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King’s View FLOWER FUND Thanks are due to all who contribute to the flower fund, beautifying our worship week by week.

Magazine, No. 820

March 2009

King’s Park Church of Scotland, Glasgow. 242 Castlemilk Road, GLASGOW G44 4LB

FOR YOUR INFORMATION King’s Park Church of Scotland, Glasgow. 242 Castlemilk Road, G44 4LB Minister: Rev Sandra Boyd, B.Ed, BD, 1101 Aitkenhead Road Tel: 637 2803 Pastoral Assist: Miss Catherine J Shearer, MBE, MA, 83 King’s Park Avenue Tel: 632 4611 Session Clerk: Mrs Rosemary Kidd, 121 Kingswood Drive, G44 4RE Tel: 570 3587 Clerk to Board: Mr Raymond Jenkins, 16 Belmont Drive, Giffnock, G46 7PA Tel: 638 1911 Treasurer: Mr Graham McPhail, 55 Kingsacre Road, G44 4LW Tel: 632 0124 Registrar: Mr James Buchan, 95 Vardar Avenue, G76 7RR Tel: 638 0625 Director of Music: Mr Jonathan M Buchan, LGMS, FASC, 33 Ardencraig Gardens, Castlemilk, G45 0HH. Tel: 631 3420 Gift Aid: Mr Andrew Aitken, 89 Kingsacre Road, G44 4LW Tel: 569 7083 Vestry Hour: Wednesdays 6.00pm - 7.00pm. Vestry/Church Office (Tel: 636 8688) Halls (Tel: 632 1131) Email Address: [email protected] Mag. Editor: Mr Wilson Paterson, 13 Southern Avenue, G73 4JN Tel: 634 4405 Website: www.kingsparkparishchurch.co.uk King’s Park Church of Scotland, Glasgow is a Registered Charity with Scottish Charity Number: SC017040. MATERIAL FOR THE APRIL 2009 ISSUE TO BE IN OFFICE NO LATER THAN THE END OF THE MORNING SERVICE, SUNDAY 22 MARCH 2009.

Annual Review of Giving Step-Up Campaign 2009

£11.45 £5.80

£4.65 £2.40 £1.75 £1.20 £1.70 £1.15

£5.60 £4.50

£2.30

£11.10

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY - MARCH

CONGREGATIONAL REGISTER No of Communicants on Roll = 834 THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM “Suffer the Little Children to Come Unto Me” Feb 1

Kaedyn Martin Duncan, Berelands Crescent AT REST “I am the Resurrection and the Life”

Jan 21 Jan 23 Jan 24 Jan 30 Feb 3 Feb 7 Feb 11

Mrs Christine Swapp, Menock Road Mr Andrew Greig, Castlemilk Road Mr Ian Carmichael, Bellcroft Avenue Mrs Moyra MacFarlane, Rodger Park, formerly Kingsbridge Dr Mrs Elizabeth Houston, Curtis Avenue Mrs Margaret McAlpine, Torbrae Care Home Mrs Anne Devlin, Kingsheath Avenue

CHURCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The State Annual Meeting of this Church will take place on Monday 9th March, 2009 in the large hall. The treasurer, on behalf of the Congregational Board will present the Financial Statement of Accounts for 2008. There will also be an opportunity for new members to be elected onto the Board. As this is an important meeting in the Church’s year it is hoped that as many church members as possible will be able to attend.

Sunday 1st Monday 2nd Wednesday 4th Friday 6th Sunday 8th

Monday 9th Sunday 15th Monday 16th Wednesday 18th Sunday 22nd Monday 23rd Sunday 29th

VISIBILITY COFFEE MORNING Grateful thanks to everyone who helped and attended the Visibility Coffee morning, a special thanks to all those who handed in donations. To date the amount raised is over £1,000. Allan Thomson

