Bonkle Church of Scotland Magazine

Christmas 2011

Scottish Charity Number SC006540

Next issue – March 2011

Closing date for material – Sunday 26^th Feb. 2011

Communion – Sunday - 4^th December

In the present day, when the “Winter Festival” cards show “Seasons Greetings”, let us not forget whose birthday it is.

Christmas Greetings to all our readers

From the Manse

Dear friends, as I write this letter, preparations for Christmas are in full swing. It came as a bit of a shock to me to fly into Edinburgh airport at the beginning of November to be met with the sight of a departure area, festooned with Christmas trees. Next week (Nov 14^th) sees the annual switching on of the Newmains Christmas lights, and every other day in my mail I get another festive menu sent to me. If only life in the manse was so organised!! I realised with a panic this morning that it is only 7 weeks until Christmas, with little or no idea about any theme to be followed for this year’s services. However, I am convinced that, as always, all will fall into place, as we are remained once more of that timeless story of God taking human flesh and coming to this earth.

As another year draws to a close, it is customary to look back over the year gone by. Inevitably there have been ups and downs for all of us. Some of you have celebrated special birthdays and anniversaries; some of you have welcomed new babies into the family or celebrated family weddings. Whilst for others there have been difficult times, some of you have lost loved ones, some have experienced health issues both personally and for your loved ones, some of you have seen changes in employment due to redundancy or retirement. Some may not feel very much like celebrating this Christmas. This is completely understandable. But yet, the message of the Christmas story is that throughout everything that we experience, God is with us. Listen again to the very familiar beginning of John’s gospel as they are paraphrased in the Message “The Word (Jesus) became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish. (John 1:16) and also to these words from Matthew’s gospel “Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son; They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for "God is with us") (Matt 1:23) The Christmas story gives us a reason to have hope, despite our circumstances, for in that story we encounter the God who loves us; the one who moved into our neighbourhood and our lives; the one who experienced all that we have experienced, all of our joys and all of our sorrows, the God, who is Immanuel – God with us. Because of Him, we can look forward in faith, knowing that He holds us in the palm of His hand.

On behalf of Doris, Iain, Emma and myself, may I wish you and yours God’s richest blessings at this Christmas time, and every good wish for the coming year. Thank you all for the love and support that you have given to us throughout the past year.

Graham Raeburn

To all our good friends at Bonkle Church,

Just a wee note to say a huge thank you for the gift you gave to us.  We really do appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness.  As we said when we left we will certainly not be strangers as you all made us feel very welcome at all times.  We as a family are very excited for what the Lord has planned for us and as it says we do not know what the future holds but we know who holds the future.  Once again many many thanks.

David Shaw

Ladies Fellowship

We have had 3 talks this session – Mr Wilson on “What's in a Name”, Guide dogs for the blind and Children's Panel.

All meetings were well attended

There are two more meetings this year – Mr Percival on St Kilda and cake decorating by Mrs Orr. The outing to the Rosebank Garden Centre is on Thursday 24^th November. The bus leaves Bonkle at 6.30pm.

Margaret Glen (secretary)

Walking Group

We started the season well with almost all walks being carried out as scheduled. Unfortunately, towards the end of the season the weather caught up with us – I suppose good things can't last forever.

We now look forward to our “walk and lunch” on November 22^nd. At least the weather won't affect the eating part! Margaret Glen

Men's Club

The club has been fortunate enough to add a few new members to its numbers but there is plenty room for more. Come along and join us – you will soon pick up the art of carpet bowls.

Ian Glen

YOUR SUNDAY SCHOOL NEEDS YOU

We have been having lots of fun recently at Sunday school. Children in big Sunday school have been learning all about Moses and in the coming months are looking forward to re-visiting the Christmas story .As always we have been learning through bible study, craft activities, song and games. The wee ones are well catered for too with plenty of games, toys and activities for them to get involved with. All of the children enjoyed dooking for apples with the crèche proving themselves to have a better aim with the fork than the big ones

As we look towards the birth of Jesus again this year with Christmas coming up fast ,it’s really important to all helpers at Sunday school that we see the children every Sunday .We are starting to think about the Nativity and will be rehearsing for Christmas service in the church .It is always so nice to see the children getting involved in the service and it would  be a shame if we couldn’t this year because of the lack of attendance .Children of all ages are welcome at Bonkle Sunday school .We meet in the church hall every Sunday before the service at 12 noon. There is always lots to do and lots of fun to be had, so come and join us. Margaret McCafferty

Computer Club

This has now been going for one year. The level of interest far exceeded our expectations and within a few weeks a second section was started. Even now, we are considering how we can cope with the present demand. We have been very fortunate in having Andrew Reglinski and David Wilson as helpers. Marion Allison retired from school teaching to find herself involved in computer teaching!

