MONTHLY MAGAZINE

My name is Calum Macdonald and I am minister of Giffnock Park Church. I have been appointed by Presbytery to oversee your vacancy on behalf of the Presbytery of Glasgow.

It was an appointment that I was more than happy to take on as I have good memories of my time as a student here in this congregation during the time of Rev Norma Stewart, way back in 1990. On leaving, I never thought that 20 years later I would have returned to work in such a capacity.

It has been a pleasure thus far to work with those on the Vacancy Team and the Kirk Session. My wife Wilma asked to record her thanks for your kind invitation to the Stated Annual Meeting in May, where we were able to enjoy a very pleasant evening together with you after the business of the evening was over. That, I think, has set the tone by and large regarding life at Queen’s Park. Your warmth and “easy to make” friendship in the congregation is a strength here in this place.

I have also noted a strong sense of independence among those in the Kirk Session. Although you are well served in your locum and Lay Reader, Mr John MacLeod, I have noticed that there is no hesitation on the part of members here when the need arises to step up to the mark when and if required. That too, is a strength of this congregation, because there are some who could easily go into panic mode instead. Congregational life here has a certain vibrancy and I think there is much to commend it to any potential minister of this congregation. I hope you can be encouraged by these comments.

At Giffnock we have been looking through the book of Philippians , where Paul the Apostle wrote so encouragingly from prison to the people there , seeking to urge them to stand firm in their desire to share the Gospel with others , and to see God at work in and through their congregation. That, I think is a good mandate to hold to as we go into September 2010, the start of a new session. For the organisations currently enjoying the summer recess and the many members enjoying a good summer break, I hope the new session will see the fruits of the labours of all at Queen’s Park, as well as the arrival of a new ministry.

2010/11 will be an interesting time, and our prayer should be that God in his grace will sustain us, direct us and prepare us for what lies ahead.

Just a normal day at Maidens!

( From Louise Laing).

This was my first visit to Maidens Summer Mission and I’m sure it will not be the last. Although the weather was unsettled we set off in our coach at shortly after 9.30 in the morning. We did wonder why such a large coach was needed, but luxuriated in having a double seat each . Travelling through the Ayrshire countryside is always a pleasure, especially when someone else is driving!

On arrival at Maidens Bowling Club we joined the team hard at work entertaining the children on the grassy harbour side. There were various physical (and not so physical) games provided for the children. No one looked bored, everyone was busy, with little or no time to get into trouble! I was very impressed.

No sooner did the outdoor activities cease than the children gathered in the pavilion and took part in a short period of worship before lunch.

Now we discovered why such a large coach was needed. With the visitors seated in the rear, the remainder of the seats were quickly filled by most of the children. The remainder travelled by Church transport or private car to the Heads of Ayr Animal Park and amusement centre. The sun came out as we sat in the picnic area eating a packed lunch provided for us by the Mission Team. The children all wore a label with Lynn’s mobile number on it in case they got lost. The adults were left to their own devices.

For the next three hours, all of us enjoyed the sun, fresh air and animals; playing on the bouncy castle and slides, with Go-Karts as an optional extra.

Just as we made our way back to the waiting bus for our return journey to Maidens there was a heavy downpour of rain.. We dropped some of the children off at the caravan site while others were met by their parents at the Bowling Club. All of them looked happy and tired. It had been a long day – but it was not over yet!

We were taken by coach to the Church Hall and there treated to very jazzy Grace before being provided with an evening meal and as much coffee and tea as we could drink.

I am full of admiration for the Mission Team. The organisation of the day was professional in every respect. It was not only the children who went home happy and tired.

Well, why not join one of the groups which meet on Thursdays, either afternoon (1.00 p.m), or evening (7.30 p.m) when we will begin a study of the struggles experienced by the members of the young church in Corinth, and of Paul’s teaching and advice to them? Almost everything they experienced will sound familiar to us, because human nature does not change whatever the time or place.

We will be using a booklet entitled “1 Corinthians : The Challenges of Life Together.”

