june 08b

"The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve."

Albert Schweitzer

This letter is very important!

In the days before the June Communion service, EVERY member on the Communion Roll of Holytown Church should receive a letter from the Kirk Session. Most of you will have had this already.

The letter says that we are trying to get an accurate congregational roll and asks you to choose one of three boxes to 'tick'. The first box is to be ticked if you wish to remain on the roll. The second box is for those who wish their names added to a Supplementary Roll (ie who no longer participate in the life of the congregation). The third box is for those who wish a certificate transferring their membership to another congregation.

The letter is going to everyone because we believe that is the fairest thing to do. 'Everyone' means exactly that! All members of the Kirk Session and the Congregational Board and all office bearers will receive the same letter, asking the same question. This means that everyone whose name is on the roll of the church and for whom we have an accurate address is invited to respond to the question that is asked.

Those for whom the church is important will obviously choose to remain on the roll, and those for whom it is not may choose to have their names added to a Supplementary Roll or to be given a certificate of membership. It is also important to realise that the names of those who do not respond to the letter will be added to the Supplementary Roll.

All of this is, of course, made very clear on the letter itself, but the Kirk Session felt it would be helpful to use the Magazine to explain a bit more of what we are trying to do. We sincerely hope that no one will feel anxious about this letter but use it as an opportunity to tell the Kirk Session what you want to do. If you have any questions or anxieties about this at all please contact the minister, lain Goringor the Session Clerk, Stewart McNeil. We look forward to getting your response - by 30th June!

Opening of Hall

Further intimation concerning the time will be announced in the Church. The Rev Derek Hughes, the Moderator of the Presbytery of Hamilton, will officially open the Hall on Friday 20th June.

Spring Fayre

Thanks to everyone who made the Fayre the success it was - Rev lain Goring, Mrs Johnson, the committee, the treasurers, the stall holders and all who helped on the stalls, David Paterson, Glen Baillie, all who gave donations of goods to the stalls and all who came and bought the goods.

A big thank you to all. The sum raised was £2,387.80.

Many thanks

John Gillan who recently celebrated his 90th birthday would like to thank everyone for the cards, flowers and gifts he received. He was thrilled to be remembered by so many on this very special occasion.

Mission Aviation Fellowship

Some of you may recall that Mr and Mrs Munro whose son was training to be an engineer on the planes flown by Mission Aviation Fellowship visited us a while ago. Their son, Alasdair has now completed his training and together with his wife, Cassandra, is now in Kenya. He is part of a multinational engineering team working in Nairobi. We wish them much satisfaction in their new location.

Funerals

Jesus said, "I am the Resurrection and the Life".

April 27th - Mrs Helen Paterson
May 8 - Mr Tommy Ross

Church magazine

May we remind you that there will be no magazine in July or August. All contributions for the September issue will be due on or before Sunday 31st August.