Monday 30th

11.00am Morning Worship including the Sacrament of Baptism 6.30pm Prayer & Blessing Service Christianity Explored Large Hall 7.45pm Kirk Session Meeting in the Lesser Hall 2.00pm World Day of Prayer – St Oswald’s Church 11.00am Morning Worship including the Sacrament of Holy Communion 3.00pm Worship including the Sacrament of Holy Communion 6.30pm Evening Worship including Sacrament of Holy Communion 7.30pm ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING in the Large Hall 11.00am Morning Worship 2.00pm Communicants Class in Manse 6.30pm Worship Group Christianity Explored Large Hall Congregational Board Meeting, 7.45pm in the Lesser Hall 11.00am Morning Worship 2.00pm Communicants Class in Manse 6.30pm Evening Worship Christianity Explored Large Hall 11.00am Morning Worship 2.00pm Communicants Class in Manse 6.30pm Bible Study 7.00pm Pathfinders Display 8.00pm Christianity Explored Large Hall

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FROM THE MANSE...

60 Glorious Years Our warmest congratulations go to Mr and Mrs Hilda and David Gordon who celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on 13th March. With Every Blessing to them.

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Mary and Henry McAteer celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary on 21st March. We wish them our warmest congratulations and Every Blessing.

Dear Friends, Looking back on 2009 so far, Church life has been a bit of a roller coaster ride, with many highs and lows. Let’s start with the lows. As you will have heard me intimate in church and no doubt read in this magazine there have been a large number of funerals. Many of these have been very loyal and faithful servants of our Lord Jesus Christ, dedicated members of our church family. People who have helped to build up and make King’s Park Church the Church it is today, people who may have influenced and inspired our lives. As the saying goes, this is all part of the circle of life we live. So the next part of this cycle is birth and we have also had a number of baptisms in the Church. During one Wednesday night at Vestry hour I had three families enquiring about Baptism and 2 couples wishing to get married in our church. We have had enquires about Communicants Classes and Christianity Explored starts again, we have just had 8 New Elders Ordained and Admitted, and a very successful Kirk Session and Congregational Board Conference on Saturday 14th February. The Day of Prayer was also well attended and a great source of peace and encouragement to those of us taking some time out. Mind you at our dedication service I think my wrinkles and tiredness were beginning to show when the children thought I was 74! It’s not easy coping with so many things thrown at us all at once. But remember we do not do any of God’s work without Jesus example before us and the power of his Holy Spirit empowering and encouraging us. We do not do this alone. We do it together, sharing the load. In my Bible I have a book mark and it says: The will of God will never lead you, where the grace of God cannot keep you. This is wonderful advice, but I would also like to share with you something that always comes through for me. Before I start anything new - I Pray about it, as I’m doing it – I Pray about it, when the going gets tough – I Pray harder about it, when success happens – I rejoice in prayer, when nothing is going right – I take it to the Lord in prayer. We all face highs and lows in life, but it is always easier when we have the Lord beside us and we take it to him in prayer. Wishing you all God’s Blessing’s, Sandra Boyd

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Editor’s Extras… Over the next two months we shall consider the Prophets, firstly in the Old Testament, then in the New Testament. This will include the purpose of a Prophet and, where appropriate, the predictions. Associated readings from the Bible are included. While thinking about Jesus the lyrics of the song for this month are “You need a whole lot more of Jesus and a lot less Rock n’ Roll.” New Elders Below are our eight new Elders who, on Sunday 1st February 2009 were Ordained to administer the spiritual work of the Church through the Kirk Session.

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The prophetical order began with Samuel. Colleges or “schools for prophets” were instituted for the training of prophets who were constituted a distinct order and which continued to the close of the Old Testament (1 Samuel 19: 18-24) and (2 Kings 2: 3, 15). The “sons” or “disciples” of the prophets were young men who lived together at these different “schools” and were taught not only the rudiments of secular knowledge but were brought up to exercise the office of prophet (2 Kings 5:22) (2 Kings 9: 1, 4) “to preach pure morality and the heartfelt worship of Jehovah and to act along and co-ordinating with the priesthood and monarchy in guiding the state aright and checking all attempts at illegality and tyranny.” Of the Old Testament Prophets there are sixteen whose prophecies form part of the inspired canon. These are divided into four groups: 1. The prophets of the northern kingdom (Israel) - Hosea, Amos, Joel, Jonah. 2. The prophets of Judah - Isaiah, Jeremiah, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah. 3. The prophets of the captivity (of Jerusalem) - Ezekial and Daniel. 4. The prophets of the restoration - Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. It would be worthwhile to read the introductions to the above books, as a starter. The books contain situations of disaster, idolatry, sinfulness and captivity, including hope for the future, renewal of heart and spirit and predicting the coming of the Messiah.