The meetings are very informal. You may choose to listen only, or to express your own opinions- it’s up to you! Hoping to see a number of new faces when we begin on Thursday 23^rd September. MDM

SERVICES SEPTEMBER

September 5^th 11.00 Mr Ross McMahan

6.00 Evening Service at Giffnock Park Church

September 12^th 11.00 Communion Rev. Calum Macdonald

6.00 tba

September 19^th 11.00 Mr John MacLeod

6.00 tba

September 26^th 11.00 Mr John MacLeod

6.00 tba

October 3^rd 11.00 Mr John MacLeod

6.00 tba

If you enjoy singing, you would be very welcome to join us at the first Choir Practice of the new session on Thursday 23^rd September at 7.30 in the Welcome Hall.

No previous singing experience or ability to read music is necessary!! Lynn Gibb

The Group meets on Tuesday 28th September at 7.30 pm at 36 Dinmont Road to pray for and write letters to and on behalf of victims of persecution for their faith all round the world. If you can pray and write your talents are needed to augment the work the Group can do. Please come along. There’s supper too!

Letter from Auschwitz : July 1944

Some months ago it was reported in our Magazine that the last letter written in the Auschwitz Death Camp by Jane Haining had turned up in Church of Scotland archives in Edinburgh, and that it had been sent to the National Library of Scotland.

The curator. of the Library was asked if it would be possible to obtain a copy for our congregation. She has now sent photo copies of the letter in question, which we intend to have framed and displayed within the church.

The letter, in accordance with the regulations of the camp, had to be written in German and in pencil and contain nothing of which the censor did not approve. It was sent to Jane’s Hungarian friend ,Margit, in Budapest, and is dated 15th July 1944. (It is believed that Jane perished about a week later.)

Being in pencil, it is now faded and difficult to decipher, but on translating the German, it seems to read as follows, although a few words are so faint that it is uncertain what they are :-

Konzentrationslager Auschwitz.

My Dearest Margit,

I have not yet had an answer to my first letter, but I know it’s not your fault. I’ll repeat what I said briefly, in case by chance you have not received it. You may write to me twice a month and I am allowed to write once a month, but to you alone.

Parcels are not restricted in number,(nor as regards the names of the recipients).I asked you to give my name to our Red Cross, but also to send me a few parcels until the Red Cross can begin, if possible. I should always like to receive from you apples or other fresh fruit, and biscuits ,rusks, bread stuff of that kind, because the Red Cross does not send these things..

Margit, what are you thinking of doing with the flour? Are you going to sell it? What is upstairs is the best of ( undecipherable)but you know you ought to sift through what is left. Have you used up the eggs too?

How are you all? I think of you day and night lovingly and longingly. I’m waiting for news of what everyone is doing including your dear family, Margit. Is the old aunt still alive ?

There is not much to tell you about what is going on here. There are mountains on the horizon here too, but further away than ours to be sure- but still! Now I send appropriate greetings to the whole family and kiss and embrace you.

Your loving Jean.

“ There is not much to tell you about what is going on here” is the understatement of the century! What she means is, “ I cannot, because of the censor, tell you about all the shameful and terrible things going on here.”

As always our faithful team of helpers, along with some extra help, has managed to prepare, serve and clear up for the meal throughout the summer when many are on holiday.

Thanks to all who have continually provided supplies, who have set out the hall and who have helped during the club time.

We are always happy to welcome anyone who would like to help some Sundays between 4.30 and 6. If you would like to do so please speak to anyone in the congregation and you will be directed to one of the team. Betty Roberts.

Invitation and Plea

( From Jo Gibb)

“ I am proposing to do a sponsored walk to raise funds for charity as part of the ‘£5’ scheme.

It will consist of a 10-mile walk round the South of Glasgow, incorporating Queen’s Park, Pollok Park and Bellahouston Park.

It will be held on Saturday 18^th September, leaving our church at about 10.00 a.m – the return time will depend on several factors – weather, blisters and things which cannot be foreseen!

Anyone wishing to accompany me will be very welcome. ( A sponsor sheet is enclosed in the magazine.) I would hope to have a photo or two after the event.” Many Thanks. Jo

The Lunch Club restarts on Tuesday 7^th September, and the Coffee Morning on Thursday 9^th September. We look forward to seeing all our ‘regulars’ and, we hope, new faces in the new session.

The annual coffee morning on behalf of Macmillan Nurses will be held in our Welcome hall on FRIDAY 24^th SEPTEMBER from

There will be all the usual stalls as well, and donations of home baking would be much appreciated.

