Hi, 
Hope this finds you well.
Perhaps you felt this week flew past. For others it will have crept slowly by. I was struck again at the prayer meeting on Wednesday that the folks at Maxwell, while having much in common, even at the level of living comfortably in Glasgow's southside - are at the same time often in very different "places" in terms of life experience. Some are mourning and grieving this week. Some are enjoying getting back to work, and others having that hope pulled away from them. Some heading into the excitement of University and even that being stymied somewhat by Covid. 
Of course the common factor we all enjoy is being In Christ, and being in His Body the church. As you read the magazine this week it would  be good to pray for the various items you come across. Or perhaps you could use the magazine throughout the week to have as prayer points. 'Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down' (Romans 12:15 Msg)  This doesn't include giving thanks that there are no more 'Ladybird Book of Maxwell' pages - or maybe it does?

Enjoy the mag!

Magazine No.26   (2nd October)

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From the Manse

Dear Congregation,

Many thanks to all who are helping make Sunday morning worship possible for those of us in the church building and for those of us at home. It has been such a team effort with so many stewarding their gifts and resources to glorify God. You have all shared in being a blessing to us!
I am looking forward to leading us worship again this coming Sunday. Why not join us?
Each week we have had a couple of remaining spaces for our fifty places worship. Please ensure you sign up in time. You can use this link below.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maxwell-mearns-castle-church-sunday-morning-worship-tickets-117847381691

My Treatment

As I think you all know I was diagnosed with an aggressive prostate cancer in the summer. I have been on a course of treatment and will add daily radiotherapy from this coming Tuesday (6^th Oct). A number of you have offered to help with driving, which is so kind of you. With the current restrictions in place and increased risks of Covid 19, only Anita will actually be able to accompany me. Thank you for your willingness.
For your interest, I have elected to go to the Beatson in South Lanarkshire (Airdrie). I understood it to be newer, quieter than Anniesland and with a slightly less journey time. I have been only once for a scan and on that occasion it proved to have these qualities.
While I will not benefit from your company and assistance in transport on this occasion, under normal Covid-free circumstances, we do want to continue holding out this valuable ministry of love to any of our congregation who find themselves confronted with the daily grind of radiotherapy treatment and the associated transport required.
I will continue to lead worship and minister at this time and so please feel free to contact me in all the usual ways and for all the usual matters!

Covid And Employment Challenges - Church Officer

Quite a number of you have been financially impacted by the current restrictions on life.
As employers and employees, hard economic decisions are having to be made and I know many of you feel the weight and impact of these. The Board has included a Statement below which notifies us of hard decisions the Board has had to make especially in connection with the role of Church Officer (see below). With all whose livelihoods which are being affected by Covid we certainly want to include Stewart and the family in our ongoing prayers. 
New restrictions also means that we have had to stop the Playgroup again and the staff will now be on the Govt furlough scheme until the end of October.  

Profession of Faith

It was great to be part of a celebration a few weeks ago when six people professed faith and one was baptized. We shall have another profession of faith and baptism on 11^th October. If this is something you have been thinking about yourself and believe is timely for you, please contact me as soon as possible.

Home Groups

We have 5 “house groups” (currently Zoom-Groups) which are resuming this coming Sunday night, Monday lunchtime and the Tuesday night (4^th, 5^th, 6^th October). Over five studies we shall be taken into the life of Elijah.
An additional “house group” (Zoom-Group) has now resumed on Sunday nights and is progressing through The Gospel of Mark.
The normal pattern for meeting will be fortnightly. If you would like to be part of any of these groups please let me know.

With warmest regards and prayers,
In Christ
Scott
 

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At Last...oh!

PLAYGROUP NEWS


We thought “at last”! We had been planning for our reopening since July but were delayed by Government restrictions. We had to implement new cleaning regimes, enhanced hand hygiene procedures, and new drop off and pick up protocol. We were planning on having more outdoor learning and Heather has been busy over lock down making an amazing teepee from branches (see photo). We also have a new mud kitchen in our outdoor play area. Our first eight children did start last Tuesday (29th Sept) and we were so nervous as parents are not allowed into the play area as to whether the children would settle. The Lord answered our prayers and apart from a few tears, returning children and new children were all happy and settled.

We were going to ask that you please

• pray for all our children and their families and that in this uncertain time parents will feel confident leaving their children with us;
• pray for our staff that we will keep healthy and be able to continue with our outreach in our community;
• pray with us thanks that we now have a waiting list! How amazing - as our numbers were quite low before lockdown - another answer to prayer!

We thought “at last”. Now we are thinking, “oh no, not again!” The Scottish Government has changed the rules (again) regarding groups like ours and so we have had to close from Monday 5th – one week after starting! So sad.

Please pray about this outreach into the Mearns Community and that we might be permitted to resume again soon.

Fiona, June, Heather and Gloria

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Statement About Role of Church Officer

The Congregational Board is saddened to announce that it has concluded that the Church cannot continue employing a Church Officer.

As a result of the imminent withdrawal of the Job Retention Scheme, next year’s forecast financial position and changing needs of the church which can be met in a more cost-effective way, the Board has taken the difficult decision to discontinue the role of Church Officer. 

Consequently, Stewart Falconer’s employment is coming to an end as at 31 October 2020, albeit he has been given dispensation to remain in the church-owned flat until 31 March 2021 at the latest.
 
The Board asks for the congregation’s prayer for Stewart, Claire and the boys as they make arrangements for a new job for Stewart and new accommodation.

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