Left to Right Liz Henderson, Lynn Adamson, Hazel Dickson, Lynda Young, John McCabe (seated), Jacqueline Coleman, Sheena Clelland, Margaret Mills. I hope that you will now be able to identify them and say “hello”.

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PROPHETS In these days of prophesies - how long the credit crunch will last - financial recovery - unemployment and such. Everyone seems to have an opinion, if not an answer, if the news on television is to be believed. These modern day prophets led to thinking of the prophets in the Bible. Prophet - From a root meaning “to bubble forth as from a fountain”, hence to “utter” (Psalms 45:1). In the time of Samuel another word “seer” began to be used (1 Samuel 9:9) (2 Samuel 24:11). In Joshua 13:22 Balaam is called a “diviner” or fortune teller, a word used only of a false prophet. The “prophet” proclaimed the message given to him and the “seer” beheld the vision of God (Numbers 12:6,8). A prophet was therefore a spokesman for God. He spoke in God’s name and by His authority (Exodus 7:1). The whole Word of God may be spoken, in a sense, as prophetic in as much as it was written by men who received the revelation they communicated from God no matter what its nature might be. The foretelling of future events was not a necessity but only an incidental part of the prophetic office. The great task assigned to the prophets, whom God raised up among the people was “to correct moral and religious abuses, to proclaim the great moral and religious truths which are connected with the character of God and which lie at the foundation of His government. Anyone being a spokesman for God to man might be called a prophet. Thus Enoch, Abraham and Moses are ranked among the prophets. Miriam and Deborah were prophetesses (Exodus 15:20 and Judges 4:4). The title has a general application to all who have messages from God to men.

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Hall’s Happenings – January 2009 Dear Friends, Hello again from Dhaka, and sorry for the long gap since our last letter. We trust you had a happy and peaceful Christmas. This Christmas we were particularly encouraged by Jesus being Emanuel, ‘God with us’ as we have shared in others sufferings and experienced our own difficulties in recent months. Our own personal news is dominated by the death of David’s mum on Sunday 23 November 08. While we knew she had cancer, the speed and suddenness of her passing surprised everyone. We had been planning to return home and spend time with her and all the family. Alas, it was not to be, but we are thankful that we were all able to quickly rearrange our flights and return home within 3 days to attend the funeral and be able to stay with David’s dad until the New Year. The funeral was a real celebration of her life and was very positive which helped us to look to the future. We have felt buoyed by God’s grace in so many ways. Looking back, we are also grateful that we had a very special Christmas last year with David’s parents and sister in Bangladesh. The Gospel preached – not in Words but in Action We are often confronted by the realities of poverty and suffering here, which put our problems into perspective. One such example is Beauty, who works as an ‘ayah’ (nanny) in one of the schools Sarah helps in and who was recently widowed. Her husband worked as a carpenter, but was struggling financially largely due to different customers not paying him on time for his work. One day, despite feeling unwell, he felt he had no choice but to try and get some of the outstanding money owed to him, and so got a bus across Dhaka to a previous customer. It seems the customer again refused to pay until later (unfortunately a common practice towards poorer workers such as this)). As a result he did not even have enough money for the full bus fare home, and so paid all he could , expecting to walk the rest of the way home. However, while he was still on the bus, he died of a heart attack. He leaves behind Beauty, their two daughters and significant debts.

