The newsletter of the Presbytery of Hamilton
No 8 February 2003
Editor: Rev Les Thorne, Hatherleigh, 9 Chatton Walk,
Coatbridge ML5 4FH (01236 432 241)
e-mail: les.thorne@presbyteryofhamilton.co.uk
to whom all contributions should be sent two weeks before presbytery next meets
Events move quickly in the modern world, and by the time you
read this, the British and American governments may be even closer to war with
Iraq; indeed it may have become inevitable.
The situation has been compared, with some justification, to
the situation in 1939. Then, too, there were voices raised against a war; then,
too, there were many countries which were unwilling to become involved. Then,
too, the view was held that if we had not appeased the Nazi government, war
might have been avoided. Subsequent history proved that it was right to declare
war on Germany; whether or not a stronger line would have avoided war is
unproven.
All we can say is that subsequent events justified what was done. But at the time,
the position was not so clear cut.
It is the same today. There are different interpretations of
the actions of the Iraqi government; different views as to the validity of the
findings of the UN inspectors. Only history will judge whether or not actions
taken today will have been right.
Considering the nature of weaponry which could be used, the consequences
could be disastrous, not just for our generation, but for those unborn. Let us
pray, wholeheartedly, that the right decisions are taken.
Dear Sir,
The Presbyter newsletter of December 2002, in
my opinion, requires some answers and explanations, to its editorial, and to
the letter from J Dickson.
I feel the Editor should be totally neutral, or equally give
vent to both sides in this contentious Review. The tone of the Editorial was
one of ‘If you don’t agree with me, you’re wrong’, and that’s definitely not
what the debate is about.
Possibly if the Review Committee (all its members) had put a
little more thought into their deliberations, and maybe been less
confrontational, there might have been less time wasted on debate, and more on
the substance. In industry we had a saying ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t mend it.’
But again, maybe that’s contentious too?
Presbytery is surely healthier with discussion, than ‘It’s
my ba’, and I’ll pick the team’.
J D Park,
Additional Elder, Hamilton West
(I am happy to give space to differing views, if they are submitted. It may be, David, that we are closer than you think. My point was simply that Presbytery seemed unable to manage change; I was not commenting on the Review Committee’s proposals as such. - Editor.)
From ‘The Cornerstone’ magazine
We had quite a weekend, the 5th-6th October! A weekend full
of fun and fellowship to celebrate the 125 years that have been, and to launch
us into the next.
Fifty plus children enjoyed the Saturday afternoon Victorian
games, though some found it difficult to get a shot of the whips and peeries
and the girds and cleeks for the adults, who were “showing them how to do it”.
After all the running about, a jeely piece and a drink of lemonade went down
well before over 100 folk enjoyed “The Storyteller”, performed by Practical
Magic. Our thanks to Elizabeth Davidson and the group for rounding off a
fabulous afternoon.
It was the turn of the adults to leap about on Saturday
evening during the ceilidh. Sadly, a number of regular ceilidh goers couldn’t
be with us, but the floor remained respectably full for most of the night. An
innovation was bringing your own supper. Mr Barrie can tell you what each table
had - he came round and gave us all marks out of ten for content and
presentation.
On Sunday the celebrations of course took the form of a
service of thanksgiving with the Moderator, Rt Rev Dr Finlay A J Macdonald,
preaching. The singing and music were marvellous and the fellowship with our
neighbouring churches warm. The lunch that followed allowed everyone a chance
to meet the Moderator and share the atmosphere of the weekend.
A presentation of an inscribed quaich was made to Dr
Macdonald and flowers were given to Mrs Macdonald. The birthday cake was then
cut by Mrs Barrie and Mrs Macdonald.
As it was Mr Barrie’s 60th birthday two days later, the
officebearers presented him with a caricature of himself and a birthday
dumpling, while the Sunday Schools gave him three giant cards they had designed
themselves.
The Social Committee would like to thank all those
whose many hands made light work of the
weekend’s events. It was a very special weekend for all.
This month, here are a couple of original recipes,from the
kitchen of yours truly.
WINTER SOUP
This is a very substantial soup. BE WARNED: it will stick to
your ribs, and almost everything it comes in contact with!
One large leek, trimmed and cleaned.
One medium potato
Two medium carrots
80g (3 oz) lentils
80g (3 oz) rice
2.75 litres (1½ pts) ham stock (use stock cubes) made
up to 3.5 litres (2 pts) with hot water.
Cook rice separately.
Chop up leek, dice potato and slice carrots
Add all ingredients to stock, bring to boil and simmer for
about 1 hr.
You may find that the soup goes solid and sticks to the pot.
If so, add more liquid while simmering.
Put in blender briefly to reduce carrot, leek and potato to
same consistency as lentils and rice.
Add seasoning to taste, if desired, reheat and serve.
