Steeple 218

Presbytery Plan and Creativity

2012-01-14T13:00:00.003Z

Creative Options for Presbytery Planning – Information Evening

Partick Trinity Church (20 Lawrence Street, G11 5HG)

Thursday 19^th January, 7.30-9pm

Contextual Bible Study

2012-01-13T08:23:00.006Z

Have a peek at the CBS blog to see what they are up to along with Christian Aid Scotland. Oh, and there is a Christian Aid, Poverty Over Burns Supper On Friday 27 January 2012 at Partick Thistle Football Club in Glasgow.

Work* Prayer* Thought

2012-01-13T08:05:00.000Z

See Local News Glasgow for news of a gathering in Stirling this March

Rev Bill Christman

2012-01-10T15:43:00.003Z

On January 10th the Herald and Scotsman newspapers carried obituaries of the late Rev Dr William (Bill) J. Christman, former minister of Lansdowne Church. In the United States The Joplin Globe writes warmly of Bill who is of course much missed and well remembered here, in and around Lansdowne Church and community.

Sunday 8th January

2012-01-03T08:57:00.000Z

Lansdowne's services resume at 11 am in the Church Hall this coming Sunday.

United Service - Sunday 1/1/12

2011-12-30T12:28:00.001Z

Reminder - Sunday 1st January 11 a.m.
United Service at St John's-Renfield Parish Church
Beaconsfield Road

Context, Context, Context ...

2011-12-26T13:24:00.010Z

Happy Boxing Day!
Jings. School Assemblies and Abercorn Secondary and Oakrgrove Primary, Carol singing around the parish, Carol services in St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral and Cumbrae House Nursing Home and of course Watch Night and Christmas day in Lansdowne Parish Church.
All very rewarding and thought-provoking. A double booking in the nursing home meant that yours truly led in prayer and a choir from St Aloyisius sang - and sang beautifully at that. Mary and Joseph sang their hearts out at Oakgrove and Elvis joined a cast of many at Abercorn. Lansdowne was pleased to welcome visitors from the East - well Wishaw and from round the corner to the watch Night service. And they added greatly to the event and friend old and new attended on Christmas Day.
Every event was different, each one was unique. The birth being celebrated took place in a specific time and place, had its own cultural and historic context. The Word was made flesh, there and then full of grace and truth. It communicates today, in our times, our contexts, still gracious, still truthful.
One prayer has had particular resonance for me this year:

Holy One,

We wait for you

to come to us again,

baby-small and vulnerable,

to grace our poverty,

our humanity

with a heart beat a breath and a cry.

Holy One,

you wait for us

to notice you again,

baby-small and vulnerable,

here in these people

and in this place,

present in a heart beat a breath and a cry.

May the guiding Spirit

once again bring your waiting

and our waiting together,

to lift up the vulnerable,

and confirm the beauty of our humanity,

each heart beat, every breath and cry

bringing to birth renewed lives

filled with everlasting hope. Amen.
'Holy One' , Janet Lees – shine on, star of bethlehem, Canterbury Press 2001

Abercorn School Advent

2011-12-22T11:35:00.002Z

Having extolled the virtues of Oakgrove Primary's nativity play it is only right to tell you about Abercorn Secondary too.

Pupils and staff put on a fine seasonal assembly - musical, moving and happy. What a team!

Here is some artwork from the school to put you in festive mood...

Faithworld ...

2011-12-22T11:14:00.000Z

Religion, faith and ethics topic at FaitWorld, an interesting news site from Reuters. Frankincense is in the news again!
Thanks to Joy T for the tip off...

Church and Society News

2011-12-16T11:13:00.001Z

Latest from the C of S's Church and Society Council...

Holy Joe

2011-12-14T15:53:00.001Z

Just back in from this year's Christmas show at Oakgrove Primary School. The children performed 'Holy Joe' a musical retelling of Matthew and Luke's nativity stories giving a special place to Joseph. What a fine performance from the children. We has strong performances from Joe and Mary, the shepherds and wise guys and a whole school choir who raised the roof. It was melodic, happy, funny, moving and well, just enjoyable. Really, well done one and all. The staff did alright as well...

Carols for Peace 2011

2011-12-09T15:17:00.002Z

Glasgow City Chambers Glasgow Churches Together

Carols for Peace - 18^th December at 3.00 Glasgow City Chambers

This year’s Carols for Peace takes place in Glasgow City Chambers at 3.00 on Sunday 18^th December. The Lord Provost and the Churches will be represented, and the music will be led by the St Mungo Singers, the Rutherglen Salvation Army Band, a Piper, Harpist and small ensemble.

Refreshments afterwards and all are welcome.

Yuletide, Christmas and Carol Singing ...

2011-12-08T18:14:00.003Z

The team across at the Woodlands Community Garden are hosting a fun sounding shindig next Wednesday.... lots of festive fun and games will be had on the evening of the 14th!

... friends from Wellington and Lansdowne churches will be out and about carol singing on the 15th..... "Anyone who would like to join the group of carol singers going round the parishes of Wellington and Lansdowne, should meet at Wellington at 7pm on Thursday 15^th December. We aim to finish with coffee in Beanscene, Woodlands Road by 9pm."