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The actions of the local church in Mirpur were a great example to us of how we need to come alongside those in need. The minister and the head teacher of the school (who is also involved with the women’s work in the church) both went with Beauty to identify the body, visited her regularly in her home and have helped her financially. In Bangladesh when someone dies they are returned to their village to be buried, and this is an additional financial burden as a vehicle has to be hired. But the church was able to assist in this too. Forty days after his death, friends and family met together again in Church to thank God for his life and to continue to pray for the family. Again it was encouraging to see the love and support offered by the church as they came alongside – a practical example of ‘God with us’. Beauty continues to struggle without her husband’s income to supplement her own, but through the help of many she is slowly beginning to adjust to life on her own. Street Children As we both work in the Church of Bangladesh Central Office dealing more with management issues, we often miss seeing first hand the impact of our projects coming alongside people in their suffering. Recently we have been encouraged by events at our Ekota project – Ekota meaning unity. The project is based at the central church offices in Old Dhaka and works with women and children in the poor slum areas of Old Dhaka. One of their programmes is a ‘Jokhon Tokhon’ centre for street children. This means at ‘anytime’ and children just drop in during the day for non-informal education, food, games and rest. It is great that the children feel able to drop in and relax at the centre, and while they are there the teachers are able to develop relationships and provide help where necessary. Recently Sarah visited the centre at the same time as two young boys dropped in, Jahangir and Faisal both 12 years old. They were smartly dressed in school uniform and looked out of place amongst the other street children. The boys had just dropped in to say hello to the staff. Jahangir had previously regularly attended the centre for three years and the staff were able to refer him to a night shelter. From there he was referred to another NGO school where he now studies. This school gives him a monthly allowance, food, clothing and education while he completes his schooling. It was nice to see him dropping in to see the staff.

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DID YOU KNOW THAT KING’S PARK IS A FAIRTRADE CHURCH? We’re one of more than 4500 churches, UK-wide, who have met the goals to become a Fairtrade Chuch. Our certificate, which tells people we’ve made this commitment to Fairtrade, is proudly displayed on the notice boards around the church. The three goals we’ve fulfilled are:We use Fairtrade tea and coffee after services and in all meetings for which we have responsibility ♦ We move forward on using other Fairtrade products such as sugar, biscuits and fruit ♦ We promote Fairtrade during Fairtrade Fortnight and during the year through events, worship and other activities whenever possible. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FAIRTRADE Come and have a FAIRTRADE coffee or tea and a chat after the 11am and 6.30pm Communion Services on 8 March Traidcraft food and wine to be sampled AND bought ♦

WE NEED A WHOLE LOT MORE OF JESUS AND A LOT LESS ROCK AND ROLL You can read it in the morning papers Hear it on the radio How crime is a-sweeping our nation, boys This world is about to go

We need more old-fashioned preachers Pouring out their hearts in prayer When you are in in their presence, boys You know that the Lord is there

We need a nation-wide revival To put the love of God in our soul We need a whole lot more of Jesus And a lot less rock and roll

We need a good old taste of salvation To put the love of God in our soul We need a whole lot more of Jesus And a lot less rock and roll (Country Song), CCLI 132128

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Thank you … Shona, Stephen and Nicola wish to thank most sincerely all their Church friends for their support during mum’s illness and after her death. Flowers, cards, telephone calls, letters and visits were all very much appreciated. Special thanks go to Sandra Boyd, Ian McGill, Mattie and Jack Marshall, Margaret Atkins and Margaret Caseby for all their hospital visits. Again, a big thanks to you all and God Bless, Shona, Stephen and Nicola Pew I would like to thank everyone who visited, telephoned, sent cards and for the flowers during my recent spell of ill-health and stay in hospital. Your kind thoughts and prayers were much appreciated by Norah and myself. Jonathan Buchan BB NEWS Nine Junior Section boys represented the 118 at Cathkin District’s Sports Competition last month in the Indoor Arena of the Kelvin Hall. At time of writing, how they performed is not yet known but this will be rectified in the next issue. The boys included: Craig Fellowes, Cameron Carmichael, Frazer Hood, Darryl Allison, Elliot Paterson, Austin Newall, Nathan Clawson, Robert Grant and Graeme Mathie. On the football side the Junior Section Footballers are in second place in the Cathkin District 7-A-Side league, 2 points behind the 205A from Eaglesham. The Cathkin District Indoor 5-A-Side competition held last month saw the 118A team finish in third place with the 118B side finishing in seventh place. Meanwhile two Company Section boys Ross McIntyre and Lewis McCabe will be attending the Queen’s Badge Competition Course during the weekend 20-22 March and we hope that they enjoy themselves. This month a team of senior boys will be competing in the District Quiz which is organised by the 205 company at Eaglesham. On the football front the Company Section footballers have found the Under-15 Battalion League somewhat harder to adjust to but despite adverse results they are giving their all, and hope to give a good account of themselves in the rescheduled Cathkin District Intermediate 5-A-Side competition at Lifestyle on Tuesday 17 March. Ian Livingstone, RO

