Audio / Visual Help 
We are still looking for volunteers to help with the AV in the balcony.
I will be typing out a new rota for Sept and Oct, so please think about joining for the new rota starting in Nov/Dec.
Full training will be given.
When holidays or illness strikes unexpectedly that's when we realise that we are definitely under manned. It’s really just for cover in emergencies.
Isobel
Service Song Words
A few folks have advised us that they are having difficulty seeing the words for the songs that appear on the screen during the services. The AV team are listening and will take the following action:
1: Words will now be White on Black only (no background images)
2: Words will be as large as possible, but this is limited by the length of the lines in the song. Where necessary, the line will be wrapped to 2 lines so that the text can be made bigger.
3: Verses will be split over two pages if required to keep the largest text
4: There is a limit to how big the text can be made and still be sensible to follow for most people.
If, regardless of the changes we will make above, you still find difficulty reading the words, then we can provide large print paper copies of the words. To do this, there are 2 options:
1: Print your own copy (we will email you the words)
2: We provide you with a printed copyIf you want to print your own copy, you can set the text size that works for you. In order to save paper, we will only make printouts available to those that request a large print copy of the words.
Please send an email to office@maxwellmearns.org with the subject "Large Print Words" and state whether you want a copy of the words sent to you, or a printout to be collected at the church on Sunday morning.
Stuart
Blythswood Care 
Next month we will begin checking shoeboxes from all over our area.
Yes it's that time again!
We don't have an exact date for starting but it's usually after the October half term / last week of October.
Thank you for the donations that have been left at the back of the church. Many of these are already in boxes awaiting collection.
This year the shoeboxes we have made up and those we check will be going to Ukraine where there is a great need.
We are often asked what is needed and the items that are in short supply change depending on what we get in. We always need shampoo/ shower gel and deodorant. Each box has a pack of sweets but there are restrictions for these. We are unable to send chocolate and packs of sweets must be dated March 2025 or later.
The beautiful knitted scarves, hats and gloves that have been donated have been much admired - thank you to those who made these.
At the back of the church there are jars of homemade jam and rhubarb and date chutney - there are some new flavour combinations of jam.
If you would like to try a pot or take one to pass on, please just leave a donation in the plastic container. All funds are used to buy items for the shoeboxes.
Thank you
Denise and Lesley
Castle Cafe 
The next meeting will be held on
Thursday 26 September at 2.00 pm. in the West Room.
It's a great way to get to know members of our Church family and to strengthen relationships.
We will also be entertained by Ken W.
Everyone is welcome so please come along and enjoy the chat and a cuppa
Jackie and Norman
Prayer Group 
The prayer group next meets on
Thursday 26 September at 7.30 pm. in the West Room and all are welcome.
You may pray aloud or in silence.
"Where two or three gather in my name there am I with them" Matthew 18:20
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place."
Norman
Tea and Coffee Rota 
22 Sept - Dave McL. Myra S. Margaret C.
29 Sept - Lorna McN. Craig G.
Many thanks to those of you who answered the call recently and filled in the rota.
Don't worry if you missed that opportunity because you can still fill in any spaces again on any Sunday.
Now we’re all refreshed from summer breaks, we would love to welcome/see new names added, as well as the ones already on the list, please pop your name down against dates (dates on A4 paper at tea/coffee tables) anyone can commit to help out on Sundays, the more we have volunteering the longer the rotation will be.
Always remember, should something crop up, we can arrange swaps or I’m sure someone will be happy to do it for you.
To everyone who has helped out, we are extremely grateful, as we all know the tea and coffee after the service is very much enjoyed by all.
If the rota is filled up it makes it so much easier both for those organising the rota and for the reminders in the magazine.
We are really trying to become greener so thank you to the people bring their own cups/mugs.
Thank you
Shona L and Lorna McN