How are you getting on? A number of amazing talents have been on display over the summer and a lot of new talents have been discovered. Many waistlines have expanded as we have sampled the culinary efforts of our amazing bakers. Midges all over the West of Scotland have been annoyed at lavender bags being wafted at them. Physical wrecks have been induced to go on sponsored walks. Gardens are looking sprucer than they have ever looked.

We’re sure there are many more stories to hear so please let us know how you used your talents to make your £5 note expand. You have the whole of this month to increase your efforts but we want to start gathering in the results of your efforts during October and no later than Sunday 24th October so that we will know the final total by the time of our big ceilidh on Saturday 30th October and our special service on Sunday 31st.

10^th Birthday Celebrations

Don’t forget the Mystery Bus Run on Saturday 25^th September as part of our 10th birthday celebrations. Numbers on the bus will be limited so get your name down quickly on the sheet in the New Hall.

Be prepared for a day of rock climbing, abseiling, white water rafting, bungee jumping and base jumping. If all of that seems quite tame, we might add in some rambling, brambling and shambling along a beach somewhere. Oh, and there will be food!

Come along and join the fun.

And we are still looking for suggestions for charities, preferably Christian, which might benefit from our efforts. Several suggestions have already been received but more are invited.

BELARUS:
Fined three times in one day for sharing his faith in neighbouring villages, Pentecostal Pastor Viktor Novik resolved not to appeal and instead to “suffer for God”. Based in western Belarus, Pastor Novik’s situation is an example of the government’s attitude toward protestant communities across the country.

Meanwhile, nestled in the heart of the former communist country, New Life Church is a 1,000-strong evangelical community worshipping in the capital, Minsk. Forbidden from renting or purchasing worship premises, their extraordinary story of government persecution has taken the church through seasons of worshipping in the snow, in a marquee torn down by a large storm and on to the eventual renovation of a giant cow shed. This July, they were hit with absurd fines of around £56,000. The fines were supposedly for pollution but the government’s results proving their claim of contamination came from testing mud taken from the gutters of the renovated cow shed’s car park.

Two young Christian men accused of blasphemy were shot dead by masked attackers as they left court in Faisalabad, Pakistan, prompting an outbreak of violence. Brothers Rashid Emmanuel, a pastor, and Sajid Emmanuel, a graduate student, were killed at 2pm on 19 July as police were transporting them to jail. A police inspector who was escorting the brothers, who were both in their 20s, was injured. The gunmen fled the scene.

Local Christians took to the streets in protest over the incident, prompting calls from mosques for Muslims to come out to “fight rampaging” Christians. Shops were looted, and vehicles and homes were vandalised in the

Emmanuel brothers’ native Daud Nagar, with at least ten people reported injured.

“The Christian community is devastated by the shocking daylight murder of these two young Christian brothers. People are now living in fear about what further attacks believers may face in this latest wave of anti-Christian violence. There is no respect for the court and we feel powerless to defend ourselves.

The brothers were accused of producing a handwritten pamphlet defiling Muhammad but the court heard from police that there was no evidence to support the charge. A mob of thousands of Muslim protestors in the majority-Christian Faisalabad area where the brothers lived had demanded the death sentence for them on 10 and 11 July, forcing many families to flee for their safety. But rumours spread on 18 July that the brothers would be found innocent and released.

Midges !!

I’m sure everybody who has ever holidayed in the West Highlands and Islands has experienced the curse of the ubiquitous midge.

As always, Para Handy of the ‘Vital Spark’ had the last word about them.

“ Ah, Dougie,” said Para Handy, ”the Congo’s no to be compared wi’ the West of Scotland when it comes to insects. There’s places here that’s chust deplorable whenever the weather’s the least bit warm. Look at

Tighnabruaich ! – they’re that bad there, they’ll bite their way through corrugated iron roofs to get at ye! Take Clynder, again, or any other place on the Gareloch, and ye’ll see the old ones leadin’ roond the young ones, learning them the proper grips. There iss a special kind of mudge in Dervaig in the Isle of Mull, that has aal the points of a Poltalloch terrier, even to the black nose and the cocked lugs, and sits up and barks at you… and in Colonsay they’re that big you could throw stones at them.”

However, Para’s suggested anti-midge protection – spreading golden syrup all over your face-- does not appear to have much to recommend it !.

Thank you to those who continue to come along each week for duty. As always if you cannot manage please change or contact me .

