ST ANDREW’S PARISH CHURCH
COATBRIDGE
Minister: Session
Clerk:
Rev Ian G. Wotherspoon Mr
Alex McKee
77 Eglinton Street 34
Woodlands Drive
Coatbridge Coatbridge
Tel: 437271 Tel:
421191
St Andrew’s Church Tel: 431385
www.saintandrewscoatbridge.org
Dear Friends,
This is my last letter in Outlook as your minister, it hardly
seems possible that retirement is almost upon me and ten very happy years in
Coatbridge are drawing to a close.
Over these past ten years we have produced about 70,00
copies of Outlook. My thanks are due to all those who have helped with the
preparation of the magazine and organising the delivery and to the visitors who
have delivered the copies of Outlook to the homes of our members over the
years. Each and every one has been part
of a team without which the life of the congregation would have been much
poorer.
Shortly after I came to Coatbridge the late Jimmy Shaw
told me that he saw my task was to draw the three congregations together and
mould them into one so that the next minister would have something to build on
with the resources to take the congregation forward.
I hope that you all feel that a firm base has been
established and that we are a very happy and united congregation. If that is so I can perhaps claim a small
part in it but the main credit must go to you.
When I came to Coatbridge there was a
great sense of loss, the sadness of turning the key in Maxwell Church for the
last time, the repeat later on as we finally left Dunbeth. I could feel with and for these two
congregations. Less obvious but just as
real was the sense of loss in Gartsherrie, the buildings remained but with
great changes, not just to the fabric, but to the way things were done.
Now I hope all of this is past and that you can move on
with confidence and hope, knowing that a new minister will bring fresh ideas
and new challenges – welcome them and respond to them.
My prayer is that you find someone whom you will relate
to, whom you will welcome with the same warm friendship which Rosemary and I
have found in abundance.
For
ten happy years we both thank you and wish you every blessing,
Yours
sincerely
PARISH
REGISTER
BAPTISMS
Eryn
Mary Cornfield, (D of B 16. 5. 04)
71
Calderview Avenue, Coatbridge
17.
09. 04 Stephanie Corrigan, 46
Woodhall Place, Coatbridge
to
Derek Gallagher
SILVER
WEDDING
3.
09. 04 Karen and Jim Elliot, 42
West George street, Coatbridge
FUNERALS
15. 09. 04 Mrs Nancy Dunlop, Highgate Care Home, Uddingston
16. 09. 04 Mrs Mary Lenaerts, 45 Coltswood Court, Coatbridge
29. 09. 04 Mrs Jane Johnston, 19 East George Street, Coatbridge
COLLECTIONS F.W.O. Open
Plate Total
August 1 week £981.00 £96.54 £1,077.54
September £4,909.30 £232.07 £5,141.37
FORTHCOMING
EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY
Minister’s Retiral Dinner &
Presentation - 8 October Dinner 6.45pm presentation in Church 8.30pm.
Minister’s last service – 10
October. Short tea break in hall after
the service.
Christmas Fayre – Saturday 20
November
NOMINATION
COMMITTEE
The committee was elected by the
Congregation in early summer. Its role is to identify a candidate to
preach to the Congregation for the position as our new Minister. The
committee has met throughout the summer to consider what we're looking for in
our new Minister. We have identified a number of possible candidates,
some of whom we've been to hear in their own churches. We are also advertising
this month in Ministers' Forum, a newsletter which goes to all ministers.
It is important that we do not rush into a selection as we are looking for
someone who will lead us strongly for at least five to ten years if not
longer. It is also essential that we maintain strict confidentiality as
we don't wish to upset the congregations of ministers we visit.
The process of obtaining a new minister is not a quick one. There is a
shortage of ministers in the Church of Scotland and many of them are happy with
their existing congregations.
We are in the happy position of
not having any restrictions placed on us in our search but the process is still
likely to take many months. I will keep you up to date with our
progress.
Hugh McKee - Nomination Committee Convener
SUNDAY SCHOOL
The
Sunday School will host the stationery stall at the Christmas Fayre this
year. Any donations for the stall will
be gratefully received.
George McCall,
THE GUILD
The
new session of the Guild starts on Wednesday 13th October at 7.45pm
with the Hamilton Guild Entertainers for our opening social. All ladies and gentlemen are welcome at any
or all our meetings. Tickets will be available soon at price £1.50.
S Weir
THURSDAY CLUB
The
Thursday Club will start the new session on Thursday 7th October
2004 at the usual time of 2pm.
Our
guests on the 7th October will be Mr Ian Fyfe with his concert
party.
October
14th Mr Robin Simpson -
Slide show of the Western Isles
October
21st Mrs Ena Stevenston –
Musical afternoon
October
28th Mr Wm Taylor – ‘Orient
Express Journey’
Everyone
will be welcome to join us.
N Stoddart
CHRISTMAS FAYRE
The
Christmas Fayre will be held on Saturday 20 November 2004 at 12.30 in
Coatbridge High School. All the usual
stalls, and perhaps a few more!
The
hall will be open for the collection of goods on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 from
2-3pm and 7-9pm and for perishable goods
Saturday morning from 8.30-9.30 or Coatbridge High School thereafter.
Jean MacDonald 425301
The
first Social Evening for this winter was held on Saturday 2nd
October. As usual this proved very enjoyable,
and further social evenings are planned for first Saturday of November and
December. Come along, you would be made
most welcome. Whist starts at 7.15pm
and Beetle at 7.45pm. Admission is
£1.50 payable at the door.
INDOOR BOWLING
An
enjoyable church game was held in September, and the next one is programmed for
Saturday 8th January at 4pm.
In
the meantime, a match against a team from the Bellshill Churches has been
arranged for Saturday 13th November at 10am and slips will be given
out as usual. At the moment they are
custodians of the cup – we want to win it back in November so we will have to
do our best. Mrs J Ferguson, Social Convener
THANKS FROM
JESSIE ROCK
I
would like to thank everyone who sponsored me recently to help raise the grand
sum of £400 in aid of St Andrews Hospice Day Care. I appreciate you kind generosity very much.
Best wishes, Jessie