My Dear Friends in Maxwelltown West

 I can hardly believe that we are preparing for the Spring edition of the magazine.  Spring this year seems to have gone into abeyance!   But, as I write this, we have celebrated again the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper and being just before Easter, on Passion Sunday, it gave it such a poignant meaning as we shared in the broken body and shed blood of Christ given in love for us all.   Perhaps it gave a special joy on Easter Morning as we gathered in the Church in bright sunshine beneath an empty Cross in the sanctuary decorated by cheerful spring flowers to offer one another the wondrous message – Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Hallelujah!!!

The resurrection of Christ is the foundation of our faith, the assurance of sins forgiven and of His eternal presence with us every step of our journey in this life and the next.  But this gift is not for us to keep to ourselves.  As the risen Christ appeared to his confused but joyful disciples he gave them the instruction for the future of their lives, “As the Father sent me, so I send you.”  Their mission and ours is to share the Good News of the Gospel to a needy world and surely Sharing is the key word.  We know that faith really is not taught but rather caught from other believers.  Our secular world, like the panic dash to have the measles vaccine, is doing its best to immunise society against Christianity, but the genuine love of Christ in each of us is strong enough to pass on!!   Are we truly contagious Christians!!??   That should be our prayer and our aim.

 Sharing is becoming the watchword in Maxwelltown West.   How much joy was created in sharing lunch after the Easter service?   I for one, as a ‘singly’, so much appreciated not going home after the uplift of worship together to lunch at the telly-table and so did the 80 plus others who came.  Our Social Group is doing a superb job in providing us with opportunities to share fellowship and help us to get to know one another better.

 On the 1st of June our enthusiastic and dedicated organist Stephen will again, with help from Alistair, be putting on another fund raising concert for the new organ.   We are so fortunate in having such a talented young man who is so committed to Maxwelltown West.  He and the new organ wonderfully enhance our worship but we have not yet replaced the funds spent in its purchase.  Stephen is putting a huge amount of effort into a programme for that evening, so I do trust that every member will do their bit to support him.  Invite friends, spread the ticket sale widely and let us try to fill the Church.

 Then in July and August we will again be having the summer After Church Coffees in the Hall – another opportunity for fellowship and the ongoing building of friendships.

I am proud and privileged to be Locum Minister of Maxwelltown West Church.  Let us continue in the Lord’s work together and Spread the Love!!

 With Love in His Service

 Liz.

 Dear Friends in Max West,

I feel obliged to put pen to paper, (something I have to admit I am rarely in the habit of doing these days.)  However, as Treasurer of our church, I felt it was extremely important I brought to everybody’s attention that last year we spent almost £30,000 upgrading our old Organ to a brand new Digital Organ.  I’m sure those of you who have heard it will agree that it is a very fine instrument which is a pleasure to listen to.  

Having said that, our previous pipe organ served Maxwelltown West Church extremely well for many years but it had become in need of extensive and very expensive repair.    

Basic economics determine that when we spend money, we need to replace it.  I am sure most of you will already know that we have an active Organ Fundraising Committee, led by David Rosie, who are currently trying to raise the much needed capital, so fundraising events will continue and hopefully be supported by you.  However there is no doubt that if we had not had the benefit of a substantial donation from one of our members (who would prefer to remain anonymous) we would not be as near our target as we are. 

With this in mind, if every current member of our congregation were now to donate just £15, which equates to less than 30p a week for a year, the remaining balance of approximately £9,000 would be exceeded.  When you think about it, this is surely not a lot to ask to enable our church to be one of the very few here in Dumfries to have a super new organ, which will hopefully sustain our music for many years to come.  If you feel you can, all I ask is that you place a donation, for whatever amount you consider appropriate, into the pre-addressed envelope enclosed with your Contact and return it to me via your elder or by handing it into the church the next time you are there, or by simply placing a stamp on it and popping it in the post.  We would love to see the barometer (currently situated on a table behind the organ) which each week displays the amount we have raised, go crashing through the £30,000 target figure soon!

Kindest regards to all

D  McN, Treasurer

The MaxWest Social Group, which was created following a meeting on 1^st March 2012, now consists of a total of 30 members and comprises a broad cross-section of the Church membership and also includes younger and older members, Elders and Deacons.

