Govanhill Free Church of Scotland | News

A Multi-Cultural Service was held in Govanhill Free Church on Tuesday evening.

About 60 people were there, including many friends from the local community, from a number of nationalities. Some families came, and it was great to see a good number of children there.

The sermon was on the parable of the Rich Fool. May God's word bless all who were present.

After the service almost everyone stayed for a wonderful curry and other mouth-watering edibles.

 

by DuncanP on 13-Feb-09 21:55

The Tuesday 'Welcome Project' drop-in held their Christmas party last week (16th December). Around 80 people attended many of whom have been regulars at the drop-in for a number of years and others for whom this is their first year. Good to have many of the family members who can't make it on Tuesday lunchtimes because of work or school. Once again Anna Griffiths from Crossroads did a superb job of organising things along with the volunteers from the church. Everyone enjoyed some great food, the kids loved the party games and Santa (Shanaaza?) Claus even made an appearance! Sadly we had to say goodbye to Gordon and Vanda, two social work students who were doing a placement with Crossroads.

Thanks to everyone for their hard work through 2008

 

by KennyB on 20-Dec-08 19:57

'Christmas Mubarak's' theme this year was 'Peace' . Duncan and Christine Peters skillfully weaved a message for adults and children between readings and songs in 7 languages. Around 100 enjoyed the afternoon, rounded off with festive fare kindly organised by Penny MacLeod and the ladies of Govanhill Free Church. There were quite a number of new folks there and it was wonderful to have a carol sung in Romanian for the first time at a Christmas Mubarak. We pray that the peace the Lord Jesus brings might touch many lives in the New Year of 2009.

 

by KennyB on 19-Dec-08 20:24

On Tuesday 11th November there was a Multi-Cultural Service in the church. About 35 people were there, including a good number of guests. One ‘unusual' guest on this occasion was this year's moderator of the General Assembly, Rev. Kenny Ferguson from Ness, Isle of Lewis. The sermon was on the call of Levi (Luke 5:27-32). The account of Levi holding a banquet in Jesus' honour where his friends could meet Jesus provides an excellent illustration of what we are trying to do at the multi-cultural services - we seek to honour the Lord Jesus and introduce others to him. After the service almost everyone stayed to enjoy a delicious curry. Thank you to all who helped out in any way.

 

by DuncanP on 11-Nov-08 23:50

We thank God for his evident blessing on this event. About 67 people came, over 40 of whom were guests. We were delighted to welcome a number of Turkish speakers was something of a surprise, and with Colin there we were able to ‘pull out of the hat' a Turkish Bible reading at the last minute. The sermon was on John 13:1-17 in English and Urdu.

It was great to see a number of families there. Some have been to the last 3 or 4 such events. We praise God for the numbers and also the positive response of many who came. One person was very enthusiastic about the service, saying that next time he wanted to bring his family and friends. Another said we should do this more often.

Almost everyone stayed for the excellent curry which was prepared by Monica and Penny.

We pray for God's blessing on all who came.

 

by DuncanP on 17-Jun-08 16:42

On Saturday 8th March around 60 from the Tuesday drop-in and the congregation made their way to New Lanark. It was the wettest Saturday of the year so far and perhaps spirits were a little deflated among those who had braved it and decided to come anyway. Yet by the time we reached New Lanark the rain had eased and as we sat enjoying an excellent lunch in the Mill Pantry the first rays of sunlight began to glint through the windows.

 

New Lanark has long been a fascinating place but in recent years much has been done to make it even more visitor friendly and suitable for children. The four hours we were there flew past and in the end some were almost running to try and see some of the village they hadn't yet reached before the bus left! The staff were really good too, serving up lunch in record time and willing to be flexible with group tours, numbers, children etc.    

What a tremendous privilege the Lord gave us to spend time with our neighbours in Govanhill in such beautiful and interesting surroundings. We are also indebted to Anna Griffiths again for the careful planning that helped make the day a success. Unfortunately Anna couldn't share in what she organised as she'd come down with a virus just a couple of days before.

As we stepped back on the bus the clouds moved in and it started to rain. All in His timing.

 

 

by KennyB on 03-Apr-08 21:22

On Tuesday 25th March there was an ‘Easter Mubarak' multicultural service in the church (‘mubarak' means blessed or happy in many languages). We had invited many friends to join with us for the occasion and were delighted to welcome around 40 who came in addition to ‘usual' church folk. The format was similar to previous multicultural services we have held on a Tuesday evening, although this time, a large number of children were present.

The sermon, in English and Urdu, was on the conversation between the Lord Jesus and the criminal on the next cross from Luke 23:39-43.

Almost everyone remained afterwards for refreshments and there was a good lively atmosphere.

Thank you to all who were involved in any way. We give thanks to God for his blessing on the event and pray his blessing on all who came.

