Article from Moderator of the General

Assembly of the Church of Scotland 3 Article from our Locum, Rev Ray Gaston 4

Meet the Moderator Designate 7 Letter from our Missionary Partners 15

Clackmannan Parish

Church of Scotland Locum: Rev Ray Gaston The WindowThe Window

November 2018

Inside this issue:

We will remember them We will remember them We will remember them --- 191819181918---201820182018

Laying of Wreaths will take place at the War Memorial on Sunday 11th November at 10.50 am followed by a

Centenary Service of Remembrance in Clackmannan Parish Church at 11.15 am.

CLACKMANNAN PARISH CHURCH MISSION STATEMENT

adopted by Kirk Session 17th November 2001

“God has called His people in Clackmannan Parish Church, under His

guidance, to be a congregation committed to sharing Jesus’ Word and

Love with the community.”

Page 2 The Window

Date Time Service

4th Nov 11.00 am Morning Worship

11th Nov

10.50 am Laying of Wreaths at War Memorial

11.15 am Centenary Remembrance Service in Church

3.00 pm Afternoon Service—BMH*

18th Nov 11.00 am Souper Sundae Service—All-age Worship Traidcraft Fair Trade Table

25th Nov 11.00 am Morning Worship

11.00 am Communion—First Sunday in Advent

2nd Dec 3.00 pm Communion Afternoon Service—BMH*

6.30 pm Evening Communion—BMH*

9th Dec 11.00 am Morning Worship

* Bruce Memorial Hall (beside Manse) Crèche available every Sunday

Church Services

Telephone Numbers and Email Addresses

Position Name Tel No Email address

Interim

Moderator Rev Jim McNeil 01259 760262 JMcNeil@churchofscotland.org.uk

Locum Rev Ray Gaston 01259 743202 gaston.arthur@yahoo.co.uk

Session Clerk Jim Millar 01259 217361 sessionclerk@

clackmannankirk.org.uk

Depute

Session Clerk Anne Dawson 01259 219350

Clerk—Board

(pro-tem) Anne Dawson 01259 219350

Treasurer Joyce Morrison 07557537611 treasurer@clackmannankirk.org.uk

Organist Meg Carroll 07900443425 organist@clackmannankirk.org.uk

Church Officer Willie Hunter 07775686664

Church Office 01259 214238 office@clackmannankirk.org.uk

Page 3 November 2018

Message from the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

“Anniversaries provide time for reflection as we consider our past and look towards the future. One hundred years ago, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, bells rang out for peace as a terrible and bloody conflict came to an end. As we reflect back on this Armistice, on this ‘War to end all Wars’, it is important that we recognise the sheer scale of human sacrifice which it brought, and the many brave men and women who gave so much so that there might be peace both in their time and for future generations. As we remember them, as we ring bells, light beacons, play pipes and bugles; as we stop in silence, may we commit to their legacy and strive towards a more peaceful world where war and violence have no place. May our act of remembering, our commitment to them, be to say with true conviction “never again” while working to make it so.”

The Right Reverend Susan Brown Moderator of the General Assembly

www.brunopeek.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Battle’s-Over-Guide.pdf

CHURCH ROLL CHANGES AND FUNERALS We are sorry but we are unable to print certain articles in this web edition of church magazine for reasons of personal confidentiality. We hope this does not affect your enjoyment of the rest of The Window. The Editorial Team

Page 4 The Window

Thoughts on Ephesians Ch 4 vs 1 – 6

The following article A “Broken Church” I have submitted in the light of the above passage, recognising the difficulties many of us face in coming to terms with today’s changed laws and attitudes concerning human sexuality and the challenges they pose as we “do our best

to preserve the unity which the Spirit gives by means of the peace that binds us together.”

Paul, the Apostle who penned these verses, was the outstanding thinker, theologian and Church leader of his day. His letters reflect a young Church with many burning issues to resolve – any one of which could be a major cause for destructive division: Jew or Gentile, Greek or Roman; slave or freeman; man or woman …… People rushed to take sides in all these disputes, taking up dogmatic positions, quoting laws and scriptures and knocking

spots off each other.

In the midst of it all, Paul followed the rule of Jesus which was the rule of perfect love – love for God with “heart, soul, mind and strength….and love your neighbour as you love yourself which is the greatest and most important commandment of all,” (Matthew 22:

37 – 40).

In the light of this and in the face of many disputes, Paul stuck firmly to the principles that

flow from Jesus’ words:

Love for God and love for neighbour.

