The Choir’s Summer Concert on Friday, 20th May, was a wonderful evening. Accompanied by AllanMorrison on piano and Catherine Ferrel on flute, the Choir ran through a repertoire which was asvaried as it was challenging, with every challenge met with aplomb.

Opening with Rogers and Hammersteins’ “It’s a Grand Night for Singing” and continuing with aselection of classical, American and Scottish songs, some religious, others not, they delighted withJerome Kern’s “The Way You Look Tonight”, Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, with words speciallycomposed for the evening by Jerry Eve, and the South African Evangelist hymn, “Siyhamba”, toname but a few.

Guest soloist, Amy Hendon, was superb with Mozart’s “Porgi, amor, qualche risturo” and our ownRoseanne Brackenridge had the audience singing along with “The Bluebell Polka and Ivor Novello’s“We’ll Gather Lilacs”.

The two encores were not enough and the quality of the arrangements and harmonies wastestimony to the contribution Roseanne Brackenridge and Allan Morrison have made to the choirsince they took over. Those who didn’t attend would do well to put the Choir’s Christmas Concertin their diaries. They missed a great night. CDs of the concert are available from Robin Bulmer.

Soloists Amy Hendon, Roseanne Brackenridge and flautist, Catherine Ferrel

SeeChoir Report

on Page 5

Latest developmentsIn Ekwendeni andfundraising events herein Scotland Page 3

An end to leaks in theGallery but more problemsuncovered. Page 4

Page 2

Page 2

Published byBusby Parish Church,Church Road,Busby,GlasgowG76 8EB

Registered Charity No.SC016612

Minister:Rev. Jerry Eve

Session Clerk:Robin Bulmer

Editor:John Lamb

Letters and Articlesshould be sent tobusbyfocus@btinternet.com

or left in the ChurchVestibule on SundayMornings

Visit our website atbusbyparishchurch.org.uk

Like us on Facebook

© 2016

2

Other than our Lord’s birthday on Christmas Day I’ve never really been one to take notice ofbirthdays. That’s not to say I don’t remember them, just that I don’t tend to make any specialeffort to celebrate them. So when we celebrated the 180th anniversary of the founding of ourChurch building on May 8th, for me it was just another Sunday.

Being however the second Sunday in the month our morning worship was complemented by anevening service in the East room, as has become our custom. A custom, as Session Clerk, that I amfully in support of, not merely from a sense of duty, but also as an ordinary member of ourcongregation taking the opportunity to share a time of reflection before the working week withfellow worshipers.

Whilst we often have visitors attend morning worship, on this occasion we found a gentlemanvisitor from Giffnock Park Parish Church in our midst, who helped swell our numbers to an aboveaverage 16. When I spoke to him after the service he told me that he had seen our advert in theExtra and as it was our 180th anniversary he was sure that there would be a special service andthought he would visit. So there we were both drawn to a Sunday service with our differingmotivations, but both pleased to have made the effort to share a time of worship with all otherson that Sunday evening.

I wonder what thoughts you may have had that day concerning this birthday and also how youpassed the time between 6.30 and 7.30pm that evening. Our next evening service on 12th Junewill be an opportunity to celebrate Holy Communion. Many of you will have attended the morningservice that day but why not come out again in the evening and share in and support others in thiscelebration.

As I write, the General Assembly are meeting in Edinburgh which reminds me that a few years agothey commissioned a competition to write a new hymn for worship inspired by the Scottishtradition of Ceilidh dance music. For, although quite a number of traditional Scots tunes arecommonly used for hymn-singing nowadays in churches throughout Scotland on a Sunday morn-ing, it’s difficult to think of any that reflect the exuberance of a Dashing white sergeant or anEightsome reel.