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Sonia, a girl of 11, is in a similarly fortunate position. The staff at the centre found her a sponsor and now she studies in an hostel on the other side of the city which provides her food, clothing and education as well as a safe place to live. Sumia, aged 8 now stays in the same hostel. Ekota had been working with her mother and brother for a few years. Sumia’s mother lives on the street and consequently she had been involved in sex work. Following the contact with the project, she has now made a complete change in her behaviour and Ekota has supported her in finding alternative work as a domestic help and in opening a savings account. She desperately wants a different life for her children. Even now when she visits her daughter in the hostel she wears a veil so that no-one will recognise her and cause difficulties for her daughter. Ekota also referred her son Kamal to a drug rehabilitation centre four years ago and he continues to study technical and life skills there. We were pleased to be able to help the ‘Jokhon Tokhon’ centre over the past few months. A CMS Encounter Team in October brought some games which the children (and teachers) were delighted with. In addition, Sarah made contacts with the producers of the Bangladesh version of Sesame Street, and obtained a number of DVDs and other resources for use in Church Schools and this street children’s centre. Visitors During October we had various visitors, including a CMS Encounter Team, staff from the Church of Scotland, and a brief meeting with the President of the GB Methodist Church. For us, it was personally encouraging to have Ray and Val from one of our supporting churches on the CMS team. We so enjoy meeting various visitors and accompanying them to some of the Church of Bangladesh projects, as it often gives us a fresh look at what the church is doing in the community. We enjoyed spending time with all of them and it was good to hear their insights. We also had a great two weeks in October when Sarah’s parents visited us. We had a chance to show them some of the work as well as travel to see more of the beautiful countryside Bangladesh has to offer. We also visited the Bangladesh national monument with a local family whom we know very well. Their two children are much older than Rebecca and Reuben, but they all get on well together.

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Thank you again for your interest in our work and your prayer support.

YOUTH SINGING GROUP

Join us in thanking God for: ♦ Cooler weather! It is wonderful not to be feeling sweaty and sticky all the time. This should last for at least another month! ♦ Being able to return to Northern Ireland quickly and to be with the family for Christmas. ♦ We have received a number of donations for our work from various quarters. Praise God for this wonderful show of support for our work. ♦ The long promised elections took place on 29th December, and went off peacefully. By all accounts they were the freest and fairest elections ever in Bangladesh.

Led By: Jane Gibson, Vicki Pratt and Jacqueline Cumming

Please pray ♦ Please continue to pray for David’s family, particularly his dad as they adjust to a new way of life over the coming months. ♦ Please continue to pray for the planned evaluation of the CBSDP, especially now that it will be delayed due to our time in the UK. Give thanks that one donor has agreed to fund over half of the budgeted costs – this is great encouragement for us. With love from the four of us…. David, Sarah, Rebecca & Reuben Your Missionary Partners Pondering Our Mission Statement.. Recent “Sharings” − Sharing God’s Love through a growing family - Come with me and I will teach you to catch men. − Sharing God’s Love through our Act of Dedication - How old are we?

GOOD COMPANIONS Regretfully the good companions club will not meet for the rest of this season due to lack of numbers.

We are looking for young people from age 8 upwards to form a Church Youth Singing Group. This will take place on a Monday evening at the Church in the near future. If anyone would like to join this group and have lots of fun singing, please contact Vicki Pratt (Tel: 571 8123) as soon as possible.