Congratulations to David and Louise Doughty, whose first child, Jack David Doughty, arrived on Thursday 5th August.

Congratulations also to Irfan and Naomi William, whose second daughter, Zoe Eilidh, arrived on Monday 5^th July, a sister for Zara .

Scottish Love in Action , a charity with its roots firmly in the Church of Scotland, celebrates its first decade.

Profile of James Wells, Kirk Elder and chief executive of EMMS International, the charity promoting medical missionary efforts in the Third World.

Jackie Macadam reports from the Uniting General Council of the newly-formed World Communion of Reformed Churches, meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan USA.

Robert Ross shares his conclusions after three years of writing the ‘Our Presbyteries’ series in Life and Work.

Laurence Wareing describes how congregations are giving their own brand of overseas aid.

In the second in our series examining the great characters of the Old Testament, the Rev Martin Allen analyses Isaac.

Plus…. All the regular columnists, news, letters page, book reviews and prize crosswords – all for just £1.60

You can subscribe by speaking to Barbara Irvine who handles the distribution of the magazine in our congregation.

CHURCH REGISTER

the following members have died

Agnes Hoey. who died in July, was a lady who enjoyed a national reputation as a result of her many years with the Glasgow Youth Choir, .which she founded and ran for most of her working life.

This has been well documented elsewhere, so it is not necessary to add to all the many published tributes. However, we remember her as a faithful attender at worship, and as one who contributed much to our congregation . She was regular at the Guild , and on several occasions arranged for members of her choir, past and present to come to Queen’s Park to entertain us. She will be much missed. It is hoped that a memorial concert in her remembrance will be organised in the near future.

William McGaughey Bill, who died in June, aged 75, spent his last few years in a care home where his increasing health problems led to his gradual withdrawal from any meaningful contact with others. He was raised in Maryhill and spent his early working life in the shipyards. In his youth he had been a very successful racing cyclist.

He emigrated to Canada in the 1960s, and it was while there that an unsuccessful operation left him with the epilepsy which overshadowed the rest of his life. He was a solitary and lonely man who valued the friendship afforded by our congregation, which he joined in 1984

Nan Watson. Nan, who died on 22^nd August, aged 85, after being in poor health for nearly a year, was a delightful Christian lady for whom the church was a central part of her life . She was ordained as an elder in 1980 and served her district faithfully. She loved singing as an alto in the choir, was an enthusiastic member of the Guild , and in recent years is remembered for her diligent attention to the church garden. She was also very gifted as a maker of ornaments and crocheted toys – many people will remember the famous ‘Vennard Swans’!

Nan was married for 34 years to George, who sadly passed away in 1992. She is survived by her sons, ‘Young’George, Colin, their wives and families. She will be deeply missed by them and by her many friends in our congregation.

William Lockerby of 10 Overdale Gardens died in July, aged 92 years. He was a member of the former Crosshill Queen’s Park church.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of all those recently bereaved.

SECURITY ROTA

The two groups who met together to look at sections of the Bible on Thursdays numbered fifteen last session. We spent time considering some of the greatest of the Psalms, the career of King David, ‘Women of the Bible’ and watched several episodes of an excellent DVD in which the great Biblical teacher, John Stott spoke about the interpretation of Scripture. Before the session ended, the participants decided that they would like to focus on Paul’s letters to the Corinthians this year, and that’s what will happen.

We hope to re-start towards the end of September (watch for the announcement in the ‘Yellow pages’). It would be great to welcome a few more people . There is plenty room! We use booklets published by Scripture Union – that is the only expense involved.

Eugene Peterson said that when people become Christians, they don’t automatically become ‘nice’ – this always comes as something of a surprise to them. !

Paul founded the church at Corinth in 52AD, after having preached the gospel there and seeing people come to faith in Christ. He spent eighteen months with them, teaching them how they should live out this new life as a community of believers.

However, some time after he left, he was disturbed to receive reports that in his absence factions had arisen in the church, morals were in disrepair, and worship had degenerated into a selfish grabbing for the supernatural.

Paul’s letter, written about 55AD in Ephesus, was a pastoral response to these events, which grieved him greatly.

Corinth was one of the great cities of the Roman world, and the chief city of Greece. It was a major crossroads of trade by sea round the Mediterranean, and its population contained people from every part of the Empire. The intellectuals among its population were interested in philosophy, science and the arts and placed a high premium on wisdom, but they had a reputation for being dilettantes for whom it was all merely a kind of game rather than a genuine seeking of truth.

