St Andrews Kirk

Helen Caldwell

Melville — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:52:05 +0000

On a recent trip to Bath, two places we visited made a far reaching impression on us.

The queues for the Roman Baths were lengthy (and became worse as the day progressed!) and so we crossed over and went into the Abbey, which is actually the parish church.

There has been a Christian presence in Bath since around 300AD, and a convent was founded in 676AD, with the first Cathedral being founded in the 1090s. What a tremendous heritage and continuous presence in the same place.

However, we were very privileged to view a series of artworks, 35 in total, known as Diptychs, purchased by the Abbey. http://www.bathabbey.org/whats-on/events/bath-abbey-diptychs

They are the work of an artist by the name of Sue Symons, comprising a set of needlework tapestries and calligraphy- her interpretation of 35 episodes in the life of Christ, from the Annunciation to the Ascension. The painstaking calligraphy illustrates each Bible verse- very similar to the work done by Monks in the past, to illustrate Bibles. She then produced a tapestry to give her interpretation of the same verse. Her expectation at the start, was that it would take her 3 years to complete- in the end she took just one year- 3,000 hours of work,-which she was enabled to complete, because her husband took on the role of “chief cook and bottle washer” for the year.

Our second experience was a visit to Stonehenge, a place we had only ever seen in the distance.

We had never appreciated how awesome it is up close and more so, when we realised that 1/3 of the height of the stones was buried underground. How did the stonemasons erect such an edifice, with none of the machinery, we take for granted. How did the ancients know where to place the stones, so that the sun shone exactly in the right place, at the right time of year?

The effect on us, of both our visits was quite overwhelming and an indication if ever we need one, of the power of God and his Christ from then till now.

Kate Clark

Melville — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 04:31:25 +0000

It was sitting at the side of the house when I saw it for the first time as I turned the corner and came down the drive. ‘Oh no he’s got visitor!’ I thought, and then I remembered. It’s very dark blue, I looked it up and it’s called Ming Blue Pearl, which would be about right for a soft top Audi 4, just my colour too. ‘Where will you go in it’ I asked. Looking at me incredulously he said, ‘There are lots of places I need to go’. I’m not sure if I really wanted to know or whether I was just planning to be out of his way when he did take to the road. He will be 94 next week and this is his new toy. His birthday celebrations will perhaps coincide with his granddaughter reaching the top of Kilimanjaro.

Two other nonagenarians are in the news this week, both very significant people for different reasons, both in hospital and hopefully on the road to recovery. I don’t know how old Nelson Mandela was when he said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” For these men I don’t believe they think anything is impossible and it is their optimism which has kept them going for so long. I’m sure Prince Philip has many noteworthy quotes but perhaps not for this page.

Those amongst us who are waiting impatiently and shaking our heads in a pessimistic sort of way about our new halls might like to take a little bit of inspiration from these old men.

I found this amongst Mandela’s quotes

“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.”

But I think on this occasion we should ignore it, especially Ruth.

Kirstie Brown

Melville — Wed, 29 May 2013 02:00:23 +0000

With nearly two years in, there are still a lot of things about our church that I don’t like. But when I look at those things, they’re not really important. What matters is not the style of worship, but that we worship God from our hearts. And herein lies another problem: do we? When I look at my own heart there is a lot of hypocrisy in it. I am as bad as the Pharisees who cleaned the outside of the bowls, but not the inside. So as we look at our church and see that it is not ideal for any of us, let’s ask ourselves what we are really there for – us or God?

Lord, help me to worship You in Spirit and in Truth, putting you always first, others second and myself last.

Amen

James Milne

Melville — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:42:40 +0000

As we all know, God created our earth and it is up to us to do everything in our power to safeguard it. Every little action soon adds up to a meaningful large action when we all try to do something. We do have an Eco Award which came to St Andrew’s Kirk from St Columba and we are fully registered as st Andrew’s Kirk. Now we have to continue our good work and make our second award a reality. This is a little complicated by the new build which is taking place, but we shall continue to work as a congregation to carry out the actions which we need to so that our example will spur others to ” do their thing” for the planet and our community.

The church is a member of the Helensburgh and Lomond Eco Churches Network, linking with most of the churches in the area, and our last meeting was held at the Gartocharn home of Mary Sweetland. This home has been designed and built as an Eco house, using eco materials, heating and every device to reduce its carbon footprint. It is a beautiful, light and friendly house, mostly wood and recycled materials, and the garden is being made a veg and fruit production centre. This is one end of the eco life but there are many other ways we can and should all be striving towards.

We have done our annual beach clean and our network coffee morning is on the morning of the 8th June. So far all the local schools have been invited to attend and to compete for our eco shield. This will be the third year of competition.!

We are doing our bit but more is needed. We are all responsible for our planet and every one of us who try to be effective will have an effect.

Let us all thank God for His creation and ensure that we will be as eco friendly as we can be.

Elizabeth Lambert

Melville — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:21:53 +0000

There has been much debate over the legacy of Mrs Thatcher and whether is it good or bad.

In the same week at St Andrew’s we reflected on the loss of one of our senior statesmen, Colin Paterson, who’s legacy lies not only in the hearts of those who knew and loved him but also out on the water of Loch Lomond, in the shape of the Maid of the Loch.

What will be our legacy? We will never know, but instead we can live each day doing the best we can.

Do all the good that you can, in all the places you can, in all the ways that you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, for as long as you can.

~John Wesley