Week beginning: Sunday 11th October 2020

 

 

                                                            NEWSLETTER

 

 

Dear friends,

 

As we look out at the changing colours of the trees it is incredible to think that Autumn is upon us already.  We lament all the things we have missed doing together in the spring and summer. Messy Church, the Church outing, the Summer Fayre to name just a few.

 

Although we are thankful that the church services have resumed on a Sunday morning, no-one can pretend that we have the full worship experience yet.  We are grateful to Douglas and Kirsteen for leading the services and for providing the technology so that others can view it online.  Singing with live music is missed and we thank Andrew and Elizabeth MacLaren for playing the keyboard during the prayer times.

 

The Kirk Session met on line on Tuesday and have agreed to continue with this format for the time being.

 

They also discussed our annual Harvest Thanksgiving Service.

It was decided that the service will take place next Sunday, 18th October.

This year, because of the restrictions, it was decided that we will not ask for any harvest goods to be brought in but rather we should restrict ourselves to asking for monetary donations.

Next Sunday, in addition to uplifting our weekly Tithes and Offerings, we will also uplift a Harvest Collection in which we will be invited to give to four charities: Christian Aid (Autumn Appeal), Lodging House Mission, Glasgow City Mission and Glasgow South West Foodbank. The collection will be divided equally between these four charities.

If you are unable to attend church and would like to contribute to the Harvest Collection please contact Douglas Nicol and he will arrange to collect it from you.

 

 

Another worthy cause that the Kirk Session agreed to is to support Kunri Christian Hospital in Hyderabad, Pakistan.

 

Since 2017 the Presbytery of Glasgow has been twinned with the Diocese of Hyderabad which is part of the United Church of Pakistan.

 

Christians in Pakistan are very much a minority and practice their faith in very difficult situations. They are frequently discriminated against and subjected to violence. Despite all these difficulties the Diocese continues to publically serve others, particularly the poorest in the wider community by supporting schools, community hospitals and planting churches in the tribal areas.

 

 

Run by the Diocese, Kunri Christian Hospital is situated in Kunri town on the edge of a semi-desert area, where there is a lack of safe water and the land is unfit for crops. The hospital was founded in 1962 with just one midwife and a vaccination programme but has grown to 40 staff and a 24 hour service. They provide a wide range of medical services and clinics and pride themselves on offering good quality care without discriminating against any caste or religion.
On Friday 7th August a pregnant patient in the hospital died during childbirth. Her family gathered a mob of 300 who attacked the hospital, vandalising the premises and assaulting staff. They also lodged a complaint with police which resulted in Hospital Administrator Mr Khurrum Naveed and his wife, Medical Superintendent Dr Fouzia Naveed being arrested and detained overnight. They were released the following day, but a criminal case against Dr Fouzia Naveed is still pending.

Attacks of this nature are described by our partners as “a very negative trend … which is growing day by day”. The local administrative leadership in Kunri offered their full support to resolve the matter and effect a reconciliation. Although ill-treated, the dedicated staff were able to resume duties and reopen the hospital.

Although the Church of Scotland Faith Impact Forum give regular grants to the hospital and Presbytery can only help in a very limited way, our prayers and encouragement are valued. As a gesture of the Presbytery’s solidarity with the Diocese and the hospital staff and an expression of our appreciation of their work, the Presbytery is asking congregations to make a suggested contribution of £20 toward a gift to the hospital.

 

So this is what we have duly done. A donation of £20 has been sent on behalf of our parish church to the Presbytery to pass on to Kunri Christian Hospital.

 

 

Again, we take the time to mark the times of celebration in the lives of our church family members.

Congratulations to Pamela Caskie who celebrated her birthday on Wednesday, 7th October; and to Pamela Sinclair who celebrated her 37th birthday also on Wednesday, 7th October. Many Happy Returns to each of you!

 

As ever, if you have any worries or concerns, prayer requests or indeed good news to pass on, please do not hesitate to contact one of the ministry team...details below.

 

 

MINISTER: Rev Douglas Nicol, 36 Springkell Drive, GLASGOW G41 4EZ

0141 427 7877   Email: DNicol@churchofscotland.org.uk

PART-TIME PARISH ASSISTANT: Kirsteen Marshall

07720 625 789  Email: KMarshall@churchofscotland.org.uk

PART-TIME children and Families Worker: Naomi Sutton  

07486 563 779  Email: NSutton@churchofscotland.org.uk