I assume by now that you’ll have had

your fill of Easter eggs and may have

moved on to Summer holiday mode.

It seems that the world is always a

few months ahead of the calendar -

Easter Eggs were in the shops on

Boxing Day and I saw my first advert

for Christmas lunches in February. I

assumed it was an old poster, but no

it really was for Christmas 2015!

So, in reality, we’re approaching

Easter and there are a few weeks of

Lent left. Rather than give up some-

thing this year we have added a pray-

er course. Praying is something that

many people find difficult - or at least

they expect it to be difficult. Some

people feel awkward talking to God in

front of other peple. Some think they

don't know the proper words, so they

couldn't pray. Others think they're

brilliant at praying - and some of

them are actually ok at it! The Prayer

Course will answer some of the ques-

tions you might have about prayer

and helps us all to learn to pray bet-

ter. It is based on what is possibly the

best known prayer, the one Jesus

taught his disciples and which is

known as The Lord's Prayer. There is

a mix of teaching and practical exer-

cises (you will not be 'made' to speak

or do something you don't want to

do) everyone can benefit. There is a

short video, discussion and practise.

Don’t worry if you haven’t made it yet

as we’ll run it again later in the year.

As well as trying something new for

Lent we felt that having some teach-

ing on prayer would be helpful be-

cause we are running our 24-7 prayer

room again.

The room will be open from after the

service on Sunday 29th March

through to Sunday 5th April (Palm

Sunday to Easter Sunday). The week

is divided up into 1 hour slots and

Spring 2015 Edition

www.mpnchurch.org.uk Scottish Charity Number SC004271

Each hour can be booked by indi-

viduals, couples or groups. There are

bibles, books and activities to use to

help focus thinking and prayer,

and it is a great opportunity to spend

time with God in peace and qui-

et. The room has proved increas-

ingly popular each year so I recom-

mend booking early. If you

don’t have access to a com-

puter at home the AV team at

church are available after ser-

vices to help.

At every point of his earthly

ministry Jesus spent time in pray-

er and it was particularly im-

portant to him before sig-

nificant events. If it was so im-

portant for Jesus to pray how

much more should it be for us.

Yet I still find myself making de-

cisions, planning and preparing

without spending time with God

first. We still need to learn to

pray - everything depends on it.

The Holy Week services will be held

at St Ninian’s Episcopal

Church at 8pm each evening during

the week of 30th March to 3rd April.

There will be a walk of witness on Fri-

day 3rd April. It will start at 11am at

New Life church and walk to Kingcase

Parish Church, stopping off at each

church along the way for a hymn and

prayer. There will be soup and sand-

wiches for a light lunch at Kingcase

around 1pm.

On Easter Sunday we have an early

service in the old church in Monkton

at 9am, followed by breakfast in the

Pioneer Café. We then join together

in Prestwick for our Easter cel-

ebration and it would be great to see

as many of you as possible that

morning.

Wishing you a blessed Easter

David

A thought from our friend Max Lucado.

A TINY SEED, A TINY DEED. Do not despise ......small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. Zechariah 4:10 NIV. Against a towering giant, a brook pebble seems futile. But God used it to topple Goliath. Compared to the tithes of the wealthy, the widow’s coins seem puny. But Jesus used them to inspire us ........

Moses had a staff. David had a sling.

Samson had a jawbone. Rahab had a string.

Mary had some ointment. Dorcas had a needle. All were used by God. What do you have?

God inhabits the tiny seed, empowers the tiny deed .......... Don’t discount the smallness of your deeds. Max Lucado.

Once again we will be arranging for the Session House to be used as the Prayer Room commencing at 12 noon on Sunday 29 March 2015 (Palm Sunday) and closing at 11.00 a.m. on Sunday 5 April (Easter Sunday). If you would like to book a slot, please speak to a member of the AV team who will be on the Chancel or in the Large Hall after the service each Sunday from now until 29 March. Alternatively you can phone the Church Office on 01292 678810 Tuesday – Thursday

1.00 – 4.00 p.m. and book a slot.

THE MAYONNAISE JAR AND COFFEE.