The one demands that however we may differ from each other in questions that arise, all differences are of lesser importance than the love of God in which alone we can differ but

still remain united.

The other demands that we respect and accept one another, recognising our differences

and that we have much to learn from each other.

Paul’s great concern was that with all our differences, the Church should remain united.

We do not have Christ’s authority to break it up!

And in all decisions taken by the Church leadership, the unity and peace of the Church

should be our guiding concern.

A “Broken Church”

(An alternative view for the 21st century from one who was brought up with very tradi-tional views and values!)

It has been claimed that the Church of Scotland is a “broken church” – a state-ment with which I must agree.

It is a broken church for broken people; a school for sinners rather that a rest home for perfected saints. It has always been thus and will remain so until God finally redeems his people. Not until the Parousia in the Book of Revelation do we have the “new Jerusalem” decked as a bride fit and ready to be presented as the Bride of Christ. Until then, the Church is a divinely-ordained, but human body journeying towards a goal, as yet unrealised.

Page 5 November 2018

The solution to the church’s brokenness, however, can never be to break it even further. If my grandchild comes to me in tears with a broken toy, do I take a ham-mer, smash it to pieces and say; “There now, it’s all fixed.” – or, do I rather reach for the superglue and try to put the pieces back together again. What will dry up the tears and solve the problem? True, the toy will always remain an imperfect toy with the marks of the repair still on it – but it will be repaired and useable! But to break from a church because it is “broken” can never be a justifiable solution to the Church’s imperfections and brokenness and can only aggravate matters fur-ther.

The solution is much more difficult and demanding on our Christian grace and un-derstanding: it is to remain within that church. It is to reach for the “superglue” of God’s forgiving, reconciling love, and bring together all the varied and differing ele-ments of a broken people under one unifying confession – the keystone of our faith – that “Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour”. No lesser matter can be allowed to divide us. This confession we hold in common with all our Christian sisters and brothers; it is of the “essence” of our faith. All else lies within the realm of Christian behaviour and understanding where God is the sole Judge and the love of God, aided by the Spirit, our guiding light.

The whole issue of human sexuality and relationships has been a threat to the Church’s unity for some years now despite the fact – scientifically proven – that the old, long-held polarity between male and female no longer holds, convenient though it may have been in previous ages. They are but indeterminate markers on a long line stretching between the two with an infinite variety of positions in be-tween making up our sexuality. Sexual orientation is a question of our genetic make-up between the male and the female. We are born what we are and do not choose to be what we are. To deny this is to seek to enforce a first century under-standing of sexuality on a twenty first century world.

Should not, therefore, loving, committed relationships be seen as God’s gift to all of his children? Is this not a case for the glue of God’s gracious, inclusive love rather than a cold, legalistic insistence on an out-moded first century understand-ing of our human make-up?

I pose the question.

In Paul’s day the question of circumcision threatened to divide Christendom (Acts 17 and Galatians). A willingness to understand the position of others and unite un-der the unifying banner of God’s inclusive love kept the Church together.

Other ages have had to face similar challenges – slavery, apartheid, evolution, di-vorce/remarriage and now, human sexuality – and splinter groups have been formed as set positions have been taken up, justifying their positions from Scrip-

Page 6 The Window

ture or practice on questions that were not of the “essence” of the faith: the con-fession that Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour. Must we always take sides with the Church’s enemies by dividing the Body of Christ even further; who among us has the authority of God to do so?

Or do we still hold to the Bible’s picture of the world as flat with a basement (Sheol) and a ceiling (the “firmament”)? Are two millennia of astrological discovery and advance to be sacrificed on the altar of biblical literalism?

We now accept that failed marriages where reconciliation is impossible can be dis-solved and that divorced persons may remarry. The first century would have branded that as adultery – a sin – rather than offer the “superglue” solution of a fresh start (a very Christian understanding). If, subsequently a remarried person has a call to the Christian ministry examined and sustained by the Church, do we then on the basis of a first century understanding say that such a call cannot be?

I simply pose the question? Answers are likely to differ from one individual to an-other. But we must avoid starting wars over them – or dividing congregations!

In each and every age, the Church has been faced with challenging issues which have demanded a re-examination of previously-held ideas. In Jesus’ day it was the question of how best to live as God would have us live. For the Pharisees it was a rigid adherence to the commandments – to which they had added some 620 of their own! Jesus frequently either re-interprets them (“you have heard it said.... but I say unto you”) or directly countermands them – in the case of the woman taken in adultery.

