS BELL EVENT

Look out for an announcement asking us to ring our bells on Christmas Eve for the children of the parish. Commercial Christmas may be a lot different this year but like all birthday’s the birth of Lord cannot be cancelled. So let’s prepare for a celebration that may be different but remember more than ever the true meaning of Christmas.

ST ANDREWS HOSPICE APPEAL

Dear Ms Pollok,
I hope this email finds you safe and well during these challenging times.
I understand that attendance to the Church is very much restricted at present and wondered if you had an online bulletin for your congregation or if you put notices on your website or newsletter? I have attached a notice regarding our Light Up a Life Appeal this year and wondered if this notice could be included in any bulletin, if at all possible.
Our Light Up a Life Service will be on Sunday 29 November, 2020 at 7pm and, unfortunately this year we will be unable to welcome everyone at the Hospice due to the COVID 19 restrictions but the service will be online for people to watch in the comfort of their own homes.
Thank you for your continued support.
Take care, stay safe.
Best wishes
Lorna

ADVENT JARS (£5.00 each)

These were reported in the last news sheet and in the Church Newsletter. If you wish one please speak to Kay, Ann Carson or Joan. As jars may be limited get your order in before stock runs out.

ANGEL PATTERN

Attached is a knitting pattern from the National Guild office to knit Angels.

CHRISTMAS ANGEL
What you will need.
Some wool (in any yarn or colour)
Knitting needles (between size 10-8 (thats 3.25mm and 4mm))
Darning needle (like a big sewing needle)
Small amount of stuffing

The angels have been designed to be as simple and as flexible as possible so everyone from a beginner to a more advanced knitter can have a go. Feel free to adapt the pattern if you want by adding in different colours or making a larger angel.
If you want a place to start we have used size 9 needles with double yarn to knit some of ours
You will need a basic knowledge of knit and purl to make these angels but don’t let that stop you if you haven’t done it before. Find someone who can teach you and ask them to help you learn a new skill.
And most of all have fun.

The Pattern
Angel Body
Cast on 48 sts

1. Knit row
2. Purl row
3. K2TOG, KlO*, repeat until end
4. Purl row
5. Knit row
6. P2TOG, P9*, repeat until end
7. Knit row
8. Purl row
9. K2TOG, KS*, repeat until end
10. Purl row
11. Knit row
12. P2TOG, P7*, repeat until enD
13. Knit Row
14. Purl Row
15. K2TOG, K6*, repeat until end
16. Purl row
17. Knit row
18. P2TOG, P5*, repeat until end
19. Knit row
20. Purl row
21. K2TOG, K4*, repeat until end• 20 sts
22. Purl row
23. Knit row
24. Purl row
25. Knit row
26. Purl row
27. Knit row
    At this point, you can change your colour to create the face if you want.
28. Purl row
29. knit row
30. Purl row
31. Knit row
32. Purl row
33. Knit row
34. Purl row
35. K2TOG • repeat until end
36. Purl row
37. Knit row
38. P2TOG • repeat until end

Using a darning needle, thread the end of the yarn through the stitches and tighten to create the top of the head. Turn the angel inside out and sew up the head and the body. Around the neck, take a small amount of stuffing and place at the top of the head, then thread some yarn between stitches and pull loosely together.

Angel Wings
Option 1
Cast on 27 sts

1. Knit row
2. Knit row
3. Decrease at each end (Knit)
4. Knit
5. Knit 12 rows, decrease at each end cast off

Option 2 (more advanced)
The wings are knitted in short rows, with the yarn wrapped around the last stitch in the middle of each ridge.
To complete this you need to bring your yarn forward, slip the sitich over purlwise, take the yarn back again, replace the slipped stitch, bring the yarn forward again and turn the work.
w&t = wrap & turn Cast on 9 sts

1. KS, w&t, KS
2. K6, w&t, K6
3. K4, w&t, K4
4. K2, w&t, K2
5. K4, w&t, K4
   6, K6, w&t, K6

Repeat these 6 rows, 4-5 times Wings as they should look using option 2. as necessary. Sew wings to the body.

PLEASE SUBMIT ANY IDEA OR ARTICLES FOR ANOTHER NEWS SHEET IN DECEMBER.
WITHOUT NEWS WE CANNOT PRODUCE A SHEET.
THANKS AND GOD BLESS