The winning entry, I believe, was then used for worship during the General Assembly itself, whenI wonder if it led to commissioners dancing in the aisles! The words of our entry, which didn’t win,are on page 6, and although the title we used was ‘Heart and Soul’ after the gathering that nowtakes place on the Saturday afternoon of Assembly Week in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh,it occurs to me that we might have used ‘2 Kings 18:17’ instead (and the king of Assyria sentand Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to King Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem.):

FUNERALSMay: Ann Simpson, Southview Avenue

BAPTISMS15th May: Lucas Paul Gaskell (born 15th January, 2016)

Robin Bulmer

Jerry Eve

Maureen Potter

Thanks to the generosity of various donors, includingBusby Guild, the children at Ekwendeni received theirporridge every day over the Easter holidays whenMary`s Meals was on holiday. We are in the process ofsending £465 via the Church of Scotland World Missionto Ekwendeni. This will feed between 500 and 600children daily over the summer and Christmas holidays.Donations to this fund are most welcome.

On Sunday 1st May, the FP Swing Band conducted byGrace Hamilton treated us to a magnificent evening`sentertainment. This event raised £637 and we are verygrateful to Grace and her band for their efforts onbehalf of Kwenderana. We are also very grateful to JimSavage who worked so hard to ensure that the concertcould take place in Busby Church.

On Saturday afternoon June 11th we are holding a Strawberry Afternoon Tea in Williamwood Church. Tickets priced £5 are availablenow. We are hoping that the money raised by these two events will be enough to buy a plot of land which will belong to theKwenderana Partnership Group at Ekwendeni. This group work very hard on our behalf to ensure that nobody in their community ishungry or in need. They distribute the clothes and other items we send, grow maize and other crops which they either distribute tothe needy in the parish or sell for a small profit which is re-invested in the local area. We are so pleased with the progress they have

made that we have asked them to set up aseparate bank account. At present all themoney we send to Ekwendeni goes throughthe Church of Scotland here and then intoEkwendeni Congregational Account.Unfortunately the Congregational accountcharge us 5% on each project and we feel thatmoney could be used wisely by theKwenderana Partnership at Ekwendeni. Wewould ensure that the appropriate safeguardsare in place so that fraud etc. cannot take place.

The climate in Malawi has been very mixed andunpredictable this year resulting in poorharvests in many parts. Thanks to the hardwork of Songelwayo Banda and theKwenderana Group, the harvest in theKwenderana field was good.

The young people of Williamwood High Schoolwith Rev. Jeanne Roddick and Rev. CatherineBeattie are going to Ekwendeni on 8th June.The group includes our own Becky Eve. Duringtheir time there the young people will be

working with Classrooms for Malawi in refurbishment tasks at the primary school. Later in the day they will be helping to run an afterschool club using the parables as the foundation of their daily activities. This will be a life changing trip for many of these young peoplebut one they will remember all their lives.

Please pray for:-! The success of the trip being made by our young people and their leaders.! The continued success of the porridge fund so that no child goes hungry.! The success of the all the initiatives which we are setting up and which should give much needed

income to the people of Ekwendeni thus reducing poverty in that area of Malawi.

These women and their families are amongst the poorest at Ekwendeni. They havebeen given a bag of maize each to feed themselves and their families. This maize isfrom the Kwenderana Garden at Ekwendeni, funded by Kwenderana Scotland.

Children during the school holidays in the queue for their porridge. During theholidays, there is no Mary’s Meals so Kwenderana have set up a porridgefund to feed the children at that time. £509 will feed 400/500 children for aweek!

3

Jim Savage

As everybody in our congregation is only too aware,age caught up with our sanctuary roof and it sufferedbadly from the winter storms. On some Sundays thesound of the dripping water above the balconycompeted to be heard over the wise words of Jerryspoken from the pulpit .

As each damp patch appeared we had roofers up toreplace slipped slates but still the water came. Ourproblems were common in the area and such meantthat actually getting roofers out became somewhatdifficult given the demand for their services generally,but we managed. Visual inspection in the attic revealedwater pouring in from not just the main roof but alsodown inside the front wall from the bell tower andwhilst outer inspection from the skylight gave a smallview of the tower, it was obvious that the tower was invery poor condition and the southern timber door andframe were almost rotted away.

