No.138.    20th January

Hi,

Hope this finds you well.

It's a busy magazine again this week - things are certainly picking up in terms of the number of activities across a few different fronts.

Engagements seem to be in vogue and it's been good to hear of a number of young people planning marriages in the next year. Personally, I am getting a quote on a revolving stage at Maxwell where two couples could easily, and perhaps even frictionlessly, have their nuptials all sorted out very straightforwardly. This idea is still to get passed.

Enjoy the Magazine,

MB


 

  Sunday 22nd January 2023

     Rev Scott Kirkland
   Bible passage: Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 4:14-30

 

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From the Manse

It is exciting to begin our new year of life at Maxwell Mearns Castle Church with our Lord. He is with us as we enter 2023. What will He bring to us and through us?! 

I hope to have a few more Sunday mornings in the Book of Isaiah which will bring us to the end of a great book (I feel we have hardly scratched the surface – sorry!)  

Our prayer meeting recommenced on Wednesday with a healthier number in attendance. All are welcome. The prayer meeting is now on a Wednesday evening from 7.15-8.15pm and since the time is shorter we aim to start sharply.
Our Home Groups recommence this Sunday (Monday and Tuesday). Would you like to be part of one? Please contact me. We shall be centring our home-group time on 1st Peter.  

In the next few weeks we shall be involved in three events for Hong Kongers. One is at the manse (23rd), the second at the Baptist church (28th) and the third is potentially a film on our church premises on 11th February (more about this as details become available). 

We are now using an “App” on a mobile phone for translation in church. It is called “Microsoft Translator”. It is free to download. Our Hong Konger visitors can see on their phones the Chinese for every word we are saying through a microphone. (Our AV team are helping make this happen.) Anita confirms that it is over 90% accurate. This can be used for all languages (Hungarian, Ukrainian, even English). You select the language you want on the phone and as we speak (even sing) into the microphones and the selected language pops up on the phone.  A different code is needed each week to access our service. You may have heard us announce the availability of this code on Sunday mornings. We are trying to find a way to make this code accessible and in as unobtrusive way as possible –please be patient with us as we work this through.  
While this App is proving very valuable to our Hong Konger friends, I wonder if it might help those with hearing impairment. Using your mobile phone also, those with hearing impairment can see every word said in English, on their own phone.  If you would like to know more about this App, I am sure Anita Kirkland or Eilidh Hamilton would be happy to speak with you about it. 

On a different matter…We are delighted to have Ian White (singer/song writer) with us on 3rd February. We shall hold a concert in aid of his work with the Inspiration Orchestra (press link to see their website). Ian White says, “The Inspiration Orchestra is a project aimed at enabling disabled people to play beautiful music”.  We look forward to hearing Ian play and sing of the grace of Jesus. Please invite friends and family. Entry is free but donations for the work of the Inspiration Orchestra will be taken on the night. See below for more details. 
Presbytery Plan
Last night (Thursday 19th) three elders and I began further conversations with the congregations of the Mearns/Eaglesham Cluster about the Presbytery Plan. The agreement we have from our previous meetings is that Broom, Newton Mearns and Mearns Kirk become one congregation. Eaglesham and Maxwell Mearns are to remain as separate congregations.  Our meeting last night was called chiefly because the central committee responsible for the Planning process (PMPIG - “The Presbytery Mission Plan Implementation Group”) expressed dissatisfaction with a lack of specificity and objective timescales in our Cluster decisions. There was much frustration expressed last night about their response and their “over-reach”.   
They asked us to be specific about the disposal dates of church buildings (a hugely presumptuous request) and bring more specific missional aims of the Cluster.  
Because Broom, Mearns Kirk and Newton Mearns are to become one new united congregation, when Rev Joe Kavanagh of Mearns Kirk retires this summer, his departure will necessitate a first-step towards this union. (Rev Jim Boag has not made known his retirement date but he may also retire in the coming months or years.) The conversation between the congregations of Broom and Mearns Kirk will therefore have to pick up in pace and importantly include buildings. At some point, Newton Mearns Parish Church will have to join this conversation. It became clear last night that not all share the assumption that the newly formed united congregation would occupy just one suite of buildings at one location.   

In regard to the distribution of ministry posts, after some discussion the matter was departed from because PMPIG were not asking for a decision at this time. However, during the discussion, several suggestions were proposed. MMCC is making a strong case for us retaining one ministry post, Eaglesham also to have one and the newly united congregation to have one also (=3).  

We believe this would be good for at least these reasons; 
We can redraw parish boundaries to make the three congregations more equitable 
The united charge will have significant financial resources (income of about £400k and considerably reduced costs). This will allow additional ministry to be afforded locally (as we currently have at MMCC with our youth worker and children/family worker). 
There will be sizeable eldership assistance released as the three congregations become one.
The Minister of Eaglesham and MMCC will covenant help to the united charge. This proposal was not universally accepted. Alternatives were raised which would be unacceptable to our MMCC Kirk Session. We shall come back to this matter at a later date. 
The meeting closed with these conclusions:  
A decision on which buildings should be retained for the mission of the cluster will be decided by the end of 2023. The implementation of these decisions will be effected by the end of the plan years (2027).  
The union between Broom, Mearns Kirk and Newton Mearns will follow the timing of the retirements of the ministers from Mearns Kirk and Broom and be fully effected by the end of the plan (2027).  The next meeting (no date yet) will be attended by an outside party. This person will assist in assessing the buildings requirement for the Mearns Cluster (and in the shorter term especially, the requirements of the new Broom, Mearns Kirk and Newton Mearns congregation). Our Elders will discuss the detail of last night’s meeting at our next Session in February.  