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a

day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar .... and the coffee .... A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of

him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked

up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the

students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students

responded with a “yes.” The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the

empty space between the sand. The students laughed. “Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided. “I want you to recognise

that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things. Your family, your children, your faith, your health, your friends, and your favourite passions. Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your

life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter. Your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else. The small stuff. “If you

put the sand into the jar fist,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to

you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house. Take

care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no

matter how full your life may seem, there is always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”

Thank you to the contributor for this very thought provoking article. Valerie.

W E L C O M E.

Welcome to Peter and Anne Wilson of 2 Culzean Avenue in Prestwick. Peter and

Anne have taken an active part in our Church family for sometime now and we

hope they will be greatly blessed in MPN.

1st PRESTWICK BOYS’ BRIGADE

COFFEE MORNING

to be held in

Church Halls, Monkton Road, Prestwick

on

Saturday 7 March 2015

from

10.00 am - 12 noon

STALLS: Home Baking; Toys/Games; Books; Hand Made

Cards; DVDs/CDs

TICKETS: On Sale from B.B. Officers and Boys or Pay at the

Door

PRICE: Adults - £2 Children - £1

T H A N K Y O U.

To all the Church Family who sent cards, letters, flowers, home baking and

home made soup—I would like to say a BIG Thank You. It is lovely to have good friends at this sad time.

Margaret had a long illness and five months in hospital but she had a good spir-it always a smile on her face for everyone. I will miss her so much but she is at peace now.

Thanks again everyone, you never let the Church down—you always show such

kindness at sad and difficult times. Evelyn Reid.

T H A N K Y O U.

I would like to say a sincere thank you to all the people who kindly sent me

cards, flowers and kep me in their prayers. All these very kind gestures really to help at this saddest of times.

We donated the amazing sum of £635 to the Troon Scout Group. As you can imagine, they were delighted.

Again, many thanks.

Cathie McHattie.

A P R A Y E R.

Help me to remember, Lord,

When I feel lost and small That I am held within your arms,

And you won’t let me fall.

Help me not forget, dear Lord When hope seems far away

That I am always in Your care

And you won’t let me stray. Help me hold within my heart

The knowledge of Your care, Each venture starts and ends with You

And always You are there.

I discovered this prayer by Margaret Ingall in a Friendship Book and felt it helps

us all to remember that GOD IS ALWAYS WITH US. Valerie.

1st Monkton and Prestwick Girls Brigade

The Company has enjoyed varied activities since their Carol Singing event at South Ayrshire Council’s Rozelle House, the latter was a great success. The girl’s singing and playing entertained local councillors, provost and invited guests, and we recently received from the council a donation for our funds. In January we held a well attended Jewellery Workshop, a ‘Jean Armour’ night, and we are all looking forward to our ten pin bowling at the Garage in Kilmarnock. Our Company sleepover in the church hall takes place on Friday 3rd April, and our Brigaders Abby and Sophie are arranging a talent show this night in order to raise funds for their chosen charity which is Children In Need. On Sunday 15th March after church we will be selling home baking and the proceeds of this are going to the Foodbank. I am hoping to have a bag packing day at a local supermarket in order to add to our own funds, as this is necessary due to the large increase in our numbers. In addition to our three disclosed leaders and myself, another two parents have stepped forward to help as leaders and I am very happy to welcome Paula Keegans and Tracey Colquhoun to our Company. Lesley Yuill is undergoing officer training and I am very hap-py to announce that she will be the new leader of the Explorers, Gayle Reid leading Jun-iors, and Kathryn Anslow the Brigaders. At the time of writing this I have just had yet another offer of help this time from Lesley Keenan which is most welcome, and she will be helping out alongside Kathryn with the Brigader section. We are looking forward to our Annual Junior Camp, Explorers outing to Rozelle Park, BBQ and Camp Fire on Prestwick Beach, Brigaders outing to Xscape, and of course our Annual Display which takes place on the 11th May. A very busy few months ahead! Our roll of girls now stands at 36 with 7 leaders. Susan Christie Captain 1st Monkton and Prestwick Girls Brigade.