At first we relied on computers gifted by various people but a grant from Coalfield Regeneration allowed us to buy 5 new computers bringing the total to 10, though some people bring their own laptops.

Most of our members had little or no experience of computers before they joined. They have learned how to use a word processor and spreadsheet to list household items and total the cost. When the broadband was installed they were shown how to “surf the net”, truly “Silver Surfers”. They now have their own Email address and can use our computers to contact friends. Skype was demonstrated allowing them to see, and talk to, someone in a different location.

There was considerable negotiation over a broadband internet linkage and we finally had to settle for a business telephone line at a cost of about £400/year. This also provides an emergency telephone which takes the emergency numbers (999 etc.) and the free 0800 numbers. Incoming calls can be made on (01698)386225.

At present, the Guiding groups also have the use of the computers on a Friday evening and contribute to the cost.

The Sunday School is also looking at their use for teaching purposes. If you want to know how to use modern technology – ask the kids!

Ian Glen

How many seeds in an apple? How many apples in a seed?

These are questions I heard this past weekend in connection with the fruit we might expect from our ministries in Newmains and Bonkle.

I’m feel like I am on a life journey which seems to have Newmains & Bonkle churches on “repeat”. On my first Sunday it felt like coming home, meeting up with friends with whom I have shared all sorts of significant memories in the past 16 years. But the churches also felt different. Yes, people have aged, like myself, but some new things are under-way. A computer club at Bonkle, a craft club, a charity shop and a Food Coop in Newmains. Crusaders has become Jam and ARK is really interesting piece of children’s and family work which congregations around Scotland are eager to learn from. God has not stopped giving the church in Newmains and Bonkle interesting ideas for blessing the community, as well as sustaining other activities which, though long-standing, are still essential strands of God’s work within and outside the congregations.

I come back into your fellowship the same but different. I feel like a Barnabas, the encourager. The dark years have left their mark but have also given a new compassion for hurting people. The “GriefShare” and “Seasons for Growth” bereavement and loss courses for adults and children give some meaning to my times of brokenness, as well, I hope, bringing comfort and healing to people with soreness in their hearts. Addressing another kind of hopelessness could be the Money Management and Debt counselling we are exploring at present. More on that another time. Whether it is the shop, the clubs, the food coop, Oasis and ARK, Sunday school, uniformed organisations, Bible study groups, Men’s and Ladies’ groups, school chaplaincy, Sunday services, elders districts [and any I have inadvertently omitted-sorry in advance!], it is a matter of sowing seeds to see fruit in the future.

I heard the title phrase to this article at the weekend.

So how many seeds in an apple? How many apples in a seed? Any person can count the seeds in an apple but only God can count the apples in a seed. When I left the church in 2000, I realised that I had sown seeds in people’s lives through the different groups you asked me to lead. Now being back in 2011, I see fruit from those seeds in people serving, people praising, people living to serve the Living God, whose lives in Christ had only just begun to grow. God is truly faithful. He takes the willingness to share in all of us and produces fruit. We don’t know what fruit will be seen in the next ten years from all we are doing in 2011, but God does, because He is the one who can count the apples in a seed or the living disciples growing from the seeds we sow now.

Junior Moments

A Christmas Message to the 1^st Bonkle Guide Company.

December 2011.

As the Guide elder for Bonkle Kirk Session I would like to wish the Rainbows, Brownies and Guide Company, and their Leaders and their families a very Happy Christmas and an enjoyable New Year.

I take this opportunity to welcome the new girls who have joined us over the past few months and hope that they are enjoying their Friday evenings. I would also like to welcome Gladys Speirs who volunteered to help lead the Brownies. Gladys has worked with other Brownie Packs before her move up to Dura. I hope she will enjoy being with us. The need for leaders is ongoing. The Company is growing and there is always a need for additional leaders. On behalf of the Kirk Session, I would like to thank all our Leaders most sincerely for their Friday evening commitment to the Company. Most of our leaders are working full-time and have homes and families to run.

The first session from September passed so quickly and the New Year is almost here and a new session will start in 2012. We must look forward to new and exciting projects. Enjoy your Christmas break and come back full of enthusiasm in January.

Happy Christmas and an enjoyable new Year to leaders, girls and families of 1^st Bonkle Guide Company

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible - Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the chapter.
Little Rick was excited about the task - but he just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line. On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Ricky was so nervous.
When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, "The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know."

Funerals

27.08.11 Joseph Wilson 2 Tollpark Cres, Newmains CM

04.10.11 Mrs Bue Connor 72 Muirhouse Ave, Newmains

10.10.11 Mrs May Finlayson 96 Braedale Cres, Newmains B

26.10.11 Mrs Katie Rhynds 74 Braedale Cres, Newmains CM

Christmas Services

Reindeer & Herdsman

North Cape, Norway