 

by DuncanP on 03-Apr-08 16:24

The Tuesday drop-in held their annual party a week before Christmas Day. More than 60 were there including lots of kids who enjoyed the crafts and games. Everyone got stuck into pizza, pakora and samosa as well as having time to talk. It was good to catch up on some old friends who've attended the drop-in over the last 4 years or so. Some have found jobs, others are studying at college and quite a few have moved to other parts of the city. Great to see some new faces with people who have just started coming to the drop-in in the last few weeks joinin the fun too. Thanks must go to Anna Griffiths of Crossroads for organising the party as well as to the volunteers from the church who helped out on the night. Yes, every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of light.

 

by KennyB on 21-Dec-07 22:56

It was good to read the Bible and praise God together. Duncan spoke in English and in Urdu.  There were a few new faces and nearly everyone waited for the meal and a bit of chat.       (DJ)

 

by DuncanP on 04-Nov-07 23:10

Click here to buy at amazon

 

by DuncanP on 21-Oct-07 21:37

Our Harvest Thanksgiving Service took place on Sunday 28th October. After the service we enjoyed a meal together. Thanks to all who helped.

 

 

by ChristineP on 21-Oct-07 20:54

The 17th-23rd June was Refugee Week throughout the country and many events were held in Glasgow. One of these was in our own hall on Thursday 21st June. Many groups (Govanhill Youth Project, Hidden Gardens, Amina etc.) from the Govanhill Settlement and Integration Network (GSIN) were represented by setting up stalls with information for local people, refugees and asylum seekers alike. One contribution of particular interest to us was the banners displayed on the walls. These had been made by people who attend the Tuesday drop-in and were part of a project coordinated by Kate Tuck (a social work student on placement with Anna Griffiths at Crossroads Youth and Community Association) that looked at people’s roots and life stories. If you like, they are an artistic record of the great variety of backgrounds from which people in the Govanhill area come.

Around 180 attended the event and a big thanks must go to Anna, Kate and the team from Govanhill Free Church who helped with stewarding and catering on the night. Thanks also to GSIN for organising the event and to Amal and her friend Faizah who were guest speakers. Amal is one of the original seven ‘Glasgow Girls’ who have campaigned on asylum issues in Scotland.

 

by KennyB on 04-Jul-07 22:35

 

We visited Pollock Country Park; then the Burrell Collection; then the Church Hall; then a BBQ at Kenny and Fiona's; then home. A good time was had by all.. .me anyway 

 

by DavidJ on 04-Jul-07 18:24

• Bric-a-Brac
• Books
• Toys
• CDs
• DVDs
• Videos
• Clothes
• Baking

"Thanks to everyone who helped with 'Coffee Morning and Second Hand Sale' on Saturday 2nd June. Special thanks go to Sarah MacGillvray and Christine Peters, the brains behind the event. The range of baking for eating with your tea and coffee as well as for sale on the stalls was phenomenal! Many good quality clothes were sold too along with CD's, DVD's,books and various other things. At one point it looked as though Zena Cameron had reserved a locked trunk with no key (much to Donald's delight)! However, after a little bit of searching the key was found. Oh, and by the way, nearly £500 was raised to go towards the Renovation Fund. "    KB

 

 

by ChristineP on 16-May-07 19:14

Stone-laying in 1909

The original of this photo hangs on the back wall of the church hall. It was taken on the 18th of September 1909 on the occasion of the laying of a memorial stone to mark a significant stage in the construction of the church building.

The platform party appear to be standing on a temporary scaffold, roughly on a level with the top of the front entry porch. Notice the fashionably dressed ladies at the back, with their elaborate hats. The men mostly wear bowler hats, although a few men with bonnets appear at the fringes of the gathering.

Most intriguing is the "artist" with his easel at the top right of the photo - unfortunately the writing on the board is too indistinct to be deciphered.

A close-up of the platform party is shown in the next photo.

The Platform Party

In the centre of the photo is Archibald MacNeilage, the editor of the Free Church Monthly Record, who is to be seen tamping the stone into position. To the left of the photo the gentleman with the top hat and the once fashionable side-whiskers, is Principal McCulloch. He was the minister of Hope Street Gaelic Church and was the first interim-moderator of the Govanhill congregation and helped to nurse it through the early years of its existence.

 

by IanF on 15-May-07 23:42

We give thanks to God for his blessing on this event. It was the first time we held a multi-cultural service on a Tuesday evening. In addition we adopted certain Asian cultural elements such as taking off our shoes and sitting on carpets on the floor. The main speaker was Rahmat who was visiting from India who spoke about the resurrection of Jesus from Luke 24:13-35. In the event about 37 people attended including a number of guests from various backgrounds. Most stayed afterwards to enjoy samose, pakore, baking, chay (Asian tea) and fellowship.

 

by DuncanP on 15-Apr-07 22:47

It will take a week or 3 to get things up..come back soon

 

by DavidJ on 09-Feb-07 03:21