Bookending these there will be a rehearsal for the Lessons and Carols service in Wellington Church on Sunday 18th December:

Tuesday 13th December 7.30pm rehearsal Hillhead Baptist Church

Sunday 18th December 4.30pm Rehearsal in Wellington Church - Service at 7pm

The provisional music list includes A Christmas Fanfare - Shaw, Come and Thank Him - Bach, O Holy Night, Ave Maris Stella - Lloyd, Bethlehem Down - Warlock, Jesus Child - Rutter, Do you see what I see?

Inter-faith pilgrimage

2011-12-03T10:25:00.000Z

.... It is time I was not here, but there. Off on the walk around places of worship, Christian, Sikh, Hindu and Muslim.... back later.

Church of Scotland and Same Sex Marriage

2011-12-02T12:18:00.007Z

You can read what the Church's Legal Questions Committee has said here. The Herald has been reporting on the debate continues in its letters page. Interested parties may follow up the Equal Marriage and The Christian Institute perspectives.

.... and music...

2011-12-01T08:06:00.000Z

More Inter-faith....

2011-11-29T17:24:00.001Z

Al-Furqan Islamic Centre, 19 Carrington Street, Glasgow. G4 9AJ

1st December 2011 (Thursday) Time: 7 for7:30 till 9:30 p.m.

A Vision of Common Good: How do we see our society developing in Scotland?
What should be our response to challenges facing us?

Rev. David Sinclair (Minister of Wellington Church, Glasgow)
Shaykh Ruzwan Muhammad, (Director of SOLAS, Glasgow)
Followed by QA and getting to know each other sessions.
Light refreshments will be served.

Adventures in Advent

2011-11-25T08:44:00.000Z

Yours truly has to shape up and get set for Sunday evening's service at Hillhead Baptist Church.

"Gold' is the title and 7pm is the time...

Local Interfaith Pilgrimage

2011-11-25T08:36:00.000Z

Times and places for the up and coming interfaith pilgrimage. All welcome...

Notes on the way ...

2011-11-18T11:29:00.002Z

Back to usual time for our service of 11.00 am this Sunday morning (20th Nov) and we'll be ordaining new church elders on Sunday 27th in the morning service.

On Monday 14th we had a site visit from the Scottish Investment Fund. Watch this space. Thanks to all who came and gave moral and practical support.

Advent begins in less then two weeks. Heavens!

Remembrance Sunday 2011

2011-11-11T15:22:00.000Z

Lansdowne Parish Church
Sunday 13th Nov 2011
10.50 a.m.
Upper Hall
Entry by Tower Door

Abercorn School

2011-11-05T11:01:00.002Z

Interesting news from Abercorn School about an educational trip to Auschwitz...

Scots

2011-11-04T17:37:00.000Z

I confess to being a bit neurotic about this sort of thing. But there is fun and learning to be had at the online Scots dictionary.
Maybe it'll cure me!

Next two Sundays

2011-10-31T10:55:00.000Z

On Sunday 6th November we will be celebrating Holy Communion. On 13th Nov the service will begin at 10.50am to mark Remembrance Sunday.

Thanks ...

2011-10-31T10:53:00.000Z

.... to the people of St John's Renfield, colleagues in the parish grouping and others involved in last night's service of Grieving and Gratitude. Judging from peoples' comments it seems to have been of value to those who took part.

Latest from Church and Society Council

2011-10-20T18:16:00.000+01:00

Church and Society Council - newsletter

As others see us ... Lansdowne reviewed

2011-10-18T07:01:00.004+01:00

Have a peek on Yelp to read what some people have to say about Lansdowne Parish Church. Thanks are due to our visitors for their interest!

Holy City 2011-12: Choices / Cuts

2011-10-16T06:41:00.000+01:00

The Holy City crew are working away at the new programme. The first of this season's events will be on 30th October... For more info, see their website.

Grieving and Gratitude Service

2011-10-08T11:55:00.001+01:00

Courtesy of Local News, here are the details of tis year's Service of Grieving and Gratitude.

Obituaries

2011-10-06T15:17:00.001+01:00

Sorry to hear of these people passing away recently.... Kerr Spiers, Mary Levison and Bert Jansch.

Mediation, Meditation ...

2011-10-01T11:39:00.001+01:00

Back again a second time from A Place for Hope mediation training at the Carnegie Centre in Dunfermline. This time it was the assessment stage. Appreciation is due for the efforts of the team that led and facilitated the course and to all the staff at the centre for looking after us so well.

My favourite misunderstanding was a friend who who thought i was learning meditation. Fair enough. Sounds like a plan to me!

It is challenging and encouraging to me personally to think that such resources are being put into this project. But then, conflict within oneself, our communities and beyond is persistent - so why not? Look at the resources we pour collectively into keeping conflicts going....

Community Garden News

2011-09-23T14:48:00.001+01:00

PRE HARVEST FESTIVAL:

WEEKEND WORKSHOP SPECIALS!