The Social Group has evolved during the past year and does not operate with a formal committee but has the following structure:-

* A total of 5 members, who have volunteered to rotate as Chairpersons.

* The Chairpersons have an agreed set of guidelines to maintain continuity at the meetings.

* A total of 8 members who have volunteered to take the minutes at meetings in rotation.

* There is a defined Finance Group of 3 members who manage the Finances.  This is necessary to control the Bank account.

Although the Social Group is not a Fundraising Group, moneys have been donated to the Group at various events.

Over the past year the Social Group has organised 4 events:-

• Easter Brunch
• Haggis Drive  
• Scottish Night
• Christmas Brunch 

The Social Group has also assisted at the Organ Recital Fundraising event, which was organised by the Organ Fundraising Group.

During 2013 the following events are planned:-

• The Easter Brunch was held on Sunday 31^st March, with over 100 members of the congregation and visitors enjoying a variety of soups, sandwiches, tea, coffee and soft drinks.  A Craft event and Easter Egg Hunt were organised for the children.

• The Social Group will also again assist in the Organ Concert on Saturday 1^st June, which is being organised by the Organ Fundraising Group.

• A “Something” Drive (Beetle/Panda/Crocodile) is planned for Saturday 31^st August.

• A second Christmas Brunch is planned for Sunday 15^th December.
  

All these events are co-ordinated by a small group of volunteers, with all members of the Social Group playing their parts as agreed, before and on the date of the event.

The Social Group will continue to evolve, with the main aim of the members to develop friendship and fellowship amongst all those individuals, who are associated, in any way, with Maxwelltown West Church and to provide a warm welcome to visitors.

Anyone who wishes to participate in the Social Group or can offer any assistance or ideas can contact me in the first instance.                            I MacPh .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

1850

The Laurieknowe area in 1850 was very different from now. 

A new Free Church was to be commissioned and a design prepared by Mr. Barbour, architect, was selected and a site was obtained. 

1893

 By the 1893 map, the area had changed considerably.  The following report on the building of the church is taken from the book ‘Jubilee 1866 – 1916 Maxwelltown United Free Church’ printed for the Deacons’ Court.

“The whole work, exclusive of painting, was contracted for by Messrs Crackston & Sons, builders, Maxwelltown.  The foundation stone was laid by Mr. A. Murray Dunlop, M.P. on the 6^th of July, 1865; and the church thoroughly completed has just been publicly opened for the worship of God. 

To Mr. Costin, painter, was entrusted the pictorial ornamentation of the interior, a task he has performed with admirable skill and taste.  The building appears to be a model piece of masonry, reflecting the utmost credit on Messrs Crackston & Son.

We ought not to neglect to mention that the fine toned bell of the church was the gift of Mr. J. M. Henderson, manufacturer, and that the Baillie Tweddle gave, as his subscription, £20 for purchasing the heating apparatus.  The contract price for the work of the mason, joiner, slater, plasterer, etc., was £1,888; the charge for painting, heating, grates, rails, and architect’s fee will be about £220; the price of the site was £165 – in all £2,273.   This will leave a considerable margin of debt – probably £400 or more; but whilst thankfully acknowledging the liberality manifested by the people at the opening services, by the handsome collection of £56/14s, we trust that the collection to be taken at the services in the church tomorrow will also be on a large and liberal scale.

The church was opened by the Rev. Dr. Begg on Thursday, 15^th November, at twelve o’clock.  Though the day was wet and boisterous, nearly every seat was occupied, the country members of the congregation, no less than those of the town, turning out well.”

M N

Sermon preached by Rev Liz Mack in Maxwelltown West Church on Sunday 31st March 2013 based on  Isaiah  25: 6 – 9…..and John 20: 1 -10 

Today, on this Easter Morning, with all Christians, world-wide, we rejoice in an empty cross and an empty tomb.

