Interim Moderator: Session Clerk:
Rev Bill McKaig Mr Alex McKee
53e Blairhill Street
Coatbridge
Tel: 421191
St Andrew’s Church Tel: 431385
www.saintandrewscoatbridge.org
Lent 2005
Dear Friends at St Andrew’s,
The Season of Lent is well and truly under way
and by the time you read this letter Mothering Sunday will have come and gone –
so I write this letter to you in the context of Holy Week.
From the celebration and euphoria of Palm Sunday
to the darkness and despair of Good Friday was only a matter of 5 days.
It was Harold Wilson, the Prime Minister of the
1960s and 70s who coined the phrase that “a week is a long time in
politics”. And indeed the events of
Holy Week start on the high or triumphal entry into Jerusalem and quickly and
inexorably tumble and stumble down the hill of human experience to a man being
taken dead from his place of execution to his place of burial. And that was the week Jesus was willing to endure
for you and me – going through every human emotion from elation to despair;
through every human experience from backslapping welcome to backstabbing
rejection.
What a mess we make of our world day by day and
year by year; what a mess we make of our relationships, our potential, our
gifts.
We deserve little …. But have been given much!
For, although the story of Holy Week leads to
despair, it doesn’t end there. For we
know how the story continues. There
will be an empty tomb and there will be full
hearts. Good Friday is the world’s NO
to God …. But Easter Day is God’s YES to us.
May the YES of Easter be strong in all our
hearts this Season
Yours in Christ’s
service,
Bill McKaig, Interim
Moderator
PARISH REGISTER
FUNERALS
Jesus said, “I am the
Resurrection and the Life …..”
24th
February John Norris, 11
Dunrobin Place
COLLECTIONS F.W.O. Open Plate
Total
3wks February £3,466.10 £244.40 £3,710.50
At a recent meeting of the Kirk Session Willie
Hunter paid the following tribute to the late Archie Kennedy (an elder for 41
years). His well ‘kent ‘ face is
missed by us all on a Sunday morning as he was one of our most regular
attenders – seldom missing a Service.
His Church Life was divided into three parts - Trinity, Maxwell and
latterly in St Andrew’s.
As a boy Archie attended Trinity Parish Church,
Coatdyke, along with his mother, father and brothers. He was in The Boys’ Brigade and when war started he was drafted
into the Royal Navy and was attached to a radar group. He spent some time in Belfast where
warships came to be fitted with radar and the group (with Archie as a Petty
Officer) went to sea with the ships to ensure that everything was in working
order. Archie had many happy memories
of the time he spent at Trinity Church where he made a number of life-long
friends.
Before the war Archie commenced work in the
Royal Scottish Automobile Club in Blythswood Square in Glasgow. He started as a Bell Boy and after his war
service finally became General Manager of the Club. He was greatly admired by the staff, visitors and businessmen
alike.
When Archie got married he left Trinity and
joined Maxwell Church, where through the years he was a Sunday School Teacher,
an elder, clerk to the Congregational Board and for a short time, after the
death of his friend Jim Kerr, he was Session Clerk. He was a keen member of the Men’s Club and for a time was
President and Secretary. Outside
Church work he had an interest in car rallying (a member of the RSAC) and
football (Airdrieonians).
After the joining of the three churches he
continued his duties in the Kirk Session and Congregational Board. He was always a staunch supporter of his
minister and both clerks. Many folk
will miss a lift to and from the Church as he used his car unsparingly to bring
people to the House of God.
Archie had three passions in life: 1.
Airdrieonians Football Club (Season ticket holder), 2. His daughter Anne and
his grand-daughter Suzanne and
3. His Church.
He always spoke from the heart at meetings, a
good thing to do, and was always willing to do his part in the advancement of
the Church. He will be sadly missed.
STATED ANNUAL
MEETING
The Stated Annual
Meeting will be held immediately after the morning service on Sunday 13th
March 2005. It is hoped that many
members of the congregation will stay for this meeting.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
The Sunday School trip
is going to Leven this year on Saturday 11th June. Any of the congregation or friends wishing to go please give your name to Joyce
McClelland who will be operating a savings bank if required. Tickets are £10 for adults, Sunday School
Children go free and non Sunday School children £3. George McCall
The Junior section have just taken part in the bible knowledge and did very well although they didn't win.
Their next competition will be on Wednesday 9th
March and this is the marching so we wish them well in this competition.
The Company section took part in the P.T
competition held in our hall and were complimented on their new P.T. kit which
we recently purchased. The boy's didn't win but a good effort from all boys.
Our Ceilidh which we held with Girls Brigade and
Guides was a very successful night with each organisation making approx £350
We would like to thank everyone who supported us on the night and all who donated raffle prizes.
Finally our parents night will be held on Friday 22nd April at 7p.m. Mr. Sam Finnegan will be our inspecting officer. We would like to take this opportunity to invite all family, friends and supporters of the company to join us on this evening. Jim Elliott
SILENT AUCTION
The date for the Silent Auction has been set for Saturday 7th
May, just in time for looking out articles during the spring cleaning. If you think it will sell, almost anything
in good condition is acceptable except clothing.
The next meeting of anyone interested in helping at the auction is
on Tuesday 22nd March at 7p.m. in the Hall.
THURSDAY CLUB
The Thursday Club Afternoon Tea will be held on Thursday 10 March
at 2.00p.m. Tickets are available for
any Committee Member price £1. Donations
of baking or for the stall will be appreciated. Netta Stoddart
SOCIAL COMMITTEE
As already intimated, the Whist Drive/Beetle Social Evenings have
reluctantly been discontinued, and at the last one on February 5th
Jenny and John Ferguson were presented with gifts from the Social Committee and
friends.
They in turn take this opportunity to once again thank the
committee and friends for these gifts and the support given by all during the
many years of the Social Evenings.
INDOOR BOWLING
A most enjoyable match against the Bellshill churches team was
played on 19th February but unfortunately on this occasion they were
the victors – the cup is away to Bellshill – but there will be a return match
later in the year, so here’s hoping we can win it back.
Our own church game is on Saturday 16th April at 4p.m.
with High Tea to follow, and slips will be given out as usual. J Ferguson
LOST PROPERTY
Several pieces of property have been left on the pegs in the
vestibule in the Hall for some time.
They will be disposed of in the near future, so if you think you may
have lost something please have a look and collect it soon.
APRIL EDITION OF OUTLOOK
All items for the
April issue should be placed in the box at the Church door or handed in before
Sunday 27 March 2005.