JUNIOR SUNDAY SCHOOL BRING AND BUY SALE 15 MARCH 2009 The year’s sale will be held on Sunday 15 March immediately after the morning service, and will take place in the Iona Hall. We have chosen to support Comic Relief Red Nose Day, particularly projects supporting young people in the UK affected by alcohol misuse, and people affected by conflict in Africa. If you have any items you would like to donate for the Sale then please hand them in to the Iona Hall any Sunday morning leading up to the Sale. We would especially like books, games, toys and small items of bric-a-brac. We look forward to your support for this important event in our session. Refreshments will be available on the day. Donations of home baking would be greatly appreciated and these can be handed in to the Iona Hall on 15 March from 10am. John Black, Leader (641 0844)

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LODGING HOUSE MISSION A BIG THANK YOU to all who donated Christmas Boxes. Over 1600 boxes in all were received at LHM and they delivered them to 34 projects around Glasgow and gave a parcel to over 150 who went to LHM on Christmas Day. As you know the LHM has, for some years now, over the Easter period, distributed chocolate eggs to charities and hostels which, like LHM, work with the homeless and resettling communities in Glasgow. This has been a very successful part of their outreach work at the most important time in the Christian year. LHM have been very grateful for the support from members of Congregations in donating chocolate Easter eggs in the past and would very much value donations of eggs in the run up to Easter. It would be good if we as a Congregation could support this venture again this year. Eggs could be handed in to the Church any time between now and Palm Sunday 5th April. This would allow time for LHM to distribute the eggs to the various projects. This year, LHM celebrates their Centenary and several exciting events have been planned which will be intimated at a later date. So far, dates received are: AGM - 20 April, Service of Thanksgiving -10 June, Sponsored Cycle Event - 20 June J Whitelaw THE 4M CLUB Due to the early preparation required for our notes to meet the March magazine deadline, our February meeting is still to take place. As we mentioned last month our guest speaker will be Mrs Shona Cook. Her topic is ‘African Experience’ and we believe she spent a period of time on the African continent as a school teacher and we look forward to what she has to say.

The month of March brings us to our final meeting of the current session when our guest will be a Mr D. Lang speaking on ‘Scottish Natural Heritage’. This is a subject that has not featured in our programmes before, and of which many of us know very little, so it should prove an interesting occasion. The date for March is Wednesday 18 at the usual time of 10.30am with tea or coffee from 10.15am.

NEWS ROUND – UP One World Committee Mission Partners – Link Letter No.9 Our Partner Plan Correspondent recently received the latest ‘link letter’ from David and Sarah Hall in Dhaka, Bangladesh. As usual it is a fairly long letter and you will find it elsewhere within this issue of your magazine. An appendix to the letter contains some general information about some aspects of life in Bangladesh. Space considerations preclude its inclusion in the magazine but you can see a large print copy on the OWC notice board outside the large hall. Saidiana (Kenyan Women) Project Another report which recently came to hand is the half-yearly report from Saidiana. Again space restrictions prevent us printing it in full within the magazine but you can see a large print copy on the OWC notice board as mentioned above. However, here are some of the key features of the report. 2008 marks the first decade since Saidiana was initiated not in Kenya, as you might expect, but on the island of Iona under the guidance of the then staff co-ordinator Mary Duncanson. What began as a simple knitting and sewing project has developed into a much larger project covering a range of activities. The following are the main areas of work: a. b. c. d. e. f.

HIV and AIDS - awareness and care. Micro-entrepreneurship. Marketing of finished goods. Hygiene and Hygienic Environment. Relief supplies. Sewing and knitting

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Each area of work continues to grow and develop despite great difficulties caused by the post-election violence that raged throughout Kenya for a lengthy period. Poor support from the government Ministry of Health has added to the burdens of the local volunteers in raising the importance of hygiene in the villages. Even so, their work has shown results in reduced levels of sickness in village homes.

THE GUILD We are almost half way through the second half of our current session, which is continuing to progress well. On 21st January we had a visit from Mrs Mary Smith who was the speaker for one of our projects – Christian Aid. Mary gave an excellent presentation on how Christian Aid helps the people of Bangladesh through the Christian Commission for Development (CCDB), which is a Christian Aid partner, supporting people in some of the most vulnerable communities in Bangladesh. It was lovely to see Mary again and to catch up with all her latest news.