The Church’s task in the face of the challenges presented to us in a constantly-changing world is to hold in unity to the essence of the faith – Christ as Saviour and Lord – and allow in our ranks for diversity of understanding and conscience. It is - in an informed manner - to offer to all a faith that is true to its Lord but relevant to the needs and the choices people face.

Charles Spurgeon, the renowned Baptist preacher and teacher, was once verbally attacked by an enthusiastic young Christian on the many faults and failings of the Baptist Church. It is said that he fixed the young man with his eye and replied: “Young man, you are looking for the perfect church. When you find it, for the love of God – don’t join it. For if you do, it will immediately cease to be perfect.”

The only acceptable solution to the “broken” church – however difficult and de-manding in terms of Christian faith and understanding– is to remain within it, working in love for change where we see its failings.

So long as we realise in all humility that God may be asking us to change!

Ray Gaston

Page 7 November 2018

Rev Colin Sinclair is Moderator Designate for 2019-20

A Stirling University economics graduate who spent three years living out of a car in Zambia has been chosen to be Moderator of the Church of Scotland's General Assembly for 2019.

Rev Colin Sinclair, who is the minister for Palmerston Place Church in Edin-burgh, will take on the year-long role of ambassador for the Church of Scot-land in May 2019 at the General Assembly, succeeding the 2018-19 Modera-tor Rt Rev Susan Brown.

He says: "I am honoured to be selected for this opportunity to represent the Church of Scotland nationally and internationally.

“It will be a pleasure to encourage church members in their faith and to see the impact of their faith in communities across our country.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed being a parish minister and despite the chal-lenges we face I believe the Christian Faith is still relevant to Scotland.

“Our message is still Good News and it still changes lives.”

Decided to follow Jesus

Colin grew up on the south side of Glasgow, the second son of Alex and Iso-bel Sinclair, who were "occasional churchgoers."

The family had an international outlook as his father had been a District Commissioner, first in Palestine and then in The Gambia, before returning to Scotland and working as a lecturer in management at Strathclyde University.

It was as a pupil at Glasgow Academy, that Colin first became interested in the Christian faith. To escape getting into trouble after a prefect saw him taking the wrong staircase, Colin dodged into a darkened room where a Scripture Union camp video was showing.

"I enjoyed the film, thought the activities looked great and I felt I could put up with the “religious stuff,” he says.

"I did love the camp and had great fun, and I liked the leaders. But to my surprise I also enjoyed the meetings with their lively singing and straightfor-

Page 8 The Window

ward message about Jesus Christ.

"I went back to camp the next year and decided then to follow Jesus Christ. So started an exciting adventure of faith that has lasted over 50 years."

Called to ministry

Athletic as well as spiritual, as an economics student at Stirling University, Colin spent just about as much time on the sports field playing rugby as he did in Christian Union activities or volunteering with Scripture Union.

It was also while a student that Colin took a holiday job as a film extra play-ing a Roman soldier in the 1975 comedy, Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

When the idea of being a minister was first suggested to a group of Chris-tian Union members, Colin dismissed it.

"I thought ministry was about having tea with old ladies so as I wasn't inter-ested in either tea or old ladies I thought it wasn't for me."

Yet, during his years at Stirling, Colin began to realise God was calling him to be a Minister. He went to selection school and even though around six in ten applicants were rejected, he was accepted. By this time, he says, his parents had become active Christians and understood his choice.

Travels in Zambia

Before he could begin his ministry studies, however, Colin was approached by Scripture Union and asked if he would consider going to Zambia as a training officer in an exchange that would allow two Zambian students to study in the UK. It was an offer he couldn’t refuse, part of a lifelong commit-ment to Scripture Union.

Colin's family were all away the night before he left, but he still remembers the note his mother left him.

"Switch the gas off. Leave the keys on the table. See you in two years."

So aged 20 with an honours degree in Economics, he embarked on his first work with Scripture Union. The job, which involved travelling around Zam-bia, living out of his car and speaking at schools, churches, hospitals and col-leges, ended up lasting three years.

"Those three years changed my life," he says. "Being away from everything familiar I was able to sort out which parts of my faith were mine, and which

Page 9 November 2018

were not. I encountered people from many different countries and with many different beliefs. I met all the Church of Scotland missionaries there and everyone was very supportive. I learned to trust God."

A parish minister

After earning a 1st in Church History from New College, where he also played rugby for the Lions, Colin completed his probation and was ordained at Palmerston Place Church. His first solo parish was at Newton on Ayr.