We celebrate the awesome proof that we have a Risen Lord.  That Christ’s death on the cross was not the end of a dream but the beginning of an unimaginable new life for all mankind through a Risen Saviour…

Read the rest of this sermon in pdf  format

]]> http://maxwelltownwest.org.uk/sermon-for-easter-%e2%80%9ctetelestai-it-is-completed%e2%80%9d/feed/ 0 http://maxwelltownwest.org.uk/letter-from-our-locum-2/ http://maxwelltownwest.org.uk/letter-from-our-locum-2/#comments Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:45:05 +0000 MaxwestOversight http://maxwelltownwest.org.uk/?p=1040

My Dear Friends in Maxwelltown West,

We move into a new year with our way forward towards a new Ministry still unknown.  As the many of you who came to the last Presbytery meeting will know, we were given a 6 month period to come up with proposals of our own when the option by Presbytery of a 7 year reviewable tenure was rejected by the Church.  Our Interim Moderator and a few ad hoc members are doing their very best to come up with acceptable alternatives, so we have to wait and continue praying for guidance in this matter.

However difficult this situation is, we must have no fears that Maxwelltown West is stagnating in limbo!!!  We are not and the life and worship of the Church continues as we are commissioned by Christ to do….and as the Mission Statement of our Church declares, “We aim to be a place of welcome to all in our parish” and we are delighted to have added 11 new members to our roll in the past year.

We also aim to be a centre of Christian worship and fellowship and I have been warmed to hear that our worship together is enjoyed and that our support and help to one another is being experienced and appreciated and I thank our Parish Visitors team for all they do to keep our housebound members in touch with church life.

Our young people and families are well catered for in the provision of a crèche each week, a lively J Max and K Max Sunday School and Y Max for the older ones.  Without the faithful service of all involved in that important work we would not be in the good position we are.

Some ten members and I attended a day long seminar with the charismatic Minister, Speaker, Hymn Writer and Inspirer, Rev John Bell in January and his great message to us was that Church must primarily be a place of fellowship and care – as you know, a message close to my heart.

If people do not feel loved and welcomed in our fellowship we may as well close the doors!!!

Each one of you is an Evangelist.  People need to be brought into Church personally.  If we each found and invited just one more, think of the effect on our congregation!

So we can go forward as I said in my New Year Sermon this year, reassured by God’s past faithfulness, renewed by the promise of His never failing presence with us and recommissioned by Christ’s faith in us.  “As the Father sent me into the world, so I am sending you!”  – John chapter 17 verse 18.

Our Church may have to change but our Mission does not, so in faith together let us step boldly into 2013 full of hope and joy.

With love in His Service

Liz

Over the course of the winter the Kirk Session has been in conversation with Presbytery’s Ministry and Resources Committee about the future of Maxwelltown West.  Despite the Presbytery Plan recently agreed with the Ministries Council indicating that Maxwelltown West would be allocated one full time ministry on an unrestricted tenure (in other words on the same basis as before) the Presbytery Committee proposed that Maxwelltown West be allocated a full time ministry on a reviewable tenure of seven years.

Members of Maxwelltown West attended the meeting of Presbytery on 28^th November where Presbytery were persuaded to grant a further six months to Maxwelltown West to explore other options with a view to calling a minister on an unrestricted tenure.  Since then the Kirk Session has been working hard looking for a new way forward.  The Kirk Session has until Presbytery meets on 26^th June to come up with alternative proposals at which time Presbytery will decide whether to accept these proposals or allocate a seven year reviewable tenure ministry.

In the meantime please keep the Kirk Session and Presbytery in your prayers that the correct way forward for Maxwelltown West may be found.                                               Donald Campbell

Bondo:  The Bondo project continues to develop.  Since starting in 2007, we have assisted in the construction of six earth toilets, two deep wells and a small church with a recent classroom addition.  The initiation of a Credit Scheme two years ago, from funding provided by us, has resulted in numerous small businesses being developed.

The monthly donations from our members is now being used to assist in feeding 550 children and the recent Gift Scheme we introduced this Christmas has resulted in £110 being forwarded to provide Sunday School literature and £140 to purchase beehives for another business scheme.

We continue to seek contributions towards the feeding programme, as well as sponsorship for individual children.  If you feel that you can help, please contact one of the members of the World Church Team led by A Dunbar.  The Gift Scheme continues throughout the year and gifts may be “purchased” at any time.

The hopes and dreams of those in Usenge are evolving and in every message we receive they emphasise their gratitude to Maxwelltown West.

