Welcome

Glencairn & Moniaive Parish Church is a linked charge with Dunscore Parish Church and is within the Presbytery of The South West.

The parish of Glencairn & Moniaive is located at the northern end of the scenic Cairn Valley in mid-Nithsdale, which is part of the Dumfries & Galloway region of South West Scotland.

The community is centred around the village of Moniaive.

We aim to play an active part in the community we serve, reaching out with the love and joy of Jesus Christ.

Our vision is ‘To convince all people of God’s love for them’.

Fair Pay

The Church of Scotland has initiated a campaign for Fair Pay for Social Care. This is supported by CrossReach and Justice and Peace Scotland. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the need to pay care workers more fairly and to put pressure on the Scottish Government on this issue.

Read more about ‘Fair Pay in Social Care’ here on the CrossReach webpage.

 

Message from our Minister

Sunday 19 November 2023

A Message from our Minister:

One of the prayers I often use at funerals includes the line:

“Grant us, Lord, the wisdom and the grace to use aright the time that is left to us …”

Remembrance reminded us to work for peace. Inter-faith week (just ending) has challenged us to work for true community (common unity). Today we are faced with God’s judgement – how have we used what He has given us?

The prayer above gives a clue … we need wisdom and grace. The wisdom to discern what we have been given, and who has given it to us. The grace to use those gifts boldly for God’s purpose – the sharing of His Love. The word ‘grace’ also reminds us that we need God’s help, whether we think we have a great gift or talent, or feel that our abilities are not up to much.

Let’s seek His help to “use aright” all that He has given us, wisely and graciously serving God here and now!

God Bless,

Mark

PS I’m ‘off’ this week so please contact Nan Tait (Moniaive 200403), or Rev Tim Harmer (Dunscore 820861) if you need any help or information.

PPS We have a few events coming up which will include refreshments … if you can prepare anything or help at the time, contact Nan Tait (Moniaive).

 

PRAYER for this week:            

 

We thank You, Majestic God of Light,

for Your Light in our lives;                                                                                                                              

for the love light in Your created people,

shining in the faces of those we know and love;

for the light shining in the words and actions

of all who know You,

and use their time and talents to serve well;

for the joy that pours in,

lights up and empowers us

when we let go and trust You with all we have.

 

PRAYER THEME: Ask the Holy Spirit to help you use the gifts God has given you.

Musings from The Manse

Remember the past … look to the future!

Tatty picking is over … it’s time to look ahead as the year draws to an end. And we start by looking backwards!

REMEMBRANCE comes as we once again face a world at war – Ukraine, the Middle East, and so many other places. Once again we are reminded that during ‘peacetime’ (since the end of WWII) there has been no day free of conflict and death. Innocent people are still being displaced, injured, killed by armies, terrorists, governments, rebels. As we focus on those who have died in the past, we should be stirred to work for peace today to secure the future for our children.

Our Acts of Remembrance are a sobering reminder of the cost of ongoing non-peace and lead us to our next step …

PRAYER is a natural response to things outside our control. A cry for help or justice or compassion as we all face the ups and downs of life – ill-health, mental stress, financial pressures, strained relationships, etc. As human beings, something deep inside us calls out to the ‘beyond’, the ‘unknown’, the infinite. Sometimes with words, sometimes with groans, sometimes with shouts of anger, frustration, disbelief. Often we simply need a reminder that we are loved.

We will Prayer for Peace in the Glencairn Memorial Institute on 11^th from 2pm, and at Dunscore Church on 12^th from 7pm. Join us if you can.

HEALING BLANKETS are one practical way of expressing and giving comfort at a time of need. Warmth, protection, shelter for those in distress. We are starting to make (knit, crochet, sew) these simple symbols of love, so that they can be available to pass on to friends, neighbours, family, in times of need. They carry a simple message of reassurance that the recipient is not forgotten or alone – so important to know at any difficult time in life. These blankets will be available at the back of church for anyone to take for anyone. No qualifications necessary!

(My wife Debbie is co-ordinating this … anyone can make a 6” square or a whole blanket 6 squares by 5 … if you want to help create one contact her at the Manse.)

REMEMBERING reminds us of the mistakes we have made in the past, our need of God’s Grace, and how He has worked in and around us through those willing to give themselves for others.

We respond by acknowledging our past, the same old pitfalls which repeat themselves, the vicious cycles which so easily trap us, the ruts which blinker us as we hurtle along them, recognising our need to change.

We resolve to make changes – to ourselves, in our relationships, in our actions. We commit ourselves to being people of peace, servants of others, channels of love in our families, our communities.

Join us as we remember, respond and resolve together. As the hymn-writer put it:

“past put behind us, for the future take us, Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone.”

Remember, Respond, Resolve.

May God Bless you.

Mark RS Smith