PHOTOS OF GIRLS IN DECEMBER 2014 ENTERTAINING AT ROSELLE HOUSE.

ASHGROVE HOME IMPROVEMENTS.

Kitchens, Bathrooms, Bedrooms and Marble

Fireplaces, Stockists of Wall Panels and floor.

We also cater for the less abled.

Our specialist staff will tailor a design

to meet your needs, and help inspire you

to create the home of your dreams.

New showroom at

21 Mackintosh Place, South Newmoor Ind.

Estate, Irvine KA11 4JT.

Tel. 01294 211888.

Open 7 days.

www.ashgrovehomeimprovements.co.uk

STEWART & SONS

LOCKSMITHS 24 HOURS SERVICE

NO CALLOUT CHARGES

07876027812

01292678895

stewartnsons@gmail.com

www.locksmiths-prestwick.co.uk

FRIENDLY FAMILY RUN COMPANY

ALL OUR WORK IS GUARANTEED

F = FULL FORSAKING A = ASSURANCE ALL I = IN I T = THE TAKE H = HOLY ONE HIM ——————————————————————————

TRUST in HIS Timing RELY on His Promises

BELEIVE in His Miracles REJOICE in His Goodness RELAX in His Presence.

Thank you to Ann Ferguson for these two thoughts.

WHOSE CROSS IS IT ANYWAY? We are delighted to present, on Easter Sunday—Sunday 5th April at 7.00pm in the Church, a production entitled Whose Cross is it Anyway? This will be an evening of short sketches, music and praise which tell the Easter story in a unique and thought-provoking way. Please put the date in your diary and join us in this celebration. David Watson.

Elaine’s Childminding Services Registered Childminder

23 years experience in Early Year

Education

Open Days available on request

Contact:Elaine Wardrop

155 Adamton Road South

Prestwick

01292 670513

Mobile 07526128194

wardrop.elaine@gmail.com

1st PRESTWICK BOYS’ BRIGADE COMPANY

A NNUAL DISPLAY – FRIDAY 8 MAY 2015 Our annual display will be held in the Church Halls on Friday 8 May 2015 and we invite all parents, friends and members of our Church family to come along and support the boys. The Company fall-in at 7.00 p.m. then a short programme of events follows which allows the boys to show everyone a little of what they have been doing during the session. The evening closes with the presentation of certificates and awards that have been gained by each crew or individual boy. We look forward to seeing you and would like to take this opportunity of thanking everyone who supports us throughout the year. Sgd. Sam Gilmour

Monkton & Prestwick North Parish Church, 10 Monkton Road, Prestwick, Ayrshire, KA9 1AR

Captain: Sam Gilmour, 22 Angus Avenue, Prestwick, Ayrshire,KA9 2HZ. Tel:01292 470614

Chaplain: Rev. David Clarkson, Craigard, 40 Monkton Road, Prestwick, KA9 1AR Tel:01292 471379

Object: The advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among boys and the promotion of habits of Obedience,

Reverence, Discipline, Self-Respect and all that tends towards a true Christian manliness.

Registered Charity No. SC033197

CHRIST IN ACTION – FOODBANK UPDATE

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5

Another year has passed and the C.I.A. Food-bank continues to grow and expand services to

support and help people and families at various points of crisis in their lives.

New challenges have been presented and of course so too have the opportunities to resource and

meet those challenges. I just love it when David reminds us that God will not give us the job

without the resources to see it through. I have seen and experienced many things this year but

above all, His hand of direction at work within the Food-bank has been uppermost in my mind.

How could it not be! From the selfless people He brings forward to fulfil the many tasks of

service, to the people moved to provide donations of food, money, clothes and items that others in

our community are needful of. The generosity of people and children both in and out-with the

church family has been nothing short of overwhelming

Increased Demand - Reasons

New figures from the C.A.P.C. (Child Action Poverty Group Oct 2014) show South Ayrshire

child poverty running at 24%, East Ayrshire at 26% and North Ayrshire at 27%. Families are

struggling. Much of the increased demand for help comes from continuing welfare reform.