Warmest regards, 
Scott 

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Hong Kongers Evening

Anita and Scott have offered help to the Baptist Church who are using their premises for a gathering of Hong Kongers from all over Glasgow.
Would you like to come and help? 

It is on Saturday 28th January at Newton Mearns Baptist Church.

Duties will be of general assistance. 
There are two time slots and expecting about 200+ visitors at each.
Slot 1: Arrive: 10:45  - Depart 1pm 
Slot 2: Arrive 12.45 - Depart 3pm (may be a little bit of clear up for those who can stay longer)

You will not be alone there, because beyond this need for general help, Anita and Scott will be there throughout the time and  have already arranged some of our folks to face-paint and "man" a MMCC stall.
If you would like to help, please get in touch with Scott via skirkland@churchofscotland.org.uk

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Eric J. Alexander

Many who knew Mr Alexander were saddened to hear of his passing last week. His influence in the Church in Scotland and to many personally was immense.
David Robertson has written an interesting appreciation of Eric Alexander  - you can read the full article here.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
When the Queen died, I felt that it marked the end of an era for the United Kingdom.  This weekend I heard of the death of a church leader whose passing for me marks the end of an era for the Church in Scotland.  Rev. Eric Alexander was one of the greatest preachers and men of God I have ever known.  He was a ‘prince in Israel’ and we mourn his passing (2 Samuel 2:38).

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Volunteering Opportunity in April

Can you support Glasgow City Mission?
They are looking for a group of volunteers for the week beginning Monday 17 April.  

Please read below and reply to the Maxwell office if you are willing to join us and we will compile a list:
Two volunteers are required each evening Monday to Friday from 6:00pm to 8:30pm.
You will come to the Ground Floor at 20 Crimea St, G2 8PW. You will join the team made up of staff and regular volunteers in running our Evening Drop-in, where we provide a hot and nutritious meal, conversation and community, and whatever help is required. We also facilitate a table discussion around a Bible passage. We are all about giving our guests a taste of Kingdom hospitality, so we are very excited to welcome volunteers from the wider Glasgow ‘church’.  
On arrival you will join our team meeting and be given a role for the evening (e.g., serving food, hosting a table, dishwasher). Coats and bags are locked away in a cupboard, although we advise not bringing any valuable items. Your team leader will tell you everything required of your role

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Home Groups - new session

 

We start a new session of Bible studies at the Home Groups next weekend. (See dates below)

Have you been involved before? - let your group leader know that you will be coming along and make sure you order a study guide.
Not involved? - speak to Scott or an elder and you will be fitted in to a group. 

These are really important times of fellowship and a great way to dig into God's Word with others...you'll find that people ask the same daft question you had, worry about the same verses you don't understand either, and often have the same prayer needs too. Don't miss out.
Sunday 22nd Jan, 5th Feb, 19th Feb, 5th Mar, 19th Mar, 2nd Apr
Monday 23rd Jan, 6th Feb, 20th Feb, 6th Mar, 20th Mar, 3rd Apr
Tuesday 24th Jan, 7th Feb, 21st Feb, 7th Mar, 21st Mar, 4th April. 

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Dear Prayer Partners,
You are invited to spend a special evening at home with Bogi Kozma, our missionary in Budapest...

Take the opportunity to join Bogi in her home via Zoom for a first-hand, personal insight into her mission work and all that is going on in the lives of the Jewish people she is reaching. 
There will be time to interact with Bogi, as well as the opportunity for questions and answers about the gospel work she is engaged with among Budapest's thriving Jewish community. There will also be time to pray together for Bogi's ministry and her Jewish contacts.   

We would love to see you there! Please invite your friends, family, church members - and anyone else who may be interested - to join you.
Date: Monday 6th February 2023 from 8-9pm UK time (waiting room will be open from 7.50pm)
How to join: Register here and Zoom meeting details will be sent a week prior to the meeting
If you have any questions or need any further information, please contact us at info@imjp.org or on 01865 887830

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Wednesdays: 7.15 - 8.15pm

DATE FOR THE DIARY - 1ST FEBRUARY
We have a special visit from Catherine who ministers amongst the Muslim communities in Spain with UFM ( Unevangelised Fields Mission)- always a fascinating and deeply impressive ministry to hear about and pray for.
Come along if you possibly can.

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If you want to be added to the group to receive prayer news then simply ask Margaret and she will add your number to the list.

If you have a matter that you would like to be prayed about in this way, you can contact Margaret Boyd or Scott and they will organise for news to be sent out.

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Ladybird Book of Maxwell

   

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Car Parking

Can you help?
If you are able, please can you to start using the school car park again as we did pre-lockdown?
Numbers attending services are encouragingly high and it would be really helpful if those that are able could leave spaces in the main car park for those who have greater need.