SUMMER CLUBS

Kinross Parish Church has been holding a family week each summer for nearly 40 years, originally using materials from Scripture Union before the group developed enough confidence to run it themselves. In the first year one of the volunteers brought along her one-year-old baby. That baby, now 38, came to help this year, along with her own pre-school daughter.

This year the title was Starship Discovery and the teaching materials were based around the Disciple, Peter. Well over 200 children registered, including over 30 teenagers. The club uses not only the Parish Church and its hall, but other local churches and the local playgroup building. And the team of volunteers also includes people from other local Church of Scotland churches, and other Christian denominations in the area.

Family Week co-ordinator Ruth Robertson said: “I have learnt that God always provides. Every year, I ask for helpers, and am so humbled by the many people who volunteer their time and talents, both behind the scenes and with the children and young people. It is a privilege to lead this large ecumenical team of enthusiastic and hard-working volunteers as we share the Good News of Jesus in our community.”

In partnership with Campsie Church and St Paul’s & St Machan’s Catholic churches, Milton of Campsie Parish Church delivered its ninth consecutive two-week summer club, reaching out to children, young people and adults with music, art and drama.

This year’s theme was ‘Oompalarity: Oompa, Loompa, Doompedy Do; We have a wonderful tale for you’. Each day’s tale focused on a well-known Bible parable brought to life for the children by Willie, Lofty and the Gospel Guy. The theme was explored later in the day in Parable Prayers (a short intergenerational act of worship), preceded by 7-Up for older youngsters.

Care Homes were visited, a litter-pick was done, Fairtrade rice was sold, and a Community Art Project invited people to lay their worries at the foot of the cross. The fortnight’s hard work culminated in a Charity Concert with over £1000 being divided among four charities – Breast Cancer Now, Christian Aid, Scottish Bible Society & Strathcarron Hospice. A highlight of the concert was the Churches Together Redemption 6-hander played by Marion Donnachie, Aileen Kelly and Gareth Wilson.