Benefit delays and Benefit reductions, increasing sanctions, zero hours contracts which do not

give families a reliable basic income every week, static minimum incomes if you are in low paid

work all help to further demoralize and stigmatize a family. The combined costs of food, fuel and

housing costs can easily tip families into the poverty trap. The risk of homelessness if you are in

rented accommodation, living on minimum wage, is extremely high. This circumstance places

families under additional stress as most of their income must go towards rent.

Imagine not being able to make the small savings necessary to buy the next size in school shoes

or clothes for your children, or pay for an educational visits or school trips. Imagine not being

able to keep your heating on or run baths for your children because you have to decide how best

to use the small amount left on your fuel card. These are decisions that many in our community

make day in and day out.

In 2014, the C.I.A. Food-bank was able to assist 754 people/families in need of basic food and

hygiene items. Providing three meals a day for a minimum of 3 days, equates to provision of

approximately 6,786 meals. Specially requested food is included where necessary e.g. children/

vegetarians/religious beliefs/street homeless persons. When requested, we were also able to

provide a top up for fuel cards with only a few pence remaining on their value, thus enabling food

to be heated. Similarly, when asked for clothing, or hygiene packs, we were able to meet these

requests as well.

Very often additional needs are only revealed when the CIA team is in conversation with the

referred person/s. Through the grace of God, the Project has been able to meet every request for

help, whether it was food, fuel, clothing or hygiene items.

Volunteers

Volunteers are of course the backbone of any project. The CIA Volunteers all bring their own

unique individual strengths and attributes to the variety of tasks they perform. Although differing

in some respects, they all share one thing in common – compassion for others. It is vitally

important that our C.I.A. volunteers are compassionate and can treat everyone with respect, no

matter what situation they find themselves in. It can be very stressful for the people who find

themselves in crisis and in need of the emergency services we provide. A volunteer’s words and

actions can go a long way in helping a person keep their dignity. We are truly blessed by so

many fantastic volunteers that give selflessly of themselves to assist in the work of the C.I.A. We

give gracious thanks and praise for all of them and all they do.

Community Involvement

Monkton Primary School

Being able to make a direct difference in someone’s life by a small act of kindness is a great

privilege. Children very often show us the way in this because they expect nothing in return. We

recently witnessed this by an out-pouring of Christmas presents for other children from the

children at the Monkton Primary Nursery. Each gift bore the name of the person giving and the

age and sex for whom it was intended. This was a wonderful initiative and we have invited

Rachel Reid and the nursery class to pay us a visit and see what goes on in a community

Food-bank.

St Ninians R.C. Primary School

As part of the Pope Francis Award Initiative, the pupils at St Ninians Primary School here in

Prestwick, are acting out their faith by showing their love for others in their daily life and

community. We are blessed and honoured that one of the ways they have chosen to do this is by

supporting the C.I.A. Food-bank. Once a month, one class takes responsibility for collecting food

for the Food-bank. The next month, another class does the same. The youngsters have taken the

Project to their hearts and as a result, the response has been extremely generous. The CIA team

have been invited to speak about the work of the CIA Food-bank at the School Assemblies.

Sainsbury’s Prestwick

The C.I.A. Team have also enjoyed the most amazing support through the past year from

Sainsbury’s in Prestwick. Support for local community objectives and the generosity of

Management and staff has enabled us to move forward in areas we never anticipated. Whether

that has enabled us to fund raise by way of a bag pack, or floor space given for a ‘hygiene kit’

collection or clothing and household collections from Sainsbury’s staff, we are extremely grateful

to those who gave so willingly and to those who organised these events. Most recently, we

received four trolley loads of Christmas presents for children of varying ages. They were

beautifully wrapped. We give thanks and ask Gods richest blessings on all the people who gave

and all the people who received

Reciprocal Blessings.

Thank you to the Elba gardens Hostel team who forewent their Secret Santa gift to each other in

favour of giving the funds directly to the C.I.A.

Thank you to the Blue Triangle Hostel team who collected and brought food to the MPN Church

Halls. Always appreciative of what is received by the hostel residents – they simply wanted to do

the same for others.