We asked some roofing contractors to quote to get access to the tower and such required scaffolding to go up. We had difficulty ingetting some quotes but we managed and engaged Argee Builders. Once scaffold was up, it became clear that the tower floor wasrotten, full of water and had no effective drain. Worse, was that the bases of the legs of the timber sub-frame holding up the bellwas so badly rotted that the bell was in danger of falling.

Terms were agreed for the repair and that is now completed inside and out and all to a verygood standard along with further replacement of slates on an area of the church roofadjacent.

A professional roof survey report was obtained whilst the scaffold was up and such con-firmed that the roof itself is beyond the point of economic piecemeal repair and strippingoff of the tiles, removal of the metal vent structure, re-felting, and new slating throughoutis essential and the proposed job is currently out for tender to 3 contractors.

The cost of re-roofing will of course be a huge expense for our church. We have liaised withother churches in the area having gone through similar re-roofing tasks and shared informa-tion on potential sources of grant aid for the cost of the repairs. We are in touch with thosesources of grants. Presbytery has been made aware of all of these tasks and they await ourformal application for approval for us to progress further.

We very much hope that we are successful in attracting grant aid but we as a congregationwill be expected to raise a sizable sum to go towards the cost. Whilst the finance committeeare looking at how the costs might be met, suggestions will be gratefully received. Anyoneknow any local lottery winners who might be sympathetic to our cause?

4

Irene Morrison

The Guild brought its session to a close recently by enjoying a meal together at a local Italian restaurant.Since then the committee has met and planned the syllabus for the new session and we are grateful to our secretary Maureen Potterfor her hard work in contacting speakers and arranging dates for their visits.Full details of the new syllabus will appear in the next edition of Focus and we hope that there will be something of interest foreveryone.In the meantime let us all enjoy a restful break over the summer months (it seems that we are promised a "sizzling" summer!) andreturn refreshed in October.

Rot and decaybefore workstarted

The completed work

Steve Smith

It has been an extremely concentrated period of innovation and rehearsal for the Choir over the winter and spring months. Whilerefreshing our standard favourites, much store has been laid in tackling the new Hymns and Anthems which we present at Sundayworship. We take great pleasure in our rehearsals, combining hard work with a sense of fun, which makes us a happy band ofsingers. Much of this is down to the style which has been brought to our group with the advent of Rosanne and Allan. Both havegiven us a new lease of life with their musical talents and we are learning a brand of music which we earnestly hope that theCongregation appreciates.

Appreciation was certainly forthcoming following our recent Summer Concert in which we incorporated the old and the new andwere suitably supported by our guest soloists. For those who were unable to attend, a recording of the Concert is now availablefrom any member of the Choir.

We are taking a wellearned break fromrehearsals untilSeptember; howeverwe hope to continueto augment SundayServices with variousforms of musicthroughout thesummer months.

In conclusion, wethank everyone whosupports our work – itis always a pleasureto join ourCongregation inpraise!

Sheena Kay

The Drop In Club is coming to an end for the summer break and we are going to have a lunch in the Church Hall for the ladies.

During the last session we have seen our numbers drop because of illness etc. but we are a happy group and the ladies that do comealong thoroughly enjoy it.

We will be starting up again on 8 September and if you are free on a Wednesday morning between 9.30am and 11.30am why notcome along for a cup of tea and a chat and get to know some new friends and perhaps meet some old ones. You will be given awarm welcome.

5

6

John Lamb

I am very pleased to have taken over the editorship of Focus and hope you like its new look, with a new logoand with photographs. The logo is based on the stained glass windows at the front of our Church, which depictthe Burning Bush from the Book of Exodus, a symbol of the Church of Scotland.

Taking over from Alan Rutherford, who has done such an excellent job over the past 4 years will be a challenge, but one I look forwardto facing. I am very keen for Focus to provide an opportunity for members to make their opinions and thoughts known and so we willbe including a Letters Page in future editions. In addition, any articles that might be of interest to others will be gratefully received.

I also intend to include competitions to add a bit of fun but, above all, I want it to be a good read, providing interesting and usefulinformation about the ongoing life and work of our Church, so please send your suggestions on how to make it better.