Sewing and knitting, the backbone of the project continues to flourish and with the prospect of the acquisition of the long-awaited pick-up truck now in sight (to widen marketing opportunities) this should grow with the passage of time. As always your prayers and financial support are greatly appreciated. For details of how to help see the copy on our notice board. Fairtrade Fortnight - 23 February - 8 March As these notes have to be prepared early in February it is too soon to specify how we propose to mark this event but something will take place. Why do we do it? The following statement from the Church Action Guide 2009 will help enlighten you. Unfair trade rules continue to lock millions of people in poverty. Two billion people – a third of humanity – work hard to support themselves yet still struggle to survive on £1 per day or less. Through Fairtrade we are trying to help tip the balance in favour of poor farmers and workers. You can play a small part in that process by showing your support during Fairtrade Fortnight. OWC - LATE NEWS EXTRA As we went to print we received this information from the World Mission Council in Edinburgh. The amount raised from the sale of used postage stamps for the whole of Scotland was £1,282.11. The money raised from the sale of stamps in 2009 is going to a charity in the Czech Republic. More details in next month’s magazine.

Our speaker on 28th January was Mr Ian Macmillan who showed some lovely slides of a cycling trip which he made to Tahiti and New Zealand. The scenery in New Zealand was lovely, and in a way very much like Scotland. On 4th February our speaker from Wiltshire Farm Foods, Mr David Clark, had to cancel due to illness. As there was no time to arrange another speaker we had a “Quiz” afternoon, which proved to be very popular. We held our Annual Guild Guest Night on Wednesday 11th February. The entertainment was not as originally scheduled, but by our own organist, Jonathan and some of his friends. It turned out to be an excellent evening and was enjoyed by all. We are very grateful to Jonathan for stepping in to entertain us. We would also like to thank everyone who helped by setting tables, etc. Many thanks to all who gave donations of baking , with a special “Thank you” to Nicola Pew, who also baked for us. Nicola is the granddaughter of our late friend and Treasurer, Christine Swapp, and she has obviously inherited some of her gran’s baking skills. Well done, Nicola – we will be pleased to accept your baking any time! The syllabus for March is as follows:Mar 4 Half- day outing “ 11 Warburton’s – Gail & Linda “ 18 Daffodil Tea – Jordanhill Handbell Ringers “ 25 AGM – Entertainment – Bill & friends Finally, our Daffodil Tea will be held on Wednesday March 18th at 7.30 pm, when we will be entertained by the Jordanhill Handbell ringers. Again, this will be an Open Night and tickets will be priced at £3.00 each, so do please come along and join us. Once again, a warm welcome will be extended to anyone who would like to come along to any of our meetings. E Gillespie - Secretary

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STEP UP CAMPAIGN 2009

CONGREGATIONAL FINANCE “We Give Thee But Thine Own”

Well Done! We in the finance team, representing the Congregational Board, would like to say a huge thank-you for the 7% increase in giving and along with some additional contributions enabled us to be in the black last year. The Board of Trustees decided that we should have an annual review of giving hence the repeat of last year’s very successful step-up campaign. This year the Finance Committee has projected that we will need to increase our giving by 3% in order to meet next year’s expenditure. We realise that with the current economic climate every one of us is feeling the pinch, and that includes our Church. We would really appreciate if you would consider increasing your weekly offering in line with the example shown on the front cover of the magazine. We also wondered if more of you would consider giving your offering by Standing Order. There are many advantages to this for yourselves and the Church and this will be highlighted in next month’s magazine. In addition to this we will be introducing a new scheme of tokens to make this more acceptable.

Jan 2009 £ General Fund Offerings Donation - Gift Aid Interest Printing Ass. Board of the Royal School of Music Conference News Year's Dance

9,150 75 2 27 5,115 240 50

Charities Kenyan Woman Leprosy Mission Marie Curie Cancer Care - Tues Coffee Morning - M.Paul / A. Phillips CH4 Church Hymnaries Fund Donations

10 71 50

429 15,218 =====

Finance Committee

We realise that your offering will be a major source of your giving and we greatly appreciate your consideration and deliberations on this. You can be assured that through the Congregational Board your offerings to God for His wider work in the world are prayerfully reflected upon, so that God’s kingdom will come and his will is being done here in King’s Park. Finance Committee

EASTER CARDS Easter and Greetings cards will be on sale after the services during Holy Week. Gaera Taylor

COMMUNION The number taking Communion at least once during 2008 was 61.5% of live roll.

