Dear Friends,

Easter is almost upon us once again, a happy time with signs of Spring, Easter Eggs for the children and, in the church, a sense of rejoicing.

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It is important for us to remember Easter, to celebrate it, but above all to try to recapture some of the feelings of the disciples as they came to terms with the realisation that neither the cross nor the tomb had been an end, a defeat. As we read the Gospel accounts we get the sense of a growing understanding that Christ was still with his disciples and still a power in their lives.

This year Easter is highlighted and different because of the publicity surrounding the film ‘The Passion’ which, I believe, portrays the violence and horror of Christ’s death upon the cross in graphic detail. It is important to remember the suffering that Christ endured, and if this film reminds of that it can only be good. The danger of such a film is that the story is dramatised and simplified and concentrates on a narrow aspect of the story of Jesus – in other words it is how Mel Gibson understands it.

The cross is central to our faith – the universal sign and symbol of the church, but the cross is important, not on its own, but when it is seen along with the whole ministry of Jesus, his teaching, his person and above all when we see it as a fore runner of his resurrection.

As always we mark the week before Easter, Holy Week, with services and this year there will be a service of Holy Communion in Clifton Parish Church on Thursday 8^th April at 7.30 p.m., and in Old Monkland Parish Church on Friday 9^th April at 7.30 p.m. There is in addition a series of events in Townhead Parish Church called Easter Encounter from 4^th - 11^th April (except Saturday 10^th ) with a Praise Band and a variety of preachers, these events will run from 7.30 – 9.30 p.m.

I hope that you will manage to attend some of these services.

On a more personal note: many of you will have noticed that I have had some trouble walking of late, this appears to be due to a spinal problem and a trapped nerve. My hope was that this would clear up on its own but this has not happened so I am now waiting to see a consultant. In the meantime I am taking some time off. It is my sincere hope that I will be back to normal and back to work soon.

Wishing you a happy Easter

Yours sincerely,

Ian G. Wotherspoon

Parish Register

Baptisms

14. 03. 04 Aidan John McGlinchey (d of b 14. 3. 03) 51D Eglinton Street, Coatbridge

Kayleigh Toal (d of b 26. 9. 03) 5 Laxford Place, Coatbridge

Funerals

4. 03. 04 Mrs Sarah Ward, 39 Alston Avenue, Coatbridge

10. 03. 04 Mrs Mary Barn, Centenary House, Coatbridge (late of 24 East Stewart Gardens)

12. 03. 04 Mrs Christina Espie, Blair House Nursing Home

COLLECTIONS F.W.O. Open Plate Total

March 2004 £5378.20 £265.44 £5643.64

SUNDAY SCHOOL

The Sunday School trip is going to Perth on Saturday 5^th June. Anyone (you don’t need to be connected to the Sunday School), wishing to go, should give their name to Joyce McClelland or any Sunday School Teacher as soon as possible. The price of the tickets is £10 for adults, Sunday School children go free and non Sunday School children pay £4. Joyce is running a bank for anyone wishing to save for this event.

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6^TH COATBRIDGE GIRLS’ BRIGADE

Girls’ Brigade have had a busy few months. In February we attended the Guide Thinking Day Service and we send our congratulations to Lesley Harrison and Alexis Crichton on their long service awards.

The whole company had a night at the Time Capsule with Explorers and some of the Juniors going to the Adventure Zone and the other Juniors and Brigaders going Ice Skating. In early March the Brigaders had an evening of their choice and Vicki Taylor, Beautician came along to pamper them. Our Brigaders also visited Airdrie Town Hall to see “Guys and Dolls” performed by Airdrie and Coatbridge Operatic Society. The girls enjoyed their outing. We have had craft nights when the Explorers and Juniors made, Sally Swan, Easter Cards, Pasta Necklace, Collage Clowns, Oriental Fans and plenty more. All the girls took part in T-shirt painting – all the t-shirts will be worn on Parents Night during their display items. We have also been selling shortbread and 75% of the funds raised will go to our own company, the other 25% will go the Headquarters for Fonomarae. We would like to thank you for your support in purchasing the shortbread.

This year our Annual Parents Evening and Prize Giving will be held on Tuesday 11^th May 2004 at 7.00p.m. All parents, friends and relatives are welcome to come along and we look forward to seeing you. Many thanks. Irene Krebs (Captain)

BOYS’ BRIGADE, GIRLS’ BRIGADE & GIRL GUIDES – JOINT CEILIDH

We would like to thank everyone who supported our joint Ceilidh on 5^th March 2004. The magnificent sum of £1274 was raised. This sum will be matched by the Lottery which will be a huge boost to all three uniformed organisations. Thanks go to everyone who supported us and provided raffle prizes. We all enjoyed ourselves and it was a night of fun and fellowship. Our thanks go to everyone once again. Jim, Irene and Alexis.

BOYS’ BRIGADE

Our Anchor Boys recently paid a visit to the adventure zone at the Time Capsule which they all enjoyed.

The Junior Section took part in the figure marching and came second. The also paid a visit to the Aqua Tec and continue to play football on a Saturday morning.

The Company section took part in the five a-sides. William Rodger and Jonathon Mathieson took part in the National Cross Country when both boys came 13^th in their respective races and helped their teams win the overall competition. Congratulations to both of these young men, especially since the weather was really bad.

On Sunday 28^th March our company led the Battalion parade to our church. We as a company had a 100% turnout of boys and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for representing the company so well on this our company’s first ever opportunity to lead the Battalion parade.

During April five of our young men should, at last, complete their Queens’s badge.

Finally, our parents night is on Friday 14^th May at 7pm when Mr Wotherspoon will be our inspecting officer (hopefully on time). Jim Elliot, Captain

THURSDAY CLUB

The Thursday Club held their Afternoon Tea on March 4^th 2004 and the sum of £249 was raised. Our thanks go to everyone who donated baking and gifts and who helped make the afternoon a success.

One the last afternoon of the session, 18^th March 2004 we invited Mr & Mrs Wotherspoon to be our guests. After being entertained by Mr Ian Fyfe and friends a presentation was made to Mr Wotherspoon on the occasion of his forthcoming retirement. Having been given a hint by a

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“certain person” we gave Mr Wotherspoon a lovely pen which we know will be well used. Mrs Wotherspoon received a bouquet and the sincere good wishes of the Thursday Club go with them. N Stoddart

SOCIAL COMMITTEE

Several successful social evenings were held during the winter months, the last one being on 4^th April when a number of members and friends enjoyed a game of whist or beetle and the friendly company. It is hoped to resume these evenings on the first Saturday of October.

INDOOR BOWLING

Our usual informal afternoon game is on Saturday 17^th April at 4 p.m. and you are asked to make your return as soon as possible. These games are always most enjoyable (whatever your standard of bowling!) and we look forward to holding them again in the autumn.

In the meantime, have a lovely summer and enjoy many relaxing days.

Mrs J Ferguson, Social Convener