SUMMARY OF THE MINUTES OF THE VESTRY MEETING HELD ON
9 DECEMBER 2011
SUMMARY OF THE MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING HELD ON SUNDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2011
Summary of minutes of annual congregational meeting 6.11.2011
SUNDAY 18 DECEMBER – ADVENT 4
THURSDAY 12 DECEMBER
SATURDAY 3 DECEMBER: Canon David Main hosted a Coffee Morning with stalls and a raffle to raise money towards the work of the worldwide Anglican missionary society, USPG.
SUNDAY 27 NOVEMBER: a candle-lit St Ninian’s for a Service of Hymns and Readings for Advent
SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER: Another Farewell! David and Theo Steward are about to move south to be nearer family in Sussex and Kent – another couple who will be sadly missed, as David has been involved with the church in many ways during his years in the area, as Lay Representative to General Synod, Vestry member, Child Protection Officer and more….
SUNDAY 6 NOVEMBER: FAREWELL TO ANITA RAMSAY, who is moving to the Portpatrick area. Anita was presented with a framed photo of St Ninian’s as a memento of her time here. In response, Anita thanked everyone for always making her feel so welcome and ‘like part of the family’.
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION TOOK PLACE ON SUNDAY 6 NOVEMBER IN THE HALL AND WAS WELL-ATTENDED BY MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION.
ON SUNDAY 30 OCTOBER at 6.30pm, to mark the 400th anniversary of the Authorised Version of the King James Bible, there was a reading of the entire Gospel of St Mark in the Hall. In the words of the Rector, “It was perhaps the most powerful moment of the year: the audience was spellbound for two hours, as eighteen voices from six Congregations told the story of Jesus.” The evening was rounded off with delicious refreshments provided by Alison.
- Some of the beautiful floral decorations on display for the Harvest Festival on 2nd October 2011
The children of the Sunday School (and their teddy bears!) gave a short presentation based on the story of Goldilocks, telling how many children around the world either have no porridge (or other food) and promoting a fund-raising Teddy Bears’ Picnic for Christian Aid and Mary’s Meals which the Little Fishes group will be holding on Saturday 29th October.
Click on the link below to read a summary of the Minutes of the Vestry Meeting held on 26 August 2011:
On TUESDAY 20th SEPTEMBER 2011 at 7.30pm at St Ninian’s, the Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway, the Rt Revd Dr Gregor Duncan gave a lecture entitled: “FAITH AND HUMAN FLOURISHING – an exploration of human potential in the light of Christian faith”. The lecture was well-attended by many from Gatehouse, Kirkcudbright and Dalbeattie, as well as from Castle Douglas, and it provoked plenty of discussion. The full lecture can be read at: http://md.glasgow.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Faith-and-Human-Flourishing.pdf
SILVER WEDDING CELEBRATIONS
David and Alison invited the whole congregation to the Rectory on Saturday 10th September, to celebrate their Silver Wedding. It was a case of ‘open house’ from 10am until 4pm, refreshments being provided throughout the day. Coffee, tea and scones and all sorts of delicious traybakes were served, all prepared by Alison, who must have worked all week to provide such an array of goodies. Those who arrived at lunch time were offered soup, probably prepared by David who is quite skilled at soup making for MU meetings!
There was a constant stream of visitors and well-wishers all day long and everyone enjoyed the occasion to the full. One of the highlights was the opportunity to meet Andrew who mixed so easily with all the guests, most of whom had not seen him since he was a schoolboy and now they saw his metamorphosis to a mature, fine young man.
I think that I speak for everyone when I congratulate Alison and David and tell them how much we appreciated all their efforts to afford us the opportunity to share in their happy day. May they enjoy many more happy years together!
Jessie Lockhart
SEPTEMBER 2011: THIS YEAR THE SUNDAY SCHOOL WILL ONCE MORE BE COLLECTING TOYS ETC FOR SAMARITAN’S PURSE ‘OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD’. For further information, see the Sunday School page
MONDAY 22 AUGUST: A very moving and joyful Service of Confirmation with Sung Eucharist was held at St Ninian’s, the four candidates being Mrs Audrey Pointon, sisters Beth and Katie MacQuarrie and Ellie Stevens. Mrs Helen Keith was also officially received into the Episcopal Church. The Bishop, the Rt Revd Dr Gregor Duncan officiated and celebrated. Following the Service, refreshments were served in the Hall.
ANDREW STEWART’S 2011 LONDON TO PARIS BIKE RIDE IN AID OF CHRISTIAN AID
We were on our bikes, along with the 60 other participants, by 7.00am on Wednesday 20 July, from Bexley heading for Dover, 67 miles away. If anybody tells you it is flat between London and Paris, it may be appropriate to suggest they try it by bike. In all we climbed over 4,000 feet, but fortunately our training paid off and we all arrived at the ferry port in ample time for the early evening Channel crossing.
