December

2015 Volume 53 No 10

Magazine of Giffnock South Parish Church

The The SentinelSentinel

Sun 6th 3pm: In the church: A Time to Remember

Tue 8th & Wed 9th 7.30pm: ‘In Harmony’ Concert

Sun 13th 11am: Lessons and Carols

6.30pm: A Christmas Sing

Sun 20th 11am: Children’s Nativity

7pm: Cantata ‘Night of Miracles’ by the Choir

Thu 24th 6.30pm: Christingle Service

11.30pm: Watchnight Service

Fri 25th 11am: Christmas Day Service

Advent Services will be held in the church on Wednesdays 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd December

at 10.45am followed by coffee and mince pies in the sanctuary. All welcome.

Alas, only Boris’s

Santa hat. See the

editorial for an

explanation

Don’t miss this

beautiful

Christmas

cantata sung

by the choir

and invited

soloists.

Sunday 20th

at 7pm see

page 4

Just in time for

Christmas!

Giffnock

South’s

favourite sweet

recipes. £3 in

aid of the roof

fund

NOW ON SALE

Breaking news….there was a full turnout for the quiz night on 21st November and £2212 was raised. The charity ‘Wildhearts’ and our own roof fund will benefit and the generosity shown by the appreciative audience is gratefully acknowledged.

Page 2

Contributions for the February edition of The Sentinel should be sent to the

Church office or emailed to alpark@talktalk.net by 17th January.

GIFFNOCK SOUTH NEWS NEWS FROM POLLOKSHAWS

We continue to enjoy the company of Ruth Forsythe with her lovely Irish accent and thoughtful prayers.

We will be sending a Pollokshaws team to your quiz night this Saturday. As that is also our Christmas Fayre date it is a busy time for everyone. However, if we are busy we are lucky as that means we are healthy!

Roy is taking three consecutive weeks of Nearly New Open Door services in the Advent season. Today was about PEACE, a difficult topic in these sad times of terrorist activities.

We wish you all a peaceful, healthy 2016 when it comes.

Frances Macarthur

The Monthly Roof Fund Quiz October’s ’Flowers’ quiz

produced just one correct solution, which was from Dorothy

Scott, who was presented with the winner’s medal and prize.

The correct answers are displayed on the notice board and here.

The result of November’s quiz will be announced on Sunday 6th

December when a new quiz will be available at a cost of £1. in

aid of the roof fund.

Toys for Christmas The Sunday School are again collecting new

toys to give to children in some of the poorest/

disadvantaged families in Glasgow this

Christmas. The toys will be distributed by the

Welfare Officer of the Glasgow Care

Foundation who has personal knowledge of

the families that would benefit most.

We are, therefore, appealing to the congregation to help once

again.

Last year there was a fantastic response from the congregation and

Sunday School and it meant many families were able to enjoy

Christmas without the added financial burden of borrowing money to

buy toys.

If you can hand in new toys (they don't need to be wrapped) to the

vestry no later than 13th December (to allow time for wrapping and

distribution before Christmas) I will pick them up and transport them

to the Glasgow Care Foundation.

The F.W.O envelopes will be available for collection on Sunday 13th & 20th December at the front door of the church.

The envelopes will also be available outside the Winton Hall during weekdays.

If you do not wish to continue with your F.W.O envelopes please contact Willie Walker on 633 0900 as soon as possible.

It was way back in September 2008 that Boris, the editorial cat, first burst onto these pages and

he never missed an edition over the intervening years. Alas, old age, an overactive thyroid

gland and finally a broken leg proved too much for the old soul and he has gone to the

great cat heaven where, no doubt, he’ll be editing the angelic rag and recycling all the

corny jokes which were inflicted on Sentinel readers throughout the years. Ed

13 Warm the lady heather

14 ‘By any other name..’ rose

15 Bird’s happy cat noise larkspur

16 Sounds like cake mix cornflower

17 Avalanche? snowdrop

18 150 past clover

19 Doff a lid for it daffodil

20 Does it like itself

overmuch?

