OUTLOOK - MAY 2001

Minister: Session Clerk:
Rev Ian G. Wotherspoon Mr Alex McKee
77 Eglinton Street 34 Woodlands Drive
Coatbridge, ML5 3JF Coatbridge, ML5
Tel: 437271 Tel: 421191
Mobile Tel: 07711 706634
St Andrew's Church Tel: 431385

Dear friends,
There is very little space for my letter this month, so I must be brief!
Last year we hosted a service to mark the beginning of Christian Aid Week and
welcomed our friends from other churches not only to the service but to tea
and coffee in the church hall after the service. It was a lovely friendly
occasion and I am pleased to say we are going to repeat it this year. The
service will be on Sunday 13th May at 7.30 p.m. with a number of people from
our own and other congregations talking part. Eildon Dyer, the Christian Aid
organiser for the West of Scotland will give the address. We are privileged
to be the hosts for this service and so I hope there will be a good turn out
of our members to welcome our friends and to give Christian Aid Week a great
start.
I am hoping to start a New Communicants Class soon so I would be delighted to
hear from anyone who might be interested in finding out about the church and
membership.
With best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
Ian G. Wotherspoon

PARISH REGISTER
BAPTISMS
1. 4. 01 Ellie Georgia Thomson and Scott William Thomson

(D of B 2. 11.00), 24 Agnew Avenue, Coatbridge
8. 4. 01 Abbie Robertson (D of B 2. 11. 00) 126a Albion Street, Coatbridge
15. 4. 01 Rhys Couse (D of B 16. 8. 00) 42 Doune Parkway, Coatbridge

Steffi Joe Docherty (D of B 20 12. 00) 3 Chassels Street, Coatbridge

Emma Marion Agnes Miller (D of B 6. 1. 01) 40 High Coats, Coatbridge

FUNERALS
20. 4. 01 Mr Harvie Craig, Glen Fruin, Laird Street, Coatbridge
21. 4. 01 Mr James Frame, 5 West George Street, Coatbridge
27. 4. 01 Mrs Jeanie McCardle, 2 Clyde Street, Coatbridge

HARVIE CRAIG
Harvie Craig, one of our elders, died suddenly but peacefully in the
Monklands Hospital with his family around him on Friday the 20th April 2001.
Harvie was ordained to the eldership in Dunbeth Church in 1957 and, though
not our senior elder, was our oldest elder and at 89 years of age still had
an elder's district which he not only visited faithfully but nurtured in his
own meticulous way, sending Christmas cards to every household and knowing
his people.
As a young man Harvie entered the family printing business, starting at the
bottom rung of the ladder and learning every aspect of the printing trade
which included a period of study at college in Leeds. On the outbreak of the
Second World War Harvie joined the army as a private soldier but his ability
marked him out and by the end of the war, having served in a number of
regiments he had gained the rank of major. After his war his military
service was continued in the Territorial Army and he became commanding
officer of the REME Corps with depots at Coatdyke and Dumbarton with the rank
of Lt. Colonel.
Harvie was a supporter of the Erskine Hospital and because of this and his
military service he was a logical choice to be in charge of the local Poppy
Appeal. With the assistance of his wife Jean, his organisational skills and
attention to detail the success of this annual appeal for the Earl Haig Fund
was assured. It was only in this last year that Harvie sought the willing
assistance of Alex McKee.
He was a man of many interests. He was a musician who played the saxophone
and clarinet and had his own dance band. He was a keen Scout and was
involved with scouting to the end. He enjoyed his caravan at Oban and had
just completed preparing it for the season. He was an active Rotarian
enjoying the fellowship and friendship which Rotary International offered.
But all of this took second place to his family to whom he was devoted as
they were to him.
Here especially we remember Harvie's love for his church which was a central
part of his life and it was entirely fitting that we sang his favourite hymn,
the communion psalm Ye gates lift up your heads on high at his funeral on
Friday. Today we give thanks for a life of faith and for a life of service
to Christ and his church. He was our oldest elder whose diligence belied his
age.

COLLECTION BOXES
May is one of the main times of the year when the contents of the collection
boxes are uplifted by your board member or elder. The boxes are a very good
way of collecting your loose change and also helping the Church. If you do
not have a collection box and wish one please speak to your board
member/elder or myself and one will be provided. If you have a box and it is
not emptied please let me know and I will arrange to have the money
collected. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who gives
through the collection boxes. Douglas Crichton

RETIRING COLLECTION
Two letters of thanks were received from Christian Aid and International
Rescue Corps following our retiring collection on behalf of the Earthquakes
Appeal. The total amount collected was split three ways, one third
to International Rescue, one third to Christian Aid in El Salvador and one
third to Christian Aid in Gujarat, India. These letters are posted on the
notice board in the hall. Many thanks to the congregation for their
generosity.

SUNDAY SCHOOL
The Sunday School trip is going to Largs this year on 9 June. Anyone wishing
to join us should give their names to any Sunday School teacher so that
sufficient transport can be arranged.
George McCall Superintendent

BOYS BRIGADE
Our session is now nearing a conclusion but all sections are still very busy.
The Anchor Boys are going to Livingstone Memorial on Saturday 12th May for
the Anchor Boy fun day.
The Junior Section recently took part in the Battalion Sports on a wet Friday
at Gartcosh our only success came from Callum Mclachlan who won a bronze
medal. The Junior Section have still to take part in the Battalion 7 asides
football and the Gartcosh 5 aside football.
The Company section held a games day recently where boys were invited to take
part in Badminton, pool and Table Tennis.
The results were: - Badminton winner Ryan Fairbairn

runner up William Rodgers

Pool winner Jordan Fairbairn runner up William Rodgers

Table Tennis winner Ryan Fairbairn runner up William Rodgers
Three of our senior boys recently completed their Queens Badge by attending
a course at Carronvale. They will be presented with their badge at our annual parents
night and prizegiving. This will take place in the church hall on Friday 11th May at 7p.m
A warm invitation is extended to all family and friends to attend but
please come early as our space is limited.
Jim Elliot, Captain

GUIDES, BROWNIES AND RAINBOWS
The year has been a very good one for all the units with the number of girls
increasing. The Guide Association has restructured the programme for Guiding
and one of the main changes is that the Baden Powell Award has been done away
with. We were very pleased that we had 10 Baden Powell Awards presented at
our Thinking Day Service in February. The girls worked very hard to achieve
this award in time.
The Guides are looking forward to their weekend to the Lochgoilhead Outdoor
Centre and trying out new activities and meeting with other scouts and guide
groups.
The Guiders would like to thank everyone who has supported the units in any
way over this last year especially in our fund raising events.
Due to the increase in the numbers if the units we require more leaders. If
you are interested in becoming a Guider or Unit Helper or know somebody who
would be interested, please either speak to me at the Church or phone me on
755222. The age groups involved are Rainbows 5 to 7 years, Brownies 7 to 10,
Guides 10 to 15 and Senior Section for girls aged 15 and upwards. Alexis
Crichton, Guide Guider

SOCIAL COMMITTEE
With the approach of the summer months, the Indoor Bowling will be finished
now until September, when we hope to renew these enjoyable afternoons. As
usual at this time, we review our list of players and if anyone is interested
in joining our bowlers they have only to get in touch.

LINE DANCING
Please note there will be no Line Dancing on Tuesday 15th May. Thereafter
the summer class will be held until the end of August and will start at
7.30p.m. New members welcome.
Jenny Ferguson

OVERSEAS LINK
Mike and Margaret Nolan enjoyed their visits to church groups in September
and thank everyone for the kindness and support they received.