Its just two weeks til our big Harvest Festival, taking place in collaboration with NVA on Saturday 8th October from 12-4pm. In preparation for Harvest there will be special workshops taking place in the garden on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd October.

CREATIVE CONTAINERS

SATURDAY 1st and SUNDAY 2nd October, 1-4pm Glasgow’s streets and lanes are often cluttered with junk. Why not turn some of that waste into pots to be proud of? Includes an urban forage for waste materials and the chance to enter your container into our Harvest Festival's creative container competition. Please let us know if you are coming by reserving your space in advance.

SATURDAY 1st OCT 1pm-4pmContainer growing tips

Urban forage for suitable materials

Cleaning and preparing your containers

SUNDAY 2nd OCT 1-4pmDesigning and decorating your containers

How to look after your plants and containers
Ideas for building more containers after the course

ABOUT THE COURSE

• practical hands-on course with materials provided or foraged on the day.
• to get the most out of the course you need to be able to attend both sessions.
• please wear sturdy shoes and warm/waterproof clothing

.
TO RESERVE YOUR PLACEEmail us back with your name, address/postcode, telephone number.

Sunday 2nd October 3-4pm

Model clay oven workshop

In the lead up to the big day, Stephen Skrynka will be running a FREE family friendly workshop exploring the key techniques used to build a pizza oven, and you will have the chance to make your own mini model oven out of clay to take home. No booking needed, just come along. More details about the workshop and other NVA pizza related activity attached!

Tim Cowen

Project Manager (p/t)

Woodlands Community Garden

and Energy Awareness Hub

Tel 07919 505256

www.woodlandscommunitygarden.org.uk

Coming Soon at Lansdowne Parish Church

2011-09-20T16:46:00.001+01:00

Afternoon Tea
with a Little bit of Dance and Music
Raising money for Elm orphanage in Peru
Saturday 1st October 2pm - 4pm
Church Hall - enter by Tower Door

Latest from Daniel's Beard

2011-09-14T21:55:00.001+01:00

Booking details for Daniel's Beard and Cottiers... just click the link!

News from OneKirk

2011-09-10T07:14:00.000+01:00

OneKirk Conference

What kind of church?

Date: Saturday 29 October

Time: 10:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Venue: Broughton St Mary’s Parish Church, 12 Bellevue Crescent, Edinburgh, EH3 6NE

Cost: £8 (including lunch)

Blog-free for a while ...

2011-09-04T17:08:00.001+01:00

Roy will be off-line until next weekend. A weblog-sabbatical! I have also de-activated my little-used Twitter account. Life is getting too complicated.

Kirk Session

2011-09-02T15:44:00.000+01:00

The Kirk Session of Lansdowne Parish Church will meet at 7.30pm on Thursday 22nd of September 2011 in the Church vestry.

Whistle Stop Blog...

2011-09-02T15:42:00.002+01:00

Joel Rene Gonzalez-Garcia, divinity student, will conduct worship at Lansdowne Church this Sunday, 4th September, and Rev Blair Robertson, NHS Chaplain, will lead things off on Sunday 11th Sept - both at 11 am in the church hall. Entry from Great Western Road Tower Door....

Coming Soon...

2011-08-27T20:12:00.000+01:00

GLASGOW

CAN THE WOLF LIE DOWN WITH THE LAMB?  

TALKING VISIONS OF PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST FREE

Sunday 28 August, 4–5pm at Giffnock Synagogue, 222 Fenwick Rd,G46 6UE

After his experiences in the second Lebanon war, Alick Isaacs began to challenge some of his deeply held convictions about Judaism, Zionism, war and peace and to search for a way of reconciling the fact that religion is sometime used to justify violence with its messages of peace. In his book A Prophetic Peace he draws on sacred and secular sources, to propose an ambitious vision of religiously inspired peace and describes a project called Talking Peace whose aim is to bring individuals of different views together to share varying understandings of peace. In conversation with Ian Galloway, convener of the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland.

THE DAY THE WORLD CHANGED £6 (£4conc/FREE*)

Wednesday 31 August, 6.30 -8pm at Wellington Church, University Avenue

As we approach the 10th anniversary of 9/11 what is the legacy of that day and the conflict which ensued? Is the predicted ‘clash of civilisations’ being played out? We welcome Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, founder of the Cordoba Initiative in Manhattan and visionary leader of the so-called ‘Ground Zero Mosque’ - who was at the eye of the storm last September as US public opinion wrestled with the bitterness of 9/11, the threatened burning of the Quran, overseas wars in Muslim countries and growing Islamophobia at home. Can the US exorcise the ghosts of 9/11? In conversation with Professor Hugh Goddard from the Alwaleed network of centres promoting mutual understanding between the World of Islam and the West.

To book: contact Hub Tickets on www.hubtickets.co.uk or 0131 473 2000.

We recommend advance booking and requesting tickets be sent out.

*FREE for claimants/accompanying carers/under18s

Remember, Remember .....