narcissus

21 Orchestral instrument viola

22 Saving for a rainy day thrift

23 A big one obviously begonia

24 Sugary Bill sweet william

1 Mix vet oil violet

2 Sad ringer bluebell

3 WWI remembrance poppy

4 Wed precious metal? marigold

5 Sugary vegetable sweet pea

6 Dairy produce holder buttercup

7 It’s makes a mean one anemone

8 Reynard’s paw cover foxglove

9 Tandem rider daisy

10 Pole dash sorted asphodel

11 Prickly emblem thistle

12 Large rabbit ringer harebell

Due to production

difficulties there

will be no January

‘Sentinel’

CHURCH WEBSITE The church website has been updated and to

keep it accurate all organisers of social and sporting activities are

requested to advise Clive Bell of any changes.

clive_bell@hotmail.co.uk

Please continue to donate

items (by means of the box

in the vestibule) to stock

the DESTITUTION

CUPBOARD operated by

Gorbals Parish Church.

The retiring offering on Remembrance Sunday raised £650 for

Erskine Hospital.

The Roof Fund Auction held on 24th

October raised over

£3,000 and all who donated items and those who bought them are sincerely thanked.

At the Quiz Night Frances won a trip

with friends in a limousine

CHURCH

DIRECTORY

The Minister:

Rev Catherine Beattie BDMin

0141 258 7804

07709 086 767 Mobile

catherinejbeat@aol.com

Church Officer:

Graham Morton

0141 638 3594

Church Office Hours:

The church office is open in

the mornings from Monday to

Thursday from 9.30am till noon

0141 638 2599

giffnocksouth@btconnect.com

Session Clerk:

Alison Fenton

07713 242 080 Mobile

Church Website:

Www.giffnocksouth.co.uk

Scottish Charity:SCO007807

Page 3

Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee before and after

the service every Sunday

TEXT OF THE MONTH

“The virgin will be with child and

will give birth to a son, and they will

call him Immanuel” which means,

“God with us”.

Matthew

1:22

Dear Friends,

All through the Church’s year we follow the story of the adult Christ. He is the man who walks through the countryside, preaching and healing, talking and praying, with a group of followers who are perplexed by his power and his humility. Their confusion becomes chaos as Jesus is arrested, tried and executed, the chaos becomes wonder and understanding after Jesus’s resurrection and ascension. Now we approach the time of year when our worship is expectant, for Advent is here. We look forward now to the beginning, meeting the baby of Bethlehem in a dark stable, a frail and vulnerable child lying in the feeding trough of the wintering animals.

There is such a confusion of contrasts in our world – streets lit up, shops crammed

with goods, the rush and noise of the High Street, parties and presents. In countries far and near, there is war, bombing and

shelling; there are people who have lost everything in disaster; there is hunger and desperation. We journey towards Christmas through all this shifting uncertainty to find the love of God that will never change or diminish. In the birth of Jesus God begins a story that will never end, the story of his love for us in the sacrifice of the birth of his Son. What we see in Bethlehem changes our view of the world. God sends Jesus and in that precious gift we find all that we need. Through God’s generosity Jesus comes into our lives to guide us and teach us, and to love us as his brothers and sisters.

In our journeying, we will find you, God of the unexpected places.

We find you everywhere – in our doubts as well as our certainties,

in our fears as well as our courage, in our questions as well as our wonder,

and in our turning to others to care. God of the crib and the cross

help us to journey on, to find you and name you wherever you need us to be.

Through this coming season and through all the seasons of your lives may the wisdom of Jesus guide you, the angels of the Lord of Hosts guard you, the strength of Almighty God uphold you, the love of the everlasting Father enfold you and the joy of the Prince of Peace be yours now and evermore.

Wishing you peace and hope this Christmas time,

Catherine.

The Minister’s Letter

Mince pies & mulled wine at the Manse Sunday 20th December 2pm – 4pm

“Preparing the way’ Advent Bible Studies will take place in the manse at 7.45 on Mondays - 30th November, 7th, 14th and 21st December. These studies will follow our Lectionary Readings as we proceed through Advent. Please feel free to come to the manse and enjoy these times of study together.

Every Tuesday at the church a warm welcome, coffee or tea and home baking await you from 10.30am! All welcome.