Please send your letters or articles by email to busbyfocus@btinternet.com or leave them with a member of the welcome team inthe Church Vestibule on Sunday mornings.

The colour God is fondest of is neither pink nor blue;It’s neither white nor black. Oh no! It isn’t just one hue;But everything from grey to gold – the shade that fills God’s heart ‘nGod’s soul with joy, God’s favourite tint? It is the colour tartan.

So when we think our gender, or the colour of our skin,Are more or less divine, remember: we are all one kin!And when, if we are rich with wealth, we think God loves us best,Let’s think again: I think we’ll find the poor by Christ were blessed?

The colour God is fondest of...

And just as plaids, they need both weft and warp upon the loom,Humanity needs green and orange if it wants to bloom.We need both red and yellow; also, every shade of brown;The colour purple; silver; bronze – if God is not to frown.

The colour God is fondest of…

Which is why in the Bible we’ve the story of a floodWhich, ending with a rainbow, teaches us not to spill blood;And why, one afternoon, as Jesus’ friends prepared to mourn,To make the point that all are one, a bolt of cloth was torn.

John Lamb

Last year saw a number of very successful events designedto enrich the social life of our Church, raise our profile inthe wider community and attract non members to visit us,hopefully to be impressed and to want to come back.

The Barbecue in September was a huge success and weintend to repeat it this year. The same goes for the CeilidhNight. This year we will be having our Christmas Fair andthe Choir’s Christmas Concert too, and I hope we willmanage at least one other event. Of course, the success ofall these events depends on support, and I hope we cancount on the support of our members again, not justthrough ticket sales and attending these events, but byspreading the word to family and friends. Though I say itmyself, we are a very friendly bunch. We just need to letthe rest of Busby realise it.

The FP Big Band, conducted by Grace Hamilton, on Sunday, 1st May,raised £637 for the Kwenderana Partnership Group

September’s Barbecue andFiona Hunter, star of our Ceilidh Night

Margaret Barr

Again this year it is a very big thank you to those who donated their used stamps to help the Church of Scotland’s World Missionwork. The 2015/16 Stamp Appeal raised a total of £3,511 to support the Church of Scotland HIV Programme, which helps partnerchurches overseas and organisations in Scotland as they engage with the realities of HIV and AIDS in families and communities.

This year there is a new appeal which started on 1st March 2016 and will support the "Eco-spirituality Centre: Othara", recentlyopened by the Church of South India (CSI) in Kerala.

The centre aims to educate local people about climate change and the importance of conservation, and the Stamp Project willsupport initiatives such as:

! the harvesting and re-use of rain water

! the establishment of a biogas plant to power the kitchens

! the development of a small dairy and chicken farm for native breeds

The Church of South India hopes that the knowledge and people gain at the centre will inspire them to live sustainably and encourageothers in their community to do the same.

So please do continue to save the stamps from your envelopes (both UK and overseas) and drop them into the box in the vestibule.Your help really does make a difference.

Thank you for your continued support.

Some related key points of guidance that are now active: Kirk Session and other meetings will be open to any member of theCongregation with only items of a sensitive or personal nature being restricted to Kirk Session members only; a committee structurewill support the efficient handling of business at meetings. In relation to the latter the following initial structure and areas of interesthas been developed and a number of individuals identified as potential contributors:

PAYMENTS Accounts, Budgeting, Stewardship, Offerings, Gift Aid, Fundraising.Pearl Munro, Allan Morrison, Steve Smith, Ian Norie, Jim Savage, Robin Bulmer

POSSESSIONS Buildings, Halls, Resources (printer, data projection, pianos, etc.).Sheena Kay, Lisanne Ferrel, Jane Jarvie, Jim Savage, John Lamb

PROJECTS: Christian Aid, Kwenderana, Clarkston Churches Together, Lodging House Mission, Hollybush House, Leprosy Mission,Schools, Bonnyton House, Eastwoodhill, Williamwood House, Mearnskirk Hospital.Irene Morrison, Fay McIntyre, Lynne Macgregor, Maureen Potter, Joyce Laing, Sheena Kay, Maggie Barr, Carol Bulmer