Mathia:  Our links with Mathia Church started over five years ago.  In that time we have twice welcomed visitors from our partner church in Kenya and representatives of the World Church Team visited Mathia in 2009.  Our abiding memory from these visits is of their rock-solid, unshakeable faith in the Lord.  Our partnership with Mathia is mainly based on a sharing of faith.  However, we have assisted in the purchase of materials to enable the congregation to extend their ever-growing church building and each year we contribute to their Bursary Fund to assist their young people to continue their higher education studies.  Both of these “gifts” are in our ongoing Gift Scheme.  The highlight for John Njeru and Banice Wanjiku during their visit last year was meeting our own young people, whether in Church groups, members of our uniformed organisations, or in schools or College.

Our link with Mathia is a very positive one and we were delighted and humbled to receive many heartfelt greetings from their congregation over the Christmas and New Year period. Our links with both of our Kenyan projects continue to grow stronger each year.                                      D J

My Dear Friends in Max West

At the time of writing I realise that it is exactly one year since I was appointed Locum in Max West.  Many things have happened in that time; Gordon’s hoped for return to service was sadly not to be and with his death we were faced with a situation which this church has not experienced for almost 30 years, almost unprecedented in these times.  A new Ministry and a new chapter in the life of the Church is now a reality.

I have tried to keep our spirits up and our faith moving forward.  The shortened Summer services were designed to serve one important function – to allow the members of the congregation to get to know one another better over coffee.  We will survive only if we are united as one body of Christ, supporting and encouraging each other and that has to start with friendship.  I do hope you have widened that circle and our new Social Committee is working hard to encourage our meeting together.

We have had installed a wonderful new organ and in the hands of Stephen and Alistair have had our praise and worship enhanced.

We have experienced as a Church family, sad losses and wonderful gains in our membership.  We have enjoyed the visit of John and Banice from Mathia whose overt and rock solid faith in the ability of God to move mountains has been such an example to us all.

The children are back in Church and keep your Locum on her toes!!!  Harvest was a joy in a wonderfully decorated sanctuary.

At last, with the visit of a team from the Presbytery Ministry and Resources Committee, we take the first steps in the process of progressing the vacancy.  In the present climate of ministerial shortages we have no idea how long this might take.  I would ask that you make this a matter of priority in all your prayers that the right person might be called to Maxwelltown West.

Since it is so long since you have needed to look for a Minister I would ardently suggest that you make opportunities to go and visit other Churches and see how much things have changed.  It may be a steep curve of revelation!!!

In the meantime, it is my continuing privilege to serve as your Locum.  We are fortunate to have so many people who willingly give of their time and talents to keep our work and witness moving forward.  Let us look forward in faith, believing that God’s plans for us are good.

With love in His service

Liz

Gordon enjoyed his family, especially time spent with David and Alasdair.  I recall when they were both very young, Gordon would have meetings or visits most evenings, but there were very few nights when he missed bathtime and he always managed to read bedtime stories to them.  Those of you who remember Gordon’s talk on favourite books will recall the different voices he used.  This was a common occurrence in our house.  I often heard squeals of delight coming from the boys’ bedrooms as Gordon took on the guise of characters from Great Expectations, Kidnapped, Treasure Island, David Copperfield, Harry Potter and his favourite A Child’s Garden of Verse by Robert Louis Stevenson.

It was impossible for us not to be aware of Gordon’s work ethic.  He instilled this in David and Alasdair, along with a deep sense of duty.  He expected them to treat all people with respect and to show interest in others.

Gordon was a traditionalist at heart but was aware how important it is to embrace change when change is beneficial to the Glory of God.  He came across as quite a serious man but he had a great sense of humour and an infectious laugh.  Those who attended the annual visit to the Pantomime in Glasgow will recognise this side to Gordon.

He loved Maxwelltown West and you, his people.  He always made himself available and took a great interest in your lives.  He found it a privilege to be part of the important events of your lives.  When we knew he only had a limited time left on this earth, his first thoughts were for his family, closely followed by his concern for this congregation.  He hoped that you would continue to grow spiritually and to have closure so that you can look forward to a new chapter in the congregational life.  He wasn’t a vain man, but he felt loved by you and appreciated that, after 28 years as your minister, looking forward wasn’t going to be easy.  However I know his wish for you was to find a new minister who can help you continue to grow in your spiritual life.

David, Alasdair and I want to thank you for all the love and support you have shown us, not just since Gordon died but indeed for all the years we lived in the Manse.  As some of you know we have moved house and are happy in our new home but we will never forget our time in the Manse nor the way you looked after us and gave us a wonderful home to live in.

Mairi