This year’s CHILDREN’S NATIVITY on SUNDAY 20th DECEMBER at 11am will be slightly different with the service being taken entirely by the children. You are strongly urged to come and give the children the support they so richly deserve.

The Guild has two excellent meetings planned for December. After our very happy Centenary Lunch, (see photos on page 7 and

egap) we will experience something scarier with a “Renfrewshire Witch Hunt”. Come along on Wednesday 2nd December and meet Mrs Natalie Elliott and friends for a very intriguing afternoon, starting at 2pm.

On Wednesday 16th December at 1pm we return to calmer pleasures with our Christmas Party.

Please support our ‘Raising the Roof’ event on Sunday 29th November. Alistair Swan is a semi-professional photographer who travels the world capturing amazing images for the ‘Moving Picture Show’ with musical accompaniment. Come along at 7pm for an evening of outstanding entertainment. Admission free, but donations for the roof fund will be welcomed.

Page 4

The Guild

GIFFNOCK UNITED REFORMED CHURCH NEWS

The lunchtime service is every Wednesday at 11.30am.

Lunchbite is on Wednesdays at 12.15pm. Come sharp, because when it’s gone, it’s gone!

Saturday coffee mornings have restarted at 10am till noon. Come and enjoy the company.

ORGAN RECITALS Alan Gillon will be performing at

Kelvingrove on SATURDAY 12th

DECEMBER at 1pm.

December Dates at a glance Wed 2nd 2pm: The Guild: Natalie Elliott

Sun 6th 3pm: A Time to Remember

Tue 8th & Wed 9th 7.30pm: ‘In Harmony’ Concert

Sat 12th 1pm: Alan Gillon plays the organ at Kelvingrove

Sun 13th 11am: Lessons and Carols

Sun 13th 12.30pm: Christmas Party with visit from Santa

6.30pm: A Christmas Sing

Tue 15th 6.30pm: Christmas service at Eastwood Court

Wed 16th 1pm: The Guild Christmas Party

Sat 19th 10am: Carol singing at Morrison’s

Sun 20th 11am: Children’s Nativity

2pm: Mince pies and mulled wine at the manse

7pm: Cantata ‘Night of Miracles’ by the Choir

Thu 24th 6.30pm: Christingle Service

11.30pm: Watchnight Service

Fri 25th 11am: Christmas Day Service

Sun 27th 11am: Baptism

January Dates Wed 13th 7.30: Session Meeting

Sun 17th 2pm:Family & Children afternoon at the manse

Eastwood Court Care Home

THE CHOIR

Joint Giffnock Churches Carol Singing for Christian Aid: This will take place at Morrison's on Saturday 19

th December at 10am. This has

always been a happy and joyful occasion and a good representation from Giffnock South is expected.

Christmas Concert with Eastwood Choral Singers and OLM Primary School on Sunday 6

th December at 3pm in

The Park Church. Tickets £8.

Park Church have their Christmas Fair on Saturday 5th

December at 11am till 2.30pm.

PARK CHURCH NEWS

We celebrate Christmas at Eastwood Court Care Home on Tuesday 15th December at 6.30pm. The Rev Catherine Beattie will lead our 30 minute act of worship. Members of Giffnock South and friends are very welcome to join the residents for this special service.

The Church Choir has been

working very hard to bring you

"Night Of Miracles" on Sunday

20th December at 7pm in the

church. This is a light, easy–

listening Cantata and we have

two young very talented soloists

from the Conservatoire of Scotland. This evening

of Christmas celebration, narrated by Shona

Beaton with Alan Gillon on the organ and

conducted by Martin Bennie is NOT TO BE MISSED.

Please note the date in your diary or on your

phone.

This event is free, with refreshments and mince

pies in the hall afterwards.

Please come and support the Church Choir.

A Bruce Davies “Songs for the season” concert is taking place at Greenbank Church on Saturday 5th December at 7.30pm. Tickets for the concert are £5 including refreshments and can be obtained from Greenbank Church Office (644 1841) or email greenbank.office@tiscali.co.uk.

Since becoming a full-time professional entertainer in 1984, Bruce has appeared all over the UK and USA picking up many great reviews. We have already welcomed him to Greenbank earlier this year when we enjoyed his wonderful concert. He sings both secular and Christian songs in an entertaining mix.

