Minister’s Musings

With the school term now taking us into July, being in June no longer seems to feel like the ‘end of term’; summer holidays are not yet in the countdown frame. Summer is of course that season when the sun is closest to our region of earth - when we feel warm, when the clouds disappear. That time which comes around every year! And although many have enjoyed this great spell of warm weather, ask those who have had exams throughout our hot spell, those who have had to work indoors and they will no doubt express some concern that that WAS summer, and they missed it. Even with another two full months at least of having the sun close by, there are no guarantees of good weather. Just lots of wishful thinking and flicking through weather forecasts till we find one we like. School sports, family barbecues, holidays with friends in Scotland - all planned for the summer months with hope rather than certainty of decent climate.

The sun looks down on the righteous or the devil looks after his own. We can choose our saying, but not our weather.

We can however have more control over our internal climate. But that depends on our perspective on life and faith.

Are we simply to get through, or are we intended to make them most of what is around us and build a better place?

And we may not be able to change other people (though that ios probably not true) but we can change ourselves, and that si the best and indeed only place to start.

The work is already prepared for - and the Son is here to warm and encourage us; close by us not just for three months of the year, but every day.

So we need never miss out; never lose out; never be kept in the dark, or left out in the cold.

And for many of us, when we realise faith in God can change us, we then believe anything is possible and the world looks less threatening, less frightening.

It would be wonderful to have a long, warm summer, with rain through the night to water the gardens and fields. But that is not likely to be the way of things for the next three months; so rather let’s decide that, no matter what, the internal climate will be welcoming for others, and that our presence will help bring light and warmth. Jesus’ presence in our lives leads the way, it is only for us to follow him.

Have a great summer.

Our new organ…

A new digital organ, from Wyvern Organs is now in use at Moniaive Church. A similar in instrument -- though one which is suitable for a larger building -- will be installed shortly at Kirkland.

Unlike the earlier electronic organs which produced sounds --

often rather unpleasant! -- by using various forms of "tone generators", digital organs replicate the sounds produced by pipe organs.

The accuracy of this process is many times greater than that used in the production of a compact disc.

The technology has advanced to such a level that there is now very little difference in sound quality between a good pipe organ and one without pipes, and unlike a pipe organ, there are no maintenance cost, such as regular tuning.

The sounds that you hear have been sampled from pipe organs of high quality and are then reproduced, with appropriate modifications. The performer. The performer also considerable more control over the sound quality than would be possible with a pipe organ.

A Wyvern organ was installed at Thornhill Church in 2005 and continues to give excellent service.

Other fairly recent large installations from Wyvern Organs include Inverness Cathedral, Salford Cathedral, and Arundel Cathedral.

Pulpit Fall

Dedicated on Sunday 25th May were the pulpit fall and Bible markers given through the generous donations given in memory of Dr Bob Milne. The artist is from Port Appin and she came down to see the area before creating the designs. Midge Gourlay (not of local ancestry as far as we know) has made a Pulpit Fall with the Cross central, and with muted black and white designs in Sanqhuar pattern style - the design and texture reflecting collie dogs sheep and belted Galloways. The markers depict sheep - one on one side, 9 on the other - drawing in the Good Shepherd window.

Thanks to Sylvia Milne for organising these works of art.

Congregational Board

Since the last edition there has been just one Board Meeting after the Annual Stated Meeting. At that meeting Paul Lyttle stood down as Chair having served three years. He was thanked for his work and service but I think it right we record out thanks in this magazine. Paul volunteered to take on the chairmanship when Jack Buckham stood down, and he has been measured, patient and good humoured throughout. Thank you, Paul. The fall back position for chair is the minister and so I have taken on that roll until a new chair is found. Think you know just the person? Let someone know.

We have formed a fabric and a finance committee. The fabric committee comprising Scott Jardine as convener, with John Wilson, Robert Marchbank and Sandi McIver; the Finance Committee has Jim McLean as treasurer with Molly Glencorse and Isabel Robertson. Again thanks to all who so willingly serve.

John and Robert are new to the Board and are not letting the grass grow under their feet. Or for that matter the ground - having helped dig a trench to lay cables last month.

Scott continues to give freely of his time and talents to the church - The Paterson Rooms are coming on apace, the rewiring of St Ninian’s is nearly complete; and painting work of the windows at Glencairn is looking good.

Of the congregation can I just ask that you occasionally give the office bearers a wee thought and a prayer - they give of their best, and of their time for our church.