2011-08-25T08:36:00.000+01:00

28th of August, 11 a.m.
United Parish Grouping Service
Lansdowne Parish Church
416 Great Western Road
Glasgow
G4 9HZ

Beyond Belief, Sectarianism in Scotland

2011-08-22T17:51:00.000+01:00

One of the thornier contemporary issues is of course sectarianism. Today's Beyond Belief programme on Radio 4 carried a discussion on this, taking in Scottish history, football, the churches and related matters.

Ooh, theological...

2011-08-15T11:55:00.000+01:00

Just outside St Silas Church...
To a dancing G-d?

RS Thomas

2011-08-15T09:20:00.000+01:00

Yours truly enjoyed last night's evening service at Wellington Church, led by my colleague David Sinclair. His subject was the Welsh poet RS Thomas whose work has provoked, challenged, stimulated, moved and annoyed me for years. It was good to hear the poems read aloud with comments and biographical background. It was also striking to hear these in the context of worship, alongside scripture, with prayer and the sacrament of communion.

David reflected gently on Thomas's well-known personal awkwardness. This made me wonder. As preachers, we often hold up people as exemplars of integrity, or faith. People to be imitated or aspired to. I found it very moving to receive communion and to be aware of RS Thomas's human frailty. A fellow struggler. We reflected on absence at the table of the real presence. There are some interesting witnesses in the cloud of unknowing.

Complacency and Anxiety....

2011-08-09T11:08:00.000+01:00

Today's papers and other news media are understandably flu of reports from London and other UK cities. The online Scottish Review carries an article to. How are we to engage with such concerns without becoming part of the contagion?

Summer Reading

2011-08-01T11:35:00.000+01:00

Three Hendersons read Never Let Me Go (2005) by Kazuo Ishiguro. Three Hendersons aged 17, 40+ and 50 liked it. At least two cried. Three Hendersons were unsure about the film adaptation. One friend is less sure of the book. That's books for you!

This Henderson also re-read The Chrysalids by John Wyndham and mentioned on the cover of NLMG. Intriguing comparison. Both dystopian, both science-fiction(ish). In the 1950s Wyndham wrote about nuclear age anxiety, fear of the other, mutation, evolution and change, with hefty doses of quasi-fundamentalist Christianity. In the 2000s Ishiguro seemed to be wrestling with the ethics of genetic manipulation, ends justifying means, human rights and the nature of personhood. The last of which transported me back to classes with Prof John Zizioulas when I were a lad. Clue: It has to with freedom and love.

Interestingly for preacher me, the word 'apocalyptic' would be used more of the Chrysalids than NLMG. This, I suspect because in popular usage the A word has come to mean 'to do with the end of the world, catastrophe and what happens after'. To me, it means, 'unveiling' or 'revealing' - using heavily symbolic language to show what we seeing and not seeing right in front of us, now. In those terms I reckon NLMG is the more 'apocalyptic' of the two. Pretentious moi? Either way, I really did cry at the end of NLMG.

On Not being Away ...

2011-07-23T09:46:00.000+01:00

Funny thing. Yours truly is not away this weekend after all. So I have the pleasant experience of looking forward to going to church (Wellington 11 am, Sunday 24th) and not being the 'front man'.
Which leads me to reflect on the roles of worship leaders and worshippers. Hmmm....

Back Again, again, again ...

2011-07-07T15:10:00.000+01:00

Back for a bit...
This Sunday's service is at Wellington Church at 11 am.

Offline for a while ...

2011-06-25T19:35:00.000+01:00

Roy Henderson will be unavailable here between June 26th until July 5th.
Pastoral cover - Rev David Sinclair and Wellington Church until Thursday 30th June and Rev Fiona Lillie, St John's Renfield Church 1st - 5th July.

Gloria IX

2011-06-17T21:03:00.000+01:00

Gloria IX Thursday 23^rd June 7.30 Wellington Church.

Lovely programme of music - covering 500 years.

Soloist Margaret Milton.

All money raised will go to the Christian Aid Malawi project.

Sunday 19.6.11 - Monday 20.6.11

2011-06-15T08:13:00.000+01:00

This Sunday, Wendy Young of Christian Aid will join us for morning worship at 11 am at Lansdowne Parish Church.
On Monday, Contextual Bible Study with Christian Aid, 7.30pm.
Visitors note - entry by Tower Door, Great Western Road.

.... and after A-Day, H-Day, 18/6/11

2011-06-15T07:55:00.002+01:00

"H" for history! At Lansdowne Church, 416 Great Western Road Glasgow Saturday 18 June

Four Acres Charitable Trust presents JOHN HONEYMAN : ARCHITECT OF LANSDOWNE

David Stark, architect and Honeyman biographer on the history of architectural firm Honeyman, Keppie and Mackintosh. Honeyman's work spanned Victorian life. This story is as much a social as an architectural one.
10:15am Free Event No Booking Additional info: http://www.fgw.org.uk

Four Acres Charitable Trust presents ALF WEBSTER AND HIS STAINED GLASS

Robin Webster, Glasgow architect, will talk about the family life and background of his grandfather. Alf Webster, whose work brought him "into the category of genius", according to Michael Donnelly. "Webster's great north and south windows are among the crowning achievements of Scottish stained glass”. These were Webster's last major commissions prior to his tragic death in Flanders in 1915, aged 30.