“I learned to be a parish minister. On Sundays I had Bible class, services in the morning and evening followed by Youth Fellowship. I had to come up with four fresh talks every Sunday, so I worked hard, but I really enjoyed it.

“I’ve been very fortunate that all my congregations have been happy ones.”

In 1981 Colin married Ruth Murray, a medical social worker and the couple went on to have four children, Joanna, 35, Timothy, 31, Rachel, 28 and Bethany, 22.

Fun and faith

After six years in Ayr, Scripture Union offered Colin the job of General Direc-tor in the Glasgow office – a job he held for the next 8 years while staying involved in his local parish.

Leading one of the largest Christian youth organisations in Scotland involved everything from organising the first-ever event held in Glasgow’s Armadillo auditorium—which brought together 3000 young people at Release the Power – to forging links with international evangelical groups, such as The Lausanne Movement and the Spring Harvest Council, which he chaired for seven years.

Scripture Union’s mix of fun and faith became an enduring commitment even after he returned to Parish Ministry at Palmerston Place, in Edinburgh in 1996. Colin and Ruth ran a Scripture Union holiday camp for teens in the Highlands, at Alltnacriche near Aviemore for 27 years.

In 2004, Colin took on the role of International Chair of Scripture Union, working with 130 SU movements around the world and travelling widely to countries such as Ghana, Peru and the Philippines.

“What I love about Scripture Union is the opportunity to pass onto the next generation faith and the Bible and get them out serving in a world in need,”

Page 10 The Window

he says.

Teaching the Bible

Colin’s contribution to the Church of Scotland has included serving on many councils and committees at both local and national level. Most recently, from 2012 to 2016, he was Convener of the Mission and Discipleship Council which also involved serving on the Kirk’s governing body, the Council of As-sembly.

Since 1996, he has been the minister at Palmerston Place, where he and Ruth— now grandparents—have offered marriage classes, nurtured a thriv-ing congregation and hosted many groups of students and probationer min-isters. Somehow, he also found time to write “The Hitchhikers Guide to the Bible”.

“I love being the minister for Palmerston Place, “he says. “The heart of eve-rything we do is Jesus and that’s what excites me.

“The message of the Bible is still extraordinary, challenging and hopeful. I still teach the Bible and people want to hear it.”

Nurturing faith

Colin's enthusiasm and the happiness he finds in faith seem to be infectious.

Soon after he became “mesmerised” by the story of Jesus, his parents found their own way to faith. And all four of his children are involved in the Church. Joanna works as Young People’s Ministry Leader at Holy Trinity Wester Hailes. Timothy is the minister at Partick Trinity in Glasgow. Rachel is International Project Coordinator for Glasgow City Mission, and Bethany is a trainee midwife after working with Africa Inland Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Colin has seen several members of his congregation go into ministry and others find their Christian faith for the first time. But he says his greatest satisfaction is seeing how their faith impacts their lives.

“As a student volunteer at SU camps I was delighted one day when one of the campers professed faith in Christ,” he says.

“So I shared this with the Camp Leader who replied that, while he shared my happiness, he had learned over the years to find greater pleasure when those who came to camp went on to live lives of Christian usefulness, serv-

Page 11 November 2018

ing in society in some way or taking a position of leadership.

“I think that has become my philosophy over the years. What’s lovely is see-ing young people who started off as SU campers become leaders them-selves. I have loved seeing folk grow up, whether it is to become elders in the Church or to go into vocational ministry or to take their Christian faith into different avenues of public service.”

FINANCIAL AFFAIRS FOR SEPTEMBER 2018

Sep Sep

INCOME includes EXPENDITURE includes £

Offerings 6,639.01 Ministry 3,403.90

Investment Income 425.89 Travel 91.80

Donations 90.00 Salaries 670.00

Coin-a-day 215.82 Office, Stationery, Post 342.04

Grant* 1,000.00 Heat and Light 507.90

Ragbag 38.00 Insuranceƒ 489.40

Telephone 112.30

Fire Equipment Maintenance 559.51

Organ Contract 360.00

Property 682.37

Other 72.50

Total Income 8,408.72 Total Expenditure 7,291.72

Surplus 1,117.00

* From Church of Scotland re manse security - expenditure against this was in last month's accounts.

www.churchofscotland.org.uk/

Page 12 The Window

Some pictures from the MacMillan Coffee Afternoon. Photos by Chris Fyfe

Page 13 November 2018

World Concern Group

The World Concern Group quietly raises funds by selling home-made jams, marmalade and wood turned articles. The small group also receives donations from time to time from other members of the Congregation. These funds are in turn used to sup-port people who are significantly less well-off than ourselves.