PEOPLE: Roll, Pastoral Support, Social Life – Church Association, Minister, Organist, Choir Leader, Church Officer, Nurture, ChurchOrganisations, Youth.Alice Keith, Irene Morrison, Sheena Kay, Pamela Mill, Joyce Laing, Ian Jarvie

PUBLICITY: Extra, Order of Service, Website, Wayside Pulpit, Notice Boards, Focus, Social Media.John Lamb, Maureen Potter, Robin Bulmer

PRAISE: Welcome, Readers, Prayer Leaders, Participation, Elder-led Services, Childrens’ Address.Jerry Eve, Maureen Potter, Norrie Suckle, Susan Amour, Pearl Munro, Carol Bulmer

We would be delighted to include any members or friends of the congregation in this emerging structure. You will see that the areasof interest are wide-ranging and there is no requirement to feel you have to be an ‘expert’ in any or all of these matters, just willingto give up some time to sustaining the life of the congregation as a centre of Christian Worship at the heart of Busby through yourinvolvement in these activities. Please feel free to approach any of the above listed persons to express your interest.

7

We would welcome your photographs of anythingrelated to our Church or Busby and its surroundings, sothat we can publish them in future issues of Focus.Photographs should be digital and high resolutionalthough high resolution printed photographs can alsobe sent as we can scan them. Please send them tobusbyfocus@btinternet.com or hand them in at theChurch on Sunday mornings. We would like to producea calendar next Christmas, featuring the best 12 pictures

8

The Friends of Langlands Moss LNR, EastKilbride, along with SLC CountrysideRanger Service, are hosting a Beasties onthe Bog Day on Satursday, 4th June at2.00pm. This is a free event for families, so all are welcome.

On Sunday, 26th June, FOLM are leading a guided walk for adults at 2.00pm.

For either event, please park in Langlands Square, G75 0YY and wear suitable clothing andfootwear. For further information, ask Maureen Potter.

Angela Marshall

Christian Aid week has just finished. This is the time inthe Church Calendar which is particularly devoted toawareness of Christian Aid, a worldwide charity whichsupports people of all faiths, and those with none.During last week, as has been the custom for manyyears now, a door to door envelope drop followed bytheir collection, (hopefully containing donations!) hasbeen carried out by volunteers from the local Churches.

Busby church is no exception, and we have been able todepend on a few ‘regulars’ who have supported thisexercise faithfully. The Clarkston committee are verygrateful for that support, and offer their wholeheartedthanks for the time and effort given to the task.

Because of new regulations related to knocking on thedoors of the local communities, the access to theresidents has become reduced considerably, therebyreducing the amount collected in these areas. Sadlydoor to door collection may have to abandoned as anexercise. It will depend on the Christian Aid head officesto make such decisions, and if we cannot collect this wayin future, find an alternative means of necessaryfundraising. I will keep our congregation informed.

Pamela Mill

We had a successful camp atBlair Activity Centre near Dalryover the second weekend inMay. There were 29 of usaltogether and we enjoyedsleeping in wooden wigwams,which all had power and light. Itis a very well equipped site andthe girls got a chance to try theirhand at archery, bungeetrampolining and mountainbiking. They also had fun doingcraft work and completing patrolchallenges as well as routinechores. The behaviour of all thegirls was excellent and we hopeto go back to Blair again in thenear future.

On Tuesday 24th May we had aRoyal Birthday Tea Party. Thegirls enjoyed sandwiches andcakes and they all made ministrawberry tarts and raspberrymeringues. After they hadcleared up, they went outsideand played some games.

We are hoping to have a cookout for our last meeting of thesession and will start again on the first Tuesday of September.

Thank you to everyone who has given us Active Kids Vouchers fromSainsbury’s. I am just in the process of deciding what we would like fromthe catalogue.

Thank you also to the Drama Group, the Guild and members of thecongregation who have made generous donations to our funds.