Welcome

Well the start of the October break has been wet and windy but that won't stop us enjoying all that's going on at Maxwell.
The choir has got off to a great start and we look  forward to hearing them nearer to Christmas.
The entrance areas on both the ground floor and first floor of the halls have been given a makeover - thanks to Jackie and Norman it all looks much more welcoming and cared for.
The CCTV around the outside of the halls is up and running. Hopefully this will deter those who like to graffiti our buildings.
We all have to play a part in keeping Maxwell going so please take a look below and see where we can play a part. 
If you are willing to read the scriptures, at the Sunday service, once in a while, please speak to Norman and he will slot you into the rota.

I really need someone to take over the magazine as I am so busy, and with the Blythswood boxes coming up there may be weeks when there just isn't time for the magazine. Stuart has done a lot of the work making templates for each week and full training would be given.
Please is there someone out there who is willing to take this over?

Another area I am looking for someone to take over, is that of Halls Convenor. It is set up and it involves calculating the monthly invoices sent out at the end of each month. Then checking that the invoice is paid. I have rarely had any calls from people hiring the hall with problems. Mostly communication is done through email. Again full training would be given.

When I took on the magazine, the Halls Convenor and secretarial duties I had NO experience. I didn't just step out of the boat - I jumped!
I have had excellent support from various people but I cannot continue to do it all.

Thanks to all who have supported the various activities and causes mentioned recently. As usual the coffee/tea and flower rotas are indicated below.

Denise 

Session and Board Meeting

The next meeting of the Kirk Session and Congregational Board will be held on this
Wednesday 16 October in the West Room at 7.30pm.

Blythswood Care 

At the end of this month the garage area will be a hive of activity.
Filled shoeboxes will be delivered to us and we will check the contents of each and every one.
This is in reality a customs check and also to make sure nothing is leaking.
Once we are happy all is right we add a bible story book for children up to the age of 12,
a book suitable for teens or a New Testament and calendar for adults plus a compliments slip all in the native language.
The cartons are then taken to the storage unit in Hillington. They are then loaded on to a big lorry ready to travel to the final destination which this year, for our group, is Ukraine.
As with most things "Many hands make light work."

If you are able to spend an hour or two helping check the boxes, that would be marvellous.
We have great fun and it's a great way to get to know each other better.
If you would like any more information please speak to Lesley, Ann B, Helen, Lynnette, Karen or me - apologies if I've left anyone out.

All volunteers will be made very welcome. 
  There is a selection of jams, marmalade ( thanks Janette) and chutneys 
(best left until Christmas for optimum taste) at the back of the church.

If there is a particular flavour that is not available just ask me after the service and I will try to accommodate the request.

Any donations, left in the tub marked Jam, will be used to purchase goods for the boxes.
Denise and Lesley

Christmas Cards

At the back of the Church there is a selection of Christmas cards, raising funds for Blythswood Care, at the bargain price of 1.00GBP per pack. They are designs from previous years.
Some designs are plentiful the others less so. First come first served.

There is a special tub to hold the cash - separate from the jam tub.
Denise

Clothes Recycling Bin 

Just a reminder about the clothes bin in the church car park. 
If you have unwanted/worn out clothes they can benefit church finances.

Place the clothes in a carrier bag, tie it securely and place in the recycling bin.

It is emptied regularly and the church receives a bank transfer quarterly.

If the clothes can be reused they are passed on but even worn out/ torn items have a value.

Charity shops really only use clothes that are in season but the recycling bin takes all clothes at all times.

Denise

Castle Cafe

The next meeting will be held on  

Thursday 17 October 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.

Everyone is welcome so please come along and enjoy the chat and a cuppa

Jackie and Norman

Elders and Board Members Conference -

9.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday, 16th November 2024. 

The purpose of this morning conference is to discuss Maxwell adopting the Unitary Constitution of the Church of Scotland and to discuss and hopefully form working groups that will report to future Kirk Session meetings. 

Refreshments will be served and we promise to be finished by 12.30pm. 
Mike

Flowers

Please find the rota for October below.

FLOWER DONORS
OCTOBER
6th          Margaret Campbell
13th        Myra Scott
20th        Liz Gillis
27th        Heather Russell

Should something crop up you can always change with someone.
Liz Gillis. 

Eastwood Ecumenical Peace and Justice Forum

The Forum has been in existence for 30+ years with members from a range of churches in Eastwood. Recently active membership has been dropping so that we have only 5 or 6 attending our bi-monthly meetings. This letter is an attempt to gauge the extent of support for the Forum.

The areas of discussion and activity of the group have been varied over the years - fair trade, support for asylum seekers, child poverty, ethical investment, response to conflict, waste management and of course climate change issues. The response to these has involved open public meetings, consultation with East Renfrewshire Council and correspondence with MP, MSP and individual companies where appropriate. We have perhaps been recognised most specifically for the hustings held before each Westminster and Holyrood election. These have always been well attended and appreciated by both candidates and public.

In a lot of this we have described ourselves as representing Eastwood churches - an obvious point of potential concern if our numbers do not justify that! So we would be grateful if you could consider whether your church would wish to be associated with the forum and if so whether any member(s) would be prepared to join us.
With many thanks for considering this.

Duncan MacIntyre, Eaglesham Parish Church
John Seenan, St Joseph's Church

PRAYER GROUP 

The prayer group next meets
Thursday 24 October at 7.30 in 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

13 Oct - Alison + Raymond M, Lorna McN
20 Oct - May and Ken W, Jackie and Norman
27 Oct - Lorna McN, Marlene S, Christine L.

A massive thank you for those who've added their name to the Sunday Service, coffee/tea rotation.
This is very much appreciated, as the more helping out, the less frequent we'll be on the rotation....apologies if I've missed anyone out, please just let us know and we'll be happy to add your name.

Going forward, I've assigned names for December and for 2025.

Please would everyone check the rota and should your name be showing against a date that doesn't suit, if you can either arrange a swap or reach out to myself or Lorna and we'll ensure that day has enough cover.

After our Sunday service we all enjoy a coffee/tea and make the most of this time to catch up with each other. The response has been amazing and as the saying goes - "Many hands make light work"

Thank you all once again

Shona L and Lorna McN

Maxwell Pray Now Group Pray Now is a WhatsApp group for Maxwell members

This group sends out occasional requests for prayer. In particular those which might be regarding things more acute or immediate. At present there are 17 of us who, when we receive a request for prayer, stop what we are doing and pray for whatever has been asked.

Are you on the Pray Now WhatsApp Group? If you want to be added to the group to receive prayer news then simply ask me and I 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 me and I will organise for news to be sent out.
Denise

Getting To Church 

Should anyone require a lift to Maxwell Mearns Castle Church or to the Castle Cafe,  please do let us know.
If anyone is willing and able to offer a lift please speak to Norman or Denise or
Please email: office@maxwellmearns.org

Safeguarding – Ensuring a Safe Church for All 

If you suspect or witness harm or abuse, or it is reported to you,
you must immediately report it to one of the Safeguarding Coordinators:

Rev. James Gemmell
email: jgemmell@churchofscotland.org.uk

May Walker
email: safeguarding@maxwellmearns.org