Thank you to the Arrol Park Disability Team who paid £1 to children in Need and used the

opportunity to ask staff to bring a tin of food for the C.I.A. at the same time

We have been truly humbled by the support which has been offered to the C.I.A. from the church

family, partner churches, local businesses, schools and personal individuals. We graciously ac-

cept your gifts and say a huge “thank you” on behalf of the people/families that will be referred in

crisis to the CIA emergency Food-bank in the coming weeks and months.

Looking Forward

On the 6th January 2015, The Christ In Action Food bank became a Registered Charity. We do

not yet know how the year will unfold for the C.I.A. The one thing that we truly are sure about is

that through the grace of God and our earnest prayers for guidance, we will be able to meet any

and all challenges that come our way.

Much of this script has been about giving thanks for the people involved in and out-with with the

Food-bank. It seems therefore appropriate that the last words should reflect a C.I.A. Volunteers

perspective.

“Eric and I joined the team to help with the food-bank delivery. We believed it would help those

in need, but were not altogether prepared for the great need of those whose names were put for-

ward for help with food.”

“It has been a privilege to help on a rota basis, thankful for the bounty in the store cupboard due

to the generosity of all the churches that help in giving to others”.

“We are only the messengers”.

“We have been blessed and hope and pray that this is passed on to those in need”.

Eric and Patricia Lindsey – Kingcase Parish Church.

Christ In Action SC045322

C/O Church Office, 10 Monkton Road, Prestwick, KA9 1AR

THE GUILD

We have had great variety in our meetings this year and welcome some new members. We enjoyed and were challenged by Kenneth Yorke in his talk “New Year, New Start”. This was followed by our ‘Scottish Day’ when members of the Guild entertained and we sang lots of hymns by John Bell. Jim Goodlad gave an illustrated talk on sailing round the Orkney Islands and Greta Yorke and friends from ‘Ayr Writers’ Club’ - ‘Litereight’ entertained us on the 19th February. Everyone is welcome to join us on the following dates at 2pm. 5th March DVD from Annual Rally in Dundee 12th March Spring Rally 2pm Troon Portland Church 19th March Salvation Army Speaker Cheryl Stone 26th March AGM and Daffodil Tea 14th May 7pm Annual Business Meeting Ayr Auld Kirk Halls 4th June 7.30 pm Summer Rally Girvan South Church 5th September Annual Rally Caird Hall Dundee How quickly a year passes!

PIONEER CAFÉ

Business at the café varies greatly from day to day – Monday’s and Friday’s tend to be the busiest. We are delighted to welcome a group from Cumnock for lunch on a Monday. We do not seem to be too badly affected by competition from the new “Pollys” tearoom across the road. Our congratulations go to Ann Leckie (one of our faithful volunteers) who has been in the USA for 4 weeks welcoming her new Grandson. Our Tips this year were donated to the following local organisations:- £200 to Strathyre House (Ayr Action for Mental Health) £100 to each of the following: Ayrshire Young Carers, Ayrshire Cancer Support, Malcolm Sargent House, Crossroads, Turning Point (Supports people to live independently), Seascape (Help with housing), Sutherland House and Christ in Action. If anyone can help with Baking, Soup making or working in the café even just filling in when one of our regulars is on holiday, please contact the café 471153 or Mgt Goodlad 470903

Feed your faith and doubt will starve to death.

When God measures a man, he puts the tape around the heart.

A clean conscience makes a soft pillow.

