Christmas Post 2023
St John’s Youth Organisations are once again delivering your Christmas post! Bring your cards to the church to drop off no later than the morning of 17 December and we’ll deliver them for only 30p per card! You make a big savings AND you support the youth organisations and their work with young people in our community. the Youth Fund is entirely funded by the Christmas Post so thank you for letting us be your posties this Christmas!
Inner Visions: festival of Art and Spirituality
In collaboration we Crow Cottage Arts, we are excited to present Inner Visions, a festival of Art and Spirituality from 17 November – 1 December. For too long both creativity and spirituality have been trapped in rigid boxes that scare us off — “art” and “religion” are formal things that have rules and good-and-bad and other norms that make it difficult to break in or to try it out or to make connections.
But the truth is that we are creative beings, made for connection with the Divine, with ourselves, with each other, and with the world. In this festival, we are exploring those connections, celebrating creativity, and digging deep into what makes us human. Our spiritual lives are not confined to the box of “religion” and our creative lives are not confined to the box called “real art” as if there’s some wrong way to express the spirit within us. This festival is for all, whether part of a faith tradition or not, whether you “get” art or not, whether you think of yourself as creative or spiritual or just curious and loving beauty.
A number of local artists, from professionals to workshop-goers to high school students, have created pieces specifically for this exhibition, and also written about their experience as spiritual beings who express and experience their spirituality in creativity.
Throughout the festival, the exhibition will be open to the public for several hours each day. In addition, there are events to which all are invited and welcome. The festival is entirely free of charge.
*Exhibition opening: Friday 17 November, 6-8pm, with refreshments, artists on hand to speak with, and music to lighten the soul.
*Alec Galloway lecture on stained glass and spirituality: Sunday 19 November, 3pm
*Panel Discussion with the artists: Saturday 25 November, 6pm
*St Andrew’s Day Spirituality Cafe (an informal gathering exploring some aspect of our spiritual lives through creativity, conversation, and snacks): Thursday 30 November, 7:30pm
*Exhibition closes: Friday 1 December 5-6pm
Opening hours:
Saturday 18 November: 12-3 pm
Sunday 19 November: immediately before & after the lecture by Alec Galloway at 3pm
Monday 20 November: 10 am-12 noon, and 7-9 pm
Tuesday 21 November: 10 am-3 pm, and 7-9 pm
Wednesday 22 November: 9:30 am-12 noon, 1-3 pm, and 6-8 pm
Thursday 23 November: 10 am-12 noon, 4-9 pm
Friday 24 November: 7-9 pm
Saturday 25 November: 4-6 pm (before the artist’s panel starting at 6pm)
Sunday 26 November: 1-3 pm
Monday 27 November: 9:30 am-12 noon, and 7-9pm
Tuesday 28 November: 7-9 pm
Wednesday 29 November: 1-3 pm, and 6-8 pm
Thursday 30 November: 5-7 pm (Spirituality Cafe at 7:30)
Friday 1 December: closing reception 5-6 pm
All are welcome! Please invite friends and neighbours, come as often as you like, and join us as we seek a deeper spiritual life together through the beauty of this world and this community.
coming soon!
Youth Organisations are starting the new session! Boys Brigade has P1 – P3 on Tuesdays at 5:30, P4 – P6 on Mondays at 7, P7 – S6 on Fridays at 7. Smurfs (girls age 5-6) are on Thursdays at 6, Brownies (age 7 – 10) on Wednesdays at 6, and Guides and Rangers (age 11 – 18) on Wednesdays at 7:30.
Wednesday evening Bible Study resumes on the 30th of August, using the study book “A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year W”. We meet in the manse at 7:30pm.
The next Bowl & Blether is on Monday 4 September, from 11:30 – 1:30. come along for soup and a friendly chat!
concert! 13 November
the Contact Group is hosting a fundraising concert, with entertainment provided by the Clydeside Singers. All are welcome!
October Holiday Club: Life in Plastic — not fantastic!
All P1-P7 age children are invited to join us for a 3-day holiday club in the October break! What else are you doing with your Tuesday – Thursday mornings that week? Come and explore stories, games, and activities that help us save the planet. God’s good earth needs someone to take care of it, and that someone is us!
YOU have been specially chosen for this mission: to be God’s partner in making the beautiful world a home for animals, plants, and people. We’ll join our hands to God’s hands to help heal the earth and create the future.
Each day we’ll gather at 9am for music, stories, and activities. We’ll have lunch together, too! Pickup is at 1pm.
Activities will be both indoor and outdoor so please dress for the weather.
Click here for more information and to register! You can also contact Teri with any questions: tpeterson (at) churchofscotland.org.uk
a Macmillan Bowl & Blether!
Join us on Monday 5 September, anytime between 10:30am and 1:30pm, for a special edition of a Bowl & a Blether — combined with a Macmillan coffee morning!
We’ll have scones (and jam and cream), treats, prizes, soup, and a friendly chat, all while our donations go to a good cause. 
starting August with a Bowl and Blether!
Join us in the large hall for a bowl of soup and a blether with friends and neighbours. All are welcome — why not bring along a friend or family member or a neighbour you think could use an hour out of the house?
Doors open at 11:30, soup from 12-1:30.
We also welcome volunteers for future B&B days! contact Teri: tpeterson (at) churchofscotland.org.uk for more information.
See you soon!
Bowl and Blether, July!
Come one, come all, for a bowl of soup and a chat with friends old and new! All are welcome. Invite your neighbours and friends and random people on the street — there is a place for you.