11:30am Free Event No Booking Additional info: http://www.fgw.org.uk

Glasgow City Heritage Trust and Friends of Glasgow West presents BOOK LAUNCH: “A NOTABLE ORNAMENT” - LANSDOWNE CHURCH

The launch of "A Notable Ornament: Lansdowne Church - an icon of Victorian Glasgow", a new book on the history of one of the west end of Glasgow's most familiar landmarks. With the author architectural historian Gordon R Urquhart, who will be available to sign copies. Light refreshments.

2:00pm Free Event No Booking Additional info: http://www.glasgowheritage.org.uk

Thinking of A-Day...

2011-06-09T19:42:00.001+01:00

Ok, I pinched this idea from a Church of England parish website... here if you want to look, but it seems appropriate...

"This prayer is attributed to Michelangelo (1475-1564),.... brief as it is, it offers us a special insight into the mind and motivation of a truly great artist.

Lord,
make me see your glory
in every place.
Amen.

Welcoming City ...

2011-06-09T12:09:00.000+01:00

Just Scripture

2011-06-09T10:42:00.000+01:00

A Christian Aid Contextual Bible Study of Micah Chapter 6.

Lansdowne Parish Church,

416 Great Western Road

Glasgow

Monday 20th June 7.30pm – 9.30pm

This evening will be an introduction to contextual bible study. A communal, close and contextual reading of the bible that has empowered communities across the world to address their own situations.

Rev Colin Anderson

2011-06-01T15:52:00.003+01:00

The Revd Colin Anderson died on Sunday 29th May 2011.

A service of thanksgiving for his life, will be held in Wellington Parish Church at 3pm on Friday 3rd May 2011.

Book Launch

2011-05-30T08:53:00.000+01:00

Cover detail of Gordon Urquhart's forthcoming book about Lansdowne Church

From the Moderator of the General Assembly

2011-05-27T13:33:00.006+01:00

Here is a statement from David Arnott, Moderator of the General Assembly as regard's last Monday's debate and decision.... and a further statement here. The GA had this to say about the conflict in Afghanistan. Also, concern was raised about suicide rate amongst young men in Scotland.

From Lambhill Stables

2011-05-24T08:36:00.000+01:00

Not really a Lansdowne Parish event but David Cruickshank is an old pal from Woodlands Community Development Trust days....

Lambhill Stables Grand Opening

Lambhill stables will be holding a “Grand Opening” ceremony during our next open day to mark the completion of building and the official opening of the project. There will fun for all the family, BBQ, face painting, live music, bike rides, scavenger hunt, arts and crafts and a lot more. It’s a great opportunity for local people to see the renovated building and community garden, and to pick up a timetable of new activities. The significance of the event is to announce the opening of the community hub and social enterprise based in North Glasgow to all of the communities in Maryhill, Kelvin and Canal. The charity offers a variety of community-based activities that promote employability, history, learning, health and eco-living for people of all ages. The social enterprise aims to provide employment and training in a range of landscaping services and green technologies. All income will then be re-invested for more jobs in the community.

Price: Free

Where:

Lambhill Stables
11 Canal Bank North, Lambhill Bridge
Glasgow
G226RD

Phone: 0141 945 4100

General Assembly 2011

2011-05-21T17:33:00.006+01:00

The General Assembly has begun and there is more to it than we might think. You can follow it online here... GA2011 ... and here is how the BBC reports it. Here is where people who listened to today's Sunday Mornings with Sally Magnusson programme can find out about David Myers.
If you Twitter you can follow GA2011 at
https://twitter.com/#!/generalassembly

And here are daily updates ...

Sunday Evening 22/5/11

2011-05-20T17:06:00.003+01:00

Yours truly is leading the evening service this Sunday. It will be in Hillhead Baptist Church, Cresswell Street and is entitled,
Contextual Bible Study for Christian Aid Week. SPCK has published a practical guide to this called 'What is Contextual Bible Study'

'The conviction that Scripture is revelatory literature is a constant, abiding conviction among the communities of Jews and Christians that gather around the book. But that conviction, constant and abiding as it is, is problematic and open to a variety of often contradictory or ambiguous meanings. Clearly that conviction is appropriated differently in various cultural settings. Current attention to hermeneutics convinces me many of us that there is no single, sure meaning of any text. The revelatory power of the text is discerned and given precisely through the action of interpretation which is always concrete, never universal, always contextualized, never “above the fray”, always filtered through vested interests, never in disinterested purity.'

From Introduction p ix of: Walter Brueggemann, Divine Presence Amid Violence, Contextualizing the Book of Joshua, Paternoster: thinking faith, Cascade Books – Eugene, Oregon 2009

A Glasgow Album

2011-05-19T10:25:00.002+01:00

Here is what Edwin Moore has been up to.... in support of the 'A-Day' 11th June.