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT This year Traidcraft has launched the “Fair Necessities Appeal”. What do we think is necessary in our lives? A warm comfortable home, a daily shower, plenty food, warm clothes, health care, education for our children, TV, a car, holidays - - - the list goes on. Many Smallholder farmers can not even feed their children. Smallholders grow 70% of the world’s food but make up half the world’s hungriest people. Despite all their hard work they struggle to feed their families or meet their most basic needs for food, healthcare and education. With the right support they can grow more, earn more and eat more and gain skills which will benefit their whole community for years to come. Traidcraft wants to give them that support – a hand up not a hand out – simply to give them a fair chance a chance to work their way out of poverty. Right now we have the chance to help twice as many people and communities. UK Aid Match is a government scheme which will match, pound for pound, the money we can raise for this appeal. The money has to be raised before April. Ramisa is a farmer in Tanzania whose land is poor and who struggled to feed her family and could not afford to send her children to school. Traidcraft started a Tea farmers group in her village helping farmers to improve their land and teaching them the skills necessary to grow and harvest tea and sell it at a fair price. The village has changed, with fewer hungry people, more children going to school and women working and earning money. The community is benefiting from the Fairtrade Premium and are using it to bring clean water to the village and improve the school. Ramisa says “Tea plants give leaves for hundred of years so if we work hard our children and grandchildren will benefit”. If you wish to help please put money in the collection boxes on the Traidcraft stall on Sundays 1st and 8th March and at BB Coffee morning on Sat 7th March during Fairtrade Fortnight or give to me at anytime before April so that the smallholders can benefit from our Government’s largesse! Thank you to those who have already donated to this worthwhile cause. Margaret Goodlad.

I discovered this thought from Fritz Reuter many years ago and wrote it down in

my Jesus Book. Valerie.

“No ones life flows on such an even course that it does not sometimes come up

against a dam and whirl round and round, or somebody throws a stone into clear

water.

Something happens to everyone— and we must take care that the water stays clear

and that heaven and earth are reflected in it”

F L O W E R L I S T. Flowers donated by : Delivered by : 04/01/2015 Christmas Flowers ———————-

11/01/2015 Pat Simpson/Evelyn Reid Margaret Goodlad

18/01/2015 Margaret Anderson Linda Welsh

25/01/2015 Ina Donald Margaret Thomson

01/02/2015 Mary Black Leslie McCarrell

08/02/2015 Elsie Ferguson Elaine Wardrop

15/02/2015 Sadie MacKay Jim McLauchlan

22/02/2015 Jennifer & Jim Bond Jan Armour

01/03/2015 Muriel Anderson Carrie Lamont

08/03/2015 Margaret Paton Tom & Lily Dougan

15/03/2015 Jan Armour Morag Hamil

22/03/2015 Mrs. C. Hannah Nan Dagostino

29/03/2015 Patricia Casey Susan Campbell

05/04/2015 Margaret Goodlad Marion Balish

12/04/2015 Pat Simpson/ Mr & Mrs. J. McKay Elizabeth Ewing

19/04/2015 Linda Welsh Jeanette Munro

26/04/2015 Sandy & Margaret Ferguson Katrina Carswell

03/05/2015 Alice Crombie Margaret Goodlad

10/05/2015 Valerie Greig/Evelyn McHarg/Mrs. I.

Shields Linda Welsh

15/05/2015 Susan & Duncan Campbell Margaret Thomson

24/05/2015 Mrs. H. McGraw Leslie McCarrell

31/05/2015 Annabel Wilson Elaine Wardrop

07/06/2015 Nan Dagostino/ Elspeth Manson Jim McLauchlan

14/06/2015 May Cumming Jan Armour

21/06/2015 Pat Riach Carrie Lamont

28/06/2015 Molly & John Paterson Tom & Lily Dougan

———————————————————————————————————————

A few dates are still available in the five months up to the end of November.

The list is on the Chancel for anyone wishing to add their name.

Alternatively just ‘phone Margaret Ferguson on 01292 479472.

Discovery News

We have been partnering with our friends at Sutherland House now for several months.

What a pleasure and privilege it is to build friendships and get to know everyone there.

Discovery Walking Group

Our Walking Group continues to meet each month (usually on the first Sunday) after

morning worship. We enjoy a nice warm bowl of soup together, then head off for fellowship

and a gentle walk together. We are always finished before 2.30pm. This really is for

everyone and we would strongly encourage you to join us if you are able, you really would be

made most welcome. A lovely way of keeping fit whilst enjoying fellowship together.

Looking good on our recent 3 mile walk! Indoor fun on a rainy day!

Healthy Eating

By request, following the success of our first Healthy Eating Course, we are planning

to run an advanced course and another beginners course. Details to follow, watch

this space!

