Dear Friends,

It was good to see our Sunday School back in force on Sunday. How lucky we are to have a Sunday School continues to grow. Having said that, we must not forget the Summer Club and the children who have attended church faithfully throughout the summer not must we forget all those who have given up their time to take the Summer Club, my thanks to you all!

We are holding our Harvest Thanksgiving on Sunday 22^nd September. As in the past few years we are asking for donations of flowers only. These flowers will decorate the church and then be taken to Residential Homes and Hospitals. The Church Hall will be open on Saturday morning to receive donations of flowers. Instead of the traditional gifts of produce and groceries there will be a collection for Christian Aid.

We are very far removed from the days of ‘bringing in the sheaves’ but at this time of year it is good to remember our world and the harvesting and distribution of food, giving thanks to God for all we enjoy in this country.

As I write we are aware of the Earth Summit in Johannesburg and the problems our world faces. I see three main areas of concern.

My first concern is the growing gap between rich and poor, with obscene waste on the one hand and increasing hunger and starvation on the other.

My second concern is possible linked to this and is the destruction of the earth’s environment, vast areas of forest are being burnt to provide ground for growing quick ‘cash crops’. The air and sea are being polluted. Perhaps this is all linked to climate changes which are causing extremes of weather on a global scale.

My third concern is the depletion of the non-renewable resources, for example, oil, at an alarming rate.

In all of this I am inclined to think that we have created problems by forgetting that it is not our world but God’s world, we merely have it ‘in trust’ as a legacy which we hope to pass on to our children.

By giving to Christian Aid on the 22^nd September we do our little bit to make the world a fairer place and acknowledge our debt to God for all his goodness to us.

With every good with and blessing,

Yours sincerely

Ian G. Wotherspoon

PARISH REGISTER

BAPTISMS

4. 8. 02 Lauren Jessie Fleming (d of b 6. 4. 02) 27 Victoria Crescent Airdrie

Ewan Aitken Coburn (d of b 24. 5. 02) 3 Banff Avenue, Airdrie

FUNERAL

10. 8. 02 Mr James Mackinnon, 66 Espieside Crescent, Coatbridge

COLLECTIONS FWO Open Plate Total

August 2002 £4549.86 £237.52 £4787.38

BOYS BRIGADE

The new session is now starting.

Extra help is required for both nights. If you can help in any way contact any officer.

Major awards last session were as follows:

Best Boy in Junior Section Kyle Selkirk

Best Recruit Junior Section William Armour

Best Boy Company Section Martin Frew

Best Recruit Company Section Lyle Scougall

Captains Medal David Mcgugan

If you wish any more information please contact Jim Elliot on 605470

Jim Elliot, Captain

THE GUILD

The new session will begin on Wednesday 2^nd October with a Social Evening when the entertainment will be provided by the Carluke singers. Tickets (priced £1-50) will shortly be on sale. This should be a very happy evening. It will be an open evening and we look forward to seeing as many people as possible.

Future Dates:-

16^th October Energy Saving - Scottish Power

30^th October Radio Heartbeat – Irene Dick

Our Christmas Night Out this year is on 6^th December. Please give some thought as to where you would like to go. If you choose to go to the Carol Concert in the Concert Hall, the names have to be taken at our opening meeting on 2^nd October in order to book at the correct time.

Rosemary Wotherspoon

ST ANDREW’S HOSPICE FAYRE

St Andrew’s Hospice is holding their Fayre in the Town Hall, Airdrie on Saturday 19^th October. This is a major fund raising event for the Hospice and we are all aware of the tremendous service the hospice gives to the terminally ill in our community.

Our congregation is asked to provide gifts for the Tombola Stall and if you have any items for the stall, please give them to our convener Elizabeth Russell or place them in the box which will shortly be provided in the Church Hall.

SOCIAL COMMITTEE

Social evenings of Whist and Beetle will resume on the first Saturday of October and thereafter November and December. All welcome.

INDOOR BOWLING

The afternoon game is arranged for Saturday 7 September at 4pm and all returns should have been given in. Let us all enjoy the winter’s recreational activities after the rather dismal wet summer.

J Ferguson