Peace

2011-05-17T11:21:00.000+01:00

From the World Council of Churches, for World Sunday for Peace.

Meet Malawi

2011-05-17T09:49:00.002+01:00

'Meet Malawi'

at the West End Festival

A grouping of West End churches* warmly invite you to their ‘Meet Malawi’ evening at 7.30pm on Friday 3rd June at Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church Hall in Observatory Road.

Listen … (and dance if you like!) to Malawian music from the Moyenda Band

Enjoy … fresh fruit juices, Malawian cola, varieties of tea, coffee, and snacks

Learn … about Malawi today, as seen through the eyes of a recent visitor, with slides and a DVD

Stock-up … on fair-traded goods from Malawi via Balmore Coach House and home baking from Glasgow!

ENTRY FREE … but by giving as much as you can as a donation you will …

Help … to launch the West End Churches, Christian Aid Malawi Partnership Project, raising money for work with partner groups in the north of Malawi, to tackle the threats to life and health of HIV/Aids.

Be involved … in raising £5,000 for this project that the Scottish Development Fund are pledged to turn into an amazing £50,000.

* Hillhead Baptist Church, Hyndland Parish Church, Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church, Lansdowne Parish Church, St John’s-Renfield Parish Church and Wellington Parish Church.

Rubbish!

2011-05-16T15:47:00.000+01:00

Am heading out to meet councillors, neighbours of the church and interested parties to continue to work together at sorting waste disposal problems around the Lansdowne Church area. Thanks are due to neighbours who have brought this to public attention, elected reps and community activists who are helping and to Jack Stuart, fabric convener, for manfully cleaning and tidying the west-end porch part of the church...

Cottiers

2011-05-16T15:33:00.000+01:00

Looks like Four Acres and Cottier's have their new website up and running... Yay!

More Arty-ness

2011-05-16T15:23:00.000+01:00

Christian Aid - Tent of Nations

2011-05-16T15:16:00.003+01:00

Christian Aid Scotland
invites you to an evening
with Daoud Nassar
of the Tent of Nations project in Bethlehem.

5.15pm, 17 May 2011,

Wellington Church, 77 Southpark Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8LE

Daoud Nassar is a native of Bethlehem. He is a Palestinian Christian, fluent in Arabic, German and English. He is the founder and Director of Tent of Nations – People Building Bridges. He established the project on his family land purchased by his grandfather in 1916 and now threatened to be confiscated since 1991. The Tent of Nations is a project that seeks to bring people of various cultures backgrounds and religions together to build bridges of understanding, reconciliation and peace. www.tentofnations.org

Join us as Kathy Galloway, Head of Christian Aid in Scotland interviews Daoud on his work with Tent of Nations

Tea & coffee will be served before the event.

Free entry, a collection will be made for Tent of Nations at the event.

Held in conjunction with the Church of Scotland Church & Society and World Mission Councils.

Adventures in Art

2011-05-14T17:39:00.005+01:00

Wow! Have a peek next door at Adventures in Art to see what Duncan and Co have been up to...

Woodside Spring Clean 14th May 2011

2011-05-11T09:43:00.000+01:00

This notice about Saturday's spring clean-up is taken from Woodside Community Council's website:

Spring Clean-up! (note change of date)

Residents are invited to come along to the Woodside Community Council annual spring clean on Saturday 14 May at 11am, meeting outside Woodside Library.

Equipment provided plus refreshments!

All welcome. Phone Alan Lee (Chairman) on 079034 67959 if you'd like to help out.

Christian Aid Week 2011

2011-05-10T10:15:00.000+01:00

Christian Aid Week begins on Sunday 15th May. Mr Jack Stuart will lead Lansdowne's service at 11 am on Sunday. Around the parish grouping and beyond there will be door to door collections, one off events and worship raising awareness and funds for the development work of Christian Aid. Follow the link above to read first hand from their own website and download resources, etc....

Prayers, Moderatorial and otherwise...

2011-05-05T09:55:00.000+01:00

Over at the Church of Scotland website you can download .pdf documents of prayers: - Moderator's prayers for the 2011 General Assembly in May and World Council of Churches prayers for peace in Israel/Palestine.

Still open...

2011-05-04T16:07:00.000+01:00

It really is a funny old world.

I was just reading old internet sites some posts to the effect that Lansdowne Church is closed...
Well, Google me! ... I meet friends, neighbours, people in the street who tell me it is closed...
so much that I am starting to believe it myself! Have I been shut down? Condemned? Clerical dry-rot takes it's toll? Help Ma Boab. I must be imagining all those dancers, pentecostalists, asylum seekers and drummers, inter alia, as well as the church services I conduct at 11 am on Sundays.

'Holy Church of Scotland! Batman' - Lansdowne Parish Church is still here. Alive, kicking and .... well, you get the picture.

Responses to the Death of Osama Bin Laden

2011-05-02T19:14:00.005+01:00

Follow the link to read Jim Wallis of Sojourners response to the news, and courtesy of my neighbour Ruth's Facebook page, here is a Buddhist response. Interested parties can also read an older piece on the Myth of Redemptive Violence by Walter Wink here on Ekklesia. The ' Guardian carries this article...