Our night in a motel in Calais was uneventful and we set off on the second day with our destination Arras, 78 miles away, firmly in our minds. Each morning we were given a brief on the work of Christian Aid throughout the world and how we were helping to say, ‘On your bike’ to poverty; this, together with the kindness and generosity of all my sponsors, was a great encouragement throughout. On Day 3, we cycled the 73 miles to Compiegne, which included travelling through the moving scenes of the Battle of the Somme, with the numerous war cemeteries scattered along the route.
One would have expected the fourth and final day, from Compiegne to Paris, a mere 66 miles, to be the easiest. However we were in for a shock. Within the space of three hours we experienced torrential rain, a strong headwind and, as we cycled under hundreds of pylons (the main power supply route for Paris) amidst thunder and lightning, we can safely report that this was no jolly; indeed even a bit intimidating to be amongst those exposed areas in such conditions. What a blessing to arrive safely in Paris and, as our group cycled up the Champs-Elysees and around the Arc de Triomphe to the finish overlooking the Eiffel Tower, there was a tremendous sense of relief and achievement.
On Sunday 24 July, Ben Sargent (Curate at St James’, Emsworth) led a team to attend a lovely service at the English speaking church near the British Embassy, our route being somewhat disrupted due to the Tour de France finishing that afternoon. In the evening, following a bomb scare at Gare du Nord, we returned via the slightly faster Eurostar, where the comfortable seats were very much appreciated!
Thanks to everybody’s prayers, support and generosity, funds are still being collected and donated but, as this goes to print, I can safely report that I have raised over £1,500 for this very good cause – THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.
If anyone would like to join me for the 2012 event (18-22 July) then I would be delighted to provide further information and advice via my father, Alan Stewart.
Andrew Stewart
SUNDAY 3 JULY 2011
Mrs Anne Scott and husband Brian are moving to the Sheffield area to be closer to family and grandchildren. Anne has acted as cleaner of St Ninian’s Church, and of the Hall ever since it opened some ten years ago. The Rector thanked her for her devoted care and said that during that time she had gone largely ‘unnoticed and unthanked’ but that she had done a wonderful job in caring for both Church and Hall and she would be very much missed.
- Our occasional organist, Marian George and husband Nigel are moving away from the area – we wish them well.
THE REGIONAL GROWTH STRATEGY LAUNCH SERVICE was held here on Monday 6th June at 7.00pm with ‘Bring and Share’ refreshments in the Hall after the Service. Bishop Gregor once again celebrated and preached. All 14 congregations from the Region were represented and St Ninian’s was cosily packed with 150 people! Read Ministry Development Officer Revd Dr Anne Tomlinson’s description on her website – “Galloway goes for growth … in a big way!” – http://md.glasgow.anglican.org/
THE GALLOWAY REGIONAL ASCENSION DAY EUCHARIST was held at St Ninian’s on Thursday 2nd June at 7.00pm. The Preacher and Celebrant was the Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway, the Rt Revd Dr Gregor Duncan. The Service was attended by approximately 50 people from across the entire region.
Click on the link below to read a summary of the Minutes of the Vestry Meeting held on 27 May 2011
TUESDAY 24 MAY: MOTHERS’ UNION MUSICAL AFTERNOON
When the Mothers’ Union decided to host an afternoon of music by Rodgers and Hammerstein, with invited guests, it proved to be a great success – more photos on the Mothers’ Union page, under Activities.
SUNDAY 24 APRIL – EASTER DAY
It was standing room only at the 11.00am Easter Eucharist – partly due to large numbers of visitors and also for a Baptism. The Ingall family presented a beautiful Paschal Candlestick to the Church in memory of the late Simon Ingall, former Treasurer at St Ninian’s.
SUNDAY 17 APRIL: The Rector showed the designs he had received from Nicky Taylor for two new stained glass windows to replace the plain glass windows on either side of the Sanctuary. They represent St Kentigern, for Glasgow, and St Ninian, for Galloway and are being donated by two different people in memory of loved ones. Members of the congregation were asked to look at them and pass on their views to the Rector. (They are currently at the beginning of the Canon 35 consultation period.)
ON SATURDAY 16 APRIL AT 12 NOON: A CHRISM MASS for the south of the Diocese was held at St Ninian’s, led by Bishop Gregor and followed by a light lunch in the Hall.
An excellent series of SIX LENT STUDIES was held in the Hall, led by the Rector and taking the form of “Six Reflections on Sister Louise’s Cross: the boat; the wild goose; the chalice; the dove; the flower; the cross.”
THE BISHOP’S LENT APPEAL 2011 is in aid of Mercy Ships, an international Christian charity that provides free medical and humanitarian care to some of the world’s poorest people. There will be a collecting plate at the back of the Church on Sundays through Lent.
SUNDAY 20 FEBRUARY: Mrs Sylvia Elliott presented to St Ninian’s a Bible (NRSV) for use by people visiting the Church.
SUNDAY 13 FEBRUARY: Steven invited the congregation to a splendid buffet lunch in order to celebrate Ian Mather’s 65th birthday. Following lunch, we were entertained by a piano accordion and then by the team of Scottish Country Dancers from Kirkcudbright – when everyone was invited to take part!
Click on the link below to read a summary of the Minutes of the Vestry Meeting held on 21 January 2011