If you don’t want to
use a blender, then grate carrots and
potato coarsely, and chop leek very finely.
FISH CARNBROE
(Quantities are per person)
This ends up looking quite exotic, but is really simple. You
could substitute ready flavoured rice, if you want to be lazy.
Piece of cod, haddock or whiting.
50 g (1½ oz) peeled and cooked prawns.
80g (3 oz) Basmati rice.
125g (5 oz) sliced frozen peppers
80g (3 oz) frozen peas
Turmeric
Olive oil for cooking.
Set rice to cook for 12 minutes in salted water.
Using a large frying pan or wok, cook fish and prawns gently
in olive oil.
After 2/3 minutes, add more oil, peppers and peas. Stir from
time to time.
When rice is ready,
drain and add enough turmeric to give it a golden glow, mixing thoroughly with
a fork until it is evenly coloured.
Flake fish and mix with vegetables and prawns.
Serve as a ring of rice on the plate with fish and
vegetables mixture in the centre.
Any other aspiring
cordon bleu cooks, this space is yours, too!
How good it is that God above has never gone on strike
Because He was not treated fairly in things He didn’t like:
If only once He had sat down and said ‘That’s it! I’m
through;
I’ve had enough of those on earth, so this is what I’ll do -
I’ll give my orders to the sun - cut off the heat supply
And to the moon, give no more light, and run the oceans dry.
Then just to make things really tough and put the pressure
on,
Turn off the vital oxygen till every breath is gone”.
You know he would be justified, if fairness was the game,
For no-one has been more abused or met with such disdain,
Than God and yet he carries on, supplying you and me
With all the favours of His grace and everything for free!
Men say they want a better deal and so on strike they go;
But what a deal we’ve given God, to whom all things we owe.
We don’t care who we hurt or harm to gain the things WE
like,
BUT - what a mess we’d all be in if God should go on strike.
Missionary Partner Roddy Campbell will be in the Presbytery
from 14th to 24th February. If he is the Missionary Partner of your congregation,
and you would like to arrange for him to visit or speak to any meeting or
organisation, please contact Rev Klaus Buwert, 01698 372 356.
It is also hoped that Presbytery will be in a position to
appoint a Faithshare Partner, and there will be more news of this in the next
issue of The Presbyter.
Following on from the recent World Mission Conference,
thought is being given to organising local area conferences in various parts of
Presbytery, as well as having another similar event next year.
Remember, you read it first in The Presbyter!
We have again received more lively and interesting
congregational magazines.
A new addition to the ones we receive regularly (and for which sincere thanks are offered), are those from Hamilton Cadzow and Airdrie Broomknoll.
They both show lively congregations and active organisations
(see the item about Cadzow’s 125th anniversary), and editors who do take their
task seriously, in the high standard of presentation.
An interesting slant on fund raising is shown by Broomknoll,
in their efforts to have their organ refurbished. They have an ‘Adopt an organ
pipe’ scheme, whereby members and well wishers can make donations for a
particular part of the organ, or in the name of someone important to them, and
have it recognised in a commemorative book.
There must be many congregations who have found or adopted
imaginative ways of fund raising for particular or general purposes. Why not
share yours, through the pages of
The Presbyter?
Also received were some Christmas issues of congregational
magazines which, sadly, it was not possible to review in the December issue.
They too, show that the Incarnation is commemorated and marked by special
services and events - a useful and valuable antidote to the commercialisation
and greed
with which it is celebrated in the wider world.
forthcoming courses –
Christian Life and Work
20 Feb-13 March
Caring (incl. dementia issues)
19 Feb-12 March
full details/registration
David Geddes (01355 235 998)
geddes@the holdings.freeserve.co.uk
Use The Presbyter to publicise your
activities, conferences and events
Copy accepted in any form - disc, hard, plain text or fully
typeset. Please send it to the Editor, with instructions regarding issues
required. Normally TWO insertions will be made, if sufficient notice is given.
Use The Presbyter in addition to other
methods, or on its own. It is here to serve YOU!
The following courses have been arranged for the coming
session –
11 Feb, 7 pm New Wellwynd, Airdrie
20 Feb, 7 30pm St Ninian's ,Stonehouse
8 Mar, 10 am Greenhills, E Kilbride
29 Mar, 10 am Craigneuk
& Belhaven, Wishaw
Remember! Everyone who works with young people under the age
of 18 is required by the church to undergo child protection training. Please
make sure all your youth leaders and workers are trained and registered.
Further details/registration:
Eileen Milne 01698 264 320
Eileen.Milne@btinternet.com
AND FINALLY . .
Is anyone out there interested in taking part in the
production of The Presbyter? If so, please get in touch with the
Editor, or let the Presbytery Clerk know so that he can pass your name to the
Nominations Committee.