Vote, vote, vote for ...

2011-04-28T19:05:00.000+01:00

... that's up to you.

But have a look at the Electoral Commission site for advice on the mechanics of it all.

Roll Away The Stone

2011-04-26T15:22:00.001+01:00

Roll Away The Stone is a national event celebrating the life of the church. The title is inspired by the easter stories and the themes of the event are Celebration, Inspiration and Discovery.

General Assembly of the Church of Scotland - May 2011

2011-04-26T09:53:00.000+01:00

This year's General Assembly will take place between May 21st and 27th. Interested parties may download copies of papers and reports from the Church of Scotland website, GA pages.
I am not a commissioner this year but my local colleagues Fiona Lillie and David Sinclair are.

Easter Sunday 2011

2011-04-24T14:45:00.000+01:00

Yours truly rarely posts on a Sunday. But today is a special day.
I was most moved and impressed to see so many present at today's easter celebration. Friends old and new, visitors and regulars - all together to celebrate the day of resurrection. Present also, to mark 10 years of Jane Tomlinson's musical leadership at Lansdowne Church.
All together, 'Now the green blade riseth...'

On Forgiveness ...

2011-04-22T10:04:00.001+01:00

Well worth a watch. Bettany Hughes' BBC TV programme on forgiveness. Recommended.

Special Commission, Moratorium, General Assembly

2011-04-20T10:43:00.001+01:00

For information, here is the latest communication from the Principal Clerk about the Special Commission on Same Sex Relationships and the Ministry...

"The Report of the Special Commission on Same Sex Relationships and the Ministry will officially be released on Thursday 21st April. While there has already been some speculation in the media as to its content you will soon see for yourself that its conclusions and recommendations have not been fully and fairly represented.

However, the lifting of the embargo on the Report does not mean the lifting of the moratorium instructed by the General Assembly of 2009. With a few exceptions the moratorium has been respected and it will be important in these last few weeks before the General Assembly for due restraint to be exercised in order that the will of the Assembly continues to be upheld.

The Office of the General Assembly, therefore, respectfully reminds ministers and office bearers that it will be for the General Assembly to discuss and debate the contents of the Report. Therefore, ministers and office-bearers should not allow themselves to be drawn into making comments to the media nor to conduct a debate in columns of the press.

Rev John Chalmers

Principal Clerk"

Hmm, again....

2011-04-20T08:48:00.001+01:00

There we were, socialising, and I bumped into a pal. We traded light-hearted banter about Prof Dawkins, belief and atheism. All in good heart. I made fun of RD, my pal stood up for him. All fine and dandy and perfectly healthy. The thing is, I had a 'Hmm' moment afterwards.

I realised that I react to RD (and the so called 'New Atheists') as if they are loud hectoring bullies. My pal says RD is a good thing 'because he stands up for us atheists'. So, does my friend see people like me, churches, religious leaders etc. as loud hectoring bullies? On reflection, I also react to people in the churches whose views I do not share as if they are 'loud hectoring bullies'. This means that I am motivated by fear which cannot be a good thing.

Experience tells me that the use and abuse of power is a reality in every walk of life, religious, secular, whatever. We all play power games. The question I am thinking 'Hmm' about is: "How self-aware am I about the power I have and how I use it?" Hmm.....

So thanks, friend, for making me think.

A Place of Hope

2011-04-19T08:16:00.000+01:00

In view of the well documented contribution of churches, faiths and religious groups to social conflict here is one example of the other side of the story.... A Place of Hope.

Poverty Truth Commission

2011-04-16T18:27:00.000+01:00

Read about the Poverty Truth Commission here...

Holy Week and Easter 2011

2011-04-16T14:43:00.004+01:00

Well, here we go. From 11 am on 17th April, Palm/Passion Sunday and thereafter:

17th April Palm Sunday Wellington Church 7pm

18th April Monday Hyndland Parish Church 7pm

19th April Tuesday Lansdowne PC 7pm

20th April Wednesday Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church 7pm

21st April Maundy Thursday Wellington Church 7pm

22nd April Good Friday Vigil Noon-3pm Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church
7 pm St John's-Renfield Parish Church 7pm

24th April Easter Sunday 8am Communion Kelvingrove Park followed by breakfast at Wellington Church Crypt.
7 pm Stations of The Resurrection - Wellington Church...

Contextual Bible Study

2011-04-12T16:49:00.000+01:00

I attended a meeting with John Riches, Helen Ball and Maureen Russell of 'CBS' today. There are plans afoot to team up with Christian Aid (Scotland) for some contextual bible study powered reflection to resource Christian Aid workers and volunteers in a 'from the ground up' manner. Early days. More to follow in due course. Meanwhile, remember - Christian Aid Week 2012 - May 15-21st ...

Art Escapades in June and a starting gun on April 11th...

2011-04-02T17:21:00.001+01:00

Please have a look at http://lansdowneinspires.blogspot.com/ for news of the Art Adventure event on June 11th at Lansdowne....

