Letters to the Editor of Outreach

November 2012

My dear friends at Williamwood

Thank you very much to everyone who was so kind in wishing me well by contributing to my leaving gift and by coming along to support me in my final service as organist and choirmaster here at Williamwood Parish Church on 4^th November. It was lovely to chat to many people in the congregation over tea and coffee after church.

Some would say that three years is not a very long time to be organist – certainly, not in the wider scheme of things – but I hope that in a relatively short time we have done a lot to use music as a tool of outreach to our local community and wider afield, enabling Williamwood to make new connections in the diverse and constantly changing community of Clarkston and the South Side.

Our worship has developed and grown as we have used the medium of music to enhance our Praise to God, we have ventured in to unknown territory in presenting various musical works as an outreach to our community.  This work of outreach had not been without its complications and challenges.  Whilst at the time some of these challenges seemed insurmountable, mutual support and encouragement allowed us to progress forward and pull together and put on something that was “just that little bit special”.

Sometimes you just have to try things out and see what happens – taking a few calculated risks along the way, and trusting that God will be with us in both the ups and the downs. I hope that this experience will be an encouragement to everyone at Williamwood Parish Church as you seek to articulate God’s call for this congregation in the next 75 years!

As I said on Sunday 4^th November at my final service, I have enjoyed immensely my time at Williamwood and will remember the three years vividly, and keep going long lasting friendships that were made early on.   Remember I am always at the other end of an email and will keep an ear to the ground to see how you are all doing.  I have not gone completely, as I will have been at the NYCOS concert on 24^th November, will be playing carols for Norah and the girls at the Williamwood Singers Concert on 6^th December and will be helping out at the Guild in January 2013!

My decision to come home to Wishaw at South Wishaw Parish Church was not an easy one.  I deliberated long and hard and prayed for that “point in the right direction”.  It is a wrench to leave somewhere that I have felt so much at home for the past three years, but the call to come home was in the end very strong.  South Wishaw Parish Church was the church I grew up in, and where my parents are members (dad being an elder).  It is where I learnt to play the organ, sang in the choir, and where I always thought I would be organist.  Seventeen or so years ago I was told that “being a prophet in my own land” may not be the best for me.

So, I left South Wishaw a teary eyed 17-year-old to begin learning my trade as an organist and choirmaster, but with one phrase ringing in my ears “that one day this would benefit my own church”. In my journey back home to Wishaw I have been blessed by ministers, kirk sessions, choirs and congregations who have all supported me and helped me learn my trade; but I have to be honest when I say that Williamwood has been the most supportive and understanding.

The relationship that Iain and I forged very early on was nothing other than outstanding.  We worked together simultaneously on various projects – over and above our weekly Sunday Services.  Iain, your support and encouragement was first class and I thank you for that – I will miss that partnership.

The choir – thank you for your support and patience, as it wasn’t always an easy journey…… but we usually got there!  You have flourished in everything we set out to do, and your interpretation of words through music has been a wonderful addition to services throughout the church year.  Your friendship and humour has always been a great source for my energy and commitment.

I could name everyone, but there aren’t enough pages available – but I do most sincerely thank everyone for everything that took place to support me in my time with you.

All best wishes

Alan.

September 2011

Very sincere and grateful thanks to all my friends in the Session, the Guild, the Choir and the Congregation for Cards and Good Wishes during my time in hospital and then when I moved home. All these wishes and kind thoughts supported me and carried me through the difficult months

I am now well recovered from the fracture in November and happily settled in my new home. You are all very welcome to visit me there and perhaps have a cup of tea after shopping in "Clarkston Town Centre!!!!"

Good Wishes and thanks from Shena Dougall.

December 2010

Dear Editor,

As a follow on to Alastair Denholm’s “From the Archives” in the September Outreach, I too have a lifelong connection with the Boys Brigade beginning with my Father who was a member of the 1st Glasgow, founded by Sir William Smith.  From 1953-61, I was a Lifeboy leader in the 135th Company in Scotstoun East Church where I also saw my two brothers gain their Queens Badges in the early 60’s.  During our years in Williamwood Church both of our sons went through from the Imps to gaining their Queens Badges, and our older son Alan was Leader of the Junior Section for seven years until work took him away from home.  I would like to congratulate Mark Gordon and his team of Officers for being such an inspiration to the boys they lead and in keeping the 128 as one of the best (if not THE best) Company in Glasgow and I hope they receive the support they need to allow their amazing work to continue for many years to come.

One issue I would take with Alastair’s article is his comment about certain hymns not being used in Church.  I hardly consider 2007 to be “archive” and as the BB Bible Class is no longer an integral part of the Sunday Service it hardly seems relevant.  I feel the words of the more modern hymns by writers such as Grahame Kendrick, John Bell, Mike Mair etc, have more relevance to a modern Church looking forward rather than dwelling in the past.  As there are over 700 hymns in CH4, it would take a few years for each one to be used at Sunday Service.

God’s blessing on the 128 and long may they continue.

Moira Yeoman.