Two hundred pounds has recently

2019 Calendar

A reminder that the 2019 Church Calendar is now available and it can be previewed in Church each Sun-day morning when orders can also be placed and recorded on the avail-able clipboards.

If you are unable to get to any of the services and would still like to pre-view and perhaps buy a calendar then you can contact Maureen di-rectly on 01259 220690.

If it's your intention to post copies overseas then let either Maureen or Duncan know so that priority can be given to printing these requests.

As in previous years there is an A4 and A5 version.

The A4 costs £7.50 whilst the A5 is £5.

Proceeds from the sale of the calendar will go to church funds.

Maureen Brember

Page 14 The Window

Deadline Date for December Window—Sunday 11th November.

Email articles to windoweditor@clackmannankirk.org.uk or hand to Mary Millar, any member of the Editorial Team or place in the “Window” box in the Church Office. Magazines available on 25th November..

been donated to Christian Aid to support those victims of the Kerala floods in India. A further £250 was sent a few days ago to help those in Sulawesi, Indonesia, following the devastating earthquake and tsunami. The group also provide regular funding to sponsor a girl through her secondary educa-tion in Malawi.

Earlier in the warm weather of summer, members of the WCG wood pre-served the exterior of the Bruce Memorial Hall, cleaned the window frames and painted the hand rails.

Souper Sundae is on November 18th this year and the WCG will not only de-liver the service of worship but will also provide a soup and sweet lunch in the fellowship area of the Church. Donations received for the lunch will be sent to the Church of Scotland’s HIV project.

The group will again participate in the “Festival of Christmas” this year with a display that highlights situations or peoples who could be deserving of our support.

Sandy Jack Convener World Concern Group

MacMillan Coffee Morning

A figure of £509 (five hundred and nine pounds) was raised when the event took place in the Church Hall on 29th September.

Thanks go to the Coffee Morning team (and help-ers), the bakers, the donators, and all who at-tended enabling the above sum to be raised for this very worthy cause.

Chris Fyfe

Page 15 November 2018

Dear Family and Friends

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34

At the beginning of July we have the 2-day public Holiday called Heroes and Unity we found ourselves on the road, visiting schools and clinics and ending up in Mwandi, where we spent some time preparing the houses for mission volunteers and other community-based visitors that would be using them.

Keith was able to speak to the Headteachers regarding interventions to improve the quality and quantity of passes in the National Examinations and we visited HRH Senior Chief Inyambo Yeta and the Kuta. On this visit we met Muyendekwa, who is at present staying with us as she waits for a new and better artificial leg from the University Teaching Hospital, across the road from us.

On our return, we were invited as guests of honour to speak at Matero Church at a Marriage Enrichment Day in July just prior to our Ruby Wed-ding Anniversary. The next day was the Kirking of the Chief of the Caledo-nian Society.

For Keith, July continued with the meeting of the Education Secretaries’ Forum and the new Permanent Secretary (a Kafue Old Boy). The topics covered were mainly human resource issues in particular establishments, frozen positions and promotion confirmations. Responsibility Allowances and School Grants were other areas of concern.

Both of us have been involved in the management and administration of the Masuku Water Reticulation System Project on behalf of Gossner Mis-sion; drafting consultant and contractors contracts and generating memos from minutes of meetings to ensure payment for registration, drilling, flushing, installation of pipes and solar pumpsets and other associated works. It will be a great improvement to the lives of pupils, teachers, pa-tients, health workers minister and congregants and the wider community once completed.

At the end of July Ida, Mubita and I spent a wonderful retreat week in Uganda with fellow Methodist-supported Mission Partners from all over Africa. We worshipped at Jinja in the Ugandan Church’s heartland, visited

Page 16 The Window

the source of the Victoria Nile and met Ingrid Wilts who later took a ses-sion on the Father’s Love in Kampala. We were delighted to meet up Bunmi and with Rev Tom Kisitu Ugandan–born but now Minister at St Nicholas Church of Scotland, Sighthill, who led the retreat and ministered to us. We also took time to visit to the Ugandan Martyrs Memorial at Na-mugongo. Another modern activist and ‘troublesome priest’ we heard from, was Anglican bishop Dr Zac Niringye. We also enjoyed the singing and dancing from Ugandan Methodist Church Refugees from the Democ-ratic Republic of Congo. Refugees from conflict in the DRC is a problem shared and tackled by the UCZ as well.