Hustings at St Mary's Cathedral - Friday 15 April 2011, 7.30 p.m.

2011-04-02T10:20:00.004+01:00

St Mary’s is hosting an election hustings evening to help those living in Glasgow to make up their minds about who to vote for in the Scottish Parliamentary Elections.

There will be a panel made up of election candidates from the Scottish Labour Party, the Scottish Conservatives, the Scottish Liberal Democrats, the Scottish National Party, and the Scottish Green Party. A representative from Christian Aid Scotland will also be on the panel.

The candidates are standing on the Glasgow Regional list, so what they have to say will be relevant to voters all over Glasgow. This is an opportunity for anyone from Glasgow to come along to hear the panellists, ask questions, and make up their mind as to how to vote on election day.

http://thecathedral.org.uk/blog/2011/03/07/election-hustings/

Welcome back Cottier Theatre

2011-04-01T16:03:00.000+01:00

It is good to note that the Cottier Theatre is getting all, well, theatrical again. As of Tuesday 29th of March it has been back in action.

Daniel's Beard Concerts

2011-03-24T16:31:00.004Z

Andy Saunders and Daniel's Beard are going to be busy in the weeks ahead. You can read all about it at the Cottier's Theatre website. Here is a link to an older article in The Herald.

Hmmm, interesting ...

2011-03-24T10:44:00.000Z

Tonight on Radio 4.... The Report and the 'battle for influence' in today's Britain.

Back Again, again....

2011-03-22T08:08:00.000Z

Yours truly is just back from a brief trip to St Andrews where my significant other and differently significant offspring prepared a tasty meal which all four of us enjoyed thoroughly. Before heading to Fife, my church pals surprised me with cards, pressies, nibbles and a cake....
So thanks to one and all....
:)
Happy day after my birthday to me!

Four Acres Charitable Trust in the News

2011-03-18T15:11:00.000Z

David Robertson of Four Acres Trust is in the Herald newspaper. Have a look and see what the trust is up to.

Diary, March 20th - 26th 2011

2011-03-17T11:01:00.000Z

Sunday March 20th
11 am, Morning Service,
7pm Evening Service at Hyndland Parish Church/Introduction of Rev Craig Lancaster into Chaplainy to HM Armed Forces RAF

Monday March 21st
7.30pm - West End ACTS meeting, Wellington Church

Thursday March 24th
7.20 for 7.30 pm Kirk Session meeting Lansdowne Church

Glasgow Caring City - Japan

2011-03-15T09:32:00.000Z

This just in from Glasgow The Caring City..... Scotland4japan

Mrs Annie Moffatt

2011-03-05T10:18:00.001Z

The funeral of the late Annie Moffatt, will be on Wednesday March 9th, 1.40pm at Cooperative Funeralcare, 562 Maryhill Road, Glasgow and thereafter to Glasgow Crematorium (Lambhill) for 2.15pm.

On Monday...

2011-02-26T11:04:00.000Z

Church and Society Council

2011-02-24T16:44:00.000Z

Here is the latest from the Church and Society Council

Over the next few days...

2011-02-23T18:54:00.000Z

Thursday 24th Feb. 7.20 for 7.30 p.m. Kirk Session Meeting
Saturday 23rd Feb. 7.30 p.m. Concert Daniels Beard at Findlay Church, Clarendon Place (Tear Fund/Pakistan Flood Appeal)
Sunday 27th Feb. 11.00 a.m. Morning service - Baptism of Rachael Anderson Jones

Public Meeting ... 17th February

2011-02-09T12:01:00.004Z

Art and Photography Adventure at the West End Festival

Volunteers are sought to help organise these initial events to promote Lansdowne...

People of all ages and families will be invited to come to Lansdowne at the weekend of 10/11/12 June and create an artwork in any medium to represent Lansdowne Church (inside or out) or the local area (riverside, Kelvinbridge). Ideas will be given for good spots. There will be a Montmartre-type atmosphere – street performers and varied art workshops. An art competition will be open to participants and the art may be displayed afterwards. There will be photography workshops and a photography exhibition, and demonstrations showing how stained glass windows are made.

The above idea is the first of many for community-inclusive events at Lansdowne designed to raise public awareness and financial support for the restoration of the Lansdowne building and its magnificent stained glass, and to bring the church into use as a space for arts and heritage, whilst maintaining its spiritual life.

Come along and find out more!

Community Meeting
7.30 pm, Thursday 17th February
Lansdowne Church Hall

For more information please phone

Lizanne McKerrell 01360 551117, lizanne.mckerrell@zen.co.uk or

Jane Tomlinson 0141 337 3969, jane.tomlinsona@gmail.com

Rev Tom Williamson

2011-02-03T12:47:00.002Z

With regret I pass on the news from yesterday's Herald that one of my predecessors at Lansdowne, Rev Tom Williamson has passed away.

Some fun...

2011-02-02T12:30:00.002Z

Looking forward to a trip to Abercorn Secondary School to be interviewed by the English class... a welcome change...