Exciting News!

We are in the planning stages of our long awaited Knitting Group.

This has so much potential but we are relying on your support in order to help

us make it a successful venture. We have so many people of all ages with the

skills and just a love of knitting, but it could be so much more than that! This

has the potential to be a community project where people can share and learn

skills whilst building friendships and just enjoying each other’s company. We

could be taking on projects where we are knitting for others, home and abroad,

it could be a mobile group, almost like a

befriending project, reaching people that may not be able to get out and about

easily but have a love of knitting and a desire to spend time with others. The

possibilities really are endless, but we really do need your help to make this

project successful. We will be holding a short meeting on Monday 23rd March at

7.30pm in the Session Room, if you are interested in this venture at all, I

would strongly urge you to come along or to have a chat with me. If you can

knit or would like to learn to knit or just join us for the fellowship, please,

please come along or let us know. Thank you for your

continued support.

Elaine Wardrop, tel 857153

Remember, together with our awesome God, we really can make a difference!

Christian Aid Week 2015

Well here we are again Christian Aid week is coming round fast again for this year, I hope that you have started collecting your coppers for the Penny jars. This will be my third year as your Christian Aid representative for MPN Church and I feel very blessed to be doing this as it is such a great charity and carries out so much fantastic work all over the world, I have to thank the other people on the committee within the Church, Margaret Ferguson and Mary Yuillie for keeping me right, I really could not do it without their help. Christian Aid Week this year runs from the 10th May to the 17th May. The Fun Day is on Saturday 9th May in St. Nicholas Church from 10am to 1pm, on 10th of May we will collect the Penny jars and then through the week we have the door to door collection with the envelopes being collected on the 17th. I know that everybody is busy in their own day to day lives, but if you could find the time to take one street, it really doesn’t take long to do and you really will be helping people in need. So I will finish by thanking you for all your support in the last 2 years and hope that again you will support us with Christian Aid week this year. Thank you Scott Wardrop

Message from the AV Team

The AV Team are responsible for the computer, screens and

sound within the church and halls. We use Easy Worship, an

easy to use program suitable for churches. If you have any

skills in this area or feel it may be something you’d like to

learn, please speak to Rev Clarkson or any member of the AV

Team. We’d love to hear from you!

Thank you from the AV Team

BIBLE STUDY Wednesday 10.30 am Margaret Thomson

Telephone : 01292 477045

BOYS’ BRIGADE Friday pm (Various)

Pat Simpson Telephone : 01292 477289

GIRLS’ BRIGADE Monday 6.00 pm

Sue Christie Telephone : 07751219601

GUILD

Thursday 2.00 pm Margaret Goodlad

Telephone : 01292 470903

MONKTON BROWNIES Thursday 6.30 pm

Monkton Community Church Irene Boyle

Telephone : 01292 478376

KIDDIEWINKLES Monday 10.00 am

Elaine Gilbert Telephone : 07734806812

TOTS-TOWN

Wednesday 10.00 am Monkton Community Church

Leigh Flanagan Telephone : 07545050190

THE YOUNG CHURCH

Sunday 11.00 am Lesley McCarrell

Telephone : 01292 477779 Duncan Campbell

Telephone : 01292 435020

MINISTER Rev. David Clarkson

Telephone : 01292 471379 Email : minister@mpnchurch.org.uk

SESSION CLERK

James U Riach Telephone : 01292 476458

Email : james@jriach2.fsnet.co.uk

TREASURER/HALL BOOKINGS Robert Gibson

Telephone : 01292 479248 Email : property@mpnchurch.org.uk

ORGANIST

David Watson Telephone : 01292 314867

CHURCH OFFICE

Telephone : 01292 678810 Email : office@mpnchurch.org.uk

KIRK SESSION

COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES

Discipleship Sam Gilmour

Telephone : 01292 470614

Fabric & Finance Ed Sutherland

Telephone : 01292 849554

Outreach Anne Ferguson

Telephone: 01292 470975

Pastoral Care Jim Riach

Telephone : 01292 476458

Worship Scott Wardrop

Telephone : 01292 670513