FINANCE REVIEW 2008 General Fund The General fund showed a Surplus of £8,266 in 2008 compared to a Deficit of £13,341 in 2007 (incl. loss on investments).

Income Expenditure Loss on Revaluation Surplus (Deficit)

2008

2007

167,549 156,386 2,897 8,266 ====

151,417 163,839 919 (13,341) ======

Income increased by £16,132 (10.65%) and costs decreased by £7,453 (4.57%) in comparison to 2007. A summary of the General Fund Income and Expenditure is overleaf/...

12 General Fund Income Voluntary Income (Offerings, Tax Recovered, Donations) Use of Premises Investment Income Charitable Activities Total General Fund Income General Fund Expenditure Cost of Generating Funds Charitable Activities Total General Fund Expenditure Loss on Revaluation General Fund Surplus (Deficit)

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150,693 11,037 2,348 3,471 ______ 167,549

144,081 3,900 2,121 1,315 ______ 151,417

645 155,741 ______ 156,386

570 163,269 ______ 163,839

2,897 _____ 8,266 =====

919 ______ (13,341) ======

Offerings increased by £8,761 (7.47%) in response to the successful 'Step Up ' campaign carried out in April 2008. The church also gained from a letting contract with the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music for £7,082 during 2008 - this income is treated as a 'one off' for budgeting purposes. Weddings and funerals increased by £1,680 whilst income also benefited from income of £679 from the Table Top sale which was a new and very successful venture carried out by the Social and Fundraising Committee.

The combined net effect of the above resulted in a net surplus of £8,266 for the year 2008. It is hoped that drawn from the success of the 'Step Up' campaign in 2008 the re-visiting of this campaign will be considered by the congregation during 2009 so that the ever increasing inflationary costs can be met by the church on a manageable basis. Property Development and Repairs A repairs programme of £11,385 was carried out this year by the property committee incurring a fabric fund deficit of £3,912 and legacy fund surplus of £2,269. The main repairs work carried out included 1) Church: Roof repair £1,927, external varnishing and painting £1,691, floodlighting repair £1,142. 2) Church Officer's House: Boiler £1,675. Legacies The church received £20,000 in 2008 in the form of a legacy. This legacy was bequeathed by Miss Betty Day and to be used for 'educational and/or Mission and Outreach Work'. A restricted fund was set up for this bequest and titled ' Mission and Outreach' CH4 Hymn Book Fund The Kirk Session made a commitment to replace the 'CH3' hymnary, 'Common Ground', and 'Songs of God's People' with the 'CH4' hymnary for worship in 2009. With an expenditure of over £5,000 it was decided to invite members of the congregation to contribute, via a restricted fund, to this cost. This has been a successful venture to date with income of £4,197 offsetting costs of £5,334 as December 2008.

Some running costs were achieved, namely, ministries and mission allocation (gross) which decreased by £4,096, fabric repairs and maintenance costs which decreased by £910, and cleaning & equipment costs which decreased by £1,979.

Boiler Fund During 2008 the property committee reported that, based on advice from the Church of Scotland heating consultants, our three large capacity boilers had a limited future. It was decided by the Congregational Board to set up a Boiler Fund to accommodate future spend for the replacement of the boilers. This fund has income of £5,830 as at December 2008.

Minister's expenses increased by £1,208, and the manse council tax increased by £1,953, which resulted from the minister taking up her position for a full year. Savings due to non- recurring costs from 2007 included minister's relocation costs £3,116, and induction expenses of £993.

Collections for Third Parties Fundraising for charities and third parties raised £15,174 in 2008. Last year £15,260 was raised. Finance Committee

Finally, a loss on the revaluation of investment holdings amounted to £2,897 in 2008.