News & Events

My dear friends,

Most of us will have worshipped on Sunday and I thank God that we have the freedom to do so. I was so sorry to read that Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem for reasons of safety. I understand he will now have immediate and full access to the church. Worship is such an important part of our faith; it seems especially important in Holy Week and at Easter particularly while there is so much conflict and uncertainty.

We have just celebrated Palm Sunday, the day when we remember Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey. It was almost Passover and Jesus knew exactly what fate awaited Him. For folks who don’t manage to worship between Palm Sunday and Easer Sunday there is only the two joyful services with nothing of the week in between. This Holy Week many churches have services through the week; even if you cannot manage to worship, take your time this week, do not be in a rush to reach the joy of Easter morning. Take your time, journey with Jesus day by day, slowly, thoughtfully; from the overturning of the tables and His righteous anger, through the anointing of His feet and His gracious acceptance of the generosity of Mary, to the payment of thirty pieces of silver to Judas, to sitting around the table – for Jesus at the passover, for us at the Last Supper, to the journey through the city carrying His cross, to His death on Good Friday, the darkness and despair of Saturday before we reach the joy of Easter, the empty tomb and the resurrection.
Take your time, journey slowly with Christ through this Holy Week. May we have a real sense of all Jesus did for each one of us and on Sunday may we once again experience the Risen Christ.

I have in my possession a simple wooden holding cross, a piece of olive wood that fits so snuggly in my hand. A number of years ago I wrote this little piece which I share with you now.
May we all know God with us as we journey with Christ through Holy Week to the cross and beyond to the joy of Easter morning, the empty tomb and our Risen Lord.



A Holding Cross, A Touching Cross


A holding cross, a touching cross
What do I see?
I see the outstretched arms of an empty cross
A waiting cross
I see the outstretched arms of a waiting man
A loving man
Ready to die for you and for me
Arms outstretched
For nails to pierce, to hang and die
To be crucified for me and for you
I see the outstretched arms of a risen Lord
A risen Lord
Risen for you and for me
To make good the sins of the world
My sins and your sins
A holding cross, a touching cross
What do I feel?
I feel smooth olive wood
Sanded, polished and finished
What did He feel?
Rough, unfinished timbers
Nails puncturing hands and feet
A spear piercing His side
How did He feel?
Abandoned?
My God, my God why have you forsaken me?
He suffered for me and for you
He died for you and for me
He rose for us
He lives for us
An empty wooden holding touching cross
Reminding us of all he is and was
The empty cross
The risen Christ
Love and blessings,

Rev Mhairi Breingan
Moderator
The Presbytery of Clyde

Youth and Children Assistant
St Paul’s Parish Church of Scotland, Milngavie

Normal Hours: 20 per week
Annual Salary: £19,150
Annual Leave: 6 weeks

Our Vision
St Paul’s Parish Church believes it is entering a new season in its life and ministry. The congregation has experienced encouraging growth, particularly among older adults, and gives thanks for this. At the same time, there is a clear and prayerful desire to see the church grow younger as well as older.

The church is seeking God’s guidance in becoming a community where children, young people, families, and older generations can flourish together. In light of this vision, St Paul’s is looking to appoint someone who will contribute meaningfully to this journey — someone who will do more than simply run programmes.

Please share and pass this to anyone whom you think might willing and able to serve in this key position. Or, maybe, God is calling you?
Please pray for the guidance and the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Our current Treasurer Ian Steven CA will retire on 30 June 2026. Ian has been Clyde’s Treasurer from its creation in September 2020. He oversaw the merging of the assets and accounts of Dumbarton and Greenock & Paisley and has guided us through the first six years of our existence. We are very grateful to Ian for so generously sharing his time and professional expertise.
Our accounts and systems are in a good place ready to be handed over to our next Treasurer.
Our next Presbytery Treasurer is a voluntary role requiring ‘a person with demonstrable financial expertise’ [SO9]. Experience of church accounts would be helpful.
Our Treasurer has ‘charge of the Presbytery’s funds’ and
· prepares draft and final accounts and budgets and presents these to Presbytery
· proposes the annual Presbytery dues payable by each congregation
· delivers a financial report at each Presbytery meeting
· is a corresponding member of Presbytery (unless otherwise a member)
· is a member of the Business Committee.
Our current treasurer estimates his time commitment as, on average, 1.5 days each month to fulfil the core treasury role. In addition, he spends 5-6 hours a month preparing for and attending Presbytery and Business Committee meetings.

Our Presbytery Secretary inputs receipts and payments currently using Excel and undertakes the monthly bank reconciliations.
All accounts and data will have been transferred to the Data Developments accounting system by the time of Ian’s retiral. He will continue to be available to offer support.

Ian will be happy to discuss the role with anyone who is interested.
ian.steven@ntlworld.com
Otherwise, please contact Rev Dr Alan Hamilton with any queries or recommendations.
Thank you for your help and prayers.
Rev Dr Alan J Hamilton
Convenor, Stewardship & Finance Committee
ahamilton@churchofscotland.org.uk