Ministers Update
| We are now in August and much has been happening these past few months and there is even more to look forward to. We have an amazing God who loves and blesses us each day. Yes there are many challenges too but from these we grow in our understanding and from these we learn to lean more on God; trusting in his plans for us. So what have we been blessed by recently? Our summer holiday club exceeded expectations and it was great to see our Sanctuary filled with children making a joyful noise to the Lord with musical instruments and in song. Our halls were bursting at the seams as children enjoyed learning Jesus parables through games, crafts and puzzles. At the time of writing we are looking forward to an exciting trip to Troon beach after the children have led us in worship at our end of holiday club summer service ( 17th August). We have been blessed too with the recent addition of new elders as we ordained and admitted Pat Angus, Alison Hunter, Lindsay Lang, Myra Lang and Colin Maxwell and admitted 2 previously ordained elders Lorraine Armstrong & Iain Shaw. I am very grateful to all our existing elders and delighted to welcome our 7 new members who will no doubt bring their talents to enhance our Kirk Session. It has been a blessing too, to recently baptise 2 infants as we welcomed Grace and Quinn to Church membership. I am delighted that we have 2 further infant baptisms planned for the early autumn. And I am excited that this autumn we have a Church wedding to look forward to and wish our happy couple every blessing as they prepare for this special day. Our new alternative worship opportunities have been well supported. Our 4 Sunday at 7pm services focused on friendship and it was great to see friends old and new each week, some from other Churches and some our own members who cannot make it at 11am on a Sunday. Also our pilot midweek 3Cs services have offered something a little different – worship with crafts, conversation and coffee. Thank you to all who joined us and we hope to offer more alternatives that meet our community needs again soon. Over recent months many of our congregation have been unwell at home, in the hospital or in the hospice and it has been a privilege to visit and pray with those who are ill. I am very grateful to families for keeping me updated and appreciate the many pastoral visitors who also visit our members regularly. We are extending our telephone service and pastoral visits thanks to the increased number of volunteers willing to serve in this way. If you or someone you know would benefit from a telephone call or visit let me or our pastoral care team know. I am sure as you read the rest of this edition of News from the Pews you will be encouraged by all that is happening from Creche, Sunday club and Youth Group to Friendly Hour, from Strawberry Teas, to Doors Open Day, from BBs, GBs and Guides to toddlers and schools work, from Sports Chaplaincy at Thorn Athletic to our Men’s Breakfast, from our support of friends from overseas to our Guild, from Knitting to Keep Fit, to Choir practice, from Property team to Community Support and our recycling initiatives, all these and more complement our regular Sunday and Connect Hub worship and serve our community showing Jesus love in action. There is more in the pipleline too including a youth gathering hearing the views of our youngsters, a youngish adult group, a resource library, additional bible study groups and prayer walks too. Also a Discipleship Explored course will run in the late autumn for those interested in finding out more about Church membership. So much more – watch this space.  We are indeed blessed – what an amazing God we have and what a wonderful congregation we have here at St George’s, thank you all for your support and encouragement. Be blessed and continue to be a blessing to others. Love and prayers Your friend and minister, Hazel |