In early August David, who came with us from Mwandi, was married to Marion, the niece of our neighbour, Rev Sikazwe. We attended their mar-riage service before leaving for Mkushi for the Church service that cele-brated the 30th Anniversary of the founding of Chengelo. We overnighted at David and Anne Street’s farm on the block before meeting up with many colleagues and pupils from our time there - 1994-2004. It was good to be able to reciprocate and host Keesjan and Reinette Vandermasses who were our mentors and took care of us when we first arrived at Chengelo.

Ida had stayed with them overnight during the International Aids Confer-ence in Amsterdam earlier in July. She enjoyed the conference, a good op-portunity to network and keep abreast of the latest developments in medi-cine, funding and administration. She is grateful to the Church of Scotland who make it more affordable for us by paying her air-ticket this time and her conference registration again. She was able to find reasonably-priced accommodation through AirBnB but found getting there by public trans-port complex and expensive.

It was good to see the statistics that recently showed a decrease in con-sumption of alcohol by young people in Scotland. During the most recent round of School Board Meetings, Keith arranged a first sensitisation visit from officers from the Drug Enforcement Commission to our schools in Western and Southern Province. It is an area of concern too in Zambia - the misuse of alcohol by young people - sometimes mixed with smoking dagga which is a lethal cocktail.

Ida attended the Women’s Christian fellowship National Rally in Living-

Page 17 November 2018

stone, met with Charles Newsome who is working on a book about the American Mission work at Mwandi and went on to set up the theatre for the team of US surgeons who come each year. This is arranged and has been organised by Dr Peggy Schrieber for the past 19 years. The team were able to undertake over 50 procedures - mainly goitres, hernias and hyster-ectomies on people who otherwise would not be able to afford their opera-tion. Unfortunately this good work is being put in jeopardy by the Health Professional Council who have hiked registration for non-Zambians by five, requiring any Doctor, whether a professional in private practice or a Mission Hospital volunteer, to pay $1500 for a single term of 6 months. This is un-just and we are trying to persuade the government to rescind the order for Mission Hospitals. Other concerns are the delay in payment of Hospital Grants, the non-payment of CHAZ Hospital Support Workers’ salaries and the chronic shortages of medicines in hospitals and clinics.

Ida also met Ben Macpherson the Scot-tish Minister for International Develop-ment on his recent visit to Zambia, as part of the Friends of Chitambo Group. She is finding great difficulty in having her concept paper to roll out Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment in UCZ Hospitals and clinics accepted as she needs a Scottish Registered Charity to support the application. If anyone has any links to a possible Charity please let us know. Much of the groundwork has been done to bring this service closer to women in need, as only 7% of rural women are presently able to access the next stage of treatment after screening.

Yesterday we welcomed once again, Muriel Gray from Hope Park and Mar-tyrs in St Andrew’s Presbytery who is visiting to look at needs and visit areas where the Church has helped in the work here.

As usual the work this quarter has been multi-faceted, reaching mind body and soul, individuals, communities: locally, nationally and internationally. The work of God. We ask for your prayers as we participate in it, as best we can.

With our love Keith Ida and Mubita

PRAYER GROUP

A time to read and meditate briefly on the scriptures is provided every Wednesday evening at 8 pm in the Bruce Memorial Hall.

Please do consider coming along.

If you know of someone who is ill, or would appreciate being remembered in prayer, please tell Rev Bill Izett and Rev Ray Gaston.

TO BOOK OR HIRE THE CHURCH HALL OR BRUCE MEMORIAL HALL—Contact the Church Office (214238). ALL meetings should be entered in the diary.

Page 18 The Window

FESTIVAL OF CHRISTMAS—TREE FESTIVAL

Our Tree Festival is fast approaching and will take place on

Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 6th, 7th and 8th December 2018.

Why not come and join us? You will have a fantastic time.

You can decorate a tree or have a display, or come along and help

with manning the door, serving the teas etc, etc.

Your help would be much appreciated. Please get in touch with

Helen Paterson 01259 213639 for any further information

THE GUILD SYLLABUS FOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

5th Nov Blythswood Care Shoe Boxes

19th Nov Heart, Stroke & Chest Association Kirsten Lupton

3rd Dec Clackmannan Primary School Glee Club

JUST A WORD OF THANKS ...