GREENBANK CHURCH NEWS

My wife said she would like to learn to drive the car

and I said that I wouldn’t stand in her way!

Page 5 An Update on Progress with the Winton and Eglinton Halls

With the arrival of the cold and wet weather of winter, we are now experiencing the benefits of the energy conservation works undertaken in the Winton Hall over July and August. The Winton Hall was erected in the 1960s when standards of construction gave little consideration to energy conservation but we now have a roof fully insulated to modern standards. The replacement of the windows of the east gable of the hall with double glazed units and a new ventilation system means the improvement to the heating of the hall and the retention of warmth is clearly noticeable. This will result in significant savings in gas costs, and with the replacement of the fluorescent lighting with efficient LED units, the cost of electricity should also be reduced. All of the above works were delivered to programme and cost over the summer months when the hall was not in use.

We have not been so fortunate with the Eglinton Hall after encountering wet rot, and a localised area of dry rot, in the original Church building (built in 1914). This has required urgent repairs to the base of principal roof trusses and to purlins, before the internal insulation works to the roof can be completed. An example of the extent of the wet rot can be seen in a photograph taken shortly after the removal of a timber base plate which sat on the external stone wall. This has been replaced with a concrete pad.

Additional metal supports have been added to the ends of the purlins to isolate them from the external stone wall. Specialist Boron Rod treatments have been applied to principal timber members where appropriate and all affected timbers treated with preservative. This work has now largely been completed and will enable the internal insulation works to recommence.

As the secondary glazing to the windows and the replacement of fluorescent lights with LED units were progressed during the summer months, we hope to have the internal works to the Eglinton Hall completed by Christmas. To ensure that there is now no ingress of water through the roof, work on lead flashings and gutters is well under way. (As planned in the original roof repairs programme).

The energy conservation works to the Winton and Eglinton Halls will be of great benefit to Giffnock South and all who use the halls in future years. The generous financial support of the waste management company, Viridor-Credits, is acknowledged in achieving this objective. WD

Friday 5th February 2016

BRIDGE AFTERNOON

Wednesday 24th February

TALENT AUCTION Saturday 19th March

See

photos

on page 7

Jo Jingles Music and Movement classes take place in the church hall on Mondays 9.30 (under 2's) and 10.30 (over 2's). Suitable from 3 months.

The management team responsible for the poppy display at the Tower of London has been brought in to organise this event. 150 tickets have been purchased and if you would like to go please place your name on the list on the notice board. Family ticket (2 adults & 2 children) £30, adult £10, senior or child £8, children under 5 free. Wheelchairs (with access to pond and waterfall only):£5 (carer free).

‘In Harmony’ Community Choir

CHRISTMAS CONCERT 8th & 9th December in the church

at 7.30pm.

ALL proceeds to the Roof Fund.

Tickets £5, children free of charge, available from Brenda Williams after church or from the office.

‘Posh Party’ at 3 Berryhill Drive on Friday 12th February. Dress up as much as you like. Numbers limited to 50. Please put names on the list on the notice board. A glass of wine supplied, then it’s BYOB.

Zipping for Muscles on Saturday 12th March 10.30am at Crieff. Elaine will zip on the wire and is

looking for sponsors to raise money for Nicola’s Ninjas Muscular Dystrophy research.

Garden Fete,

Sat. 14th

May, in aid of

the roof fund

The Palace Hotel Inverness has been chosen as the venue for the 2016 church trip for three nights, Sunday 17th to Wednesday 20th April. Visits are planned to Dornoch Cathedral, Loch Ness/Urquhart Castle, Culloden/Fort George and a trip on the Strathspey steam railway on the way home. Contact Elaine or Brian NOW to reserve a place with a deposit of £70 per person.

ADVANCE NOTICE The date for the 2017 trip is Sunday 28th May and is

to Harrogate, staying at the Majestic Hotel, with visit arranged to Ripon

Cathedral .

Heart & Soul Edinburgh is on

22nd May and the bus will leave the church after the

service.

Thought for the Month recycled from September 2008!