But there was dark side, too. Corinth was renowned for its immorality. For example the Temple of Aphrodite which stood high above the city, was served by more than 1,000 prostitutes. In fact in Greek, there was a verb, ’to corinthianise’ which meant to practise sexual immorality or perversions. No wonder the tiny church was plagued by so many problems!

It is clear that the Corinthian church was gifted , but it was also immature and unspiritual. Paul sought urgently to repair the damage, to tackle the areas of weakness , to heal the divisions, to face up to the insidious immorality which was undermining Christian witness, to prevent members taking their quarrels to pagan courts and to ensure that the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper did not become an excuse for excesses in eating and drinking. It was quite a task he set himself.! Life in Corinth was not unlike that of our own secular western society today. We also are powerfully influenced by our surrounding culture. Everything which afflicted the church in Corinth : immaturity, instability, divisions, jealousy and envy, marital problems, sexual immorality, legal disputes, new kinds of ‘idols’, the misuse of spiritual gifts and so on.

We will read and discuss the solutions Paul urged on the confused new Christians in First Century Corinth.Why not join us in one of the Thursday meetings as we seek to find their obvious relevance to our own situation. MDM

FROM THE FAR NORTH

On a recent visit to Norway, I visited a number of churches; some large, some small.I’ll probably refer to these experiences in the future, but meantime I want to focus on one in particular, the church at Trondenes, (68 degrees 48’ N)

Its very name, Trondenes, intrigued me. My people came from the northernmost part of Skye, Trotternish. In Gaelic this is Trondairnis which is of course exactly the same name, given by Norse settlers more than a thousand years ago.

The Norwegian Trondenes lies well north of the Arctic Circle. The church was first built, in wood, by a Viking chieftain around 1150AD. A century or so later it was reconstructed in stone and became for a long time the most northerly stone-built church in the world.

The modern building is beautiful, and it is the most prominent feature on the side of the fiord as one approaches the nearby town of Harmstad. The Church of Norway, to which it belongs, is Lutheran Protestant. Some 95% of the population of Norway are, at least nominally, members of the Church. Unlike our position in Scotland, the Church of Norway is supported financially by the state – a situation which has both advantages and serious disadvantages.

On the morning of my visit, we were met at the church door by the priest, a youngish woman dressed in a black cassock with the characteristic white Lutheran ruff at the neck. ( If you have seen portraits of people in Tudor times, you’ll get the idea.)

She welcomed our group and told us in Norwegian, English and German a little about the history of the church. We were then invited to participate in a short ecumenical service. She read three psalms. First was the familiar 23^{rd
‘}:The Lord is my shepherd’, read in English. Then in Norwegian came a psalm which, although knowing nothing of the language, I was quickly able to identify as Number 121, ‘I to the hills will lift mine eyes.’

The last was read in German, Psalm 8 ,’ O Lord , our Lord how majestic is your name in all the earth’.

We then sang the great Reformation hymn, ‘ Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices.’ Sheets had been provided with the words printed in five languages so everyone was able to join in. The priest bravely led us in unaccompanied singing.

She then invited us to repeat the Lord’s Prayer in whichever language came most naturally to us, and pronounced a blessing in Norwegian.

There was a palpable sense of unity in Christ the Prince of Peace which transcended nationality, language or culture. It was quite moving.

The sense of what we have lost byignoring Christ’s message to mankind was heightened further in the churchyard where there is small memorial to the men of the British aircraft carrier ‘Illustrious’ and the destroyers ‘Ardent and ’Acasta’ , all sunk at the mouth of the fiord on 8th June 1940 with great loss of life.. This being the 70^th anniversary, a special service had been held there just a few days before. On one of the wreaths from Britain and

Norway was pinned a photograph of a very young sailor with the poignant message ‘John Peel 8^th June 1940; Love you still. ‘

Shortly afterwards, near Tromso, we saw the remains of the German battleship ‘Tirpitz’, sunk there in 1944 with the loss of 1,200 men. Such a waste of young lives even at this distance in time causes great sadness - and we are not to suppose that they were any less precious in the Lord’s eyes than was young John Peel.

‘Man’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn.’ MDM