I would like to thank the Church for the lovely bunch of flowers I received on Sunday 23rd September, delivered by Mr Fleming and his wife and also for the nice card I received from the Pastoral Care Team. I would also like to thank the minister, Rev Ray Gaston, for his recent visits while I was poorly. Thanks to all concerned.

James Duncan

Many thanks for the lovely Church flowers delivered by Helen. It is nice to be remembered.

Cathie Howie

I would like to express my sincere thanks for all the cards, messages and flowers I have received from our church family following the recent death of my mother. I would also like to thank Barbara for delivering the flowers and to Rev Ray for visiting me and giving me words of comfort during this difficult time.

Jean Hillis

Thank you for the lovely surprise gift of flowers after my fall. They were gratefully appreciated. It’s good to know people are thinking about me. A special thank you to Roberta for taking the time to deliver the flowers to me and staying for a chat. Thank you once again.

Ena Thomson

Page 19 November 2018

CHURCH FLOWERS

Thank you to everyone for your continuing support of the Flower Fund. I have made up the diary for next year so if you wish to reserve a date pop it in with your name and a con-tact number in case I need to get in touch.

Please inform the Pastoral Care Team or your elder of anyone you know who has had an illness or bereave-ment and the Sunday flowers can be distributed accordingly.

Elspeth Cuthbertson Flower Co-ordinator (01259 730864)

Church Flowers

Nov Contributed by

4th Ryna Marshall Arranged by

Jan McTaggart

Elspeth Cuthbertson

Irene Sloan

Distributed by

Linda Sloan

Helen White

Barbara Wilson

11th Roslyn Todd

18th Flower Fund

25th Vera Currey

FLOODLIGHTING OUR CHURCH

October October (continued)

1 The Livingstone Family 19 Mrs Margaret MacPhie

2 The Livingstone Family 20 Sandy and Isabell Robertson

3 The Higgins Family 21 Mrs Isabel Gilroy

4 Sam and Margaret Harris 22 Peter Hamilton

5 The Bramham Family 23 Jim and Mary Millar

6 Ben & Jan McTaggart & Family 24 James and Elspeth Cuthbertson

7 The Higgins Family 25 James and Elspeth Cuthbertson

8 Jim and Mary Millar 26 Margaret Black

9 Mrs Linda Sloan 27 James and Elspeth Cuthbertson

10 Mrs Linda Sloan 28 James and Elspeth Cuthbertson

11 Mrs Freda Lambie 29 Jim and Mary Millar

12 Margaret Black 30 Peter Hamilton

13 Jim Blyth and Family 31 Mrs and Mrs R Paton (Turriff)

14 No dates are available in November but the following dates are still avail-

able in December:

2nd, 4th, 8th and 11th

15 Mrs Christina Innes

16

17 Mrs Christina Innes

18 Mrs Margaret MacPhie

The Editorial Team Maureen Brember Lorna McAllister

Chris Fyfe Mary Millar

Bill Izett Meg Young

Page 20 The Window

Contributors are listed below and their names and dedications will be

on display at the Church entrance. If you wish to sponsor any future

dates please contact Rosemary Ramage (01259 720805). The cost

to light up the Church for one night is £5.

We are delighted to announce that, after much thought and consideration, Rosemary has agreed to continue as our Floodlighting Co-ordinator. Rose-mary has been doing a marvellous job of this task for 19 years and we are grateful for her dedication to this work.

PASTORAL CARE GROUP

Just a reminder that if you know of anyone at all who is either sick, in hospi-tal, bereaved or just ‘under the weather’ – let Helen White know. Our Pas-toral Care Group is keen to reach as many people as possible and let them know that we are thinking of them during their time of need. A card, even a bunch of flowers, can make such a difference – let us be the ones to make that difference.

Helen White 07900837546

Baking Rota for Tuesday Coffee Mornings

Page 21 November 2018

Elder Members in these districts are asked to supply baking etc on the dates indicated

November

6th Catrina Mackey Mannan Dr/St Serf’s Gr/Kennet

Mary Millar Brucefield Cr/Mercat Pl/Northfield Gdns

Helen Paterson Marquis Dr/Laird’s Drive

13th Maureen Brember Ladywood

Anne Paterson Alloa/Bonnybridge/Brightons/Dunipace/Stirling

Les Pike Forestmill/Helensfield/farms

20th Anne Dawson Carse/Kincardine/farms

Kenny McCall Alva/Coalsnaughton/Dollar/Fishcross/Tillicoultry/

Tullibody

Duncan Brember Alloa/Sauchie

27th Robert Fleming Burnside Cr/Cherryton Dr/Riccarton

Alex Birrell Devonway

Kay McKie Devonway

December

4th Ian Smith Devonway

John Young Alloa Rd/Millbank Cr

Bill Izett Kirkwynd/Mary Pl/Mayfield Cr

Coffee Morning Income for July/August was £470.