Horse sense is the wisdom that keeps horses from betting on people!

The new stock of Christmas cards from the LODGING HOUSE MISSION is

now available. Orders can be placed on the sheet on the notice board or

by contacting Ronnie MacIntosh (639 6499)

Page 6 Parish Register

Duties

If any of your personal details

change,

please notify the Church Office at:

4 Greenhill Avenue, Giffnock,

Glasgow G46 6QX

Or telephone 0141 638 2599

Or email:

giffnocksouth@btconnect.com

DECEMBER EDITION OUT NOW

Order your copy now from

Alan Gray on 0141 639 1401

‘On the First Day of Christmas’ The Rev Colin Dempster explores the religious roots of the well-known Christmas song. The Pain of Loneliness The work of the charity ALTERnativity in offering a different Christmas. Lemon Ice Cream An Advent-themed story from poet and author Kenneth Steven Behind the Scenes A Lanarkshire teenager’s work experience with a Church of Scotland minister ‘It’s a Miracle I am Here’ Jackie Macadam learns about the work of Glasgow City Mission in dealing with the increasing numbers of asylum seekers, relating one man’s harrowing journey from Africa to Scotland Bombed, Rescued – then Arrested Bruce Cannon relates the untold story of a Church of Scotland chaplain 75 years on from his escape from a sinking ship during World War 2. 70 Peaks for Christian Aid Thomas Baldwin joins the walkers tackling Schiehallion, the final event of Christian Aid Scotland’s 70th anniversary 70 Munros challenge. A High View of Prayer In the final part of his reflections on the book of James, the Rev Dr Martin Fair considers the power of prayer. The Superhero Youth Room Jackie Macadam reports on a mural with a difference at an Ayrshire church. Plus news, reviews, letters, registers and crosswords – all for just £2.20. To subscribe, speak to your church’s Life and Work co-ordinator.

Date 6 December 13 December 20 December 25 December 27 December

Office Bearers Team 1 Team 2 Team 3 Team 4 Team 5

Crèche Lisbeth Taylor

Liz McAllister

Marion McLeod

Anne MacDougall

Alison Campbell

n/a

n/a

Sue Harvey

Susan Morton

Tape Recording Neil Grimmond Charlie Hunter Tony Ireland n/a Alastair Campbell

Café Rota 1 Myra Rao

Isabel McGregor

Helen Black

Brenda Williams

Sylvia Miller

Doreen Rogerson

n/a

n/a

Sue Harvey

Pam Wallace

Café Rota 2 John Fitzgerald

Mora Kerr

Myra Rao

Elaine Crawford

Jean Lennox

Irene Japp

n/a

n/a

Murray Blair

Joy Blair

Sunday School Nativity Rehearsals Nativity Rehearsals Nativity n/a n/a

Flower Delivery Di Fotheringham

Deaths: Well done thou good and faithful servant. Rest safe in the Lord

On 28th October - Andrew Connell

On 10th November – Janie Aitken

On 10th November – Tom Horne

Joining: We extend a warm welcome to:

Elinor Watson

Leaving: We say goodbye to:

Mr Robert & Mrs Claire Allen

Mr Gordon & Mrs Kate Kerr

To ensure that we comply with the Data Protection Act, we will no longer publish

addresses in Sentinel.

Anyone who requires further information about any of the intimations on the left

Stained glass window in the

church at Valldemossa, Mallorca

Page 7

Grand auction in full swing.. .going... going.. .gone!

What wood rot looks like The insulating panels and exposed woodwork

Concrete pad support Repairs to purlins showing the metal brackets

Images from the Eglinton Hall—see article on page 5

1st Giffnock Rainbows’, Brownies’ and Guides’ Halloween Party

Toddlers’ Halloween Party Anticipation !

Enjoying the Guild Centenary Party

Work completed: The manse road and church pathway Staffing the auction

Cutting the cake

Were you there? More photos on page 7

At the Guild Centenary Party

Braving the weather at the War Memorial

Cross of poppies made by members of the congregation

We are indebted to

May and Archie

Robertson for the fine

selection of photos

from the Guild

Centenary Celebrations

shown here and on

page 7