Deadline Date for December Window—Sunday 11th November.

Page 22 The Window

A thank you to all our new and existing easyfundraising members.

Since the July/August edition of the Window we have added a fur-ther 5 new members to the easyfundraising account for collecting donations for our Church. We now have 11 people registered, but I'm sure there's a lot more of you who would like to see the Church derive some benefit from your regular on-line purchases.

So if you are active on-line why not register with easyfundraising and use this as a gateway whilst visiting all your regular web-pages and collect dona-tions, as a percentage of your purchases, for the Church?

Here's a reminder of some of the on-line shops you can get donations from: Marks and Spencer, MFI, Index, Cotton Traders, Create & Craft, Curry's PC World, Thomson Holidays, Amazon and many more. Whether you are looking for finance, insurance, phones, holidays, kitchens, clothing, groceries or general shopping with over 3,200 shops and sites available there must be some for you. If the shop you want is not listed on easyfund-raising, then you can request that they be added.

It's easy. Just go to the easyfundraising website at:

www.easyfundraising.org.uk

or visit the Church website and on the Resources/Online Shopping Mall menu either select the 'easyfundraising starting page' or

www.easyfundraising.org.uk

At the easyfundraising start page select

'Support a good cause' and then 'Join now'.

Remember to nominate Clackmannan Parish Church as the charity to re-ceive your donations.

When you checkout and pay our Church will receive a percentage of your purchase.

As an added bonus why not get your family and friends to register and nominate Clackmannan Church as their beneficiary?

Duncan Brember Web Master

Community Weekly Events Monday 6 pm - 7 pm Aerobics (CHL) in Clackmannan Town Hall

Tuesday 10.00 am Coffee Morning in Church Hall

Wednesday 2.00 pm Wee County Walkers

Wednesday 8.00 pm Prayer Group in Bruce Memorial Hall

Thursday 11.00 am Active 50s Keep Fit (SD) in Town Hall

Thursday 7.00 pm Church Choir Practice in Bruce Memorial Hall

Friday 12 noon Bargains and Bites Community Café in Town Hall

Friday From 5.30 pm Boys’ Brigade in Town Hall

CHL = Clackmannanshire Healthier Lives SD = Sports Development

Community Fortnightly Events Alternate

Mondays 7.00 pm

Ukulele Group Practice (see Margaret Sneddon for

details)

Alternate

Mondays 7.30 pm

The Guild in Church Hall

5th and 19th November

Community Monthly Events

First Tuesday 7.00 pm Maker’s Dozen Craft Group in Bruce Memorial Hall

Third Thursday 2.00 pm Circle of Friends in Town Hall

If you know of any community event and would like it mentioned here please email windoweditor@clackmannankirk.org.uk

Page 23 November 2018

Visiting

A minister went visiting one evening. He knocked on a door several times, but no one answered. He could see through the window that the TV was on, so he took out one of his cards and wrote “Revelation 3:20 - Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone will open I will come in.” He stuck the card on the door. The following Sunday a woman handed him a card with her name on it and the following message “Genesis 3:20 – I heard thy voice – I was naked so I hid myself.” Extracted from A Box of Delights by John and Mark Stibbe, Monarch Press.

Page 24 November 2018

Printed by Clackmannan Parish Church of Scotland Office

Scottish Charity Number SC002324

As mentioned in last month’s magazine, the Rev Ronald Matandakufa is a probationer at Tulliallan and Kincardine Parish Church. He and his wife and 2 daughters have now moved into the manse. The girls are now attending Clackmannan Primary School and Nursery.

The photo was taken when he first visited Kincardine Parish Church.

Clackmannan Community Council are hosting the Stirling Rock Choir in a Christmas themed concert in Clackmannan Parish Church on Tuesday 11th December at 7.30 pm. This event is to raise funds for Clackmannan Senior Citizens’ Christmas Lunch as well as providing summer floral displays in and around Clackmannan. Entry will be by donation.

Harvest Thanksgiving 7th October 2018

Photo: Duncan Brember

Photo: Alex Stocks